Recommended Resources: Devotional Books & Tidbits from the Internet
Marriage and Our Culture: The best 1 hour, 43 minutes available online on the meaning of marriage, I dare say, come from Tim and Kathy Keller here. So many transformative thoughts and practical counsel for transforming your marriage this summer. Enjoy!
What about Forgiveness when the Offender doesn’t Repent? Some helpful thoughts (on a difficult topic) about what to do when you’ve been wronged, hurt, and sinned against yet the person has not (or will not) repent of the sin.
Why I never recommend Jesus Calling by Sarah Young This is (probably) controversial for some people who make Jesus Calling a regular part of their devotional lives. Yet, I have issues with Jesus Calling, as it undercuts, I believe, the sufficiency of Scripture. Is scripture really “enough” for our lives or do we need “extra words” from Jesus coming through the pen of Sarah Young? If you read Jesus Calling, I encourage you to read the reviews of the book by Tim Challies here and here which express these concerns winsomely yet clearly.
For instance, the January 8th “words from Jesus” sounds like, to me, a very far cry from the biblical Jesus:
Softly I announce my Presence. Shimmering hues of radiance tap gently at your consciousness, seeking entrance. Though I have all Power in heaven and on earth, I am infinitely tender with you. The weaker you are, the more gently I approach you. Let your weakness by a door to My Presence. Whenever you feel inadequate, remember that I am your ever-present Help.
Simply put, that’s not the biblical Jesus that I know. It doesn’t seem like the way Jesus spoke. Tim Challies writes that many of the devotions that supposedly come from Jesus sound more like a middle age woman offering you therapy than the real Jesus. Reader: Beware. Beware of a “21st century therapeutic Jesus” masquerading as the biblical Jesus. Simply put, why not read the Psalms instead of Jesus Calling? The Bible truly is enough for our lives of faith, for our sufferings and difficulties, and for our daily encouragement as we go through life.
What devotional books do I recommend? Four good devotional books:
1. Tim Keller’s two excellent daily devotionals:
2. New Morning Mercies by Paul David Tripp
3. Daily Doctrine by Kevin DeYoung (coming out Oct. 1, 2024)