Angry kids. Angry parents. This combination is universal in every family on the planet. I cannot imagine any home full of sinners that do not experience sinful anger and the resulting damage it causes. Listen to the podcast Our podcasts are on iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud, TuneIn, or Stitcher. If you want to comment on this content, go here. Since my home is no … [Read more...]
Book Review: Jesus Calling By Sarah Young
Jesus Calling by Sarah Young is a difficult book for me to review, not only because of its complex issues but also because I have many dear friends who love it deeply. Listen to the podcast Our podcasts are on iTunes, Google Play, SoundCloud, TuneIn, or Stitcher. If you want to comment on this content, go here. I want to communicate my thoughts graciously yet without … [Read more...]
When People Are Big and God is Small
There are some books written so well that there is hardly a need for another one to be written on the topic. When People are Big and God is Small, by Edward T. Welch, is one such book. Yes, I realize one book does not exhaust any topic, but Welch has done such a wonderful job in his book that you will not be left wanting. Interestingly, the book was first published in … [Read more...]
The Borrowers Aloft
The Borrowers Aloft is the fourth book in the series, and was published in 1961. I believe it was originally intended to be the last book about the borrowers, because the final book (The Borrowers Avenged) was not published until 1982. It's interesting to see this as the original place that Norton wanted to leave her story and characters. Much as I love the last book, in some … [Read more...]
The Borrowers Afloat
The Borrowers Afloat is the third Borrower book, and was published in 1959. I am lucky enough to have an old, battered, much-loved first edition that used to belong to a library. I love that sort of book. They made books to last back then, and the pages have such a lovely thickness. And though this copy is worn and bears much evidence of use, it has such a welcoming feel to it. … [Read more...]
The Borrowers Afield
The Borrowers Afield is the second book in the Borrowers series, and was published in 1955. It recounts the adventures of the Clock family after they were forced to flee their home at the old house at Firbank. They're making for the home of their relatives, the Hendrearys, who emigrated to a badger's set in a nearby field. But when the Clocks arrive (after an arduous journey … [Read more...]
The Borrowers
The Borrowers is one of those children's classics that I am always wanting to reread. I reread the series probably once a year at least, and the stories get better every time. My only quibble with them is that they are so short! This is the first book in the series and was originally published in 1952. It's the story of Pod, Homily, and Arrietty Clock, a family of tiny … [Read more...]
The Napoleon of Notting Hill
I stayed up much later than I should have to finish this unexpected little book. The plot was quite good, but more compelling than that was Chesterton's distinct style of writing and the little gems he scatters liberally on every page. The Napoleon of Notting Hill is Chesterton's first novel and was published in 1904. In this story, he imagines a London eighty years hence … [Read more...]
Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights is one of those classics that are constantly abused for being "depressing" or "gloomy" — as if a work's quality consists solely in its ability to cheer its audience. The expressions of hatred directed at this book really shock me, because I found it a very gripping tale. I read it long ago and enjoyed it then, and this reread has only solidified my esteem for … [Read more...]
The ABC Murders
One of my early Christies, and a good one despite a highly improbable and meticulous plot. Hercule Poirot receives a disturbing letter from an apparent madman, announcing the date and location of a future murder. The writer signs himself "ABC," and when the letter proves to be more than a hoax, an ABC Railway Guide is found next to the body of the murdered woman, Alice Ascher. … [Read more...]
The Horse and His Boy
The Horse and His Boy by C. S. Lewis is my favorite of the Chronicles of Narnia (difficult as it is to pick a favorite!). From childhood I have loved the characters: humble Shasta, proud Aravis, conceited Bree, and sensible Hwin. The plot is very tight and not a word is wasted in these short fifteen chapters. The way that the events of the story cause the characters to change … [Read more...]
Dangerous Calling
In his latest book, biblical counselor Paul David Tripp addresses the challenges and temptations that are unique to or intensified by pastoral ministry. In his counseling ministry, Tripp has seen all too much evidence of a real breakdown in how pastoral ministry is both viewed and practiced. Many pastors operate above or outside of the sanctifying ministry of the Body of … [Read more...]
