Christian Book Notes

Bock, Darrell L.  Recovering the Real Lost Gospel: Reclaiming the Gospel as Good News.  Nashville: Broadman and Holman, 2010.  152 pp.  $16.99. Purchase at Westminster for much less.

Introduction

Darrell L. Bock is research professor New Testament Studies as well as professor of Spiritual Development and Culture at Dallas Theological Seminary.  He has written numerous books, some of which made the New York Times Best-Sellers list and has contributed to a number of commentary series.  In this book, Dr. Bock seeks to set the record straight regarding the truth of the lost gospel message.

Summary

Divided into seven chapters, Dr. Darrell Bock takes an in depth look at the message of the Gospel that revolutionized the world.  Chapter one discusses the promise where the Gospel begins while chapter two looks at the Gospel as both a meal (Lord’s Supper) and a washing (baptism).  The third chapter, in my estimation the central chapter, discusses the centrality of the cross.

The final chapters offer conversation on how the Gospel is a gift of grace and how it is affirmed in divine action and scripture.  More importantly, chapter six details the key to accepting this free gift of grace while the last chapter offers the greater impact of the power of the cross unto salvation and what that means for our relationship with God as well as other people.

Review

I found this book to be a great read and one that while going in depth and talking about doctrines like love and atonement, it is highly accessible to the “everyday Christian.”  This is key as there has been much published in academia that fights for a recovery of the gospel but so few of those doctrinally sound and exegetically correct resources ever filter down to the common man.  Darrell Bock has accomplished just that in his writing of this resource.  By the time you finish this book, you will be well educated on the impact of the gospel in your life as well as how it should impact the lives of others through you.  Perhaps more importantly, you will find that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is one of love (and yes, judgment) that is then poured out onto others.  That kind of love is often times missing from the local church.

Recommendation

If you are a believer, then you need read this book.  Chances are, you have not fully understood the gospel (that is not to say you are not a believer!).  Dr. Bock’s work will instruct in a straight forward, and biblically-based manner of how the gospel of Jesus Christ is so radical–even more than just a one-time acceptance or message.  It is life altering and others will see it.

Benge, Janet & Geoff.  Christian Heroes: Then & Now – Mary Slessor: Forward into Calabar.  Seattle: YWAM Publishing, 1999.  208 pp.  $8.99.  Purchase at Amazon for much less.

Introduction

I have reviewed a number of the Christian Heroes series by YWAM Publishing.  You can read those here.

Mary Slessor is known for her trust in the Lord as she worked for thirty-nine years amongst the tribes of Africa’s Calabar region.  In this introduction to this great missionary of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, your child will be introduced to what obedience to the calling of Christ can mean.

Summary

Divided into seventeen chapters, the young reader will be introduced to the Scottish woman with blue eyes and red hair submitted to the missionary call to serve in Africa.  The fiery personality of Mary is seen (and rightly so) as a major help in her work for the Lord though it did sometimes get her in trouble.  Her work with the children and the constant fear of lions and tigers become as much a part of the story as her work for the gospel.  Her fight for human life–which was in direct opposition to the customs of the peoples she served–rounds out the story of Mary Slessor.  Ultimately, the reader will see that her life was spent for the cause of the gospel.

Review

I greatly appreciated the candor with which Mary Slessor was presented.  She struck me as a “fire-brand” who was so committed to the Lord that she through caution into the wind so to speak.  It is that fire that seems to have been lost in many churches today and it is that fire that ought to be rekindled.  While Mary Slessor – Forward into Calabar is a children’s biography, many adults would do well to become acquainted with her life.

As with all YWAM books in the Christian Heroes series, this one also comes with a poetic work for younger children as well as a unit study designed to teach all about the region where Mary Slessor served.  The artistry of the younger children’s work will engage the imagination of your child and even help you as an adult to better describe the surroundings.  The unit study can be used for many different purposes and will also prove invaluable (if you use it) in the education of your child for the glory of the Lord.

Recommendation

If you use Tapestry of Grace (we do) you will be using this particular book.  You will not be disappointed and may, as I did, learn something new about a great saint form the past.  For those who wonder how women have served the Lord in the church through the centuries, Mary Slessor will be of great interest.  I recommend this resource to all if only as an introduction to missions work. 

Davis, Dean.  In Search of the Beginning: A Seeker’s Journey to the Origin of the Universe, Life, and Man.  Enumclaw: Pleasant Word Publishing, 2010.   396 pp.  $21.99.  Purchase at Amazon for $17.15.

