devotional books

Someone asked me on Sunday night if I could recommend a few devotionals. I thought maybe, with Christmas coming and all, more people might be interested in some good devotional material, so here are a few I would recommend:

A Godward Life, vol.1, by John Piper. This book by Piper contains 120 short devotional readings that include reflections on life, culture, theology and of course the Bible.

A Godward Life, vol.2 by John Piper. This is a second volume by Piper that also contains approx 120 short devotional readings.





For the Love of God, by DA Carson. Many may not know DA Carson but he's brilliant, and loves God passionately. This book contains a Bible reading plan that will take you through the whole Bible in one year. The devotional readings are in step with the reading plan.

For the Love of God, vol.2, by DA Carson.Same author as volume 1, and same design. Did I mention he was one of my NT profs at Trinity and my advisor (a little name dropping never hurt anyone)!



Devotional Classics, by Richard Foster. This devotional draws upon some of the great devotional writers in the history of the church, offering contemporary reflection on these writings as well.

Valley of Vision, Arthur Bennet, ed. This isn't technically a devotional, but a collection of Puritan Prayers. I love my copy and use it devotionally quite often.



Face to Face, Praying Scripture for Intimate Worship, by Ken Boa. Again, this isn't exactly a devotional, but a book that will help you learn how to pray through Scripture. It has been an invaluable aid to my prayer life.

Face to Face, Praying Scripture for Spiritual Growth, by Ken Boa. This is similar to the other volume, the the emphasis is slightly different.




I hope that helps. Merry Christmas.

Putting Christmas back into the Holiday. Is that a good thing?

I got an email a week or so ago from a reporter at the IDS asking if I would share my opinion on Walmart's decisions (along with Kohl's and Macy's) to reintroduce the word "Christmas" this year, replacing the more neutral term "Holiday". Honestly, I didn't respond because I was 1) to busy, and 2) afraid that I would be to caustic.
This may be shocking, and feel free to post your comments, but I wish Walmart and Macy's would stick with "Holiday".

Why? Because I hate it when Jesus is a marketing ploy. I hate that his name is being used to baptize a holiday we have turned into a consumeristic circus, a materialistic mad dash to accumulate crap we don't need. I hate it because too many Christians will think this is a victory and will say to themselves, "We've taken back Christmas". Oh really.

Don't get me wrong - I'll be buying toys for my kids (and they'll be buying toys for me). I don't want to be the grinch that steals your Christmas, but does it make us feel better to have the clerk smile and say "Merry Christmas" after we've spent an obscene amount of money on junk.

I find it incredibly ironic, sadly ironic, that we become and teach our kids (ok, most of you dont' have them yet, but you will) to be the most self-centered at a time of the year that beckons to be the most others-centered. We make our Christmas lists, if only in our heads. We spend the money we know we'll be getting from Aunt Susie before it ever arrives. We think, "I better get so and so a gift, they got me one last year".

So what do we do about it?

New Link

I just discovered a new website with a host of article by and about Cornelius Van Til. Van Til was one of the most influential, and one of the original prof's at Westminster Theological Seminary. His approach to apologetics, usually called presuppositional apologetics, has impressed me greatly. Check it out at VanTil.info.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today, I deep fried our Thanksgiving turkey. It was a first. I was afraid of this:




We all survived and the turkey, along with everything else today was great! Hope you had a great day too.

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