This week’s author interview is with Guy M. Richard. He is the author of Persistent Prayer in the Blessings of the Faith series as well as What Is Faith? in the Basics of the Faith series.

• Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up all around New Orleans, Louisiana. I moved away to attend college and have only been back to south Louisiana a handful of times since then. Most of my adult life has been spent in the southeastern part of the U.S., with the exception of the 3 delightful years we lived in Edinburgh, Scotland for my PhD. My wife’s name is Jennifer. We met and started dating in college and got married just after graduation. My personal interests are pretty much limited to family (we have three kids), work, and exercise (I especially love intense exercise, as those of you who read my book Persistent Prayer will learn in chapter 1). I do also enjoy reading, writing, and watching most sports (although I would much rather be playing them any day). 

• Have you always enjoyed writing?

When I was in high school and college, I hated writing and tried to avoid it at all costs. It wasn’t until seminary that I started growing both in my ability to write and in my enjoyment of it as well. Several of my professors encouraged me and gave me detailed feedback to really help me focus on improving. My PhD was a “research” degree, which meant that all I did every day was read and write for 3 years, and that helped me to improve as a writer and a thinker more than anything else. 

• Do you have a favorite quote?

I have quite a few favorite quotes. I keep them on notecards in conspicuous places in my office so that I can seem them over and over again. Here are three of my favorite quotes: 

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” —CS Lewis

“If you have no opposition in the place you are serving, then you’re serving in the wrong place.” —G. Campbell Morgan

“Live in Christ, and you are in the suburbs of heaven.” —Samuel Rutherford

• Do you have a favorite book that you have written?

Because of the topic of this book, I would say that Persistent Prayer is my favorite. As a pastor, I have been burdened for a long time to see God’s people pray more and to pray bigger prayers. It is my prayer that God will use this book to motivate and encourage God’s people in these directions, all for the praise of His glorious grace!

• At what time of day do you write most?

I am best in the morning hours, and, for that reason, try to do most of my writing (or other heavy lifting) at that time. Because of the number of balls that I juggle, however, I frequently have to squeeze in time to write whenever I can get it at various times throughout the day. 

• What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

I’ll focus on the first of these questions. The toughest criticism I have received as a writer was given to me by my secondary PhD supervisor in Edinbugh, Professor David F. Wright. Professor Wright read everything I wrote during my time in Edinburgh and met with me privately to discuss it. And he didn’t simply read the papers I submitted to him, he marked them up with red ink. Every paper I got back from him looked like he had taken a red Sharpie and taped it to one of the blades of an oscillating fan, turned the fan on, and held my paper up to it. Red ink was everywhere! When I would meet with him, he would routinely ask me about the words I used. He would say things like this: “When you said ‘told,’ did you mean ‘told’? Or did you mean ‘said’? or ‘stated’? or ‘claimed’? or ‘suggested’? Say what you mean, Guy, and mean what you say.” It was always incredibly hard to hear his criticisms, but it was also incredibly helpful for me as a budding writer. I am grateful that he cared enough to invest the time in me and in my work.

• Favorite food?

I am not a “foodie,” so my favorite food is something that is good for me and satisfies my hunger! I don’t live to eat; I eat to live!

• Do you have a favorite movie? What is it and why?

If I had to narrow it down to only one, I would probably say that “Chariots of Fire” is my favorite movie. I love underdog, come-from-behind types of movies where the good guy wins but only after a lot of hard work and determination. I especially love these kinds of movies because they inspire me to work harder and push beyond what I think I am capable of.

• The Lord of the Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia? Why?

I love both—which is something of a cop-out I realize. If I had to choose one, I would say The Chronicles of Narnia, because of the oftentimes simple and straightforward Christian message that they convey. I also love CS Lewis and have been impacted by almost everything he has written. I have probably read The Chronicles of Narnia to my kids over a dozen times over the years and another 10 or so times myself.  

• Tea or coffee?

