What I'm reading...

... you should read, too!

I usually pick my next book based on recommendations, sooo.... I've decided to start blogging on "What I'm reading..." to share with you good reads to pick up next time you are browsing the aisles of Barnes and Nobles.

One of the books I am reading now: A Hunger for God by John Piper.

I was pretty excited when this arrived in the mail! If you've never heard of John Piper-- check him out and his ministry, Desiring God. Piper identifies himself as a "Christian Hedonist," because "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."

Piper challenges: re-think the way I achieve satisfaction in my life. Although this is a book about fasting from food, you can apply fasting to other parts of your life. Identify what you place as the thing that makes you feel content-- maybe it is food-- but for others-- maybe it's television, shopping or words of affirmation from others.

And why do this? God gave us food. God gave us everything that we enjoy. Yes, true.

But God didn't give us things to replace Him. They are gifts to enjoy, but not to idolize and place before Him.

Piper points to Matthew 4:4 to explain God wants us to desire Him for our total fulfillment,

"Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Piper goes on to emphasize that God feeds His people from an everlasting table, turn to Deuteronomy 8: 2-3,

"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. "

I pray that you will feast at the Lord's Table! :)