Tag Archives: 2023 Review

Review: A Guide to Prayer

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Isaac Watts, Banner of Truth, 186 pages, 4 of 5 stars

Isaac Watts, the Father of English Hymnody, has written my favorite book on prayer. The previous first choice had been Carson’s A Call to Spiritual Reformation. Watts is even better. For a full summary of the book, go HERE.

Four reasons this is my favorite book on prayer

First, it’s practical, surprisingly so. Watts argues that prayer has rules just like other skills. If medicine has rules for healing, then Christians must learn the rules for praying. Watts talks about everything relating to prayer, from the Spirit’s work, to the kinds prayer, the voice, the gestures, the motivations, the grace and the gifts of prayer.

Second, it’s short, under 200 pages. It’s also clear. Watts once wrote a famous book on logic, still in print. Short and clear is a great combo.

Third, it’s old. Watts was born in England in 1674. The book was first published in 1715. If the choice is between the latest best-selling book on prayer over at Amazon, or a prayer manual three centuries old, choose the latter.

Fourth, it’s written by a pastor. No other occupation on earth lists praying as it’s central job description. If you want to learn how to pray, find a godly pastor. They have experience and Bible verses for support. At age 28 Watts became the pastor of Mark Lane Chapel in London. He was an able pastor, his church growing from 74 to five hundred during his lengthy ministry.

A few tips for parents

Fathers and mothers could uses Watt’s book to teach their kids how to pray. Consider the following ways: Continue reading →

Review: Masculine Christianity

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Zachary Garris, Reformation Zion Publishing, 312 pages, 5 of 5 stars

I purchased this book on a whim. I was buying It’s Good to Be A Man on Amazon when I noticed Masculine Christianity. It’s by an author I’d not heard of and by a publisher I’d not heard of.

I first listened to the book on audio while driving with my wife and eight children through the U.S. Then I bought the paperback and read it through again. With skill and clarity, Garris confirmed most of my biblical convictions. I learned a whole lot too. See my full 16-page summary HERE.

Overview

Garris shows from Scripture that husbands hold authority over their wives. He argues that only men should preach and be pastors. Men only should act as soldiers and civil leaders. He contends that “patriarchy” is a better and more biblical word than “complementarianism”, the latter term built on shaky ground and since lost its way. Continue reading →

Review: 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You

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Tony Reinke, Crossway, 224 pages, 4 of 5 stars

I read this book slowly because I hate how often I check my smartphone (SP). I had held out with my dumb phone as long as I could. I’ve never used Facebook, X, or Instagram. But I see how my SP serves as both a tool of good and bad. This book helped me. See the full summary HERE.

Overview

Humans check their phones about every 4 minutes. And the vast majority of Christians Reinke surveyed check their phone within minutes of waking up. More phone time often means more depression, anxiety and less sleep. It means more porn, worse vocabulary, less meditation, increased pride, and extra loneliness. The SP yields both the bewitching power to waste our time and the enormous benefit of making our lives more productive. Continue reading →