Checking Out The Gems

This next week, Banner's U.S. office will launch the "Discover Our Hidden Treasures" sale. A bookstore manager had emailed me, 'Can you give us a list of Banner books that do NOT sell well.' When I asked him why, he replied, 'There's no such thing as a 'bad' Banner book. If a book isn't selling, it must be a HIDDEN TREASURE that someone better tell us about!" What a great idea (thanks, KC!). The flier, with 40%-45% savings will go out this next week. Here on the blog, I thought I'd feature some of those HIDDEN TREASURES during the coming days. So stay tuned. The first treasure to be featured here is ....

THE MILK OF THE WORD
An Introduction to the Christian Faith
by Peter Barnes
List Price: $6.00 (U.S. currency)
GEM Price: $3.60 (40% off)
Here's what the back of this book says,
----------------------------------
"Peter Barnes writes with the strong conviction that the spread of biblical doctrine across the earth is the great need of this age. In clear, simple terms, and with constant appeal to Scripture, he gives an introduction to fundamental truths of the Faith. This is a book which will be found of great value to all who have a heart-hunger for the knowledge of God. Chapter titles: The Word of God; The Triune God; Jesus Christ: God and Man; The Atonement; The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit."
----------------------------------
After taking another look at this short paperback (just 79 pages), it is exactly what that says - "simple terms" abound, and Scripture is used everywhere. If you know a relatively new believer, this would be great. But I can see a dad reading this to the family, with kids looking up the Scripture references as you go. Also, I know a young guy who is not a believer and has grown up fairly ignorant of the Word or church - I'm thinking of giving him a copy.
Another value that I found in this book is the list of other books recommended for deeper study in his "For Further Reading" section at the end of each chapter. After the chapter, "The Word of God," for example, he recommends: "Thy Word is Truth, by E.J. Young (Banner of Truth, 1963), "God Has Spoken," J.I. Packer (Hodder & Stoughton, 1979), and "Christ and the Bible," by J.W. Wenham (Tyndale Press, 1972). Did you note that they aren't just Banner books that are recommended? So within these 79 pages, you get some sips of milk with added good recipes and ingredients for more solid meat along the way. At a price of $6.00, I think this is a good book to always have on hand, ready to give as a gift (I love to give away books). But at this special $3.60 price, all the better.
Watch for our HIDDEN TREASURES flier in the mail, or email me your desire to get a copy and I'll reply with the PDF attached. Grace & peace. Steve.

It was 18 years and 10 months ago when this picture could have been me at home - a brand new dad amazed that fingers could be so small. Today, those tiny fingers are now attached to what you see pictured here, on the right. And tomorrow (Friday) morning, our family will take those fingers, along with the rest of our oldest daughter and LOTS AND LOTS OF STUFF (or so I'm told) to begin life away from Mom and Dad and her two sisters ... on her own, with God. And if I continue this thought beyond what I've already typed, I will have problems seeing my computer screen. Where DOES the time go? Amazing - We will miss her.
With that in mind, I'm going to postpone our "Fabulous Friday" list until next week. I guess my mind has been elsewhere today. Thanks for your prayers, the emails that some of you have sent, and even the couple of calls I've had with a few of you today. Always good to hear from you. I'm "off" tomorrow, so will catch you back here next week. Grace & peace. Steve.
ADDENDUM, FRIDAY NIGHT - We're back home. It was a good day, but this is hard. All in time, right? Good night.

Family Worship!

I love this picture. I met Nathan, the father of these two, at this past May's Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference; I found this picture over at his Facebook Web site. He called it, "Family Worship," and it serves as another reminder to all of us that such family times are incredibly important. How many of you regularly gather your families together for a time of worship there in your own home? Reading the Word ... Singing in worship ... Praying together as a family. It can be a struggle at times, given how busy life can become. Is such "Family Worship" happening in your home? If so, what does it look like?

I'm Coming To Louisville!

I finally got my plans worked out to visit Louisville, KY, with a good bit of time on the campus of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I've actually gotten to know a few of you SBTS students and hope to at least have some coffee with you during this trip. I arrive Thursday, September 6, a little after 12:00 noon and will be in town for a couple of days, definitely spending some time in the Seminary bookstore Friday afternoon, plus a few other places. If you want to get some time together, let me know, OK? I'm looking forward to it.

Hidden Treasures Abound!

Wow, when it comes to gems, we all know about those sparklie kind that costs TONS of money and seem so small and easy to lose (at least to guys like me). BUT there's also the book kind that costs a whole lot less and, depending on the book, can be of eternal value! Now which would you choose? Diamonds or a Banner book? Rubies or a Banner book? The answer, of course, is ... the diamonds or rubies BECAUSE we could sell them and buy more Banner books!!!!!
:-)
Anyway, in putting the new promotions mailer together (shown here, on the right), it's been great discovering for myself some of the "gems" or "hidden treasures" here inside the U.S. Banner of Truth warehouse, especially some of the biographies of people whose names you would never recognize ... but God would, and does! Good stuff! Solid stuff! I've listed a lot of them in the mailer at 40%-45% off, but do you think that's too much of a discount? I mean, we want to get them into the hands of people who will read them, but I can't forget that I'm taking my firstborn daughter to college this Friday, too!
:-)
The mailer will be available soon, I promise. Make sure I have your email address and I'll include you in the first wave that goes out! Grace & peace. Steve.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "Through the Year, with William Still"

You will definitely be seeing more of this book as the year draws closer to an end. With its daily readings starting in January, this is a perfect book to be thinking, even now, as a great gift idea for whomever ... Just to put a little "bug" in your ear, as they say (who is that "they," anyway? Ever wonder that?) :-)
Grace & peace. Steve.

