Another month has come and gone. For readers, that means that publishers have released another batch of books. I am in the happy position of receiving most of them, so sorted through the various stacks to arrive at this list of new and notables. In each case, I’ve included the editorial description so you can get a sense of what the book is all about. While June is not the month that sees the most new releases, I still hope there’s something here that interests you.

Waiting Isn’t a Waste: The Surprising Comfort of Trusting God in the Uncertainties of Life by Mark Vroegop. “Throughout our lives, we experience countless periods of waiting. Some moments are mere nuisances—others are daunting seasons filled with intense worry and doubt. We grow impatient by immovable traffic or crave an impending answer to a medical condition. Whatever our current circumstances, our innate response is to take action rather than stay still. In Waiting Isn’t a Waste, author Mark Vroegop calls believers to resist the human urge for control and lean on Christ for comfort while we wait for the uncertainties of life to unfold. Vroegop explores what it means to wait on God through 6 important characteristics—waiting is hard, common, biblical, slow, commanded, and relational. This book not only teaches readers how to wait on God but inspires them to embrace waiting—for it prompts wisdom from God and brings invaluable peace to the present.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The Life of Peter: Molded in the Master’s Hands by Derek Thomas. “It isn’t hard for Christians to identify with the Apostle Peter. As he sought to follow after Jesus, his life was punctuated by bold moments and momentous blunders alike. Yet in spite of Peter’s sins, he was the Apostle who confessed the Christ, to which Jesus replied, “On this rock I will build my church” (Matt. 16:16, 18). The Lord would use this vessel of clay to bring the hope of the gospel to the world. In this book, Dr. Derek Thomas offers an encouraging portrait of Peter from the Gospels and the book of Acts, with insights from Peter’s own writings later in life. At every stroke, our eyes are drawn beyond the disciple to his gracious Master, who fashions stumbling believers into stalwarts of faith.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Made in Our Image: God, Artificial Intelligence, and You by Stephen Driscoll. “Artificial intelligence is coming. No life will be left untouched. What does Christianity have to say about this brave new world? What will living for Jesus look like in a world where humans, made in God’s image, coexist with intelligent machines made in our image? Author, pastor and self-confessed ‘tech realist’ Stephen Driscoll answers these questions with a deep dive into the intersection of faith and technology. Avoiding the extremes of both the tech worshippers and the ‘doomers’, Driscoll offers accessible and illuminating insights into the nature of AI, along with practical tips on how Christians might use this technology for good. Most of all, he shows how the deepest structures of biblical thought will equip Christians to live with AI.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Neighborhoods Reimagined: How the Beatitudes Inspire our Call to be Good Neighbors by Chris & Elizabeth McKinney. “Somewhere along the way we drifted apart from our next-door neighbors, and now we’re not sure we can get back together again. We lack a clear vision for showing and sharing Jesus’ love with them and how his countercultural values might transform our neighborhoods, including us. But just imagine. Imagine a neighborhood where people are connected rather than isolated, where wrongs are righted, where mercy brings fences down, and where we become agents in seeing God’s kingdom come. Believing the beatitudes are Jesus’ invitation into neighborhood flourishing, Neighborhoods Reimagined envisions how these upside-down values can turn our corners right-side-up.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

What Is Covenant Theology?: Tracing God’s Promises through the Son, the Seed, and the Sacraments by Ryan M. McGraw. “From animal sacrifice in the Old Testament to baptism and Communion in the New Testament, the Bible can seem like it contains vastly different instructions for how God’s people are to worship him through visible means. But Scripture is a complete story of redemption, one that is breathtaking in its unity. By observing how all biblical events connect through God’s covenants with his people, believers can better grasp the beauty of the triune God and the breathtaking unity of Scripture, knowing the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit. In this practical introduction, professor Ryan McGraw gives readers a framework for understanding the structure of the Bible. Explaining the blessing of covenant theology, he reveals how the sacraments illustrate God’s relationship with his people throughout the ages and help unify all parts of Scripture, from God’s promises in Genesis to their fulfillment in Revelation. Exploring the covenants of redemption, works, and grace, this book will give readers clarity about the gospel, and teach them how to live in fellowship with the triune God and others.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Elder-Led Church: How an Eldership Team Shepherds a Healthy Flock by Murray Capill. “Church leadership is a shared responsibility, not a solo venture. This book equips pastors and elders to lead the church together as a team, focusing not so much on what they are to be but on what they as a body are to do. Written by a former pastor, now a seminary lecturer and longtime volunteer elder, this book is a groundbreaking resource for local churches of all shapes and sizes.” Iain Duguid says of it, “Capill’s book on eldership is clear, biblical, practical, and engaging. I encourage elders to read it for themselves and pastors to purchase it for all their elders. And if your church doesn’t have elders, this book makes a compelling case for why it should.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Loneliness: Don’t Hate It or Waste It. Redeem It. by Steve DeWitt. “For years, Steve DeWitt was the only never married megachurch pastor in the United States. This put him in proximity to thousands of people, yet he lived his daily life alone. Over some 8,000 days as an adult single, and now eleven years of marriage, Pastor Steve has a unique perspective on solitude and aloneness. Loneliness addresses this pervasive ache from his personal experience and pastoral viewpoint. In a time when loneliness is at an all-time high, this book–rich with biblical truth and practical help–speaks to all hearts. DeWitt explores the invitation of Jesus when our hearts feel alone and isolated. Writing on topics that affect us and the ones we love–such as loneliness and the gospel, loneliness and singleness, loneliness and marriage, and loneliness and leadership–he shows us the way out of our pain and into relational flourishing with God and others.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

