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The Beauty Of The Cross

2/6/2019

*Affiliate Disclosure:
I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to leave a positive review. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Many Christians worldwide celebrate Lent, the 40 day period leading up to Easter which emphasizes prayer, fasting, and the importance of repentance. Though typically associated with Catholicism, many Protestants also find that a season of repentance and preparation for Easter is something of great value as well. Regardless of what you call it, you may want to set aside those forty days to give some focused meditation on Christ and His Sacrifice at the cross.

The Beauty of the Cross: Reflections for Lent from Isaiah 52 and 53 by Tim Chester is an excellent option for such a time of focus and reflection. From the introduction, Chester makes it clear that he wants readers to stand in awe of God and His great work in the death and resurrection of Jesus:

I want our jaws to drop as we stand open-mouthed before the cross, lost for words as we see the love of Christ in all its fullness.

Chester's deep love for God and His Word shines bright in this wonderful 40-day devotional. He drinks deep from the wells of sound biblical teaching while bringing rich illustrations and exhortations to see Christ's worth as we behold Him. By no means is this a technical commentary nor is it a light and fluffy feel-good devotional book. The Beauty of the Cross is meant to show us precisely what the title says: that the cross is beautiful because of the Savior who hung on it.

Zooming in on some of the richest and most explicitly Christ-centered passages in the Old Testament, the four songs in Isaiah (particularly the fourth song in 52 and 53) will open readers' eyes to the glory of Christ and His work in making purification for sins.

Chester shows us that Christ's work on the cross wasn't a New Testament invention or God's "whoops, better fix it!" moment to solve humanity's problems. The Beauty of the Cross shows us that God's plan A to rescue His people is glorious and gives us an opportunity to step back in awe as we set our minds and affections on the holy and triune God we serve.

Do yourself a favor and grab a copy before March 6th, so you can savor God's Word in Isaiah 52 and 53 this Lenten season! In a world of distraction, sometimes the best moments are we simply slow down and steep ourselves in a small section of God's Word!

For more information on Lent, see https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-Lent.html.

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A Jesus Christmas

1/5/2019

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*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

You may be wondering why I'm still talking about Christmas books in January. For many parents and grandparents, Christmas is a wonderful and exhausting time of year. If you're like me, you're too tired to even think about Christmas 2019!

However, before you put Christmas 2018 on the shelf, I want you to ask yourself some questions: Was your Christmas a "Jesus Christmas"? Was Jesus as much at the center of your Christmas as you desired? Did you make time to emphasize Christ during your family's devotional time last month?

Whether you're disappointed with the Christ focus of your Christmas or just want to keep up the steam from this Christmas, A Jesus Christmas: Explore God's Amazing Plan For Christmas by Barbara Reaoch is something you'll want to add to your bookshelf for Advent 2019.

Barbara Reaoch has made this book friendly for families of all ages and sizes. Each day families are called to explore, explain, engage, and enter in to a passage of scripture. The "engage" questions are keyed to different age groups so that all of your children can get in on the discussion. There is even an answer sheet on thegoodbook.com so parents can be confident that they give their children the correct answers to all the questions!

This isn't your average children's Christmas devotional guide. It is gospel-centered, richly theological, and sound in doctrine. Children will be exposed to biblical Christology as well as the amazing Christmas story throughout the month of December.

My most favorite aspect A Jesus Christmas is the family journaling space. Parents and older kids can journal directly in the book, bringing the experience even closer to home. Younger children and those with some artistic flair even have a large blank page to draw a picture or word art.

If you want a more Christ-centered Christmas for you and your family in 2019, get your copy of A Jesus Christmas today!

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In Praise Of Old Guys

12/23/2018

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*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review. Also, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Don’t do dumb stuff while you’re young that you’ll regret when you’re old. That’s at the heart of In Praise Of Old Guys. Nicolas Alford and Nicholas Kennicott drive home this message with transparent, hard-hitting, and biblical wisdom page after page.

In a day in which the perils of youth are lauded as virtues, we are reminded that “a believer with gray hair has a banner signaling you to ask them for advice, counsel, and encouragement” (p. 13). Instead of calling for more contemporary worship services or more innovative ideas, Alford and Kennicott call young and aspiring pastors to “care more about growth in holiness and communion with the Lord in the quiet and unseen times of the day than we do about cultivating and maintaining a public platform and popular persona.” (p. 39)

On many of the pages, I was convicted by the folly of my own youthfulness in life and ministry. I’ve cared more about getting seminary and ministry credentials than sitting under the mentorship of a godly older man. To put it bluntly, I’ve often been shaped by the notion that true education is found in a classroom, not in the trenches of real ministry.

