Alive in the Spirit by A. W. Tozer

This book is a compilation of writings on the Holy Spirit by A. W. Tozer.  I have to be honest in saying it is not the kind of book I expected but it was still beneficial.  Most of the book is devotional with short chapters that can be read daily in just a few minutes.  Each chapter ends with a few key questions to help you focus thinking on the Holy Spirit in your own life.

I tend to be one who likes a more substantial read when it comes to theological things.  That being said this is still full even though it is lighter reading than most of the theology books by Tozer I have read in the past.  It is very personal... filled with personal testimony and experiences from Tozer's life.  It is not packed full of scripture but it does have some that help make some of his points.  I like the use of testimony.  It can build up the body, too, and his stories are full of the hand of God in his life.

Since it is a compilation the writing does not flow well in some places so it is a bit disjointed but the topic is valid and the information is truth so I would give this one a 3.5 out of 5 and tell you that if you enjoy devotional reading this is a good fit for you.

This book was provided by Bethany House free of charge in exchange for an honest review.

What is Reformed Theology? by R. C. Sproul

I have been a Christian for over 40 years.  I grew up in a church that taught certain ideas based on a widely popular theology of the day and I never questioned that until I left for college and started studying on my own.  In college I began to hear more and more about God's grace and mercy.  Those two things drew me in... I had to know more about these ideas.  I joined a local church there in Abilene and attended like I had growing up but I began opening my own Bible more and tuning into some teaching on a local Christian radio station.  I started having spiritual conversations with other students.  I began to pick up books on these ideas by theologians and comparing what they taught to what my Bible actually said.  The more I studied the more important I realized the study of God was.  Theology is just that... the study of God.

 As Christians we are commanded to study and know God over and over again through the Bible.  It breaks my heart to hear Christians say things like, "I don't like theology because it just causes arguments." or "Theology is really not important as long as we just love God and love people we will be ok."  The study of God is how we get to know who He is and His nature and will for us.  The world is full of misinformation and misconceptions on the study of God and His word.  It is so important for us to know the truth... know what the Bible teaches us regarding Him and His Son Jesus.  The world does not hold those answers for us.  My mission to know Him truly started when I sat in that first Old Testament Bible Class at Hardin Simmons University and it continues still.  It is a lifelong journey that every believer should take.  

This book is a great start.  It is chock full of scripture and church history!  R. C. Sproul does such a beautiful job using scripture to show us what reformed theology is all about and why, based on that scripture, it is where he falls on the theological spectrum.  I have come to so many of the same conclusions as I have grown as a Christian over the years.  This is what I believe!

Sproul's writing is so thoughtful and logical.  He spends the first five chapters showing us where the idea of reformed theology started and how it developed over time through men like Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Calvin.  He shares how Luther came out of the Catholic tradition and the conclusions he came to based on his study of scripture.  

The second half of the book is spent addressing the five basic tenets of Reformed Theology using the TULIP acronym (check out the link for a series on this) to open up the dialog.  I won't go into detail here on each one because the book is so beautifully thorough on each point.  I encourage you to read the book for yourself to learn more about why churches teach certain ideas.  It might just answer some questions or clarify some ideas you have wondered about yourself.

Sproul has a real gift for bringing this history and explanation into layman's terms so that everyone can read and understand these ideas.  Martin Luther was doing the same thing when he tacked his 95 Theses on the church door.  These men felt that the masses should be able to know and understand the things of God 500 years ago, today and all the years in between.

As we are coming upon the 500th year since Luther's stand for reformation took place this book and the ideas contained in it are as relevant today as they were then. 

I give this book a solid 5 out of 5.  

This book was sent to me free of charge from Baker Books and all they ask in return is an honest review.

Learn more about R. C. Sproul and his Ligonier ministry.  He has written many great books over the years and as we come into this 500th year celebration of Reformed Theology he has some great resources to check out.  He also has a daily podcast/radio broadcast that you might be interested in checking out.

You Are Forgiven Study... beginning August 29th

I have been leading a group for the Love God Greatly studies for several years now.  I have a FB group that studies and prays together each session.  We have had some ladies leave and some join later throughout our time there but, for the most part, we are still the basic group we started with.

For most of that time we have been downloading the free study guides and reading plans along the way but this session I decided to actually get the book.  I had a little extra in savings I could use on such a splurge so I did.  I don't think I will go without from now on.  The books are great resources and hopefully, will keep me on track a bit more this time through.  I tend to get behind sometimes.

We begin our study on Monday and I am planning on blogging it a bit more than in the past.  I suppose ANY blogging about it would be more at this point.  LOL

If you are looking for a study they usually have great ones.  Another place for study is one hosted over at If:Gathering.... on their If:Equip page.  Jennie Allen started that ministry and it is fantastic.

So, what are you studying this Autumn?

Do you have a local group or do you study online somewhere you want to share with us?

A Woman's Guide to Knowing What You Believe by Patty Houser

This book is nonfiction. 

This is one of the most theologically sound books I have read in a long time.  It is full full full!  Patty Houser seeks, in this text, to teach us the importance of knowing exactly what you believe about God and His Word.  She encourages us to stay in the Word daily and to seek out the Truth of God.

Patty is a master communicator and writer!  So many books in the Christian realm are so fluffy these days with no substance and depth but this is CERTAINLY NOT ONE OF THOSE.  Patty is highly educated and well researched on matters of theology and Christian apologetics.  She lays the facts and information out very clearly for both the novice and the seasoned theologian.

