Holiday Reading Part One

The first two books I chose to read while away happened to be on the same theme, but very different styles. The Hidden Pathway compiled by G D Buss and published by Gospel Standard Trust Publications are the writings of Elsie Dawson, wife of Herbert Dawson the pastor of 'Union' Chapel, Bethersden, Kent (1915 to 1969). It is a personal and very spiritual account of life as a pastor's wife. What an amazingly tough lady she was in the face of many difficulties, and through it all it is plain to see that her strength was from the Lord every step of the way. She writes candidly about the spiritual lessons she learnt through the Lord's providential dealings with her and there is much profit to be found in reading her testimony of the Lord's goodness. She also wrote poetry, here's a sample...

Tell God thy many wants and fears;

Tell Him the cause of all thy tears;

Tell Him the burdens that oppress,

For He alone can truly bless.

Commit thy way unto the Lord,

And ask for faith to trust His Word;

For He will surely bring to pass

That which for thee he purposes.

Commit thy way, though ills you dread,

And darkness veils the path you tread;

Stay on the name of Christ thy Lord,

For He is faithful to His Word.

And He has said to such as thee -

'In all thy ways acknowledge Me';

I will direct thy paths, and thou

Shalt in a way of safety go.

Commit to him thy hearts desire, -

That secret thing which, as a fire,

Burns in thy bones, nor gives thee rest; -

Leave that with Him; He know the best.

Commit thy way, though he would seem

To hear thee not, and thou esteem

Thyself too vile, and e'en thy prayer

Too sinful for the Lord to hear.

Commit thy way, nor fear to tread

The path where he himself doth lead;

However dark and rough the way,

The Lord will be thy strength and stay.

Commit thy way to Him, and prove

Jehovah's faithfulness and love;

For till life's close He then will be

A Guide and Counsellor to thee.

(based on Psalm 37:5)

The second book was a new Banner of Truth title Her Husband's Crown by Sara Leone. A very practical book on 'A Wife's Ministry and a Minister's Wife'. A quick and easy read (less than 50 pages), this is a down-to-earth guide to how a minister's wife can be a true help-meet to her husband. It has chapter headings such as 'Provide a quiet, peaceful home for your husband' (oops, I've failed at the first hurdle!), 'Be a sympathetic and confidential listener to your husband', 'Through encouragement and prayer, be your husband's chief supporter', 'Remember that your husband is judged in part by your behaviour - be an asset, not a liability, to him'. Sara Leone is realistic about many issues that are particular to a minister's wife, but having said that, I think that the issues it raises could be applicable and useful for others too.

Lorna

Holidays

Phew, we're back! It's lovely to get away, and always good to get back again. Reeth was nice - home from home with the best Christian Bookshop in North Yorkshire. One of the best things about holidays is time to read, read, read. Watch this space for news of what we have been reading...
Lorna

'Divine Energy' by John Skepp

Our blog has got bogged down! Busily trying to get things straight in advance of our holiday next week. But I just had to broadcast news of this latest book in from the States. Until republished by Baptist Standard Bearer it had been as easy to get hold of as snow in the Sahara. The author was looked up to by no less a man than John Gill, who gave it a recommendatory preface. It was first printed in 1722, and was the only thing that John Skepp wrote. He focusses in on Ephesians 1 v 19 in strongly giving emphasis to the power and priority of God in saving sinners. It is subtitled 'The efficacious operations of the Spirit of God upon the soul of man, in his effectual calling and conversion'. This may be a mouthful, but in fact Skepp reads more easily than Gill in my opinion. However this isn't a review - yet (as I haven't finished reading it). A minor adverse comment is as to who would design such an abominable cover as this one? I won't even display it here for fear of scaring the faint-hearted and children! But still don't let it put you off.
Jeremy

The Building Site

The chapel rebuilding work next door to the shop is progressing fast. The bricklayers are doing a great job and are now up to window level. Here's a few update photos:

Lorna

Life Everlasting

Subtitled 'Finding True fulfilment through the Apostle's Creed.' This was the book I took up last evening, just out from Christian Focus. I'm putting it on stock this morning. Although it first came out before I was born (just), it is a delight for me to discover. How many books combine good devotional thought, personal experience in Christian ministry, structured by and giving insight to a Creed?? Much here is so necessary to be kept in mind, eg. I believe in the Holy Spirit - no hope for persevering in ministry without such clear cut faith in him and no-one else. 'He hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.' This is so opposite to man, and even to much of the attitude to be found within churches! The seed sown in weakness God directs in power when and where he will.
There is much more here to digest, I've just given a hint about its personal impact.
Jeremy

Calling all Bunyan enthusiasts

We humbly claim to have probably the largest selection of John Bunyan's books in print that you will see anywhere in one place. This is not bulked out by endless publications and editions of 'Pilgrim's Progress' and 'The Holy War' in case that's what you were thinking. Intrigued? Interested? Ask for our listing (with brief description) available as a small PDF file, or as a double sided A4 hard copy - or if you can't be bothered to do either just wait until Lorna gets around to putting it somewhere on the website. She promises to do it on Monday, but be patient with her if not because she is a very busy multi-tasking lady, as has already been made clear ;-)
Jeremy