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Heart of the Matter Edited by Nancy B. Winter

November 14th, 2012 No comments

Heart of the Matter: Daily Reflections for Changing Hearts and Lives.  Edited by Nancy B. Winter.  Greensboro: New Growth Press, 2012.  417 pp.  $19.99.  Purchase at Westminster Books for much less.

Introduction/Summary

The Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF) has compiled this devotional from within their own ministry.  In other words, if you have read the authors and counselors and ministers affiliated with CCEF, you will have read much of this work.

Each day’s devotion begins with a suggested Scripture reading followed by a meditation meant to drive home the “message” of the day.  There is obviously one devotion for each day of the year including Leap Year.

Review

Many devotionals have the snippet (I meant snippet) of Scripture already on the page.  Most of the page, however, is of the devotional writer’s thoughts.  Not so with Heart of the Matter.  In order to properly read this devotional, you will need a Bible.  The referent to the passage is all that appears at the top of the page and then the paragraph that follows enables the reader to meditate on the passage a bit more.

At the end of the book, there is a source index that will enable the reader to delve deeper into what a particular author (cited in each daily devotion) says more about a specific topic.  Also, there is a Scripture index that will take you to a specific day where a particular Bible verse is used.

Recommendation

As always, I must first state that we should never let a devotional replace the daily reading of Scripture.  If you are not reading your Bible daily, then do not read this resource.  First, get back into the Word and then move to a devotional.

There are a number of devotionals available and each has its particular niche.  Heart of the Matter is a devotional for the Christian who is hurting and needy.  There will be much counsel given and the best part is that it is all rooted in Scripture.  Ultimately, the counselors featured in this resource take you to the Christ of our salvation and in doing so enable you to receive the help you truly need.  I recommend this devotional resource to anyone looking to delve deeper into the word.  Furthermore, I recommend this resource as one that could be used by couples, families, and small groups to draw everyone closer together in Christ.

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When Your Husband is Addicted to Pornography by Vicki Tiede

October 26th, 2012 No comments

Tiede, Vicki.  When Your Husband is Addicted to Pornography: Healing Your Wounded Heart.  Greensboro: New Growth Press, 2012.  289 pp.  $15.00.  Order at Westminster Books or Amazon for less.

Introduction

First, I must state from the start that I am reviewing this book though the book is written for women (more on this in my review).

Vicki is a homeschooling mom who has written one other book and contributed to five more.  Her joy is being able to share God’s grace and mercy and truths with other women from Scriptures.  In this capacity, she serves as the women’s ministries coordinator at her local church.

Summary

The book is written as a six-week devotional or study meant for women to better understand and handle the pitfalls after discovering their husband is addicted to pornography.  Each week offers a different topic over a five day period.  The first week looks at hope (a great place to begin when discussing this topic!).  Week two looks at the need to surrender.  That is, the need to surrender to your (the wife’s) need to be “in control.”

Week three takes on the important task of trust and learning to trust again.  Perhaps the important chapter here is the one on intimacy since that has been robbed from the marriage through the addiction.  Chapter four offers five days of identity while chapter five looks at brokenness.  The final chapter looks at the need for forgiveness.

Review

I’ll be honest, at first, I was not looking forward to reading this work as it seemed to me to be set up with a sociological/psychological bent.  After perusing and reading, I realize that I was wrong.  Vicki has written a much-needed resource for the “other side of the equation” in the battle against pornography.  This resource will help women to better understand 1) why and how men can become addicted to porn and 2) how they should biblically respond to such an addiction.

I am unable to review the work as a female since I am a male, but I can offer some perspective as a husband reading this book written for women whose husbands have fallen into the trap of pornography addiction.  I believe every husband who has wrestled with pornography or has hurt their wives because of pornography should read this book.  The insights gleaned from reading this book regarding the hell your wife is going through because of your selfish (let’s be honest!) addiction may be what it takes to break your habit.

Recommendation

Even though this book is written for women, particularly wives of men who are addicted to porn, I would recommend it to both men and women as either a resource to study alone, together, or in a group setting.  Perhaps a couples study would be extremely beneficial.  Regardless, Vicki Tiede has written a resource that women will find it to be invaluable.  Men may find it to be extremely insightful.  All will find it to be Christ-centered and an aide to helping couples navigate this dreadful poison to their marriage.

