90 Minutes in Heaven

I have not read Don Piper’s book, 90 Minutes in Heaven. Nor, at least at this point, do I plan to do so. As I select books to read, I consider several criteria: is it written by an author that I know, trust, and enjoy? is it about a topic that is either theologically or […]

Grab bag

This morning I caught up on some blog reading (I only check them sporadically these days). Here are a variety of links that I found interesting and beneficial: Al Mohler, “The Delay of Marriage and the Decline of Church Attendance” Al Mohler, “The Real Population Threat” “How to Pray for Joni Eareckson Tada” (and many […]

Shepherds’ Conference Reflections

A few remaining thoughts after the Shepherds’ Conference — Good preaching. Good is not the correct adjective. How about — exhorting, precise, convicting, penetrating, stimulating, passionate, articulate, helpful, equipping, joyful, consistent, and of course, Biblical. What impacted me in fresh ways this year was the similarities and the distinctions. The preachers were all different — […]

It’s John Calvin’s birthday (almost)

Next year marks the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth. A number of books are being published already as biographical retrospectives of his life. And ChristianAudio is also making available for free one of his books in an audio format. Of Prayer and the Christian Life is actually a portion of his larger work, The […]

Free books!

Desiring God announced a couple days ago that several of the books published this fall by John Piper are now available for free online as .pdf files. If you are looking for an inexpensive way to read good books, this is it. I have either read or am currently reading all these books, or listened […]

Another thought about confession and “apologies”

Following on the heels of my earlier comments, I came across a review of Susan Wise Bauer’s recent book, The Art of the Public Grovel, Sexual Sin and Public Confession in America. Based on the review, I’m not sure I agree with Bauer’s conclusions, however, it does offer much to think about in relation to […]

A couple things I’m reading

Two books that have come across my desk this week: I am enjoying reading Thabiti Anyabwile’s (I know how to pronounce his name, but have no idea how to write it phonetically — sorry!) new book, What is a Healthy Church Member? He offers ten marks of a healthy church member: is an expositional listener […]

Too much to read?

Do you ever feel like your “to read” book stack is out of control — that you will never get caught up on your reading? Sometimes the problem is not just a question about the amount of time needed to read, but knowing what to read. That’s where a group like Christian Book Summaries is […]

Thinking about God’s holiness — and mine

This week, in preparation for Sunday, I’ve been thinking about the holiness of God. And that lead me to peruse (I didn’t have time to re-read the entire book) my favorite book on that topic, The Holiness of God by R. C. Sproul. And I again came across my favorite statement about what holiness looks […]

Books, the internet, reading, and thinking

A couple years ago, I read Iain Murray’s classic biographical work on Jonathan Edwards. As I put the book away, I remember being struck at the depth of thinking produced by Edwards. A couple brief stories. Murray recounted that Edwards would often go on journeys by means of the common mode of transportation of that […]

Free audio book — Augustine’s Confessions

Each month, Christian Audio makes a complete audio book available for a free download. This month’s selection is Augustine’s classic work, Confessions. To download a copy, simply add the book to your cart, and when checking out, simply offer the coupon code: AUG2008 and you will not be charged for the book. An added bonus: […]

Lloyd-Jones on emotions and happiness

To finish reading Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ classic work, Spiritual Depression, I am trying to read a couple chapters a week in conjunction with my morning devotional time. In my reading this morning, he wrote this (I don’t agree with all of what he says, but the focus on making Christ the object of our affections when […]

Reflection on God’s work in salvation

The past couple of days I’ve been doing a fair bit of reading in the recently published book, Pierced for Our Transgressions. It is an important book because of it is a clear and definitive defense of the penal substitutionary work of Christ on the cross. I’ll have more comments when I finish the book […]

Books on the cross

C. J. Mahaney, who himself has written a book or two about the cross (The Cross-Centered Life and Living the Cross Centered Life) today posted his list of favored books on the cross. I concur with his choice of Stott’s book, and am looking forward to beginning to read this weekend Pierced for Our Transgressions […]

Discernment needed

On my upcoming sabbatical, I want to read a number of books. One of those is one just published by blogger Tim Challies, called The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment. It is an important book on an important topic. Al Mohler explains why.