Neither! I am too hyper for caffeine! I usually wake up in the morning ready to hit the ground running. Even small amounts of caffeine send me over the edge. I know what you’re thinking: I am a very strange person!

• Favorite sport to watch? Why? Favorite sport’s team?

I love watching swimming, road cycling, triathlons, and college football. I especially enjoy keeping up with Auburn University football (although “enjoy” is not always the right word for it, as most every Auburn fan can attest!). 

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How can readers discover more about you and your work?

• Website: guymrichard.com
• Blog: thesuburbsofheaven.com
• Twitter: @GuyMRichard
• Facebook Page: @GuyMRichard and @RTSAtlanta

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NOW AVAILABLE — Persistent Prayer

• Amazon: $14.79
• Christianbook: $11.99
• P&R Publishing: $11.25
• PCA Bookstore: $11.69
• Reformation Heritage Books: $8.00
• WTS Books: $11.45
• Kindle: $9.99

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This week’s author interview is with Stephanie Hubach. She is the author of Parenting & Disabilities: Abiding in God’s Presence (31-Day Devotionals for Life series) and Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability.

• Tell us a little bit about yourself: where you’re from, family, job, personal interests, unique hobbies, what you do in your spare time, etc.

I was born in Glen Cove, NY but grew up in Lutherville, MD in a historic village outside of Baltimore—surrounded by Victorian homes. Even as a child, I loved the beautiful architecture all around us. Now I live with my family in Lancaster County, PA. My husband Fred and I met at Western Maryland College (now called McDaniel College) and were married in 1983. We have two adult sons. Freddy, our oldest, is married to Cecelia, who has been such a wonderful addition to our family. Freddy and Cecelia have one daughter, which means we have the fabulous privilege of being grandparents! Our younger son, Tim, has Down syndrome and lives in his own apartment in our house. Currently, I work as a Research Fellow in Disability Ministries in affiliation with Covenant Theological Seminary. I’m not sure I actually have a lot of spare time for personal interests of unique hobbies in this season of my life. My personal interests and unique hobbies at this point are attempting to love well the people God has blessed us with in our lives! When we can find the time, I love to boat on the Chesapeake Bay.

• When did you first want to write a book?

Interesting question! I think there are people who write because they love the art of writing and think, “What should I write about?” The possibilities before these types of writers are endless. They may dabble in different genres, different topics, different audiences—all of which may change over time. Then, there are others (like me) who care deeply about a specific topic or cause and ask, “How can I use my gift for writing to be a change agent in this particular arena, by fostering thoughtful discussion and spiritual transformation in the lives of others?” If I’m not passionate about the subject, the writing does not flow for me. (I wrote Department of Defense manuals in my “former life,” when I was a project manager for a DoD contractor, and while I learned a lot about consistency and clarity in writing in that context, I was not passionate about the subject matter in that job.)

• Have you always enjoyed writing?

As I described above, I think I’ve always enjoyed writing as a means to an end, not an end in and of itself. For example, in fifth grade, we had a short story contest every week, and the winner received a free ice cream sandwich. So, perhaps it all started because I really love ice cream, and writing was a way of acquiring it. To be honest, writing in the phase of my life is so much easier because computer technology allows a lot more fluidity of thought and the ability to regularly change one’s mind, move things around, etc. When I was in college, there were no personal computers. Every paper I wrote had to be hand typed and measured to make sure footnotes would fit etc. The tedium of that was a huge turn-off when I was younger. (I don’t do tedium well…) I’ve learned to love to write because I have a laptop now!

• What inspired you to write this book, about this topic?

Two women planted the seeds in my heart to write this particular book. My mother, Darrah Opdahl, and my mentor, Jane Patete. Both encouraged me, over twenty years ago, to write a devotional like this one. I wasn’t passionate about the idea yet because I was still working my way through the actual experiences of parenting a younger child with disabilities and I was also still finding my way through my theological understanding of disability. Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability (P&R, 2006, Revised & Expanded 2020) was the outcome of my theological processing. Now that my son Tim is almost 30, I have felt both ready and passionate about writing this book—Parenting & Disabilities: Abiding in God’s Presence (P&R, 2021) as a daily devotional to encourage other families.

