Christianity Books

Thomas Watson, born in England around 1620, was a Puritan preacher and author of more than ten books. He was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. In 1646 he commenced a sixteen year pastorate at St. Stephen's, Walbrook. In 1686, he retired to Barnston, Essex, where he died suddenly while praying in secret (from Wikipedia). The Doctrine of Repentance, first published in 1668, is a small book that offers a complete teaching on biblical repentance.

Watson begins with a brief discussion of the order of salvation. Which comes first, faith or repentance? After defending his conviction that faith is wrought in the heart prior to seeing the fruits of repentance, Watson moves on to an explanation of how the Spirit and the Word work together to bring about repentance.

Oftentimes, it is helpful for a teacher to show what a thing is not in order to effectively show what it truly is. Watson does this with repentance. Before he delves into the specifics of what repentance is, he first discusses what repentance is not. Watson gives several examples of how we deceive ourselves into thinking that we are repentant, such as a troubled mind regarding our sin, the making of resolutions against sin, realizing that sin and its consequences are painful, quitting sin for fear of future evil, and quitting one sin only to take up another. None of these equal biblical repentance.

True repentance is explained over two chapters. Watson defines gospel repentance as "a grace of God's Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed," and includes six ingredients:
1) Sight of sin
2) Sorrow over sin (which includes six qualifications)
3) Confession (including eight requisite qualifications and two ways it is used)
4) Shame (including nine considerations and two ways it is used)
5) Hatred of sin (including five ways we can know if we hate sin)
6) Turning from sin (including five requisite qualifications and three uses)

In these chapters, Watson gives special attention to those times when repentance is absolutely necessary, such as prior to participating in the Lord's Supper and upon one's death bed (if one is so fortunate to have a sound mind in his moments before death). He also expounds on sin's origin, nature, consequences, comparison to hell and affliction, and the coming judgment. Like many other protestants of his day, when writing about the need for confession, Watson takes issue with the catholic church and papacy. He explains that it is not only because of their obvious misapplication regarding confession to men, but because of their mishandling of gospel repentance. Watson, after giving his main points, asks and answers possible questions that may come to mind while reading, something he continues throughout the book.

In Chapter 5, Watson offers five reasons, centered on the nature of God, to enforce repentance. This chapter also includes an exposition of two kinds of people who will find it especially difficult to repent, and ends with a warning to the hard-hearted.

Chapter 6 is a many-faceted exhortation to repentance. Here Watson exhorts all kinds of people, the great and the small, the nation of England, those who are moral and think they have no need of repentance, hypocrites, and God's own people, "Christians indeed," to repent. Repentance is necessary for all people and for all sins.

In Chapter 7, Watson gives sixteen reasons for why we should be motivated to repent. And Chapter 8 includes all the reasons for why we should be motivated to repent posthaste.

In Chapter 9, Watson uses 2 Corinthians 7:11 to teach the reader how to test whether or not his repentance is sincere. According to Watson, there are seven fruits and products of repentance. Only when we know that our repentance is true can we then speak peace to ourselves with scriptures that tell us our sins are pardoned and passed into oblivion.

Chapters 10-12 deal with impediments to repentance and the means for repentance. Watson writes, "When you lack water, you search the cause, whether the pipes are broken or stopped, that the current of water is hindered. Likewise when no water of repentance comes (though we have the conduit-pipes of ordinances), see what the cause is." These ten impediments to repentance can be summarized as ignorance, presumption, laziness, love of the world and sin, the idea that one's sins are to great to be forgiven, fear, and the opinion that repentance means no more joy. Watson then takes two chapters to prescribe the means for getting passed the impediments. The means include, but are not limited to, an education in sin and its hellish effects, the coming judgment, and the mercies of God.

A few quotes:

Tomorrow may be our dying day; let this be our repenting day.

Spiritual sorrow will sink the heart if the pulley of faith does not raise it.

Repentance must be kept alive in the soul.

When the soul is going out of the body, it should swim to heaven in a sea of tears.

A wicked man acknowledges his is a sinner in general.

Christ is never loved till sin be loathed.

Loving sin is worse than committing it.

God has two places he dwells in, heaven and a humble heart, so the devil has two places he dwells in, hell and a hard heart.

The hypocrite feigns humility, but it is that he may rise in the world. He is a pretender to faith, but he makes use of it rather for a cloak than a shield.

A repenting person fears and sins not; a graceless person sins and fears not.

