The Truth About the Lordship of Christ, by John MacArthur

This book is second in a series titled "The Truth About", in which Pastor John MacArthur wisely unpacks biblical doctrines essential to confident and God-glorifying Christian living. In it we study the Lordship of Christ.

I love how chapter one begins:
"Christians have many reasons for rejoicing. The primary one is based on who God is - He is sovereign. That is the single greatest truth about God. Nothing is outside His control, and He controls everything to work out ultimately for our good."

Pastor MacArthur then continues a paragraph later, "The believer who doesn't live in the confidence of God's sovereignty will lack his peace and be left to the chaos of a troubled heart. But our confident trust in The Lord will allow us to thank Him in the midst of trials because we have God's peace on duty to protect our hearts and minds."

This little book delves into practical application of this essential theological truth. It teaches how God is both Lord of the Universe AND Lord of our lives. Incredible! Pastor MacArthur guides us to see its application in daily submission, holy living, confession and restoration. Then he ties it all up be redirecting our focus to our ultimate destination - with our King, Lord Jesus, who reigns forever and ever.

*This book was gratefully received by me from Thomas Nelson in exchange for this unbiased review. I am thankful to be part of their BookSneeze program.

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Then Sings My Soul

I received this book free of charge from Thomas Nelson Publishers so that I could review it. I'm so excited about it! Similar in look and theme as the previous hymn story books, each short chapter gives a specific hymn and then gives the background behind it and tells us of the author.

I was captivated my many included in this particular edition. The well-known hymn "It is Well With My Soul" is highlighted, as well as some newer and much-loved hymns by current writers such as the Gettys' "In Christ Alone."

I appreciate how value was given to newer authors as well as to those of generations past because I fear that too often the approach is that only one or the other are an asset and encouragement to today's believer (depending on the circle you run in!). All hymns that ring pure in doctrine and biblical truth are worthwhile and wonderful and I'm so glad the authors captured that with this edition!

The Barber Who Wanted to Pray, by Dr. R. C. Sproul

The Barber Who Wanted to Pray is a book for children by Dr. R. C. Sproul that is sure to delight both young and old. In grandfatherly fashion (one can almost imagine him reading this book to his own grandchildren), the reader and listeners embark into the life of a barber, Master Peter, who learned from Martin Luther about how to pray and then taught his grandson, who in turn taught his own family! As you learn along with the McFarland family about prayer your kids will be guided through the Lord’s Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed. They will learn to pray through these prayers as they do this hopefully they will develop an understanding of a deepening relationship with our Lord and Savior and how to better share their deepest concerns, hopes, and fears through prayer. Excellent, excellent, excellent! :-)

I read this book to my kiddos and even though my oldest just turned two, they were both highly interested and hopefully, learned just a bit of God’s goodness and love for them. The story is beautifully illustrated with warm pictures and this book is destined to be treasures and oft read. I am so thankful to Crossway for allowing us the gift of this book to share with our babies. This book would make a wonderful Christmas gift for… well, just about anyone! :-)

More reviews can be found at crossway.org/blog! 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Crossway Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Give Them Grace, by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick & Jessica Thompson

Give Them Grace, by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick and her daughter, Jessica Thompson, is the best parenting book I have read yet. The results are profound when grace (rather than legalism or condemnation) is applied in a home. I cried often as I read this book as I realized how much failed to receive God’s grace in my own life as well as praying that I would be a grace-endowed mother to my babies, and was deeply absorbed in it while yet on the forward! I would recommend to every parent or individual with a heart for children.

I love how it gave me a thirst for a deeper understanding of the Gospel. Each page resonated in my heart as reflecting what Dwight and I want most for Chloe, Zachary, and lil’ Bitty Baby – that is, for them to love the Lord with all their hearts and to live solely for Him. We want them to desire Him. We also want to reflect His goodness to us by our actions towards them as our children! (I am grieved over how often I show selfishness instead. ) :-(

I appreciate that this book is sensibly applicable as well as theologically sound. Their guidance - while being practical and reasonably wise from experience - is also derived straight from the Gospel, and mirrors the grace that God shows us (His children) moment by moment. If you are quite Covenantly-bent, you may disagree with the addition of charts aiding parents in correct response towards common issues (disobedience, lying, etc.) in which responses differ based upon whether the child is saved or unsaved. Though, personally, I found these to be wonderful! I would also caution parents from straying from grace towards themselves by feeling that they must memorize the charts and apply them word for word. Just receive them as a gift of mentoring, and use them as guidance. :-)

Check out more reviews at crossway.org/blog!  

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Crossway Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Safely Home, by Randy Alcorn

Although fictional, Safely Home is written by Randy Alcorn in an attempt to share his passion for the persecuted Church with his readers. The many who serve Christ to the point of giving of their lives is certainly not fictional, even though we westerners, unable to grasp the fullness of the horrors occurring even today throughout various parts of the world is hardly fictional at all. Death, torture, pain and persecution is a daily struggle which they view and breathe amidst, for themselves as well as for their loved ones. They have chosen to serve and love God as Savior regardless of the cost. Even though that face deep pain, both physically and emotionally, they are faithful to the end. They love their Heavenly Master with passion and fervor, even as they face fears just like any of us. It is so easy to forget or to gloss over the realism of it all – hopefully this book will be used to build compassionate prayer and expectant hope in each reader.

In this book, the reader meets two former college buddies – the one a successful but emotionally pained businessman who is working in a business liaison with China, the other a Christian Chinese husband and father who serves God faithfully as he works by day at a locksmith shop.  They each come to understand personally what a follower of Jesus may encounter, and of the grace that He always gives freely to those who are His.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale Press. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Spiritual Warfare for Women, by Leighann McCoy

Spiritual Warfare for Women is a practical guide to basically seeing the sinful nature we have from birth, the saving and redeeming grace of our Savior, and the relentless tactics of the enemy to leave us as discouraged, argumentative, and fruitless saints. The author, Leighann McCoy writes courageously and faithfully to her fellow sisters in Christ (that’s us!) to say that there is victory when we cling to the personhood of Christ and the truths of the Gospel for our daily survival and hope, resulting in a joyful life – even amidst the trials and conflicts that will come – as we stand firm in the faith.

I often really struggle with discouragement and feeling like an absolute failure – which is just how the enemy wants me to be! How this must sadden the heart of my Savior, who shed His blood for me and then rose triumphantly! This book has stirred me and reminded me of so many truths, which although I “know” I haven’t clung to much at all lately. I am so thankful for it and pray that as I reread it in the next few weeks that God would really do a transforming work in my mind and life.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”