32

Today I turn 32. Yes, my birthday is the day after Christmas. People have always asked me if I’ve felt “cheated.” Not really. Especially as you get older and you know very well that as the night of Christmas Day settles in, everyone else is focused on cleaning up, working off the big meal, and going back to work—big let-down. Not for me. The party’s just getting started. Today I get on the trail to hunt out my books with my gift cards and other assorted book monies.
Of course, not treating Christ's birth (which was almost certainly not on December 25th anyway) as a cash cow would be a good start to not feeling a "letdown," but I digress.

At any rate, here’s what I’ve got already:

Charles Spurgeon, Complete Sermons (Vol. I-X)
Charles Spurgeon, Complete The Treasury of David (Vol. I-III)
Jonathan Edwards, A Treatise on Grace
Jonathan Edwards, To the Rising Generation
Jeremiah Burroughs, Gospel Worship
Jeremiah Burroughs, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment
Thomas Watson, The Lord’s Supper
John MacArthur, The Truth War
Jerry Bridges & Bob Bevington, The Great Exchange
Ed Stetzer, Planting Missional Churches
R. C. Sproul, Truths We Confess (Vol. II)

So I started reading The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment last night as soon as the kids were tranquilized. Reading more this morning. If anyone thinks that Piper invented Christian Hedonism, just check out what Burroughs says:

“A soul that is capable of God can be filled with nothing else but God; nothing but God can fill a soul that is capable of God…whatever God may give to a gracious heart, a heart that is godly, unless he gives himself it will not do…All outward peace is not enough; I must have the peace of God. But suppose you have the peace of God, Will that not quiet you? No, I must have the God of peace; as the peace of God so the God of peace” (pp. 43-44).

Anyway, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!