Brief "Aloha" Greetings, from the Islands of Hawaii

Yes, if anyone has been wondering about my silence here on the blog, this should explain it. My wife and I are spending this week on the Hawaiian islands of Maui and Oahu. Actually, this is a business trip for my wife who, along with one other person, is consulting with a Christian school that has the desire to make some changes and expand. My wife is the Upper School Principal and, this year, Acting Head of School for a K-12 classical Christian school in the Harrisburg, PA area. As a dutiful and supportive spouse, I decided not to let my wife travel such a distance alone!
:-)
And while here, I plan to make a few visits this next week to a number of Banner of Truth accounts, including Covenant Books and Coffee, 1142 12th Avenue in Honolulu. I'm actually quite excited about visiting them; I'm not sure if someone from Banner has ever dropped in for a visit before! They seem to have established an interesting ministry by combining solid Christian literature with good coffee and even a lite cafe menu with soups, etc.
But that's next week. For now, it's the beaches of Maui and the hiking trails near Haleakala volcano (Oh, the mud that we got into during yesterday's hike as you can see in this picture with my wife in the distance!).
Blessings to all.
Steve

Galatians 4:4

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
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Wishing you ample time to worship and focus on all that's behind this verse in the coming week or so.
Blessings to you all.
Steve

Just heard from another church ...

... that is issuing a Puritan Challenge to its congregation for 2008. Nice.

This Is Going To Change Some Lives!

If you haven't given solid consideration to "The Timmy Brister Challenge" below, read this letter from one U.S. pastor, and then give it some serious thought. You CAN do this! I urge you to do this! Let me know if you decide to.
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Steve -
Six people from my church signed up to do the Puritan Challenge.... I am following Timmy's reading schedule below (except, I will need to substitute the Reformed Pastor with something else...I have not decided yet).
January: The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes (128 pp)
February: The Mystery of Providence by John Flavel (221 pp)
March: The Godly Man's Picture by Thomas Watson (252 pp)
April: Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices by Thomas Brooks (253 pp)
May: Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ by John Bunyan (225 pp)
June: The Mortification of Sin by John Owen (130 pp)
July: A Lifting Up for the Downcast by William Bridge (287 pp)
August: The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs (228 pp)
September: The True Bounds of Christian Freedom by Samuel Bolton (224 pp)
October: The Christian's Great Interest by William Guthrie (207 pp)
November: The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter (256 pp)
December: A Sure Guide to Heaven by Joseph Alleine (148 pp)
3 Individuals will foot their own bill (two are a couple who will share). I'm taking money out of my "[Special] Savings" program (a somewhat unsuccessful and now longstanding attempt to acquire [a certain] multi-volume set) and my wife and I will be purchasing a set for another, and one of our deacons (who fell in love with the Valley of Vision) is providing 6 months worth for another individual. I have one young mother of three who would like to be part of it and needs assistance. Any help (to any degree) from Banner would be most appreciated. Being a congregation of about 90-100 this time of year, I am tickled by the response. I can't wait to see what the Lord will do.
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That is so incredible! I would LOVE to hear from at least one other pastor who did likewise and pulled together a 2008 Puritans Reading Group. I, too, "can't wait to see what the Lord will do" with this group of believers!
Blessings to you all.
Steve

Why Read the Puritans?

As a great follow to "The Timmy Brister Challenge" (scroll down for earlier post), I pass along Pastor Josh Gelatt's answer to the question recently asked of him - "Why do you so often recommend reading the Puritans?" If you haven't considered Timmy's challenge yet for the new year, it makes you really think about it, doesn't it?
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The following is from Josh Gelatt, pastor at Indian River Baptist Church in northern Michigan.

QUESTION: "Why do you so often recommend reading the Puritans?"

ANSWER: Actually, I recommend many different types of books. In my church's monthly newsletter, I generally recommend and briefly review at least three books each issue--and only rarely will one of these be a Puritan author.

However, I do heartily (and often) recommend that everyday, average Christians read Puritan authors. A few years ago, just as I was finishing my first Seminary degree, I "stumbled" across a Puritan author. For my M.Div, I attended Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and during my time there I ran the school's book store (the pay was horrible, but I got to study while I worked and buy all the books I wanted at the school's cost). Though we rarely ordered from them, ... [I have since forgiven him for this! :-) ... Inserted comment from Burlew!] ... we regularly received a copy of The Banner of Truth Trust' book catalogue. On a whim, I ordered a copy of The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter (thinking it was a book about being theological Reformed). I thought it might interest some of the more Reformed students in our institution.

When it arrived, however, instead of putting it on the self I decided to skim through it first. This little book "caught" me. By the time I was done reading it was so worn, marked up, underlined, and coffee-stained that I had no choice but to buy it.

From Baxter I moved to Jonathan Edwards, back through Bunyan, Owen, Flavel, Sibbes, Rogers, Bolton, Bridge, Watson, Brooks, Burroughs (and the list goes on). In these Puritan authors I saw a faith unlike my own. They saw something in Christ that I didn't see, and I instantly realized they had possessed a depth of relationship and love for their Savior to which I only gave lip-service.

In today's Christian landscape, we are plagued with superficial faith, skin-deep commitment, shallow knowledge of Scripture, and rather cursory engagement with the mission Christ left for His people. While the Puritans had glaring mistakes of their own (not to mention excesses in some of the rigidity), certainly our modern culture is guilty of excess in how we champion the notion of Christian liberty.

I recommend serious, continued, and daily reading of the Puritan authors for the following reasons:

1. They understood the reality of sin in their personal lives. "Sin" is something that contemporary Evangelical churches do not discuss. The Fundamentalist churches see sin as something that "others" do (like liberals & homosexuals). The Emergent churches won't touch it, and the seeker movement have long moved past this troublesome doctrine. It is either denied outright, ignored, or quickly moved past in order to get on to 'nicer' discussions. Pastors (of all varieties) would rather speak on (and people would rather hear) sermons on our value, worth, and importance. The Puritans agreed, but understood that we can only truly understand our value when we understood the depth & ugliness of our sin, and what our Savior needed to do to remove it from us.The Puritans also refused to move "past" their sin. The more they grew in Christ, the more real their sin (even their former sin) became to them. Newton, for example, never got over his involvement in the slave trade. On his death bed, he reportedly said that he can only remember that he is a great sinner, and that Christ is a great savior. Luther (whose theology, along with Calvin, eventually produced Puritanism) is reported to have mutter "we are beggars, this is true" as his dying words. By focusing on their sin, they were able to see the true beauty of the Cross.

2. They understood, and were gentle towards, the human condition. The Puritans were masterful doctors of the soul. They were the 17th century version of a Professional Counselor. They understood the intricacies of the human soul, and took great care to study conditions such as depression. They systematically refused to 'write-off' depressed persons as those who just needed to shape up. Indeed, many of these Puritans suffered with depression themselves. During this period, several masterful works were produced--either analyzing the phenomenon or offering sound, practical wisdom in counseling individuals struggling with this depression.

