November 14, 2007

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

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