BOOK REVIEWED: "Through the Year, with William Still"
REVIEWER: Andrew, at Marks of Authentic Mission blog
EXCERPT FROM THIS REVIEW: "Sinclair Ferguson has publicly stated that no one has had a greater spiritual impact on his life than William Still! William Still was the minister of Gilcomston South Church, Aberdeen, from 1945 to 1997. While his name may not feature in the official annals of the Church of Scotland, it is doubtful whether any other individual in his Church during the latter half of the twentieth century had such a profound or widespread influence. For over fifty years Mr Still pioneered a single-minded commitment to expository preaching and congregational prayer which made Gilcomston a beacon of Reformed and evangelical Christianity in Scotland. A man whose very life breathed the grace and love of God, no one who ever met him, received his counsel, or sat under his ministry, could have escaped the sheer Christlikeness of Mr Still's life. In the early days of his ministry he wrote: "There is no part of me, or of my life, that I will withhold from the work that God has called me to." It was one of the marks of his evident commitment to the service of Christ that he devoted himself to the pastoral care of his people, providing them with daily Bible reading notes that would feed their souls and prepare them for works of service. The "Notes", which appeared in the monthly "Congregational Record", soon became highly sought after across Scotland, the United Kingdom, and even to the far-flung corners of the world, increasing in many a love for and commitment to the Word of God. Drawn from every book in the Bible, this selection, edited and arranged by David C. Searle, will take the reader through the year with William Still. These pages will explain what it means to live under the authority of Scripture, to exalt the glorious Person of Christ, and to rejoice in the wonder of the gospel. "To commend these Daily Bible Readings of William Still is both a privilege and a pleasure. Although my exposure to Mr Still's preaching ministry was episodic, I never failed to benefit deeply, both from his insights into the text, and from the way he located the text within the flow of redemptive history. Whatever else William Still was he was never dull. These Daily Readings will enlarge your biblical horizons, lift up our Lord Jesus Christ, and challenge you to see the life of faith as a response to astonishing grace." (Rev. Ian Hamilton, Cambridge Presbyterian Church.This is a handsomely bound volume containing nearly 400 pages which can be obtained from the Banner of Truth Trust, Amazon and the Book Depositoryor Evangelical Book Shop Belfast.Along with his three volume 'Works' published by Rutherford House, 'The world of grace' and 'the work of the Pastor' this will be a most valued book in any Christian's library.
-----------------------------------------
To access the blog where this review appeared, click HERE.
For more information, or to buy this book, click HERE.

Ahhhh, that Special Fellowship at the Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference!

I had no idea, but apparently each year at the annual Banner of Truth U.S. Minsters' Conference, the men attending from the RPCNA and the ARPC get their picture taken together. I just saw this picture recently elsewhere on the Web. Check it out ... young and old, new and "well-seasoned," this speaks to the great brother-to-brother fellowship that takes place each year at the Banner conference. You may have heard me say that, even though I live nearby, I stay on campus with the rest of the guys just to be a part of that fellowship. If your a guy in ministry, or preparing to be one (pastor, elder, deacon, missionary, chaplain, seminary student), give some serious thought to joining us for the 2008 conference, May 27-28, with Iain Murray, Richard Philips, and more. If you have any pictures of previous conferences, let me know. I might like to use some as we put together the brochure for next year's event. Thanks. Steve.

From Inside the Banner Walls ...

As one week ends, and another begins ...
(1) Our warehouse manager, Jake, returns on Monday. He's been off for two weeks as he and his wife have adopted a baby boy. We are all very excited for them and are looking forward to having him back.
(2) In Jake's absence, the Lord provided Jared, a recent high school graduate that I met two years ago while he was working at a local office products store. That ongoing relationship put me into Jared's life so, when I learned of his sudden unemployment just days before Jake was to leave, I took it as the Lord's provision. Jared worked full-time these last two weeks and quickly became appreciated by all. He did a great job. Thanks, Jared!
(3) We will soon be extending the second floor in our U.S. warehouse to get more space. I met with a guy this week to discuss. We continue to grow here at Banner, releasing more new books and receiving more inventory in the U.S. warehouse due to the fact that we are now printing here in the U.S. All good things!
(4) The new mailer is done and should be in the mail soon (I can email it sooner; if interested send me your email address). This will be something different - featuring the "Hidden Treasures" within the Banner warehouse - great books that many of you might just not be aware of, and we'll be offering them at substantial discounts!
(5) On a personal note, this is the last week before we take our first-born daughter to college. I cut her umbilical cord over 18 years ago - Where does the time go?
Grace & peace ... Have a great weekend ... Steve