A true penitent pursues his sins with a holy malice.

Watson writes with sharp insight and understanding of our sinful condition. He knows how we will seek to deceive ourselves in order to assuage our consciences. We need to be aware of this human tendency and grow in our ability to discern our own hearts. I believe this book will help do that. Watson's biblical tests for proving our repentance will be invaluable to any believer. The Doctrine of Repentance is easy to follow and comprehend, however, it is best if the reader takes his time to deeply consider each point and see if there may be an immediate application to his life. I can attest to needing to stop and evaluate my own heart several times. In a religious culture where the words "sin" and "repent" have fallen out of vogue, I daresay many believers have never heard the truths presented here. Watson's treatise on repentance will be a helpful addition to any believer's library, especially those who have been granted the responsibility to teach others.

I agree, every professing Christian should read this book and then pass it on. This is one of my favorite Puritan Paperbacks that is out there. This is a rare topic within todays watered down messages.

The Doctrine of Repentance took me a little while to get through. The Puritans usually packed an awful lot of truth into very few pages. I find if I just read through it I learn very little, but if I read little by little I retain a lot more.

Watson really changed my idea of repentance. There is a whole lot more in the concept of repentance than just asking God for forgiveness.

He cautions the reader about "Counterfeit Repentance" Being sorry for your sin and being repentant are very different from each other. Judas was very sorry for his sin after he betrayed Jesus, but he was not repentant. A man may leave one sin and only replace it for another. Or perhaps give up a sin for ulterior motives, such as a man may stop stealing because he's afraid of going to prison. "True leaving of sin is when the acts of sin cease from the infusion of a principle of grace." (p. 17).

Watson wrote for about 30 pages on The Nature of True Repentance, which he says that repentance involves 6 things:

1. Sight of Sin - you must first be aware of their sin before they can repent of it.
2. Sorrow for Sin - you must feel sorrowful for the offense rather than the punishment of the offense.
3. Confession of Sin - your confession is not of sin in general, but you acknowledge specific sins by diligently inspecting your heart, and take whatever steps necessary to ensure you will not go back.
4. Shame for Sin - sin is vile and filthy, and that's what it makes us. An interesting point Watson makes is that our sins are worse than those of unbelievers because we sin against light.
5. Hatred of Sin - "Christ is never loved till sin be loathed." (p. 45).
6. Turning from Sin - you must truly forsake your sin and never return to it.

Watson goes on in the book to give numerous reasons to repent, and to repent speedily. To those who plan on repenting on their deathbed he makes some interesting points. Many times death comes quick and you wouldn't know when your end was coming. Many people also loose their minds on the deathbed, so who's to say you would be in a stable frame of mind? Furthermore, it seems that God usually punishes those who have neglected repentance all their lives with hardness of heart in the end.

I heartily recommend this book to every believer. There are many truths in this book to be learned and applied. As with all Puritan books, you just need to give it the time it deserves - a quick, cursory reading will profit little.

Sadly, we live in an age where everyone does what is right in his own eyes; An age where there is no distinguishable difference between the Church and the unbelieving world. Too many "Christians" today want to be saved "in their sins" not "from their sins". But Jesus said, "... except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." There must be a change of heart. There must be a turning away from all sin. This book addresses an issue that is not heard from the pulpits of today's churches nearly as often as it should be. This book speaks not only of what true repentance is but also the importance of genuine sorrow over sin. Every believer in Christ should read this book.

Every professing Christian should read. I thouroughly enjoyed it. Other than the replacement theology present I found the work sound in its definition and application of repentance in conversion and sanctification. A must in every Christians library.

If you enjoyed Persuasions then you will aslo enjoy Easy Chairs. This is a book for those who are learning to enjoy a challenge. Easy chairs although easy to read is more difficult to follow than persuasions. You will need to stay awake and follow the conversations as they unfold, and really think about the answers being given. I have read this book more than once and I enjoy it each time that I read it.

The premises are those related to reform theology.Mr. Wilson writes that these are questions that he asked as he studied. They are very good questions indeed. The answers are offered in a way that causes the reader to formulate his or her own answer. As an Adult Bible teacher I am pleased to have found this book. Each chapter causes the students to think, evaluate, contemplate and discover Biblical truths without being given easy answers from a teacher at the front of the room.The answers are not always the easy ones given half-heartedly and without serious thought.

I purchased an additional copy for a friend who is deep thinker and she was thrilled with this book. WARNING: If you don't like to think on your own this is not a good book for you.

