Five Stars-A Book Review

My initial thoughts of another book about the elusive search for contentment were less than enthusiastic. I have read several books on the subject and I wondered what Stephen Altrogge author of The Greener Grass Conspiracy could add to my quest of finding contentment on my side of the fence.
After reading page one I knew this book was written for me and anyone else who has a sinful, discontented heart which Jesus says is true of all of us in Mark 7:21-23. It is the nature of men(and women) to try and find contentment outside of Christ filling our hearts, minds and souls with what the world has to offer.
 I agree with the author, the problem is me.
Mr. Altrogge points the reader in the right direction from the very beginning by explaining

"This grand conspiracy of the world, Satan, and my heart is called the Greener Grass Conspiracy. Their objective? To have me always believing that the grass is greener somewhere else, always wishing for a brighter tomorrow without ever enjoying where God has me today."

I read this book in a few hours with the content easy to digest. I was excited to see questions at the end of each chapter, enabling the reader to get to the heart of discontentment in their own life instead of breezing through another book and placing it on the shelf with the rest of books on contentment.
The author goes on to say he is not the center of the universe, nor am I. He addresses what biblical contentment is rooted in, what are some of the idols in our lives, how the gifts God does give us are meant to point us to the Giver, with additional chapters on how to endure the thorns in our lives, the evil of complaining and how to count our blessings.
This book is different from some of the others taking up space on my dusty shelf because the transparency of the author who writes in first person telling the reader he has not arrived. It was refreshing to read along with someone who is still on the journey encouraging me that it is possible to be content in Christ everyday and shake off the conspiracy of greener grass.
This book is a welcome addition to my library with chapters just right in length. I will be re-reading it going over the questions again. Anyone reading this book will be encouraged to find that contentment in Christ is attainable.
I give this book five stars highly recommending  The Greener Grass Conspiracy.

Book Reveiw/Recommendation

This past Sunday's sermon, As Christ Welcomed You, was a great reminder of what Jesus Christ has already done for me. Not "what would Jesus do" but what he has already done. Pastor Rob gave us six examples from scripture as to how we can follow and model Christ. One was taken from Romans 15:5-7; do I welcome others as Christ has welcomed me into his eternal kingdom with all my failings, struggles and foibles? Before I exclude someone from my fellowship would I want Jesus to exclude me from his?
As I listened to this message I was reminded of the book I read last week,
Washed and Waiting, Reflections on Christian Faitfulness and Homosexuality, by Wesley Hill.
While I did not agree with his terminology, this was a heart-wrenching and eye-opening book about a young man struggling with same sex attraction as a committed follower and lover of Jesus Christ.
"Hill gives us a glimpse at what it looks like to wrestle firsthand with God's NO to same-sex relationships."
He raises many questions and bares his heart as to what it means to be a celibate christian with same sex attractions. An afterword written by Kathyrn Greene-Mccreight addresses the issues facing the church today and how we are to suffer when one member is suffering.(1 Corinthians 12:26) She says Hill "accepts that homosexual sex is not part of God's original creative intention for humanity...but poses the question to christian churches...how do we respond to those who struggle with homosexual desires?"
How do we help them with the isolation and lonliness they feel as they sit in our pews? Can we as the body of Christ show the love of Christ and include them in our fellowship? Do those who struggle with same sex attraction feel welcome in our local churches and would they feel safe sharing those struggles?(JG)
I am praying that is true of my church and of me. Over the years, even before we came to pastor, it has been said we are one of the friendliest churches around. We had a newcomer's dinner this past week where it was said again. I am praying that I(we) will continue to wrap our arms around all those (we) meet as they walk through our doors finding the same grace that was extended to me when Christ found me. It is only by grace that I am saved.(Ephesians 2:5)
I highly recommend this short book. It is a fast read... I was able to do it in an evening.

I just started reading Joni Eareckson Tada's new book, A Place of Healing, Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God's Sovereignty.
On the back cover:

"How do we navigate that agonizing distance between such a magnificent yes and such a heartbreaking no? Over four decades ago, a diving accident left Joni a quadriplegic. Since that time, she has become a beloved writer and speaker to millions. But today, Joni faces a new battle; chronic, unrelenting pain. In this book you will see that healing sometimes comes through answers--and sometimes through questions themselves."