Introduction

Dean Davis has written another book entitled The Test that has been reviewed here.  Both of these works are in depth treatments of philosophical matters from a Christian apologetic nature.  Dean has served as a pastor, teaching elder, Sunday School director (with his wife, Linda), Christian bookstore manager, pro-life leader, and substitute school teacher. In recent years, he has worked as the Director of Come Let Us Reason, a Bible teaching ministry specializing in Worldview Studies and Apologetics. He and his wife, Linda, currently reside in Santa Rosa, California.

Summary

At near 400 pages, this work is not light reading.  It is divided into seven chapters and three appendices.  It helps that there are numerous subsections throughout.  The first chapter lays out the various interpretations of our understanding of the beginning of the universe.  Chapters two and three offer the Nauralist’s view on the Beginning.  Chapter two gives the position of naturalism from it’s own perspective while chapter three is a critique of the Naturalist view.

Chapter four looks at Pantheism (everything is God) with chapter five gets straight to the point of what Christ said and taught about the Beginning of the universe and all therein.  In looking at what Christ said and taught, Davis outlines the Biblical understanding of the beginning.  Chapter six gives the reader a real good look at the critiques of the Biblical understanding.  Chapter seven concludes the main body of the book with a discussion of what a biblical worldview of the Beginning means for you and me today.

The three appendices are also extremely helpful.  They include treatments on the unity of the Bible (very helpful), Old Testament Messianic Types (again, very helpful) and a discussion of New Testament references to Genesis 1-11 (very eye-opening).  The Bibliography will point you in a safe manner toward other resources to help further your knowledge on the essential doctrine.

Review

I have grown to really enjoy Dean’s writing style.  While he is not “the big name” in apologetics, he offers very well-researched material mixed with well-reasoned and unbiased (insofar as any of us are able to be unbiased) critiques and the like.  He cites everything with great care and detail thus keeping himself accountable to the reader as well as the scientific community (important!).

He does not shy away from topics like evolution nor does he stand on a soap-box and crusade against those who adhere to these theories and philosophies.  Rather, he allows the material to speak for itself and in so doing he lets the proverbial chips fall where they will.

I do wish he would have included an index but completely understand the complexity of adding one to a work so large as this.  That being said, this work remains extremely accessible to the reader and will be one that engages all who have given thought to the beginning of the universe.

Recommendation

While there are many, many resources available on the subject of cosmology, I heartily recommend adding Dean Davis’ In Search of the Beginning to your library.  The end-notes and bibliography will help you to further your study and build your library so that you will be better equipped to handle these discussions…especially in the college classroom!

Lloyd-Jones, D. Martyn.  Born of God: Sermons from John, Chapter One.  Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2011.  482 pp.  $29.00.  Purchase at Westminster for much less.

Introduction

Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) is well known by many in the Reformed circles of Christianity. This is because of his love for the Puritans and his deep exegetical and expository style of preaching.  My prayer is that he would be well known throughout all of Christendom. He has much to offer today’s Christian. You can download sermons for free at OnePlace.com. I highly recommend you check out that website.

Summary

Born of God is a 32 sermon compilation of messages delivered by the late Dr. Lloyd-Jones as part of his last sermon series preached on Sunday mornings at Westminster Chapel.  He started preaching through John in 1962 but health prevented him from ever finishing.  Another lengthy treatment from the Gospel of John is found in his work entitled Living Water which I reviewed here.

In this particular work, the Doctor concentrates on two doctrines found in the first chapter of the beloved disciple’s gospel: Law and Grace and the assurance of salvation.  He began the series with the comment, “Do you know what is the matter with us?  I will tell you.  We none of us really believe in the Lord Jesus Christ!”  From there he explains what he means and shows with pinpoint accuracy how this is truly the case for most believers in Jesus Christ.

Review

With his warning shot fired, Martyn Lloyd-Jones shows how we need to better grasp the doctrines we believe and allow them to have the desired effect in and on 0ur lives.  What is better is his continuous pointing back to Christ in all that he says.

Chapter fifteen is an excellent chapter in that he lays out in plain language how we become children of God.  In my personal estimation, it is one of his more articulate evangelical sermons we have.  Chapters 21-25 are of great value in and of themselves as they explain the importance of mortifying (killing) sin within you.

After reading Born of God, you will have a far greater understanding and appreciation for the first chapter of the Gospel of John.

