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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


  • The End of Raising Children

    The End of Raising Children

    Michaela is a married woman! We enjoyed a simple ceremony on Monday afternoon and, after a sweet reception, she and Caleb hit the road to begin their new life together. And just like that, Aileen and I are finished raising children.

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    A La Carte (May 6)

    A La Carte: Eugenics as self-loathing / Raise kids to be reality respecters / The pastoral virtue of avoidance / Live son or dead daughter? / The sin we’ve stopped taking seriously / Evaluating cultural Christianity / and more.

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    A La Carte (May 5)

    Conspiracy and the Christian / The algorithm is changing how we speak / Values AI suggests / When darkness descends / The incredible human hand / A culture of chronic doubt / and more.

  • Medical assistance in dying in Canada

    Facts About Euthanasia in Canada

    Canada is one of the world’s leading practitioners of euthanasia. Here are some key facts Christians should know about Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in Canada—what it is, how it works, who it affects, and where it’s headed.

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    A La Carte (May 4)

    We need the doctrine of hell / Women’s ministry and single moms / Growing old together / Not all revivals are noisy / Animal Farm / Kindle deals / Rasputin / and more.

  • Works & Wonders

    Works & Wonders (May 3)

    Works & Wonders combines a brief devotional with other interesting and uplifting bits and pieces: Happy birthday, “Oh Canada” in America, new songs and albums, disposable diapers, and more.