Pierced by the Word: Thirty-One Meditations for Your Soul [Hardcover]

John Piper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 11, 2003

Pierced by the Word takes up thirty-one subjects as unique as "How to Be a Refuge for Your Children," "How to Drink Orange Juice to the Glory of God," and "Embracing the Pain of Shame." Some are longer, some shorter, like the real-world conversations they so closely resemble, and each comes from the fertile mind of John Piper and is written in his own inimitable style. Together, the readings will lead to a deeper understanding of God and a cleaner, clearer relationship with Him. Most of all, Piper's approach shows how meditating on God's powerful Word can affect every aspect of our lives.

Whether you’re steeped in the Word of God or newly acquainted with it, these thirty-one meditations will penetrate to the deepest reaches of your soul.

With a contagious passion, John Piper awakens us to violent prayer, piercing pleasure, and fearless faith.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Piper, the preaching pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis since 1980, is the author of numerous books and a senior writer for World magazine. He received his doctorate in theology from the University of Munich and taught biblical studies for six years at Bethel College, St. Paul, before becoming a pastor. He and his wife, Noel, have four sons and one daughter.

From AudioFile

With skill and clarity Michael Kramer narrates 31 short mediations that illustrate why the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. Each meditation begins with a brief scripture, followed by an illustration to further explore and elaborate on its focus. The meditations end with prayer and tips on personal application. Kramer's distinct voice and clear enunciation, coupled with the structure of the program, make this a perfect match for busy people to refresh themselves. Although described as mediations, these are in devotion format and are easy to follow. They are an excellent choice for an early morning commute. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (September 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590521730
• ISBN-13: 978-1590521731
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 7.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #54,832 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #77 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Spirituality > Meditations

More About the Author

John Piper is the Pastor for Preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and studied at Wheaton College, where he first sensed God's call to enter the ministry. He went on to earn degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary (B.D.) and the University of Munich (D.theol.). For six years he taught Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in 1980 accepted the call to serve as pastor at Bethlehem. John is the author of more than 30 books, including Sex and the Supremacy of Christ, Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood, What Jesus Demands from the World, and Don't Waste Your Life.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Food for the soul, May 1, 2004

By 

tintin2002 "tintin2002" (Singapore, Singapore Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pierced by the Word: Thirty-One Meditations for Your Soul (Hardcover)

John Piper is a deep thinker and deeply in love with God. Combined together, his writings are always solid food for the Christian seeking ways to draw closer to God. As a devotional, this work dishes out pastoral thoughts in bite-sized form. But though each day's reading is about 2-3 pages long, trust me, you'd want to mull over and meditate over it, as it is "solid meat''. You'd read here deep truths that will prod you to live a life that is spent on God.
I discovered John Piper only last year. Let me say that his books, particularly the full-length "Pleasures of God'' have transformed my life. They have a heart-piercing quality to them, which can only come from a man who has thought through his faith and is sold out to it. If you have more time, these full-length books will be worth every cent. I am buying "The Pleasures of God'' and giving it away as gifts.
But this bite-sized devotional also has a place on the shelf. As I said, the writings are brief, but thought-provoking nonetheless. And they come from a pastor's heart.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bite sized morsels, April 14, 2004

By 

Thomas C. Zink (Long Beach, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Pierced by the Word: Thirty-One Meditations for Your Soul (Hardcover)

John Piper is my favorite contemporary Christian author, so it was no surprise to me that this would be another engaging, worship inspiring work from him. His longer works such as "The Pleasures of God" are amazing when you have a bigger stretch of time for devotion, but this provides a perfect alternative when a larger work might put one off from even getting started. Each meditation is a bit longer than a given entry from say "My Utmost For His Highest" (quite possibly the quintessential daily devotional book), but still easily manageable in a single sitting.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars God-centered theology in bite-size form, November 8, 2003

By 

Brian G Hedges (South Bend, Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pierced by the Word: Thirty-One Meditations for Your Soul (Hardcover)

These thirty-one meditations follow the pattern of Piper's other excellent God-centered books in directing us both in mind and heart to the piercing words of Scripture. Join Piper in meditating on the practicality of Scripture for all of life, including: parenting and praying, fighting lust and anger, embracing the pain of shame, gaining assurance of salvation, and a score of other topics, in which God is shown to be the main reality. This is an easy to read book (a little less daunting than some of Piper's longer, meatier books) and would make a great gift to a new believer or non-reader.