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In Culture Care, Makoto Fujimura writes about reconnecting with beauty for our common life.

The book helps readers cultivate practices that care for the soul of our culture. Fujimura writes, "Culture is not a territory to be won or lost but a resource we are called to steward with care. Culture is a garden to be cultivated."

Beauty

Culture Care begins by addressing the problem of isolation. Community is difficult, and there is a need to build bridges between people. Art can help accomplish this.

Fujimura next explores the role of beauty in culture care. Beauty cultivates an appetite for the best things of the soul. Like good food, beauty requires time to absorb and digest.

He defines beauty as a quality connected with things that are inherently appealing and desirable. Beauty is a delight, a refreshment, and a pleasure. It invites us in and is worthy of our attention. It connects us with lasting satisfaction. He points us to a Christian understanding of beauty that includes gratuity, stewardship, justice, and sacrifice.

Border Crossers

I was most moved by Fujimura's discussion of mearcstapas—border crossers. I learned to embrace my identity as an artist and to see how that identity helps me as a leader. I better understand how I can preach not merely as an academic, but also as an artist.

I was most challenged to view art not simply as something practical, but as an expression of love. Art allows us to become more fully human. I was also challenged because I am deeply aware of the commercialization of Christian books and the temptation to turn ministry into a means of financial gain. I do not want to be a peddler of the gospel, and Fujimura's work calls me back to that conviction.

Alongside other artists, I am resolved to focus on creating "Genesis moments" that are generous and generational. The book concludes with an encouragement to till gospel soil. In many ways, culture care is the work of cultivating the soil in which the gospel can flourish.

Wonder

This second edition has been newly revised with relevant discussions on culture wars and artificial intelligence. New material includes reflections on generative thinking and culture care as a form of public theology.

This book helped me wonder at what could be. This book is a work of art. Culture Care is a beautiful project worth pursuing for the glory of God and the good of others.

Book Review: Thirty Second Theology

In Thirty-Second Theology, Sinclair B. Ferguson uses a clear question-and-answer format to help readers build and strengthen their faith. The book presents foundational Christian doctrines in a concise and accessible way.

The book is divided into six broad sections: (1) What We Believe, (2) Becoming and Being a Christian, (3) Living for God and His Glory, (4) The Bible and Prayer, (5) The Church, the Sacraments, and Our Witness to Christ, and (6) The Future. You can read it straight through or use it as a devotional or teaching resource over time.

Help Students Grow

One of my favorite features is the memory verses included with each Q&A. They help students ground what they are learning in Scripture and allow those truths to take root in their minds and hearts.

Although the book is aimed at teens, it would also be a valuable resource for parents and youth leaders. Thirty-Second Theology is a book that can be easily picked up and read to help students grow in both knowledge and love for God.

Book Review: Jonathan Edwards

In Jonathan Edwards: The Boy Who Sparked Revival, David Mathis introduces young readers to one of the most influential pastors and theologians in American history.

The book traces Edwards's love for God's Word and his lifelong commitment to studying, writing, and preaching the Scriptures. It shows how God used an ordinary boy with a deep love for truth to play a significant role in the revival known as the Great Awakening.

Study and Teach Scripture

I was most interested to read Edwards's disagreement with his grandfather's view that people could participate in the Lord's Supper without a genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Edwards believed the church should uphold the importance of a credible profession of faith.

This book encourages children to treasure God's Word and demonstrates the impact that a life devoted to studying and teaching Scripture can have on the world.

In Elisabeth Elliot: The Brave Girl Who Chose to Love, Ellen Vaughn introduces young readers to the life and legacy of one of Christianity's most influential missionaries.

I was most moved on its emphasis on forgiveness. Through Elisabeth's response to the Waorani people who killed her husband, Jim Elliot, readers see a powerful picture of the forgiveness and love that Jesus extends to sinners.

