Round the Sphere Again
Monday, August 10, 2009 at 12:04AM 
Queen of Sciences
Learn a little theology at iTunes U. (Tim Irvin)
Top Five Books
Nancy Guthrie, author of Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow, which I’ll be reviewing shortly, gives us a list of top Christian books on suffering and loss. (Christianity Today)
My list of top 5 books would be a little different. There’s no way I’d have C. S. Lewis’ A Grief Observed on my list, although I’ve heard that many people find it helpful. Me? I wanted to throw it against the wall because I felt there was no hope in its pages. I’ve had other people tell me that they felt the same way when they read it.
I’m mentioning this because if you’re looking for books for a grieving friend, you’ll want to use a little wisdom when giving (or suggesting) this one. It could be just the right thing for exactly the reason that Nancy Guthrie gives: It might help someone feel less alone in their despair. But then again, it might not. The last thing you want to do is make someone who is grieving see things more darkly than they already do.
I’d second her suggestion of the books by John Piper and Joni Eareckson Tada. Both are strong on God’s sovereignty over our losses, and that, really, is where all our hope in suffering lies.
I haven’t read the other two on her list. I did find The Bend in the Road by David Jeremiah, mentioned by one of the commenters, to be quite helpful. I’d also recommend Faith, Tried and Triumphant by Martyn Lloyd-Jones.
For a Variety of Reasons
Why do people embrace error? (Against Heresies)
Not As Boring As One Might Think
Here’s a whole blog devoted to photos of cat ladders.
Because It Looks Good
Why are new watches set to 10:10? (mental_floss Blog)
Reader Comments (5)
I also did not appreciate "A Grief Observed". When I lost my husband somebody gave me a copy and I just didn't get it.
Aha! I'm in good company then.
I've yet to go through a grief over the death of a loved one, but when that day comes, I am thinking that anything written by Lloyd-Jones would speak sensitively to the issue.
A woman at my church who lost her husband after years of battling leukemia also did not enjoy the Lewis book.
It's strange that it's one of the books commonly given to grieving people, isn't it, when so many haven't liked it?
Lament for a Son by Nicholas Wolterstorff is a beautiful book on grief.