This is a truly impressive work. It is a penetrating, but yet sufficient simple and "reader friendly" introduction, defense, and reflection upon the doctrines known to many as "Reformed Theology".

Wilson does a fine job of integrating theological ideas into the conversational story he weaves. He relies upon clear and simple analogies and writes in a convincing and effective way.

Highly recommended for those who are seeking to understand (or defend) reformed theology!

I have been able to use this book as a great evangelism tool on numerous occassions. I have been able to lend it to Christians who go to Liberal churches so they can see how they are following short in their reasoning and presumptions of what God requires of man and I have been able to use it with non Christians so they can see clearly how God's eternal plan works in our lives.

Sit down, and pull up a chair. Pour a cup of coffee; we have to talk.

Truth alone, sets us free. Truth is timeless, and is above culture....truth never changes.

This is a solid book. Doug Wilson explains many of the common questions about Calvinism and Reformed thinking (beginning, of course, by stating his reticence to use these terms) in an engaging, informative manner. I have read assorted other books on Calvinism, and Doug Wilson here answers some questions in ways I've never seen them answered before, and gives great analogies to help understand what he's talking about. The whole book is written in a dialogue format, which makes for an occasionally stilted read (there are only so many ways a character can say "I see" or "I don't understand" before it gets kind of old). But overall, I think the format works great, illustrating how down-to-earth these principles are, and following the natural logic when thinking through these things. It's a stellar book.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. God has annoited this man for such a time as this. There are very few men especially preachers who will allow themselves to be transparent. Bishop Long "keeps it real." It's one thing to be able to preach a sermon but it's something totally different when you practice what you preach. I thank God for Elect Lady Vanessa Long. Her chapter in the book was refreshing. Today's first ladies really aren't interested in the people. It's about what you can do for them. I thank God for this man and woman of God.

Like every other book I have read by Bishop Long, The Elect Lady has enlightened me to the Truth. This book is an excellent choice for anyone who felt like their life was interrupted at some point. It caused me to look back at some dreams that I once had, but were interrupted. I thank God, however, that my dreams were interrupted. The outcome was/is better with His plan in action! The Elect Lady encourages readers to keep moving forward in what God has elected us to do no matter what obstacles show up. It reminds us that what God has for us is for our good and it is not to destroy us. I may not have done a great job writing a review on this book, but Bishop Long has done an excellent job writing this book in the Spirit of God. I have recommended this book to several people since I read it. I even purchased it for others as a gift:-) Go pick a copy of The Elect Lady today!

This is a wonderful book created by one of the greatest Pastors in the world! This is a book for every woman. It is inspirational and empowering.

I have begun to read "The Elect Lady" by Bishop Eddie Long. What I have read, is not only inspiring, but also gives women hope for what their futures hold. I enjoy listening to Bishop Long, and now, I am enjoying his book. I hope to read more of his writing.

Bishop Long has out-done himself! I plan to buy more copies for my friends!!! To GOD be the GLORY!!!

First, I do not like mystery novels. No way - don't read 'em...not interested, thankyouverymuch (this to anyone who tries to loan me one). I vastly prefer (I thought) theological treatises. Tomes. You know. Dry as old bones? (What was I thinking?!)

I couldn't put these books down. They will have to be pried out of my cold, dead hands before I give them up. I operated on just a couple of cylinders for a few days, thanks to staying up all night two nights in a row, reading them. Readers, beware! Before you sit down to read them, make sure you have meals pre-cooked & your laundry caught up. You'll need to call in sick to work, too :-). Homeschoolers - might as well give your kids the day off - you won't be in any shape or mood to teach!

Our Traditional priest went nuts over them, too, and HE operated on fewer cylinders than normal for awhile, the poor dear. These books are just...well, in Father's words: "PERFECT!" "Treasures!" and so on... He will be carrying them in his little Catholic book store.

Mr. Biersach is a FIRST-RATE story teller! "Move over, Rice" my foot (ala Mr. Rose). Move over, TOLKIEN, is more like it. Rose may've pegged the genre rightly, but the comparison between Bill's writing and Rice's is an insult to Biersach. I know, because I've read Rice.

The Endless Knot (TEK) and The Darkness Did Not (TDDN) books have incredible, intricate plots-within-plots, combined with characters so perfectly fleshed-out that I felt I knew them personally and by sight, long before I half-finished The Endless Knot.

