God Does His Best Work with Empty

God Does His Best Work with Empty by Nancy Guthrie

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What a fabulous book! This was very timely for me as we go through a struggle of job loss and waiting on God to provide. Such good reminders in this book of God’s faithfulness to His people. Nancy uses stories of emptiness in the Bible to show us how God uses emptiness to do a work in His people. He is the One that satisfies and fills.
The chapter on Habakkuk was great! “In spite of loss we can rejoice, confident that all we truly need is ours in Christ.” We look at how God has acted in the past, so we can trust Him for our future. “When Habakkuk looked around at his present reality, he could not see that God was doing anything at all. But he looked back at what God had done in the past for his people, and he considered what God had promised to do in the future, and on that basis he chose to trust God in the present.”
Her paraphrase of Habakkuk 3:17-19:
“Even if my income dries up
And my savings are gone,
Even if I face a devastating diagnosis
And lose my dignity in the process,

Even if my integrity is questioned
And my reputation ruined;
Yet I will choose daily to be happy in Christ.
I will smile at the future because I am protected and provided for in Christ.

None of these things is the source of my strength or security; God alone is my strength.
Christ in me enables me to navigate dangerous and difficult circumstances.
Because of Christ, I know that my future is full of glory.“

Competing Spectacles by Tony Reinke

Competing Spectacles: Treasuring Christ in the Media Age by Tony Reinke

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Convicting book of how our image-saturated society continually grabs our attention, often dragging it away from Christ and onto its own delights and pleasures. While not calling Christians to leave the world (Scripture doesn’t tell us to do this), it does caution us for what we allow to grab our attention. The grandest spectacle in all history was the cross and Christ’s death on our behalf. Yet too often we are mesmerized by what the world produces as spectacles – movies, video games, social media. If these are taking our attention away from the spectacle of Christ and His glory, then we need to re-evaluate our use of them.
At the end of the book, he gives some guidelines to helps us. Be aware of what we may be watching and participating in that is actually worthless. What things are we consuming that may actually be sin? Don’t be manipulated by that which is worthless. Other applications are given for dealing with the temptations that we all must face in our current technological society. Not everyone will come away with the same conclusions – there is liberty and Christian freedom in this area.

*I received a copy of this book free on Kindle from the publisher Crossway in exchange for my review.

Reformed Systematic Theology

Reformed Systematic Theology, Volume 1: Volume 1: Revelation and God by Joel R. Beeke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first volume in a planned series of 4, this new systematic theology is well-written and easily readable for the layperson. Dealing with the introduction to theology and theology proper, other volumes will tackle other areas of theology such as Christology and soteriology, etc. I found it interesting in this volume as they defined theology and differentiated it from doctrine and dogma. I tend to think of theology and doctrine being the same thing, but in this book they show the difference in definition.

Written from a Reformed perspective and drawing on church history, this theology tome looks to be an excellent start to a solid systematic theology for those who have a Reformed, covenantal view. At the end of each chapter is a hymn of worship, for theology is practical and leads us to praise the God Whom we are studying. Also at the end of each chapter are discussion questions, both for the layperson and the scholar, which provide opportunity for groups to go through this together and learn together. This could thus be used to do a group study together, and could also be used as a textbook for college classes.

With over 1,000 pages to read, I have not finished this volume yet, but am thoroughly enjoying it thus far and am eager for the next 3 volumes to come out. This is an excellent addition to one’s library and a great reference and resource on theology.

*I received a copy of this book free on Kindle from the publisher Crossway in exchange for my review.

Flourish by Lydia Brownback

Flourish: How the Love of Christ Frees Us from Self-Focus by Lydia Brownback

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is excellent! Sound biblical advice for dealing with too much self-focus. Rather than looking inward, we are to look toward Jesus to determine who we are and how we should live. Some of the topics dealt with in this book are self-indulgence, self-condemnation, and self-improvement. At the end of the book (which is quite short and easily readable) are study guide/discussion questions to dig further into Scripture on these particular issues.
The world too easily gets our focus on meeting our own needs and making our own lives better and more comfortable. Rather the Scripture calls us to deny ourselves and to follow Christ, making life about God rather than ourselves. This book points us back to a Biblical focus on God rather than self. Highly recommended!

*I received a copy of this book free from the publisher Crossway in exchange for my review.

Suffering by Paul Tripp

Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Paul David Tripp

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Raw and real, with hope. The author takes us through his own personal journey of suffering to show how God uses this in our lives. Suffering has a purpose. He also shows us Who God is and how the different attributes of God can comfort us during our journey of suffering. Suffering often exposes our hearts and God uses this to grow us in Christ-likeness.
As usual, Paul Tripp knocks this out of the park. His writing cuts to the heart of the matter. Convicting book yet also comforting in providing hope for those who are enduring suffering.
“…you can be stripped of everything in life on which you’ve depended and not have lost everything, because it is impossible for any of God’s children, no matter what is going on, to lose him.”
“God is never caught up short. He never has a second of confusion… He is never confused as to what to do. He has no quandaries, and he never lives with unsolved mysteries. He rules all things, he knows all things, and there is nothing that he doesn’t understand.”
“Suffering has the power to lay waste to our idols. Suffering has a way of exposing what’s really dear to us, what we feel we can’t live without, and what truly rules our hearts. It’s not just that what we’re going through is painful, but also that we’ve lost what was giving us value and worth. Suffering exposes the inadequacy of hooking our hope to the temporary treasures of the created world and positions our heart to hook our hope to the Creator in ways we’ve never done before.”

*I received a copy of this e-book free from the publisher Crossway in exchange for my review.