Today I had a much needed day off, thanks to the K family. Since Lauren is home from school sick, my purse stayed a little heavier because my plan was to go shopping for a much needed dress for the upcoming wedding of my mother-in-love(law):)
Anyway, I had time to run errands and head back to the kitchen to cook a couple of meals for a church family and then sat down to start this book. I didn't get very far before I knew it would head to my top 10 list. It deals with chronic, unrelenting pain, which has not affected me firsthand but someone very close to me. This quote is worth the entire book which I will review for you when I am done.

"And what is His will?"

"That you and I be in the best position, the best place, the timeliest circumstance in which God can be glorified the most."



Reading List

These books are currently on my desk. I am back to feeding my soul after my summer time reading of fiction and mysteries. I am preparing for a women's small group I will be leading on Wednesday nights using
Through His Eyes which is the best book I've read on the women of the Bible.
I just finished reading The Undistracted Widow, again the best book I have read on the subject. If you are a widow, know someone who is, or you want to understand how God can be glorified in widowhood, then I highly recommend reading this book.

Comforts from the Cross

In a recent post I indicated  I was re-reading Comforts from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick. I love the sub-title--Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time.
It is so easy to hit the ground running when I roll out of bed every morning. There is always so much to do, so many places to be by a certain time, so many activities I know I just cannot miss. Do I celebrate everyday God gives me? or am I just running?

Comfort=relief in affliction; consolation; a feeling of relief or consolation; a person or thing that gives consolation (Dictionary.com)

As the first glimpses of the rising sun peek through my window and I awaken to another day what am I thinking about as I head to the coffeepot, shower or the kids bedroom to wake them for the day?
Celebrating Jesus is not hard to do when we know the truths of what the gospel is and what Christ has done for us. We are no longer slaves to sin and the discouragement and depression that so easily entangles us when we think we have to struggle through each day 'trying to be good.'

Fitzpatrick begins by saying in her introduction she loves celebrations. This book is a month's worth of daily celebrations. Reminding us to take comfort in the cross of Jesus Christ. How the facts of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection should "free, gladden and enliven our soul every day---when you're struggling to balance the checkbook, stuck in traffic or in a hospital bed,or just bored with the same-old-same-old."

Where do I find my comfort everyday? Comforted in the fact there is money in the bank? happily married to the man of my dreams? finding my identity in the my children and their activities? comforted by the fact I am in good health? looking in the mirror to find those gray hairs and wrinkles because it is easier to do than taking the time to nourish my soul with the living Word of God?
All questions I have asked myself.
Taking comfort in Jesus Christ and the realities of the penalty he has paid for my sin, that I am forgiven and soon he will come again to take me to my heavenly home where I will be with Christ is where I want to begin my day.
This is a great book to use for your devotions each day reminding us who we are in Christ and what we have to celebrate everyday.
You can find the book here. She also has her own web site. On my Top 5 favorite authors.

What Did You Expect?? Part 2

Rather than write a lengthy reveiw I will post some quotes from this book. It is one of the best books I have read on the subject, but it is lengthy, almost 300 pages. There is so much to chew on I will be reading this one again, probably on the plane when I fly out of Syracuse tomorrow.
"Healthy marriages are healthy because the people in those marriages have learned to recognize and say no to selfish instincts that lurk in their hearts and in the heart of every one of us."(p.119)

"God wasn't so much giving Adam a physical helper for the work in the garden as he was giving him a companion." (p.145)

1 John 4:7-12,16b-21 is our best definition of love. "You get your best definition of love from an event, the most important event in human history. You get your best definition of love from the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ's sacrifice of love is the ultimate definition of what love is and what love does. In this passage John is calling us to cruciform love, that is, love that shapes itself to the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ (cruci=cross an form=in the shape of).
If you are looking for a book that will help your marriage or you know someone who could benefit from applying God's Word to marriage, I would highly recommend this book. I will be adding it to my Top 10 List.