This, combined with wondrous Traditional Catholic knowledge that I thought had been lost forever, and it's all wrapped up in ONE book! Well, two actually (TDDN being the 2nd offering). As Amazon doesn't carry all 4 books, they can all be ordered at TumblarHouse.com.

This is the first book in a series that I intend to read all of. This book is a fantastic murder mystery in the genre of the Rabbi Small books. For those of us who follow traditional Catholicism, this is an outstanding trip, however, anyone will enjoy the story and may even learn something.

A friend of mine to whom I had loaned my copy of "The Endless Knot" once noted how odd it was to get to know fictional characters so well that when the book is over you miss them terribly. I know exactly how she feels. The characters become like very dear friends to you and it is hard to lose them whe the book is over.

In "The Endless KNot" we are introduced to Father John Baptist Lombard, a former LAPD Homicide Detective turned Latin Mass priest. Lombard's stance has made him the mortal enemy of LA's vindictively liberal Archbishop, Morley Psalmellus Fulbright. Fulbright is so far gone that he considers death to be "an expansion of mind" and promotes Neo Pagans and radical feminists to high positions in his Arch-Diocese. Lombard is assisted by Martin Feeney, the arthritic gardener at St. Philomena's Traditonal Catholic Church. When Fulbright's cronies start getting knocked off one by one, the Archbishop has no choice but to order his most despised priest to get to the bottom of the murders. With the help (and hindrance) of Feeney and the cops he once trained, Father John Baptist goes on the trail of one of the most bizarre serial killers in US history. Along the way, William Biersach irreverently skewers the highly liberalized institution that the Catholic Church has become. As well as dragging Wicca, Neo Paganism, and Voodoo over hot coals. At one moment the reader is on the edge of their seat with suspense, at another they will split their sides with laughter. In closing William Biersach deserves a 26 gun salute. In addition, I should be very much interested to see Mel Gibson sponsor this book for PBS's "Mystery!"

WOW! The plots were so complicated that just when I thought it was all figured out, another shows up. The characters are so real that I want to visit them again. Hungry for more! Even though I have about 30 books on my shelf that are calling to me,I could not put the Endless Knot down. Every reading unveils more details. Still untying. Underlined a novel for the first time.MORE!MORE! I beggin for more. Ya hear?

Endless Knot starts out slow (okay, the first few pages are sluggish) but I stuck with it until page 52 and I'm glad I did because after that the book takes off like a roller coaster. You won't want to put it down. I read through lunch, dinner and stayed up late to finish it.

The mystery is complex. The characters are very good. Father John Baptist is calm amidst the whirlwind, whip smart and doesn't mind offending people if it means hiding the truth. His Watson, Martin the gardner, altar server, assistant cook, driver and leg man (despite a nasty case of arthritis) is loud mouthed, cranky as as wolverine and devoted to Father Sherlock. He's also a smart guy in his own right. The other characters, the hard drinking, party loving Knights of the Tumblar function as Father Baptist's Baker Street Irregulars. The cops are nicely written and so are the colorful, fiesty and sometimes crazy group of folks who make up Father Baptist's parish.

The villains are well done too and their particular vices were timely. About ten years ago I would've thought there was no way such people could exist in their positions. Today, nothing shocks me.

Endless Knot is a mystery in the Arthur Conan Doyle/Agatha Christie mold but it ends with a bittersweet note. The killer is caught but not without cost to the detectives. I'm off to find the next book in the series.

This book was a tremendous encouragement to read, as it championed the role of a man as adventurer and leader. It wonderfully challenges the typical gutless advice of balancing your responsibilities. I've never thought that passion was well served by limiting everything. This book retells the rediscovery of a man's calling with the real and allegorical view of mastering a mountain, not as a loner but as a team leader. The bumpersticker, media, and movie catch phrases are far from timeless, but this is today's challenge.

Reading this book didn't completely negate the wise advice of my mentor, who, when I first arrived at Harvard Medical School, holding up his hand to count fingers would say you could, 1. Be a doctor, 2. Teacher, 3. Professor, 4. Make money or 5. See your family, but you could only have two. In reality it is only in part true that we can have everything, but not all at once. Like Jim Elliot, `Wherever you are, be all there' (pg 26)... you can't be elsewhere.

