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This book offers a Lenten course of five sessions for small groups exploring the first book of the Bible in relation to the gospels and Christian discipleship in the 2lst century.
I have tended to view the book of Genesis as how God's relationship with humanity was at the beginning, in order to compare it with how far we have progressed by today. However, Clare Amos sees it, not as a story which is finished but one that is being read and re-read, written and rewritten in every age. We, in our time, are being invited to hear the story of Genesis and use our own experiences and those of our world today to become part of the story.
Clare points out that the original Hebrew text did not have 'the' before 'beginning' in the opening verse of the Bible. Rather than a beginning which is over and done with, she suggests a closer translation is 'When God began to create the heavens and the earth...' In other words it is a continuing process.
Although this book is primarily for group study I feel that with its clever linking of Genesis with the gospels and aspects of modern life, this book is a useful tool in sermon preparation.
A ten session course exploring Christian Discipleship and Membership in the Methodist Church for anyone who wants to learn more about their faith whether a Christian of longstanding, new Christian or enquirer.
The course aims to help people think about their faith and what it means in daily life to be a follower of Christ. Participants are encouraged to share ideas, become more familiar with the Bible and experience ways of praying with the Bible. It contains such subjects as:
It is challenging without being threatening, it is helpful for increasing faith and, through this, some may become Christians or Church members or make a deeper commitment to God.
The course is well set out, easy to follow with handouts ready to photocopy as required.
A bright new book will be launched at the Christian Resources Exhibition at Harrogate in October when the author, Arnold Kellett, will give a talk on the origins and evolution of Christmas. Dr Kellett, is a local preacher in the Knaresborough Circuit and in this book, he covers every aspect of the festive season, ranging over history, folklore and tradition but paying due attention to the essential celebration of the birth of Jesus.
A handy reference book, as well as ideal Christmas browsing, A to Z of Christmas is an illustrated handbook, selling at around £12.00.
In her Preface to this fascinating and colourful book, the Author, Ann Bird says, "The world is awash with colour and alive with the possibility for us to let the colours leave their mark on our own hearts and spirits so that our lives, too, reflect colour and light to those around us". That sentence encapsulates, for me, the pages of this vibrant book.
Throughout this book, Ann uses the work of famous artists, poetry, literature, wonderful photos and posters and relates the colours and texts of the Bible to the everyday lives of ordinary people. Every chapter is a sermon in itself, picking up on the colours of life and using them to challenge and inspire the reader to further thought and commitment in their own spiritual journey.
There is a single-colour page between each chapter on which is the text, "Whatsoever things are lovely ... ... think on these things" with examples of 'lovely' things represented by the particular colour. This is particularly poignant and focuses the mind of the reader on the words alone. This is a book which could be read and re-read. I recommend this book which will give blessing to anyone who owns it.
The two previous books by this author, We Sang it Our Way and It'll Be All Wrong on the Night have been hilariously funny and this one keeps up with the rest. The back cover of the book says 'Welcome to the everyday world of passion stirring beneath the cassocks in the third deliciously funny collection of choir tales'.
Reginald Frary has a wonderful gift of making an ordinary happening into an exciting or unbelievable adventure! His use of words is a wonderful gift. There are lessons to be learned from some of the `goings on'! Although this is not sermon material it is excellent for a lighthearted afternoon at the Ladies Meeting they will chuckle at some of the escapades all the way home!
I know - I've tried it...
It is good to have a new imprint from Methodist Publishing House that is producing high quality work like Michaela Youngson's `Making the colours sing'. The poetry that Pat Marsh offers us in her new book `Silent Strength' has its own distinctive voice which invites reflection and a quietening of the spirit. The language is sometimes conversational and intimate, sometimes compact and full of significance, sometimes delightfully poetic. If our attitudes and approaches to God change from hour to hour and day to day, the range of writing offers forms of writing that may strike a chord for us and encourage us to grow in the relationship God shares with us.
The book claims to be 'a journey through stillness, emptiness and alignment to trust, resurrection and endless love'. Indeed, those words are the titles that give shape to the poetic prayers, but they are arranged in such a way that it is easy to browse and sample, easy to look out for a poem that is right for the moment. We are not strait-jacketed into the poet's journey. Instead, her prayers seek to help us on our own journey.