Forgiveness and Frontier Missions

I appreciated how this book celebrates the work of women in God's kingdom, showcasing Elisabeth as a pioneering frontier missionary, author, and teacher. It concludes by sharing how she wrote more than 40 books and taught people around the world about trusting God, even when life is incredibly difficult.

As Isaiah 43:2 reminds us, God is with His people through every trial. Elisabeth Elliot's story is a compelling example of that truth and an inspiring introduction to a remarkable woman of faith.

Book Review: All About the Bible

In All About the Bible, Alison Mitchell shares more than 100 amazing facts about God's Word. As a child, I loved reading encyclopedias like this, and All About the Bible captures that same sense of discovery and wonder.

Explore and Learn

The book covers a wide range of topics, including the overall story of the Bible, the different books that make up Scripture, the people who wrote it, notable Bible characters, and even unusual Bibles throughout history. My favorite sections were those on Bible translations and how the Bible was preserved and passed down through history.

Designed by Andre Parker, the book is visually engaging and packed with timelines, maps, graphics, spotlight features, and full-color photographs. The layout is fun and inviting, making it easy for children to explore and learn.

Know, Trust, and Love

As a children's ministry leader, I often receive questions from students about the Bible's accuracy, how we got the Bible, and the geography of biblical lands. This book addresses many of those questions in an accessible and engaging way.

A book about the Bible is a brilliant idea for children. It can spark excitement about God's Word, strengthen their confidence in its truthfulness, and help them see its goodness and beauty. All About the Bible is an excellent resource for helping young readers know, trust, and love God's Word.

Book Review: Storing Up Treasure

In Storing Up Treasure, Kyle Bjerga shares 30 memory verses to learn, live, and love. The book is divided into four sections: Moments in My Day, Moments in My Life, Thinking About Myself and God, and How I Feel.

This book is highly interactive, functioning much like a journal with a variety of prompts and activities. The "Go Deeper" sections help readers understand each verse. The "Go Wider" sections take readers across the Bible to explore each theme further. The "Get Creative" sections provide activities and ideas that help children engage with Scripture in meaningful ways.

A Chest Full of Gold

Storing Up Treasure includes verses from both the Old and New Testaments, and they are excellent selections. From Lamentations 3:22–23 to Colossians 3:12, these passages are among the most treasured verses in Scripture. It also includes passages that address temptation, sin, and confession—topics I was glad to see covered in a children's book.

What I love most about this book is that it is designed for parents and children to journey together in memorizing Scripture. It helps put the whole family on the same page as they grow in God's Word. Storing Up Treasure is a chest full of gold, helping families hide God's Word in their hearts together.

Book Review: Daddy, How Much Do You Love Me?

In Daddy, How Much Do You Love Me?, Matt Markins shows how the love between a father and son can point us to the love of our heavenly Father.

Markins, president of AWANA, clearly sees the family as foundational. With tender emotion, he shares the story of a father and son spending the day together and making memories. Written for children ages 4–7, the book is filled with wonderful and engaging illustrations by Daniela Sosa.

Cherish Your Children

This book gave me words to speak to my own children about the joy they bring me and the love that I have for them. It helped me see how I can always point them to the greater love of our heavenly Father. It also challenged me to cherish and make the most of the time I have with them.

At the end of the book, there is a section titled "From One Dad to Another." Markins reflects on the parable of the prodigal son, noting that the father is present, patient, and pursues his sons. This book encourages dads to persevere in expressing their love for their children.

In Battling Unbelief, John Piper shows how to defeat sin with superior pleasure. Piper demonstrates how to apply the promises of God found in Scripture.

Future Grace

This book is an excerpt from his larger work, Future Grace: The Purifying Power of the Promises of God. It contains the application chapters—the ones that illustrate how faith in future grace severs the root of sin and sets free the stream of love. As a result, it is an intensely practical book.

Piper addresses anxiety, pride, misplaced shame, impatience, covetousness, bitterness, despondency, and lust. In each case, he shows how unbelief is a turning away from God in order to find satisfaction in something else—an inferior pleasure.