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "Temptation: Resisted & Repulsed," by John Owen

BOOK REVIEWED: "Temptation: Resisted & Repulsed," by John Owen, abridged and made easier to read by Richard Rushing - A Puritan Paperback from Banner of Truth
REVIEWER: Bill at Freedom Fighters blog
EXCERPT FROM HIS REVIEW: "This summer I read a book that I have wanted to read for several years but just couldn't get through it. Puritan John Owen has a huge work on temptation, but our friends at Banner of Truth recently released an abridged edition. IT IS A MUST READ!!! For the next several days, I want to share with you some nuggets that I have gleaned from the book that I believe we all need to hear in regards to temptation.
"It was helpful for me to understand the definition of temptation: 'A temptation, in general, is anything that, for any reason, exerts a force or influence to seduce and draw the mind and heart of man from the obedience which God requires of him to any kind of sin. In particular, it is a temptation if it causes a man to sin, gives him opportunity to do so, or causes him to neglect his duty. Temptation may suggest evil to heart, or draw out the evil that is already there! It is also a temptation to a man if something is by any means able to distract him from his communion with God, or the consistent universal obedience that is required of him. To clarify, I am considering temptation not just as the active force of seduction to sin, but also the thing itself by which we are tempted. Whatever it is, within us or without us, that hinders us from duty or provides an occasion for sin, this should be considered temptation. It could be business, employment, the course of one's life, company, affections, nature, corrupt purposes, relations, delights, honor, reputation, esteem, position, abilities, gifts, etc., that provide the opportunity to sin or neglect duty. These are true temptations just as much as the most violent solicitations of Satan or allurements of the world. Whoever does not realize this in on the brink of ruin."
Temptation - Resisted and Repulsed, by John Owen
"Think through your particular temptations through the lens of this powerful definition of temptation. My guess is that you never thought about it that way - well I hope you will now."
------------------------------
To read this review in its entirety, click HERE.
For more information, and/or to buy the book, click HERE.

IT'S FABULOUS FRIDAY - August 17, 2007

Hmmm - Can you believe it totally slipped my mind that today is Friday? Sorry. But since I did post last week's list EARLY, on Thursday, maybe it all balances out. Regardless, here it is - Not all of what we have, but 60 of the titles on our ever-so-slightly-damaged shelves. And, in case you're new ... these "ever-so-slightly-damaged" books that are available at 50% discount from the U.S. office of Banner of Truth. To make a purchase:
(1) Remember, these books are damaged, although slightly!
(2) Quantities are limited, in some cases VERY limited; if we run out ... sorry!
(3) Shipping is at your expense.
(3) Call us at 1-800-263-8085; you can't place this order over our Web site (open till 4:00 p.m., eastern time, on Friday).
Believe it our not, my total list is over 250 titles (even though we may have just one available copy of a number of them on our damaged shelves). As before, if you'd like to see the full current list, send me an email and I'll send it to you (Excel spreadsheet). Grace & peace. Steve
===============================================

Title	List Price	Damaged Price: 50% Off
Acceptable Sacrifice	$8.00	$4.00
All Loves Excelling	$7.00	$3.50
All Round Ministry	$15.00	$7.50
An A-Z of Christian Truth	$21.00	$10.50
Apostasy From the Gospel	$9.00	$4.50
Art of Prophesying	$8.00	$4.00
Authority	$5.00	$2.50
Basis of Christian Unity	$7.00	$3.50
Behind a Frowning Providence	$2.50	$1.25
Biblical Doctrines	$28.00	$14.00
Bleeding of the Evangelical Church	$2.00	$1.00
Body of Divinity PB	$16.00	$8.00
Call the Sabbath a Delight	$7.50	$3.75
Callings	$19.00	$9.50
Calvinism: Pure and Mixed	$7.00	$3.50
Case for Traditional Protestantism	$14.00	$7.00
Charity and Its Fruits	$19.00	$9.50
Christ Triumphant	$25.00	$12.50
Christian in Complete Armour	$48.00	$24.00
Christian Life	$10.00	$5.00
Christian Love	$6.00	$3.00
Christian View of Man	$10.75	$5.38
Christian, Following Christ as Lord	$8.50	$4.25
Christians Grieve Too	$2.50	$1.25
Come Down, Lord	$3.75	$1.88
Communion With God	$9.00	$4.50
Counterfeit Miracles	$12.00	$6.00
Cross, The Vindication of God	$2.00	$1.00
Daily Prayer and Praise Vol 1	$8.00	$4.00
Day God Made,The	$8.00	$4.00
Discourses and Sayings of Our Lord Vol 3	$23.00	$11.50
Discovering God's Will	$7.75	$3.88
Divine Challenge	$15.00	$7.50
Divine Glory of Christ	$5.00	$2.50
Doctrine of God	$36.00	$18.00
Earnest Ministry	$18.00	$9.00
Ecclesiastes	$20.00	$10.00
Elizabeth Prentiss	$24.00	$12.00
Ernest C. Reisinger: A Biography	$29.75	$14.88
Evangelicalism Divided	$23.00	$11.50
Evangelistic Sermons	$17.00	$8.50
Everlasting Righteouness	$9.00	$4.50
Final Word	$7.00	$3.50
Force of Truth	$5.75	$2.88
Forgotten Spurgeon	$10.50	$5.25
Fraser Tallach: Not a Private Matter	$9.00	$4.50
Galatians, John Brown	$29.00	$14.50
Gateway to the Old Testament	$12.00	$6.00
Genesis	$39.75	$19.88
George Whitefield Vol 2	$45.00	$22.50
George Whitefield's Journal	$25.00	$12.50
Glorious Body of Christ	$19.00	$9.50
Glorious Freedom	$8.00	$4.00
God and Cosmos	$13.00	$6.50
God Centered Evangelism	$10.00	$5.00
God is Love	$10.00	$5.00
God Transcendent	$10.00	$5.00
Gospel of Free Acceptance in Christ	$28.00	$14.00
Grace and the Gentiles	$11.00	$5.50
Great Divide	$8.75	$4.38