3. They were thoroughly soaked in God's Word. These men lived and breathed scripture. Many of them would study Scripture for hours (8, 10, and even as much as 18 hours) per day. Their works are choke full of Scripture quotations, and subtle allusions to scripture abound in their writings. They truly sought to think God's thoughts after Him, and understood this was only possible with an intimate knowledge of the Bible. They believed in the divine power of Scripture to change lives, shape minds, and convert souls.

4. They were profoundly God-centered. The Puritans understood that life was ultimately about the glory of God. Their happiness, their activities, their joy, their purpose, their goals were all to be found (and fulfilled) in the giving of glory to the great King of Kings. John Owen's classic book (Communion with God) is about a believer's communion (relationship) with God as father, Jesus as Savior, and the Spirit as Comforter. Their lives revolved around the Triune God, and they saw all of life as being radically and completely centered on Him, and Him

5. They had the right priorities in their daily lives. The Puritans understood that the activities of our daily life were designed by God to bring glory and honor to Him. One Puritan author said "God's smile is my greatest reward". Thus, they sought to incorporate every aspect of life into their faith. They recognized that many Christians lived as "practical atheists". That is, individuals who believed in Christ, but lived the majority of their daily lives as if no God existed. While the Puritans did vigorously write against this mode of "Christian" (or rather, "Christ-less") living, they were fare more concerned with living as "full-fledged theists" themselves.

6. They saw the beauty and worth of Christ. Thomas Adams wrote: "Christ is the sum of the whole Bible, prophesied, typified, prefigured, exhibited, demonstrated, to be found in every leaf, almost in every line, the Scriptures being but as it were the swaddling bands of the child Jesus." In other words, they were radically centered on and devoted to Jesus. Thomas Goodwin wrote, "If I were to go to heaven, find that Christ was not there, I would leave immediately, for heaven would be a hell to me without Christ." The eminent Presbyterian James Durham also wrote, "If Christ is altogether lovely than all else is altogether loathsome." Jesus was something excellent to be savored, something beautify upon which to gaze, something prized to be possessed, and someone wonderful with whom to be friends.

7. They saw the excellency of God even in the midst of trials. They were individuals who suffered great persecution. Most (in the mid-17th century era) lost their pastorates as the government shut them out of their pulpits. The attempt was (1) to stop their ideas, and (2) to starve them to silence. Others were imprisoned, banished, tortured, disfigured, and killed. Yet instead of crying foul, and calling down curses upon the "establishment", these men saw the guiding hand of God. They understood that what 'men had intended for evil, God had intended for good'. Thomas Watson said, "God’s rod is a pencil to draw Christ’s image more lively on us,"while John Flavel wrote that if Christian goes "...two or three years without an affliction, and he is almost good for nothing." In another work, Flavel said "Grace tried [i.e. experiencing times of great difficulty] is better than grace, and more than grace. It is glory in its infancy." As we experience difficulty and trials in our contemporary lives, may we come to think as these men and see the graceful, loving hand of God in the midst of our most difficult moments.

8. They were some of the best thinkers of the age. Yes, the Puritans included all sorts. Men like John Bunyan, and uneducated tinker from the lower class, came to be hailed as one of the great writers and preachers of the era. However, Bunyan was an exception. For the most part, the Puritans were "divines", and antiquated term indicating that they were men who studied Divinity in the university. They fluently spoke Latin, were almost equally good in Greek and Hebrew, and were among the best educated men of the era. Many held top posts in Oxford (and other academic institutions) before being removed. By reading the Puritans, you are reading the best minds of that era.

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To access this post from Pastor Josh's blog, CLICK HERE
To see a complete list of Banner of Truth's Puritan Paperbacks, CLICK HERE.

Are You Up For "The Timmy Brister Challenge"?

Timmy Brister, over at his Provocations and Pantings blog has called us all to a new challenge for 2008 - Get acquainted with the Puritans - and he's gone so far as to give us five reasons for doing so AND a specific and workable plan to make it happen.

Timmy's reasons:
1. The Puritans had a relentless pursuit of God.
2. The Puritans were physicians of souls.
3. The Puritans possessed genuine piety because they knew how to fight the fight of faith.
4. The Puritans were pacesetters in church history.
5. Reading the Puritans will provide you a healthy perspective so as to prevent chronological snobbery.

Timmy's plan:
1. Get a copy of The Valley of Vision and meditate on the prayers as part of your daily devotions.
2. Commit to reading one Puritan Paperback a month - Check out Timmy's blog because he has specific books for specific months; it's great!
3. Read about the lives and stories of the Puritans - Again, Timmy has specific books that he's recommending; check them out.
A number of people have already left comments at Timmy's blog accepting his challenge. Without a doubt, this could be a life-changing year if you really follow through with this. Here's a complete list of Banner of Truth's Puritan Paperbacks, with Web links - they can be ordered at http://www.banneroftruth.org/ or by calling us here at the Banner of Truth office: 1-800-263-8085.
Happy reading!
Steve
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Acceptable Sacrifice, John Bunyan – $8.00
All Loves Excelling, John Bunyan – $7.00
All Things for Good, Thomas Watson – $8.00
Apostasy from the Gospel, John Owen - $9.00
Art of Prophesying, William Perkins - $9.00
Bruised Reed, Richard Sibbes - $7.00
Christian Love, Hugh Binning - $6.00
Christian’s Great Interest, William Guthrie – $9.00
Come & Welcome to Jesus Christ, John Bunyan – $9.00
Communion with God, by John Owen – $9.00
Doctrine of Repentance, Thomas Watson – $8.00
Dying Thoughts, Richard Baxter – $9.00
Glorious Freedom, Richard Sibbes – $8.00
Glory of Christ, John Owen – $8.00
Godly Man’s Picture, Thomas Watson – $8.00
Great Gain of Godliness, Thomas Watson – $10.00
Heaven on Earth, Thomas Brooks – $9.00
Holy Spirit, John Owen – $9.00
Jerusalem Sinner Saved, John Bunyan - $10.00
Justification Vindicated, Robert Traill - $6.00
Learning in Christ’s School, Ralph Benning - $8.00
Letters of Samuel Rutherford, Samuel Rutherford - $7.00
Lifting Up for the Downcast, William Bridge - $9.00
Lord’s Supper, Thomas Watson - $7.00
Mortification of Sin, John Owen - $9.00
Mystery of Providence, John Flavel - $8.00
Prayer, John Bunyan - $7.00
Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices, Brooks - $9.00
Puritan Treasury of Quotations, Thomas - $12.00
Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment, Burroughs - $9.00
Reformed Pastor, Richard Baxter - $9.00
Secret Key to Heaven, Thomas Brooks - $10.00
Shorter Catechism Explained, T. Vincent - $9.00
Sinfulness of Sin, Ralph Venning - $9.00
Spirit and the Church, John Owen - $9.00
Sure Guide to Heaven, Joseph Alleine - $7.00
Temptation: Resisted & Repulsed, John Owen - $10.00
True Bounds of Christian Freedom, S. Bolton - $8.00

MAIL - I think you should read this!

