My book Seasons of Sorrow: The Pain of Loss and the Comfort of God is now available. And so, too, is the song that was inspired by it. “In the Valley (Bless the Lord)” was written by CityAlight and features Sandra McCracken. It is (or soon will be) available wherever good music is sold or streamed. You can listen to it on YouTube right here and right now:

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Song Story
Some time ago, the songwriters for CityAlight reached out to ask if I would like to collaborate on a song. Intrigued by the idea, I suggested they read the manuscript for Seasons of Sorrow to see if it might inspire a song. My great wish, I told them, is that it would be a song suitable for congregational singing. Over the months that followed we did some back-and-forth and the result is a lovely song titled “In the Valley (Bless the Lord).” Every song has a story and the story of this song is one of sorrow and loss, a story of passing through a dark valley. But it is also a story of God’s sweet comfort and of his people blessing his name even in the darkness. I trust that it will give words to your heart as it has to mine.
We sang the song at the book’s launch event and have sung it once congregationally at my church. In both cases I was struck by how easy it is to sing and how easily even very untrained singers can pick it up. I recommend trying it!
Lyrics
Verse 1When the path that I fearedIs the way He has setAnd I long to give in and retreatStill to Jesus I holdAs I face every stepFor the Lord he will give me His peace
Chorus 1Bless the Lord, He will give me His peaceBless the Lord, He will give me His peaceAnd if I should remain in the valley todayBless the Lord, He will give me His peace
Verse 2When the road that I treadFills my heart with despairAnd it seems like my grief has no endStill to Jesus I holdWho will walk with me thereAnd the Lord he will give me His strength
Chorus 2Bless the Lord, He will give me His strengthBless the Lord, He will give me His strengthAnd if I should remain in the valley todayBless the Lord, He will give me His strength
Verse 3On the road that You walkedWith the weight of the crossAll my pain and my sorrow You heldSo to You I shall holdYou redeem every lossFor my Lord You have given Yourself
Chorus 3Bless the Lord, for He gives me HimselfBless the Lord, for He gives me HimselfAnd if I should remain in the valley todayBless the Lord, for He gives me Himself

I believe that discernment matters. I believe that spiritual discernment is a necessary mark of spiritual maturity while a lack of spiritual discernment is a concerning mark of spiritual immaturity. As the book of Hebrews tells us, “solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). There it is, the connection between maturity and discernment.
There are many reasons I find myself at home among those who hold to Reformed theology, but one key reason is that the tradition places high value on discernment. Many of those who come to appreciate Reformed doctrine do so after finding a critical lack of judgment in their previous traditions. Disturbed by a blend of good teaching and bad, sound doctrine and unsound, they look for churches that care about diligently separating truth from error and right from wrong. They soon find themselves in a Reformed church.
Yet as I have reflected on discernment over the past 20 years, I continue to find myself perplexed by a strange conundrum: Sometimes the people who most value discernment in doctrine are the people most prone to neglect discernment in character. They can display a kind of credulity that makes them especially susceptible to listening to and believing untrustworthy sources. Ironically, their emphasis on discernment leaves them vulnerable to lies.
We all need to understand a hard truth: there are people out there who make stuff up. It may seem hard to believe, but it’s reality. There are people who fabricate facts, who create accounts of events that did not happen, and who write up conversations that never took place. There are people who act as if they have exhaustive knowledge of other people’s inner motives and desires when they do not and cannot. And even if some do not go that far, they may deliberately exaggerate matters and spread as truth what is no more than rumor or hearsay.
Aside: If you ever get the chance to spend time with the popular Christian you most admire, ask that person and I expect they will tell you that someone has publicly told lies about them. No matter who they are or how they line up on the major issues, ask them and I expect they will be able to tell of a time that someone, in the name of discernment, spread information that was absolutely false.
