What constitutes 'abundant life'?

"In our day there seems to be a lot of confusion about what constitutes an abundant life. In fact, the phrase abundant life has come to mean almost anything. For instance, to some it means psychological health; to others it means material prosperity; and still others believe that it means freedom from suffering. In contrast, we believe that abundant life is found in the pursuit of God-honoring holiness. It is holiness--the humility of spirit, the mourning over sin, the hungering and thirsting for righteousness--that will produce in us that happy blessedness that Jesus spoke of in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Abundant life is life that is freed from the power of sin and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, focused on the pleasure of God and resting in His love. Our goal is to help you and the women you influence grow toward this kind of abundant living.

Sadly, what Christian women need to know to live an abundant life is not found in many of today's "Christian" self-help books. Instead of guidance in knowing and pleasing God, which is the way to finding abundant life, we are given man-centered philosophies on how to love ourselves more, how to get more out of life, how to assert ourselves. Our greatest need is being ignored. What we need most of all is to know God. We need to be intimately acquainted with Him because He has designed us to live for Him."

"Women Helping Women"
Elyse Fitzpatrick & Carol Cornish, General Editors

All I want for Christmas is...

And yes, I am quite serious. :-)

I've looked at this pretty much every time I visit our local Christian 'mega' store--which really isn't that often cause I rarely find anything there of significant interest, much less a good price. The charts in this book are grouped under major headings of systematic theology and there are charts detailing the different 'evangelical' (and some non-evangelical) views of eschatology, ecclesiology, etc. I can easily imagine how helpful these charts would be in certain counseling situations, not to mention my own personal understanding!

I had the great blessing of sitting under Wayne House's teaching at DTS (Dallas Theological Seminary) while my husband was working on his ThM. And when DTS didn't renew Dr. House's contract for the next academic year in the late 80's there was quite an uproar from the students--he was one of the favorites teaching there at the time. My fondness for Wayne House even goes back to before I sat under his teaching--when he was one of my regular customers at the bank I worked at near the Seminary (this was before I started working at DTS). I was amused and fascinated to find out that he had earned his Law degree from the law school then located at ORU (Oral Roberts University) in my home state of Oklahoma. And yes, I was more than a bit puzzled early on to find that this new (Calvinist) DTS prof. attended and survived ORU! :-)

So, for the next few weeks there'll be visions of "Charts of Theology and Doctrine" dancing in my head as I wait for Christmas!

FREE book!

I'm pretty sure my title got the attention of at least a couple of my regular readers--you know who you are! :-)

Anyway, there's a FREE book offer out there in blogdom that I can't take advantage of cause I'm a long-time subscriber/supporter (plus, I already HAVE the book). But YOU just might qualify for a FREE copy.

The book is "Chosen by God", by R.C. Sproul. Ligonier Ministries is offering a FREE copy of the book to "first-time ministry contacts" who sign their online guest book. Let me also add that this book has been a long-time companion/resource for me for many years--predestination is a much misunderstood (and maligned) facet of our salvation.

Use THIS LINK to go sign in and qualify for your FREE copy. Did I mention it is FREE? :-) What are you waiting for?

Bibliophile exhibits unimaginable RESTRAINT while in Dallas...

As is our habit (okay, addiction) when we visit Dallas, we spent almost three hours at the anchor store of Half Price Books. There actually are a number of smaller 'satellite' stores throughout the metroplex, but we just didn't have time for those on this trip (we normally hit at least 2 or 3).

If I do say so myself, I exercised GREAT restraint on this trip, as I walked away with ONLY two books. TWO! But they are real 'gems' to me.

The DFW (Dallas Ft. Worth) area Half Price Books locations are ideal for the 'religious' reader since there are at least three major seminaries in the DFW metroplex; Dallas Theological Seminary, Southwestern Baptist Seminary, and Perkins Seminary, not to mention the various 'religious' colleges, ministries, and mega-churches in the area (conservative, charismatic, liberal--you name it!).

