by Kimberly | Oct 30, 2013 | Bible, Books
I used to work in a chain Christian bookstore. Bibles took over the place. There were so many. And so many have come out since the mid-90s. There is a Bible for teens, children, moms of _______, dads who golf, etc. If you are charismatic – you have a Bible just for you. If you follow certain preachers – they probably recommend a certain Bible. Why is there a need for another one?
I was intrigued by the Gospel Transformation Bible and was excited that we got it in the mail.
Here are three reasons I love the Gospel Transformation Bible and maybe some thoughts that will point you to it if you are in the market for a new study Bible:
1. The design. This may not be the most important factor in choosing a new study Bible, but I think the simple black and white hardcover design is fabulous. Simple and precise. Very easy to read and find what you need inside, too.
2. The preachers and scholars that Crossway chose to use is varied. There are men and women from different denominational backgrounds, some are preachers, others are teachers or professors at seminaries. It is encouraging to see the common ground that the Gospel brings together.
3. The main focus: the Gospel. The notes that you will read in this study Bible will all point to one thing – the Gospel – Jesus Christ. He is most important part of any theological discussion. He is what all the Scriptures point to.
Appreciate Bibles that focus on this one thing – Jesus!
This is from the Crossway website about the Bible: “Focusing on heart transformation rather than mere behavior modification, their points of application emphasize the Hows and Whys of practical application to daily living—in short, how the gospel transforms us from the inside out.”
by Kimberly | Oct 25, 2013 | 31days, Books, Uncategorized
“All earthly things are the shadows of heavenly realities – the expression, in created, visible forms, of the invisible glory of God.” – Andrew Murray
I’m beginning the study of a million little ways by Emily Freeman. How to live all of life in a creative fashion after the order and ways of the Creator God.
This is going to be a fun ride! Come along over at (in)courage and the bloom study of this book. Just started this week!
(Photo taken Durham NC, October 2011)
by Kimberly | Oct 2, 2013 | 31days, Books
Multi-tasking, calendars (whether electronic or the old fashioned way), waiting in lines, instant gratification…all of these things point to the business in our lives. This can also apply in a sense to our spiritual lives as well. One of my pastors used to say most religions are spelled DO while Christianity (life in Christ) is spelled DONE. What do you spend your time doing in order to earn God’s approval?
Today’s quote comes from an Elyse Fitzpatrick book I’ve been reading Comforts from Romans. Such hard truth to rest in as we persevere and live with joy this Christian life.
“Will you rest in the righteousness of God bestowed on you simply because you believe, or will you determine to try harder so that you can approve of yourself and earn God’s favor?”
“Return O my soul to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”
Psalm 116.7
by Kimberly | Sep 4, 2013 | Books, marriage
Whoever said being married to a pastor was easy – hasn’t been married to a pastor. Let me explain and in that explanation, tell you why I chose (and liked) Jared’s book The Pastor’s Justification – a book for pastors (not pastor’s wives).
When I went to seminary, I went for the purpose of getting further training so I could do what I wanted to do: disciple. If marriage came with that, great. But, at 23, that was not my main goal. I was there to learn how to do ministry and engage in ministry. I did meet girls there who said they were there because they knew they were called to be a pastor’s wife and seminary was the place to find single men entering the ministry.
Now, 14 years almost after entering seminary, having been married to a pastor for almost 2 years, I can tell you that there really is nothing glamorous about being a pastor’s wife. And that is why I chose to read Wilson’s book. And it’s a good one.
Don’t get me wrong: I love my husband, I love being married to him, I love serving him, and I love being his wife. I love ministry, I love doing ministry – but it is hard. It is hard to see your husband get beat up at work (not currently or literally, no black eyes yet). There have been times when ministry is hard and there are more times when it is a joy. It is hard to see him discouraged at times and wonder why the church would do that to him (because the church is full of sinners), and sometimes you just want him to be able to worship in church with you (but have to wait until vacation to be able to do that). As a friend who is also a pastor’s wife said, “Sundays make me feel like a single mom”.
Wilson, a pastor in Vermont, writes a very personal, very relatable, and insightful book for pastors. But, I also think it can be useful for pastor’s wives as well. Wives: if you want to know some of the heartache, pull, weight that is in your husband’s heart at times, read this book. Know how to encourage your husband in the gospel of Christ when he is discouraged. When your pastor husband feels like a failure and you don’t know what to do, this book might be insightful for you. Wilson takes many of the struggles that ALL pastors face and puts them up against our sinful spirit, and the grace and cross of Jesus. Our husbands aren’t successful because the numbers of the church increase or more people get baptized or the giving is on the up: they are successful because they are in Jesus.
Here are some ways you can read this book:
1. If you have multiple pastor’s wives in your church: read this book together. I think it would be great to have a monthly gathering of pastor’s wives, sip coffee or tea, eat a cookie or fruit, and talk about this book – be real, be vulnerable, and share what God is doing in your marriage.
2. Read this book with your husband. It will strengthen your marriage more than you think. You need to be in constant dialogue with your pastor husband. He needs to know where you are struggling and you need to know where he is struggling. Who else has that much insight into her husband’s heart?
by Kimberly | Aug 27, 2013 | Books, Uncategorized, Women & Books Together
We come to the final chapter of the Begg and Ferguson book on the names of Jesus. I hope if you have read this book along with us (or just read it in general) that it has been a great encouragement to you and given you new eyes with which to see your Savior. And if you haven’t read it – I pray that you will soon pick it up and renew or get a fresh glimpse of who Jesus is.