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Old Story New: New Testament by Marty Machowski

October 11th, 2012 No comments

Machowski, Marty.  Old Story New: New Testament.  Greensboro: New Growth Press, 2012.  433 pp.  $19.99.

Introduction

Marty Machowski serves as Family Life Pastor at Covenant Fellowship Church in Glenn Mills, Pa.  He also leads the children’s ministry, Promise Kingdom.  This is the third resource in this series.  You can find the other two here.

Summary

This family devotion resource is divided into 78 “chapter” which are then subdivided further into five days.  In other words, you have 78 weeks worth of week-day devotions for the family.  They are written in such a way that any age of children can take part in the devotional.

Each week’s devotionals subject is introduced with a short summary.  Each day’s devotion includes a “Picture It” or “Remember It” section that get’s the child’s mind working followed by a Scripture reading.   After reading the Scripture, there is a short paragraph to help everyone “Think About it Some More” followed by a few questions to “Talk About It.”  After that is finished, there are “Pray About It” guidelines to help reinforce the devotion through prayer.

Review

These 78 devotions build from the first book entitled Long Story Short in which are found 78 devotions rooted in the Old Testament.  I appreciate the intentional shortness of each day’s devotion as they can often times drag on for what seems like eternity.  The questions are worded in such a way that the children, regardless of age, can answer them and in doing so, they dictate the length of the devotion.  Some devotions may last longer than others on account of this.

Perhaps more important is the Introduction for Parents found in the front.  Here, Marty offers keen insight into how family devotions should look as well as what should be expected for children of various ages.  In other words, Marty removes the fear of actually doing family devotions.

Recommendation

My children have already enjoyed Long Story Short (they range from 2-8 years old) and I am confident they will enjoy Old Story New just as much.  We are indebted to Marty Machowski for the writing of this phenomenal resource.  One cannot find a better resource (though there are many that have become available in the past 5 years) to actually lead your family in family devotions every evening.  It is my prayer that those who read this review will pick up a copy and give it a try.  The truth is, your family will be the better for so doing.

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My Grandmother is…Praying for Me by Kathryn March, Pamela Ferriss and Susan Kelton

March 12th, 2012 No comments

March, Kathryn, Pamel Ferriss, and Susan Kelton.  My Grandmother…is Praying for Me: Daily Prayers and Proverbs for Character Development in Grandchildren.  Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 2011.  386 pp.  $17.99.  Purchase at Westminster for less.

Introduction

Kathryn March, Pamela Ferriss, and Susan Kelton are all wives, mothers, and grandmothers.  Kathryn has a Masters in counseling and works as an educational and career advisor to students and young adults.  Pamela holds a Juris Doctor degree and currently teaches the Scriptures in a ministry to mothers with young children.  Susan received a degree in psychology and enjoys helping others through life transitions as a realtor.  All three live near Nashville, Tn.

Summary

This is a devotional book so there is not much to summarize other than it is a year long devotional rooted in the Proverbs.  These three ladies share their hearts and reasons behind this work in this video:

Review

With each day being only a page long, even the busiest of grandmothers will be able to effectively and intentionally pray for their grandchildren with My Grandmother is…  Each month brings a new specific topic to pray for your grandchildren.  Topics range from faithfulness to wisdom to humility.  Each day begins with a verse or two from the Proverbs, a written prayer, and an application.  Some of the applications are a bit more involved than others, but all are worthwhile.

While this work is designed to be a year long devotional following a daily calendar, it can also be used topically if a grandchild is struggling with something specific.  Furthermore, do not let the title deceive you, this work can also be used by mothers (after all, you cannot be a grandma without being a mom) as well as grandfathers and fathers.

Recommendation

Though I caution all readers of devotions to never let the devotional replace Scripture reading, I do recommend this resource to any believing grandmother without any reservation.  Parents and grandpa’s may want to give a look as well.  Many do not think there is anything they can do for their grandchildren because they live far away or are not involved in  the lives of their children for other reason.  What can be done is prayer.  Allow My Grandmother is Praying for Me to help guide your prayers.

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The Alabaster Jar by Anna Alden-Tirrill

October 18th, 2011 No comments

Alden-Tirrill, Anna.  The Alabaster Jar: Deep Calls Unto Deep – Devotions for Women.  Minneapolis: White Cottage Publishing, 2011.  324 pp.  $19.95.  Purchase at Amazon for less.

