Is there any better way to prepare for Easter than spending 40 days with Jesus? The past couple years, I’ve wanted to work the rhythms of the church cIs there any better way to prepare for Easter than spending 40 days with Jesus? The past couple years, I’ve wanted to work the rhythms of the church calendar into my life more, and this was great for Lent. Full disclosure, sometimes the questions for the day left something to be desired, but those aren’t the core element of the study anyway. Immerse yourself in the Bible passage(s) each day, and you will gain riches. This Bible study certainly helped me know and love Jesus more, see the gospel more clearly across Scripture, and enter Easter Sunday with a heart well-prepared to celebrate our risen Savior....more
I have always found "the fear of the Lord" one of those terms in Christianity easy to mention but difficult to comprehend. This book truly opened up mI have always found "the fear of the Lord" one of those terms in Christianity easy to mention but difficult to comprehend. This book truly opened up my understanding. I'd like to say more but am still taking in all the ideas. A reread is in order down the road!...more
“A river flows through the center of your heart’s castle and out into the city of man. Set your little bread—be it a word or an idea—upon the water an“A river flows through the center of your heart’s castle and out into the city of man. Set your little bread—be it a word or an idea—upon the water and let it follow the current. Someone downstream will pick it up and take it home and be fed by it.”
Through letters penned to his daughter, Ben Palpant offers rich spiritual bread for writers, but other artists and really any Christian desiring to use his or her gifts and talents for the glory of God will find nourishment here, too. As with every other Palpant book I’ve read, I walk away with a treasure trove of commonplace quotes. Read and be fed. ...more
“I want to hike up my trousers and Wade into the sparkling stillness To stand alone with you. To dip my heart’s chalice and scoop more gladness.”
How thr“I want to hike up my trousers and Wade into the sparkling stillness To stand alone with you. To dip my heart’s chalice and scoop more gladness.”
How thrilled I am for another volume of poetry from Ben Palpant. I love the conversation throughout the book with other poems and poets. I love the T.S. Eliot-inspired focus on Christ as the Stranger and the gift of new eyes to see Him, Scripture, myself, and the world around me. I love the progression from advent to ascension. I love Palpant’s way with words, which arrested my attention multiple times. At one point, I abruptly stopped reading aloud, let out a small gasp, and sat in stunned tears.
A beautifully done offering of praise.
(I received a free digital copy of this book from the author. This review is my honest assessment of its contents.)...more
“If we were in a proper spirit, the question with us would not so much be ‘What must I do for God?’ as ‘What can I do for God?’”
Andrew Fuller was a go“If we were in a proper spirit, the question with us would not so much be ‘What must I do for God?’ as ‘What can I do for God?’”
Andrew Fuller was a godly Christian, pastor, and friend. He founded the missionary society whose first missionary was none other than William Carey, the father of modern missions. This collection of letters provides a good glimpse of Fuller’s spiritual temperament and priorities. He is one of my pastor’s heroes for good reason....more
Certainly an informative biography, but I felt the biographer kept getting in the way of his subject matter. Ryken's writing style and organization leCertainly an informative biography, but I felt the biographer kept getting in the way of his subject matter. Ryken's writing style and organization left something to be desired. ...more
John Calvin’s Institutes has been on my reading bucket list for years. Having committed to read the entire work in 2021, I actually finished. I do notJohn Calvin’s Institutes has been on my reading bucket list for years. Having committed to read the entire work in 2021, I actually finished. I do not claim to have understood everything I read, nor do Calvin and I agree on everything. Nevertheless, it was an immense privilege to see a great theological mind at work and read a book that has been so important to Protestantism. As someone in a Protestant denomination who also reads a lot of books by Reformed writers, many of his arguments were not as earth-shattering to me as they would have been to readers in his day, but that is no discredit to Calvin. On the contrary, it shows just how influential his work has been. A challenging, slow read but worth it.
