So you received an eReader for Christmas? (iPad, Nook, Kobo - it doesn't have to be a Kindle!) Don't think that we bookshops are the last people that want to hear about it. In fact research suggests that people who buy eBooks still tend to buy printed books too (a bibliophile after all does love books!) If you are new to eBooks and aren't sure where to start, have a read of this article that Jeremy helpfully wrote when we launched eBooks on our website earlier this year. This will give you information about eBooks in general as well as how to download them from our website.
Douglas Bond's fiction is for the 21st Century what G A Henty's was for the Victorian era. Only, Bond is directly Reformed in his underlying theology, whereas Henty went no further than good, clean morality. But both are similar in attention to detail when it comes to history, so much so that the storyline and fictional characters are not given the depth of treatment that a 'mere' novelist would do. This however turns into a virtue rather than a vice, in that it allows the history to percolate through very easily and clearly. Bond is particularly good in this book on John Knox and the Scots Reformation at weaving verbatim material from sermons and letters etc into the story. Knox shows up here (from the beatific depiction on the front cover onwards!) as a bold and fearless man. But also, contrary to legend, we learn that he was physically unimposing and pastorally tender to his beloved countrymen. Whether loved or hated, he cannot be ignored in understanding not only the Reformation in Scotland, but in England also because of his contact with Edward VI and Hugh Latimer. The influence of John Calvin on him when in exile at Geneva was marked, but he had come to deeply 'calvinistic' doctrines before that, under God's teaching, and proclaimed them.
The second book The Quest for Comfort: The Story of the Heidelberg Catechism covers the story of the connection between Olevianus, Ursinus and Federick III and their desire to see a 'simple, personal and more peaceful' outline of their doctrinal position. The book very simply describes the themes around which this catechism is based.
Each book has a section at the end designed to give parents further information about the doctrinal points raised. In an easy and compelling style, these books describe some difficult doctrines and put them in their historical context. I think they do an excellent job of filling a gap in a child's understanding of these early expressions of the Reformed faith which have been foundational to any subsequent Confessions.
From Howell Harris to Christmas Evans. In fact six key figures from the century of revivals from the 1730s onwards are covered in this book of short biographical studies. They vary in the space given to each - Harris probably gets most attention, but a loving share is reserved for William Williams, the hymn writer of the revival. His hymns have endured longer than the many chapels of Calvinistic Methodism that Wales became famous for. But this is not a denominationally minded book. It is informative in a small package, and there are some devotionally rich veins to be found, eg. Of controversy, Howell Harris said 'the humble address succeeds best in the school of Christ.' I hope it will stimulate interest in men like Christmas Evans and his ministry in Anglesey and the Lleyn Peninsula, now tourist destinations. He was behind getting John Gill's Commentary translated into Welsh as an aid for young preachers, after Thomas Charles had been instrumental in gaining a Welsh bible.
After a frustrating day of technological disasters and a distinct feeling of '1 step forward, 2 back', this book just published by Reformation Heritage Books has got to be part of my weekend reading. I have just opened at the introduction and read this...In today's hectic and distressing world, we need to recapture the concept of daily rest. Demands and distractions agitate our spirits. Disasters trigger anxiety. Diseases generate pain. Despair creeps into our hearts. These influences displace our peace and pull us from resting in God and His Word. The reflections in A Month of Sundays: 31 Meditations on Resting in God pause our spinning thoughts and calm our fluctuating feelings. Real rest is impossible apart from belief in the triune God... Our souls find rest when we truly trust a sovereign God, who is also our loving Father, and walk in His ways every day of our lives.
It would be a good contest amongst Christians, one to labour to give no offence, and the other to labour to take none.