Recommendation

As with all of the materials by and about Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, I highly recommend this compilation of sermons.  I do not hide the truth that he has been most influential on my ministry and in my walk with the Lord.  If you have never read anything by the Doctor, then start here with Born of God and be blessed.  You will also be “hooked” so to speak on the ministry of the greatest preacher of the 20th century.

Burton, Meredith Leigh.  Crimilia.  Mustang: Tate Publishing, 2011.  196 pp.  $12.99.  Purchase at Amazon for $11.04 or less.

Introduction

Meredith is a graduate from the Tennessee School for the Blind as well as having earned her Bachelors in English and Theatre from Middle Tennessee State University.  Crimilia is her first work.  Also, she is a frequent commenter here at the website.    You can read more about the book from its own website, Crimilia.
Check out this promotional video for the book:

Summary

As with most works of fiction, I have found it easiest to take the summary from the website or the back of the book so as not to give too much away of the story.

Hannah Wilkins is bitter. In addition to being teased at school about her weight, she has now been struck blind in a terrible accident, causing her to lose all sense of normalcy, and her tight-knit family. She struggles through every day, each of which only seems to get worse than the last, until one fateful morning when her bus hits a deer and the resulting jolt sends her flying into another universe.

Brandon Pringle struggles every day to fit in and function like the rest of the children at his school. Afflicted by a debilitating limp, he doesn’t seem to be useful to anyone. But when he is thrown from the school bus and lands on an unfamiliar riverbank, everything he knows about himself is completely overturned.

Tossed together in the unfamiliar and turbulent land of Crimilia, Hannah and Brandon must fight their way through the unfamiliar landscapes of jealousy, greed, temptation, and hate in order to help restore peace to a land run by a tyrant. With the help of a few friends and through the goodness of a kindly baker named Jamal, they might just succeed in freeing the citizens of Crimilia from the ruthless Queen Salak. Join author Meredith Burton for an unforgettable tale of friendship, faith, and perseverance in the land of Crimilia.

Review

I greatly enjoyed this work of fantasy though I did struggle at times to stay in the world of Crimilia.  The concept of bringing two children, one with a crippled leg, the other blind, into a battle (think Narnia) where they are fulfilling prophecy may not be new but it does offer a twist to the common books of fantasy.  Most of us reading these works are healthy (or healthy enough that we can envision ourselves as being a part of the story).  This is not always the case for those with various disabilities.

Meredith, with first hand knowledge of having a disability (she is blind in case you didn’t figure that out from above) offers keen insight into the frustrations as well as the way in which one does live with a body that does not work as it should.  The characters are believable and enjoyable.  I am pretty confident that anyone reading Crimilia will be able to identify with one or more of the characters.

Perhaps the greatest critique of the novel was allusion to man’s freedom incapacitating God in some manner in a couple remarks by Jamal.  In other words, man’s choice keeps God from working His will.  This is a very common misconception and one that has gained even more traction in recent history thanks to democracy.

As I said above, I did struggle to remain within the world of the book.  Meredith drew heavily from Scripture (applause!) but so much so that I found myself critiquing her use of various passages.  It was also obvious she was greatly influenced by Lewis’ Narnia series to which she states on her author page.  Again, that was me reading as a critic.  Regardless, I found the work to be enjoyable.

Recommendation

I would recommend getting a copy of this book, reading it (I did so in one night), and giving it to someone else to read – preferably an unbeliever.  Crimilia will open avenues of conversation that you might not have ever had.  I can definitely see this being a resource to give to young teens as there is a social lesson to be learned as well.

Gather the Family: Open the Word.  Awaken the Worship.  Franklin: Franklin Springs Media, 2011.  43 minutes (plus 30 minutes bonus footage).  $18.95.  Purchase here.

January is Family Worship Month.  With the movie Courageous having an impact on men (see my thoughts here), now is the time to take that next step and begin taking leadership spiritually and otherwise in your own home.  You can find out more about Family Worship Month at the website dedicated to helping Christians develop family worship.  Furthermore, you can sign the Family Worship Declaration as well.

Introduction

Family Worship has been gaining steam in recent years and for that I am grateful.  I have reviewed numerous resources here that would make great aids to family worship.  Now, we have a video that will be a great aid to starting a culture of family worship in your own church and home.  Gather the Family is a practical video guide to showing how to start family worship.  You can learn more about this movement at Family Worship Resources.

You can read another review by a guy who reviews documentaries here.