Introduction

The Alabaster Jar is a devotional book for women edited by Anna Alden-Tirrill.  Anna has written a few other books available at Amazon.  She has also been heavily involved in various grassroots and governmental non-profit social service agencies and programs in the area of victimology, counseling and crisis intervention. She even developed a series of workshops for City residents on a wide array of women’s health and mental health issues. You can read more about Anna (and believe me, you would find her an interesting and inspiring woman) at her author page.

Summary

As stated above, this work is a devotional for women.  What sets this apart from many other women’s devotionals, however, is that it is not one voice.  Anna has compiled numerous Christian women from a wide range to offer encouragement and exhortation from those who have “been there and done that.”  The list of women included in this devotional is long and includes the likes of Corrie ten Boom, Anne Graham Lotz, Elisabeth Elliot, Helen Keller, Joan of Arc, Kay Arthur and many more.  You can read the complete list of women quoted here.  There are over 280 one-page devotionals included.

Anna has divided this work into 18 chapters of varying length.  Each chapter is accurately titled to give the reader an index of sorts when searching for a specific devotion to deal with a specific need.  Each devotion begins with a bible verse.

Review

Perhaps the only critique is that there should have been approximately 85 more pages thus making this a yearly devotional.  The way it is set up now there are a few more devotionals than weekdays in a  year.  So, you could read one each week day and then some on the weekends and make it a yearly devotional in that manner.

As for a full-fledged review, I am a male and therefore would not be able to succinctly explain how these women in this devotional would speak to the women today.  I can, however, tell you, that the daily devotions are inspiring and challenging and can readily be viewed as offering great encouragement.  Anna split them up into 18 chapters which can help the mother of five (aka, my wife) turn quickly to a section when she is frazzled and needing encouragement.  In the end, The Alabaster Jar will offer a much needed ointment for any woman at any stage in life.

As with any devotional book, never let it replace the daily intake of the Word of God!

Recommendation

Men, this resource would make a great gift for the women in your life.  Women, you would definitely enjoy this work.  Each devotion takes maybe 3 minutes to read but will have an overall accumulative effect on your heart, mind and soul.

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Devotionals for Living Free by Kevin L. Lewis

July 13th, 2011 No comments

Lewis, Kevin L.  Devotionals for Living FreeEmerging Edge Publishing, 2010.  126 pp.  $11.50.  Purchase at Amazon for less.

Introduction

Kevin Lewis currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. He gave his life to Christ at the age of 30 and has witnessed his love for God and Jesus increase each day. He believes in the power of prayer to change things. Since 2008 he has been writing poetry and devotionals centered around his beliefs in Christ. He writes to share his thoughts to help people find Christ, helping Christians to have a better relationship with God and to increase Christian fellowship.

Summary/Review

Lewis has divided his book of devotionals into six chapters consisting of eight devotional poems each. Before each chapter, there is a Bible verse offered with an extremely short devotional thought or explanation.  At the end of the book is a miscellaneous section that includes an explanation of a few misconceptions about Christianity as well as some “overflow” thoughts by the author.

There is nothing in the devotional that would cause a discerning Christian to raise his eyebrows.  That being said, the reader may not always agree with everything.  The poetry, however, will lead you to think more about the God you serve and challenge you to serve Him all the more.  The misc. section is an interesting approach to finishing off this unique devotional.

I personally enjoyed the read as well as the different approach to a devotional.  Granted, I am not much a reader of poetry, but I did enjoy the challenge underlying the heart of the poetry.

Recommendation

You can purchase this resource for the Kindle for only $3.99.  If you enjoy reading poetry as well as armchair theology, then you will certainly enjoy this resource and I recommend it for reading.  Please know, however, you are not getting a classic like Valley of Vision or My Utmost for His Highest.  What you are getting is collection of poetry written by a man who hungers for the Lord–that makes it a worthwhile purchase.

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Love has Come by Kevin Orr

June 8th, 2011 No comments

Orr, Kevin. Love has Come: A Twenty-Eight Day Journey Through the Gospel of Matthew. Enumclaw: WinePress Publishing, 2010. 132 pp. $14.99. Purchase at Amazon for $11.69.

Introduction

Kevin Orr currently serves bi-vocationally as the Orchestra Director for Meadowood Baptist Church in Midwest City, OK. He has served in music ministry in one capacity or another for 11+ years. He and his wife since 2000, Dawn, live in Oklahoma City, OK and have two children.

