Seasons of the Heart

It may be nearly the end of February, but this daily devotional is still selling well.  Not only is the book produced as a lovely quality hardback but the content is quality too.  Each daily reading is taken from the writings of godly women of the past.  It is evident that these women lived through a variety of circumstances: singleness, widowhood, chronic illness and persecution being some of their trials.  Throughout all the challenges of their lives, they clung to the Lord their Saviour and spoke often of him.  They did not necessarily write for publication but for personal journals & letters. Some of the ladies you may have heard of, others are not so well known, but helpfully there is included a short biographical sketch of each one. They include, Ruth Bryan, Anne Dutton, Isabella Graham, Elizabeth Julia Hasell, Frances Ridley Havergal, Sarah Hawkes, Susan Huntington, Harriet Newell, Katherine Parr, Susannah Spurgeon, Anne Steele and Mary Winslow.
This is a book that is well worth the £12.99 price tag.  However, if this seems too much to stretch to, then surely the eBook at only £5.49 cannot be passed over.
Lorna
Seasons of the Heart compiled by Donna Kelderman, published by Reformation Heritage Books. Available as a Hardback £12.99 or an eBook £5.49.

Compassionate Jesus

Just how far should Christians go in seeking ever more aggressive medical intervention to prolong life? Are we bound to cure at all costs? The answer to that would seem as though it had to be yes - affirming the worth of life at whatever age. But does it really have to be? The Apostle Paul wrote 'for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.' (Philippians 1:21). He didn't seek to postpone death, or want life at all costs. Life was good however, as long as he was living it by God's will and to his glory. Christopher Bogosh, who has both medical and pastoral experience, suggests in this book that Christians need to consider their attitude to what he defines as 'Modern Medicine'. This he distinguishes from medical science. The former is a materialistic philosophy, the latter is a useful tool subservient to man's prime need of spiritual healing. Bogosh has seen the pervasive effect of Modern Medicine particularly in end-of-life care - or lack of it. He worked for some years in a hospice, and feels that many Christians belie their profession of eternal hope by blindly following professional medical advice for still more curative treatment, when palliative treatment would be more realistic and kind. Bogosh does a very practical study of Job in a section on suffering and the temptations that arise at such times. He is good in getting at scriptural principles to guide all medical decisions, but especially good at standing back and pointing at the big picture, and then showing how this gives such significance to the preaching of the gospel. Be warned that all healthcare references in this book are related to the American model, and discussions of living wills, organ donation etc, are also set within the context of US law. But this does not undermine the essential usefulness of this book in the UK. It is a wake up call.
'Compassionate Jesus' is published in paperback by Reformation Heritage Books and available from us for £9.95.
Jeremy

The Three Forms of Unity

This is a really lovely quality set of books for children telling the stories behind each of the Confessions of Faith within the Three Forms of Unity. 
The background to the Belgic Confession is related in the first book Faithfulness under Fire: The Story of Guido de Bres.  Simply written but with enough detail to give a correct understanding of the events of the time, plus very striking illustrations this book is suitable for a range of ages and is a good reference book to keep on the shelf to be returned to again and again.  I read this book to a group of children who ranged in age from 3 to 11 and they were spell-bound (at least that was how it seemed to me!).
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.
The third book The Glory of Grace: The Story of the Canons of Dort describes the troubled times in the Netherlands with the preaching of Arminius and the following that he gained.  The 5 points of Arminianism are briefly explained along with the events involving the Prince of Orange & the English King James I which led to a synod of leaders from Holland, Germany, Switzerland and England to discuss a unified doctrinal position.  The resulting Canons of Dort (or the 5 points of Calvinism) are explained in some detail.
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.
Lorna
 

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

Recommended Devotional Readings

Reformation Heritage Books are to be congratulated for being constrained to reprint this classic, after a year of it being unavailable.  Robert Hawker (1753-1827) was vicar of Charles in Plymouth, and conscious of the poor amongst his congregation, published these meditations for them on texts of scripture in small, affordable penny portions.  The eventual result was this Christ-centred devotional, which still satisfies the 'poor in spirit, who are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom.'  I am really pleased to have got a good stock of these on board - possibly the first in the UK to have done so?!  Our price is £24.95, which is not bad for a chunky hardback book (730 devotions for the whole year) now with a stylish new cover design.  Joel R Beeke has written a very informative and warm introduction to Dr Hawker and his ministry, which he feels has been 'largely overlooked by modern scholarship.'  May these daily doses of free grace doctrine be to the benefit of many readers.  I'm using them at the moment and I would encourage you to do so too.  This isn't a sales plug - beg, borrow or buy a copy from whoever you can!  You won't regret it.
'The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions' by Robert Hawker DD.
Jeremy

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

Did you know...?

In the time of Calvin, some people named their dog 'Calvin' to show how much they despised the Reformer!

Taken from John Calvin, by Simonetta Carr (see post 07/07/09)

Calvin Anniversary

This tremendously refreshing book about Calvin is an introduction aimed at youngsters (6-11yrs) and produced with great quality. Simonetta Carr intends this to be the first in a series about famous figures from Church History. She has come up with a winning combination in getting the artwork done by a real artist. There is a lovely original watercolour and many full page black & white drawings often betraying a certain whimsical humour. A map, timeline and some historical titbits give further aid to understanding Calvin's life and thought.

It has already been well reviewed in the GS magazine.

John Calvin, by Simonetta Carr, published by RHB h/b, £10

Jeremy

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

Caleb's Lamb

Christian fiction for children - I have mixed views on it. Often it incorporates a poor storyline with an 'in your face' Christian message that is doctrinally dubious. Caleb's Lamb is different (as is most of the Christian fiction that we stock I hasten to add!) Truly historical fiction, this book centres around a Hebrew shepherd boy at the time of the Israelite slavery in Egypt. It is reverent and biblically accurate in its detailing of the plagues and the role of Moses in leading them out of Egyptian bondage. But the main thrust of the story is Substitution. The death of one for the life of another. And the storyline is so gripping it cannot fail to move and drive home this principle. The applying of this message to New Testament times and the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ is not mentioned and in my opinion is well omitted. It leaves the stage open then to the adult who can discuss and apply as appropriate for each child.

Caleb's Lamb by Helen Santos published by Reformation Heritage Books

Lorna