Those who value spiritual discernment need to account for doctrine, of course—they need to distinguish between doctrines that are true and doctrines that are false. But they also need to account for human nature, and this is where so many prove themselves easy prey. They assume that anyone who emphasizes sound doctrine has a sound life or that anyone who defends truth necessarily speaks truth. Somehow their discernment extends as far as distinguishing between good theology and bad theology, but it ends before it distinguishes people of upright character from people of dishonorable character. That’s especially true when the people who lack character are within the bounds of the same theological tradition.
The devil seeds liars, thieves, and deceivers into every tradition, including our own. Share
We would like to think that the people who tell lies exist outside the bounds of Reformed theology. We would like to think that once we have crossed the border between other traditions and our own, we have entered into a kind safe space in which everyone is on the side of truth and light. But sadly, that’s simply not the case. That’s not the way the world works. That’s not the way the flesh works. That’s not the way the devil works. The devil seeds liars, thieves, and deceivers into every tradition, including our own.
My encouragement, then, is to press on in spiritual discernment—to be deliberate in separating truth from error and right from wrong. There is never a time to relax your guard when it comes to this critical discipline. At the same time, it’s also to avoid the kind of naiveté that assumes everyone who lays claim to sound doctrine is truly concerned about defending and living out the Christian faith, not to mention concerned about the kind of unity Christ calls us to pursue. For if we are truly discerning, we will know that Satan is a master of disguise. That being the case, “it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11:15). Servants of righteousness, that is, and experts in discernment.

September has very nearly faded into October but before the month ends I’d like to tell you about some of the new books that it brought our way. I’ll remind you first that my book Pilgrim Prayers was released this month and encourage you to give it a look! Beyond that, here are 12 new and notable titles that I hope will be of interest to you.

Everyday Gospel: A Daily Devotional Connecting Scripture to All of Life by Paul David Tripp. “Christians know that daily Scripture reading is an essential spiritual discipline. But sometimes opening the Bible day in and day out can feel like a burden rather than the joy and gift that it is. Spending a few minutes reflecting on the truths found within God’s word can strengthen your faith, help you resist sin, and inspire you to live for the eternal, unshakeable kingdom of God. In the Everyday Gospel devotional, Paul David Tripp provides a roadmap for readers who want to spend a full year in God’s word. Tripp, author of the bestselling New Morning Mercies, has now written a second daily devotional, offering 365 fresh, engaging entries that follow an annual Bible reading plan from Genesis through Revelation. Brief and practical, these reflections connect the transforming power of Scripture to all you will experience in your everyday Christian life.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Parenting without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World: Discipling Our Kids with Jesus’ Truth and Love by Rachel Gilson. “As Christian parents, we long to equip our kids as they venture out into a culture where LGBT is affirmed and celebrated. We want them to know what God says, and to love what God says. But, it’s hard to know where to start. That’s where this book can help. Author Rachel Gilson helps you to teach your children proactively and positively about God’s beautiful design for human sexuality, gender, and relationships. This book will help you to provide your children with a Christian framework for sexual ethics, rather than letting the culture lay the foundations of their worldview in this area. Rachel writes with understanding and clarity to help fellow parents engage with the wider LGBT narrative with faith rather than fear. Since she herself experiences same-sex attraction but has chosen to follow the Bible’s teaching, she has put much thought into this topic. She reassures us that Jesus gives us everything we need to be faithful disciples in a fallen world, and that God works out his perfect purposes despite human sin. She also shares her wisdom on how to respond with grace and truth to people with different beliefs in this area.