Hot off the press

Have just received the latest title from Evangelical Press. It is on the 'Slave Trade' theme and looks to be a good read. 'Beyond Amazing Grace' by J Todd Murray, described as 'timeless pastoral wisdom from the letters, hymns and sermons of John Newton'. It seems to be a good introduction to John Newton's writings for anyone who feels rather daunted (unsurprisingly) by his 6 volume 'Works' (£85).

Lorna

Planning a Cornish holiday?

Over the winter months we take a regular bookstall to the Pennine Bible Witness which is held once a month locally. Last night was one of these events. Chris Hand (from Crich Baptist Church) was preaching. In his sermon he quoted from a book that we have probably sold less than a handful of since its publication in 2003. His quote has made me pick it up for a better look at, and I'm not sure why we haven't sold more. Certainly if you are planning to head to Cornwall this summer I would recommend the book as 'background reading'. It examines the Cornish evangelical revival of the 1700's in the light of its central figure, Samuel Walker. He was evidently a strong character but a gracious and humble man too. The book is interesting for its historical content but also has much to profit us through the quotes from Samuel Walker's journals and letters. This is one such quote from one of his letters...

'Secret prayer is the one great thing in experimental religion, the mainspring (if I may so say) which if not kept in order, the whole movement of vital, heart religion must grow faint and lanquid. On the contrary, shut me in a dungeon, or fix me on a mountain, let me see neither men nor books (if such a situation was my lot, not my choice), provided my heart were enlarged to call upon the Lord, I should be no loser. On the other, if I spent every day in reading the best books, in hearing the best preachers, in conversing with the best men, if secret prayer was not carefully kept up, and every other means watered and improved by this, my soul would starve in the midst of plenty. Union and communion with Jesus is the greatest mercy on this side of eternity, and that perfected is the heaven of heavens.'

A Cornish Revival, The Life and Times of Samuel Walker of Truro - by Tim Shenton (£16.95)

Lorna

Web update

Have just finished a marathon session on the website. Phew! It is now up-to-date with our new titles (by this time tomorrow it will probably be out of date again!). Our newest titles are:
The Cross - Peter Jeffery - £6.95
The Unknown God - Charles H Spurgeon - £11.00
A Practical View of Christianity - William Wilberforce - £6.95
Life and Diary of David Brainerd - Jonathan Edwards - £9.95
Cambridge and the Evangelical Succession - Marcus Loane - £10.99
Oxford and the Evangelical Succession - Marcus Loane - £10.99
God's Gentle Whisper - Denise George - £7.99
A Woman's Place in the Church - Skip Collins - £1.50
Amazing Grace in the Life of William Wilberforce - John Piper - £4.99
You can read more about some of these on our 'just in' page http://www.christianbookshopossett.co.uk/just_in.htm
Lorna

Don Fortner

Don Fortner, Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Danville, Kentucky is due to preach at Egglesburn Baptist Church in Teesdale on Wednesday night (18/04/07), God willing. Anyone interested? Contact Peter Meney, Tel. 01833 650797 or email peter@go-newfocus.co.uk for details.

Don has written a number of books, all of which we stock. One Biblical Studies Series is called 'Discovering Christ in...' and he covers the books of Genesis, Ruth, Song of Solomon and Revelation.

I know that Lorna enjoyed the one on Ruth and used it as daily reading material.

As far as I am concerned, however, Don's greatest service to the Christian public was in instigating the project of republishing Dr Robert Hawker's commentary on the whole Bible (a 9 vol set). This is known as the 'Poor Man's Commentary', mainly because it was first issued in small portions to suit the pocket of the average worker in the early 1800s. But I like to think that it also refers to the fact that Hawker consistently points out the fullness of the love of Christ to the feelingly poor and needy sinner. We were glad to lend a hand in the republication work in 2005 by providing an original copy for scanning. We are one of the few stockists of this valuable commentary on this side of the Atlantic.

Jeremy

We Apologise...

As of 16th April visitors to the Shop will be unable to use the adjacent car park and toilets. Although we regret the inconvenience caused to our wonderful customers, please be assured that it is all in a very good cause. The (our) Chapel next to the Shop is being knocked down and rebuilt. Therefore the whole corner block between the Shop and Priory Road is going to be fenced off and turned into a building site for the next 6 months or so. Our children are so excited! Business will continue as usual at the Shop. For those who visit, easy free on-street parking can be found on Priory Road or on Queen's Crescent opposite.

We hope to be able to post regular progress photos on this blog, as the Shop waves goodbye to an old friend and then welcomes a new neighbour.

Here's one taken today showing daffodil salvage operations in advance of the demolition sub-contractor starting!

Jeremy

Quote of the week

'Sometimes I compare the troubles which we have to undergo in the course of the year to a great bundle of fagots, far too large for us to lift. But God does not require us to carry the whole at once; He mercifully unties the bundle, and gives us first one stick, which we are to carry today, and then another which we are to carry tomorrow, and so on. This we might easily manage, if we would only take the burden appointed for us each day; but we choose to increase our troubles by carrying yesterday's stick over again today, and adding tomorrow's burden to our load, before we are required to bear it.'

John Newton, quoted from 'Out of the Depths'

I'll try to remember this next time I am lying awake at night worrying...
Lorna

Easter

Blogging activity has been deafeningly silent for the last week because of family illness en bloc. Hence it is almost too late now to nominate a book for Easter reading. But I did have a dip for the first time into Krummacher's devotional meditations collected under the title of 'The Suffering Saviour' and found out why they are held in high repute. He is conscious of the sacredness of his subject, and this is reflected in the structure of the book. It follows the design of the Old Testament tabernacle, and so the increasing intensity of the last days of Christ is followed under the headings of the 'Outer Court', the 'Holy Place', and the 'Most Holy Place'. He is thorough but heartwarming, sensitive but not sentimental, short (there are 53 meditations) but not shallow. Krummacher was a leader in the German reformed churches in the mid-1800s, said to be the greatest preacher in Europe in his time. So although his style is a bit dated it is striking and energetic. I intend looking at this long after Easter has gone.

Banner of Truth published this hardback (see pic) in 2004, but it is also still available from us in an old paperback Baker edition. At £2.50 it is so outrageously cheap that I shouldn't mention it.

Jeremy

PS. There are a range of other titles by Krummacher - see our catalogue - he is perhaps best known for 'Elijah the Tishbite'.