Interestingly, Piper argues that the unbelief of pride is the deepest form of unbelief because self-determination and self-exaltation lie behind all these other sinful dispositions. Wisdom, might, and riches often become sources of pride as we fail to see that God is better. Piper combats them with precision and skill.

The Fight of Faith

I was most moved by the chapter on battling covetousness, especially in a social media age where statistics, followers, and numbers are displayed for all to see. Piper walks readers through key biblical texts, culminating in 1 Timothy 6:6: “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

I was most challenged by the chapter on battling bitterness, especially when it comes to forgiving our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Piper points us to the cross, where we see that vengeance still belongs to the Lord and has been satisfied in Christ, as the punishment for sin was laid upon Him.

Battling Unbelief will sharpen your sword, empower you, and give you the courage to fight the fight of faith.

Book Review: Written on the Heart

In Written on the Heart, Stephen Steele shows how the law of God is still relevant and needs to be remembered today. In a world that increasingly disregards any fixed standard of law or morality, this book is a timely reminder that God’s commands are good, wise, and enduring.

I was most helped by his explaining of the threefold division of the law: the moral law (the unchanging core, summarized in the Ten Commandments), the ceremonial law (regulating Israel’s sacrificial system and matters such as ceremonial cleanliness), and the judicial law (specific laws to be obeyed by the nation of Israel in the Promised Land). While the last two have become obsolete, they are still relevant for understanding God. He uses the language of “expansion packs,” which is helpful for understanding how the later laws relate to the Ten Commandments.

God's Laws, Our Good

Chapter 5 gives eight principles for teaching the Ten Commandments to others. I was most moved to see that the believer receives them from Christ, who has kept them perfectly. And we can please God in faith. Interestingly, the book goes into errors of New Covenant Theology. I was most affirmed to read that progressive revelation does not require progressive morality.

Toward the end of the book, Steele looks at legalism, reminding us that God can still be gracious and give us laws. He concludes by helping us see that the law is good, especially when connected to Christ. Written on the Heart is a thoughtful and encouraging book that helps Christians better understand the goodness, purpose, and continuing relevance of God’s law.

Bible Review: ESV Large Print Compact Bible Red Letter

The ESV Large Print Compact Red Letter Bible has quickly become my favorite small Bible. It is both portable and practical—ideal for travel, daily use, or keeping with me in my shoulder bag on the go.

This is the kind of Bible I would take to a conference, or bring along to church when I am not teaching and want something easy to carry. It is small enough and streamlined, yet still substantial enough for simple, regular reading.

Quality and Convenience

The buffalo leather edition adds a strong sense of durability and quality while maintaining a compact feel. The construction feels solid and well-made. The sewn binding is another highlight, giving it flexibility and long-term durability compared to glued bindings.

The 8-point type in a double-column format is surprisingly readable for a compact Bible, making extended reading manageable without strain. This is a thoughtfully designed, highly portable Bible that balances readability, quality, and convenience.

In The Right Faith, Gordon J. Keddie offers a warm, pastoral exposition of 1 and 2 Thessalonians written especially for Christians living in challenging times. Providentially, this book arrived just as our church was beginning a preaching series through these letters!

As I prepared to preach on 1 Thessalonians 1, Keddie helped me see more clearly that Paul’s opponents did not merely attack the messenger, but the message itself. He also reminded me that believers should expect this kind of opposition, just as our Savior did.

Encouragement for Challenging Times

Reflecting on Paul’s life and ministry, we can be confident that his work was authentic and faithful. This challenged me to desire the same integrity, character, and heart for God’s people.

Keddie’s commentary on 1 and 2 Thessalonians is textually grounded, excellently illustrated, and practically applied. Preachers and teachers will benefit from his insight, and it is also well suited for any believer seeking solid devotional nourishment.