OH NO! I FORGOT!

It's Friday, isn't it??? Sorry! I got busy with who knows what ... I'll get some slightly-damaged books up on the blog soon. Stay tuned.
Steve

Could You Help?

I recently received the following email - How would YOU respond? What lists would you suggest?
-----------------------------------
Dear BOT
I have read from your resources for well over 10 years and am blessed by your devotion to keeping alive treasures from Christians who have been inspired by our Lord to write wonderful commentaries on scripture, faith, and living in Him.
Our son is 13 and is an avid reader.
I was wondering if you would give some sincere, studied thought to 10 books that you feel are by far the best 10 books (for a teenager) in your library of 100's.
Our son reads at a high school level, sometimes 800 pages in a day (if he isn't playing hockey or tennis) so, he is definitely a mature reader.
Second, if I may ask, could you list 10 books that are the top ten for an adult.
I know this is a bit of a big request, so, please, please take your time.
Many, many Blessings.
B_____
----------------------------------
So what do you think? What would be your (10) Banner "must read" books for a high school student, and then what would be your (10) Banner "must read" books for an adult ... and would these lists be the same, or different?
Anxiously awaiting your responses! :-)
Steve

Remembering One of Our "Family"

The following comment was added to a previous post, but I was thinking that few people might see it there, and it was something I just wanted to share as part of the "Banner family." My post referenced the recent homegoing of Pastor Scott Petersen, indeed a part of this "Banner family," and one who enjoyed that special preaching and fellowship of the Banner Ministers' Conference. Anyway, here's the note from Peter to me (thanks, Peter).
Steve
-----------------------
Dear Steve, on behalf of the family and friends of Scott Petersen, I would like to thank you for your prayers and good work. Scott greatly appreciated your work at BOT and loved the Banner Conference. Though I had bought Banner books and subscribed to BOT, Scott got me attending BOT beginning with the 2005 Conference, and D.V., I shall continue. Scott was a dear friend and mentor to me, and the man who ordained me. He was a champion of biblical Christianity in a place and a denomination where many hearts have grown cold. May his life be a call to all to return to our First Love, whole-heartedly, and at any cost. Because I love Christ and Scott, I say, Soli Deo Gloria!
Rev. Peter Butler Jr.
www.secondrefirvington.blogspot.com

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "Andrew Bonar: Diary and Life"

I hate to say this, but ... the Banner of Truth warehouse here in the U.S. is temporarily out of this title. But I'm going to share this OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review with you anyway in hopes that you might make a mental note for a future purchase (as in a gift for someone special?). Grace & peace. Steve.

--------------------------------
BOOK REVIEWED: "Andrew Bonar: Life and Diary"
REVIEWER: Rosemary, at The Seasonings of the Heart blog
THE REVIEW: "Eating lunch at an Indian restaurant followed by spending a chunk of time at a used bookstore makes for a happy midday date for my husband and me. Add to that the discovery Andrew A. Bonar, Diary and Life published by Banner of Truth Trust, and I’m (as we used to say in Tennessee) happy as a pig in mud. Andrew Bonar seems best known as the author of the Life of Robert Murray M’Cheyne, which is why I recognized the name when I saw the book on the shelf.
The entries in Bonar’s diary reveal a man devoted to God and his work, yet keenly aware of his frailties and shortcomings. He was convinced of the necessity of prayer and preaching the pure Gospel, and his life was an example of living out what he preached, but he often lamented his failure to pray and serve and know God as he should. (This was a man who prayed for hours each day!)
From the Introduction: The main lesson we learn from the life of Andrew Bonar, as indeed from all the great saints of God, is that what is real in the life of man has more affinity with the solitude of the closet than with the stir of outward things. If reality in religion is to be reached again by the present generation of Christians, then the outward must occupy less of our time and the inward more.
Yes. Most of us spend our time distracted by the “outward,” and even when we focus on the “inward” our interest has a self-centered core. We want our lives to run smoothly, for troubles to be dispatched quickly and easily, for relationships to be enjoyable rather than messy. How different it would be if the first passion of our lives was to love God with all our mind, soul and strength and every activity of our lives served the purpose of making Him known in the world.
--------------------------------
You can still order the book now and we'll ship it as soon as it arrives. To do so, click HERE.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "Jesus Himself: The Story of the Resurrection," by Marcus Loane

