The Pastor's Family Fall 1981

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"The vacations at our Maine cabin are memorable for the fish we caught, the lobsters we ate, the crackling fire, the smell of wet clothes drying-and the delicious books we devoured."

We were married twenty years ago. Brought to our relationship was a love for books; and while we were getting to know each other, we found our lives had been shaped by some of the same books. Many of these fall into the category of basic tools for Christian living-books that gave us direction which has stayed with us since we were college students.

One of them is Quiet Time (InterVarsity Press). The title has become a standard term for personal devotions. As young believers, this book revoluliolwized our lives, because we learned both the importance and the technique of daily Bible reading and prayer. We discovered the rather prosaic truth that being able to meet God in the morning meant disciplining ourselves to get to bed at a reasonable hour the night before. It was new to us that God awaits us, is eager to meet us. The object of prayer, we learned, is God's glory, God himself, not our feelings or experiences.

Another foundational book that influenced us was Sacrifice by Howard Guinness (InterVarsity Press). The theme is simple and basic: One doesn't get anywhere in the Christian life without putting all of life under the lordship of Jesus Christ.

A similar book, yet one more steeped in practical experience, is Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret by Howard and Mary Taylor (Moody Press).

While some readers have stumbled trying to emulate this pioneer missionary's spiritual life, countless others have recognized his struggle as their own. The secret comes right out of John 7. Believing God, or faith, is a moment-by-moment thirsting and drinking.

Reinforcing ...

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