Book Review: George Müller: A Life of Prayer and Compassion

A Life of Prayer and Compassion by Faith Coxe Bailey presents the story of George Müller in a simple, fast-paced narrative that traces his transformation from a rebellious youth to a man wholly devoted to Christ. The book emphasizes a life fueled by prayer and the work of God, showing how Müller’s faith became the foundation for everything he did.

A central theme is God’s provision, not just financially but in sustaining an entire missionary vision. Müller’s care for thousands of orphans illustrates the conviction that when the work aligns with God’s heart, the means will follow.

Fully Dependent on God

The story also touches on the cost of discipleship, including the theme of leaving family for the call of Christ, highlighting the depth of Müller’s commitment.

The book shows how caring for orphans and widows is central to God’s heart, and that He faithfully provides what is needed to carry out that work. This book serves as an encouraging testimony of what a life fully dependent on God can accomplish.

Book Review: D. L. Moody: God's Bold Messenger

Faith Coxe Bailey’s D. L. Moody: God’s Bold Messenger is a fast-paced, engaging portrait of a man driven by faith and purpose. Written in a novel-like style, it captures Moody as a young man “strong in faith, though limited in experience,” whose life led to the choice of ministry over money.

Bailey highlights Moody as a deeply motivated man, showing how his passion translated into action—from selling shoes to teaching Sunday school. The conversations are exciting, and bring Moody and his world to life.

Step Out in Faith

I was most moved to see moments of providence, like God providing opportunities through something as simple as a train pass. The theme that God equips those who step out in faith rings true. And lines like “You talk like you know God” capture the authenticity that made Moody so influential.

God's Bold Messenger emphasizes that God provides for His people and that the passion of one person can ignite the church. It's an inspiring, accessible introduction to a life fully committed to God.

Book Review: God's Great Big Global Church

In God's Great Big Global Church, Tim Challies takes your children to visit 10 kids and their churches all around the world. This book is a wonderful companion to From the Rising of the Sun by Challies and Keesee.

Challies guides readers through the book as they meet fictionalized children and learn about their lives and churches. I loved how the book presents the different yet similar ways we sing, preach, and pray in our churches.

The illustrations by Sian James are beautiful and brilliant. The children and the locations of Fiji, South Korea, Cambodia, India, Zambia, Poland, Morocco, Brazil, Chile, and Alaska truly come to life. Throughout the book, you learn facts about each location—their food, customs, landmarks, regions, and the Christian population.

Get Excited About Sundays

I was most moved reading about the church in Poland, where Challies tells of the war and the people who came over from Ukraine. I was reminded of my brothers and sisters in Christ who do not get to worship in comfort.

I was most challenged reading about the church in India, where Christians are not allowed to worship openly. The church meets in secret, gathering in small groups and singing quietly. Reading this as an adult, I was resolved to be bold in my faith.

God's Great Big Global Church is a gorgeous children’s book, similar to a coffee-table-style book for kids. You will want to pick it up, be inspired by these stories, and be moved to pray for God’s great big global church. This book will make your kids excited about Sundays!

In A Heart Aflame for God, Matthew C. Bingham shares a Reformed approach to spiritual formation, showing how twenty-first-century evangelicals can pursue spiritual growth through early modern Puritan piety.

Spiritual Depth and Seriousness

This book retrieves a Reformed approach to spiritual formation, focusing on the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformers and their seventeenth-century post-Reformation successors. Together, they are labeled “early modern” Protestants — the men and women who recovered the distinctively word-centered approach to the spiritual life.

Bingham defines spiritual formation as the conscious process by which we seek to heighten and satisfy our Spirit-given thirst for God through divinely appointed means, with a view toward “working out our own salvation with fear and trembling” and becoming “mature in Christ.”

As opposed to a pragmatic, “whatever works for you” approach to spiritual formation, a word-centered spirituality — marked by biblical simplicity and committed to engaging the heart through the mind — reflects spiritual formation in a Reformation key. Word, meditation, and prayer are treated as three aspects of a single activity: communion with the living God.

