The World's Greatest Buildings, Masterpieces of Architecture & Engineering

I love architecture! Our buildings often reveal our beliefs. Our monuments reflect our philosophy. Time has not permitted me to study it as I would like. Occasionally I'm able to dabble in this very interesting field. If you want a picturesque introduction to the  basics of some of the world's most interesting structures then this book is for you. It is also a good resource for that elementary  or middle school student in your life.  

post tenebras lux, 

Scott  

The Classics We've Read, The Difference They've Made, Chrisostom Society

While enjoying a mountain retreat at Blowing Rock, North Carolina, I picked this little book up at a quaint book shop. Initially it was an oddity to me for a variety of reasons. For starters, the authors are all Christians I believed yet they were writing about classic literature. This shouldn't be unusual but it is. The format of the book was interesting too. The various authors weren't simply writing essays but testimonials. They we're giving witness to the value of classic literature and various genre - another peculiarity among my evangelical brothers.

This book was a joy to read. It would serve as a fine introduction for anyone, even preteens and teens. Get ready for your reading horizon to be broaden! It was an excellent vacation book for me and I'm sure you will enjoy it too.

If you have specific questions about this book place your question in the comment section or email me.
post tenebras lux, Scott

Essential Manners For Men, What to Do, When to Do It, and Why, Peter Post

At this point it seems proper for me to remind you that I said that this blog is "a conversational listing of my quirky reading interests." The truth is, I believe like C.H. Spurgeon that we should read widely and broadly. But I'm sure to some posting this book will seem odd and that's okay.

This is not a book on dating. It is exactly what the title says. Essential Manners For Men is an excellent example of a genre that men should rediscover. Such books were once common in a man's personal library. There does seem to be a revival of interest among men in all things traditionally masculine, and may I say it's long overdue. It is high time that we guys admit that the "Modern Macho" and "Savvy Sensitive" models for manhood are failing us. Being a gentleman and an all around classy man is worth the effort. In all those sticky social situations where we guys are slightly less confident, this book helps. It's great for a reference if you just can't bring yourself to read the whole thing through.
post tenebras lux, Scott

The Life of Elijah, A.W. Pink

In my book this is a spiritual classic. Not only was I glued to the story; I was moved and instructed in my understanding and walk with God. Pink, called by some "the last puritan," has profound spiritual clarity in this little book. Elijah's day and ours have much in common. God's ancient prophet Elijah is a great model for believers today.

A word to my brothers in ministry, you will receive great encouragement and wisdom for your work for the One True God from this short book. Do yourself and your flock a favor; read this book - slowly, prayerfully and quietly. The Spirit will bless you. I'm sure of it. If I taught pastoral theology, A.W. Pink's The Life of Elijah would be required reading. That's how important I believe the message of this book is for ministers of the gospel.

But don't dismiss this book if you are not a pastor or minister. It's not scholarly or hard but is well researched. Pink's writing flows so that you will be caught up in the remarkable story of this real, historical, flesh and blood man of God. Happy reading :).

Streams In The Desert, L.B. Cowman

I have a love-hate relationship with devotionals - mostly hate, I confess. I believe I remember D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones arguing that they become substitutes for real study, Bible reading and christian devotion. I  am most certainly in agreement with him. If misused a devotional can promote laziness in spiritual disciplines. My biggest complaint with devotionals is that by and large they are plagued by shallowness. Their value is very often what makes them useless. The brevity mandate undermines the content level. In my experience the few, and I mean few, devotionals that have in some way contributed to my walk with Christ have several components that make them unique. The first, is that they tend to include anthologies. This is how deep truths may be shared in such a short space. Secondly, they tend to include profound (not just "happy") poetry. Thirdly, they tend to have grown out of an intense desire to be faithful to Christ and Scripture. Fourthly, diligence has been given to the proper contextual and theological use of Scripture. Lastly, I've only used them as complements to my regular spiritual disciplines and usually not everyday. Often, I've found myself turning to a small group of such writings in times of personal spiritual darkness in an effort to hear the echo of faithful men and women before me telling how to endure for Christ with deep and abiding joy.

As I mentioned, I have personally found a precious minority among this type literature to be a complement to my daily walk with Christ. Streams in the Desert is one of the few that I would actually recommend to a friend. Recently I've been asked to recommend something like this and since I do not have anything like this on this blog; it seemed a good idea to recommend this one. If you found this helpful and would like me to share more from my "short list of profitable devotionals" just comment or send me a quick message.