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A La Carte (January 8)

A La Carte Collection cover image

May the Lord be with you and bless you today.

You can find today’s selection of Kindle deals on the appropriate page. Let me also remind you that I curate Kindle deals (and sometimes other book deals) at @challiesdeals. Also, all of the quote graphics I share are available for free download at squarequotes.church.

Westminster Books is offering steep discounts on many of its 2024 bestsellers.

American Religions: The Rise of Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses

“Many American Christians live among Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, but perhaps few understand what distinguishes them from historic Christianity. The origins of these groups in the religious ferment of nineteenth-century America illumines both their trajectories and the doctrines they came to embrace that place them outside the bounds of orthodox Christianity.” I am enjoying these longform articles from DG.

Is Eastern Orthodoxy the Next Big Thing for Young Men?

Trevin Wax considers whether a news story is accurate when it says there is a huge movement of young men to Eastern Orthodoxy.

How to be Both/And Gospel Workers

In Gary Millar’s new book, Both/And Ministry, he challenges followers of Jesus to be both/and people: both dependent on God and committed to hard work, both theologically driven and practically wise, both godly and effective. Get 25% off with code CHALLIES. (Sponsored)

Identifying Our Parenting Idols

“We can make an idol out of anything; so can our kids. But until we start to spot the idols in our lives, we can’t help our children see the false sources they turn to. Evaluating why we do what we do helps us identify our idols and subsequently turn from them.”

True Strength Starts With Weakness

Cindy Matson: “I doubt anyone will make the resolution to become weaker over the next year. The whole point of resolutions, after all, is to banish weakness and increase strength—whether physical, mental, or spiritual. While we must faithfully steward our minds, bodies, hearts, and emotions, Scripture actually teaches that weakness isn’t such a bad thing.”

Gratitude: Your Arm Is Not Too Short to Save

I really enjoyed Cheryl’s poem that proclaims the power of God.

The Danger of Driscoll in Me

John considers one of the keys to Mark Driscoll’s public downfall and realizes that he is prone to it as well. “Reading between the lines, it seems to me that his pride coupled with the frustration of criticism and perhaps also the irritation of working with leaders where there was a misalignment of vision caused Driscoll’s theology of mutual submission to change. I sympathize. I know the same impulse is in me.”

Flashback: The Danger of Being a Sermon Critic

It is better far to listen as a broken person than one who is convinced he is already complete, as a hungry man than one who is convinced he is already full. It is better far to listen from a position of need than a position of self-satisfaction.

The personal life of the preacher is the foundation upon which his every sermon stands. He certainly cannot expect to be used of God to change lives if his own life is stagnant.

—Michael Fabarez


  • Carney Trump

    How Donald Trump Upended Canadian Politics and Helped the Liberals Win

    On April 28, Canadians elected the Liberal Party of Canada to a fourth consecutive term. This is a rare feat for a political party in Canada and in this case, one of special significance, for just months ago, the Liberals seemed destined for near-complete destruction. The cost of living was spiking, the quality of life…

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    A La Carte (April 30)

    A La Carte: Young men wanted / The glory and danger of apologetics / God’s guidelines for sex aren’t arbitrary / How much is our church worth? / People loved the darkness / and more.

  • Erics Greatest Race

    Releasing Today: Eric’s Greatest Race

    My new book releases today! Eric’s Greatest Race is a fully illustrated graphic novel that tells young readers the story of Eric Liddell, the famous Olympian whose steadfast courage and commitment to Christ has inspired generations of believers. It is my sincere hope that it will introduce a whole new generation to a man whose…

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    A La Carte (April 29)

    A La Carte: Has the decline of U.S. Christianity finally stopped? / Holding space for joy and sorrow / No one ever hated his own body / Wisdom principles for Christian parenting / The article you don’t want to read / A new book / Kindle deals / and more.

  • The Pursuit of Virtue

    God’s character is the essence of virtue. The heart of virtue is to know the Lord and to become like him, as a child resembles her father. That is the goal, privilege, and destiny of the redeemed. #Sponsored

  • When God Plants an Acorn

    When God Plants an Acorn, He Means an Oak

    We stood together on the crest of a hill, a gentle breeze rustling the meadow around our feet. The fields ran gently downward until they met a creek that gurgled happily in its course. A few years prior, an acorn had somehow made its way to the highest point of this hill, carelessly dropped there…