Category: Devotional reading

Fresh Views of God from Voices of the Past: The Valley of Vision

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ValleyofVision-BookcoverThe Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions by Arthur Bennett

“The soul learns to pray by praying; for prayer is communion with a transcendent and immanent God who on the ground of his nature and attributes calls forth all the powers of the redeemed soul in acts of total adoration and dedication.”


The Valley of Vision is a collection of prayers, 195 in all, compiled by Arthur Bennett from various men from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, including John Bunyan, Thomas Watson, David Brainerd, Isaac Watts, Augustus Toplady, Philip Doddridge, and Charles Spurgeon, as well as others. These short, devotional, poetic prayers are a wonderful way to start and/or end each day. They would serve well for private, personal devotions and meditation, or for family worship. Continue reading “Fresh Views of God from Voices of the Past: The Valley of Vision” →

God-Gifts: Here, there and everywhere: One Thousand Gifts

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One-Thousand-Gifts-book-coverOne Thousand Gifts: a dare to live fully right where you are by Ann Voskamp

“I want to see beauty. In the ugly, in the sink, in the suffering, in the daily, in all the days before I die, the moments before I sleep.”


At Christmastime, many people become consumed with gifts. The typical process begins with the creation of a list, whether mental or physical, of people we want (or are obligated) to give gifts to, along with perhaps gift ideas for those individuals. Then we strategize about when and where we will obtain said gifts and how much we intend to spend. Those of us who aren’t the shopper-types will probably take the easy way and do our shopping online and/or buy gift cards. There are always those one or more people on our list whom we either don’t spend much time around to know what they would like or need, or whom we can’t decide what to get because we assess he or she “already has everything they need.” Along with considering who we will give gifts to, while we may not admit it out loud, we look forward to whatever gifts we think we may receive when the time comes for exchanges. Continue reading “God-Gifts: Here, there and everywhere: One Thousand Gifts” →

Is the Lord Your Shepherd?: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23

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A-Shepherd-looks-at-the-Psalm-23A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23: An Inspiring and Insightful Guide to One of the Best-Loved Bible Passages by W. Phillip Keller

“It is no mere whim on God’s part to call us sheep. Our behavior patterns and life habits are so much like that of sheep it is well nigh embarrassing.”


In this little treasure of a book, Phillip Keller examines the best-known and most-beloved Psalm and relates it to the reader in ways he may never have thought of before. As one who grew up in East Africa among animal herders and who made his living for a period of time as a sheep owner, Keller truly understands the terminology and experiences of a shepherd as David did. He believes that many of us living in the modern, urban West misinterpret or at least do not fully understand and appreciate the metaphors and meaning David offers in the 23rd Psalm. Keller’s book adds depth to the psalm; after reading A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, you will never read it in the same way again. (If you are unfamiliar with the 23rd Psalm, please take a moment to read it now.) Continue reading “Is the Lord Your Shepherd?: A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” →

He Died on Purpose, for a Purpose, and Accomplished His Mission: 50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die

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This time last year I posted this review, and it seems fitting to share it again. John Piper’s book, Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, is an appropriate recommendation for the Easter season. Christ did not die to make salvation a possibility. He came to die in order to redeem a particular people that His Father gave to Him, and He accomplished what God the Father sent Him to do. It is amazing when we look closely at what this one death achieved!

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calvaryFifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper

“The passion of Jesus was absolutely unique, and his resurrection from the dead three days later was an act of God to vindicate what his death achieved…The controversy about who killed Jesus is marginal. He chose to die. His Father ordained it. He embraced it.”


 The death of Christ was simultaneously the worst thing that ever happened and the best thing that ever happened. You may have seen (or even have) the bumper sticker that says, “Try Jesus – He died for the opportunity.” Personally, I find that offensive and here’s why: Christ’s death did more than merely make forgiveness from sin POSSIBLE. He accomplished what He came to earth to do, fulfilling the covenant made with His Father before the foundations of the world.

Originally entitled The Passion of Jesus Christ, in this book John Piper lists 50…

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Daily Readings from the “Prince of Preachers”

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Morning and Evening: Daily Readings by Charles H. Spurgeon

“But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night…And whatever he does shall prosper” (Psalm 1: 2-3).

From strength to strength go on;
Wrestle, and fight, and pray,
Tread all the powers of darkness down,
And win the well-fought day.
 
No neutralities can exist in religion. We are either ranked under the banner of Prince Immanuel, to serve and fight His battles, or we are vassals of the black prince, Satan. To whom belongest thou?
C. H. Spurgeon, "The Prince of Preachers&...
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Prince of Preachers” (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Charles Haddon Spurgeon was an English preacher who lived from 1834-1892 and is known for his bold sermons and writings. Spurgeon became a pastor at age 20 and preached over 3000 sermons during his lifetime. His largest and probably best-known work is his Treasury of David, a seven volume collection of sermons on the Psalms. At our church, we almost think of Spurgeon as an honorary elder because our pastors and teachers value and draw from his works so much. I’ve had the intention of reading a major work by Spurgeon for years and finally decided this year to go through his Morning and Evening devotionals, and I am finding it a tremendous blessing. Continue reading “Daily Readings from the “Prince of Preachers”” →

If You Think You Know God – Think Again

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knowingGodKnowing God by J. I. Packer

“The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can ever engage the attention of a child of God, is the name, the nature, the person, the work, the doings, and the existence of the great God whom he calls his Father.” – Charles H. Spurgeon


If, like me, you were raised going to a Christian church, reading the Bible, and participating in Bible studies, you might think you know all there is to know about God. But the goal of the Christian shouldn’t be merely to know about God. We must realize, first, how little we know God and secondly, why it’s important to do so. Packer’s purpose for writing Knowing God is to stress the importance of really understanding who God is and to excite and motivate the Christian to strive towards knowing Him better. Theology is often downplayed and seems to receive little attention in many churches these days. (I actually saw a video of a “preacher” mocking those who sit in church and actually want more teaching!)  But every professing Christian should have as a lifelong pursuit the subject of theology, which is simply the study of God. And as a student of God’s Word, Packer says, the Christian must ask himself, “What do I intend to do with my knowledge about God, once I have got it?” When we read passages like Psalm 119 where the psalmist expresses his love for and desire to know God, His word, and His ways, it is clear his goal went beyond acquiring a basic knowledge about God. Packer points out that one may know a lot about God and godliness, and still hardly know Him. Continue reading “If You Think You Know God – Think Again” →