I rarely review, recommend, or even mention movies and television programs. I rarely do so because I am aware that tastes vary and so too do family rules and personal consciences. Not only that, but I am not very adept at understanding the themes or messages in visual media and wouldn’t wish to inadvertently lead people into watching something that would offend them. (Aileen will attest that I often have to pause shows so she can explain to me what’s going on.) But today, without necessarily recommending it, I want to mention one show I have particularly enjoyed and tell what I have enjoyed about it.

I know that every genre of entertainment and every jurisdiction in which it is distributed has its own system for rating the content—from programs suitable for every audience to programs unsuitable for any audience (which should thus never have been made). On a personal level, however, I find that I increasingly divide films and programs into two categories: pleasant and unpleasant. While acknowledging that these categories are somewhat subjective, I find them helpful.

When the end of the day comes and I’m too tired to read yet not tired enough to go to sleep, I love to watch something with Aileen—to settle onto the couch together and be entertained for 45 minutes or so. And it is a joy to watch something pleasant. So much of today’s entertainment is violent or edgy, provocative or profane. So much of it is a thinly-veiled veneer for identity politics as if that message is so important that no other quality really matters. It’s unpleasant—and if it’s unpleasant in the middle of the day it somehow seems even more so at the end of a day.

It has been a long time since I have watched a show as pleasant as All Creatures Great and Small. It is now several seasons into its run and to this point it has avoided just about all of the common traps. While I will grant that there have been some isolated scenes that are a mite disagreeable, the great majority has been a joy to watch. It hasn’t merely avoided traps, but actually told engaging stories in a really satisfying way. The period is fascinating, the setting beautiful, and the characters deeply developed. While I keep waiting in dread for some immoral and anachronistic addition to the series, so far it hasn’t come. The writers have mostly just followed the stories from the books or written their own that are in the spirit of the books. It is all so pleasant and has become one of our favorite ways to end a long day.

So in its own way, All Creatures has reminded me just how pleasant and unprovocative television can be. It has reminded me of an earlier era in entertainment when much (though certainly not all) of what was available was actually watchable for those who don’t wish to see what shouldn’t be seen and amused by what shouldn’t be amusing. And I hope the show’s success helps the studios understand that if they keep out the raunch, hold back the politics, and simply tell good stories in a compelling way, they’ll have an audience eager to watch.

A highlight of today’s Kindle deals is Jonathan Holmes’ Grounded in Grace which will be helpful to parents. There are a lot of other great deals as well. And remember that the Tyndale Commentaries, The Bible Speaks Today, and several other amazing series are on sale.

Paul Tripp says, “Our God of grace intends to make his invisible grace visible by sending people of grace to give grace to people who need grace. His people are meant to be the visible demonstration of his faithfulness.” Then he asks, “will we accept this lavish gift with humility, honesty, and dependency?”

Dave Harvey has a good word here about the desire for distinction. “I feel it. You probably do as well. Regardless of where we are called to lead, we want our efforts to be fruitful; to make a difference. So far, so good. But there is something we smuggle into our service: We want it to set us apart.“

“Was I just in an ongoing ‘cage-stage’ in my 20s? I don’t think so. No, I had a misplaced identity. I had placed my worth in my theology. It makes sense, then, why I felt personally attacked when the differing views of others rubbed against my own.”

Christina Fox: “Wherever you are in your motherhood journey—whether in the early, middle, or empty nest years—God meets you where you are. He provides His grace. We see this in the lives of three mothers in the Bible. In each of their circumstances, God provided what they needed and gave them His grace.”

Darryl offers some random but helpful thoughts on preaching.

Have you ever considered what good news it is that God hates sin?

We sometimes encounter providences that make us believe the book has been closed and all has been lost. Yet when we are pressed, we must not think we have been crushed, but believe that God can still bring about a great redemption. 

Your whole life is being determined by what you’re running from, what you’re running to, and who you’re running with.
—Alistair Begg

Good morning from Kitwe, Zambia. I’m here this week to speak at an event for writers. Prayers are appreciated!

If all goes well, you should find hundreds of great Kindle deals available today—commentaries, Bible resources, and much more. Start here for a short list and then go here for a much longer one. I’ll try to have the list all updated by early morning.

