The First Project...

The first book that I am going to review is C.J Mahaney's "Christ Our Mediator", a title worthy of being in the "Lifechange Books" series.

What is the "Lifechange Books" series? This series consists of a range of small, yet very snappy, books that are very practical in their focus and teaching. In my opinion, from the books that I have read in the series, these books are a worthy effort as they cover basic, yet many overlooked, topics that we need to have solid biblical teaching on. There are books on marriage, the importance of the gospel, prayer, the nature of, and call to, glorifying God, then others on purity, grace and truth paradox, and worship, to list but a few. Some of the authors include Louie Giglio, John Piper, C. J Mahaney, Randy Alcorn, Andy Stanley, which in my mind constitutes a good line up. Sometimes books, and series' of books, come along and make you stand up and pay attention, it is the case with the "Lifechange Series". As I have not read every title, my recomendation is not tied to each individual volume, but is a recommendation of the concept as a whole and all the titles that I have read so far, and a very genuine and whole-hearted recommendation at that! Check some of the titles out here, but if you want some do be sure to give us a shout at Inspire Books and Gifts first.

Who is C.J Mahaney? C.J Mahaney leads the Sovereign Grace Ministries team. You can read a short bio of him, on the Sovereign Grace website, here. You can also listen to Mahaney's testimony, which is a combination of personal testimony and record of the history of Covenant Life Church where he pastored from it's inception in 1977 until 2004, here. Mahaney genuinely is a rare man, and that in the best possible sense of the word. He has deep passions for Jesus, the Word, the cross, and people, and seeks to live out those passions, dependent on the Holy Spirit and the grace of God, with humility, and all for the glory of God and the good of others. (You can pick up alot of this by reading and listening to Mahaney, and to those who are close to him). With his deep, deep love for the cross, and all that Christ accomplished through, and because of His work on the cross, combined with his keen pastoral insight and heart, he is a good candidate for writing a book like this, as far as being a candidate for writing a book on the nature and work of the cross can go. Mahaney, himself, acknowledges his own weakness in the opening chapter of the book, where he writes:"Although on most days I recognise how inept and inadequate I am in various areas, I'm never more acutely aware of my inadequacy than when I address the suffering of Christ and its meaning". It's both refreshing, and challenging, to read a man point to Christ's total greatness and worthiness, his (Mahaney's) total sinfulness and depravity, and those two things being his grounds for rejoicing in, and loving, the gospel, and all that was accomplished at the cross, because it has enabled him as a sinner to see, know, and love Jesus in His glory! Mighty stuff!

Why "Christ our Mediator"? I will allow the blurb, from the back of the book, as an explanation for the book being in print. Then as posts unfold you will, hopefully, see the vision of Mahaney, in the writing of this book, become reality in truth and practice. Here it is:

"Do you desire more passion for Christ? Then learn to see His death not from our point of view, but from God's.
Author C. J. Mahaney puts you at our Saviour's side- and into His soul- during the most emotionally wrenching moments of His final hours. As you better understand the true nature of His struggle, you'll grasp more than ever the staggering significance of why Jesus died...and fully experience His sacrifice as a personal act of love for you.
Allow the deepest truths of Calvary to stir your passion for Christ our mediator into a flame that burns your whole life long."

Feel free to pick up a copy and read along with me. Please do keep checking back as the posts go up on this great little book.

A New Project.

As many of you will know, I love books. Sometimes that love is healthy and sometimes it is not. There, I can be honest, even when it means, at times, being negative about reading. Now, my reading tends to be mainly, if not only, of Christian material. The reason is not desiring to cut myself off from everything else but simply that, for me, reading takes alot of effort and I, generally, don't want to make that effort unless there is benefit in it and I gain most benefit from Christian material that sends you to the Bible and focuses you on Jesus. I know the arguments etc against such a focus so please don't feel the need to state them here. The negative times, therefore, are when I simply read for reading sake and for knowledge to fill my head and not to change my heart or life.

To the point...! With the acknowledgement that reading, especially alot, is not always beneficial, I think people would find it very difficult to give reasons why reading should be outlawed or banned. Having our minds stretched, and hearts stirred, by reading is much better than having our mind and senses numbed by excessive participation in time wasting pursuits. I think, as Christians (for those who are), our reading undoubtedly, and primarily, should be of the Scriptures. To the inspired and infallible Word there can be found no book of comparison. That being said, to supplement our reading of the Word with good books to aid, or challenge, us in our understanding of the Scriptures is a worthwhile task and pursuit.

So, for my benefit, and your information (I hope), I am embarking on a new project. Who knows how often it will happen, but, at times, it will happen. The project is to use this blog, as the title suggests, for reviews and recommendations. To use this as a platorm to formulate my thougts, on a particular book, in a coherent form, and for that to benefit, or encourage, you in some way in the pursuit of God-glorifying knowledge through reading.

Check back soon.