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rrae_carlie's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
shannong's review against another edition
5.0
A rare Christian study book that is both inspiring and practical. I absorbed this one slowly. Lots of thoughts and ideas to stop and meditate on.
sarahl_0220's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful, gentle, precious encouragement to truly grow in your walk by looking at and seeking the face of Jesus. Ortlund walked through the simple truth that we should never, ever "graduate from the Gospel." The Gospel is the cornerstone of our entire journey as Christians. He goes on to say that the way to actually grow in Christ, is to stop looking at yourself and trying to watch yourself change but to strive to let the Spirit increase the beauty of Christ and just look at Him, chase after Him. I loved the chapter on breathing. He makes two vital disciplines so very simple, encouraging you to treat Scripture and prayer as breath. Breathe in Scripture, breathe out your prayer. This practice is as important to our lives as actually breathing.
makenzieblack002's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
silvi_sab's review against another edition
5.0
this isn't just another book on spiritual disciplines - it's about the inner transformation which fuels the discipleship. it's a call to a deeper relationship with Jesus, describing the key elements of what moves us into the heart of God and how that changes us.
so refreshing to read.
so refreshing to read.
aebooksandwords's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.5
As believers we all know that we should be growing in Christ, growing in loving Him and others, and growing in godliness. “Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners” by author Dane Ortlund covers the topic of sanctification, of how we grow as Christians.
Known well for his book “Gentle and Lowly,” Ortlund reminds us that we have all we need in Christ already, and we find that Christ cares about us beyond His death and resurrection, that He is interceding for us and assisting our spiritual growth day after day continually.
If I could choose one word to describe what I felt from this book, it would be “hope.” Incorruptible hope that can only come from God through His truth emanated from this book as it described Jesus’ tender, unchanging heart toward us in our challenges with sin and godliness. Christ who gave Himself up for us, intercedes always for us, gives us His Spirit’s help, and will return for us is our greatest asset and enablement in our growth as His disciples.
Also, this book has an index. This is a rarity these days, and it is so helpful if you want to go back to a specific topic in the book such as suffering, temptation, or knowing Christ’s love.
Highlights:
“When we were running full speed the other direction, he chased us down, subdued our rebellion, and opened our eyes to see our need of him and his all-sufficiency to meet that need.”
“It is at our point of deepest guilt and regret that his friendship embraces us most assuredly, most steadfastly.”
“Your vision of the love of God needs to be not just heard but seen; not just known but tasted.”
“the Spirit changes us by making Christ wonderful to us.”
". . .God made you so that he could love you. His embrace of you is the point of your life. I know you don't feel it. Even that is taken care of. He wants you to know a love that is yours even when you feel undeserving or numb."
“He did not die and rise again on our behalf back then only to stand now with arms crossed seeing how we’ll do in response . . . He is more committed to your growth in him than you are.”
Readability: 4
Impact: 5
Content: 5
Enjoyment: 4
Total: 4.5
Thank you to Crossway for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Known well for his book “Gentle and Lowly,” Ortlund reminds us that we have all we need in Christ already, and we find that Christ cares about us beyond His death and resurrection, that He is interceding for us and assisting our spiritual growth day after day continually.
If I could choose one word to describe what I felt from this book, it would be “hope.” Incorruptible hope that can only come from God through His truth emanated from this book as it described Jesus’ tender, unchanging heart toward us in our challenges with sin and godliness. Christ who gave Himself up for us, intercedes always for us, gives us His Spirit’s help, and will return for us is our greatest asset and enablement in our growth as His disciples.
Also, this book has an index. This is a rarity these days, and it is so helpful if you want to go back to a specific topic in the book such as suffering, temptation, or knowing Christ’s love.
Highlights:
“When we were running full speed the other direction, he chased us down, subdued our rebellion, and opened our eyes to see our need of him and his all-sufficiency to meet that need.”
“It is at our point of deepest guilt and regret that his friendship embraces us most assuredly, most steadfastly.”
