Book Reviews

Posted: 6/09/06

Book Reviews

Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun (Intervarsity Press)

Many of us have negative thoughts about discipline of any kind. Yet Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, in Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, positively encourages Christians of various denominational backgrounds to tread the deeper waters of spiritual formation.

Calhoun’s book serves Texas Baptists well in two ways.

What are you reading that other Texas Baptists would find helpful? Send suggestions and reviews to books@baptiststandard.com.

First, the book is approachable. Calhoun structures the book using an acrostic for the word “worship,” corresponding spiritual disciplines with each letter.

For instance, concerning the letter “O,” Calhoun offers a chapter titled, “Open Myself to God.” Further, each chapter contains helpful guidelines for readers to live out suggested practices with endurance. Consequently, this handbook is not a one-time read, but a guide that readers may continuously engage.

Second, Calhoun’s book is timely. Churches seeking to empower members’ faith journeys would do well to offer Spiritual Disciplines Handbook. Calhoun does not reinvent the wheel of spiritual formation, nor is that her goal. She puts forth wonderfully engaging material, useful for cultivating Christian obedience. I would highly recommend this handbook as a guide for small-group leaders, pastors or church members desiring to stretch their faith in a myriad of ways.

James Hassell, associate

pastor

First Baptist Church

Bedford

When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemon Meringue Pie by JoAnna M. Lund (Perigree)

I always love to read real-life stories of real-life people who personally confirm this powerful testimony of the Apostle Paul: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

JoAnna Lund has written a remarkable book chronicling her battle with a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer. Through the lessons she has learned and the comfort she has received, Lund passes on practical insights offering comfort, hope and peace for all those struggling with cancer.

Lund is best known as the creator of The Healthy Exchanges cookbooks.

In When Life Hands You Lemons, Make Lemon Meringue Pie, Lund offers her best “recipe” yet, because it is the recipe for pressing on even in the midst of life’s greatest challenges. The book’s chapters relate God’s “recipes” for healing, support, comfort, faith, joy, peace and hope. Truly these are the ingredients for turning life’s “lemons” into “lemon meringue pie.” It’s happening to Lund, and it can happen to anyone who approaches the battle with the right attitude and resources.

The book offers amazing comfort, and it’s a comfort we can pass on to others.

I would highly recommend this book as an excellent gift for someone recently diagnosed with cancer. It’s positive, personal and practical.

Lund even offers a concluding section containing some of the very best available diagnostic and support resources for people dealing with Stage IV inflammatory breast cancer.

Jim Lemons, pastor

River Oaks Baptist Church

Fort Worth

American Idols: The Worship of the American Dream by Bob Hostetler (Broadman & Holman)

Reading Bob Hostetler’s American Idols: The Worship of the American Dream reminded me of going to the doctor for an annual checkup or taking a hard look in the mirror after a hard night.

I found the book to be insightful, convicting and practical in many ways for spiritual growth and renewal.

Hostetler identifies 14 “American idols” that can subtly slip into the life of practically any believer.

These idols include “The eBay Attitude of Consumerism,” “The Lexus Nexus of Success,” “The Eros Ethos of Sexuality” and “The Microwave Mentality of Instant Gratification.”

Hostetler uses a variety of biblical stories and characters to probe deep into the secret places of your heart to expose the “American idols” as sin, plain and simple.

I would recommend this book as good reading for your quiet time or for an accountability group.

It will be a reality check for those of us who have dozed off in our Christian walk and conformed a little too much to the lure of the “American Dream.”

David Lowrie, pastor

First Baptist Church

Canyon