For this year I have seen a recurring theme as God has spoken to me about how we should we live.  

The passage in Mark 12:30.... 

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and 

with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."  (ESV)

has been at the forefront of what I keep hearing and reading.  Patty's book addresses this theme over and over again.  

I mentioned apologetics and I have heard women (and men) say that they do not put stock in apologetic and feel that apologetics are divisive.  They clearly have no idea what apologetics are so I will not assume here that everyone knows that word.  Here is the definition of apologetics from the source carm.org...

The word, "apologetics," is derived from the Greek word, "apologia," which means to make a defense. It has come to mean defense of the faith. Apologetics covers many areas: who Jesus is, the reliability of the Bible, refuting cults, Biblical evidences in the history and archeology, answering objections, etc. In short, it deals with giving reasons for Christianity being the true religion. We are called by God to give an apologia, a defense: "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence," (1 Pet. 3:15).

More simply put in the book by Patty in the glossary section, apologetics is... a rational defense for the truth-claims of Christianity.  

I feel that apologetics are essential for all Christians and to say otherwise is a cop out.  Patty agrees and in her book she lays out how we should know what we believe and then how we should reach out to the world around us with the Truth of God's Word.  She encourages us to have a personal relationship with Christ and to KNOW HIM and His Word intimately.  

Her challenge to us is to KNOW what you believe...  

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

and then go into the world and give them the Truth to bring them to Christ.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20

This is an important book that will go on my shelf next to writers like C.S. Lewis and J.I. Packer because it is that valuable to our daily walk with Christ.  No, it is not the Bible but it exalts Christ and the Bible in a way that many modern day Christian writers completely miss.  It is a great resource for every Christian.

The book ends with a checklist of what we believe.  It is intended to show us where we might be unsure so that we might focus on those beliefs and really study them for ourselves.  Lifelong study is key and we can never know all there is to know about God but we should constantly be in search of His Truth.

Add this one to your resources if you are serious about your relationship with Christ and studying the Bible.  It is something for both new believers who are trying to figure out this journey and more mature Christians who have read and reread the Bible throughout their lifetime.  

Get it for yourself... gift it to a fellow Christian or new believer.... it will bless you both!

I give this one a solid 5 out of 5!

This book is published by Bethany House: a division of Baker Publishing Group.

This book was provided to me free of charge for an honest review.

Computer damage....

Mercy, I cannot catch a break with computers.  I have now spilled water on my newest computer and it is in time out until Sunday.... in rice.... hoping it dries out.  Prayers are appreciated.  I am setting another computer up with a monitor for the weekend for the Read-a-thon just to be able to use something other than my phone for checking the blog for all the fun stuff.  I am on my daughter's computer right now.  She is at school and gave me "permission" to use it.  She really does not mind at all.  

Secret Church is happening tomorrow night and I am scrambling to find a good way to set that up, too.  I was going to use my computer and it would be simple but now I am not and it just got more complicated.  Pray for this event that is being held all around the world.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon happens all day Saturday.  If I long term use of someone else's computer I will be online and if not I won't.... but I will be reading!  All day....

I also got my book in the mail today....

Full weekend ahead for me but in such a fun and relaxing way.

Pray for my computer.... God can even restore those!

Thanks, my friends!

New Lay Commentaries

I have been slowly collecting a few commentary series over the years for our shelves.  I have a few of the Holman Commentaries that started coming out a few years ago.  They are a little pricier as they first come out and so I have been buying them more slowly hoping for some used copies to save a little.  I am also collecting the Be Series by Warren Wiersbe.  As I study a book of the Bible I have been buying them used.  They are quite affordable because they have been on the market for about 40 years.  They have been republished a few times.  Sometimes I snag an old copy and sometimes I find the newer publications of them.  This particular one... the Genesis series... is in three volumes and I managed to get all of them in the newer publication for about $4.00 to $5.00 each.... WIN!!!  One of the best things about these is that they are written for the layperson (not theological seminary PhD pastor types).  So, anyone can read and understand them without a seminary degree.  I wanted something my teenagers could feel free to use, too, as they wanted to study.  Here is my new study series that was completed yesterday...  I will be reading them starting this weekend!

Nourishing the Mind and Body

We are coming to the end of our first week of Bible Study with the Good Morning Girls Luke study.  My youngest and I are reading through Luke 17 this week together and discovering some much needed lessons in forgiveness and gratitude.  I have been journaling my time each day in a cute little flowered composition notebook.  I am reading from my Holman Study Bible that my family gave me for Christmas last year.  I am also reading the Warren Wiersbe commentary called Courageous... it is a lay commentary on the second half of Luke.  It has been very enjoyable sitting outside in the mornings to read with the temperatures in the upper 60's and lower 70's as I sit out with my coffee to read.  God's word and the coolness and peacefulness of the mornings has been quite restorative.

We are eating very simple food these days and one of my favorites is a quesadilla loaded with fresh veg.  This particular one has Monterrey Jack Cheese and avocado with a homemade Pico de Gallo (onion, jalapeno, and tomato chopped together)

Add a simple fruit and big iced tea and there is a meal to nourish the body.

My children could live on these!  LOL

So, what is a quick meal you can make in minutes that you really enjoy eating?

Are any of you doing a Bible study this semester?  What are you working on?

I am headed to a Beth Moore Simulcast next weekend (September 14th).  Are any of you attending in your area?  I would love to hear from you!