Summary

This documentary, hosted by Adam Black, introduces the concept of family worship in a wide-variety of settings.  With R.C. Sproul Jr., Mark Holden, and Kevin Swanson offering their comments, the theological foundation for family worship is well established.  Interspersed through out the documentary are seven different families, at various places in life, who all practice family worship.  You will find a family with an infant, a single-parent family, a large family of children (all 6 and under!) a former Major League Baseball player.

Throughout the video you will find that there are various methods and styles of family worship.  Each method or style, however, has three particular features in common.  They are prayer, Scripture reading, and singing.  Not always in that order.  The 30 minutes of bonus footage offers more commentary as well as a deeper look at one family’s method of family worship.

Review

Let me begin by stating that this documentary is extraordinarily well done.  Watching it just once you will be challenged and encouraged to begin (or continue) family worship in your home.  Regardless of where you are as a family, you can begin family worship and this video will show you how.  If there is a father in the home, he will be challenged to be the leader in this endeavor.

The narrator does a great job of introducing and concluding the clips of the different families.  The reality that family worship is pouring a solid biblical foundation into the lives of the children as well as being a major aid to the parents is prevalent throughout the DVD.  Ultimately, the argument is made, and I believe sustained, that family worship is essential to transforming one’s life as well as the the surrounding culture.

There is one criticism I personally had with the documentary.  While I heard mention of the gospel as being part and parcel of family worship, I personally believe the gospel to be the main reason in which we should do family worship.  As Christian parents, we are the front-line in the spiritual war over the souls of our children.  Family worship gives us the opportunity to be intentional with that gospel message each and every day.  Even after becoming a believer (Lord willing) we all still need the gospel.

One other comment I would like to add is that when practicing family worship, we make sure that we do not inadvertently misplace our faith.  While we are to be biblically saturated and our worship is to be founded on the Word of God, we must be careful that we do not worship the Bible (as Muslims do the Koran).   Those involved in this documentary did not say this or even give lead to this.  It is simply something I have noticed in others as they discuss their own family’s worship practices in the home.  All I am saying is be careful that your worship is Christ centered and founded on the Scriptures and that it does not drift toward worship of the Bible.

In the end, Gather the Family does a superb job of equipping all families to gather around the Bible at some point in their day to worship God.  I appreciated the wide range of families they showed who engage daily in family worship.  The numerous instances of family worship will show that while it is easy to start and continue family worship, it is also the hardest thing you will ever do!

Family Worship Resources

As I said above, I am really excited about this resource.  I would like to spend some time here highlighting their website.  Family Worship Resources is, in my estimation, going to become your one-stop shop for all things family worship.  First, they have a community where you can upload videos of your family doing family worship.  You can also find a link to Kevin Swanson interviewing Donald S. Whitney on the practice of family worship.  There are numerous resources available as well through the website.

As this movement gains traction, I expect this website to grow in both content and practical resources.

Recommendation

If you are a pastor, this resource needs to be in your library.  This resource will be instrumental in recovering the lost discipline of family worship.  Youth pastors and children’s ministers ought to become familiar with this DVD as often times they are the inroads into the family.  Gather the Family would make a great premarital counseling session as well.  In essence, I highly, highly recommend this resource to everyone!

I am republishing this review because the DVD is coMing out this Tuesday and I would like to alert everyone of this fact.

Introduction

I recently saw the movie Courageous and, while I did not intend to write about it, I decided I had to share with others what transpired afterward.  This is not going to be review (I haven’t been asked to review the book yet) of the movie.  Rather, it is going to be more of a reaction piece.  You can check out the 2 1/2 minute movie trailer below. For more information about the movie, you can check out the official website.  You can like their fan page on Facebook.

My Thoughts

I had heard nothing but great things from men like Randy Alcorn and others. I figured it would be a decent movie as I have enjoyed the movies that have come from the Kendrick brothers. I was not prepared for the giant leap in writing, production, acting, as well as the over all experience.

I legitimately experienced a wide-range of emotions sitting in the theater. I laughed–hysterically a number of times, I cried–three times that I can remember, and I white-knuckled my arm rests–too many times throughout. There were a few times that I could “predict” what was going to happen next, but there were more times I was stunned by what took place from scene to scene. You can tell that the Kendrick Brothers are maturing as writers and directors with each film.

The action started from the very beginning of the movie and continued through to the end. There were so many layers to the story that I believe watching it two or three times will not be too much.