All That’s Good by Hannah Anderson

All That’s Good: Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment by Hannah Anderson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 3rd book that I’ve read by Hannah Anderson and it is the best by far! You know it’s a good book when you keep underlining! The subtitle is “Recovering the Lost Art of Discernment”. The structure of the book uses Philippians 4:8 to go through the various traits of how we determine what is good. Looking at what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable, the author guides us through each of these characteristics in learning how to determine what is good. The final chapter deals with the importance of using discernment in community. We alone don’t have all the answers or the ability to determine what is good on our own. That is why God designed us to be in community, where we can work together in discerning what is good and better.
In the introduction, she highlights the central question of the book: “How can we, imperfect as we are, develop an instinct for recognizing and embracing the good?” She then unpacks this by using the characteristics from Philippians 4:8 to help us in determining the good.
I underlined a lot! There is a lot to digest from this book and it will be going on my re-read pile. The back of the book also has questions to review and discuss the book, preferably with a group. It is ideal for using in a book club/group setting. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of this book and finding some friends to go through it together.

*I received a copy of this book free from Moody Publishers in exchange for my review.

Redeeming Money by Paul David Tripp

Redeeming Money: How God Reveals and Reorients Our Hearts by Paul David Tripp

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Once again, Paul Tripp has written a convicting and compelling book. In dealing with the topic of money, we often look to budgets and financial management to help us properly deal with our money. But in this book, Dr. Tripp challenges that with the point that when it comes to money, we must first deal with our hearts. We all have a worldview, and this affects how we approach money. Our hearts were made to worship and if they do not worship the Creator, they will worship the creation. How we spend our money is a reflection of our hearts and what we worship.
“If the eyes of your heart are focused on how God has provided for you way beyond anything you deserve, so that you are filled with humble gratitude and wonder, then your thoughts won’t be captured by all the things you don’t have. If you are persuaded that no one knows better what you need than the Lord and that he has been faithful in meeting those needs, then you don’t look toward the world with a needy and craving heart.”
This book contains a lot of convicting truths about the state of our hearts and what is behind our need to accumulate wealth and material possessions. “It is the direction set by the little, everyday choices that determines how we respond and what we do in the grand, significant moments of our lives.”
I definitely recommend reading this book. It’s not long and packs some powerful truths behind our use of money. “Everyone’s heart is mastered by something, and what masters your heart will shape your thoughts, desires, choices, words, actions, and emotions.” Truth to remember in every area of our lives.

*I received a copy of this book free from the publisher Crossway in exchange for my review.

Overcoming Addiction by Elizabeth Shartle

Overcoming Addiction: A Biblical Path Towards Freedom by Elizabeth A. Shartle

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I hate to give bad reviews but sometimes a book just isn’t that good. While there were some good things in this book that might be helpful for those struggling with addictions, I found it difficult to read and follow. The writing style didn’t seem to flow but was more disconnected. It seemed choppy.
It may have just been my personal taste, so others may find some practical help from this book. But I had a hard time getting through it and it is not one that I would recommend.

*I received a copy of this book free from the publisher Aneko Press in exchange for my review.

Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life

Lloyd-Jones on the Christian Life: Doctrine and Life as Fuel and Fire by Jason C. Meyer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic book on the life and teachings of Martyn Lloyd-Jones. I’m now looking forward to reading some of his books, which are actually originally from his sermons. This book is set up in a very straight-forward manner with a logical flow. Lloyd-Jones is known for the phrase “logic on fire” and this book does an excellent job of flowing logically. Doctrine was crucial for Lloyd-Jones and the book gives us an overview of his various doctrinal teachings, including God the Father, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, faith and love (living out the Christian life), and church. From this book I got the impression that Lloyd-Jones was methodical and precise. He put forth the problem and the prescription for that problem. One of the chapters goes through to summarize his book on spiritual depression.
I would highly recommend this book, not just to better understand “the Doctor”, but as encouragement in spiritual growth. Very practical teachings are woven through the book.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher Crossway in exchange for my review.

Spurgeon on the Christian Life

Spurgeon on the Christian Life: Alive in Christ by Michael Reeves

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Spurgeon is well known today as a great preacher. This book takes a closer look at his teachings and what his passion was. And his passion was for proclaiming Christ. With tidbits about his life, the main thrust of this book was showing Spurgeon’s desire to make Christ known. It also touched on Spurgeon’s struggle with depression and how this made him more compassionate to others who were suffering.
Laced throughout the book are quotes of Spurgeon to highlight what he believed and taught. He set forth the cross of Christ – “And it is especially the love of God shown in the cross that turns and transforms the hearts of sinners. In the horrifying torture and crucifixion of Jesus we see the highest proof of the highest love. His bleeding makes our hearts bleed, and his shame makes us ashamed. In the cross we see a divine disgust at sin that makes sin appalling in our eyes too. But further, through the cross we see a love so livid that it pierces our apathy and overwhelms our desire for other things.”
“At the cross our pride and sinfulness are mortified, our self-deifying efforts are damned, our wandering hearts exposed, and the beauty of Christ in his humility and holiness are held before us. There is best displayed the love of Christ, which is ‘the transfiguring power in the hand of the Holy Spirit.’ There the glory of God shines brightest in all its transforming power.”
“Sanctification is an essentially Christ-centered matter of turning away from other things to him who conforms us into his own glory.”
For those who are familiar with Spurgeon and his preaching and writings, this gem of a book provides a summary of what he taught. For those unfamiliar with Spurgeon, this book will give a glimpse into who he was, what he believed, and what his ministry focused on. I recommend it!

*I received a copy of this Kindle book free from the publisher Crossway in exchange for my review.