BOOK REVIEWED: "Jesus Himself: The Story of the Resurrection," by Marcus Loane
REVIEWER: Pastor Erik Raymond, Omaha Bible Church at the Irish Calvinist blog
THE REVIEW: "Jesus Himself, The Story of the Resurrection," is a heart stirring little book that endeavors to bring you through a harmonization of the gospel accounts of the resurrection. Loane interacts with the events on that glorious resurrection morning with affectionate contemplation and historical commentary. Additionally, Loane takes us through the events of the days ahead where Jesus appeared to so many of his disciples.
The book is short (126 pages) and is by no means intended to be an exhaustive commentary. Rather it serves well as a devotional review of the resurrection. The chapters themselves are short and move quickly. Some of the chapter titles are listed below:
- Certain Women
- Emmaus
- The Fire of Coals
- The Heart of Love
I enjoyed portions of the book where Loane was intentional in his exhortation and application. In particular the writer was helpful in the chapter entitled, "The Heart of Love." This was the chapter dealing with our Lord's questioning of Peter's love for him (Jn. 21.17ff). I would have liked to see him do this type of thing more throughout the book. For the stirring of affections to marvel translates in a life that is lived out of a response of seeing and being impressed with Jesus, to the glory of God.
This would be a great book for folks to read as a family or even in a small group to interact with the devotional commentary by Loane. If you are leading such a group (at home or in another setting), I would suggest writing up some application questions or points of exhortation.
"Jesus Himself," can be ordered via the Banner of Truth bookstore.
---------------------------------
To access this review at the Irish Calvinist blog, click HERE.
To learn more of this book, and/or to buy it, click HERE.

Fellowship in the Woods

Each year, our church goes camping for a weekend. And when I say "our church," I pretty much mean just about the entire church. With a weekly attendance usually a bit shy of 200, this past weekend we had over 120 people camping, plus another 40+ visiting for a day. It is a great time of fellowship for all. Our family got our pop-up camper to the beautiful Cowan's Gap State Park in between thunderstorms; that's good! Setting up in the rain, let alone a thunderstorm, is always an undesirable task. And the rest of the weekend was warm and dry, perfect for swimming, volleyball, early morning runs, Saturday night's singing and Sunday morning's worship. I had the Sunday morning service. I love teaching and preaching outside like that, surrounded by families in lawn chairs, etc., as we open the Word together. Our challenge was God's message to Samuel that God does not look on the outward stature of a man, but God looks upon the heart. And what does it look like when a man has a heart that beats after God's own heart, as David did. I have a hard time preaching such messages when I know that I stand there wishing that my own heart beat more after God's. Anyway, I was out of the office on Friday, but Walter Chantry's new book, "David: Man of Prayer, Man of War," arrived. It's here, and it looks GREAT! Pastor Chantry even stopped in late Friday afternoon and left me a signed copy on my desk (thanks, Walt). While I can't offer you all signed copies, I can certainly encourage you to get this latest book from Banner of Truth! More to come. Steve.

How about a "Discovering the Lost Treasures" Sale?

With attention being given to all of the new releases from Banner of Truth (14 in the past 4 months alone, with 9 more coming this Fall!), I'm beginning to see how some "Banner Treasures," as I'll call them, could get forgotten. A perfect example was Tim Challies' recent mention of Leahy's, "The Cross He Bore." Tim was right; this is an absolute gem worth re-reading annually! But it's only one of many such gems in this building! It had sadly become one of our "Lost Treasures" until Tim brought it back into the light of day! Hmmmm. It makes you wonder what other "treasures" are in this place, doesn't it? Hidden treasures awaiting rediscovery, or even discovery for the first time by a whole new generation! So, I got to thinking ... Let's have a "Discovering the Lost Treasures" Sale! I'm already working on it - a mailing that will feature an incredible number of titles with savings ... well ... savings bigger than you'd normally see from Banner. And remember, these are NOT damaged books! Just "Lost Treasures" from within the recesses of our U.S. warehouse that need to be rediscovered, or discovered for the first time by a whole new generation. Interested? Email me (steve@banneroftruth.org) your mailing address, and I'll make sure you're on our list. But do it soon. I'm close to getting this mailing out of here!

