Books of '06--MLJ Ephesians 1

My mother gave me money for my birthday and I found the 8 volume commentary on Ephesians by D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones at Monergism for a song. It arrived today, just in time for New Years reading.

I will be studying through the series this year. Can't wait.

God's Ultimate Purpose is the exposition of Ephesians Chapter 1.

I set out to write out my thoughts, chapter by chapter, and so have a record of my study of this series, but I can see now that that is a task that will hinder rather than enrich my reading at this point. Rather, I have decided to write a summary at the end of each book rather than each chapter. I hope to finish this book by the end of the month. I thought that I'd be able to read one book per month and study through the whole series in a year, but the teaching is dense and deep, therefore I doubt I will be able to finish this in one year. Regardless, it is a worthy undertaking and one that will undoubtably change me.

Michael Haykin at Historica Ecclesiastica has a wonderful biographical sketch on Dr. David Martyn Lloyd-Jones. From the article:

But it was not until I read the first volume of Iain H. Murray’s life of “the Doctor” that I experienced the deep impact of his life and thought [David Martyn Lloyd-Jones. The First Forty Years 1899-1939 (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1982)]. Suffice it to say, that of all the Christian authors and expositors of the twentieth century, none has shaped my thinking as a Christian more than this man and his writing.

Although, for me, the writings of Jonathan Edwards have been most formative, D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones is a close second and Iain H. Murray's two volume biography of the man greatly influenced my thinking on ministry and evangelism.

David Blayly's article about Dr. Lloyd-Jones on the 25th anniversary of his death. He, too, recommends Murray's biography and recommends a few other Lloyd-Jones titles.

Related Tags: book review, books, reading list, Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Ephesians, God's Ultimate Purpose, Monergism, Michael Haykin, Historia Ecclesiastica, biographical sketch, Iain Murray

Books of '06--Les Miserables Book I

This is my favorite translation--unabridged and complete with a ribbon bookmark. (12/29/05-XXX)

Book Notes on Book I: An Upright Man

Concerning the Bishop

Be it true or false, what is said about men often has a much influence upon their lives, and especially upon their destinies, as what they do. pg. 9

Man has a body which is at once his burden and his temptation. He drags it along, and yields to it. He ought to watch over it, to keep it in bounds; to repress it, and only to obey it at the last extremity. It may be wrong to obey even then, but if so, the fault is venial. It is a fall, but a fall upon the knees, which may end in prayer. pg. 20-21

"Have no fear of robbers or murderers. Such dangers are without, and are but petty. We should fear ourselves. . .My sister, a priest should never take any precautions against a neighbor. What his neighbor does, God permits. Let us confine ourselves to prayer to God when we think that danger hangs over us. Let us beseech Him, not for ourselves, but that our brother may not fall into crime on our account." pg. 34-35.

It seemed as if it were a sort of rite with him, to prepare himself for sleep by meditating in presence of the great spectacle of the starry firmament. Sometimes at a late hour of the night, if the two women were awake, they would hear him slowly promenading the walks. He was there alone with himself, collected, tranquil, adoring, comparing the serenity of his heart with the serenity of the skies, moved in the darkness by the visible splendors of the constellations, and the invisible splendor of God, opening his soul to the thoughts which fall from the Unknown. pg. 61

What was more needed by this old man who divided the leisure hours of his life, where he had so little leisure, between gardening in the daytime and contemplation at night? Was not this narrow enclosure, with the sky for a background, enought to enable him to adore God in His most beautiful as well as in His most sublime works? Indeed, is not that all, and what more can be desired? A little garden to walk, and immensity to reflect opon. At his feet something to cultivate and gather; above his head something to study and meditate upon; a few flowers on the earth and all the stars in the sky. pg. 62

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Books of '06--God's Minute

Prayers, posted daily to Hiraeth

I will read it until the end of the year and then begin again. . .

Related Tags: books, reading list, daily prayers, prayers, God's Minute, Hiraeth