Here's one I 'rescued' from those cold lonely shelves that happens to be a "signed" copy--which isn't a big deal to me, but still sort of neat. This book is a companion book to "I Will Exalt You, O God", which I found locally at a used bookstore several months ago. I've been loving it, and was surprised and delighted when I ran across this companion book.:


Check out this book at Amazon


And, this one:
Check this book out at Amazon

I've been through Donald Whitney's "Spiritual Disciplines" several times and refer to it often, so I was delighted to find this one (above). In the Introduction he says, "My purpose in writing these pages is to act as a physician of the soul [a phrase used by English Puritans to refer to ministers]--to ask questions and suggest spiritual tests that can, by the Holy Spirit, enable you to self-diagnose your spiritual health." and, "Where eternal life through Christ does exist, there should be not only health but also growth. That is what this book is about--evaluating your spiritual health and growth."

Interestingly, this just happens to be something that has been frequently on my mind in recent years in the context of the 'tension' between contentment and discontent in Xian living and Xian worship.

For Bibliophiles: Jerry Bridges on Worship

Surprisingly, a week or two ago I had a 'free' afternoon! What does a full-time stay-at-home, home schooling mom DO with a 'free' afternoon? Go to bookstores, of course! :-)

While at our favorite local used bookstore I found a used book for $1.95, I Exalt You, O God: Encountering His Greatness in Your Private Worship, by Jerry Bridges (check it out here at Amazon)

This find was a special 'find' for me because Jerry Bridges has been a favorite Xian author of mine for many years, and the topic of worship has been of particular interest to me over the years for a variety of reasons--some of which include my former charismatic theology & practice, and our recent "Survey of Denominations" church visits.

Since I hadn't heard of this book before (published by Waterbrook Press in Colorado Springs, 2001) I was cautious (not surprising if you know me!) but curious how he would approach this topic. I'm on "Day 8" of his 31 day plan and have been very pleased and challenged by Bridges' emphasis on knowing who God is through His word in order to equip us to worship Him privately and corporately. In his introductory comments Bridges says,

"Our Worship must be in harmony with what God has revealed about Himself in His Word. It is possible to have zeal without knowledge (Romans 10:2). For example, if we stress only one side of God's attributes--say, His mercy and love--without also stressing His sovereignty and holiness, we're not worshiping in truth."

This, I'm afraid, is where the church today continues to 'flirt' with the world as it pertains to worship--private and corporate. The average professing Christian today has become satisfied to attend and/or experience worship, in lieu of pursuing a lifestyle of worship through a growing knowledge of who God has revealed Himself to be and what He requires from His creation. Bridges warns us,

"To attempt to worship God in only the narrow sense of praising Him without also seeking to worship Him in our whole way of life is hypocrisy. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they were going through outward motions of worship, but their hearts were not committed to God. "You hypocrites!" He said, "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men' (Matthew 15:7-9)."

Hypocritical worship--mindlessly going through outward motions, giving lip service, performing prescribed acts--is a danger for all Xians. But as we grow in our understanding of what true worship is, we become better prepared and equipped to identify our own hypocrisy, confess it, repent from it, and pursue worship that is pleasing to God in 'spirit and truth'. It requires our heart AND our mind, it is not 'letting go' as some would have us think. It is an active, conscious engaging of our mind in order to inform and direct our heart--our affections--Godward.

Book SALE!!!

During the month of December Grace and Truth Books is offering the The Excellent Wife book and study guide (BOTH) for only $12.50.

This book business is owned and operated by our pastor and his family. You might consider getting on their email list so that you can receive notice of their monthly specials.

I also see that they are offering Jerry Bridges' newest book at a discount in December! Hmmmm...

A Recurring Theme ~ My Sin

Pulpit Magazine has posted a review of Jerry Bridges' newest book, "Respectable Sins". I posted another review earlier HERE.

I'm really NOT trying to "hammer" on this topic/theme, but it keeps coming to me, so here's what jumped out at me this morning while reading the Pulpit review:

“Stepping forward to accept my place as a sinner in need of the gospel each day drives a dagger into my self-righteous heart and prepares me to face up to and accept the reality of the sin that still dwells within me”.

For obvious reasons, I'm looking forward to reading this book more than before. I even searched for it while scouring the bookstores at the recent NANC conference!

Sins We Tolerate...

...is the topic of Jerry Bridges' newest book.

I have greatly appreciated and benefited from his writing since way back in the 80's when I was first introduced to "Pursuit of Holiness". In recent years I've read "Trusting God-Even When Life Hurts", "Transforming Grace" and, "The Discipline of Grace-God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness".

Here's a review of the book at Desiring God.

Something completely different - Bargain Books!