In Praise Of Old Guys is both practical and deeply rooted in scripture. At some moments, the tone is light and hilarious which is sure to get a few laughs along the way. At other moments, you get hit hard by the rawness of the reality of pride: “Beware of a self-exalting man, especially if he is doing it with a smirk. He’s not edgy; he’s an idiot.” (p. 24). This makes for an enjoyable read on a topic that could certainly be depressing and discouraging if handled wrongly.

As a book nerd, I loved the sections which highlighted great writers and books from the past. It’s important to read scripture, which made very clear in this book. It is also important to read good books from old dead guys. They’ve lived their lives, preached their sermons, and written their books. We don’t have to fear that they’ll tarnish their faithful ministry with sin because their story has already been written.

Ultimately, if you’re a young man, pursue an old guy with gray hair to do life with. There is so much wisdom to be found in their lives, and you’re commanded in scripture to do so. If you’re an old guy (I’m getting closer to that description with every ache, pain, and grey hair), find a young guy to mentor and disciple. It’s worth it for both of you.

I highly recommend this book. I look forward to more by Alford and Kennicott!

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Add These Books To Your Last-Minute Christmas Shopping List

12/21/2018

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*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you're anything like me, you love to buy good books for the people you love, but you've somehow missed someone on your list. If so, I have a few books that will make great Christmas gifts for the people you love:

Diehard Sins by Rush Witt deals with those pesky, seemingly smalls sins that just seem to never let go. These diehard sins are the ones that take constant daily attention to destroy because they aren't always loud and visible public sins, but they always seem to show back up in our lives. Witt takes readers through the process he has used to help himself and his counselees destroy those diehard sins.
Images and Idols by Thomas Terry and J. Ryan Lister is all about God-centered creativity. It is part of their Reclaiming Creativity series. Images and Idols explores the foundations of creativity (as found in the Genesis creation story), the destruction of pure creativity in men due to sin, and how the gospel redeems our creativity for God's glory. See my full review here. This one in on sale right now for $1.99 if you like the Kindle version!
In Praise of Old Guys by Nicolas Alford and Nicholas Kennicott is something for a pastor or other ministry leader in your life. Better yet, get it for any young guy on your Christmas list! It's a not-so-subtle nudge for young men to seek older, more godly mentors who have been around the block a few times. Also, there's a really nice appendix with other recommended readings from some of the greatest authors in Christian and literary history!
Reformed Preaching by Joel Beeke is another great gift idea for the pastors and preachers in your life. This is a summation of Joel Beeke's many years of preaching and teaching on experiential preaching. Beeke's aim is to help preachers, by the Spirit, reach the heart of their hearers with deeply applicable sermons that preach the Biblical text faithfully while also reaching into everyday life with the sanctifying power promised by God Himself. This one is well worth the money and the time it will take to read it!
The Gospel Comes with a House Key by Rosaria Butterfield is a great gift for the moms and wives on your list (though husbands will greatly benefit, too!). Butterfield takes the phrase "love your neighbor" literally and shows how her life was changed by some hospitable Christians who shared their lives and the love of Christ with her. More than just merely giving a theological treatment of hospitality, Butterfield gives examples—both successful and painful—from her efforts to show radical hospitality and reach people with the gospel.
The Gospel In Color by Curtis Woods and Jarvis J. Williams is a gift for both parents and children. Their desire is to show that true racial reconciliation can only come through God's glorious work in the gospel. The gospel doesn't save people so they can continue to accept cultural norms and remain in segregation and hatred of one another. Rather, the gospel allows us to talk about and move forward from these things. Though each can be purchased separately, it's valuable to grab the box set so parents can engage their children in this vitally important discussion. It's sure to be a blessing this Christmas and throughout their lives.

If you waited this long, you better hurry! If you're buying in store, you'll be fine, but if you're an online shopper, it looks like you've only got about a day to ensure that your gifts arrive before Christmas day with one or two-day shipping!

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Add These Books To Your Last-Minute Christmas Shopping List