It's FABULOUS FRIDAY - August 10, 2007

Posted a little early, since I'm headed out of town this weekend!
Anyway ... briefly stated ... in case you're new ... the following is a partial list of the "ever-so-slightly-damaged" books that are available at 50% discount from the U.S. office of Banner of Truth. To make a purchase:
(1) Remember, these books are damaged, although slightly!
(2) Quantities are limited, in some cases VERY limited; if we run out ... sorry!
(3) Shipping is at your expense.
(3) Call us at 1-800-263-8085; you can't place this order over our Web site.
Believe it our not, my total list is 284 titles (even though we may have just one available copy of a number of them on our damaged shelves). I suppose if you'd like to see the full list, send me an email and I'll send it to you (Excel spreadsheet). Grace & peace. Steve.
----------------------------------

Banner of Truth's
Ever-So-Slightly-Damaged Books
8/9/2007
ISBN	Title	List Price	Damaged Price
2778	1 Corinthians, Wilson-OP	$8.00	$4.00
3393	1&2 Thessalonians, Wilson 339-5	$8.00	$4.00
8206	1&2 Timothy and Titus 820-6	$28.00	$14.00
2952	2 Corinthians, Wilson 295-X	$8.00	$4.00
1962	James, Thomas Manton 074-4	$27.00	$13.50
4567	Jeremiah Vol 1, John Calvin 547-9	$23.00	$11.50
5151	Jeremiah Vol 2, John Calvin 548-7	$23.00	$11.50
5601	Jeremiah Vol 3, John Calvin 549-5	$23.00	$11.50
5168	Jeremiah Vol 4, John Calvin 550-9	$23.00	$11.50
8701	Jeremiah Vol 5, John Calvin 551-7	$23.00	$11.50
1122	Joel, Amos, Obadiah, John Calvin 474-X	$22.00	$11.00
5779	John Owen on the Christian Life 503-7	$39.75	$19.88
5083	Jonah, Micah, Nahum, John Calvin 475-8	$22.00	$11.00
5397	Judges, Andrew R. Fausset 762-5	$25.00	$12.50
1665	Leviticus 086-8	$26.50	$13.25
6912	Owen Vol 13 - Ministry and Fellowship 063-9	$28.00	$14.00
0125	Owen Vol 14 - True and False Religion 062-0	$28.00	$14.00
3348	Owen Vol 2 - Communion With God 124-4	$28.00	$14.00
8879	Owen Vol 4 - Reason of Faith 068-X	$28.00	$14.00
3423	Owen Vol 8 - Semons to the Nations 066-3	$28.00	$14.00
1870	Psalm 119 Vol 2, Thomas Manton	$26.67	$13.34
6578	Psalm 119 Vol 3, Thomas Manton	$26.66	$13.33
3225	Psalm 119, Charles Bridges 176-7	$29.00	$14.50
5090	Psalms, David Dickson 481-2	$39.00	$19.50
9265	Romans 1 - Gospel of God 467-7	$34.00	$17.00
8251	Romans 10 - Saving Faith 737-4	$36.00	$18.00
7834	Romans 7:1-8:4 - The Law 180-5	$35.75	$17.88
3621	Romans 8:5-17 - The Sons of God 207-0	$34.00	$17.00
6554	Romans 9 - God's Sovereign Purpose 579-7	$32.00	$16.00
7339	Sermons on 2 Samuel, John Calvin 578-9	$47.00	$23.50
6592	Sermons On Hebrews Vol 3, M'Cheyne 875-3	$24.00	$12.00
0934	Works of Brooks - Vol 5	$27.00	$13.50
3003	Works of David Clarkson - Vol 1	$23.00	$11.50
4826	Works of David Clarkson - Vol 2	$23.00	$11.50
3683	Works of George Swinnock Vol 3	$27.00	$13.50
7919	Works of George Swinnock Vol 4	$27.00	$13.50
8008	Works of George Swinnock Vol 5	$27.00	$13.50
1108	Works of John Bunyan Vol 3	$33.00	$16.50
4598	Works of John Newton Vol 1	$27.00	$13.50
3553	Works of John Newton Vol 3	$27.00	$13.50
5953	Works of John Newton Vol 4	$27.00	$13.50
3102	Works of Jonathan Edwards Vol 2 217-8	$48.00	$24.00
9395	Works of Richard Sibbes Vol 1 169-4	$27.00	$13.50
3270	Works of Richard Sibbes Vol 7 341-7	$27.00	$13.50
5588	Writings of John Murray Vol 1 241-0	$41.00	$20.50
7278	Writings of John Murray Vol 2 242-9	$41.00	$20.50
5571	Writings of John Murray Vol 4340-9	$41.00	$20.50
8138	Zechariah, Malachi, John Calvin 476-6	$27.00	$13.50

Don't Forget ...

Tomorrow is "FABULOUS FRIDAY"!
Don't tell anyone, but I'll be posting this Friday's "ever-so-slightly-damaged" books from Banner later this afternoon (Thursday), since I'll be camping with the family tomorrow. Actually, go ahead an tell anyone you'd like!
:-)

"Nah, I'm just not much of a reader."