It is absolutely true that we have to shake off the drive to succeed and take on the call to purpose. What is written on your heart? (pg 20) Can you acknowledge God as its true owner? (pg 26) Will you pursue it to the end, and live a life worthy of that calling [Eph 4:1] (pg 115). I pray, as I'm sure Rich does, that you will ask for the necessary courage, as you face the tasks that only you can do. You are irreplaceably made in God's image, as you.

Richard Penson

This book will challenge and motivate every man as they look at "structure" of their life. Rich's book has challenged me to examine my life and what I place as my priorities.

I have been a leader of Men's Ministries for over 10 years and I'm delighted to reccommend this book. 'The Expeditionary Man' addresses many of the issue facing men today. Rich brings adventure and excitement back into the fatherhood arena. This book is a must read for all dads Christian and non-Christian, every dad needs to understand his powerful role in leading the family. Discovering the purpose and passion every dad needs as he directs and distills wisdom & leadership to his family. Every father will shape and determine the destiny of the next generation. Rich, motivates and illstrates the unique role of the dad, guiding fathers to keep the main thing the main thing. THANKS RICH!

Contemporary illustrations (ranging from hillarious heights to the depths of serious reflection)mixed together with sound Biblical wisdom on manhood made this book captivating. I loved the adventure theme and excellent quotes from a variety of sources. You can't avoid finding yourself opened for examination at some point in the book. You also can't avoid having your heart returned to your family. I've read multiple books for Christian men and this one is unique. It speaks to men who are trying to do the right thing, know they need to do the right thing, but find it difficult to keep it all together. This book is meant for all men who want to be great husbands, fathers and providers.

I would highly encourage every christian dad to read this book. Many of us lose perspective along the way about what it truly means to be a husband and a father. Rich's book challenges us to re-think career, hobbies, and even ministries in light of the greatest priority and adventure God has placed before us - our family.

Rich's writing style is rich in metaphors and stories that most men will be able to immediately relate to. I loved his use of movie quotes throughout his writing. Yet the most significant and appealing aspect of Wagner's book is that he writes from his own experience.

A timely, refreshing and bold challenge for 21st century christian dads. Highly Recommended.

I learned about the functions of the body in an easy to understand layman's discussion: that is, the skeleton, the skin, etc. He tells stories about people he has treated that exhibited some of the illnesses when these areas of the body do not work as they should. At the same time he relates this information on a spiritual realm. Although the book is not new, I liked the way he wrote and found it an easy way to learn about a lot of how my body works.

Dr. Brand's book can't help but leave the reader feeling as though they are disconnected with what is taking place around them. From a personal perspective, it's impossible to appreciate the complexity of performing even the most routine activities throughout the day. On a large scale, this book challenges all of us to consider what our obligations are to society as a whole, exposing what an isolated perspective most of us are able to maintain living in America. This is an excellent choice for anyone involved in a reading group.

Note: This review refers to an additional book, "In His Image" by the same author that I consider a "companion" to this one.

In both these books the authors take us into the world of medicine as seen through spiritual eyes. The parallels between our own bodies and the Body of Christ are fascinating to say the least. Read, for example, how when one area of our physical body is injured an urgent call goes out and hundreds of thousands of cells respond by plugging the holes in the walls, protecting the weak, cleansing the area and rebuilding itself. Read also how the body responds when there is rebellion loose within it. The list includes the workings of: (Fearfully and Wonderfully Made) cells, bones, skin, motion, (In His Image) image, blood, head, spirit and pain.

The reading style is very relaxed and everything is explained simply so that you don't need a degree in chemistry to understand what's going on. A special bonus is Dr. Brand's focus on his life's work with lepers which is interwoven throughout both books. If you've got an interest in how the physical body works and how it relates to biblical concepts, get these books - you won't be disappointed. -- Moza

I highly recommend all of Dr. Brand's and Yancey's collaborative efforts. This one is fairly short and readable and the emphasis here is on the intricate workings of the human body, and what it suggests to us about how the Body of Christ works or should work. Just the chapter on the properties of bone is fascinating enough to warrant reading this book. The gift of movement, or the protection of our skin, is something we most likely take for granted. Dr. Brand will rob us of that conceit! He also gives examples from his groundbreaking work in treating leprosy to show just how precious a healthy body can be. The real message, however, is that God's design for his church is not accidental- just like a working body, it is intricate beauty, strength, and order in dynamic motion!