The following came in from one pastor, like many, who has a ministry at his local county jail. You probably know how encouraging this is for us to read! Many thanks. Steve.
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I just returned from visiting an inmate at our county jail. His name is Jason [name changed]. A couple of months back I gave Jason a copy of Right with God by John Blanchard. Jason has not only read it three times but is now deeply involved in personal Bible study, prayer and is faithfully attending worship at the jail even though others tease him about it. Jason just told me he had another inmate read John’s book and said the man had a positive reaction to it. I just wanted you to know the help such a small book is continuing to have. I bought the book months ago out of curiosity and just took it to the jail thinking it would help. It has and continues to do so. Thank you so much for your work and Merry Christmas!
Together for Christ,
Allan

OUTSIDE SOURCE BOOK REVIEW: Three New Children's Titles from Banner

BOOKS REVIEWED: "A Bible Alphabet," "A Bible Alphabet Activity Book," and "The Work of His Fingers" ... all authored by Alison Brown
REVIEWER: Fermanagh Herald
THE REVIEW (his words, not mine): "Primary school teacher publishes three Bible books for children ... Three new titles for children, written and illustrated by former Enniskillen primary school teacher, Alison Brown, have just become available in time for Christmas.
'A Bible Alphabet', which has been beautifully produced by The Banner of Truth Trust is a 32 page, full colour, large format paperback with a difference.
Rather than referring to adult concepts such as 'L is for Love' or 'F is for Forgiveness', it begins with those more tangible Bible objects (a basket, a donkey, a fish, a needle, a raven) to introduce small children to well known characters from Scripture.
With large eye-catching illustrations, it is designed to whet the appetite of young readers for finding out just who did what in God's Book! And, to make it even more enjoyable there's also A Bible Alphabet Activity Book. Letters and pictures which match the originals can be coloured to help enhance the learning process.
Alison is originally from Florencecourt, and is a past pupil of Enniskillen Collegiate School. She began her teaching career in Jones Memorial Primary School (1983-1986) and, following her marriage, spent several years in Gibson Primary School, Omagh. Her love for drawing combined with the 'unforgettable fun' derived from sharing books with her own children in their early years led naturally to the desire to teach through the medium of words and pictures.
She is indebted to The Banner of Truth Trust who, following a conversation at the Christian Resource Exhibition in Belfast in February 2005, expressed an interest in publishing her work.
The third new title, 'The Work of Her Fingers', uses rhyming text, along with black line drawings and full colour illustrations, to draw the older child's attention to the fact that Earth is the only planet perfectly created by God to sustain human life. The evidence of design in the provision of energy, atmosphere, daylight, oxygen, ozone, seasons, water and food could be nothing other than the handiwork of a loving and intelligent Creator!
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To access this review directly, CLICK HERE.
For information or to purchase these books at 25% off from Banner, CLICK HERE, but be sure to see the ORDERING DEADLINES on the right of this blog site.

A Prayer Request from a Friend ...

I received word this morning from a good friend of mine, recent graduate of RTS-Charlotte who is currently managing the RTS bookstore there, Jake Hunt. Apparently there's been an outbreak of ebola in Bundibugyo, Uganda, where World Harvest has a medical missions team. Jake has "a post on his "Wiser Time blog" with a summary of what’s going on, a call to prayer, and an invitation to join believers in Uganda in a day of fasting Wednesday. Check it out, and please pray. I was in Uganda a number of years ago and share a special interest for the people there. Thanks.

Within Prison Walls, God Is Working

Daniel, from somewhere within a California prison, wrote us the following letter, which we received a short time ago. I thought you'd be interested in reading it, too.
In case you didn't know, each year, The Banner of Truth gives thousands of dollars worth of books away, to stock prison libraries, to support the work of prison chaplains, to minister to our troops overseas and at home, to assist missionaries and simply to enable someone without financial means to still get and read solid Christian literature ... all possible through the donations of individuals and churches to The Banner of Truth Book Fund. Email me if you'd like more information on how you might give, so that others, like Daniel, might grow.
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Dear Brethren,
As Thanksgiving approaches, my heart turns to God with thanksgiving for you. Banner of Truth is by far one of the greatest sources to me of our heavenly Father's love, kindness and grace. How I thank God for you brethren; and I pray that He will prosper and bless all that you do, both corporately and individually.
Being incarcerated, your books have been my chief source of sound doctrine and instruction. That is, in conjunction with the Bible. The fruit of your instruction in my life is evidenced in my call to be Ministries Coordinator and the mentor in an elder's mentoring program here at the prison. God alone has done this, but His means for equipping me has been Banner of Truth.
Thus praise, glory and thanksgiving is given to God for what He has done. And, as often as I pick up a book, thanksgiving will be given to God for all of you in the Banner of Truth family.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Daniel
2 Cor. 4:7
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Thank you so much for this, Daniel. You have encouraged us all greatly through you letter. May the Lord continue to meet your needs and use you for His Kingdom, as His servant within those walls. Grace & peace to you, brother. Steve

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Works of Andrew Fuller"

BOOK REVIEWED: "The Works of Andrew Fuller
REVIEWER: Allen R. Mickle, Jr., The Andrew Fuller Center For Baptist Studies
THE REVIEW (his words, not mine!): "Attention friends of Andrew Fuller! The Banner of Truth Trust has just released a new one volume edition of the Works of Andrew Fuller (1841 edition). This wonderful, hefty, volume is filled with over 1000 pages of the works of Andrew Fuller, the great Baptist pastor-theologian. In the United States you can order this book directly from The Banner here. If you are in Canada you can order it from the Canadian distributor, Sola Scriptura Ministries International. Don't pass this up! It makes a wonderful Christmas gift for the bibliophile in your home! Open up peoples eyes to the writings of this great but much neglected servant of Christ!"
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To access this review directly, CLICK HERE.
For more information, or to purchase this book at 25% off with free shipping from Banner of Truth, CLICK HERE.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "Christ For Us," By Hugh Martin