To Walk and to Please God: A Theology of 1 and 2 Thessalonians by Andrew S. Malone. “Like Paul’s other early churches, Thessalonica experienced great societal pressure to conform to the surrounding culture. But amid persecution, the Thessalonians remained faithful to their call to holiness as they patiently awaited Jesus’s return. These epistles provide a positive and practical example of what Christians should believe and how they should behave today. In this volume of the New Testament Theology series, author Andrew Malone explores 1 and 2 Thessalonians to highlight the life cycle of Christian discipleship–turning away from idols, trusting in the gospel message, having hope that the Lord will return, and continually pleasing the one true God until that return. Through clear and engaging theological examinations, Malone expounds on predominant themes–enhancing gospel reputation, persistence in the face of opposition, Christian life within an unbelieving society, and more–explaining how they are relevant for the church today.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Preaching: A Sermon Collection by Charles Spurgeon (Introduction by Jason K. Allen). “What set Charles Haddon Spurgeon apart more than any of his other accomplishments was his ability behind the pulpit. Crowds gathered weekly, with visitors coming from around the world to hear the Holy Spirit pour out through his sermons. No matter the topic, modern readers would be wise to see what Spurgeon had to say. In this volume Jason K. Allen has compiled some of Spurgeon’s most poignant sermons on the topic of preaching; and who better than the ‘Prince of Preachers’ to speak to teachers today about the ins and outs of preaching the Word of God.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Subjects and Citizens: The Politics of the Gospel by Michael P. Jensen. “Michael writes to help Christian rediscover ‘a truly Christ-centred vision for human politics’. The heart of that vision is based around a careful study of Romans 12-15, calling Christians to be who they are as the church: ‘subjects of the Lord Jesus and citizens of the kingdom of heaven’. The aim is that this perspective will help Christians to navigate the alienation and anxiety that dominate contemporary debates, providing a fresh way to think about contemporary politics. Michael distinguishes ‘Politics 1.0’, the politics of this world (where temporary, earthly kingdoms exist within the present age), from ‘Politics 2.0’, ‘where Jesus Christ reigns in the Kingdom of God’ (which exists here and now within the church, but will continue into the world to come when Christ returns). The book argues that ‘Politics 1.0’ has its place, but also its limitations.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Grace From Heaven: Prayers of the Reformation by Robert Elmer (editor). “The Reformation was an extraordinary time of profound spiritual fervor. Grace from Heaven collects prayers from influential Protestant voices of the Reformation that express deep longings, theological richness, and a burning desire for God’s grace. The prayers are arranged by topic and time—from praise to petition, morning to evening—so that your prayer life can be interwoven with the rich tapestry of prayers of faithful Christians from the past. By praying along with Martin Luther, John Calvin, Marguerite de Navarre, William Tyndale, and many others, we join the chorus of Reformation believers in prayer and contemplation.” (Buy it at Amazon)

The Giver of Life: The Biblical Doctrine of the Holy Spirit and Salvation by J.V. Fesko. “God’s Spirit unites believers to Christ, conforms them to his image, and equips them for witness and ministry. In The Giver of Life, J. V. Fesko reflects on the person and work of the Holy Spirit in the application of Christ’s work for the salvation of sinners. Through a combination of biblical, historical, and theological study, Fesko illuminates the blessing of God’s presence with his people. Written from a confessionally Reformed perspective in dialogue with the great creeds of the church, The Giver of Life provides a thorough and trustworthy guide to the Holy Spirit’s role in salvation.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Let’s suppose that for just one day the Lord chose to make a documentary about you—“A Day in the Life of an Ordinary Christian.” For a single day your every move was recorded and your every word transcribed. For a single day even your thoughts were externalized and written down. A camera crew was beside your bed when you awoke, they sat with you at breakfast, and stayed at your side through your duties at work and at home. They held boom mics above your head as you led your family in devotions, trailed along behind when you went to your midweek service or small group, watched you sing your children to sleep, and bid farewell only when you had returned to bed, turned out the lights, and fallen into a deep slumber.