What Did You Expect?-Part 1

As promised several weeks ago I am reviewing a book on marriage. Over the years I have read many on the subject, passing them on to the couples my husband and I counsel together. Paul David Tripp has written an outstanding book, What Did You Expect?-Redeeming the Realities of Marriage. As I read this book I did not expect to find a new handbook for those who would come to me with their marriage questions and problems. Tripp gets to the heart of the matter quickly: sin and the fact that two sinners want their own way and want to be loved as much as we each love ourselves.
   "Sin causes all of us to be way too self-aware and self-important...sin causes us to dream selfish dreams and to plan self-oriented plans. Because of sin, we really do love us, and we have a wonderful plan for our own lives."(p.47)
Tripp opens each chapter with a couple coming to him for help with real life problems in their marriage, some on their way to divorce court.
More on this excellent book in the days to come. I have a couple of days to get the house in order and pack a suitcase so I can make my way back to the family farm. For now you can read here about a couple with many differences.
"One way God establishes beauty is by putting things that are different next to each other. Isn't this exactly what God does in marriage? He puts very different people next to each other. This is how he establishes the beauty of marriage...the striking beauty of a marriage is when two very different people learn to celebrate and benefit from their differences and to be protected from their weaknesses by being sheltered by the other's strength." (p.67)





                                                            



                                                   
                                           

                                    

The Bruised Reed

I am reading The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes and taking part of the conversation at Challies.com.
We are half way through the book and have found some very thought-provoking and helpful quotes. This book is a puritan classic on my recommended reading list. Here are some of the quotes:

He(Christ)is a good physician good at all diseases, especially binding up of a broken heart. He died that he might heal our souls with a plaster of his own blood, and by that death save us, which we were the procurers of ourselves, by our own sin.

God often delights to take advantage of our averseness, that he may manifest his work the more clearly and that all the glory of the work may be his, as all the strength is his.

We are weak, but we are his, we are deformed, but we carry his image upon us.

Think I Will Read This One Again

I spent a couple of days on the couch last week with a nasty winter cold and a snow storm threatning to dump over 2 feet of snow. I needed to find something to read. With the recommendation of this book from someone I trusted  I took off to the public library before the snow hit. There were three holds on it. I knew then it was a popular book and I needed something to read. Since I have free shipping from an online store, I spent a few dollars and had this book just in time for the snowstorm.

A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking 

cotton in virtual slavery.

An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world

of Armani and Chanel.

A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream.

A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it.

(Back cover)

This is a New York Times bestseller and Amazing True Story. It is a page turner, must read, which I finished in a couple of days. 

Another Quote

The contented soul takes all well, and when his condition is never so bad he can say, 'Yet God is good'(Psalm 73:1)

There are so many good quotes in this book, you have to read them in their context, I would recommend getting this gem for yourself. Now I can say to my husband, 'I read one of your puritan books ALL the way through." I may not give it back to him. Shhhhhhhh! Don't tell him.

While sitting at my husband's office desk at church earlier this week,  I was looking over his many books. If you want to get an idea of what his office looks like you can see it here, that's just a sampling. His favorites are some of the puritans and I found one I thought I would be able to read. He suggested I take the time to read the entire book because he knows it is my habit to say to him, "oh that book or books looks good can I borrow it?" Then a couple of days later it is laying in a pile unread so he could take it back to his office because 'I just wasn't interested',   He didn't mention that pet peeve in his tribute to me! Wonder why? Ha
Back to the book I found, The Art of Divine Contentment by Thomas Watson, c.1620-1686
It is a small hardcover book with only 133 pages. The chapters are only 2-3 pages and could be used as a devotional. I'm on chapter 8 and found early in the book this quote. This is a great little book.

"The Word must not only fall as dew that wets the leaf, but as rain which soaks to the root of the tree and makes it fruitful."

