Give me your book recommendations

God is the Gospel. This, the title of John Piper’s latest book, is a profound truth. For the meaning of gospel is “good news”, and how we define this news often stops short of the best news of all. Spiritual blessings, heavenly reunions, and the absence of Hell are certainly good news, but the satisfaction of our greatest desire is found only in God. I excitedly started to read, “God is the Gospel” last night, and even though I’m only a few chapters in, I just couldn’t wait to recommend it. I reserve the right to recommend this again … after finishing. Another unfinished book, of which I’ll have more to say, is T. M. Moore’s “Consider the Lilies: A Plea For Creational Theology”. If you love worship, (which all believers do, whether they realize it or not) then you’ll want to grow in your ability to see and appreciate God, and “Consider the Lilies” is a helpful tool to do just that.

Aren’t books great? Learning certainly doesn’t end with school, and a measure of a book’s greatness is its ability to reveal the greatest object of all … God. My pastor (Dale Meador) and I do a Friday morning radio show every other week where we recommend good books and take calls from listeners who also want to talk about what they're reading. Hopefully this encourages godliness, and a passion for the pleasure of knowing and worshiping God. Yesterday we recommended the following. Feel free to post a book recommendation or review. Who knows, maybe I'll read it over the S. Oregon airwaves.

What a Daughter Needs from Her Dad
by Michael Farris

To encourage and guide men in becoming the dads they want to be, Michael Farris addresses issues common in all families with daughters: friends, dating, personal appearance, and preparing for the roles she’ll have as a woman. Michael Farris challenges fathers to take their unique opportunity to train daughters for life’s challenges—in ways that only a dad can. Originally published as "How a Man Prepares His Daughters for Life", it now includes new material on relating to an adult daughter.
– From the publisher

God Is The Gospel
by John Piper

Most people, when they ponder what it means to be loved by God, think of the things that God does for us. John Piper writes that what is most loving about God is not his making much of us, but his enabling us, at great cost to himself, to enjoy making much of him forever.

– From the Publisher




The Problem of Pleasure
by Dr. John H. Gerstner

The question we are often prone to ask in our day is, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" But Dr. Gerstner draws our focus to the proper question, "Why do good things happen to bad people?" The presence of evil and suffering in this sinful world should not surprise us. What is truly surprising is that there is any pleasure at all in this world. This is simply because God is a good God, and has given us all things richly to enjoy. This booklet, also contained in Primitive Theology, will help you gain perspective and ask the right questions about life. – From the publisher


The Heart of the Bible
by John MacArthur

John MacArthur's personal selection of verses reflects what he considers to be the most significant thoughts to be found in God's Word. MacArthur speaks directly to the reader about the background of each verse and encourages their memorization. Reading the book will be almost like listening to a radio interview with MacArthur. The book allows him to do what he does best - make the Bible come alive for people today. – From the Publisher



Salvation through Judgment and Mercy
Gospel According to the OT Series - Jonah

by Bryan D. Estelle

Though simple enough for a child to grasp, the book of Jonah is an extremely subtle and complex work full of wonderful literary artistry mixed with many layers of meaning. This study presents the book of Jonah as part of the unfolding, unified story of redemption pointing to Christ. – From the Publisher



Treasures in Darkness: A Grieving Mother Shares Her Heart
by Sharon Betters

Grief can be so crippling that it blinds you to God's presence. Many who grieve struggle to face the sudden loss, much less embrace it and rest in it. In this remarkably honest book, Sharon Betters tells us the full story of her teenage son's sudden death at the hands of a drunk driver. Excerpts from Sharon's journal express the raw grief, anger, and hunger to understand how God can be good and loving, and still take away her youngest child. Sharon Betters draws readers to a passage from Isaiah that carries God's promise to provide treasures for his people in the very midst of darkness and trouble. All readers that have experienced the loss of a loved one will see how they can feel God's presence and love even during the darkest times. – From the publisher