Pierced by the Word: Thirty-One Meditations for Your Soul

This book is the most joy based and theologically straight of all devotional books that I have read. A true thoughtful power packed book that sends you on a 3 hour bible study with just a few words per chapter.

John Piper is a deep thinker and deeply in love with God. Combined together, his writings are always solid food for the Christian seeking ways to draw closer to God. As a devotional, this work dishes out pastoral thoughts in bite-sized form. But though each day's reading is about 2-3 pages long, trust me, you'd want to mull over and meditate over it, as it is "solid meat''. You'd read here deep truths that will prod you to live a life that is spent on God. I discovered John Piper only last year. Let me say that his books, particularly the full-length "Pleasures of God'' have transformed my life. They have a heart-piercing quality to them, which can only come from a man who has thought through his faith and is sold out to it. If you have more time, these full-length books will be worth every cent. I am buying "The Pleasures of God'' and giving it away as gifts.But this bite-sized devotional also has a place on the shelf. As I said, the writings are brief, but thought-provoking nonetheless. And they come from a pastor's heart.

John Piper is my favorite contemporary Christian author, so it was no surprise to me that this would be another engaging, worship inspiring work from him. His longer works such as "The Pleasures of God" are amazing when you have a bigger stretch of time for devotion, but this provides a perfect alternative when a larger work might put one off from even getting started. Each meditation is a bit longer than a given entry from say "My Utmost For His Highest" (quite possibly the quintessential daily devotional book), but still easily manageable in a single sitting.

John Piper has a way of making scripture relavant to daily life. This book challenged my thinking and demanded critical thinking of life and scripture. As with all of Piper's writtings, I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a closer realtionship with Christ.

In a time when most people don't see any relevance to religion, or the Bible, it is so valuable to read books like this. John Piper's perspective if filled with Biblical truth. He brings the word of God to bear on so many issues that affect our daily life. He will help you think critically and Biblically about the world around you.