Book Review and Giveaway: Counsel from the Cross
Great news! I am re-posting this review from last month because the publisher has offered to give away three copies of the book to readers. If you are interested in winning a copy, will you comment below and tell me the best advice someone gave you in a rough moment? I will be announcing winner on Monday morning.
I remember at 13 having a crush on a young man who was 20. His wise momma realized where my heart was heading. She quietly and discreetly suggested that he might be on my heart simply because he needed a bit of extra prayer. Her caring comment was not exactly what I wanted to hear at that moment, but it nudged my 13 year old infatuation in a more appropriate direction.
I first saw Counsel From the Cross at Tim Challies’ blog. I was immediately interested in it. I hoped it might help me better encourage hurting friends, as well as give me tools to be a better mom to my kids.
I had the chance to read the book on the plane last weekend, and found it deeply encouraging on a personal level, as well from the standpoint of encouraging others who are challenged by their life circumstances. (And really, who of us isn’t?) The theme of the book is simple: the Gospel is the only real answer to soul-sickness.
Could it really be that simple? I wondered if the answers in the book would be too basic, stuff I already knew, with no true insight. I shouldn’t have worried. The authors unpacked this simple message in fresh and deeply thoughtful ways. As I read, I bookmarked many pages, and continually mulled over the multiple applications of this message — most often in my own life as a human mom raising, encouraging, and instructing my also-human children.
Some of the questions answered in the book include:
- What should we do with our troublesome feelings?
- What kinds of counseling really work?
- What motivates true change?
Examples are given throughout the book, describing applications for this message in various life challenges such as addiction, depression, grieving, and broken relationships. I loved the words from Martin Luther quoted several times in the book- boy, there was a man who understood depression and mental anguish! And I came away from the book convinced that my dad, a staunch ’scripture-alone’ minister, would have loved the book too.
Whether you’re struggling in your own life, or just want to be a good support to a friend, this book is an excellent Biblical reference that points clearly and truly towards the source of all power in life: Jesus alone.
————-
Does this book sound interesting? Comment below for a chance to win a copy. I will be closing this contest on Monday morning.
Correction: Not Tim’s book! He reviewed the book. Sorry!
Thanks for the great review – it sounds moving and I’d love to win a copy!
I would love to win! The best advice someone gave me was to stop, take a deep breath, and pray.
This does sound like a invaluable resource. I’m working with a woman my age who has been in bondage to drugs for years. She now has a child (who has been placed in foster care) and is currently out on probation. My prayer – over and over and over again – has been for wisdom in knowing how to help her. I may have to pick up a copy of this book …
I’d love to win a copy of this book!
The best advice I’ve ever gotten? Simply “Wait on the Lord”. It’s so simple, really, that it can sound trite and cliche’. However, it has saved me countless hours of spinning my own wheels and trying to put out tiny fires everywhere.
This sounds like a great book. The best counsel I ever received was from a dear friend at our church. In the first few minutes of entering a physical mini-crisis with one of my daughters, God orchestrated a crossing of paths between this friend and me. She helped me pull myself together and said to me, “God is the most important component of every situation.” That night as I rocked my little girl and prayed and cried, her advice helped me to focus on God, who He is and what He has blessed me with. It didn’t take long until I was counting my blessings and praising God for His goodness in every situation, even the one we were facing. He is good all the time!
I love your blog, too!! Thanks, Mary.
Sounds wonderful- we all need this…
Amanda
[...] are the winners of the book Counsel From The Cross, according to [...]