Each week (give or take one or two here and there) I share three things I like – It could be a book, a movie, a podcast, an album, a photo, an article, a restaurant, a food item, a beverage, or anything else I simply enjoy and think you might too. You can find a whole pile of things, especially books, I like and recommend HERE.
1. Marriage and the Mystery of The Gospel by Ray Ortlund Jr.
Let me begin by saying that this book is less than 120 pages, rare for a marriage book. More importantly, however, is the rich denseness of those pages. Beginning with Genesis, Ortlund lays out the biblical vision for marriage and definition of it. I have never read a book that s deftly and consistently makes me think more highly of the institution of marriage. He focuses especially on Genesis, when marriage is introduced, defined, and blessed. Then he walks through the rest of the Bible, section by section, showing how it depicts marriage. I know of few writers or preachers who can pack so much meaning into such a concise package. This is not the typical marriage book of practical advice and hat tips to sinfulness. It is a profound, concise, rich, deep biblical theology of marriage that casts it in the light God intended. It is magnificent, and every married couple would benefit from reading this book.
2. Savage Gulf State Park – Tennessee
Tennessee is chalk full of beautiful, awe-inspiring sights, especially the eastern portion of the state. This week I had a chance to get to Savage Gulf State Park, which I have heard about for a good while but never visited. I was captivated. It is beautiful. I have visited many of Tennessee’s state parks and scenic areas, but this might just be my favorite. (To be fair I was hiking on sunny 68 degree days.). It offer multiple trails of varying difficulties. It has waterfalls, rapids, vistas, and more. It is less than 2 hours from Nashville and less than an hour from Chattanooga, both of which are cities worth visiting. If you are an outdoorsy person, Savage Gulf is well worth the trip.
3. The Absurdity of God – Robert Smith Jr.
A few years back I was introduced to Robert Smith Jr., a pastor and professor who is one of the best preachers I have ever heard. This message, preached in September of this past year, is exemplary of his preaching style and content–biblically rich and broad, exultory, and full of magnificent phraseology. You can’t help but worship when you listen.
