Cruciform Press

Who's heard of Cruciform Press?  It is the publishing brainchild of popular Canadian blogger Tim Challies (www.challies.com) & 2 of his friends.  Their vision is simple: they aim to publish books which are helpful, inspiring, biblical & gospel focused.  In that vision, you could say they are no different to many other evangelical publishers.  However, this publishing business began in the 21st Century (October 2010) with 21st Century technology & endeavours to make full use of it.  They publish one short book a month, on the first of each month, each with the same price, each available either in print format, a variety of ebook formats or as an audiobook.  The books cover a variety of topics (e.g. Marriage, backsliding, disability, grief) and use a variety of authors, some well known here in the UK (e.g. Joel Beeke, Al Martin) others not so well known (e.g. Greg Lucas, Casey Lute).

We decided it was about time we took a look at these new books & have just received stock of our first batch. Here they are...

Wrestling with an Angel - A story of love, disability and the lessons of grace, by Greg Lucas

"But God..." - The two words at the heart of the gospel, by Casey Lute

Friends and Lovers - Cultivating companionship and intimacy in marriage, by Joel R Beeke

Getting Back in the Race - The cure for backsliding, by Joel R Beeke

Grieving, Hope and Solace - When a loved one dies in Christ, by Albert N Martin

The Organised Heart - A woman's guide to conquering chaos, by Staci Eastin

So far I have read 'Wrestling with an Angel'.  Within the space of the hour that it took to read I found myself going through a whole range of emotions - Greg Lucas writes honestly about the difficulties he and his family have been through (continue to go through) with their child who has disabilities.  But we don't just read his life story, this is really a book that examines God's Word in the light of life's difficulties and comes through shining with God's grace.  I found it emotionally moving and spiritually searching.

Next, I have picked up 'The Organised Heart' (I had to really didn't I?!).  I'm only half way through the second chapter about being a perfectionist & already finding too much that rings true to be comfortable!

These titles are available to order from our site (although I don't have full pics & descriptions on there yet) at introductory prices of £5.99 each. They're worth trying out!

Lorna

Prayer

"In spite of Satan, pray; spend hours in prayer; rather neglect friends than not pray; rather fast, and lose breakfast, dinner, tea and supper - and sleep too - than not pray.  And we must not only talk about prayer; we must pray in right earnest.  The Lord is near.  He comes softly while the virgins slumber."

Andrew Bonar

Quoted in Contagious Christian Living by Joel Beeke, Bryntirion & RHB, £6.99

Lorna

Are you contagious?

This little book compiles Joel Beeke's 4 addresses at the Aberystwyth Evangelical Movement of Wales conference in 2009.  They are typical Joel Beeke style, easy to read but punchy. Entitled Contagious Christian Living, each address focuses on one Bible character and draws out a 'contagious' aspect of their living. Jephthah's daughter is highlighted as an example of Sacrificial Submission, Bartimaeus for his Christ-centred living, Jacob for his Perseverance, Prayer and Penitence, and Daniel for his Consistent Integrity. 
Although perhaps a little too much poetic licence has been used at times, the book is peppered with applications for contemporary Christian living, many very pointed and thought provoking.  How much are we prepared to truly submit to the Lord's will for us?  Is our daily walk and talk God-honouring? At times of darkness do we wrestle with and cling to the Lord so that like Jacob we say 'I will not let thee go, except thou bless me'? With worldliness and temptation all around us, are we able to be consistent in our walk by faith?  Certainly none of this can be done without sustaining grace freely given by God. What a reminder therefore to persevere in prayer 'Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you' (James 4:8).
Lorna
Contagious Christian Living by Joel Beeke, jointly published by Bryntirion Press & Reformation Heritage Books, £6.99

Listening to Sermons

This little paperback caught my eye when it came in a few weeks back and I have finally managed to have a better look at it. The full title is 'The Family at Church. Listening to Sermons and attending Prayer Meetings'. The first part on listening to sermons is excellent (I haven't fully read the second part on Prayer Meetings yet, so I wouldn't like to wholeheartedly endorse it!). As it is a Saturday evening and many of us are looking forward to the Lord's Day tomorrow, I thought I would share some excerpts from the second chapter entitled 'Preparing for the Preached Word' ...

" 1. Before coming to God's house to hear His Word, prepare yourself and your family with prayer. The Puritans said we should dress our bodies for worship and our souls with prayer...

2. Come with a hearty appetite for the Word. A good appetite promotes good digestion and growth. Peter encouraged a spiritual appetite, saying, " As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2)...

3. Meditate on the importance of the preached Word as you enter God's house... Since the Gospel is the Word of God, not the word of man, come to church looking for God. Though you should deeply appreciate your minister's efforts to faithfully bring you the Word of God, pray that you see "no man, save Jesus only" (Matthew 17:8)...

4. Remember as you enter the house of God that you are entering a battleground. Many enemies will oppose your listening... Satan opposes your listening to God's Word with might and main, knowing that if you truly hear it, he will lose you. So Satan tries to disturb you before the sermon begins, distracts you during the sermon, and dismisses the sermon from your mind as soon as it is finished... Pray repeatedly for strength to overcome all your enemies by listening well.

5. Finally, come with a loving, expectant faith (Psalm 62:1,5). Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and determined, like Mary, to ponder God's Word in your heart..."

The Family at Church, by Joel R Beeke, published by Reformation Heritage, £5.95

Lorna