A Godward Life: Savoring the Supremacy of God in All of Life

I just picked up this book again today. I LOVE being able to read a short excerpt from John Piper and really get something substantial out of it without having to invest tons of time. Even the Introduction to this book is captivating! I especially love Chapters 15 and 25, about reading. Very thought-provoking.The chapters are only 2-3 pages, but aren't short on meaning. These are MEATY chapters and you will definitely have something to chew on for the next day(s) to come. I intend to buy Godward Life Book 2 as well.See my other reviews for other devotional book recommendations!

I am going to have to respectfully disagree with the reviewer who said that this is ineffective as a devotional. My wife and I use it as a "just before bedtime" devotional and have greatly benefited from it. OK, I admit I probably benefit more than my wife because I am a Piper fan, but she hasn't complained. There is a sense in which you could write one review that covers all of Piper's writings, because all of his writings are on the theme of the supremacy of God and/or Christian hedonism. This is no different - it is a compilation of short devotional readings that apply those two themes to various topics. There is no common thread in these devotions, but to me that is part of the fun of this book. Piper is all over the map here - from marriage, to zeal, to doctrine, to reading, to abortion, to missions, to parenting, and dozens more. I find it spiritually and intellectually challenging to open up to a page and to be called upon to think about a topic that I don't usually think about. And, as I said, with this "supremacy of God/Christian hedonism" theme running throughout, the book helps expand one's worldview, seeing all of life as being lived for God's glory. Great book - well deserving of 5 stars.

If you want beauty and joy and hope and gladness and delight and insight and wisdom and knowledge and encouragement and edification and discernment and inspiration and rebuke and conviction and repentance and humilty and freedom and love and courage and growth - read this book.Piper's books are all good. And this one is no disappointment. Like book one, this book is full of reflection on Scripture, lessons from history, and insight in culture. If you read this book, you will learn A LOT of "little things." You'll get a taste for Augustine and Jonathan Edwards. You'll learn a little bit about George Muller and David Brainerd. You'll be challenged to study and pray and persevere and worship. You'll be shocked by insightful commentary on abortion. You'll be stirred by an inspirational story of a Christian family who dug their own graves before martyrdom. You'll be instructed in difficult doctrines like the atonement and omnipotence and sovereignty. You'll be amazed by rain. You'll find out why God created sleep. You'll be challenged on how to stay away from the traps of computer unreality. You'll be told how to keep happiness from getting thin. You'll see apparent contradictions in the Bible resolved. And you'll learn how to "drink the wine of God." You'll learn A LOT of little things. But you'll learn one big thing in all of these little things. You'll learn what it means to savor the supremacy of God in all of life. And that's important. So get this book.

A devotional book: John Piper's A Godward Life, Book Two (Multnomah, 1999). I generally don't go much for such things, preferring to read Scripture straight, but Mr. Piper's 120 meditations are extraordinarily well crafted. He shows us how we can "prayerfully ransack the Bible." He gives us 26 questions to ask of those who demand gender-free Scripture,12 questions to ask when considering a job, and good things to think about in coming to an assessment of pluralism. He doesn't dodge issues involving God's judgment in history ("What does the slaughter of the Amorites mean?") and in our own lives ("What if our dying is discipline?").

The book came in the mail like hundreds of others. You see, I review books for a living. In other words, I get paid to be a cynic about the publishing industry. Know up front that I don't give 5 stars lightly or easily.I'd heard of John Piper often and heard him quoted even more so it seemed. A devotional? Maybe this will be a good introduction before reading A Hunger for God or Desiring God.I was taking a trip and decided to take A Godward Life along since my spiritual rhythm would be off while I was gone. Little did I know that I would be caught up in the personal correspondence and private musings of one of today's greatest pastors. I read all 120 readings in 7 short days--some twice, many highlighted, a few quoted in my journal.I read a lot of books. I've seen a thousand devotionals. This was the first one to change my life. For me, this is the My Utmost for His Highest for my generation. I can't wait for the sequel.Be sure to read Piper's letters to the editor of the local newspaper. How refreshing. Get to know the man and his thoughts--not just his outer presentation.