(Yesterday on the blog: Combat Anxiety Through Surrender)

John Piper evaluates Jordan Peterson’s perspective on happiness. “Jordan Peterson is negative about happiness as the aim of life because he defines happiness as fleeting, unpredictable, impulsive, and superficial rather than as deep, lasting, soul-satisfying, rooted in God, and expanding in love. He’s probably right that for most people, happiness is experienced as fleeting, superficial, unpredictable…”

I enjoyed Dan’s tribute to the humble cup of church coffee.

Andrew Roycroft considers the show Adolescence and writes about it for the benefit of a younger audience. “Greetings from the world of Substack. I’m not sure how familiar you are with this platform, but I have a feeling that it might be the domain of people you view as outside of your age group. Thanks for venturing into this space, if so!”

Chap Bettis suggests “five different spiritual habits or rhythms that you can bring into your home that will bring blessing.”

This is a true and encouraging story. “All four ladies were chatting pleasantly as they drove up to the intersection. Adaleen’s window was halfway down due to the hot temperatures outside. Out of nowhere the assailant’s hand reached in through the open window and pulled the keys out of the ignition, stalling the car. Shock gripped all the women.”

Brett McCracken considers Love Is Blind and how it is “fascinating as a reflection of our culture’s widening gender divide over politics and as a strong warning against ‘unequally yoked’ dating when key values and spiritual convictions diverge.”

As I listen and ask follow-up questions, I learn—I learn to appreciate what I have often never considered before and even what doesn’t especially enthuse me. God is good to give human beings skills and passions and good to allow us to express them in our vocations. 

A profession of faith doesn’t justify anybody. It’s the possession of faith that justifies.
—R.C. Sproul

This week’s blog is sponsored by Fieldstone Counseling. Fieldstone Counseling is a biblical counseling organization based in Northeast Ohio, offering both in-person and remote counseling services. Fieldstone exists to engage life’s experiences with biblically-based, Christ-centered, and clinically informed counsel.

You know you’re an old parent when you find yourself giving quips and quotes that your parents gave you. My kids tell me all the time about how they love my little sayings here and there:

“Are you working hard or hardly working?”

“If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.”

“Don’t put off tomorrow what can be done today!”

One of my favorite sayings that I hear often from older generations is:

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Meaning, a bit of proactive care on the front end can save you a lot of heartache (and potentially money) in the long run. I find this especially true when it comes to counseling. Often, we think of counseling as reserved for only the most complex or chronic of problems–marriages on the brink of divorce, severe mental health issues, complex parenting situations. Yes, counseling can be helpful in those areas, but it’s also true that counseling can be helpful in the earlier stages of a problem as well.

Counseling provides a context for you to speak and be heard

Sometimes, it’s helpful to speak with someone and be heard. In a culture that is dominated by loud voices and big messages, sometimes your personal story of sin and shame, suffering and sorrow gets lost in the mix. When did you last speak with someone about what was on your heart? When was the last time you had the chance to talk to someone about something of essential importance in your life? Counseling can provide that!

In Scripture, we see ourselves clearly for who we are–sinners and sufferers in need of God’s grace and mercy.Share

Counseling can help you see early signs of danger

I’ve been told that early detection is the key to many of life’s physical health issues. A friend recently told me that I need to keep an eye on my rising blood pressure as that could be an indicator of cardiovascular issues. Trust me–I’m taking his counsel very seriously. Similarly, counseling can help you process and receive biblical guidance and truth on issues in your life before they become overwhelming or life-dominating.

Struggling with every day, low-level anxiety? Stuck in a rut at work and struggling to find meaning and purpose? Why not seek a wise counselor to work through these issues with?

Counseling can identify blind spots

In speaking and being heard, counseling can also help you identify those pesky blind spots in your life. What you might see as a difficult relationship actually ties back to a past hurt or trauma in a previous relationship. That persistent feeling of loneliness could be connected to insecurities about being rejected or abandoned by friends and loved ones. The bad news about blind spots is that they can cause serious accidents if you ignore them. The good news about blind spots is that an accident can be avoided simply by being aware of them.

