For those thinking about violence in the Old Testament - you might like to check out:
http://vimeo.com/13815923

Photo: purplemattfish

I was first given Desiring God as a gift by a wonderfully godly and humble man who described it as his favourite book

(apart from the bible),
and while not being great at reading Christian books (strange for a minister!) his recommendation was enough to make me pick it up
and read.

At the time of reading I found this book's central theme - that God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him - both unfamiliar and stimulating.
I had thought much about the "duty" of the Christian life - a life of sacrifice and suffering of the Christian life.
Piper's work forced me to consider that the Christian "duty" was first and foremost one of joy.

For me this turned on its head my thinking - about God, me and the service I owe God.
Such revolutionary change in thinking does not come quickly (to me at least) - and as such this has been a book whose idea(s)

have slowly permeated my thinking and life over many years.

I was speaking to a committed Christian in our congregation the other year - about why their ministry seemed to be driven
by a sense of guilt or obligation that meant they tended to resent the work they did and quickly became keen to quit what they

had volunteered to do.
That is not my experience and on reflection the difference in our thinking seemed to be the lessons I had learnt from Desiring God

(which I then recommended they went out and buy - which they did!).

If you read one Christian book in your life - I would recommend you make it this one.

You can get it here:
book depository

Or here:

koorong

Or download a free copy here:

desiring god

Or a free audio book here:

Christian audio

Guest blogger: Greg Atkin (10am congregation member, father of three, bass player, bike rider and banker)

Piper writes, "Consider this story from the February 1998 Readers Digest: A couple took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells...."Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgement: 'Look Lord. See my shells'. That is a tragedy".

I first picked up this book in 2004 having been unemployed banker for a while. To give some perspective on the impact of this book, before reading it I was somewhat impatient that Jesus had not yet found me a fantastic new "high-paying" job so I could start buying man-toys again (eg. a new motorcycle, a new bicycle, maybe that new car, a new set of golf clubs perhaps etc). They would bring me joy wouldn't they?

The book starts with a quote of 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "You are not your own, you were bought with a price. So Glorify God in your body". Piper explains his learning of the concept that pursuing God's Glory would be virtually the same as pursuing my own joy. What??? I thought my shopping list of man-toys was part of the key to joy on earth.

As I delved into the book, it just came along and kind of smacked me right between the eyes and woke me up to the reality of Christ's call to his people. "Don't Waste Your Life". And be warned, after finishing the book, I almost enrolled at Moore College to study Theology and become a Minister of Religion. Because for me, I believe I had wasted most of mine.

This book is an incredibly challenging reminder that our life purpose is not all about pleasing ourselves and reflecting on all the great toys we own, or the great things we have done. Piper repeatedly reminds us that we can only boast in one thing. The Cross of Jesus.

Chapter 7 is a particularly poignant and an essential read. In it Piper quotes 1 Peter 3:15 "always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you". Piper puts it this way... "Do people see hope in your life by the way you live - or is your life so much like the world's that there isn't much of a difference".

So after reading the book. What "collection" will you or I bring to Christ when our lives on earth are over? A collection of shells, motorbikes, pigeons, soccer paraphernalia, teacups, paintings, cars, boats, properties ?? Or perhaps a collection of Christian brothers and sisters that have found Christ through our own witness. That's the challenge I take from this book for my life.

Fast forward to 2010. Im still a banker (and that's ok, we cant all be Rectors - although I a, studying part-time at Moore College), and I still fight the urges to acquire man-toys (just ask my wonderful and long suffering wife Suzie). But I am determined to try and not "Waste my Life".