BOOK REVIEWED: "Christ For Us: Sermons of Hugh Martin"
REVIEWER: Nick Batzig, Pastoral Intern at Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, PA (Just a note: I met Nick earlier this year during my visit to Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary - "Great seeing this, Nick; thank you, sir."
THE REVIEW (his words, not mine): "Hugh Martin, Nineteenth Century Scottish theologian, authored many worthwhile books, among which are: Jonah: A Commentary, The Life of Simon Peter, The Abiding Presence, and Christ For Us. The strength of Christ For Us is its short series of sermons and devotional writings. There are two sermons I would particularly like to recommend. The first is titled "The Plague of the Heart" and is taken from 1 Kings 8: 38. It is an exposition of one particular verse in Solomon's prayer of dedication at the completion of the Temple. The verse comes in the context of Solomon praying for the people of God. He asks the LORD to remove the plagues that He has sent on Israel when they realize the plagues in their hearts and pray to the LORD confessing their sins. The other sermon is titled "Heart Plagues Cured" and is the Gospel centered solution to the plague in the heart. These two sermons form a masterful pair of expositions on the Law and the Gospel. They are true gems of experimental religion and Christological Old Testament preaching. I think you will find that they reflect something of the value of Rev. Martin's work. Banner of Truth Magazine has included a great article on the life and work of Hugh Martin online. This can be found here."
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To access this review directly, CLICK HERE.
For more information or to purchase this book at 25% off from Banner, CLICK HERE.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Work of His Fingers," by Alison Brown

BOOK REVIEWED: The Work of His Fingers, by Alison Brown (A new children's literature title from Banner)
REVIEWER: Lorna at the Christian Bookshop Ossett
THE REVIEW (her words, not mine): "Wow, Banner of Truth have really gone for something different this time! 'The Work of His Fingers' is essentially a children's picture book with a rhyme 'in praise of creation'. The artwork is fascinating and the rhyme is surprisingly informative, even scientific. This is certainly not another vaguely inane children's poetry book with stupidly unrealistic pictures. I used it for the boys' bedtime story this evening and discovered that it led to all sorts of topics of conversation - the rotation of the earth, the ozone layer, the planets and universe. This did make me wonder what age group the book is really aimed at. Obviously at 4 and 2 yrs (and of course our 11 month old was listening in too) our boys found the science a bit mind-boggling, although rhyming books always go down well. The large booklet format (A4ish) would be good if this book was used to read to a group of children, but I think A5 would perhaps have been a better size for more personal reading. All in all though, I think it's a lovely book and will no doubt be reading it many more times yet.
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To access this review directly, CLICK HERE.
For more information, or to purchase this book from Banner, at 25% discount in the US & Canada, CLICK HERE.

Let Me Introduce You To 17-Year Old Ben

I've known Ben for a while, but really spent some time talking with this 17-year old teenager about a month or so ago. That's when I learned that he's reading his way through Banner of Truth's 14-volume set on Romans by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. Soon after that, Ben's mom called to order two books that Ben wanted for his birthday: "Mortification of Sin," by John Owen, and "Godly Man's Picture," by Thomas Watson. And most recently, with Ben's work in Romans, I gave Ben a challenge - Memorize the Book of Romans! If he would, I would ... one verse at a time. "Better yet," I said,"How about you get some others to join us, sort of a 'Romans Club'?" Wouldn't you know it" He did! Three of his friends, so far, I think. Today's verse is Romans 1:9. Tomorrow we'll memorize 1:10. We're still early in the process, so we're still taking new members! My youngest daughter - age 13 - joined last night; she memorized Romans 1:1-3 before going to bed! And who said teenagers had to act like idiots! Grace & peace to you. Steve.

From the desk of Phil Ryken ...

Here's a comment from Pastor Phil Ryken, recently posted at the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals Reformation 21 Blog, that I didn't want you to miss - Thanks, Phil.
"Banner of Truth has republished a nice little book of selections from Samuel Rutherford's marvelous pastoral letters. The book is called The Loveliness of Christ, and it looks to be ideal for devotional use. Here is one of Rutherford's gems:"If there were ten thousand, thousand millions of worlds, and as many heavens full of men and angels, Christ would not be pinched to supply all our wants, and to fill us all."

Phil Ryken, Senior Pastor
Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia

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To access this comment directly, CLICK HERE.

For more information, or to purchase this book at 25% discount from Banner, CLICK HERE.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: The Puritan Paperback, "The Glory of Christ," by John Owen

BOOK REVIEWED: "The Glory of Christ," by John Owen - The Puritan Paperback Series version, made easier to read by Richard Rushing
THE REVIEWER: Pastor Scott Head at his blog
THE REVIEW (his words, not mine): "Today I had the great privilege to preach about the glory of God, specifically, the glory of God in Jesus Christ as our motivation for our affection and worship. I spent some time showing that God's attributes are, in a sense, the key for believers to behold His glory. His attributes, his characteristics, are the key to knowing God, and knowing Him is knowing Jesus. Jesus said if you have seen me you have seen the Father. As John Owen so eloquently shows in his book "The Glory of Christ", the glory of God, totally and utterly unknowable to mere men in our earthly state, is manifest in the person and deity of Jesus Christ and thus made knowable. (2 Cor 4:4, 2 Cor 3:12-18, etc.)Owens shows from scripture that we behold the glory of Christ, and thus that of the Father, by faith. So if we do not know Jesus, we do not know God (John 14:7). It takes spending time in the Word of God to KNOW this Jesus, and the true believer has that desire! If he claims to love the Lord, he will desire to KNOW the Lord and learn more and more about Jesus. It is the reasonable thing to expect of one who says they love God. This is done by hard work, study, scripture and the counsel of the Holy Spirit. The one who truly loves the Lord and desires to behold His glory mines the Word of God for every last bit of the knowledge of God that He can. He desires to do so with intent and passion. He digs out of genuine desire, not duty. He digs deep and works hard to know this Jesus not so that he can present His works to the Lord as if to say "Lord, Lord, look what I have done in your name", but because it is just what he does out of appreciation for what the Lord has done for him. To bring our works to the Lord as righteousness is to deny Him glory, and is idolatry. Instead, a true believer is motivated BY the glory of God, and in response pours himself into further knowing God. He is fully aware that he has no righteousness of his own with which to plead his case, because he has been the undeserved recipient of that glory by faith in Christ, for God's glory, motivated and instigated by God alone.I can heartily recommend Owen's book on this topic, it is an inexpensive price to pay for such clear and scripturally sound teaching. The Puritan Paperback version available from Banner of Truth publishing is abridged and features 'modernized' English, both of which would generally send me looking for a more true-to-the-author version. However, this edition is easy to read, only 184 pages, and exceptionally to the point. Owens' "The Glory of Christ" showed me from scripture truths I had never heard preached, and rarely read in modern Christian work. We've lost so much!
For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 4:6)
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To access this review directly, CLICK HERE.
For more information or to purchase this book at 25% off from Banner, CLICK HERE.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "A Vision For Missions," by Tom Wells

BOOK REVIEWED: "A Vision For Missions," by Tom Wells
REVIEWER: Ben Wright, at his paleoevangelical blog
THE REVIEW (his words, not mine):
"The Best Little Book You've Probably Never Heard Of --
Thanksgiving provided a little extra time for reading, and I finished A Vision for Missions, a Banner of Truth paperback by Tom Wells.What's so great about it? Well, a friend of mine, who's spent some time doing missions work in Central Asia, described it as a combination of Packer's Knowing God and Piper's Let the Nations Be Glad, both of which are just stellar books.So here's Wells' thesis: "God is worthy to be known and proclaimed for who He is, and that fact is an important part of the missionary motive and message" (9). And here's why that thesis needs to be advanced: "Our danger, it seems to me, lies in . . . forgetting God in our zeal for men" (110).But the kicker about Wells' book is that you can get it here for under $5, and it's only 157 pages long. If I recall correctly, that's about 25% of the price and 30% of the size of Packer and Piper's books. By all means, buy a few extra and give them away if you can afford it."
And here's a comment added to Ben's post by Greg: "Yes! My high school teacher gave me this book as a graduation present: definitely a great read. My fave chapter was the one probably entitled The Only Wise God. It's lucid, it reads easy, it's cheap - what more could you ask for?"
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To access this review on Ben's blog, CLICK HERE.
For more information or to purchase this book, 25% off, from Banner, CLICK HERE.