• Do you have a specific spot where you enjoy writing most?

Sandy Cove Bible Conference on the Chesapeake Bay (Thanks Mom and Dad!)

• What book are you reading now?
  • I’m reading several books right now:
    • The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
    • Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow by Nancy Guthrie
    • Confronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlin
    • The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
    • The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh by Ronald de Leeuw 

• Other than the Bible, do you have a favorite book? 

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

• Favorite food?

Chocolate

• Favorite flavor of ice cream?

Chocolate

• Favorite animal? Why?

Chocolate bunnies. Why? Because they are chocolate.

• How can readers discover more about you and your work?

• Website: www.stephaniehubach.com
• Blog: PCA Women’s Ministries
• Key Ministry, Special Needs Parenting
• Key Ministry, Church 4 Every Child
• Facebook Page: Stephanie Opdahl Hubach

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NOW AVAILABLE — Parenting & Disabilities: Abiding in God’s Presence

Amazon: $9.99

Christianbook: $8.49

P&R Publishing: $7.50

PCA Bookstore: $7.79

WTS Books: $7.63

Kindle: $6.99

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NOW AVAILABLE — Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability

Amazon: $15.49

Christianbook: $13.49

P&R Publishing: $13.50

PCA Bookstore: $13.25

WTS Books: $12.97

Kindle: $9.99

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Ready to Restore, New Edition: An Introductory Guide to Biblical Counseling by Jay E. Adams

160 pages | $12.99 $7.79 | SAMPLE CHAPTER | ebook: $8.99

Editor’s Foreword

It is altogether fitting that on the fortieth anniversary of its original publication, Dr. Adams’s classic work Ready to Restore is being produced by P&R Publishing in a new edition. The ten years following the publication of his groundbreaking book, Competent to Counsel, were breathless for Dr. Adams. The decade saw the explosive growth of the modern biblical counseling movement, the publication of twenty more books from his pen, and the establishment of the National Association of Nouthetic Counselors (now the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors). During this time, Dr. Adams traveled and lectured worldwide, taught at several seminaries, and moved his family to rural Georgia.

By the end of the decade, the movement had grown exponentially, and Dr. Adams concluded it would be wise for him to produce a concise summary of the basic concepts of nouthetic counseling that would be useful for both the classroom and individual study.

Although this is a new edition, the text remains much the same as the original. The changes are primarily cosmetic with the new interior design. I found a few typos and archaic expressions to correct, but these are still Jay Adams’s words. The primary revision occurs in chapter 16. There Dr. Adams urged his readers to continue to grow as counselors and listed a number of resources that students could obtain to continue their study. Those resources, however, consisted of a number of books that are now out of print and cassette tapes (remember those?) that could be ordered from entities that no longer exist.

Chapter 16 now lists resources for continued study that are easily accessible to the student of counseling today. We begin by listing the works of Dr. Adams himself, most of which were not yet written when this book first appeared. Then we have compiled an admittedly subjective list of the best helps written by men and women Dr. Adams knew and trusted.

It is our prayer that even now, after Dr. Adams’s faith has been made sight, this significant book will receive again the wide readership it enjoyed when it was first published forty years ago.

—Donn R. Arms

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Endorsements

“Returns counseling to laymen and women who are well-schooled in biblical hermeneutics, theology, and discipleship. It has all the foundational ideas that make biblical counseling effective.”

—John D. Street, Chair of the Graduate Department of Biblical  Counseling, The Master’s University and Seminary

“A very readable small book that will help you to cut your teeth on the basics of biblical counseling.”

—Lou Priolo, Pastor of Counseling, Christ Covenant, Atlanta

“The mainstay of many lay counseling training programs since it was first published.” 