The authors have chosen to end this book with the last book of Bible: Revelation. Don’t let this book scare you – but allow it to show you the true and glorious look at Jesus as the Lamb on the Throne. Here are some thoughts I took away from this chapter:
1. Will we ever be like John the Revelator? As the authors talk about John – he is one who was faithful to the gospel as it had been revealed to him – and he was in trouble with the law for it. As we continue in a time of a governmental structure and world who don’t see the supremacy of Jesus – let us be bold in our sharing and believing of the gospel. We don’t have to go look for ways to be persecuted and imprisoned or exiled, but let us also be faithful to the gospel of Jesus.
2. Jesus’ whole life was in accordance with the Scripture. As Begg and Ferguson have pointed out many times before in this book – Jesus isn’t just a NT star. He is the agent of creation and continues His work all the way through the remainder of the Bible even to His supremacy in the book of Revelation and throughout eternity. I love how the Word is not contradictory or going in all different directions!
3. “Weep no longer, John!” (pg 165) The idea of no more tears or weeping in the presence of God is an overwhelming thought to me – especially right now as my hormones have me crying at least once a day! But, we usually think that there will be no more pain or sin, so that is the reason there will be no more weeping. And that is correct. But, another reason – maybe more of the central point to no more weeping – is that Jesus is doing what He was given power to do: reveal, open scrolls, defeat sin, and all in the presence of His Father and the saints who have been saved by His blood. There is no more searching!
4. “God is much simpler than all that!” (pg 171) The authors illumined something very important about the reading and understanding of Revelation and prophecy and the time to come. We don’t know for sure. We can think, scrutinize, be obstinate about our beliefs, or refuse to hear any other way of thinking. Books have been written throughout the modern era that all look at the end times and heaven and prophecies in a different way. We don’t know. What we do know: God will be there. He is good. Jesus and the Spirit will be there. Let us focus and hold to what we do know for sure. The authors have declared Jesus to be beautiful and worship-worthy – but sometimes we get so focused on the unimportant stuff that we will never figure out that we forget to look at the One for whom all is due: Jesus.
Let us focus on Jesus – the author and perfecter of our faith – as the writer of Hebrews says!
by Kimberly | Aug 20, 2013 | Books, Women & Books Together
This was another impactful chapter from Begg and Ferguson’s book Name Above All Names. I have learned that what I am experiencing in life helps determine how I will read a book – this one is no diferent. Here are some highlights from the “Suffering Servant” chapter:
1. Isaiah 53: “He carried our sorows” – Sin plays a harsh role in this world. Our sorrows are born from the sin in this world. But, we don’t need to carry them all by ourselves. We have communities: friends, blog readers (y’all), pastors, family members (some), but most of all we have a willing Jesus who already has born all of our sorrows and will continue to do so until He returns – (then we won’t have any because we’ll be perfect) – as He intercedes for us next to the throne of the Father. This is such a reassuring thought!
2. “How is it possible for the purpose of God to be at the heart of all this? How can Isaiah say – however reverently – that God is in control of it all, that it “was the will of the Lord to crush Him” (pg 140). This is an important doctrinal lesson to know and believe. If you can’t believe this fact – that God the Father was in charge of the darkest moment of history – then why would you believe that God is in charge of the darkest moments of your life?
3. “Our Lord’s outward posture here is expressive of the passion within” (pg 144). Though this quote is not talking about musical worship – I think the same principle applies. If we are passionate about God within – won’t we come to worship and participate in worship in an outward manner? That may mean different things like singing with a smile on our faces – singing loudly and expressively. It may mean getting on our knees or lifting our hands as far they can go and not caring about who sees (and also not being distracted by those who choose to worship in this manner). It may mean lifting our hands in prayer giving up our private worship to the God who sees. It will look different for different people – but we are all worshipers.
4. “All three persons would always be involved in everything God was doing. The Father would plan salvation, the Son would come to procure it, and the Spirit would be sent to apply it” (pg 144). Another important doctrine is the one of the Trinity. We can’t forget one of the persons of the Trinity in the work of salvation. I’ve learned a lot of this from Dr. Bruce Ware, a professor at SBTS, a gentle, humble, and brilliant father, husband, professor, and author. Our prayer life will change when we learn and love this doctrine. Our prayers of thanksgiving will change when we know and live this doctrine. Our corporate will worship will change when we see the magnificence of all the persons of the Trinity.
5. “My soul is overwhelmed” (pg 146). Jesus was a vulnerable Savior. He didn’t hide His true feelings. He was real with the disciples at the hardest moment of His life (up to this point). He wasn’t pithy or unreal with His disciples. He said He was overwhelmed. He ultimately knows that it is the will of His Father to crush Him – but He doesn’t hide His emotions (real, true, honest, not sinful) from those around Him. This is part of what makes Him the perfect Suffering Servant.
6. “It is this theology of the cross that we find here. God grant that in seeing Christ as the Suffering Servant we will be done once and for all with the superficial triumphalism that sadly emanates from too many Christian organizations and churches” (pg 155). How are you real and vulnerable with those in your church? How do you show compassion and true life with those in your church? Does everyone think you have it all together? I hope not. Because we are all sinners and have damaged lives but who are greatly redeemed by a compassioned Savior. Let us not diminish the work of Christ on the cross by having others think we have it all together.
Join me next week as we finish up the book! It’s been a great one for me!