(The Literary Life Podcast’s 19 in 2021 Reading Challenge – A 14th, 15th, or 16th century book)
"They, looking back, all th' eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand. The gate With dreadful faces th"They, looking back, all th' eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand. The gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms. Some natural tears they dropped but wiped them soon. The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide. They hand in hand with wand'ring steps and slow Through Eden took their solitary way."
What an achievement for English literature. Milton's Christian epic is simultaneously one of the most challenging and most rewarding classics I've read (and reread). It's not a work to be rushed, but savored. The poetry and pathos are stellar.
The particular edition I used is the Norton Critical Edition. Although I can't speak to the helpfulness of the literary criticism in the back of the book since I don't have time to read it all right now, I can say that the annotations, glossary, and modernized spelling/punctuation definitely aid understanding while reading. ...more
Every page kept my interest. Though I've already had many encounters with C.S. Lewis's life and work, this book's focus on the friendship between him Every page kept my interest. Though I've already had many encounters with C.S. Lewis's life and work, this book's focus on the friendship between him and Dorothy L. Sayers revealed yet another side to one of my favorite authors. Getting to know Sayers better, too, was just as exciting since I've only just this year started delving into her writing. If you love either or both of these authors, this is a book you'll want to read. ...more
"Invention rest, Comparisons go play, wit use thy will: Less than the least Of all God's mercies, is my posy still."
George Herbert is one of my favorit"Invention rest, Comparisons go play, wit use thy will: Less than the least Of all God's mercies, is my posy still."
George Herbert is one of my favorite poets. This collection is full of beautiful gems in language, form, and theme. Surely some of the greatest devotional poetry ever written....more
A helpful consideration of biblical worship. Barrett pushes back on the pervasive view of worship as a matter of personal preference and points us to A helpful consideration of biblical worship. Barrett pushes back on the pervasive view of worship as a matter of personal preference and points us to where our attention always should have been: what God actually says in His word about how to worship Him. ...more
"He left the coffee-scented warmth of the Main Street Grill and stood for a moment under the green awning. The honest cold of an early mountain spring"He left the coffee-scented warmth of the Main Street Grill and stood for a moment under the green awning. The honest cold of an early mountain spring stung him sharply. He often noted the minor miracle of passing through a door into a completely different world, with different smells and attractions. It helped to be aware of the little things in life, he told himself, and he often exhorted his congregation to do the same."
"He’d never relished planning his own recreation; he simply wasn’t good at it. He was prone to turn recreation into something practical, to justify the time and expense."
"He hadn’t known the truth then, but he felt he knew it now—yes, he was too scared to rest."
This novel knows exactly what it wants to be: "the pause that refreshes" (Mayor Cunningham's description of Mitford) and a reminder that "Life and the world are astonishing things" (attributed to William Wordsworth). Surely we can all resonate to some degree with Father Tim's fear of rest and his struggle to let leisure just be leisure. Surely our vision grows dim to the wonder of being alive and the joy of life's simple pleasures. Without denying the reality of living in a fallen world (even Mitford's citizens know hurt and heartache), At Home in Mitford invites us to press pause, be delighted, feel at home, and find refreshment before we return to the responsibilities of our own lives.
