"I took my review copy of Susan Heck's With the Master in the School of Tested Faith home for my wife to read. After all, it says right on the cover "a ladies' Bible study," and I had already done the article about a "Christian woman writing for Christian women." The idea of having Janell read the book was so that I could quiz her afterward and pen this book review for our newspaper readers from her perspective, i.e. "my wife loved the book" etc. And of course, you know, I want to be careful about the scriptural admonition regarding "women teaching men." Enough of the distraction, I confess I picked the book up and as I began to scan the chapter titles, summaries and other helps, I soon found myself reading away. I also soon realized I was holding a true gem - a work by a well-studied author that will bless, help, encourage and exhort not only women who want to grow in faith, but men as well. Here is one that knows the material in her heart. Men, buy your wife a copy of Tested Faith then sneak your own read. All kidding aside, this book is a wonderful and solid commentary on the Epistle of James with life's applications that tear and mend heart strings of those seeking after the Lord. If you are looking for feel-goodism, plastic-surfaced filler or more pop-psychology, don't dwell here. But if you want some depth of study and faith with the full regiment of grace - read Heck's first in a series of "With The Master." The summary at the end of Chapter 8 (there are 24 chapters and 372 pages) may offer the heart of the work: "You know, it is so easy to become self-deceived by our religiosity," Heck writes. "But there are three tests here of true religion: (l) The test to our self. {more of text here if you please} And preacher, if you're looking for sermon illustrations - here is a source you would be hard-pressed to find better. "Tested" is full of illustrations that go beyond the text of James. Consider the "parable of the ducks" in chapter 12. A must read ... for women and men."