Despite my crazy schedule, I've managed to finish another book that I will share with you all! I stumbled across it in the Second Baptist bookstore when I was in Houston visiting the Harrisons. It is a series of lectures given at a "Desiring God" conference that occurred in 2008 or 2009 I believe. Desiring God is a ministry run by John Piper whom I'm sure many of you have heard of. Anyway, each lecture focuses on some aspect of our words and how they relate to God. There are only 6 lectures- some which I enjoyed immensely and others which I honestly skimmed/skipped over. However, I'll try to give a brief synopsis of each...
(1.) "War of Words: Getting to the Heart for God's Sake" by Paul David Tripp
This lecture convicted me in a way I was in desperate need of convicting. Tripp points out that nothing you say wasn't already in your heart. We can't use the excuse that we didn't mean it because the Bible clearly states that the words of our mouth originate in our heart. He also knocks down the excuse that the problem isn't OUTSIDE us but INSIDE us. We always try to blame our words and actions on everyone and everything around us. He encourages you to make this "essential confession" of: "I am my greatest communication problem. The greatest difficulty, the greatest danger, and the everyday traps of communication that we all fall into all exist inside of me, not outside of me." He goes on to compare the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Self along with the anger that can be produced from each on separately. He is brutally honest about the effect our words can have on others- to build up or break down, sometimes permanently. He ends encouraging us to pray each day saying, "God, I'm a man (woman) in desperate need of help this morning. I pray in your grace that you would send your helpers my way. And I pray that you would give me the humility to receive the help that comes."
His lecture was engaging, convicting, and well written. Definitely in my top three favorite (possibly my very favorite actually).
(2.) "The Bit, the Bridle, and the Blessing: An Exposition of James 3:1-12" by Sinclair B. Ferguson
I don't believe I finished this one. It was in some ways getting at the same point as the above lecture, but it came at it differently. Once again two main points really got my attention...
"How we use our tongues provides clear evidence of where we are spiritually."
"Words can consume and destroy a life."
Yes, those two sentences are enough to make me be silent for a day. Man, break me Lord. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to you!!
(3.) "Is There Christian Eloquence? Clear Words and the Wonder of the Cross" by John Piper
This lecture was very good for a certain audience. It was originally given to a room of pastors (i.e. the certain audience). It compares both historically and Biblically the different methods of preaching, and brings up the question of whether one should focus on eloquence.
(4.) "How Sharp the Edge? Christ, Controversy, and Cutting Words" by Mark Driscoll
In the style of Driscoll, he provides a clear and upfront point of view. He outlines how to deal with the sheep, wolves, swine, and dogs of a congregation. He's famous for his "in your face" style, and he is no different in this lecture. That's something I (and many others) really appreciate about him though. He draws from Scripture along with historical figures such as Luther to make the point that we are not meant to gloss everything over. Sometimes we are called to rebuke others, and that doesn't just mean quietly. Sometimes it requires harshness and perhaps even mocking or harsh language (as is sometimes seen in the Bible). I know there is no way I will do his message justice without saying something he never meant so I encourage you to read this one! Like his other works, it will provide for some laughs. So relax and enjoy it but take it seriously as well! One quote that really stuck for me was "Discernment is knowing what time it is. Courage is doing what the time requires." Love it.
(5.) "Story-shaped Faith" by Daniel Taylor
A literary point of view of faith. Something I can really respect as a fellow appreciator of literature and the story form. He argues that you can make the proposition that "God is powerful" (etc..) but without a story that shows that statement to be true, it will hold little power.
"Belief is a whole-body, whole-life experience. No one believes anything important with the intellect alone... Reason is a powerful tool, bit it is a tool that will serve any master, including the most odoious. We do well to reason as clearly as we can, but we are foolish to pretend that reason alone or any other, single mental function can tell us what is true. what is important what to believe, or how to live... Stories and propositions need each other. Each provides a limit that the other must respect-- a kind of mutual check."
He argued many other really great points. I really enjoyed his lecture. But I can't hit on ALL the good stuff they all said...
(6.) "Words of Wonder: What Happens When We Sing" by Bob Kauflin
I'm sorry to say that I'm just getting a little bored with writing this BUT this was also a great lecture. He covers the importance of music and singing in the church. It's great... But really it is...
So all this to say.... It was a pretty interesting book... Sorry I've gotten so apathetic by the end of this!!
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