For a number of reasons, I wasn't able to read this book quickly. But that's just fine. I genuinely looked forward to spending time in Mitford each night before bed. I enjoyed stepping into Father Tim's life and meeting the charming cast of characters all around him. I laughed often—perhaps the highest compliment I can pay this novel, considering how hard it is for a book to actually get me to laugh out loud. And I am excited that several other Mitford novels still await me!...more
Sometimes long-winded and difficult to understand when the examples used are unfamiliar, but an absolutely essential essay for understanding Tolkien, Sometimes long-winded and difficult to understand when the examples used are unfamiliar, but an absolutely essential essay for understanding Tolkien, Lord of the Rings, and other good "fairy-stories." The ending (Recovery, Escape, Consolation and Epilogue sections) is pure gold and one of my favorite bits of writing ever....more
A good but not great book addressing idolatry as the root of our sin struggles. Although the book's content is solid overall, the writing leaves sometA good but not great book addressing idolatry as the root of our sin struggles. Although the book's content is solid overall, the writing leaves something to be desired. The more I read, the more I thought Fitzpatrick was largely repeating herself and padding chapters. At times, her writing also lacked a logical flow, especially between points within chapters. Lastly, I thought Fitzpatrick tried too much to force certain Bible narratives to fit the arguments she wanted to make, as opposed to letting her arguments flow naturally out of what the Bible teaches. ...more
T.S. Eliot said, "Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood." That's true of this collection. Percy Shelley said, "Poetry lifts the veil T.S. Eliot said, "Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood." That's true of this collection. Percy Shelley said, "Poetry lifts the veil from the hidden beauty of the world, and makes familiar objects be as if they were not familiar." That's also true of this collection. Rich imagery indeed (see the book description). At times, also unexpected. I enjoyed engaging all my senses for Wheeler's word paintings and contemplating their connections to deep longings and realities. ...more
"The Christian life, from one angle, is the long journey of letting our natural assumption about who God is, over many decades, fall away, being slowl"The Christian life, from one angle, is the long journey of letting our natural assumption about who God is, over many decades, fall away, being slowly replaced with God’s own insistence on who he is."
Having finished this book, the first thing I want to do is read it again. Its message is like soothing ointment on a wound. Definitely a book to be reread regularly. With much help from the Puritans, Dane Ortlund focuses not on what God does, but on who God is in his very heart. As the book's title suggests, Ortlund begins with Matthew 11:28-30, where Jesus Christ openly declares his heart to us. The book does not stop there, however, but works through a number of Old Testament and New Testament passages. While every chapter connects to Ortlund's overarching argument about God's heart, each one also stands alone quite well. The chapters' brevity is just an added bonus. One can easily work this book into his or her devotional life, reading and meditating on just a chapter or two a day.
What is abundantly clear to me is that Ortlund is a man on a mission. He is in awe of such a God as this, passionate about the declarations God makes about his own character, and eager to share them with other believers so that they can be as warmed, encouraged, and awestruck as he is. And Ortlund doesn't stand alone on the matter, but in the company of men such as Thomas Goodwin, John Bunyan, Jonathan Edwards, Richard Sibbes, and John Newton. Puritan writing is some of my favorite, so I am glad that Ortlund ensured they got to speak as well.
If this book's message unsettles you in any way, stop and consider why. Are you afraid that God's other attributes such as justice, wrath, and holiness get diminished or denied? Ortlund anticipates that concern at several points and addresses it carefully. Are you afraid that people will read this book and come away with license to sin or low views of confession and repentance? Anyone who draws such conclusions hasn't read this book fairly or accurately. The heart of God that I discovered while reading this book astounds me and motivates me to run the race with even more determination. Yes, I'll keep falling along the way, but when I do, God won't be standing there shaking his head at me in disappointment. He'll be rushing over to help me up, if only I will grab the hand he offers.
Amazingly, our problem is not that we make too much of God's merciful, gracious, loving heart but too little. We are perpetually making God in our own image. I am reminded of the ancient Greeks, whose gods were often spiteful, vindictive, unkind, harsh, and exacting—in other words, gods who act just like people. But the true and living God, the God who declares himself to us in Scripture, is beyond our comprehension and our wildest dreams. He is "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matthew 11:29). He is "a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6). He is "rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:4).
Since Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is on my 2020 reading list, I wanted to read a history of evangelical feminism, the movement to which Since Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is on my 2020 reading list, I wanted to read a history of evangelical feminism, the movement to which that book responded. This history by Pamela Cochran met my needs quite well. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to better understand the origin and development of the evangelical feminist movement. What started as a reaction against the so-called "fundamentalist" view on women (more on that in my observations below) eventually morphed into two distinct feminist camps: traditionalist and progressive (the latter so extreme that it moved entirely outside the boundaries of evangelicalism). One caveat: Cochran, as far as I could tell by her tone in this book, is not sympathetic toward any sort of fundamentalist/conservative/complementarian perspective on women. So be on guard for periodic comments that reveal her bias.