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Bible Basics: What Is The Christian Faith All About? by Stephen J. Nichols. “Are you looking for a great overview of everything you need to know about the Bible? This book offers some Bible basics as the foundation for discipleship and doctrine. Here you will find an overview of the biblical books, places, and events. We’ll look at the big picture of the Bible by exploring the idea of the covenant. You’ll find some key biblical passages to meditate upon and memorize, as well as prayers from the Bible. You’ll also find some key ideas from the centuries of church history. Together we’ll walk through some basic doctrines in order to have a better grasp on what the Bible teaches. You’ll even find some hymns. These basics provide a foundation upon which to build a solid faith. In fact, all of us, no matter where we find ourselves in our Christian walk, need these fundamentals. We need to go back to the basics. Repeat. Repeat again.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Grounded in Grace: Helping Kids Build Their Identity in Christ by Jonathan Holmes. “Grounded in Grace gives parents a guide to understanding how a child’s identity is formed in today’s world and why it leads to insecurity and confusion. Children and teens face a tremendous amount of pressure from their peers and culture to find their identity in their activities, feelings, or performance. This modern way of looking at identity can be challenging to navigate for parents who grew up with a traditional view of identity rooted in predetermined roles. What if they could help their children and teenagers find their identity in something that never went away and never changed based on their ability or performance—an identity grounded in God’s grace? Jonathan Holmes explores the five core areas of identity struggles most common to teens: sports, academics, moralism, sexual orientation, and gender confusion. He provides parents with a biblical foundation to work from and practical tools to help their teen find their identity based on who God says they are.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The Gospel of God: A Bible Study on Romans for Women (Vol. 1) by Keri Folmar. “In The Gospel of God: A Bible Study on Romans for Women (Vol 1), wise and helpful questions guide you deep into the text using the three basic steps of all sound Bible study: Observe, Interpret, Apply. This is an 18-week inductive study guide for women: Each week’s chapter is divided into sections for 5 days of study; Volume 1 covers Romans 1:1–8:39; Ideal for small groups, individuals, or 1-on-1 mentoring; Lots of extra white space for journaling; Spiral-bound for lay-flat ease of writing. When we study the Bible inductively we want to know what the author meant when he wrote to his original audience. This involves reading Bible passages in context and asking questions about the text. The goal is to find the meaning and significance from the text itself. We do this automatically every day when we read news, social media, or even recipes! Not surprisingly, it is also the best way to study God’s word.” (Buy it at Amazon)

On the Christian Life: A New Translation by John Calvin (Translated by Raymond Blacketer). “For centuries, Christians have read John Calvin’s On the Christian Life to answer a fundamental question: What does it mean to live faithfully as a Christian? This fresh translation of what is often referred to as Calvin’s ‘Golden Booklet’ features an all-new introduction, robust citations, and explanatory footnotes–introducing a new generation of readers to a classic work of Christian spirituality. In the book–a portion of the Reformer’s magnum opus, Institutes of the Christian Religion–Calvin suggests that a deep understanding of theology is worthless if the gospel has yet to ‘penetrate into the most intimate affection of the heart.’ Touching on essential themes like self-denial, submission to God, bearing one’s cross, enduring suffering for the sake of righteousness, and meditating on the life to come, this accessible work will help believers reflect on their lives as Christians and lean on the grace of Jesus in everyday life.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Expository Thoughts on the Gospels (Modernized in Seven Volumes) by J.C. Ryle. “This seven-volume boxset brings Ryle’s Expository Thoughts on the Gospel to a new readership. Featuring a high-quality quarter-bound design that evokes artisanal bookbinding each volume will sit in a boxed case to aid use and increase longevity. The design, paired with Mary Davis’ lightly modernized text, enables Ryle’s voice and tone to remain authentic while making it accessible to a new generation. It is a great read for: Bible teachers & students, those wanting to dive deeper into Scripture, and those unfamiliar with Ryle’s wisdom. Its key features include Ryle in modern English, accessible & reliable wisdom from the past, and artisanal design that stands the test of time.