Pickwick Papers
Pickwick Papers is one of Charles Dickens' earliest works and so it's hard not to read it looking for the seeds of everything to come later in his body of writing. Absurdity, humor, tragedy, chicanery, romance, fancy, lawsuits, debtors' prison, and more are here in good measure to richly repay Dickens' readers. At times the interposition of tragic or comedic vignettes seem a … [Read more...]
Nicholas Nickleby
Before Ebenezer Scrooge, there was Ralph Nickleby. In Nicholas Nickleby, Dicken's third novel published in 1839, Dickens combines the humor of Pickwick Papers with the graphic social ills of Oliver Twist. Our hero is a young man named Nicholas Nickleby whose father recently died, leaving his son, daughter, and wife nearly destitute. When they travel to London to seek help from … [Read more...]
Mansfield Park
Mansfield Park is usually tied with Emma for least-loved of Austen's books, and though the heroines of each are very, very different, the two books' lower favor with Austenites is usually due to Fanny and Emma, respectively. While Emma is an interfering, independent young woman, Fanny is her exact opposite, and loves nothing better than to hide while others receive all the … [Read more...]
A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken
I finished this book several weeks ago and it is still haunting me with its beauty. Sheldon Vanauken ("Van") tells the story of his all-consuming love-affair with his wife, Davy, and how their quest for beauty and truth ultimately led them to Christ. And then how, just in her mid-thirties, Davy became ill and was given the doctor's sentence of death. This is the story of their … [Read more...]
Brothers, We Are Not Professionals
Brothers, We Are Not Professionals is a distillation of what pastor and author John Piper believes are the most crucial doctrines and practices for effective, Christ-exalting ministry. Piper is an excellent communicator with a gift for inspiring his hearers to pursue the joy he himself has found in cherishing Christ. As he says many times, “God is most glorified in us when we … [Read more...]
The Fellowship of the Ring
This review is for the Recorded Books unabridged audiobook read by Rob Inglis. I’ve recently discovered audiobooks due to a lengthy commute, and though I could do very well without my long drive, I’m glad of it because it forced me to find ways to make the time pass more quickly. I reread The Lord of the Rings annually, and decided to listen to it this year. Rob Inglis’ … [Read more...]
Passion and Purity
In Passion and Purity, Elisabeth Elliot uses her love story with her first husband Jim Elliot to illustrate the practical principles of the book’s subtitle: bringing your love life under Christ’s control. For five years she and Jim waited to pursue their relationship, because Jim knew he needed to be single for the missionary work he was undertaking at that time. During this … [Read more...]
The Heart of Addiction
Does the Bible have anything to say about a sin so desperate and devastating as addiction? The problem of addiction is so overwhelming, both in its scale (it seems to be everywhere in our society) and in its utterly devastating effects on individuals and everyone connected with them. Does God really get into the nitty-gritty underbelly of the addicted life? Yes, thankfully … [Read more...]
Imaginary Jesus
Oh goodness, what a book! As this hilarious “not-quite-true” story opens, Matt Mikalatos is in his favorite trendy little café with his hip personal Jesus when someone walks in and socks Matt’s Jesus on the nose. Jesus takes off, robes flapping in the wind, with Matt and the stranger Pete (aka the Apostle Peter) in hot pursuit. And so begins a wild journey to discover the real … [Read more...]
When People are Big and God is Small
There are some books written so well that there is hardly a need for another one to be written on the topic. When People are Big and God is Small, by Edward T. Welch, is one such book. Yes, I realize one book does not exhaust any topic, but Welch has done such a wonderful job in his book that you will not be left wanting[1] Interestingly, the book was first published in … [Read more...]
Mere Christianity
Mere Christianity is one of those books you hear about frequently, but really have to read to appreciate. While I certainly don't agree with all of Lewis' theology on several key points, for the most part I found this a practical and enjoyable read. The chapter on pride especially was very well-written. Lewis makes an excellent point when he says that Satan doesn't mind … [Read more...]
The Problem of Pain
C. S. Lewis’ The Problem of Pain is a layman’s look at how Christians reconcile the existence of pain with the belief in God’s goodness. How can a good God allow His creatures to suffer? I have several issues with Lewis’ theology and presuppositions. I’m going to outline these before discussing the parts of the book that I thought were excellent. One of the big things wrong … [Read more...]
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