This is primarily a book about the human body and the startling complexity of what is under (and a part of) our skin. Four main areas of our bodies are discussed; the skin which holds us all in, our cells which make up an intrinsic little universe inside each human body, human bones and lastly motion. The insights into the physical human body are enough to make this book great for it shows that whoever or whatever created the human body was unfathomably intelligent. I prefer to believe that God was the designer and so this book causes me to be in awe of God, who I believe to be the creator of mankind. But for an atheist, this book would have to cause him or her to give great awe and respect toward chance. For if chance created our human bodies, it did one heck of a job. Though primarily about the physical human body, the authors are constantly making application to the spiritual body of Christ which, as the Bible tells us, is the entire group of people on earth who have believed in Jesus Christ. The Bible also makes a lot of comparisons between this strange group of people and the human body. Paul (one of the human authors of the Bible) tells us that God sees this group of people (I will refer to it as the church henceforth) like a human body, with many different parts, each part with a special function. In Yancey and Brand's book, they explore the different aspects of the human body and then show how these apply to the church. The analogies are insightful into how we as Christians are to function. In the introduction to the book Yancey writes, "In a sense, metaphorical symbols are the only way for us to grasp spiritual truths, which explains why the Bible uses them so lavishly... the human body expresses spiritual reality so authentically that soon the common stuff of matter will appear more and more like a mere shadow."

Yancey is a great author, and Brand is clearly a great doctor. The book is written as well as Yancey's other books and it is broken down into 25 short chapters. Each chapter has a specific point, and most chapters also offer an analogy about the church, the spiritual body of Christ. I read the book in 25 days, a chapter daily which was an excellent pace to be able to digest the book while still keeping it constantly fresh in my mind. I would recommend the book to any Christian eager to be astounded by the human body and the spiritual analogies that come from the mysteries of our physical bodies.

Fearless by Tom Stephen and Virginia Starkey-Stephen is a lovely book, well written and beautifully illustrated with photos by Hank Foto of Hawaiian surfing. Written with the reflections of a peaceful day ahead, it is truly inspriational that can be used again and again. Wonderful!

This book looks like a coffee table book on surfing. In truth, it is packed with insiteful guidance on how to navigate through life. Using surfing and extreme sports metaphor, the book walks the reader into a much better understanding of what drives us - good or bad - and what God wants. I find myself reading one or two pages every few days, putting it down and chewing on the content. Worth every penny.

This is an awesome devotional. It connects on so many levels and is applicable whether you surf 7 days a week or live 1500 miles away from the ocean. Whether you are a committed follower of Christ, new believer or anywhere in between, or you just like great surf photos, this devotional is great for you. We have been using Fearless in our youth Sunday School class and the kids have been loving it. They love the pictures, the scriptures are relevant, the short readings are really easy to follow and connect with and the questions really spark thought and conversation. In a world that's pretty scary and messed up, the idea of fear and God's answer to that fear is so important. Buy this book. Read it. Use it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and benefited from it. The writing is excellent, the photos are terrific, and the messages are truly inspiring.

how often do you find a great devotion and coffee-table book in one? the cover caught my attention and i started flipping through this book to look at the (fabulous) pictures. before long i found myself reading the insightful, surprisingly personal questions and great scripture excerpts. i've really enjoyed dwelling in the devotions and i look forward to more books by these authors.

I LOVE this book! I encourage you to pass this along to mothers, daughters, sisters, friends...everyone will love it and be enriched greatly just by reading this sweet, funny, thought-provoking book by the incomparable Beth Moore!

I'm a parent of 2 little ones, and I've been reading one of her essays each morning. They're sweet and real and funny (just like Beth Moore always is) - and they're a real encouragement to me to see the long view of godly parenting, rather than getting stuck in the preschool weeds. I also gave it as a gift to my mother-in-law whose chicks are long gone from the nest, and she loved it too.

Very touching...touches all emotions. I bought three more to share with other family/friends who are mothers. Great choice as a gift for moms whose children are leaving for college.

This wonderful little book about Beth and her husband going thru empty-nest made me feel a wide range of emotions. She is a brilliant writer and always amazes me how she can be a faithfull follower of Jesus but still have so much FUN!! What a refreshing christian woman..Buy the book.. you won't be disapointed.. Beth allows you a 'peek' into her private life. If you have taken a bible study that she wrote you will get snapshots of her life.. this book fills in the holes a bit..Great reading!