“Your vision of the love of God needs to be not just heard but seen; not just known but tasted.”
“the Spirit changes us by making Christ wonderful to us.”
". . .God made you so that he could love you. His embrace of you is the point of your life. I know you don't feel it. Even that is taken care of. He wants you to know a love that is yours even when you feel undeserving or numb."
“He did not die and rise again on our behalf back then only to stand now with arms crossed seeing how we’ll do in response . . . He is more committed to your growth in him than you are.”
Readability: 4
Impact: 5
Content: 5
Enjoyment: 4
Total: 4.5
Thank you to Crossway for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.
amber_thiessen's review against another edition
5.0
{full review here:https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/deeper-real-change-for-real-sinners-book-review}
“How do Christians grow?
The question itself immediately elicits different feelings among us. Some of us feel guilt. We’re not growing, and we know it. And the guilt is itself self-perpetuating, further paralyzing us in spiritual stagnation.”
Does this resonate with anyone?
The question for Christians isn’t whether or not we should grow, but how.
You think about all the things you “should” be doing, and, yes our habits in the Word and in prayer play a part, but a big part of our maturity is knowing and loving Christ.
Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners by Dane Ortlund outlines biblical truths to help us gaze on the person and work of the Lord Jesus.
The question facing believers is not if we should grow, but how. The author sets out to show you that “change is a matter of going deeper,” not a compilation of outward improvements, but an inner conviction that you already have everything you need in Christ.
With each chapter, the author gently guides you to gospel truths for reflection. This book isn’t intended to be read through quickly. You won’t find fast food here, it’s more like a full-course meal sitting around the table with family and friends, with necessary time to digest and relax between courses. There aren’t reflection questions, but I’d recommend journaling alongside your reading to let biblical truths seep in and to give your life an honest look.
This isn’t a long book, but it’s beautifully rich.
If you’re curious about how we as believers grow deeper in Christ, buy this book!
If you’ve got your sanctified life all figured out, you won’t find this helpful.
“This book is for the frustrated. The exhausted. Those on the brink. Those on the verge of giving up any real progress in their Christian growth.”
When we wonder about what to do with the time we’ve got left and how we can love the Lord Jesus more, you will find the words bringing you back to biblical truths, directing you to gaze wholeheartedly on Jesus. This will be on my pile to read again next year.
“How do Christians grow?
The question itself immediately elicits different feelings among us. Some of us feel guilt. We’re not growing, and we know it. And the guilt is itself self-perpetuating, further paralyzing us in spiritual stagnation.”
Does this resonate with anyone?
The question for Christians isn’t whether or not we should grow, but how.
You think about all the things you “should” be doing, and, yes our habits in the Word and in prayer play a part, but a big part of our maturity is knowing and loving Christ.
Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners by Dane Ortlund outlines biblical truths to help us gaze on the person and work of the Lord Jesus.
The question facing believers is not if we should grow, but how. The author sets out to show you that “change is a matter of going deeper,” not a compilation of outward improvements, but an inner conviction that you already have everything you need in Christ.
With each chapter, the author gently guides you to gospel truths for reflection. This book isn’t intended to be read through quickly. You won’t find fast food here, it’s more like a full-course meal sitting around the table with family and friends, with necessary time to digest and relax between courses. There aren’t reflection questions, but I’d recommend journaling alongside your reading to let biblical truths seep in and to give your life an honest look.
This isn’t a long book, but it’s beautifully rich.
If you’re curious about how we as believers grow deeper in Christ, buy this book!
If you’ve got your sanctified life all figured out, you won’t find this helpful.
“This book is for the frustrated. The exhausted. Those on the brink. Those on the verge of giving up any real progress in their Christian growth.”
When we wonder about what to do with the time we’ve got left and how we can love the Lord Jesus more, you will find the words bringing you back to biblical truths, directing you to gaze wholeheartedly on Jesus. This will be on my pile to read again next year.
michellemybelle19's review against another edition
2.0
I loved gentle and lowly, but this one just wasn’t really it for me. Heavy focus on our sin