The prayer which gives the book its title is simple and profound, offering scope for contemplation and discovery. In other prayers, there are poetic touches which enrich, for example: 'pick up my own agenda instead of nestling into yours.'
There are times when the author is tackling difficulties when I would have appreciated more in the way of 'grit'. For example, in considering moving out of our 'Comfort Zone', the tone can be prosaic and matter-of-fact rather than daunting and in need of help: 'help me to step beyond my known and tested limitations.'
The layout is attractive, with occasional line drawings. The book invites us to try for ourselves not just a poem or two, but times with God when our own thoughts quieten and we open ourselves to a love which reassures, encourages, invigorates and renews.
It scarcely seems possible that after some 200 years of detailed scholarly analysis a significant new understanding of the core of the New Testament could appear. Harris' approach, in this short but concentrated work, is just that. His thesis is simply that the Gospels/Acts are mission statements for the early church and also valid as such for today. Each of the gospels and Acts is examined in turn; and if nothing else, these chapters are excellent material for study both privately and in groups.
To give a flavour of Harris' approach I quote from the conclusion of his chapter on Matthew page 69:
Far from being a puzzling after thought, or a stand alone boulder, the Great Commission is the very heart and soul of Matthew's Gospel and is the section that best relates to the church's life today. This means in effect that mission in general and the mission to all the nations is central to the Gospel's preoccupations. Although this fact has been under-recognised and underplayed, it is vital to a proper understanding of the Gospel and a clear perception of its message.
Whispers of Love
In her book, which Pat Marsh describes as poetry, there are a variety of meditations. Some are meditations about God and some are prayers directed to God and there are also a few responses from God.
A few of the meditations are Bible based (Old and New Testament) and some come from her own faith journey. There are questions that the Christian Church has struggled with over the centuries and flashes of inspiration that are new to her. Many topics are covered, from Christmas celebrations to Easter and from the birth of a child to the fear of the unknown.
There are line drawings with some of the poems which draw out the essence of the thoughts. As with the pair of hands moulding clay, which accompany one of the two sets of thoughts based on Jeremiah 18.6.
This would make a pleasing gift as thanks for hospitality after a brief visit.
The Treasures of Darkness
My late Father used to say "Don't ever judge a book by its cover". The cover on this book is dark but its contents are real gems. This excellent publication is written by an Anglican Priest of 22 years. The book covers the seasons of Advent and Lent and in it, the author has used the treasures of darkness in a positive way where we ordinary folks might be inclined to regard them as negative items. In the Old Testament, in Isaiah 45 and verse 3, we read that "God calls us by name, he knows us and uses us".
In this excellent book, various topics are used to illustrate our watching and waiting times during the season of Advent and Lent.
As a person who has had a physical disability from birth I enjoyed the way the author uses disability to illustrate that we are all disabled in some way and often a disability works for good as God uses folk with disabilities to benefit others. This book contains Bible passages and prayers to help the reader to enjoy the fellowship of the book.
During the season of Advent and Lent the Church watches and waits for the new life of the incarnation and the Resurrection and the "Treasures of Darkness" is an ideal companion for these seasons. This is a book of renewal and is good value for money.
Life lived to the full
It is difficult to know how to categorise Bill's book. It is a combination of memoirs or autobiography, social history of Lancashire, Christian evangelism and experience, the development of Methodism at Cliff College. It spans Bill's life and experience of over 80 years as family man, friend, farmer, evangelist, Revivalist and preacher.
The book is supported by a number of black and white photographs, some of them very old but all recording the life of the times. The book is very easy to read, comprising of short chapters, each telling its own fascinating tale. In a gently amusing, but lively and interesting way, it records many events in his life including his upbringing as one of 7 children, his early life on a farm, his "conversion", Christian life and ministry, his courtship (the longest chapter by far) his marriage and the lives of his two daughters and five grandchildren, all of whom he is justly proud. With reference to his working life, Bill Parkinson records his four years of mission work and his long association with the land at his Old Vicarage Farm, affectionately known as "Old Vic".
This wonderful book is as inspiring as it is interesting and can be thoroughly recommended.