This work, Love has Come is rooted in the author’s own struggles during a crisis in his life where the Lord graciously showed him his need to look away from the trial and look toward Christ. As he writes, ‘[This book] was conceived in the early morning hours during my quiet time. With a Bible, a pen, a notebook, and a hungry spirit…”

Summary

As can be concluded by the title, Love has Come is a book of devotionals taking one chapter a day in the Gospel of Matthew. Each day looks at one verse from that day’s correlating chapter in Matthew. Mixed with personal and general reflections, you will join the apostle Matthew as he writes of Jesus birth, ministry, death and resurrection and Kevin as he discusses one or two practical points or thoughts that will help the reader on his or her own journey. At the end of each chapter is one question and a lined page to write your own personal reflections.

Review

The personal nature of this devotional is a two-edged sword. I respect Kevin’s willingness to open up and share about his own personal struggles and life through the pages of Love has Come. I fear, however, that this personal approach will limit the devotional.

Nonetheless, it is my belief that this personal touch will still speak to many people today where our culture tells us how personal we are with our social media and smart phones. Yet, and let’s be honest, have we really become more personal or have we become more distant from the things and the people that matter most? Kevin’s work can be an aid to get you back on track reading the Word. It will also help you to deal more intimately with what God is saying to you.

Recommendation

While I do remain concerned about the personal nature—times do change and the specifics in Kevin’s life may not apply to all—I still found Love has Come If you are married, this will be a good opportunity to read Matthew together and go through Love has Come. Who knows, it may stimulate some intimate sharing of your own with your spouse. to be a nice devotional. It is rooted in the Word and that in itself is timeless.

Choose a devotional carefully and do not allow it to replace your Scripture reading. Love has Come will enable you to reconnect with the Lover of your Soul—God and, if married, the lover He has granted you in your spouse.

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Growing a Wise Family by Bryan R. Coupland

June 1st, 2011 No comments

Coupland, Bryan R.  Growing a Wise Family: 100 Devotionals from the Book of Proverbs.  Debary: Spring Glen Publishing, 2011.  264 pp.  $15.99.  Purchase at Amazon.

Introduction

Bryan Coupland and his wife, Del, are missionaries with New Tribe Missions where they currently serve as Member Care Facilitators.  They have three children who grew up having family devotions.  These devotions were not necessarily used with them though the experience of holding family devotions for 20+ years certainly influenced their writing.  They are written with 10-13 year old children in mind with the understanding that some younger and older will be listening.

Summary

Bryan begins this book of devotionals with an apologetic for writing it with the intended audience of a family in mind.  He says he did so for two reasons: the family is under constant attack and a family committed to God does not happen by accident.  The stated goal is that the members of the family (especially children–assuming the parents are Christian) learn that true wisdom comes from a deep relationship with Christ.

As stated in the title, this resource includes 100 devotionals from the Book of Proverbs. Moving through the Proverbs in sequential order, Bryan chooses a verse or two or three each day for meditation.  Each devotional has a “catchy” title but the content is summed up in one or two words in the header of each page.  The day concludes with a “What do you think?” section designed for discussion.

After each person has answered (either on paper or in conversation) there is an “Answers to your Questions” section.  In this section, Bryan derives answers that are congruent with the Scriptures.  Where there is an opinion question he will say something to the effect that this is a personal opinion and that you will want to see what your children (or spouse) said.  As for the other answers, the answers Bryan offers derive from the text of the Bible. In so doing he offers a guideline by which the reader can judge if 1) the answer is biblical and 2) those taking part in the devotions are in fact growing in Christ.

Review

Each devotional moves through the Proverbs in an orderly fashion though not as systematic as one would think for a devotion meant for families. In other words, Bryan does not harp on disciplining your children or children being obedient to parents as many devotionals have.  Rather, Bryan offers a devotional designed to help the entire family grow in their wisdom of the things of God.  We all need reverence for God and reverence for parents, but if we are doing what we are commanded–Loving the Lord with are ALL and then loving our neighbors as ourselves–we will have reverence for our parents and siblings.

I would warn against become reliant on devotional material for your edification–never let a devotional book come in the way of your daily Bible Intake!  I would also caution against taking Bryan’s answers at face value.  This is not to say they are not biblical or questionable.  Rather, we should all be Bereans and search the Scriptures to make sure what is being shared is, in fact, biblical.

Recommendation

Coupland offers a quality devotional resource for families, but also for anyone who wants to become wise in the things of God.  I appreciated the conversational tone as well as the simplicity of the questions that still take the conversation fairly deep theologically and practically.  If you are looking for a jump start to your family devotions, Growing a Wise Family makes for an excellent launching point.