I hear this too often. "I'm into video games, or movies ... not books" or "I don't like to read." Josh Sowin, over at Desiring God Ministries, wrote a commentary a short time ago that I'd like to direct your attention to. Here's how it starts; click on the link to read the entire article. And then, go make sure you're in a good book!
-----------------------
"Christians are people of the book: God purposely chose the medium of typography to deliver his revelation to us. In that book, we are commanded to love God with our hearts and our minds (Matthew 22:34-40). This gives Christians a clear command to use their intellects — to be, in other words, a kind of intellectual.
Reading is one of the best ways to develop our minds. It can help us to know God and ourselves, gain vicarious experience, increase our perception and imagination, train our minds to think critically and logically, and teach us self-discipline. (For more on this, see Neil Postman's excellent Amusing Ourselves to Death.)But we have a problem: our culture is becoming alliterate. We have the ability to read but not the desire. Or maybe some of us have the desire but not the time. We make time to watch television and surf the Internet for the latest triviality, but we can't seem to make the time to sit down and read for an hour.
Christians should be readers. We should read and meditate on the Bible, of course, but we should also read theology. Good theology systematizes and explains the Bible in ways we would be pressed to come up with on our own. Few of us are a Jonathan Edwards, John Owen, J. I. Packer or John Piper, and we would be wise to learn from them."
---------------------
I would really like to work with individual churches, and entire denominations, to promote reading among God's people, helping churches establish book tables to bring solid books to the people within the church, etc. Want to help?
--------------------
To read the entire post, click HERE

It Will Be Here Friday (or so we're being told!)

This is the last of our summer releases, and we have been WAITING for it - as have many of you who have already back-ordered this new book! Austin, in our warehouse, just took the call; it will be delivered here to Banner of Truth's U.S. warehouse this Friday, August 10. We will do our best to get the back-orders filled A.S.A.P. If you haven't already ordered it, check it out! I happen to have received two copies of the book before they received their clothbound covers, so let me share the introduction with you? Read on, my friends!

David: Man of Prayer, Man of War
by Walter J. Chantry
ISBN #: 978-0-85151-9531
304 pages -- Clothbound
U.S. List Price: $18.00

INTRODUCTION
"Only the supreme providence of God and the unfathomable depths of divine grace could have conceived and forged the life of David. God made the son of Jesse into the emblem of the kingly office which only Christ would fulfil more gloriously. He embodied all the qualities of manly nobility and charm. Everyone in his day loved David, except the most ugly and despicable figures. It is just the same for those in our day who hear the history of Samuel and Chronicles being read.

"David lived through the most diverse conditions of human experience, and this alone calls forth our deepest feelings of sympathy. For a time he enjoyed the solitude of a pastoral scene. Yet, suddenly he was transported to the royal court and called into service as a balladeer.

"This in turn was nly a setpping-stone to his becoming the champion of the armies of Israel, the subject of young women's songs and old men's toasts.

"The truth is that David never settled into one niche for long. Soon after being heralded as a hero, the young man became a hunted refugee, a dashing figure as he led a band of outlaws in the deserts. Again with suddenness David became king of Judah and a few years later of Israel as well. He vanquished all of his and his peole's foes, establishing a kingdom that would last for four hundred years. But no sooner was this accomplished than he was plunged into a foul sin, even though he had arrived at a mature age. Never again would he have peace. Thenceforth his family life proved to be filled with rebellion and murder.

"The one constant with David in every condition was expressed in Psalm 16:8: 'I have set the Lord always before .'

"In all the rapid alterations of his life David thought of the Most High God and expressed his devout feelings toward his Maker and Redeemer. When he wept in shame for his loathsome sins, his tears were poured out before the Lord. When he felt the exhilaration of triumph, he shouted to the Lord who was his strength.

"Perhaps this most of all explains the vast variety of David's life experiences. The Lord made him into the Psalmist for all the saints in all subsequent ages. In his youth he knew a peaceful, tranquil walk with God; in later years he both walked upon the heights and fell into the depths, and thus was enabled to compose prayerful songs for ever condition of life.

"No matter how high David rose above other men, his spirit was childlike toward the Lord. Therefore he did not make pretentious efforts of self-defence with others. His sorrow in confession was immediately and deeply expressed without any consideration for who might be watching. He who was equally at home holding the shepherd's staff, the warrior's sword, the poet's harp, and the ruler's sceptre, was completely transparent in the humbling of himself before the God of all the earth. This case and simplicity in worship draws out our deepest emotions as we read the life of David, King of Israel. We love this man for showing us how to pray from every point of life's compass. We love him for showing us how, in the midst of spiritual failure, we too can draw near to the Lord again in trust and devotion.

"Perfectionists will not be comfortable with David. Those who stumble often, but who always turn with melted hearts to God for pardon and help, will find in him a brother or all situations. Such people will love the sacred history of his life and find it totally engrossing."

Walter J. Chantry
February 2007

Banner Quotes from the Blogosphere

Taken from the book, "The Puritans: Their Origins and Successors"
Published by The Banner of Truth
“You need not always announce, and talk about what you are doing; and to act is more important than to talk. Knox did not attack, and call attention to it, and put up a placard and say that he was not going to use the Prayer Book; he just did not use it. That indicates moderation and great wisdom (D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, “John Knox - The Founder of Puritanism” page 264).”
Found at: A Brick in the Valley blog

Our Brother Has Gone Home.

