Book Blurbs: February 2024

The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment by Tim Challies(published by Crossway, 2007). 206 pages. After reading MacArthur’s book on the conscience, I didn’t think I would read another book as good on the conscience and discernment. But this book is outstanding. And MacArthur endorses and writes the foreword. The author’s presentation of the need for good discernment, how we build good discernment and why the church lacks discernment is so good. He even closes the book with an application: taking a phrase (e.g., self-forgiveness?) and walks through how to search the Scriptures and determine if statements like these are accurate. It is my early vote for 2024 book of the year that I have read. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Practicing Thankfulness: Cultivating a Grateful Heart in All Circumstances by Sam Crabtree(published by Crossway, 2021). 138 pages. What a gracious gift this book is! Don’t know if I have ever read an entire book on thankfulness. This book is peppered with practical ways of growing in our expressions of gratitude. In fact, the last chapter of the book gives 100 ways to express gratitude, and many of them are examples I would never think about. Really, opportunities to be thankful are always all around us, which is why we are commanded to rejoice all always in I Thessalonians 5:16 and be thankful in everything (vs. 18). BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Listening to the Giants: A Guide to Good Reading and Good Preaching by Warren W. Wiersbe(published by Baker, 1980). 362 pages. My appreciation for this author continues to grow. This book is a collection of mini-biographies of famous preachers from the 1700’s to 1900’s. 3-5 pages per preacher is what you will experience. Following that section will be 7 chapters of preaching tips, wisdom and resource recommendations. A reader will appreciate Wiersbe’s praise of preaching and preachers. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.

Rich Wounds: The Countless Treasures of the Life, Death, and Triumph of Jesus by David Mathis(published by The Good Book Company, 2022). 200 pages. I would use this book as a way to prepare your heart for Easter. Each chapter is 3-5 pages of devotional thought beginning with the ministry of Jesus, then focusing on his death, followed by His sufferings, and then ending with the Passion Week. You could use this in a small group or family worship setting. Scriptural references run rampant through each chapter and the conclusions and observations are simple to follow. The mature and immature Christian will both appreciate this book. BOOK RATING: 10 out of 10 stars.