Some Welsh Ministers

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.

Published by Gospel Standard Publications. £5 paperback.

Jeremy

Rest

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's a good start & I'm looking forward to reading more.
Lorna
A Month of Sundays: 31 Meditations on Resting in God, by Glenda Mathes, published by Reformation Heritage Books, priced £6.25

It's Cosier Inside

Come in it's Christmas! Cards, calendars and the all elusive book presents are all here waiting. Reserve in advance by phone - it will come through to my mobile out of hours - or order online. Gift wrap and mail order (free post over £25) is all part of the service package as well.
Jeremy

Rare John Calvin Commentary

A first sight of the oldest book we have ever had! The first English translation of Calvin's commentary on 1 John & Jude. It is undated but the British Library officially say c. 1580. It also has a letter written by Calvin from Geneva printed with it at the back. A bibliophile's delight! I love it, but mustn't get too attached, as it may soon be wanted.
Jeremy

Sibbes Quote...

Can't argue with this principle!

It would be a good contest amongst Christians, one to labour to give no offence, and the other to labour to take none.

Taken from Chapter 4 of The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes, the current book of our virtual reading club. If you fancy joining the club, just drop me an email.
Lorna

To send or not to send?

My question this morning is - will you be cutting down your Christmas card list?  With the price of postage costs rocketing I made the assumption that Joe Bloggs would send fewer Christmas cards this year. Sensibly (or so I thought) I slightly reduced my stock level of Christmas cards so that I wouldn't have hundreds left over after Christmas.  Well, it seems to me that Joe Bloggs has decided his friends are worth the extra postage pennies and he is continuing to buy his Christmas cards at a rate of knots.  Consequently here we are in mid November & I am already running low on stock of Christmas cards.  For those customers out there who haven't already bought their cards I am interested to know if you intend to or not!  I have some lovely card suppliers who are perfectly willing to top up my stock of Christmas cards, so don't worry, the cards will be here if you want them.  But if you don't, I want to save some money too!
Let me know...
Lorna

Late Night Shopping

If you can get here on Monday 12th November, we are holding our annual Christmas evening at the shop.  Enjoy a relaxed shopping experience with coffee and cakes while you browse (now you don't get that in many shops in the run up to Christmas!).  We're looking forward to officially unveiling our refurbished secondhand department and as always there will be plenty of extra discounts on both new and secondhand books to help you with your budget!
Lorna

Contend

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.
This is his premise:

'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.
Read this book if you are not sure what is worth contending for, (does everything come under the umbrella of 'the faith'?) and also if you are, so that you might be reinvigorated to go on 'speaking the truth in love'.
Jeremy
Contend. Aaron Armstrong. Cruciform Press. £6.50, p/b.