Counseling can help you connect the truths of Scripture with the troubles of life

What happens in the counseling room? I think you’d be surprised at how simple and straightforward counseling actually is. We speak to each other from the heart, and then we seek to connect those important realities to the truth of who Christ is and the hope offered to us in Scripture. In Scripture, we see ourselves clearly for who we are–sinners and sufferers in need of God’s grace and mercy.

In light of this, take a moment and pause. Is there something in your life right now that you could use some solid, biblical counsel on? Is there someone in your life right now that you need help navigating difficult dynamics with? Take that ounce of prevention now–consider reaching out for help. Fieldstone Counseling is a biblically-based, Christ-centered, and clinically informed counseling center that offers its services to people looking for lasting hope for life’s hardships.

Visit us today and make an appointment at fieldstonecounseling.org

Life is intimidating at times. Sometimes it’s intimidating, sometimes it’s scary, and sometimes it’s downright terrifying. As we gaze into a future that is uncertain or frightening, our natural tendency is to pursue comfort through control. If we can only gain control over the situation, then we can ward off what frightens us and usher in what comforts us. If we can control the situation we can control the outcome and have confidence that all will be well. Or so we convince ourselves.

When we lie awake at night pondering our dire finances, that angry church member, a concerning medical diagnosis, our minds often race through the different scenarios looking for ways we can control them. When we finally awaken the next morning, we pray, speak, and behave in ways that attempt to master or dominate the situation. If only I can take the levers of power, if only people will cede to my will, if only God does things my way, then all will be well. If I can control the outcome, I can control the circumstances.

One of the lessons I have learned through life’s greatest difficulties is there is far more comfort in surrender than control. The reason is obvious: Surrender is within our power while control is not. We have the ability to surrender ourselves to God and his purposes, but we do not have the ability to control God and his purposes. God honors our words of commitment and consecration but he does not honor our attempts to wedge our way into what is his jurisdiction. Ceding control is a superior response to anxiety than attempting to seize it. Bowing the knee to God, pleading our case, and praying, “Nevertheless, not as I will but you will,” is the unexpected path to peace.

God honors our words of commitment and consecration but he does not honor our attempts to wedge our way into what is his jurisdiction.Share

Thus, when we face situations that are intimidating, scary, or terrifying, the right response is surrender. We need to surrender not just those things we’d be content to do without, but those things we love most and value highest: health, money, career, spouse, children. We need to surrender them to the Lord, to his wisdom, to his sovereignty. This is not an emotionally passive surrender as if we can ever be apathetic about what is important to us, but a fully active surrender in which we choose to trust that God’s wisdom is greater and his will is better than our own. It is the kind of surrender that acknowledges these things we value so highly only ever belonged to God and never actually belonged to us.

What we want in our times of fear and uncertainty is the assurance of a particular outcome—the outcome we long for. But what we need in our times of fear and uncertainty is trust in the character and sovereignty of God. What we need most is to surrender all to him and his kind, Fatherly heart, trusting that he will only ever do what is right and what is best—even, or especially, if it does not look that way to us.

Good morning. Grace and peace to you.

Today’s Kindle deals include a collection of interesting titles. I’ve also bumped up some books whose sale price will be expiring at the end of the day.

This is a helpful word on gratitude—both spontaneous and deliberate.

Bethel McGrew writes about Adolescence, a show that a lot of people are talking about. She is especially fascinated by what the show does not cover to any significant degree.

“As a member of Gen Z—the generation that grew up with smartphones—I didn’t realize how my phone was degrading my spiritual life until I had to give it up.”

Michael Jensen explains why he believes in miracles. “Since that great intellectual movement called the Enlightenment in the 18th century, miracles have been increasingly thought of as an embarrassment to Christian faith. This embarrassment has not decreased.”

Alan Noble: “The following might get me into trouble with some readers, but I think it’s worth saying because it’s true: Christian artists are not priests. They don’t belong to some special class of holy people set apart by God (as we see under the Old Covenant) from other believers to proclaim spiritual truths. They aren’t a higher form of Christian given unique insight into beauty and the calling to save the world through beauty.”

