Reading List: Summer 2019

Oh my goodness it's been so long since I've updated and posted one of these! Toddler and home life keeps me busy and tired so I don't read nearly as much as I used to! But here you are!

Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul Tripp

(Read spring 2018) This was a really great book! It’s so easy to think you know what to do with kids, that you’ll never do such-and-such or yell at your kids… but Paul hones in on the fact that both parents and children are sinners and need God’s grace to change us. A theme is that parents are ambassadors of God and can only be used as they are themselves willing to humbly embrace the difficult task God has set before them. Paul gives practical examples from his own experience as well as others. How should the law be used? What role does identity play? How do we teach our children to submit to authority and rid them of their foolishness? How do we accept our inability and learn to rest in God who alone has the power to change our children’s hearts? So much encouragement for parents who are seeking to faithfully raise their children in the Lord.

“…parents who admit they are inadequate and run to God make the best parents. You see, he doesn’t ask you to be able; he asks you to be willing.” (pg. 36)

“Our job is to help our children to be so blown away by God’s glory that they find joy in submitting to his rule.” (pg. 133)

“Every single thing your child has ever said or done is rooted in worship… change is not so much about behavioral management, but worship realignment.” (pg. 150)

In Defense of Jesus: The New Lawgiver by John Reisinger

(Read summer 2018) I’ve been wanting to read this for quite some time! This book was written in response to Richard Barcellos’ book, In Defense of the Decalogue. In his book Barcellos, a Covenant theologian who’s Baptist, addresses his concerns about New Covenant Theology (NCT) and why he believes it’s not Biblically accurate. Reisinger responds to these concerns and claims with sound historical and Biblical arguments. Barcello clearly does not really understand what NCT really believes, nor does he accurately view history and Reisinger shows this without a doubt. Who is the supreme lawgiver? Is it Moses as Covenant Theology claims? Does Jesus just keep and re-affirm the law and make no changes to it? Or as NCT maintains, does Jesus give new laws and an actual new covenant? Is the Decalogue (the 10 Commandments) the unchanging moral law of God? Or was it given to and for the nation of Israel and thus not the standard for us today? Are those who hold to NCT “without law” as Barcellos and others think? Regardless of their opponents opinions and arguments, New Covenant Theology has strong Biblical support and those curious about it and those who oppose it would be wise to read this book and consider its contents.

“Difficulties [in discussion theology] result when people insist on using theological terms instead of Biblical terms.” For example, the Bible nowhere mentions a covenant with Adam. Covenant Theology argues for several things that are not actually named in Scripture, which is problematic.

Devoted: Great Men and Their Godly Mothers by Tim Challies

(Read fall 2018) This is a great little book for moms of boys! Challies introduces us to the mothers of 11 men throughout history, from as far back as Biblical times to today. It’s inspiring to hear these stories of mothers who simply trusted God and did their best to teach and train their sons to follow Christ. Despite some of them being single parents and/or sick or very busy their prayers and passion for raising their sons was so encouraging. At the end of each chapter there are also reflection questions.  

Set-Apart Motherhood by Leslie Ludy

(Read winter 2019) This book was so encouraging. The book is Ccntered around keeping Christ as the focus of your life and relationship with your children, but gets into some of the practical stuff too. Great tips, good reminders, funny stories…. Very thankful for this book!

“…when I approach motherhood for the sole purpose of bringing glory to God, I find tremendous joy in making personal sacrifices for my children. As I seek to honor Him in my motherhood, it becomes my delight to give my best to my children, without concern for what I’m getting out of it, but only with what He is getting out of it.”

“Training, discipline, routine, and structure are important, but these things are tools that enable me to focus on what matters in motherhood: building healthy relationships with my children and leading them to Jesus Christ.”

Vaccines: A Reappraisal by Richard Moskowitz M.D.

(Read winter/spring 2019) I originally got this book on kindle, but before I’d finished, I went bought a hard copy as well. It’s one of THOSE books…. One that you’re going to go back to, for reminders, information, research, facts…. It’s ALL there. This is incredibly well-researched by a doctor who's been in the field and in research for over 30 years. For anyone and everyone who wants to (or claims to be) educated on this subject, this is a MUST-READ. If you are concerned about vaccines, this is a great resource, if you are solidly pro-vax, there’s facts in it that you HAVE to deal with. So get it and read it.

Currently Reading:

Grace-Based Parenting by Karis Kimmel Murray