What Transpired After

I called one of my close friends and asked if he wanted to see the 10:00 showing Sunday night. He is not a believer so I let him know that it was an overtly Christian movie but evidently has a very positive message and challenge for men. My friend is not yet married nor is he a father, but he longs to one day be both. Regardless, we went to the movie together not really knowing what to expect.

When we left the movie, we both commented that it was a really great movie and he said that I ought to warn him when I take him to a movie that makes him cry. We decided to go to Denny’s for a late-night snack (a tradition that dates back some 17 years for us) and some conversation.

The movie opened the door to some excellent conversation between the two of us. Though it was not about the gospel, it was about what it meant to be a man, a father, and a husband. Two hours later, we left (it was 2:45 AM). The next day (or should I say, later that day) we texted one another multiple times still talking about the impact of the movie. On my friend’s Facebook page, he wrote, “Every man Christian or not probably would do well to watch Courageous.”

Keep in mind, he is not a believer. In fact, he is one of the more anti-Christian’s I know (and yes, we are still very good friends).

Recommendation

I share all of this to let you know that this movie will have an impact on just about every man that watches it. If you are a pastor, I would recommend taking the men in your church to see this movie. If you are a youth pastor, I would recommend taking the fathers of the youth under your ministry. If you are a man, a father, or want to be a father, you need to go see this movie. Take your wife (if applicable) and make it a date night. You will not be sorry.

Moore, Russell D.  Tempted and Tried: Temptation and the Triumph of Christ.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011.  208 pp.  $14.99.  Purchase at Westminster Books for much less.

Introduction

Dr. Russell Moore is the dean of the School of Theology as well as the vice president for Academic Administration at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also serves as the editor of the journal Touchstone and is a preaching pastor at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He has also authored Crossway’s The Kingdom of Christ among other books.

He has also written the paradigm-shifting work, Adopted for Life.  You can read my review of that great work here.

Summary

This resource is divided into seven chapters.  The first chapter sets the tone for the entire work and explains why temptation matters.  The second chapter warns that we should always be aware of temptation and that if we are not, we are practically dooming ourselves.  Chapters three and four look at why we would rather be fed than fathered in the sense that we shy away from being disciplined and also why our pride (see, sin) keeps us from admitting when we need help from error.

In all cases of temptation, we fight and fight and often times we lose because we are blinded by our selfish desires.  Chapter five looks at Christ in the desert and how we, apart from the power of the Holy Spirit, would rather be exalted ourselves instead of being crucified unto Christ so that we can better fight against the devil.  The sixth chapter explains why you cannot resist temptation and why you need a Helper.  The last chapter is aptly titled (Not a) Conclusion.  Here, the reader is told why the battle must rage on indefinitely this side of eternity.

Review

It seems as though Dr. Moore continues to call the saints to the obvious though not often discussed doctrines of the church.  Tempted and Tried is a much needed resource for the church today.  There is much in the way of self-loathing and pity today as many are seeing their sin as egregious before the Lord but never really getting beyond that fact except to cry out for salvation.  Russell Moore shows us how temptation is a part of our life just as it was Christ’s.  He helps us to see that the sin is not in the temptation but in our giving in to the temptation.  He further explains to us that we cannot fight against these temptations on our own.  We need Christ more than just for an entrance to salvation.  Rather, we need the power of Christ for everyday living and for the everyday battle.

If there is one critique I have on this work it is the chapters are a bit long.  I only say that because there is so much to digest that each chapter takes a few evenings to digest!  By the time you get through one chapter, you find that you want to go back and re-read the chapter in one sitting.

Recommendation

There is much for the thirsty soul in this work.  I highly recommend to all Christians Tempted and Tried.  You will certainly be a better follower of Christ and a more effective witness of his grace and mercy in your life as you learn what it means to be tempted and tried and then Who it was that faced the same temptations and trials and never gave in.  What encouragement to come to the cross daily for your sustenance!  What encouragement to live a victorious life in the power of Christ (and that is not a charismatic phrase)!

This is from an email I receive weekly from the MLJ Trust about the Ephesians sermon series now being available week by week for free.  It will take about 4 years to publish the whole series, but will certainly be worth the wait!

Dear Friend,
This is a day that all of us, in the UK and the US, having been looking forward to with great anticipation. This morning, on the MLJ Trust’s page on Oneplace, we are launching the full series preached by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the book of Ephesians. This series of over 200 sermons was started by Dr. Lloyd-Jones in 1954, and became one of four prolonged treatments of New Testament books that he undertook during his 30 year ministry at Westminster Chapel.