This writer explains how he has come “to both believe and feel more deeply that the justice of hell is a fitting, careful justice. I, like many, am tempted to feel that an eternal hell is a careless kind of ‘justice,’ a broad-brushed thing involving so much eternal collateral damage. This couldn’t be further from the truth.”

…he wants to see pastors become committed, faithful, engaging expositors of the Word. Such preaching, while perhaps not fitting any definition of entertainment, will be interesting and effective.

Daniel among the lions is happier than Darius on his throne.
—DeWitt Talmage

Though we are limited beings with little knowledge, we are proud beings with little humility. When Jesus taught us to pray, he taught us to bring our petitions before the Lord, to bring to him all our cares, all our burdens, all our sorrows. We can and should plead our case before the Lord, for Jesus tells us, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:I1).

Yet we need to do so humbly acknowledging that God may have purposes in mind that he has not yet made clear to us. And so when we pray and when we bring our requests to the Lord, we say, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). In these words we acknowledge what God has made clear. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9).

We humbly, willingly submit to the choices of the God who is working all things for our good and his glory. In the words of Moody, we “Spread out our petitions before God, and then say, ‘Thy will, not mine, be done.’” We will come to see what he learned: “The sweetest lesson I have learned in God’s school is to let the Lord choose for me.”

My gratitude goes to 21Five for sponsoring the blog this week. If you are a Christian reader in Canada, you may want to look at their site and consider their Easter specials.

Today’s Kindle deals include some newer titles and some classics as well. Also, Westminster Books is offering an ESV Study Bible at 63% off.

(Yesterday on the blog: New and Notable Christian Books for March 2025)

Is it possible for God to withdraw his presence from us? As John Piper explains here, the answer can be both yes and no.

This article provides a helpful illustration that explains why there are four gospels instead of one.

Trevin explains what we can glean from some of the different ways that Christians celebrate the Lord’s Supper. “Whatever you call it, however you celebrate it, there’s much to be gleaned by reflecting on the symbolism of your church’s traditions when observing this meal together. Treat the moment with reverence, with joy, with gratitude, with faith.”

“The bottom-level, unchangeable truth about your life is not that it’s hard (though maybe it is) and not that it’s painful (though that’s probably true too). The truest, most unchanging thing about your life is that you have a God who is worthy of your trust in every tiny circumstance you encounter today.”

We all need wisdom for those difficult conversations we need to have from time to time.

“For real and rich friendship to develop, we need time and the wisdom to know whom to spend it on. And on this side of eternity, our time is limited. What do we do when cell phones, Wi-Fi, and economy airlines conspire to make the number of friendships we could ‘keep up’ feel virtually limitless?”

Their frailty is to be met with sympathy, their inability is to draw the love and help of Christ’s whole family. Their weakness is to be their strength as it draws the love and care of the entire household.

The best kinds of ministry are, more often than not, long term and low key.
—Christopher Ash

This weeks giveaway is sponsored by 21Five.

Have you heard of 21Five? 21Five is Canada’s newest Christian bookstore curating a collection of the best gospel-centred, God-glorifying books and products. It can be hard to find affordable, Reformed Christian resources, especially when Christian bookstores across Canada are closing their doors. 21Five is able to ship a variety of materials across the country at great prices to help you deepen their faith and embody it in all areas of life. You can shop online at 21Five.ca or in person at their physical location in Ancaster (Hamilton), Ontario.

On the road to Easter, 21Five is offering a number of seasonal promotions. Save 10% on their entire Easter collection. Additionally, until April 17, get free Canada-wide shipping on orders of $50 or more (lowered from $75).

Easter Giveaway

For Free Stuff Fridays, 21Five is hosting a book giveaway! Five winners will receive a book of their choosing from 21Five’s Easter collection, as well as a faith-based bookmark.

This contest is for Canadian residents only.To enter, fill out the form below which automatically subscribes you to 21Five’s monthly e-newsletter. Newsletter subscribers are the first to hear about promotions, sales and new products.

As you know, I like to do my best to sort through the new Christian books that are released each month to see what stands out as being not only new but also particularly notable. I received quite a number of new books in March and narrowed the list down to the ones below. I have included the editorial description for each. I hope there’s something here that catches your eye!