Recently I've been "under the weather", "under pressure", and "under the gun". Consequently, my posting has been rather sporadic and I'm trying to get back on track as best I can. Oh yea, it's spring break for us this week--yippee!

Yesterday the girls and I enjoyed a little running around together after spending some time with my dad during lunch at the nursing home--he tends to eat better when he has visitors. We dropped by one of our local Xian bookstores so that I could take a closer look at some homeschool curriculum and they could check out all the things that teen girls find so appealing! After about 30 minutes of that we were ready to go and on our way out when the "Bargain Books" sign caught my eye! Oh boy!! Books at "lower than normal" prices!

I did find several "treasures" at incredible prices! I found Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology for only $9.99 (retail $53). Grudem has been credited with "redefining" prophesy--championed by charismatic theology--so you KNOW why I am interested in having this book! The one book I was really hoping to find--and did--is THIS book for only $2.49 (retail $12.99). I borrowed this book from our local library last fall and posted a little about it several months ago. I've been wanting a CHEAP copy of my own cause I'm still working through and trying to reconcile some of her positions. She does an excellent job of encouraging women to consider and embrace theology, but some of her assumptions and positions concern me from a Biblical Womanhood point of view. I'll enjoy chewing on this book again, and marking/highlighting my very own copy! I also found a couple of CHEAP books that my husband is interested in by Brian D. McLaren and by D A Carson--talk about polar opposites!

As I was perusing the huge selection of "Bargain Books" I couldn't keep from chuckling when I came across several of THESE. I had to ask myself, "Do we really want to learn his Bible Study Methods?" I think not--please refer to my previous post HERE.

So, you'll please forgive me if my posting remains sporadic--I have some reading to do!

Something completely different - Bookworm Meme

Kim of Hiraeth has a new business venture, selling custom, handmade bookmarks featuring her beautiful calligraphy. She's introducing her new site with a meme—a book meme, of course. Please, join in!


Hardback or trade paperback or mass market paperback? I don't mind the packaging so much, but if the price is right I'll take the hardback.

Online purchase or brick and mortar? Both--if the price is right.

Barnes & Noble or Borders? For books or for coffee and dessert? Ha! I like to browse both, but rarely buy my books there.

Bookmark or dog-ear? Horror of horrors!!! I don't dog-ear unless it's a sales catalog of some sort. I collect bookmarks from anywhere and everywhere, and improvise as necessary!

Mark or not mark? I mostly use pencil to mark in the margin of books, but I highlight, write notes and everything else in my Bible.

Alphabetize by author or alphabetize by title or random? My husband's study sets the tone for this, he categorizes by subject. I simply keep random stacks around the house!

Keep, throw away, or sell? Keep mostly, give some to friends, NEED to sell some soon!

Keep dustjacket or toss it? Keep the dustjacket until it is in tatters.

Read with dustjacket or remove it? With dustjacket.

Short story or novel? Both, no real preference.

Collection (short stories by same author) or anthology (short stories by different authors)? Collection

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks? When tired--TRY to get to a chapter break, but end up rereading portions!

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”? Both

Buy or Borrow? I prefer to buy if I know it is worth having. Otherwise, I'll borrow (friend or local library) it first, then I might eventually buy my own.

New or used? I love new, but get more books if I go with used. My husband and I loooooove going to bookstores (new and used) on dates--always have!

Buying choice: book reviews, recommendation or browse? Recommendations mostly

Tidy ending or cliffhanger? Tidy ending, please!

Morning reading, afternoon reading or night time reading? 24/7--I carry at least one book with me wherever I go.

Standalone or series? Mostly standalone

Favorite series? Historic novels

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard? They recently began to reprint "Marriage to a Difficult Man - The Uncommon Union of Jonathan and Sarah Edwards". It became one of my all time favorites back in the 80's--hardly anyone else was familiar with it then. I don't recall how I became aware of it--maybe I was browsing the seminary library, maybe a prof. recommend it, maybe it was listed in a bibliography--I'm glad it is now more widely available.

Favorite books read last year? I honestly can't decide--I did enjoy a series of historic novels!

Favorite book of all time? Manual of Christian Doctrine, by Louis Berkhof. I discovered it during a time when I was refining my own theology and beginning to embrace Reformed theology. Berkhof made it so understandable for me--I refer to it almost daily.