Books of '06--Let's Study Mark

Our small group has been studying the book of Mark since last October. We are now in Chapter 5.

My husband and I have been using this book by Sinclair Ferguson as our commentary companion for the study. Sinclair Ferguson is a favorite and this book does not disappoint.

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Books of '06--Les Miserables Book 2

Book Notes on Book 2: The Fall

Concerning Jean Valjean:

He saw nothing of all this; people overwhelmed with trouble do not look behind; they know only too well that misfortune follows them. pg. 70

Jean Valjean entered the galleys sobbing and shuddering: he went out hardened; he entered in despair: he went out sullen. What had been the life of his soul? pg. 93

Anger may be foolish and absurd, an one may be irritated when in the wrong; but a man never feels outraged unless in some respect he is at bottom right. Jean Valjean felt outraged. pg. 95


Jean Valjean was not, as we have seen, of an evil nature. His heart was still right when he arrived in the galleys. While there he condemned society, and felt that he had become wicked; he condemned Providence and felt he had become impious. pg.96

When many diverse sensations have disturbed the day, when the mind is preoccupied, we can fall asleep once, but not a second time. Sleep comes at first much more readily than it comes again. Such was the case for Jean Valjean. He could not get to sleep, and so he began to think. pg. 103

Jean Valjean felt like a man who is just about to faint.
The bishop approached him, and said, in a low voice. "Forget not, never forget that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man."
Jean Valjean, who had no recollection of this promise, stood confounded. The bishop had laid much stress upon these words as he uttered them. He continued, solemnly:
"Jean Vajean, my brother: you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!" pg. 112

He beheld his life, and it seemed to him horrible; his soul, and it seemed to him frightful. There was, however, a softened light upon that life and upon that soul. It seemed to him that he was looking upon Satan by the light of Paradise. pg. 119

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Books of '06--Above all Earthly Powers

This is really Tom's book, but I have been poking my nose into it when he's not reading. Probably not the best way to read this book, but it is very thought provoking and never fails to give me something to chew on while I am going about my daily tasks.

I'm going to begin reading it in earnest today.

If I started posting up quotes from this book, I'd never stop. This is an excellent book, well worth buying and reading. Highly recommended for Pastors, Elders, and church leaders.

If you would like to read a bit more about this book, you can find a discussion at Reformation 21. Also, Check out this Ligon Duncan review.

Here's an interview with David Wells.

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Books of '06--Stepping Heavenward

Book Notes:

This book has immediately been ushered into my top favorite books of all time list. What a wonderful, challenging journey! As I read through Katy's experiences, I could indentify so strongly with her feelings and emotions! Her struggles were of a different nature than mine, but her responses and the lessons learned are so amazingly similar. The work of sanctification is a journey--sometimes two steps forward and one step back (or one step forward and two steps back!) and yet it is Christ who sanctifies us in His providential timing and in His wise, judicious ways and so we can rest as we struggle onward, Stepping Heavenward.

You can order this book at Lamplighter Publishing

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