From my blog:
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Last year I read True Spirituality by Schaeffer. This is my review originally at Library Thing:

"This book discusses the basic character of Christianity - a religion that teaches a person's nature is something that comes within, and that Christians live for the hope of the Kingdom to come."

That is so true. Living as a Christian is to be motivated from the inward self. It is to be done out of the motivation from the Holy Spirit rather than out of social obligation. Inside Out by Larry Crabb, which won the Gold Medallion Book Awards Winners in 1989. also talks about inward change. The key issue that stuck with me is that person truly needs to look deep inside themselves and acknowledge their hurt, pain and sin, in order to genuinely understand themselves, and live a healthy Christian life.

My recommendations: If a person wants a book about how a person is to live as a conservative Christian, and understand more of its doctrine, I recommend reading True Spirituality. However, [as] a pastor counseling a congregant living with a work oriented Christian lifestyle - contrary to Christian doctrine - and is yearning to receive the peace promised in scripture (Isa. 9:6, 57.2; Mt. 11:28–30 and Rom. 8:6), I would recommend reading parts of it and then discuss them in a counseling session, or just have the person read the book themselves without any therapy sessions.
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Link: http://pakws.blogspot.com/2008/02/its...

Despite our good intentions and real efforts, change is often allusive, ignoring either the problems in our world or the pain in our hearts. Acknowledging both our deep longings (physical, social, and spiritual) and profound disappointments, Inside Out reveals our wrong strategies (self-protection) and points us towards the seat of true change – a repentant heart. Crabb provides the church a great service by pointing us beyond behavioral sin and reminding us of the sinfulness of our hearts. Thus, true change must come from the inside out. A- ( )

Fine book, but he needed an editor. He spoke in the plural most of the time, but the plural words he used really grated on me. Ex - ourself instead of ourselves... etc, etc. Because of that, it was hard for me to read the book! ( )