This post is an experiment, no pressure to buy, just trying something with Amazon. I highly recommend this book having read through it twice. Fitzpatrick explains the gospel, that 'God has made us his own in spite of our sin', so well and how we can apply it to life. In keeping with my posting theme this week I quote from this book:

"...personal study of the Word in daily reading and meditation is necessary for growth in godliness. Although God plainly promises the Spirit's work in conjunction with gospel preaching, there is also a great feast to be had in daily consumption of the Word. Whether you read through the Bible in a year to gain an appreciation of the broad sweep of history of redemption or narrow down your study to a deeper perusal of shorter passages, the primary means of God's grace to you will be found in his Word."

"True transformation is rarely experienced where there is a lack of interaction with his powerful Word."

p. 43

Reading On Thursday Afternoon

"Your God will be my God"

Ruth 1:16

"Here we have a picture of God's ideal woman...Faith in God that sees beyond present bitter setbacks. Freedom from the securities and comforts of the world. Courage to venture into the unknown and the strange," (out of a a comfort zone-jg)"...Radical commitment in the relationships appointed by God. This is the woman of Proverbs 31:25 who looks into the future with confidence in God and laughs at the coming troubles...Ruth is one of the 'holy women who hoped in God...and did not fear anything that is frightening."(1Peter 3:5-6)

A Sweet & Bitter Providence-John Piper

This book just came in the mail, I couldn't resist getting started reading it, although there are other things vying for my attention. This will be another excellent book by one of my favorite authors.

You can purchase it here.

I am reading this book and partcipating in a conversation with other women's ministry leaders. NL De Moss is a favorite author of mine and I appreciate the ministry she has had over the years, especially with Revive Our Hearts and The True Woman Movement.
In Choosing Gratitude-Your Journey To Joy I have been challenged anew to have a heart of gratitude in the good, but also asking myself if when 'bumped' does gratitude ooze out or whining and complaining.
"I have spoken with many women who are chronically unhappy, 'down' or 'depressed. The details and reasons vary, of course. But I have become increasingly convinced, after lots of these kinds of conversations, that one of the chief reasons behind a pervasive sense of blues and blahness is a failure to be thankful." (p. 88)

"The thing that awakens the deepest well of gratitude in a human being is that God has forgiven sin." Oswald Chambers

Journey closer to the heart of God. Choose Gratitude(backcover)

I heartily recommend this book, especially as we approach Thanksgiving.
You can purchase the book here

I took this forgiveness quiz and found it very interesting. You can find it at the blog by Pastor Chris Brauns.
He has also written the book Unpacking Forgiveness and I would highly recommend. Try the quiz, it is very insightful.

I picked up a new book by Elizabeth George last week. Breaking the Worry Habit...Forever is her newest book which is easy to read and very applicable. I was first introduced to Elizabeth when she wrote her book Loving God With All Your Mind. She also writes Bible Studies that I've used for women's Bible Studies and Sunday School classes. Her books have sold over 5 million copies so you can be assured she is a great author and woman of God. I've heard her speak and she is very real and transparent.

In one of her early chapters on worry she discusses Mary and Martha when Jesus comes to visit. You can read about the visit in Luke 10. She comes to these conclusions in how we can follow Mary's path to peace.

**Stop what you're doing--all your busyness, all your stewing, all your doing, all your running 

    around in circles, all your accusing and complaining.

**Sit down--both in body and in heart.

**Seek God's peace and priorities--through prayer.

**Start up again--with a quiet heart, the right attitude, and God's right direction for your efforts.

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You."

Isaiah 26:3

I'd like to think that if Jesus was coming to visit I'd be more like Mary. Who wouldn't want to sit at the feet of Jesus. But would I be distracted by what we're going to eat? or did I clean the bathroom and hang up the special towels? or, or or??? 

Staying my mind on Jesus.

Book Recommendation

Here is a book recommendation. I think I will get this book!

This Momentary Marriage

Our 24th wedding anniversary is approaching, and I would be lying if I said our marriage has always been easy. We are both first born children and have that stubborn streak. Our disagreements have been over how to raise kids, finances, how we will spend our days off, and the list goes on. But our love for God and fear of Him has kept our marriage permanent. We both know by the grace of God we are together until death do us part. We have known each other for almost thirty years and I cannot imagine my life without my spouse.  Recent experiences in my own family and our church family illustrate to  me that one spouse is taken and the other is left.I am learning to continually find my identity in Christ not in my role as a mother, wife, pastor's wife, daughter, sister, etc. These roles change or end then what? 
John Piper is one of my favorite authors. He also is the senior pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, but I already have a favorite preacher.
John Piper is the author of numerous books, one of my favorites is This Momentary Marriage-Parable of Permanence.