Keep Them Cards and Letters Coming!

Actually, this picture and the quote below is from a message that was addressed to me and posted on The PuritanBoard Web site -
"You fellows made me very happy about a month ago..."
Thanks, Vaughan. I'm glad for your smile, and glad you took the time to send this to us. We do love to see the receiving end of our shipping process. The Works of John Owen look great there in your living room floor, but ... perhaps they'd be better stored on a shelf?
:-)
Blessings to you, brother.
Steve.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ," by John Owen

BOOK REVIEWED: "The Death of Death in the Death of Christ," by John Owen

REVIEWER: "letterman" at The Library Thing

THE REVIEW (his words, not mine): "A Christian classic. The Death of Death in the Death of Christ is a polemical work, designed to show, among other things, that the doctrine of universal redemption is unscriptural and destructive of the gospel. . . . Those who see no need for doctrinal exactness and have no time for theological debates which show up divisions between so-called Evangelicals may well regret its reappearance. Some may find the very sound of Owen's thesis so shocking that they will refuse to read his book at all. . . . But . . . there are signs today of a new upsurge of interest in the theology of the Bible: a new readiness to test traditions, to search the Scriptures and to think through the faith. It is to those who share this readiness that Owen's treatise is now offered, in the belief that it will help us in one of the most urgent tasks facing evangelical Christendom today - the recovery of the gospel.
It is safe to say that no comparable exposition of the work of redemption as planned and executed by the Triune Jehovah has ever been done since Owen published his in 1684. None has been needed.
Owen's interpretation of the texts . . . is sure; his power of theological construction is superb; nothing that needs discussing is omitted, and . . . no arguments for or against his position have been used since his day which he has not himself noted and dealt with. . . . Owen's work is a constructive, broad-based biblical analysis of the heart of the gospel, and must be taken seriously as such. . . Nobody has a right to dismiss the doctrine of the limitedness . . . of the atonement as a monstrosity of Calvinistic logic until he has refuted Owen's proof that it is part of the uniform biblical presentation of redemption, clearly taught in plain text after plain text. And nobody has done that yet." -- J.I. Packer, from the Introduction"
Packer's well balanced definition of Calvinism in the introduction to that volume [John Owen's THE DEATH OF DEATH IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST] is by far the best we have seen in 42 years of intensive reading." -- Jay P. Green, Sr. A Christian classic.
John Owen is an example of a great theologian who prescribed to independency, and was unable to attain to covenanted reformation.

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To access this review directly, CLICK HERE.

For more information or to purchase this book at 25% off from Banner, CLICK HERE.

Articles of Interest

"Thanks, Tim Challies, for sharing a great Banner resource with the world - the Articles section on the Banner of Truth Web site.
Tim Challies begins a recent post on challies.com with these words: "The Banner of Truth web site features a host of useful articles (1302 at last count). One that I’ve found worth reading and bookmarking is entitled simply “Apostasy.” In the article..."
And, Dennis, one of the commenters on Tim's blog, added: "Tim, I appreciate this entry. I was not aware of the Banner of Truth website and it looks like an amazing resource. Thanks again."
Thanks, guys! To read Tim's post, visit challies.com by CLICKING HERE.
To visit the Banner Web site, for books and more, CLICK HERE.

Guests from Virginia, USA and Sydney, Australia

What a great suprise to walk downstairs this afternoon and meet Pastor Mike, his 9-year old son, Luke (that boy has one incredible handshake!), plus a friend, Todd who is visiting from Sydney, Australia. "So what was it that brought you to Carlisle, PA," I asked. "Books!" was the immediate response. Silly me - why do I still ask that question! So if you live anywhere closer to Carlisle, PA than Sydney, Australia, what's your excuse for not visiting us? We've never had more ever-so-slightly-damaged books than we do today ... or did, before Mike and Luke and Tony were here! :-)
Grace & peace to you all. Steve.

'Tis The Season!

For the record, I was NOT out shopping at 4:00 in the morning last Friday! Ugh, I can hardly imagine it. Were some of you? Anyway, Banner's U.S. office is back from the Thanksgiving holiday and we are geared up for the anticipated busy next four weeks. As expected, we were greeted this morning by an extra number of Web orders that we are well on our way toward shipping. I encourage you to visit the Banner Web site at http://www.banneroftruth.org/ and include some excellent, solid Christian literature in the gifts you plan to give.

We are pleased that a Bible college student, Jake (pictured below in a post from last week after he visited us), has joined Banner on a part-time/temporary basis, working Mondays for the next few weeks (he actually drove in from Ohio last night, on his way back to Maryland, and slept at our house last night! I think employers call that "other duties, as assigned"). And I am adding another local guy, Zach, for a day or so. So with us gearing up, you've got the "green light" to visit Banner on the Web at http://www.banneroftruth.org/, but do get your order in early! Many thanks! Steve.

QUOTE FOR TODAY

My counsel is, that ye come out and leave the multitude, and let Christ have your company. Let them take clay and this present world who love it: Christ is a more worthy and noble portion: blessed are those who get him.

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Taken from the recently released Banner of Truth, "The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford", published in a wonderful antique-looking soft cover binding.To purchase this book, at 25% discount, CLICK HERE.

QUOTES FOR TODAY

His well done is worth a shipful of good days and earthly honours.

I know no sweeter way to heaven, than through free grace and hard trials together, and none of these cannot well want another.
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Taken from the recently released Banner of Truth, "The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford", published in a wonderful antique-looking soft cover binding.
To purchase this book, at 25% discount, CLICK HERE.

QUOTES FOR TODAY

Be content, ye are his wheat growing in our Lord's field. And if wheat, ye must go under our Lord's threshing instrument, in his barn-floor, and through his sieve, and through his mill to be bruised, as the Prince of your salvation, Jesus was (Isa. 53:9), that ye may be found good bread in your Lord's house.

But it is neither shame nor pride for a drowning man to swim to a rock, nor for a ship-broken soul to run himself ashore upon Christ. Suppose once I be guilty, need force I cannot, I do not, go by Christ.

