My review of "Bonhoeffer Abridged - Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy"

This is the second book I've read on Dietrich Bonhoeffer in recent months.The last one was "Strange Glory," a very long book with a lot of detail, and for some people a little too much detail. My wife loves history and is from a German heritage, so I thought she would love "Strange Glory" - she didn't. She found herself getting bored with the details.  I have asked her to read "Bonhoeffer Abridged" and I think she'll really like it. One of the things I really like about this book is that it gives you a fast-moving account of Dietrich Bonnhoefer's life, yet being careful to cover most of the highlights of his life and ministry without dragging through little details. It is broken down into 12 chapters covering the years of his life from birth to death.  It's entire length is only 256 pages, but those pages  covers his life quite thoroughly. I never once found myself bored while reading this book - it is an excellent book. I believe it gave me good insight into the life and ministry of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I found it very easy to read and enjoyed it very much. If you want more details on his life and ministry, I would suggest getting the unabridged copy of this book "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" (624 pages) by the same author (Eric Metaxas).  I easily give this book 5 stars.

256 pages abridged 

or 624 unabridged.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and BookLook bloggers for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review; all opinions are my own.  I was not required to give a positive review.

Review of "A Godward Heart" by John Piper - God-centered meditations

 "A Godward Heart" has many great and encouraging words.  Right from the beginning, Piper explains the reason for writing this book is that he believes that a life can be changed by short meditations (paragraphs) as much as by books.  I agree with him.  Sometimes our hearts are hungry, and yet we are short on time or are tired and won't make it through a long chapter, but this is do-able even if you are tired or short on time, as they are short (3 to 4 pages).  

I love the words of endorsement that Nancy Leigh DeMoss gives regarding this book, and I would like to quote here as it is spoken so perfectly.  She states: "A Godward Heart is a fresh invitation to seek the Lord, to sit at the feet of the savior, to savor Him as your greatest treasure, and to find deep satisfaction for your soul as you drink from His well that never runs dry."

Another thing I like in this book, as well as others by Piper, is his transparency.  I like real and Piper is real. 

If you are used to the many self-centered books among Christian material, this book may actually seem foreign to you, as it is not about you! This book is Christ-centered and ultimately about doing all we do for the pleasure of God, which by the way, will automatically bring the most pleasure to your Christian walk (as a side benefit not a goal).

I recommend using this book as a devotional for 50 days or just reading a short meditation when you have a couple minutes throughout your day.  I can't say all his meditations are equal, especially if you are new to Piper's writing style and themes.  Therefore, I think my being familiar with other writings by Piper made this book more enjoyable.  There were a few meditations I just didn't quite get where he was going with them or even why they were included, but I moved on to the next meditation.

As for rating this book, I would give it 3.5 stars (if allowed).  Otherwise, I gave it 4 stars, which was a little generous, but 3 stars would have been too low of a rating for this book.

Read it, enjoy it, and if you are new to Piper, let this be a primer.  Get his other books and you'll start seeing the knowledge and wisdom of this godly man.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.