Read and Reviewed: May 2012

19. Transforming Grace by Jerry Bridges
Last year, I read The Discipline Of Grace which was written as a sequel to this book by Bridges. This book is 254 pages of defining grace, God’s unmerited favor to us. While I would highly recommend The Discipline of Grace, Transforming Grace was a long, slow read for me with a seemingly abundance of wasted space and words.

20. Forgiveness by Charles Stanley
Forgiveness is well-written, and a quick, easy read. It discusses in detail God’s forgiveness and how we are to forgive others and ourselves. It includes the steps involved with Scripture scattered throughout. Warnings of bitterness and a life lived without embracing forgiveness is also clearly shown.

21. A Gospel Primer For Christians by Milton Vincent
I was overwhelmed with the skill this book is written with and the depth of its content. Vincent gives thirty-one reasons why every Christian should preach the gospel to himself every day. Then, he proceeds to preach that gospel in both prose and poetry. Nearly every thought is footnoted with Scripture. Its style and effect are startling. It takes what is familiar and depicts it in a way that is fresh and colorful, the way stained glass can take something common and bring a different beauty. I am definitely recommending.

22. Be Still, My Soul by Nancy Guthrie
This book is a collection of sermons, writings, and excerpts from books from twenty-five different authors and speakers on the subject of suffering. Age old writings mingle with the contemporary to complete a perspective not many books bring. I look forward to reading Guthrie’s other collections.

23. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came To Die by John Piper
The title tells exactly what this book is. Piper says that asking who killed Jesus is not the question, but why he bled and died and rose again, and he gives fifty purposes from the New Testament. This little book is full of Scripture and well worth the read.

24. The Beginner’s Guide to Fasting by Elmer L. Towns
In this book, Towns explains the types and lengths of fasts, and the causes for carrying out a fast. I would not recommend this book. It is repetitive, and makes fasting seem like manipulation. He only briefly talks about it as a spiritual discipline. Not a book you’ll find on my shelf.