Wiser with Jesus: Overcoming the Temptations That Hinder Your Relationships, Steal Your Time, Mar Your Decision-Making and Thwart Your Purpose by Zack Eswine. “The biblical book of Proverbs exemplifies how to live life on this earth in the best way possible. However, rather than giving us step–by–step instructions on how to live a more efficient, productive, and successful life, the ancient book of Proverbs encourages us to meditate on the person, posture and pace of wisdom. In our pursuit of wisdom as Christians, we find that ultimate wisdom is embodied in Christ. We must pursue wisdom as we would a person, relationally and with love. The posture of wisdom is one of humility and teachability, and the pace of wisdom encourages meditation rather than immediate action. In this valuable book, Zack Eswine shows us how these things play out in our everyday lives. He emphasizes the importance of relating wisely to people, including to ourselves, before considering how to grow wiser in life skills. But to grow wiser of heart, whether with people or with life skills, wisdom invites us to prayer and community. Biblical wisdom invites us to seek wiser hearts in communal rather than lonely ways.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Paul: Apostle of Grace by Frank Thielman. “In this fresh and engaging survey, Frank Thielman introduces readers to the life and world of the apostle Paul. Drawing on the Acts of the Apostles and Paul’s canonical letters as well as noncanonical sources and archaeological records, Thielman constructs a vivid picture of the complex historical period and fascinating cultures in which Paul worked. At the same time, Thielman guides readers toward a deeper understanding of who Paul was, what he believed, and how he carried out his ministry. Solidly grounded in Paul’s own writings as well as scholarly research, the book explores a wide range of compelling questions. … Addressing these questions through careful and conservative research, Paul, Apostle of Grace is a worthy successor to F.F. Bruce’s classic study and an essential resource for scholars and students of the Bible today.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory by Robert S. Smith. “Understand society’s shifts in thinking and talking about sex and gender; Discover how biological sex guides gender; Recognize how the Bible speaks to gender and transgender; Respond to affirming interpretations of Scripture; Answer gender confusion with clarity and compassion. In The Body God Gives: A Biblical Response to Transgender Theory, Robert S. Smith argues that God intends a person’s gender to be grounded in the reality of his or her biological sex―the body God has given. In making his case, Smith critiques the central claim of transgender theory: that the sexed body does not determine the gendered self. He also evaluates contemporary changes in thought and speech about sex and gender, responding to modern confusion with biblical conviction and compassion. God speaks clearly, both in his word and in his world.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Disrupted Journey: Walking with Your Loved One Through Chronic Pain and Illness by Nate Brooks. “When your loved one’s life is wracked by illness, your life changes too. This honest, deeply personal book helps readers to biblically process their own upended lives, relationships, and spiritual walk. Whether you’re a parent, spouse, child, or friend, when your loved one’s life is wracked by illness and pain, your life changes too. This honest, deeply personal book helps caregivers and companions of hurting people to process their own upended lives, relationships, and spiritual walk—while keeping their gaze on the comfort and hope offered by Scripture.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Good News at Rock Bottom: Finding God When the Pain Goes Deep and Hope Seems Lost by Ray Ortlund. “We all long for a life worth living. So when we receive news of a frightening diagnosis, suffer heartbreaking loss in our family life, or get trapped in a cycle of our own sin, we might wonder about God. Where is he when we need him most? With wisdom from Isaiah 57:15, Good News at Rock Bottom helps readers discover that Jesus is hard to find in the comfortable lives we prefer. Instead, he meets us at rock bottom―where he is waiting for us with open arms. With grace and empathy, author Ray Ortlund opens a door for readers to go deeper with God and get closer to faithful friends when life is hard to bear. You will discover that, at rock bottom, Jesus is more satisfying than any comfortable life without him.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Romans: The Glory of the Gospel by Lydia Brownback. This is the newest volume in Brownback’s excellent Flourish series which many of the ladies in our church are using. “Why is Romans considered the greatest letter ever written? In this New Testament epistle, the apostle Paul provides the clearest explanation of the gospel and the eternal hope for a humanity marred by sin and death. Through King Jesus, God reveals his righteousness, redeems his people from their sins, and unlocks the floodgates of his mercy. In this 10-week Bible study for women, Lydia Brownback examines Romans verse by verse to explore how God works through his Son and in the hearts of his people. Written for individuals or groups, each lesson helps women understand important doctrines of the faith, such as justification, propitiation, and redemption, on a practical and accessible level.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Fake Christianity: 10 Traps of an Inauthentic Faith (and How to Avoid Them) by Jed Coppenger. “Fake Christianity is deceptive and deadly. And, unfortunately, it’s very much alive today. We can easily recognize problems and hypocrisy around us. But it takes humility and courage to face the error and deception within us. With a pastoral heart, Jed Coppenger shows us how unnoticed hypocrisy, like prayerlessness, neglect of the Bible, gossip, bitterness, and every form of ungodliness, compromise our heart and weaken our Christian witness. In Fake Christianity, Coppenger looks to the teachings of Jesus that address a culture remarkably like our own. He exposes ten traps of inauthentic faith and provides a gospel-centric response. The best way to tell a fake thing is to look at the real thing. That’s true when looking at gems. It’s also true of the Christian life. If we want to understand what’s true and good, we must look to Jesus. And we must listen to Him.” (Buy it at Amazon)