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Blessed – Living a Grateful Life by Ellen Michaud

May 2nd, 2011 No comments

Michaud, Ellen.  Blessed – Living a Grateful Life .  New York: Best You from Reader’s Digest, 2011.  176 pp.  $16.95.  Purchase at Amazon for $11.53 or less.

Introduction

Women are busy.  Mothers even more so.  If you are a stay-at-home mom, my hat is off to you!  I see my wife in action every day homeschooling our five children (well 3, the other 2 are not even two years old!) and caring for the house and am exhausted by what she does.  With that in mind, Ellen Michaud has compiled a devotional of sorts to help women live a life knowing just how blessed they really are.  Ellen has written for numerous magazines and newspapers including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Reader’s Digest, and Prevention.  You can learn more about the book at blessed-livingagratefullife.com.

Summary

This little book is divided into five parts that bring the small devotions into a category of sorts.  There are a total of 53 “chapters” most of which are 2-3 pages in length–perfect for the busy woman.  The five categories are “A Quiet Space,” “Finding Meaning,” Making a Difference,” “Reinventing who you are,” and “A Celebration of Friends & Family.”  I have been given permission to share an entry here.

A Garden for My Mother

Gently touching the pages of my mother’s old gardening book, and lightly tracing her penciled notes with a finger, the grief I felt at her absence was palpable.

Pirouetting across the barren, scarred ground in front of my cottage high in the mountains of Vermont, my friend Silvia was clearly delighted with the challenge I’d handed her.

Last winter, 93 mile-an-hour winds had ripped a whole stand of tall pine trees out of the ground. The rich forest floor had disappeared in the storm’s turbulent aftermath, and only the packed clay subsoil, marked by the treads of a log truck, tractor and an excavator, remained.

Silvia, a garden designer at the local nursery, was thrilled.

“We can put a pagoda dogwood over there,” she beamed, pointing her sketchbook toward an area that had, until last December, contained 15 pine trees and the rich, nurturing soil of a pine forest.

“We can put a birch clump over there.” She pointed with her pen. “And a holly over there.” The sketchbook gestured in the opposite direction.

“And can we move the Japanese lantern?”

Quirking a questioning eyebrow at me, she paused a moment as I sat on the cottage’s front steps and considered. “We can put it here in front of that remaining hemlock with a weeping pea tree,” she clarified. “With a tall sheaf of Japanese silvergrass and a 6-inch high waterfall of white pine that wanders through the arrangement.” Her hands sketched the plants and their placement as she talked.

“What do you think?”

Silvia’s plan was perfect. At my sudden smile and nod of agreement, the designer whirled toward the hemlock, her bright red coat flaring out in the spring sunshine. The visions inside her head tumbled onto her sketchpad at a rapid rate — and I knew it wouldn’t be long before those visions would reclaim the storm-roughened ground in front of us.

Leaving Silvia to finish plotting out square feet and plant sizes, I went inside the cottage to look through my gardening books and check out the plants she’d suggested.

What on earth was a weeping pea tree anyway? Running my fingers along a bookshelf of colorful book covers bursting with exotic flowers and shaggy barks, I stopped at one old book, its plain green cover darkened by age. Pages torn from a desk calendar that my mother used back in 1972 — with notes in her perfect, British school-girl penmanship about specific plants–were inserted among the pages.

The book had been hers. Every spring she’d pull it out, sit down at the kitchen table to study it, and mark the plants she wanted on pages from the calendar.

April 20th: “Hypericum Hidcote. 5 feet. Elegant.”
April 21st: “Magnolia. Large saucer-shaped flowers.”
April 25th: “Ilex opaca, an American Holly.”
April 26th: “Forsythia Lynwood. Gold, large flowers with broad petals.
May 25th: “Weigela. Spring-flowering shrubs, which bear trumpet-shaped flowers in great abundance. . .”
May 28th: “Syringa. Lilacs. 8 to 12 feet. Flower in the spring. . .”

The book would sit on the table for weeks until, recognizing she couldn’t afford everything she wanted, she’d put it back on the bookshelf. “Next year,” she’d say. “Next year we’ll plant the magnolia” — or the lilac or the forsythia or whatever else had caught her fancy.

