Strangely Bright: Can You Love God and Enjoy This World? (2nd Ed)

Drink your wine with a merry heart.

The Spiritual disciplines are crucial for Christians to grow in their faith: prayer, fasting, worship, and service. But one spiritual discipline you will not hear from many pulpits is the practice of delighting in God’s good gifts.

Pumpkin crunch cake. A really big tree. Johnny Cash. Baseball in October. Summer rain.

In this short book, Joe Rigney offers a biblical vision that bypasses both ingratitude and idolatry and instead enjoys God in everything and enjoys everything in God. As we fix our eyes upon the Father of lights, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, we will notice that the things of earth grow strangely bright.

This edition featuring a new foreword by Douglas Wilson.

From the Book:

"Now here’s the advice. Begin where you are. Whatever earthly things are present to you now, start with them. Whether it’s warm sunshine or a cool spring rain. Whether it’s eating enchiladas or sipping lemonade. Whether it’s planning a project for work or having a conversation with your spouse. Whether it’s working in the yard or wrestling with your kids. Whatever good and perfect gifts are coming down to you now from the Father of lights, begin with them. Receive them with gratitude. Savor them with gladness. Study them with delight. Share them with others. And refuse to stop with the gifts. Follow them back to the giver. See them as declarations of his glory. Know them as images of divine things. And then turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely bright, in the light of his glory and grace." ~Joe Rigney