"The Roots Of Endurance" by John Piper

I cannot recommend this book more highly! Of course this is written by Dr. Piper, and what has this man written that can't be recommended? If you are looking for a great set of biographies, his "The Swans Are Not Silent" series is outstanding. I have only read a couple of excerpts from other books in this series, but through the recommendation of my dear friend, Ron Boomsma from the Sovereign Grace Church of Pasadena, I have found this to be true "medicine" for my soul. I personally love to read good biographies, (one of my favorites is on the life of Jonathan Edwards, written by Iain Murray, published by Banner of Truth) however, oftentimes one can find that some biographies can be somewhat long and burdensome for the average reader. Dr. Piper has done us a great service through these series of books, by giving us much shorter biographical stories, while putting them under particular headings, revealing what he personally has learned from their lives. As this particular one, which is book 3 in the the series on the topic of endurance and perseverance. Let me just the introduction is worth the price of the book, because in those few pages there is enough "cultural shattering" material to apply to one's own heart that would take a life time to walk out. Dr. Piper points out that we live in such a day when men can be so weak emotionally and in their character, that few can be given the title of "one who endures." These three men's testimonies of endurance and perseverance under much trial speaks volumes to us. If you are looking for some good Fall reading, please pick up a copy! Here is a quote from one review about this book:

"John Newton. Charles Simeon and William Wilberforce suffered lifelong opposition and endured for the causes of gospel truth, missionary zeal and political justice. They found, in solid doctrine and joy the roots for habitual tenderness in response to their adversaries-without doctrinal or moral flinching. They are examples of remarkable grace. Here are the lives of three great men and focuses on not only how they endured great opposition, but that they did so without bitterness."

May we all!