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Taken from the recently released Banner of Truth, "The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford", published in a wonderful antique-looking soft cover binding.
To purchase this book, at 25% discount, CLICK HERE.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Ten Commandments," by Thomas Watson

BOOK REVIEWED: The Ten Commandments, by Thomas Watson
REVIEWER: Phil, a husband, dad and carpenter living with his family in Ohio
THE REVIEW (his words, not mine): "The following is an excerpt from Thomas Watson’s book, The Ten Commandments. It’s definitely a good read. Though I’m not finished with it, I wanted share an excerpt from it and recommend it for any who might be interested in understanding the Ten Commandment’s place in the life of a follower and believer of Christ. Though we are convinced that salvation is in Christ alone, what purpose does God’s commandments, particularly the Ten Commandments, have in our lives as born again Christians? How are they fulfilled and what does God intend for our attitude to be in regard to God’s Law? I could say a lot and cite a lot of scripture to address those questions, but I’ll leave that to the book and only reference John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” NIV You can follow the link at the bottom of this post to read the book online. The following excerpt is from the book I have and referenced as such.

“What means should be used to excite our love to God?
(1) Labour to know God aright. The schoolmen say truly, Bonum non amatur quod non cognoscitur; ‘we cannot love that which we do not know.’ God is the most eligible good; all excellencies which lie scattered in the creature are united in him; he is Optimus maximus. Wisdom, beauty, riches, love, all concentrate in him. How fair was that tulip which had the colours of all the tulips in it! All perfections and sweetnesses are eminently in God. Did we know God more, and by the eye of faith see his orient beauty, our hearts would be fired with love to him.
(2) Make the scripture familiar to you. Augustine says that before his conversion he took no pleasure in Scripture, but afterwards it was his chief delight. The book of God discovers God to us, in his holiness, wisdom, veracity, and truth; it represents him as rich in mercy, and encircled with promises. Augustine calls the Scripture a golden epistle, or love-letter, sent from God to us. By reading this love-letter we become more enamoured with God; as by reading lascivious books, comedies, romances, &c., lust is excited.
(3) Meditate much upon God, and this will promote love to him. ‘While I was musing, the fire burned.’ Psa xxxix 3. Meditation is as bellows to the affections. Meditate on God’s love in the gift of Christ. ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,’ &c. John iii 16. That God should give Christ to us, and not to angels that fell, that the Sun of Righteousness should shine in our horizon, that he is revealed to us, and not to others; what wonderful love is this! ‘Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?’ Prov vi 28. Who can meditate on God’s love, who can tread on these hot coals, and his heart not burn in love? Beg a heart to love God. The affection of love is natural, but not the grace of love. Gal v 22. This fire of love is kindled from heaven; beg that it may burn upon the altar of the heart. Surely the request is pleasing to God, and he will not deny such a prayer as ‘Lord, give me a heart to love thee.’”
– Thomas Watson, The Ten Commandments, The Banner of Truth Trust, pgs. 78-79; rev. ed. 1965, reprinted in Great Britain by The Bath Press, Bath 2002.
To read the book online go to http://www.mountainretreatorg.net/classics/ten_comand.html. To read the Ten Commandments from Exodus 2o:1-17, look it up in the Bible or follow this link, http://www.chalcedon.edu/articles/0309/Ten%20Commandments
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For more information or to purchase this book, CLICK HERE.

QUOTES FOR TODAY:

"Be content, ye are his wheat growing in our Lord's field. And if wheat, ye must go under our Lord's threshing instrument, in his barn-floor, and through his sieve, and through his mill to be bruised, as the Prince of your salvation, Jesus was (Isa. 53:9), that ye may be found good bread in your Lord's house."

"I am most gladly content that Christ breaketh all my idols in pieces: it hath put a new edge upon my blunted love to Christ. I see he is jealous of my love, and will have all to himself."

"Lighten your heart by laying your all upon him.... Frame yourself for Christ, and gloom not upon his cross."
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Taken from the recently released Banner of Truth, "The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford", published in a wonderful antique-looking soft cover binding.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays"

BOOK REVIEWED: "John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays", by Edward Morgan
REVIEWER: Ben Ramsbottom, Gospel Standard magazine, but posted on the Banner of Truth web articles page and also on the blog of Gary Brady
THE REVIEW (his words, not mine): "John Elias (1774-1841) was one of the eminent preachers of Wales, greatly used by God. Amazing are some of the accounts of his ministry. This fine biography of Edward Morgan first appeared in 1844 and was first reprinted by the Banner of Truth Trust in 1973, and has recently been reprinted. Nothing but good can come of the reappearance of these excellent books; we hope there are more to come. On first reading the biography of John Elias over twenty-five years ago we jotted down the following thoughts. We believe they are just as relevant today.

We solemnly feel that the vital thing lacking in our churches today is POWER, the power of God. We have been much struck by some of the sayings of that remarkable Welsh preacher, John Elias (1774-1841). One would almost think he was alive today, viewing some of our solemn scenes. John Elias was a man who had seen wonderful days of spiritual prosperity in his youth. Thousands had gathered to hear his preaching, and there had been a marked outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The lives of the people had been eminent in godliness and grace. But at the end of his life he saw a decline. One striking thing that he said just before he died was to this effect: Ministers today say exactly the same things as they did fifty years ago, they use the identical words, but there are not the same effects. The very same things are requested at the prayer meetings as fifty years ago, but the same answers are not received, and so the asking goes on without any solemn concern that the answers are not being received. How true of us! He felt that the godly men of old (naming Daniel Rowland, Howell Harris and Thomas Charles) would not have recognised them as belonging to their family. We might take up the strain and wonder what Gadsby, Warburton and Kershaw would have thought of us. We speak the same language; but where is the power?

John Elias adds: “We stand in need of those fresh, powerful manifestations from heaven. We are, alas! accustomed to go on with the service of God in human strength; praying, hearing and preaching in that way! We are so lukewarm, without the light and the power of the Spirit! We neither feel nor see others experiencing His powerful operations! It is not often that unbelievers may, when they come to our congregations, cry out, ‘God is of a truth among you.’ And, alas! there is hut little lamentation on that account!”

We would pray earnestly for more power in our preaching. To quote John Elias again:

“Ministers seem often satisfied with having freedom to speak, and seeing many hearing them with attention and delight; but alas! without experiencing the effects of the power promised to attend the ministry of the gospel, the power necessary to produce a saving change in the sinner1 The ministry neither alarms, terrifies nor disturbs ungodly persons who sit under it.... No experimental, thoughtful Christian can deny that God has withdrawn Himself from us, as to the particular operations of His Spirit and the especial manifestation of His grace.”

To quote John Elias once more:

“There is but little thirst for the gracious and powerful visitations of God, and also, the prayers for these blessings are weak and cold.... Is there not reason to fear that the prayers of many of us are merely customary and formal, asking many things without feeling the need of them? We seldom inquire whether our prayers are answered; and if not, what hinders them? Do we avoid indulging in those thoughts or practices that hinder and mar our prayers? Are we indifferent as to the aid of the Spirit in prayer? 0 seek His face - His face; seek Him with all your heart! There are many in the church, I believe, who have seen better days, but they sleep heavily now.”

