More Summer Reading: Shepherd Press Titles, Part I

As summer unfolds in all its sun-baked glory, the heat and extra spare time offers the perfect excuse to indulge in the reading of books.  Shepherd Press has graciously provided a half-dozen titles that we would like to commend for your reading pleasure. These six books are related directly or indirectly to biblical manhood and womanhood, marriage, parenting or some combination thereof.

Instructing a Child’s Heart
By Tedd & Margy Tripp

This work was released in 2008 as a complement to what is for many parents (including this parent!) a landmark book, Shepherding a Child’s Heart also by Tedd Tripp. In this sequel, the Tripps emphasize the critical importance of steepinga child’s heart formatively in the inspired, inerrant Word of God.  God works through His Word by the Holy Spirit to change hearts and the Tripps unpack this foundational theological construction over three sections: The Call to Formative Instruction, Introduction to Formative Instruction, Application of Formative Instruction.  Best of all, this book is Gospel-centered in its approach to parenting, teasing out the child-rearing implications of the Reformation principle of sola Scriptura.  If your family has been blessed by Shepherding a Child’s Heart, don’t miss part two.

Excerpt. Chapter two establishes five goals for the formative instruction of children: “Remember Scripture is our personal history, develop godly habits, apply Scripture to life, model spiritual vitality and grow into a mature relationship with your children.&rdquo

The 7 Hardest Things God Asks a Woman to Do
By Kathie Reimer & Lisa Whittle

In another work released a few years ago (2007), the mother-daughter team of Reimer and Whittle seeks to show that genuine liberation comes to women when they walk inobedience to the Word of God. The seven hard things God asks women to do may be boiled down to this: deny yourself in the manner of Christ.  Reimer and Whittle tease out the difficult Christian pilgrimage by pointing women to the Gospel and the God of the Gospel through His Word and encourage them to find their strength and identity in the One who created them for His own glory.

Excerpt.  In the first chapter, Lisa points argues that God calls women to a single-focus (Christ) and simultaneously to be a multi-tasker in pursuing gratefulness, kindness, mindfulness, graciousness and servanthood. On being a servant: “Servants sometimes suffer.   Jesus Christ served and suffered and we are not greater than he. Our decision to serve him and then others gives us far more blessings than we can imagine.  So it comes down to this: if we’re offended at the thought of serving someone, our husband, our boss, our mother-in-law, our child, our parent, our friend, our obnoxious neighbor, maybe there’s a problem somewhere in our relationship with the servant of all servants; Jesus, the King.”  Each chapter includes with a set of study questions.

Heaven at Home: Establishing and Enjoying a Peaceful Home
By Ginger Plowman

The thesis for Plowman’s 2006 book might well be stated this way: the happiest home is the Christ-centered home. In a warm and engaging manner, Plowman unfolds the “heavenly home” in five delightful sections over 20 chapters. The home is heavenly, she argues, when: the wife/mother is happy, unity prevails, relationships are right, children obey and when the home is a haven for family members. Plowman calls women to delight in the woman whom God has made them and in the roles to which He has called them. The book includes Gospel-centered wisdom on subjects as diverse as getting along with one’s in-laws to the Christ-focused discipline of children and “Living joyfully when your husband won’t lead.” As Nancy Leigh DeMoss points out in her commendation of Heaven at Home, a loving, peaceful, Gospel-entranced home doesn’t just happen; it takes great planning and profound effort.  Plowman provides a thoroughly biblical roadmap for how to get there.

Excerpt.  “Some women feel that homemaking is not a glamorous or rewarding job.  Yes, Jesus himself is a homemaker. Jesus said, “I am going there (heaven) to preparea place for you” (John 14:2b).  While Jesus is obviously more than a home-maker, Jesus expresses his care for his people by preparing a home for them.  Homemaking is a divine occupation exemplified in the life of the divine Savior.”