"A christian woman does not put her hope in her husband, or in getting a husband. She does not put her hope in her looks or her intelligence or her creativity. She puts her hope in the promises of God. She is described in Proverbs 31:25: Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She laughs at everything the future could bring because she hopes in God."
(p. 97)

Do I know my Bible? Am I convinced that my sovereign God will always be with me and help me no matter what?  Where do you put your hope? (p.97)

If God Is Good Blog Tour

If God is Good-Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil arrived in my mail box several weeks ago. I had heard it was a lengthy book written by Randy Alcorn author of bestselling Heaven. I wasn't sure I would get through the 512 pages, and was positive I would have to write this review with the book only half read.
With a bright orange highlighter and little orange sticky flags to match, I began reading, reading, and reading.
I was not disappointed for every page held a gem to highlight, a scripture to look up, something to record in my journal. Who would have thought there would be something on every page I would want to capture for future reference?

The book is laid out well, I would suggest if you are going to take the journey through this book which will be on my top ten list, I would use it as a devotional, reading a chapter a day for each section is short enough to read in one sitting.
Alcorn deals with this tough subject using God's Word as his textbook and real life examples of people he knows and has interviewed. He never minimizes the evil, suffering and hurt of those he uses as illustrations, but sees them as heroes of the faith who have clung to God in the midst of deepest valleys.
Some section titles include Understanding the Problem of Evil and Suffering, The Origin of Evil..., Proposed Solutions..., Living Meaningfully in Suffering, Why Does God Allow Suffering?
Other subjects covered in this well written book are evil and suffering and Christ's Redemptive Work, how the sovereignty of God has anything to do with evil and suffering, God's glory and suffering and evil. One section includes a case study on a "Christian" Who Lost His Faith and Non-Theistic Worldviews. This section would be more for the student in all of us, but very informative and useful regarding this subject.
I loved the book because it is saturated with God's Word, which holds the only answers for any question. The Bible does answer the many questions about evil and suffering, but more importantly is the only way to know God who loves us more than we will ever realize this side of Heaven.
I highly recommend this book. I will continue posting about this book this week with some favorite quotes.

"Being a serious student of God's Word provides solid footing to move forward amidst evil and suffering."

You can find the book at http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9781601421326

July's Book Review

Two books I am re-reading as the lazy days of summer begin at our house are by Elyse Fitzpatrick. Elyse has spent over twenty years as a biblical counselor as well as the author of many books.

My goal will be to read and review two of her most recent books sometime this summer.

One I've already read and would highly recommend Because He Loves Me, How Christ Transforms our Daily Life.As a daughter, sister, wife, mother and pastor's wife I have often identified myself in a particular role, but those roles change as we grow older, some of us have never been married or had children.
This book helped me with my identity in Christ, something that will never change.

She begins this book with almost ten pages of scripture helping us to remember God's great love for us. One of my favorites:

"And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."
Romans 8:30

"Delighting in God's love will transform everything about us, including who we are, or our identity. This love is illustrated for us in Scripture, and particularly in the story we call "the gospel." (p.36)

Chapter Two on Identity Amnesia helped me see my true identity in Christ.
Other chapters on idolatry, fear, worry, anger are covered thoroughly always pointing me back to Jesus Christ and the gospel of his grace.
One of the last chapters of the book, Walk In Love, is my favorite. She encourages her readers to think of our heavenly Father's love for us and how He sees us as His 'little darlings. As a member of his family, you're the apple of His eye, the child He loves to bless. You're His darling."

I know this in how He demonstrated His love for me in sending His only Son and taking my place on the cross. He will never stop loving me. This is the gospel and I rest in the fact I will someday see Him Because He Loves Me.