Two main observations:
1) The evangelical feminist movement, while specific in its focus, speaks to deeper issues of biblical authority, biblical inerrancy, and hermeneutics. Once you understand both feminist camps' positions in these three areas, every particular they present about God, the church, women's roles, etc., makes sense. The latter flows naturally from the former. The progressives, for example, show what happens when you 1) elevate reason, culture, personal experience, etc., to the same authoritative level as Scripture and 2) deny or limit inerrancy: You affirm homosexuality, attack the Trinity as being "too male," add a fourth member to the Godhead (Sophia, the feminine personification of Wisdom in Proverbs), reject penal substitutionary atonement for encouraging women's passivity, and more. In other words, you theologically trainwreck yourself.
2) Evangelical feminism failed to accurately understand the biblical position against which it reacted. The feminists accused their more conservative counterparts of teaching women's subordination to men (this constant use of the term subordination is significant, as it implies the idea of women's being lesser or inferior), of not viewing women as equals. While those accusations are sadly true in certain pockets of fundamentalism/conservative evangelicalism/complementarianism, they are not true on the whole. On the contrary, the traditional view is very pro-women, just not in the way the feminists wanted. Evangelical feminism, in seeking to restore "equality," misunderstood what biblical equality between the sexes even is....more
Here's Le Peau's own "elevator pitch" for Write Better:
"Writing is hard work. Writing well is even harder. But there are ways not only to make it easi
Here's Le Peau's own "elevator pitch" for Write Better:
"Writing is hard work. Writing well is even harder. But there are ways not only to make it easier but better. Having spent my whole career as a writer and editor, I offer a book on craft and character for nonfiction writers."
Although at certain points Le Peau most specifically targets nonfiction writers who have gotten a book published or hope to get one published, the insight he shares in this book is useful for any writer, regardless of skill level. What I already knew, I was glad to be reminded of. What I didn't know, I was glad to learn.
The first section on craft addresses openings, audience, structure, persuasion, narrative, writer's block, rewriting, endings, and titles. Le Peau offers a myriad of practical suggestions for each element and includes examples of great writing. The second section on art addresses creativity, grammar, tone, metaphor, and simplicity—again, with plenty of practicality and illustration. Perhaps what I like most about this book is that each chapter stands on its own, allowing readers to return to the book as needed to hone certain aspects of their writing.
The final section on the spirituality of writing, while not one you'll find in the typical book about writing, is of utmost importance. For the Christian, writing is about so much more than just writing. Even on points where I did not agree with Le Peau (my greatest quibble is some questionable Scripture applications), I found his discussions profitable. Writing embodies both privilege and responsibility. We do well to consider the spiritual implications of our labor. ...more
"The world—O what a bubble—what a trifle it is! Friends are nothing, fame is nothing, health is nothing, life is nothing; Jesus, Jesus is All! O what "The world—O what a bubble—what a trifle it is! Friends are nothing, fame is nothing, health is nothing, life is nothing; Jesus, Jesus is All! O what will it be to spend an eternity in seeing and praising Jesus! to see him as he is, to be satisfied with his likeness! O, I long, I pant, I faint with desire to be singing, Worthy is the Lamb—to be extolling the riches of sovereign grace—to be casting the crown at the feet of Christ!"
How many Christians even know who Dr. Edward Payson is? In my humble opinion, he deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as David Brainerd—both men of whom the world is not worthy. This is a well-written, transformational biography. Its greatest triumph, as with Brainerd's biography, is that you get pulled deep into the subject's inner life. Because the biographer allowed Dr. Payson's own words to do most of the talking, I don't just know the man's life now. I know the man. His passion for God's glory, hungerings after holiness, and faithfulness in his pastoral calling are beautiful and inspiring....more
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