The launch of this series of full sermons comes after 92% of you, in a survey conducted in late 2011, said that you would prefer a full-length sermon format to the shorter format we have been using, which means that the length of these sermons will vary between 45 and 60 minutes. We are extremely grateful to our brothers on the UK Recordings Trust for giving us permission to air full-length sermons, and to Oneplace for allowing us to upload longer content than they are used to.

Today’s sermon is an introduction to the Epistle, and you can go straight to the sermon by either clicking on the Oneplace logo beneath my signature below or clicking on the following link: http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/living-grace . We do hope that you will enjoy this series and, more importantly, we hope that it will be helpful to you in your Spiritual journey.
To those who have been able to donate to our ministry, we thank you so much. For those who have not had an opportunity, but would like to help us continue funding this ministry, a link to our donations page is at the bottom left of this eMail (Your GeoTrust secured contribution will be processed by Network for Good). As a reminder, the MLJ Trust is 501 (c) (3) charitable consisting of four Board members who volunteer their time, and no staff. You can learn more about us at www.mljtrust.org.
As always, we only want to be sending these eMails to friends of the ministry who want to receive them, and so if you would prefer not to receive them, simply click on the “unsubscribe” link below and you will be removed from this eMail list.

Thank you again for your interest in the Ministry of Martyn Lloyd-Jones!

Every blessing,

Jonathan
www.mljtrust.org
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Fitzpatrick, Elyse and Jessica Thompson.  Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus.  Wheaton: Crossway Books, 2011.  208 pp.  $14.99.  Purchase at Westminster for $8.43.

Introduction

Elyse Fitzpatrick is an excellent writer and editor.  I have reviewed two of her previous works, both published by Crossway Books, and have thoroughly enjoyed them.  This book is a bit different in that it is a parenting resource that was co-written with her daughter, Jessica.

Summary

Divided into two parts with ten chapters, and three appendices, Elyse offers her readers a humbled, hindsight, handbook on parenting and pointing your children toward the grace of God found in the cross of Calvary.  In part one, she gives us the theological foundations of grace.  Within these four chapters, we are treated to biblical examples and reasons of for showing grace in our parenting.

In part two, the reader is implored to find the evidences of grace in daily living.  This section is comprised of six chapters and begins with a chapter on physical discipline.  In each chapter, the authors exhort the reader to continue parenting in light of the cross and to point out the grace in your child’s every day life from behavior to mercies to even the food on the table.  By the end of this section, if you have read it and wrestled with the Scriptural principles, you may find yourself viewing your neighborhood as a mission field if you do not already.

The three appendices drive further home the point of the gospel as being central to parenting.

Review

While I really enjoy reading various parenting books, I have found the latest round of books from the likes of Tedd and Paul Tripp, CJ Mahaney, etc. to be extremely helpful.  Add Elyse Fitzpatrick and her daughter to that list. What I enjoyed the most about this particular resource is the humbled hindsight offered by Elyse.  She openly admits to not getting it right all the time though she tried.

As a parent, we all understand the difficulty in maintaining our witness to our children when disciplining them.  Elyse takes on the roll of that godly Christian mom that wants to be an asset and train up the younger women (and yes, men since men will also read this resource) to be better than she was as a parent.  At the very least, be a bit more consistent.

I do wish in the chapter on discipline, they would have a been a bit less non-committal on the issue of spanking but they are adamant that spanking, if done properly, is biblical and that parents must come to their own (biblically-informed) conclusions on this matter.

Audio Review

I also was able to listen to this book from christianaudio.  I found the quality of the audio to be exceptional.  Tavia Gilbert narrated the book with great care and seemingly as a parent herself looking back on her own  years as a mother.  her emotions run the gamut along with Elyse’s writing from sorrow to joy and even singing with a beautiful voice that made me stop and listen to it again.

The only negative to the audio was once again the formatting of the files as they appear on my mp3 player.  This has always been my biggest critique of christianaudio.

Recommendation

As a father of five children ages seven and under (as of the writing of this review), I found Elyse’s exhortations, confessions, and gospel-centered message to be refreshing and encouraging.  There are days when you do not feel like you are doing a great job of parenting (and some days this is true) but Elyse and her daughter, Jessica, point the readers to the same cross that, as parents, we should be pointing our children.  I highly recommend this resource to all parents who call on the name of Christ as Lord and Savior.