The Taste of New Wine

Even though originally published in 1965, every page and chapter of this Christian classic cuts to the chase like a two-edged sword! How many times have you felt yourself failing in your Christian life--in the workplace, in your marriage, and even in church? Miller did some soul-searching and deep, deep praying to become honest with himself and others. The redeemed Christian is still human and in desperate need of the Savior to help him give up his secret motives, which are sometimes not even known by his conscious mind. This is very suggestive of what the apostle Paul meant when he called himself wretched and unable to do the good that he desired to do, while doing exactly the opposite! Paul commanded Christians to submit to one another. So easily said, yet so difficult to do! Are you angry? Submit your will and your motives to God... Jealous? Envious? Looking for glory? Prideful? Controlling? Pious yet gloating? Chaste but secretly lustful? The author nails our hidden motives while being brutally honest with himself. How do we conquer the demons that sap our witness and our relationship with the Lord? The Taste of New Wine helps you take the first step on a joyful journey you won't want to miss--leaving your will at the foot of the cross over and over again, as daily you take up the cross that Jesus intended for you.

What a relief to find this book is still widely available! Keith Miller brings his lively personality, strong mind, and journalist's eye for the powerful details of life to the matter of honest, satisfying Christian life "in the real world." He gives me hope that not only is it possible -- even when there are setbacks and failings -- but it is often delightful and inspirational. It's encouraging to see how that happens in a completely secular business setting (he worked for a petroleum engineering company before becoming I think a fulltime writer- teacher) where fools aren't suffered gladly, and where one can't hide fakery from the co-workers.

Presbyterian Journal says "Sell your bed for this one!" in the blurbs on the back cover. The foreword by Elton Trueblood describes it as a constructively critical book. Keith Miller is refreshingly honest in the way few men dare to be about his shortcomings in his quest to be a decent Christian man and in his demands for the same kind of honesty from others in the church. A breath of fresh air to read!