Another fine book from Aaron Armstrong. He doesn't try to be too trendy and flash, but he is contemporary and clear. Although dealing mainly with Jude v3, and what it means to 'contend for the faith', you realise that he has virtually managed to walk you through the epistle by the end! The subtitle 'Defending the faith in a fallen world' would suggest a book on apologetics, but if that sounds remote and academic it is misleading.'Contending must be understood and exercised as an act of mercy toward those who doubt and those who have been deceived, regardless of whether they claim faith in Christ'.Not in a supercilious way, but in humility. Nevertheless it is active, not passive, determined to give glory to God. Pastors have a particular responsibility, but doing battle is unavoidable for every Christian.
This new book is subtitled 'A Student's Guide to Reformed Theology,' but I feel it could as easily be treated as a Beginner's Guide. Something to consider giving to a person enquiring about Calvinism from a position of ignorance, albeit rather 'hip'! But Brian Cosby really deals very faithfully and unflinchingly with his subject. He litters it with many illustrations, and anecdotes which are mainly US orientated, but this does not blunt the essential thrust of his points. He goes over the '5 Solas' and through the TULIP acrostic and leaves reflection questions at the end of each short chapter. I was more impressed by this little book than I expected to be.
I shall never cease to be grateful to Richard Sibbes who was balm to my soul at a period in my life when I was overworked and badly overtired, and therefore subject in an unusual manner to the onslaughts of the devil... I found at that time that Richard Sibbes, who was known in London in the early seventeenth century as the 'Heavenly Doctor Sibbes' was an unfailing remedy... The Bruised Reed quieted, soothed, comforted, encouraged and healed me.
I'm afraid it's time for us to take a little break. We're heading off to Wales for a few days next week & will be having a 'technical time out' (or as I saw on BBC Online today a 'digital detox' or 'personal reboot'!). Please be assured that we have a wonderful army of helpers keeping the shop open for us (9:30am-5:00pm) who will be happy to help you out in person or by phone. We plan to be back in harness after the bank holiday & will look foward to catching up with you all then. 
Servanthood as Worship - The privilege of life in a local Church by Nate Palmer. 
Intentional Parenting - Family discipleship by Design by Ted Thompson. The blurb says... Many books involving family life and child training are well worth reading. This is not one of these books. This book will allow you to take what you have read, and all the sermons, teachings, and exhortations you have received on family discipleship, and make sense of it.
Awaiting a Saviour - The gospel, the new creation and the end of poverty by Aaron Armstrong.Awaiting a Saviour brings a fresh approach to the world-wide problem of poverty. It is gospel-driven, Jesus-centred, and gets at the real but often overlooked cause of poverty... it is a solid theological treatment of what poverty really stems from and how to see it within a biblical framework.
I just noticed this Martin Luther quote on my calendar'We no more earn heaven by good works than babies earn their food and drink by crying and howling'It sounds like classic 'no beating about the bush' Luther to me & made me smile because I have just spent the last hour immersed in Luther's commentary on Galatians and it is full of comments like this. Our online ladies reading club is coming to the end of this commentary on Galatians, it has taken us over a year to steadily work through, but I for one have enjoyed getting to grips with this incredible author who went through so much in his efforts to reform the church. He is amazingly easy to read so don't be put off trying him out. If you fancy joining our reading club please let me know... we will shortly be choosing a new book to tackle so this would be a good point to get involved.
No sooner is one event done, than another one is being planned! This time we are working towards a ladies evening event (next week Thursday 16th, from 7:30pm for anyone wanting to join us) and I'm reading up on lots of 'ladies' books. I don't really approve of dividing books up into ladies & mens, but I also can't really ignore the fact that certain books are much more often purchased by women rather than men. It seems that publishers are becoming wise to this too. 
In the 'open minded' evangelical churches of today catechisms have become all but extinct. For many they conjure up images of children forced into repeating questions and answers parrot fashion without understanding a word. But does it have to be like this? Catechisms are carefully developed expressions of 'the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.' They are helpful guides, going well beyond the instruction of children to the building up of believers, who are often receiving very little solid doctrinal teaching at church. For this reason I recommend Gadsby's Catechism, and we are now halfway through its 109 questions with our children. We don't drive it too hard, and take time to look up the Bible references, and endeavour to simply explain it to them. So we all benefit.
