Summer reading

I’ve never had a summer reading list before, but I am kind of excited about the books I have on this summer’s list. I was told at some point that every Christian should read The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul, Desiring God by John Piper, and Knowing God by J.I. Packer. So I have put these on my list to read this summer. I have had two of the three books for a couple of years, but have not got around to reading them. Other books have been added to my summer reading list including Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney, The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky, and The Expository Genius of John Calvin by Steve Lawson.

I’ve recently finished up The Holiness of God and was blessed by the truth R.C. Sproul brings forth. One of my favorite quotes from the book reads:

“Only once in sacred scripture is an attribute of God elevated to the third degree. Only once is a characteristic of God mentioned three times in succession. The Bible says that God is holy, holy, holy. Not that He is merely holy, or even holy, holy. He is holy, holy, holy. The Bible never says that God is love, love, love. Or mercy, mercy, mercy. Or wrath, wrath, wrath. Or justice, justice, justice. It does say that He is holy, holy, holy and the whole earth is full of His glory.” Pg 40

Sproul tells us about the time Isaiah caught a glimpse of a Holy God. Isaiah was undone, “naked beneath the gaze of the absolute standard of holiness.” Isaiah could compare himself to other mortals, but once compared/measured by the ultimate standard he was destroyed, He could not compare himself to ultimate holiness.

This was one of the greatest books I’ve read in some time. Challenging me to see God for who He is holy, holy, holy. And though I’ll never fully be able tot wrap my mind around God complete holiness and glory, may I stand in complete awe of Him.

Oh and as a side note...happy independence day!