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Weekend A La Carte (October 15)

If you’re looking for something to give out alongside candy this Halloween, Westminster Books has a deal for you.

There’s a nice little list of Kindle deals to go through this morning.

(Yesterday on the blog: Build a Stronger Marriage)

Friend, You Can Be Ready to Die

Ray Ortlund: “Years ago I read somewhere that, during the Victorian era, people talked often about death, and sex was the taboo subject. By now we have flipped it. We talk freely about sex, and death is the taboo subject. To me, what’s odd is this: even Christians shy away from talking about death. For crying out loud, we’re going to heaven! Why should we fear anything? Our Lord died and rose again — for us.”

What Does “Leaving and Cleaving” Mean For Marriages in India?

I’m always fascinated to see how different cultures obey the same commands. “In fifteen years of being a pastor in Delhi and counselling couples who are struggling in their marriages, one issue causes the greatest amount of marital discord: the unwillingness to ‘leave and cleave.’ One or both spouses are unable or unaware of prioritising their spouse over their parents. In my experience, many problems in marriage can be traced back to this root cause.”

Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible

I’m glad that this documentary was made free on YouTube. “In this surprisingly entertaining film, Dr. Mark Ward explores the challenges facing readers of the King James Bible today. He shows why every English reader can benefit from today’s translations—and why you might not be as fluent in KJV English as you think.”

Say the Quiet Things, Out Loud

Kristin wants to encourage you to say the quiet things out loud.

Australian Football Executive Forced to Resign, Prompting Debate about Religious Liberty

CT reports on what may well be a bellwether situation in Australia. “He lasted 30 hours. Andrew Thorburn, a former banker, was appointed chief executive of Essendon Football Club on September 27. A little more than a day later, he was forced to resign from the prominent ‘footy’ club because of his connection to a conservative Melbourne church.”

Is Sermon Application Legalism?

“Some pastors think that to become great at sermon application, you need to develop a certain skill. Whereas there is skill involved in crafting sermon application, excellent sermon application doesn’t begin with skill acquisition; it begins with shaping what you believe about sermon application.”

Flashback: Don’t Expect Unbelievers To Act Like Believers

So often I see Christians acting surprised that their non-Christian friends or family members are acting like non-Christians. John Owen addresses this in his great work Overcoming Sin and Temptation.

What other book besides the Bible could be heard in public assemblies from year to year, with an attention that never tires, and an interest that never cloys?

—Robert Hall

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    A La Carte (March 18)

    A La Carte: Did Jesus freely live a scripted life? / Death, grief, and Frodo’s incurable wound / Cultural Christianity / The danger of an inward focused church / The stay-at-home mom / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Things Change and Things Stay the Same

    Things Change and Things Stay the Same

    The French language has an endearing little phrase that could almost have been drawn from the Bible’s wisdom literature. “Plus ça change,” they say, “plus c’est la même chose.” The more things change, the more they stay the same. Though I live in the 21st century, I read in the 19th, which is to say,…

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    A La Carte (March 17)

    A La Carte: Comfort in life’s disappointments / To women with passive husbands / Loved ones with dementia / When to preach Romans / Friendship / Kindle deals / and more.

  • Too Small To Bother God With

    At times we all live burdened lives, weighed down by the cares and concerns, the trials and traumas that inevitably accompany life in this world. And while we sometimes feel crushed by life’s heaviest burdens—the death of a loved one, the rebellion of a child, the onset of a chronic illness—we can also sometimes stagger…

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    Weekend A La Carte (March 15)

    A La Carte: The etiquette of speech / Steve Lawson’s repentance / It’s not too late to abandon Christian nationalism / Praying for dreams to come true / How marriage vows work / New gospel songs / and more.