Olympic month has finally arrived and whatever you think of its pagan roots (?!) we can't avoid it this summer in the UK! We have just emailed out our July Bulletin with offers on books about a true Olympic hero. Eric Liddell was an Olympic star who considered his service to the Lord a much greater privilege than all his sporting achievements. He is a true example indeed.
"Christine Farenhorst writes short stories with a pace, characterization, dialogue and subtlety that is quite outstanding. She is a true writer and restores a delight in the gift of reading. Children can read these stories, but I think they might have to tear them from the hands of their parents."
We have an influx of new books too. Jeremy thrust into my hand today a new Crossway title 'A Woman's Wisdom - How the book of Proverbs speaks to everything' by Lydia Brownback. It has a promising start in the first part 'What, exactly, is wisdom?' as Brownback explains that 'real wisdom is found only in Christ. Wisdom is the realization that he is everything.' This is a book I am planning to finish - one day!
I should also mention a new publisher that we have recently started stocking. Corner Pillar Press have published a few titles, mostly works by women - Susannah Spurgeon, Sarah Edwards, Ann Judson - names that are familiar to us because of their better known husbands. Have a look at the titles on our site for more info. Ann Judson is another book I have started & so far it is an incredible read - to think of the things these missionary wives had to cope with. They were tough women indeed!
Anyone who is glued to all the reports in the media of the sinking of the Titanic will be interested to know about this little book. Titanic the Ship of Dreams is a fascinating account of the minister John Harper and his concern for the souls of the doomed on that terrible day 100 years ago. Intended for children (10+ ish) this is written in the style of a fictionalised biography but is an easy and interesting read for any adult too.
We had fun at our recent children's activity morning making models of the Titanic, those that weren't taken home are now displayed in our childrens corner of the shop... 
I think historical fiction is a great way for children (and adults) to learn about life in certain cultures and time periods and am really pleased to have found another series that I can recommend. The Chosen Daughters series is written by various authors and is intended to focus in on 'ordinary' women who through God's grace were able to stand firm in difficult times. Each woman shines as an example to us of real living faith. I recently read 'Weight of a Flame: The Passion of Olympia Morata' which is about a lesser known character in Italy who lived during the time of the Reformation. I really enjoyed it. The historical detail was there but not overpowering, the fictional content was gripping but not too fanciful and the spiritual application was sound. Particularly helpful was the list of characters & details about them, plus a map & also an author's note about roughly which parts were true & which were fictional. 
With no apologies for being repetitive I am going to mention again a book that I think would make a great Mother's Day present. Wrestling with an Angel by Greg Lucas. New in from Cruciform Press (see my previous post) I really enjoyed this book & have now lent it to 2 friends who are both as enthusiastic about it as me! This is a book about a family which includes a child with a disability. It is written with raw & honest emotion, but not overwhelmingly so. The trials & struggles of this one family are used as the backdrop to a book on God's amazing grace to each of us. Through a father's anecdotes we see clearly the biblical lessons learnt through tribulation when sanctified by the Spirit. It is the kind of book that grips you from start to finish & then you sit back, take a deep breath and say 'wow'! Actually friend number 1 rang me & said 'that book... it has so much to say to everyone, you can apply these lessons to any situation you are struggling with'. Friend number 2 particularly mentioned how the book brings out God's individual dealings with each of his people - whether young or old, healthy or disabled, we are each taught by the Spirit in a way that is suitable to our case. I heartily recommend this book!
I can't blog on Mother's Day without also mentioning another book from Cruciform Press - The Organised Heart, a Woman's Guide to Conquering Chaos by Staci Eastin. An amused 'huh' has probably escaped your lips by now, but don't worry, this is a serious book & asks some serious questions. The author's analysis of disorganisation is that it is a form of idolatry - are you disorganised because of perfectionism? Busyness? Possessions? Do we have our priorities right? Have we remembered that God is sovereign & in control of all things? This is a book with many valid points & a useful reminder that we need to commit ALL our way to the Lord.