To quote John Elias for the last time:

“It is difficult to judge by the fruits of hundreds of professors that they are godly! There are signs of worldly-mindedness in many of the aged. In others there is a lack of principle in doing righteousness. The young people conform to the world, following its ways and foolish fashion. Others delight in wrangling disputes, and foolish and unprofitable questions. There is a multitude of mixed people lusting after the things of Egypt - hankering after the expressions and the baser things of other denominations and religious parties. They delight in swimming in the stream of the spirit of the age in things political and religious.”

The book, ‘John Elias: Life, Letters and Essays,’ was written by Edward Morgan; (hardback; 417 pages; price $26.00; published by the Banner of Truth Trust. The Apostle John wrote much concerning “love to the brethren,” and surely one aspect of this love is to delight in reading the lives of those who have gone before. “I am a companion of all them that fear Thee,” wrote the psalmist.
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For more information or to purchase this book at 25% discount, CLICK HERE.

QUOTES FOR THE DAY

Taken from the recently released Banner of Truth, "The Loveliness of Christ: Extracts from the Letters of Samuel Rutherford", published in a wonderful antique-looking soft cover binding.

TODAY'S QUOTES:

"I have a lover, Christ, and yet I want love for him. I have a lovely and desirable Lord, who is love-worthy, and who beggeth my love and heart, and I have nothing to give him. Dear brother, come further in on Christ, and see a new treasure in him: come in, and look down and see angels' wonder, and heaven and earth's wonder of love, sweetness, majesty, and excellency in him."

"Dry wells send us to the fountain."

"No pen, no words, no image can express to you the loveliness of my only, only Lord Jesus."
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For more information or to purchase this book at 25% discount, CLICK HERE.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "Raising Children God's Way," by D. M. Lloyd-Jones

BOOK REVIEWED: "Raising Children God's Way," by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

SOURCE OF REVIEW: Guy Davies, from the Exiled Preacher blog

THE REVIEW (his words, not mine): "One of the major social concerns in our day is that of unruly, disrespectful children. Some youngsters are pampered and spoilt. They think that they can get away with anything and resent discipline. Others have been neglected by parents who put their career ambitions before family life. The politicians and child care experts do not seem to have any real solutions to the problem of bad behaviour in children. Here, in five sermons on Ephesians 6:1-4, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones sets forth God’s way of raising children. These sermons were originally preached in the 1960’s, but they are strikingly fresh and contemporary.

Being a parent is a huge, God-given joy and privilege. But parenting skills do not come in a free information pack when babies are born. That would be nice, but it doesn't happen. Christian parents need biblical instruction on how to raise their children in the best possible way. The Scriptural teaching has to be understood and applied. Lloyd-Jones brings out the Bible’s wise and balanced approach to child rearing. Parents are to discipline their children, but not in a harsh, “Victorian” manner. The Christian home is to be a place of love, where the Bible is applied to the whole of life. Children need to be nurtured and encouraged as well as corrected.

These sermons are deeply practical and applicatory. Christian parents will find lots of helpful teaching from Lloyd-Jones on principles to follow and pitfalls to avoid. At a time when many are tuning in to TV programmes like “Supernanny” for parenting advice, we need to recapture the Christian view of raising children. These expositions from “The Doctor” will help us to do just that. All Christian parents from new mums and dads to those coping with the stresses and strains of bringing up teenagers will benefit from Raising Children God’s Way. The publishers are to be congratulated for making this material available in such a handy format.
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For more information or to purchase this book, CLICK HERE.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

From The Loveliness of Christ, the newly released collection of excerpts from Letters of Samuel Rutherford, published in an old-looking soft cover gift edition .....

Today's Quote:
I find crosses Christ's carved work that he marketh out for us, and that with crosses he figureth and portrayeth us to his own image, cutting away pieces of our ill and corruption. Lord cut, Lord carve, Lord wound, Lord do anything that may perfect thy Father's image in us, and make us meet for glory.

The Foreword, written by Sinclair Ferguson
"A hundred years ago, H. C. G. Moule, the Anglican Bishop of Durham, said in his simple but elegant commendation of The Loveliness of Christ that it was 'a small casket stored with many jewels', and expressed the hope that it would have a wide circulation. these pages contain short extracts from the letters of the great seventeenth-century Scottish Christian, Samuel Rutherford. I count it a personal privilege, and the fulfilment of a long-held aspiration, to be able to echo Bishop Moule's words, but now for the twenty-first century.

Decades after the publication of this little book, a copy of it came into the possession of my wife's family, and later became hers. She introduced me to it, and thus we both found ourselves caught up in the fulfilment of Moule's aspirations for its circulation. We have often found ourselves echoing his sentiment that it contained 'many jewels'. It has brought encouragement to us out of proportion to its size.

Surprising though it may seem in a world of large books, of all those owned by our family this may be the one we have most often lent or quoted to friends. It is full of rich spiritual wisdom and insight culled from the experience of a man who knew both the sorrows of life and the joys of faith in great abundance. When such experience is married to a poetic and imaginative spirit, as it was in Samuel Rutherford, then, truly, spiritual jewels appear in abundance.

The Letters of Samuel Rutherford are, happily, still available today and continue to be read. The Loveliness of Christ is not merely another edition of these. Here some of his most helpful thoughts are allowed to stand out in their unadorned wisdom and power. Indeed, I suspect that even those who have read Bonar's great nineteenth-century collection will feel that this setting of brief quotations makes the words sparkle like diamonds on a dark cloth in a jeweller's shop. this is simply one of several reason why I have long wished that a contemporary publisher would give a new generation the privilege of experiencing the spiritual wealth found in these pages. Now that task has been undertaken by the Banner of Truth Trust in this very attractive edition.

I pray that many readers will find here the help, comfort, wise counsel, and spiritual compass that we and our friends have so often discovered in meditating on these pages. May this twenty-first century edition lead many readers to be able to say, with Rutherford, 'Every day we may see some new thing in Christ. His love hath neither brim nor bottom.'

-- Sinclair Ferguson

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: The Valley of Vision

BOOK REFERENCED: The Valley of Vision
SOURCE: Light and Heat blog, by Pastor Ryan Day
HIS WORDS: "The other resource I want to recommend I just came into contact with this year. The Valley of Vision is a classic collection of Puritan prayers and devotions printed by Banner of Truth. It is not a prayer manual for reciting--but a devotional book for reading. IN this book, prayers and devotional thoughts are organized by topic and feature the works of renowned Puritan thinkers, pastors, and theologians like Thomas Watson, Richard Baxter, John Bunyan, Issac Watts, Philip Doddridge, David Brainerd, and C.H. Spurgeon.

