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Weekend A La Carte (October 4)

A La Carte Collection cover image

I’m grateful to Lifeway for sponsoring the blog this week. They wanted to be sure you know about their neat new resource, the CSB Connecting Scripture New Testament, which is meant to help you connect the New Testament to the Bible’s grand narrative.

Today’s Kindle deals include a whole lot more great books. We have been spoiled this week, so be sure to check in with the many deals.

(Yesterday on the blog: Zero Gravity)

Welcoming Others With Gospel Hospitality

“When we hear the word ‘hospitality,’ we may think only of inviting people into our home. The thought of doing so may create a feeling of panic deep within us as we think about cleaning the house or fixing an elaborate meal. Hospitality can feel risky as we think about letting strangers and even friends in our homes and our lives. But gospel hospitality says nothing about a clean house or fancy meals. In fact, nothing about the gospel is fancy or flashy.”

What Is ‘KPop Demon Hunters’? A Primer for Youth Ministers and Parents

It’s possible that you’ve heard of the Netflix phenomenon K-Pop Demon Hunters. This article explains what it’s all about and how Christian young people (and their parents or youth leaders) can think about it.

Does Appearance Matter to Christians?

Does appearance really matter to Christians? Should it? Tanner Kay Swanson offers some answers in this article at Desiring God.

The Sounds of Silence: Teenagers and Mental Health

“Over my 29 years as a youth and family pastor, it has become obvious to me and to many others who care for teenagers and their families that there has been a rise in mental health struggles among teenagers.” Danny Kwon reflects on this fact.

What Does a Post-Literate Culture Look Like?

Consider how little people are reading today, Alan Noble wonders what a post-literate culture might look like. “What kind of future are we walking into where citizens and believers no longer read regularly? What effect will this have on our communities and ways of life?”

The Least I Can Do

This article considers what it means when we say (or otherwise imply) “It’s the least I can do.” Sometimes that is more true than we want it to be.

Flashback: Thank God We Do/Don’t Know the Future

Until that great day, we cling to the many powerful promises God has given us. Our confidence is not in knowing the future, but in knowing the one who holds the future.

God is not a killjoy; he just opposes what kills joy.

—John Piper


  • Thursday A La Carte

    A La Carte (May 28)

    Stephen Colbert didn’t get cancelled / Raising kids in a world that’s changing fast / Christian nationalism and AI maximalism / Ben Sasse on the indoor childhood / You should (try to) get married / AI and the deformation of the student’s soul / sales and deals / and more.

  • What Does It Mean to Be Discerning

    What Does It Mean to Be Discerning?

    Though I have heard it said of others, I have never had anyone tell me that I am a man of discerning tastes. I do not have a discerning palate or a discerning sense of style. I can, however, contentedly live without these if only I can have a discerning mind and a discerning spirit.

  • A La Carte (May 27)

    Sinful desires, concupiscence, & “Gay Christians” / Against anti-aging / The beauty of the unnamed / Take it on the chin / When the church stops singing / Does an unbelieving child disqualify a pastor? / The state of theology in Canada / Getting older involves a lot of dying / and more.

  • A La Carte (May 26)

    Judson’s last ride / How commercial surrogacy targets military families / Should Christians flip tables like Jesus? / What’s wrong with boys? / The single path / Battle for the soul / Four good questions to ask your tech / Kindle deals.

  • The Small Home Life

    You May Not Need Nearly as Much House as You Think You Do

    Our house is emptier than it has ever been, and that makes it feel bigger than it has ever been. It’s funny how the home that often felt just a little too small for the five of us now feels just a little too big for the two of us. Even a little house can…

  • A La Carte (May 25)

    Clearer thinking about sterilization / You did it again / The trouble underneath / Why don’t our sermons change people? / The whining Christian / Kindle deals / and more.