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Sin and Temptation (Volume 15) by John Owen. “Regarded as one of the greatest theologians in history, 17th-century pastor John Owen remains influential among those interested in Puritan and Reformed theology. The Complete Works of John Owen brings together all of Owen’s original theological writing, including never-before-published work, reformatted for modern readers in 40 user-friendly volumes. Volume 15, The Christian Life—Sin and Temptation, includes the treatises ‘­Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers’; ‘Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of It’; ‘The Nature, Power, Deceit, and Prevalency of Indwelling Sin’; and ‘A Treatise of the Dominion of Sin and Grace.’ Each work has been edited with extensive introductions by Kelly M. Kapic, Justin Taylor, and Shawn D. Wright. Released over a number of years, The Complete Works of John Owen will inspire a new generation of Bible readers and scholars to deeper faith.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Revering God: How to Marvel at Your Maker by Thaddeus Williams. “Discover profound insight into God’s attributes and learn practical ways to live a God-centered life that bridges the gap between abstract theology and awe-inspiring devotion. The chief reason we exist is to glorify and enjoy God. But for many, God remains a vague cloud of cosmic kindness, a super-sized projection of ourselves into the sky, or an impossible-to-please killjoy. Who is God, really? Who is this being we should thank for our next breath? Written in the great tradition of classic discipleship works like A. W. Tozer’s The Pursuit of God, J.I. Packer’s Knowing God, and R.C. Sproul’s The Holiness of God, this discipleship guide stands out as our generation’s invitation to good theology that yields profound, reverent, God-centered living. Bestselling author of Confronting Injustice without Compromising Truth invites you to live a more theologically robust and biblical life as you learn how art, cinema, music, philosophy, psychology, apologetics, church history, and most importantly Scripture, can deepen your understanding and enjoyment of God.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Twelve Classic Christmas Stories: A Feast of Yuletide Tales by Timothy Larsen. “Celebrate this magical season with some of the greatest literary figures in history. The wisdom and warmth of Christmas are wrapped in the stories of beloved and gifted authors such as Charles Dickens, Louisa May Alcott, O. Henry, G. K. Chesterton, Willa Cather, Conan Doyle, Washington Irving, George MacDonald, Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anthony Trollope, and other classic storytellers. Not only will you be immersed in the Christmas spirit, but you will draw from the insight of historian Dr. Timothy Larsen who introduces each tale, sharing with readers the history, background, and inspiration behind the literature. This collection invites us to contemplate and savor all that is good and true about God’s redemptive story and our call to be Christ-like. The stories call us to generosity, reconciliation, and sacrifice. They encourage us to live with joy and gratitude. Hope and wonder abound as gather your family around the fire and read aloud the Twelve Classic Christmas Stories.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Perfect Priest for Weary Pilgrims: A Theology of Hebrews by Dennis E. Johnson. “The book of Hebrews can be intimidating for modern-day Christians due to its connection to Old Testament text. However, once understood, this New Testament epistle offers great insights into the superiority and sufficiency of Jesus—rightly justifying his place as high priest. In this addition to the New Testament Theology series, scholar Dennis E. Johnson highlights the main biblical-theological themes of Hebrews. Johnson explores how Jesus fulfills perfect priesthood by becoming the covenant mediator and the trailblazer who leads his people into a better inheritance. Hebrews calls Christian believers, both of the early church and today, to hold fast to their faith even when faced with persecution and exclusion. It reminds us to cling to the eternal Son who offered his body and blood as the everlasting sacrifice for our sin.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Fly Through the Bible: A Brief Introduction by Colin Smith. “The view from above is majestic. Have you ever experienced that thrill of looking out the window of a plane? The beauty of the mountain, the vastness of the water, the lights of the city—it all just looks so amazing from above. You might be familiar with the area, but you’ve never seen it like this. You think to yourself: This. Is. Stunning. That’s what it’s like to Fly Through the Bible. With pastoral heart and insight, Colin Smith helps you find the right altitude to take in the big-picture landscape of God’s story. In this journey, you will meet five people from the Old Testament, explore five events from the life of Jesus, and discover five gifts God gives to every Christian. Even if you’ve never opened the Bible, this short flight will introduce you to God’s Word and leave you marveling at how it all fits together.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)