I learned this morning that a pastor who was one of our past attendees at the Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference - someone whom some of you might have gotten to know, Pastor F. Scott Petersen, pastor of Fairfield Reformed Church (pictured at the left) and blogger at Ars Theologica - went to be with the Lord on Saturday, August 4, 2007. Please join us in keeping his family and the Fairfield Reformed Church in your prayers. The service will be held at Fairfield Reformed Church, 360 Fairfield Rd., Fairfield, NJ 07004 tomorrow (Tuesday, August 7th) at 11AM. In lieu of flowers, I have been told that financial donations may be sent to the church for the family to help pay for Scott's medical bills.

Here is what has been posted to Scott's blog:
"The author of this blog has gone to meet the Author of Life.
On Saturday morning, the Rev. Franklin Scott Petersen passed from this world into eternity following unsuccessful surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. Prayers are requested for his beloved wife, Deb and his two daughters, Emily and Sarah. This quote from famed evangelist D.L Moody is an appropriate one.
'Someday you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of Northfield is dead. Don't you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now. I shall have gone higher, that is all--out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal, a body that sin cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned like His glorious body. I was born in the flesh in 1837; I was born of the Spirit in 1856. That which is born of the flesh may die; that which is born of the Spirit will live forever.'
This blog will remain open for a time as a testament to Scott's faith and faithfulness so that "by faith he being dead may yet speak..."
----------------------------
To access this blogsite and leave any comments for Scott's family, click HERE.

OUTSIDE SOURCE Book Review: "The Hand of God"

BOOK REVIEWED: "The Hand of God," by Frederick Leahy
REVIEWER: Daniel Ritchie, from the "Reformed Covenanter" blog
EXCERPT FROM THE REVIEW: "Moreover, while wholeheartedly committed to doctrinal orthodoxy, Prof Leahy’s writings are always warmly devotional and highly practical; yet, in his critique of the Arminian view of redemption (chapter 4), he pulls no punches in exposing its errors. Furthermore, a number of helpful appendices have been included defending the historicity of the Genesis account, highlighting the baneful influence of evolution, and refuting the Openness of God heresy (which reduces God to a half-decent chess player). The only thing I don’t like about this book is that it is the last one by Prof. Leahy; however, through this - and his other writings - ‘he being dead still speaks’ (Heb. 11:4 NKJV). I hope that The Hand of God (as well as his books of the cross) has a wide readership - it certainly deserves it."
------------------------------
To read this entire review, click HERE.
For information on this book, or to buy it, click HERE.

I Just Wanted You All to Know ...

Among other things, we've been working on the 2008 Banner of Truth Ministers' Conference, set for May 27-29, Grantham (near Harrisburg), PA. I'll share the entire speaker line-up soon, but I'm excited to share with you that Iain H. Murray will be with us this next year. As you probably know, Iain is a co -founder of The Banner of Truth Trust. He served as assistant to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones for some fourteen years. He is currently one of the trustees of the Banner. And, of course, he has authored such titles as "Scottish Christian Heritage," "The Old Evangelicalism," "Revival and Revivalism," "Forgotten Spurgeon," "Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography," "The Life of A.W. Pink," and more! If you are are minister, elder, deacon missionary, chaplain, seminary student ... This will be a great conference for men in ministry. Please, take a permanent marker right now and get those dates on your 2008 calendar, or tell your pastors and elders and deacons that they really ought to be here! Grace & peace. Steve.

It's FABULOUS FRIDAY - August 3, 2007

Back again, "Fabulous Friday" here on the blog - simply an attempt to make the ever-so-slightly-damaged Banner of Truth books available to more people, at that great 50% off price! For details on any book, check it out in the "book catalogue" at http://www.banneroftruth.org/. To make a purchase, call us toll-free, 800-263-8085, or fax us, 717-249-0604; as said before, you won't find this elsewhere on the Web. Our Friday office hours are until 4:00 p.m., U.S. Eastern Time. Then we'll open at 8:30 Monday morning. And finally, the ground rules for purchasing damaged books:
(1) First come basis; if we run out ... Sorry!
(2) These books ARE damaged, although slightly ... you buy them "as is."
(3) Shipping is at your expense.
(4) You need to call or fax to order; you won't find these on the Banner Web site.
OK, here's this week's list, PLUS last week's. Feel free to spread the word and invite others to check it out. And, oh yes, if your eyesight is like mine, double-click on the tables and you should be back to that more familiar "large print version"! Grace & peace. Steve.

THIS WEEK'S LIST:

LAST WEEK'S LIST:

Don't Forget - Tomorrow (Friday) is ..

FABULOUS FRIDAY, when I'll be posting an additional list of ever-so-slightly-damaged books from our Banner of Truth North American warehouse, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, USA. Stop back and check it out for yourself. To check out the list from last Friday, click HERE.