"I heard through the grapevine that John MacArthur once said that if he was going to be stranded on a deserted island and could only have two books with him---he would take his Bible and The Valley of Vision. After interacting with this book for a few months now myself, I understand and agree whole-heartedly with that sentiment. At a recent conference, my friend, Steve at Banner of Truth reported that he actually had a woman purchase his own personala copy of The Valley of Vision when the book table sold out! My point: this book is tremendously enriching. Here's just a snippet of what I read today:
The Gospel Way Blessed Lord Jesus, No human mind could conceive or invent the gospel. Acting in eternal grace, thou art both its messenger and its message, Lived out on earth through infinite compassion Applying thy life to insult, injury, death, That I might be redeemed, ransomed, freed. Blessed be thou, O Father, for contriving this way, Eternal thanks to Thee, O Lamb of God, for opening this way. Praise everlasting to Thee, O Holy Spirit, for applying this way to my heart. Glorious Trinity, impress the gospel on my soul, Until its every virtue diffuses every faculty; Let it be heard, acknowledged, professed, felt ...

"Friend, even though the dark clouds may gather above your head--don't let them gather in your soul. Make time each day to read inspired Scripture as well as books that will stir your heart toward deeper spiritual understanding, thinking, worship, and living.

"Pour yourself into God-centered books, and ask the Lord to open your heart to His goodness and light. When you do, you can be certain that He will "melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away." (Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee)."

-- Pastor Ryan Day - Pennsylvania, USA

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I do hope you've discovered this book for yourself and plan to introduce others to it through your gift-giving this Christmas. Just this morning, I was helping out in the packing room and personally packed one order 136 leather copies of this book! And on one day last December, we shipped nearly 1,000 of the leather copies alone, in just one day! Don't delay!
For more information, or to purchase this book, CLICK HERE.

-- Steve

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: Reformed Pastor, by Richard Baxter

BOOK REVIEWED: "Reformed Pastor," by Richard Baxter ... Note the new cover!
REVIEWER: Derek Brown (from his blog)
THE REVIEW: "I’ve always been a dead-guy fan. Jonathan Edwards is probably my favorite, simply because his range of writings covers so much academic ground that it mirrors my interests (all over the place). Really, who writes an account on spiders? What a weirdo. Lately, at the behest of an Acts29 pastor in Florida (Chan Kilgore of Crosspointe Orlando), I’ve been reading Richard Baxter’s The Reformed Pastor (get it at Banner of Truth). Incredible stuff. Here’s an excerpt:

Who is able to talk of controversies, or of nice unnecessary points, or even of truths of a lower degree of necessity, how excellent soever, while he seeth a company of ignorant, carnal, miserable sinners before his eyes, who must be changed or damned?

Baxter is unapologetically blatant with his audience, and I appreciate his brutal honesty greatly. He talks about caring for one’s own salvation, caring for the flock, preaching, governing the church, and many more ‘pastoral’ duties. But he brings the steak, not the oatmeal, as we say ’round here at Harmony. He doesn’t add any fluff, that’s for sure. More difficult to read simply because of the style (17th century English), it is definitely well worth it.
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For more information, or to purchase this book, CLICK HERE.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

I really, REALLY like this new title from Banner! It is Samuel Rutherford's, "The Loveliness of Christ," and Banner has published it in this soft cover binding that makes the book look as if it's so very, very old! It is a collection of quotations from "The Letters of Samuel Rutherford" and, upon the suggestion from the man who, for many years, occupied this office where I now sit, I'm going to try to pass along some "Quotes For the Day" here on the blog. I hope you enjoy them; I also hope you plan to give several of these books as gifts in the coming weeks!
Grace & peace to you!
Steve
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The great Master Gardener, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in a wonderful providence, with his own hand, planted me here, where by his grace, in this part of his vineyard, I grow; and here I will abide till the great Master of the vineyard think fit to transplant me.

The Loveliness of Christ, Samuel Rutherford

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Mystery of Providence," by John Flavel

I do hope you've discovered the Puritan Paperback series from Banner of Truth! And among the nearly forty titles in this series, this is clearly one of the ones most often purchased: "The Mystery of Providence, by John Flavel. How fitting to find a blogger who has latched on to this book during this particular month, in advance of the U.S. holiday, Thanksgiving. I think you'll enjoy and appreciate what a fellow blogger, Russell Smith has to say (thank you for this, friend!).
Grace & peace be yours today.
Steve
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BOOK REVIEWED: "The Mystery of Providence"
AUTHOR: John Flavel
REVIEWER: Russell Smith, Cincinnati, Ohio
THE REVIEW:
"I must remain true to my quixotic impossible dream of turning our hearts toward a Thanksgiving season.... Dig, if you will, the picture: an oasis of warm hearted gratitude nestled between the macabre bacchanalia that is Halloween and the calliope of commercialism that has become Christmas. Is it not somewhat astonishing that our nation is one that has had the audacity to enshrine gratitude by establishing an annual observation of Thanksgiving...not thanksgiving to the ever-protective paternal state (they get that 365 days a year in North Korea), but just a general Thanksgiving for blessings enjoyed.

Last year, as part of my month long celebration, I read through Plymouth Plantation, the account of William Bradford, the governor of the Plymouth colony. It's a rich story of faith, adventure, trial, error, and perseverance. However, for this month's Thanksgiving preparation, I'm reading theology: John Flavel's The Mystery of Providence.

Flavel, an English puritan of the 15th century, was a prolific writer, and is quite readable in the edition edited by Banner of Truth trust. In this little volume, Flavel undertakes to explain the doctrine of Providence and express the comfort that comes from it. "It is a great support and solace of the saints in all distresses that befall them here," writes Flavel, "that there is a wise Spirit sitting in all the wheels of motion, and governing the most eccentric creatures and their most pernicious designs to blessed and happy issues. And, indeed, it were not worth while to live in a world devoid of God and Providence."

I find that God's superintending of all events is not a doctrine of fatalism, but a doctrine that brings great hope and joy...and this is the attitude that Flavel takes as well. He gives us many reasons to rejoice in Providence, and I'll be reflecting on those reasons as I prepare for Thanksgiving.

One place where Flavel begins is God's providence in our "formation and protection in the womb." On this subject, he reflects not only on body but also our human endowment with a "reasonable soul". Here we have a fit topic for reflection as we enter into a season of thanksgiving: what bodily health and vitality do we enjoy. What are the scope of our physical activities. What physical attributes has God blessed us with: strength, endurance, dexterity, keen senses? How have we enjoyed the blessing of having a spirit in us that is unique to humanity? Even in our challenges...in what ways do they increase our dependence upon God's grace? What has God worked through our physical and spiritual attributes? All of these things lead us to give thanks to God.

Now go forth and do something physical today -- run a few laps, work in the yard, stretch your muscles...and give thanks to God for this Providence.

Soli Deo Gloria

Russell

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For more information, or to purchase this book, CLICK HERE.