War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles (Second Edition) by Paul David Tripp. “Underneath the normality of daily speech lies a great struggle—a war of words with high stakes and life-changing consequences. With characteristic vulnerability and Christ-centeredness, Paul Tripp shows that the gospel can utterly transform the way we communicate. The Word made flesh offers us hope for our words—giving us the power to speak words that restore, words that heal, words that bring life. In our war, the Lord Jesus is the one who gives us the victory. With the aid of personal assessments and discussion questions, use this incisive book to renew your reliance on your heavenly Father’s abundant grace and better pursue speech that honors Christ and benefits others.” (Buy it at Amazon or Westminster Books)

Pastoral Theology: The Pastor in the Various Duties of His Office by Thomas Murphy. “Whether newly ordained or nearly retired, every pastor will benefit from the wise counsel of this book. Based in part on his experience as a pastor for over twenty-five years, and in part from his notes from Archibald Alexander’s Princeton Seminary class on pastoral ministry, Thomas Murphy sets forth the duties of the pastor in expansive and practical detail. Though written twelve years after the end of the US Civil War, this work remains relevant. The chapters on the pastor in his closet and the pastor in his study are alone worth the price of the book.” (Buy it at Westminster Books)

Walking in God’s Will: Demystify God’s Plan for Your Life and Make Decisions with Confidence by Costi W. Hinn. “Do you feel paralyzed by major life decisions because you’re afraid of missing God’s plan for your life? Do you wonder how God’s will works in tandem with your choices, experiences, and desires? In this timeless guidebook, pastor and Bible teacher Costi Hinn offers readers an expansive map of what Scripture says about God’s will. As you read, you’ll learn to overcome common decision-making cripplers, distinguish God’s voice from your own, and experience peace, joy, and confidence with each life choice, big or small. Whether you’re praying through a specific decision or simply curious about how God’s providence works, Walking in God’s Will is the book for you.” (Buy it at Amazon)

Colossians, Volume 44A: Second Edition (44) (Word Biblical Commentary) by Clinton E. Arnold. “The Word Biblical Commentary series delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.” This new second edition comes with a wide range of endorsements: Thomas Schreiner, Constantine Campbell, Eckhard Schnabel, and so on. (Buy it at Amazon)

Drive Through the Bible: A 30-Day Journey by Colin Smith. “The Old Testament. The New Testament. Proverbs and Psalms. Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. When traveling, we rely heavily on maps and navigation systems to take us through the countryside and to our destination. Drive Through the Bible is a 30-session guided tour that explores the beautiful and treacherous landscape of the entire Bible story. With the pastoral guidance of Colin Smith, this book brings you into the valleys of the Old Testament, the peaks of the glory of Jesus, and the ups and downs of the Christian life. This journey spans thousands of years, but its simple, guided approach makes it feel like a quick drive up the road.” (Buy it at Amazon)