Scripture, Meditation, Prayer

While we might not like the term “quiet time,” we must see Scripture as the key to our relationship with God. No real spiritual growth is possible apart from engagement with God’s Word. Bingham advises reading Scripture frequently, actively, and expectantly. In a distracted age, where even our devotional lives can become rushed and shallow, his emphasis on lingering in the Word challenged me.

I was especially moved by the discussion of meditation and how it causes us to slow down in a world that seems bent on moving ever faster. It forces us to steady our minds and direct our affections.

A reformed approach to prayer is prayer that is thoughtful, sincere, heartfelt, and tethered to Scripture. Bingham’s emphasis on Scripture-shaped prayer reminded me that meaningful prayer flows from a heart saturated in God’s Word. The connection between Scripture and prayer made me see both disciplines not as separate activities, but as part of an ongoing conversation with the living God.

Kindle the Fire

I was also interested to learn about the importance of self-examination and understanding the story and meaning of one’s own life. Scripture serves as both a measuring stick and a backdrop against which we examine our lives.

Alongside the Reformers, I want to bring the natural world into my sermons, as it reflects the glory of God. In our increasingly online world, this emphasis feels especially important. I also learned the importance of “conference” — intentional conversation for the sake of spiritual formation.

Bingham addresses challenges to spiritual formation, including the limitations of our physical bodies and our own spiritual weaknesses. The book ends by reminding us of the importance of the local church. A Heart Aflame for God is a brilliant book that will kindle the fire of your life in Christ.

Bible Review: The ESV Study Bible

When I wanted to get serious about Bible study, the ESV Study Bible had just been published. It was the perfect blend of beautiful physical design and the promise of digital accessibility. It has become what I consider the gold standard for study Bibles, and it introduced me to the world-class resource library of Crossway Publishing.

Scholarship and Study

The scope of the scholarship is astounding. It was developed by a broad team of 95 respected Bible scholars and teachers representing nine countries, nearly 20 denominations, and 50 seminaries, colleges, and universities, bringing together a remarkable depth of biblical insight and theological perspective.

The ESV Study Bible includes an extensive collection of study resources, such as detailed study notes, 200 full-color maps, 40 full-color illustrations, charts, timelines, and book introductions, making it one of the most comprehensive study resources available for Bible readers and teachers.

The Gift of God's Word

The articles are especially robust, with more than 50 topical theology articles that could almost stand alone as a book themselves, presenting key concepts, doctrines, theology, and the background behind the Christian Bible.

This is the first Bible I turn to when preparing a sermon, and the one I would choose if I could only have a single Bible for the rest of my life. After all these years, it remains my most trusted recommendation for anyone who wants to dive in and dig deep with the gift of God’s Word.

Book Review: Help! I'm Losing My Faith in God

In Help! I’m Losing My Faith in God, Tom Sugimura helps readers navigate a spiritual crisis so they can build a solid foundation on Christ. The book is deeply personal, beginning with Sugimura’s own faith crisis, where he describes a season in which he was shaken and felt like he was sinking.

The book begins by addressing the difference between inherited faith and accepted faith, approaching the topic of deconstruction with pastoral warmth and wisdom. Sugimura offers gospel-centered responses to personal suffering, the fear of fickle friends, the pursuit of worldliness, and prideful thinking. I was especially encouraged by his emphasis on delighting in Christ, not just pursuing intellectual understanding.

Christ, the Foundation of Our Faith

While acknowledging that church leaders can sometimes let us down, Sugimura reminds readers that we are not meant to hold onto our faith alone. He asks his readers to turn to trusted friends and mentors for support. The book concludes with a call to trust God, stand on the solid rock of Christ, and rely on His Word.

I highly recommend this book for youth and youth leaders, as it thoughtfully engages the real questions and doubts that I have seen many young people face today. When faith is often challenged and deconstruction is increasingly common, this book gives readers a stronger, more resilient foundation in Christ.

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