Whoever says social media can't be used for good? I was reminded of this short volume yesterday when a friend referenced it on Instagram. I had purchaWhoever says social media can't be used for good? I was reminded of this short volume yesterday when a friend referenced it on Instagram. I had purchased it ages ago for my Kindle, but hadn't gotten around to it yet. I've read other (wonderful) books on praying the Bible, but picked this one up, read it within a couple hours, revamped my prayer journal, and just bought four copies of it to give to other friends whose names sprung to mind. So simple as to really be able to make a real impact on my prayer life immediately.
Not too bad for a short little book on prayer. I sense God is doing a work in my life, and in the church, reminding us how better to pray. I have a feeling this will be invaluable in my life going forward. I'm a devotee of Donald Whitney and once again, he proves he has the clarity and gifts to write and teach in ways that are practical and rule-changing....more
I find myself constantly jotting "Know Be Do" next to passages in the Scriptures now because I see the concept everywhere.
This is a great Bible studyI find myself constantly jotting "Know Be Do" next to passages in the Scriptures now because I see the concept everywhere.
This is a great Bible study tool. Once you start looking for the Know, the Be, and the Do in each passage, it helps the focus become clear. This fingerprint is all over. From the beginner, to the seasoned theologian, I could see how this method will produce so much fruit because it already has in my life....more
I see the Know Be Do concept everywhere now. It has made so many things click, and helped me to get the order and the focus right in my Christian lifeI see the Know Be Do concept everywhere now. It has made so many things click, and helped me to get the order and the focus right in my Christian life. Everything flows from Knowing... then to Being... then to Doing. And we wonder why it's so hard to DO the right things... We've got this order wrong.
Getting the Know-Be-Do concept in the right order gives God the glory as it should be, as I KNOW Him better; allows me rest in who I am in Him, as I BEcome the person He wants me to be; and then lets me DO for the right reasons, with the right motivation, and with so much more energy since it's flowing out of Know Be Do!
Great book. Well-written, with just the right amount of practical help for the Christian life, interspersed with stories and examples from the author's life and from the Bible that help the concepts to click....more
I see the Know Be Do concept everywhere now. It has made so many things click, and helped me to get the order and the focus right in my Christian lifeI see the Know Be Do concept everywhere now. It has made so many things click, and helped me to get the order and the focus right in my Christian life. Everything flows from Knowing... then to Being... then to Doing. And we wonder why it's so hard to DO the right things... We've got this order wrong.
Getting the Know-Be-Do concept in the right order gives God the glory as it should be, as I KNOW Him better; allows me rest in who I am in Him, as I BEcome the person He wants me to be; and then lets me DO for the right reasons, with the right motivation, and with so much more energy since it's flowing out of Know Be Do!
Great book. Well-written, with just the right amount of practical help for the Christian life, interspersed with stories and examples from the author's life and from the Bible that help the concepts to click....more
Very helpful. Fantastic little commentary on Revelation.
It relies heavily on a few longer commentaries. I'm familiar with Beale's Book of Revelation,Very helpful. Fantastic little commentary on Revelation.
It relies heavily on a few longer commentaries. I'm familiar with Beale's Book of Revelation, and this serves as almost a cliffs notes (in the best possible way), distilling into an extremely readable form, the themes of Revelation. Anyone in the church could benefit from this.
Included at the end of each chapter were both suggested further readings for parallel chapters in the Bible, as well as devotional questions which are such a refreshing asset for response.
This volume is laid out thematically rather than linearly, which I found immensely helpful as a recap after my in depth study of Revelation this year. It would also make a wonderful outline prior to a study.
The final chapter was practical and strong (a strong final chapter is a rarity in many books).
This work will certainly add to the renewed interest in the book of Revelation, and provide a balanced biblical foundation for one of Scripture's least understood books.
I will certainly be checking into what else Emerson has written....more
I deeply love language. There's no denying Eugene Peterson is a fantastic writer - gorgeous and clear prose. This was truly a book I wanted to take inI deeply love language. There's no denying Eugene Peterson is a fantastic writer - gorgeous and clear prose. This was truly a book I wanted to take in as a fine meal. So much practical wisdom and contemplative inspiration.
But what really made the book shine for me, was his third section on The Company of Translators. While I appreciate his translation/paraphrase The Message as a devotional tool, I have always been firmly in the a word-for-word camp when it comes to translating the Scriptures. I believe I still do agree more with the merits of a word-for-word translation for in-depth study, but Peterson makes a strong case for why a paraphrase translation also serves an important purpose in the study of God's word in our lives.
A takeaway from this book for me is to do my next book study (the gospel of John) with more than one translation before me, to see all the nuanced refractions of the language.
This would be an excellent book to give to anyone who is of the outdated "King James Only" camp, as it rationally explains the strengths and weaknesses of each method of Bible translation/interpretation, while still expressing great affection for the KJV. Along with giving some fascinating archaeological history of how we got many of our English translations. This section alone was worth the price of admission, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the pastoring process that lead him to begin translating Galatians, and then the entire Bible in what we know have as The Message....more
The content of this book was ok, but it really should have been a magazine article, or perhaps a long essay at most. It easily veered off topic and waThe content of this book was ok, but it really should have been a magazine article, or perhaps a long essay at most. It easily veered off topic and was extremely anecdotal. I was hoping for a little more in depth research and not just what I already believe: that children are indeed a blessing.