I read Beth Moore's book after experiencing two miscarriages and trying to get pregnant for the third time. Her Godly approach to motherhood made me realize that God gives us children as gifts and blessings - regardless if it is for a few months in utero or for decades on earth! She gives a personalized insight on how to try to raise children to love Christ - in a world that often makes that difficult! I would highly recommend this book to any woman - moms, daughters, moms-to-be, or as I was when I read it, a mom wanna-be!

I have been on a long search for answers to 'why do these bad things happen??'
In this book he writes; "If we believe God is powerfull, we are not convinced that he is kind because, if he CAN relieve our suffering, why doesn't he? The silence of God during tough times strengthens this foundational doubt that God is good."

I have read book after book during the past year none of which offered any peace. This book has opened my eyes to some truths and I feel the beginning of real peace.

I have read this book a couple of times and each time I have gained new insites into my relationship with God. I am presently sharing this book with a group of ladies and we are all benifitting from Dr Larry Crabbs wisdom.

This is one of the best books I have ever read! I have read almost every one of Larry Crabb's books and haven't been disappointed in any of them. This one is excellent. I highlighted so many of the pages and will read it again and again. I 'found' God in ways I had not done so before. I Highly recommend this book!

This is a nice book although a little difficult to read. I think that in order to get everything that the author wants to pass, we need to read it at least twice.

If it were possible for me to read this book every month, I would be so glad. This book is life-changing. It opened my eyes to things in my life that I have struggled with. I have new insights and power to receive God's help and power. I can't recommend this book enough.

It never really made sense to me until after I started reading this book. God really does love us. He's the only one that we can always count on and our focus should always be drawn back to him.

"Finding Peace" is yet another great book by Charles Stanley. The book's focus is on realizing that our peace rests on our personal relationship with Jesus Christ instead of circumstances. Dr. Stanley challenges the reader to take responsibility and be proactive in finding peace through a relationship with God instead of fuming and fretting over the situations we find ourselves in.

Among the great points mentioned in the book are:

1. Issues that can cause destructive conflict.
2. God is larger than our challenges.
3. Four clear signs of God's peace.
4. Why we lose our peace.
5. 5 essentials beliefs for a peaceful heart.
6. 7 categories of peace-destroying thoughts.
7. 5 vital questions to ask yourself about regret.
8. Results of anxiety.
9. 7 steps to overcoming fear.
10. 4 keys to living in contentment.

I also appreciated Dr. Stanley describing his own struggles when his wife filed for divorce and yet was able to obtain peace through the trial.

Read and be encouraged to seek peace in the Lord instead of yourself, others, or your circumstances!

Highly recommended.

Dr. Stanley has a wonderful talent for putting such a complicated ideal into laymans terms. He's definitely set me on course towards finding peace. The book isn't about answers, but rather a process.

~Finding Peace : God's Promise of a Life Free from Regret, Anxiety, and Fear~ is a helpful guide to seeking peace and overcoming anxiety in midst of stressful circumstances. Charles Stanley gives practical and sound Scriptural exhortation on facing life's problems. We can find our peace in midst our trials and tribulations by recognizing that God is sovereign. Sometime, it is a lot easier said than done, which is why we need reinforcement from others. We have to continually set our sights on God's promises. Few Christians want to peer into book of Job, much less have their faith tested like Job. Taking a hit professionally or financially, suffering persecution, enduring slander, or relationship friction can strain a person. However, we can come out stronger enduring hardship if we seek peace of mind through God. God's pruning can often be painful, but we have to set our sights on Romans 8:28, and the promises of God. Life is a vapor.

Anyhow, Stanley offers a lot of prudent exhortation on seeking stability, peace of mind, discerning between productive and destructive anxiety, and living at peace with others. Too many Christian pastors these days, miss the mark and neglect addressing that life has its pains, and preach blissful optimism. Turn on Joel Olsteen for example, and he will be rambling about having a "better house, a better car," etc. and preaching the health and wealth non-sense. When life on the flying carpet of bliss doesn't come people get more discouraged and disappointed. Charles Stanley, however, isn't one of those errant teachers... Stanley will be the first to say tough times will come. Likewise, he offers sound advice on enduring those times and finding peace through acknowledging and trusting God. "You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:3). Hardship endured in God's strength produces the peaceable fruit of patience, makes us more dependent on God, and breaks us of our stubborn self-centered thinking.

"What shall we then say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?."
-Romans 8:31

If you have not read this book by Dr. Stanley, you need to read it. You owe it to yourself. I continue to be amazed at his use of Scripture as it applies to the human soul.

I highly recommend this volume.