Have You Read a Good (devotional) Book Lately?

“...biblical depth and doctrinal accuracy” is the authors’ description of the devotional book, Gospel Meditations for Women, and it lives up to their promise of 'providing solid Gospel meat'...without bypassing the heart. Written by two pastors from Ohio (Chris Anderson & Joe Tyrpak) for the women under their pastoral care, this pamphlet size, 31 stand-alone meditations highlight the way the gospel of Jesus Christ affects everyday life.

Beginning with a Scripture passage to read on one’s own, each single page entry attempts to then unpack the truth of God’s Word with orientation toward Calvary and its impact on every aspect of a woman’s circumstance and calling. “The Gospel Crushes Relational Conflict”, “The Advantages of Singleness”, “Imperishable Beauty” are some examples of gender-specific topics discussed. “The God-Breathed, Life-Changing Word”, “Sanctification by Satisfaction” and “Extravagant Worship” are samples of theological truth explained. “Marriage to a Non-Christian Man”, “God’s Love for Infants Who Die”, and “How Moms Talk to their Sons” are just three samples of the many life-season/circumstance entries. Each devotional ends with a clear statement “Let the gospel affect your -----”, reiterating the centrality of the Cross to every facet of our lives.

I appreciated the heart-level, get-below-the-surface and bypass-the-fluff-completely character of these rich, theology-saturated readings. It can, indeed, drive one’s focus Christward.