Some of her "arguments" seemed a little sappy to me, like something you might only understand if you already had children. And several of her "funny" examples actually made me NOT want to have children (one particular breakfast in bed story involving an entire bag of coffee used stands out). A lot of it was great advice - have kids in your early 20's, live near your family (though the authors admit they do not), but what if I'm already 30, and don't live near my family? Not really "inspiration for having babies."
A couple of specific criticisms: the author's sourcing sorely, and I mean sorely, needs some work. She quoted websites like thinkexist.com extensively (why not just look up the original source quote?), quoted books that quoted books, and even once sourced Wikipedia (which I'm pretty sure even high school papers aren't allowed to do), and referenced the same two or three authors dozens of times (to the point I thought, why don't I just read the other book instead?).
I'm not particularly maternal, and my mom (or as she probably prefers to be called, future-grandma) gave this too me, as she knows the author. Overall, it was ok, and an easy read, but I just don't really see it convincing anyone who wasn't already convinced. She is right: children are a blessing, and a high calling, but I'm still not convinced that everyone is called to have them....more
This is one of my favorite Bible studies I've done in quite some time...
The book of Daniel is rich with prophecy, most of which has already been fulfiThis is one of my favorite Bible studies I've done in quite some time...
The book of Daniel is rich with prophecy, most of which has already been fulfilled, so we got a wonderful history lesson, as well as an in-depth look into scripture.
Session Two is worth watching, if nothing else, if only for its history lesson. We serve a great God. Wisdom and power belongs to Him!...more
First of all, I'll start by saying the subject matter of Lord, I Want to Know You could not be better -- the names of God are central to our understanFirst of all, I'll start by saying the subject matter of Lord, I Want to Know You could not be better -- the names of God are central to our understanding of the character of God.
Now, onto this specific study. I finally completed this study on recommendation of my mom, who has done it countless times and who loves it. So, while this particular system didn't especially appeal to me, it certainly does to some.
I found I did not much care for Kay Arthur's writing style (examples, supporting verses, layout, even the editing), so while there were some gems embedded in the learning, I was distracted by what I found a bit basic and disjointed.
Kay Arthur is known for her Precept Upon Precept method, which I have done a bit of, but not much. Perhaps you would get more out of this study if you are already a disciple of her system.
For myself, I believe there are better books out there on the names of God....more
Whenever I read any book by Lewis I always ask myself why I read anything else until I've read everything he has ever written. He puts everything in sWhenever I read any book by Lewis I always ask myself why I read anything else until I've read everything he has ever written. He puts everything in such a way that is so complex yet so simple. Only a true genius can write something that you feel exactly the same way yourself, but could never have the eloquence to state it like Lewis can.
Highly recommend The Four Loves to anyone who has ever loved anything. I live with a beautiful example of these loves in my own home in my husband, and I kept looking up from my reading the whole time and asking him questions about affection, friendship, Eros, and charity.
This would be wonderful for any young teenagers who are just coming into dating or adulthood and wonderful for a discussion group of all ages. There's so much to think about and talk through about how these loves look practically in daily life....more
Masterful. These poetic works of Gene Edwards will make the hope of Christ burn brighter.
This finale volume of the Chronicles of Heaven series is theMasterful. These poetic works of Gene Edwards will make the hope of Christ burn brighter.
This finale volume of the Chronicles of Heaven series is the best one yet. I can scarcely wait to look into these mysteries when they come true. They are so beautifully imagined in human words, I cannot fathom what the real Event will be like....more
Gene Edwards is such a beautiful, poetic writer. These familiar stories, told from the perspective of the heavenly hosts, give me goosebumps. And thisGene Edwards is such a beautiful, poetic writer. These familiar stories, told from the perspective of the heavenly hosts, give me goosebumps. And this is a human, flawed, tiny glimpse of the view from heaven, but it is majestic. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
This particular volume of the Chronicles of Heaven series would be a wonderful re-read every Christmas....more
The concept of this book was wonderful; the actual execution, I found awkward. I didn't care for the dialogue format Dr. Crabb employed. The conversatThe concept of this book was wonderful; the actual execution, I found awkward. I didn't care for the dialogue format Dr. Crabb employed. The conversation-style became especially awkward when "God" quoted to Crabb from C.S. Lewis or Francis Schaeffer.
Once Dr. Crabb reached the epistles and beyond, I really enjoyed his content, so I still would recommend 66 Love Letters.
I did really enjoy his suggestion to read this book slowly over the course of reading the corresponding books of the Bible. As a counterpoint, I plan to listen to this series soon, from Dr. Mac Brunson, a pastor in Jacksonville, Florida, which explores one book at a time in theme.. http://www.fbcjax.com/media/archives/......more
Fantastic, practical book on experiencing and overcoming depression. I know the author, and she has truly overcome depression and is thriving. Many boFantastic, practical book on experiencing and overcoming depression. I know the author, and she has truly overcome depression and is thriving. Many books on the topic are overly complecated, and hard to wade through when struggling with depression and anxiety. But Ms. Thompson offers hope and practical ways to overcome....more
But as the months go on, and I still find myself being affected by it, I decided it is time to give it a review. It's rare that I reThis book I liked.
But as the months go on, and I still find myself being affected by it, I decided it is time to give it a review. It's rare that I read a book that I'm still thinking about not just days, but months later.
Beyond that, this book has changed my life. Despite having SO MUCH to be thankful for, being grateful was always something I "should do." Something I did on occasion, most definitely. But not something I really had the tools to know could change my life. My life has been changed by gratefulness.
This book has been an ice-axe to break open the frozen sea of my soul, and made me notice the grace in the everyday.
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