—Jim Berg, Professor of Biblical Counseling, Bob Jones University

“You will be hard-pressed to find a better brief introduction to the biblical rationale and fundamental methodologies of biblical counseling.”

—T. Dale Johnson Jr., Executive Director, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors

“The essence of the biblical counseling movement. A primary primer for the encouragement and training of lay folks who do the work of this important ministry.”

—Howard Eyrich, Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program, Birmingham Theological Seminary

“This volume contains excellent information on some of the fundamentals of truly biblical counseling.”

—Wayne Mack, Director, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors—Africa

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The Whole Counsel of God, Volume 3: God’s People in the Western World
by Richard C. Gamble

1,232 pages | Hardcover | $59.99 $35.99 (40% OFF for 1 week) | SAMPLE CHAPTER

About

Richard Gamble’s three-volume Whole Counsel of God explores the relationships between exegesis and hermeneutics, and between biblical, systematic, and historical theology. “He bridges the gap so many have identified between traditional systematic theology and biblical theology,” Richard Pratt writes; not only that, he “penetrates beyond scholarly concerns to life issues that every believer faces.” Gamble engages the writings of theologians across disciplines and through church history to assist him in this task.

Having closely studied the Old and New Testaments in his first two volumes, Gamble turns to examine how the church has handled God’s holy Word throughout two thousand years of unfolding history in the West. In continuity with the rest of this work, the final installment presents a study of apologetics as well as practical application—integral parts of the whole counsel of God. Readers will follow the development of systematic theology in its context and, learning from the church’s past mistakes, be better able to defend it to the world. 

“A very comprehensive theological project, embracing the disciplines of biblical theology, historical theology, and systematic theology,” writes John Frame. “Nothing comparable in scope has been done in the last hundred years within the circles of Reformed orthodoxy.”

Endorsements 

“For me, this volume is the capstone of the three-volume set and is worth the price of the set all by itself.”

—Joel R. Beeke, President, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary 

“A remarkable achievement. Gamble’s volume is sweeping, interesting, and, at times, quirky, not unlike the orthodox Protestantism he describes so well.”

—Stephen D. Crocco, Divinity Librarian, Yale Divinity School 

“This volume brings Richard C. Gamble’s ambitious integrative theological project—biblical, systematic, and historical—to completion. The coverage is remarkably comprehensive, the judgments careful and well-informed. Seminary students in particular will be well served by a careful reading of this entire project.”

—William B. Evans, Younts Professor of Bible and Religion, Erskine College 

“This conclusion of [Richard Gamble’s] remarkable achievement is a substantial and insightful guide to the contours of the leading ideas and significant persons of Christian thought, providing a starting point for students and a valuable resource for scholars of all theological traditions.” 

—Peter A. Lillback, President, Westminster Theological Seminary 

“An ambitious and unique project, providing a synthesis of biblical theology, systematic theology, and church history; it should provide an excellent basis for further detailed study.”

—Robert Letham, Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology, Union School of Theology 

“I know of no other single source that effectively vacuum-packs such a wealth of useful material, as well as practical insights. I heartily commend this volume to energetic Christian readers; the time needed to work through it will be worth the lifetime of help that it gives to Christians who hope to thoughtfully understand and challenge unbelief in its many forms.”

—K. Scott Oliphint, Professor of Apologetics, Westminster Theological Seminary 

“[Gamble] combines the insights of many years of teaching in these disciplines with a pastor’s heart that renders this volume not only instructive but also edifying.”

—Alan D. Strange, Professor of Church History, Mid-America Reformed Seminary

Each of the 3 volumes are currently 40% OFF.

• The Whole Counsel of God, Volume 1: God’s Mighty Acts in the Old Testament ($49.99 $29.99)
• The Whole Counsel of God, Volume 2: The Full Revelation of God ($59.99 $35.99)
• The Whole Counsel of God, Volume 3: God’s People in the Western World ($59.99 $35.99)

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