You would, of course, be on your best behavior and make it one of the best and godliest days you had ever lived. Even without fakery or hypocrisy, you would put your best foot forward and attempt to display your life at its purest. You would guard your thoughts and measure your words; you would take your duties seriously and do your utmost to display the heights of Christian character. You would be the best spouse you could be, the best parent you could be, the best friend and employee. You would attempt to model distinctly godly living.
And let’s suppose that somewhere in the distant reaches of time God chose to show you the results of that documentary. You had long since died and gone to heaven and begun to live in eternal bliss. And now God said, “Let’s show you that day in your life.” And so for hours you sat and watched yourself living life on this side of the grave. How would you feel about it? How would you evaluate the way you thought, the way you spoke, the way you lived?
You would, of course, understand that it was immeasurably far from perfect. You would see that despite your best efforts, your motives were still impure, your thoughts still imperfect, your actions still impacted by sin and still impaired by weakness. You would know you have already been forgiven for all the wrong you did and all the good you failed to do. So perhaps you would find yourself asking, “God, how could you have loved me when I was so sinful, when my best actions born from my best desires were still so poor?” What do you suppose the Lord would say?
I think the Lord might say something like this: “I have already forgiven you. And I know that you were living as well as you knew how to at that time. You were walking according to the light you had at that stage of your Christian life. You were making decisions on the basis of the knowledge you had gained so far and heeding your conscience as much as it had been informed to that point. Though you were still a sinner, though the old man was still active within, you were attempting to live well, attempting to live for the good of others and the glory of my name. So well done. I’m proud of you.”
The way you live today is, in all likelihood, better and purer than the way you lived ten years ago. The way you will live ten years from now is, in all likelihood, better and purer than the way you are living today. God’s work within us is progressive, not instant. Though we are never faultless when it comes to our sins, God may consider us blameless when we simply do not have the knowledge, do not have the maturity, do not have the sanctification that would allow us to live better and purer lives at that moment.
Of course, we must not content ourselves with immaturity or allow ourselves to dwell indefinitely in spiritual infancy. We must be committed to growth! Yet surely God does hold us equally responsible for unintentional ignorance as for knowledgeable defiance. Surely he is pleased with our best efforts, even when those efforts are so small and so weak. Surely he is proud of us when we live according to the light we have and serve with hearts of love, hearts of joy, hearts that long to magnify his name.

Good morning still and again from Unalaska where the fog has come in and flights have been cancelled. We had planned to leave yesterday but are now going to be stuck here until at least Wednesday!

I dug up a few new Kindle deals for you today, though it’s not quite as extensive as yesterday’s massive list…
(Yesterday on the blog: 20 Years of Daily Blogging and Other Miscellania)
Movies, Moral Revulsion, and a Post-Christian Age
This is a strong piece by Samuel James as he considers how movies may glamorize the very thing they are supposedly critiquing.
Saying Our Prayers
Andrea considers hypocrisy—our own and that of other faiths.
“My Greatest Accomplishment”—I Get it Now, Mom
“And oh dear Lord, I am so glad that I had children—so grateful that you entrusted me with these four precious souls who are forever ‘mine.’ Yes, raising them was hard. To varying degrees, they gobbled up my time, my energy, my money, my sleep, my space, my patience, and sometimes my sanity, but they are still and always will be my greatest accomplishments.”
Free eBook: R.C. Sproul’s Commentary on Romans
It’s Reformation Day, when many Protestants celebrate the recovery of the biblical gospel that took place in the sixteenth century. It was while Martin Luther was studying the book of Romans that he rediscovered the doctrine of justification by faith alone. So, today Ligonier Ministries is offering R.C. Sproul’s commentary on Romans as a free ebook. Download your copy to enjoy a verse-by-verse exploration of the rich gospel truths woven throughout Paul’s letter. (Sponsored Link)
When Death Starts to Take Our Friends
Stephen McAlpine: “So you reach an age when your friends all start to die. News that Friends star, Matthew Perry, died suddenly on Sunday after an apparent heart attack in his hot tub, met with the usual outpouring of grief. And rightly so. He was a gifted man, a tortured man, an honest man about his gifts and tortures.”
What Does It Mean to Grieve the Holy Spirit?
Fred Sanders considers if and how we can grieve the Holy Spirit.
Less leader and more shepherd and servant
Stephen Kneale looks to the Bible to encourage pastors to be less leader and more shepherd and servant. “Who is head of the church? In true Sunday School style, everyone knows the answer, as always, is Jesus. Colossians 1 and Ephesians 5 both says it so. Jesus is head of the church. But, if Jesus is the head of the church, where does that put pastors and elders?”
Flashback: Things for Christian Men To Think About
I have had a few opportunities in the past few weeks to interact with Christian men. Along the way I’ve jotted down a few thoughts that arose from those conversations. I thought I’d share them…

Learn much of the Lord Jesus. For every look at yourself, take ten looks at Christ. He is altogether lovely. Such infinite majesty, and yet such meekness and grace, and all for sinners, even the chief! —Robert Murray M’Cheyne