But looking over the list of plants from her 1972 notes, I realized that she’d never planted any of them. It was the year my father had retired from the Navy, and money was scarce. By the following spring she had had a heart attack and — those being the days when cardiac rehab was pretty much rest, blood thinners, and lectures on smoking cigarettes — she gave up her cigarettes, gave up her garden, and moved with my father to Florida for a less expensive, less active life.

She died there, six years later.

Gently touching the pages of her old gardening book, and lightly tracing her penciled notes with a finger, the grief I felt at her absence was palpable. She’d never seen her grandson grow into a strong, caring man. Never seen her daughter become a loving, nurturing woman. Never planted her magnolia. Never closed her eyes in bliss as a light spring breeze brought the scent of lilacs into the house.

Thoughtfully, I looked out the window at Silvia making her sketches, then looked down at my mother’s notes.

Adding a magnolia, some lilacs, a graceful fountain of forsythia, and a patch of cheerful yellow hypericum to Silvia’s design might not be a bad idea. It would create a small cottage garden that would fill the space in front of my home, and — perhaps — fill that small space in my heart that holds the woman who made me do the dishes, taught me how to make mud pies, and loved me fiercely.

Closing my mother’s book, I got up to go talk with Silvia.

It was past time for mama to have her garden.

The above is an excerpt from the book Blessed: Living A Grateful Life by Ellen Michaud. The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.
Copyright © 2011 Ellen Michaud, author of Blessed: Living A Grateful Life

Review

It is important to note the context of my audience as being Christian. That being said, let me begin by saying that there is nothing inherently wrong with Blessed.  I found the “chapters” to be very motivational as did my wife.  One certainly realizes just how blessed they are when reading through these stories.

It is important to note, however, that this is not a Christian book per se.  I cannot recall any Scripture verses and only generic treatments of the Christian faith on a few pages.  Still, one is reminded of the truth found in Matthew 5:45–it rains on the just and the unjust.  In other words, everyone is blessed regardless of faith in Christ.  The problem arises when we start saying/believing that the general blessings mean salvation for all.

Recommendation

While I do recommend Blessed–especially to women–do know that it is not necessarily Christian.  It will, however, cause you to pause for a moment and think about what God has blessed you with.  Hopefully, the Lord would use this book to show the need for the special blessing of salvation that comes only through faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12) for there is no other blessing that can match it!

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90 Days of God’s Goodness by Randy Alcorn

March 7th, 2011 No comments

Alcorn, Randy. 90 Days of God’s Goodness. Colorado Springs: Multnomah Books, 2011. 208 pp. $14.99. Purchase at Amazon for $9.97 or less.

Introduction

Randy Alcorn is founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries. He has authored numerous books both fiction and non-fiction. Perhaps his most influential book on my life has been his “Principle” books: The Treasure Principle and The Purity Principle.

90 Days was written to show the reader that the Lord allows suffering in most cases to grow the Christian spiritually and to trust more in the Lord than before. In many ways, this is an introduction to his much larger work, If God is Good.

Summary/Review

Each devotional begins with Scripture—and not just a verse or two. Rather, Alcorn has offered “chunks” to chew on (my statement). Most passages are 5+ verses thought there are a few with less. Drawing from each passage, Randy offers some insight—usually an illustration or story—of how this passage applies to our life during the ever present seasons of struggle. He concludes each day with a written prayer to guide the reader in going before the Lord.

Each chapter, while independent of the others, will provide many “mountain-top” experiences as the reader will begin to see the glory of God in the suffering. As always, however, it is important that the heart of the prayers not be allowed to replace your heart in prayer. It is easy to repeat the prayer and never actually mean what you are saying. Sadly, this what many do and then believe they had just communed with God when in all reality, they sent a message through someone else that was lost in translation.

I loved particularly day 12 when he took to task a young lady who was singing Amazing Grace and changed the word ‘wretch’ to ‘soul.’ That is such an overlooked problem today. The flesh wants to make everything sound so great and spiritual but forget that we are what we are: sinners in rebellion to an all holy God.

Recommendation

At the risk of telling readers to read more devotionals instead of the Bible, I do recommend 90 Days to the Christian wanting to better understand the age old conundrum why evil exists when God does. This book would be a perfect resource to offer a friend who is experiencing much pain and suffering. I think to those who have lost a spouse or a child first, but then move to those who are just struggling with daily trials in life. I believe the Lord will use the pen of Randy Alcorn to minister to many through this book just as He has already done through his other books.

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