Fraser. Not a Private Matter

This story has the culture of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland for its background, but can be read without difficulty by the 'uninitiated'.  That is because the human experience of disease and suffering crosses all boundaries.  However not everyone has the capability to tell their story with such honesty and reflection as Fraser Tallach.  He was a fit, talented young man, ordained into the ministry and fully intent on serving the Lord in Canada when kidney disease struck.  Fraser's journal from here (Part 2 in the book) records his spiralling health to the point of staring death in the face.  This was in the 1960s when dialysis was a major procedure and transplants were only an emerging technique.   But Fraser is taken to deeper levels of God's grace and teaching even as he passes through pain and weakness with all their attendant emotions.  He wrote later "any resolving of my conflicts was a matter of faith rather than of experience."  Truly, 'my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD' (Isaiah 55:8).  Mercifully Fraser had a transplant at the eleventh hour, and recovered to be able to preach again for many more years.  But in the process of readjusting to normal life he had to struggle with depression.  Listen to this for insight from one who knew what he was talking about: "One word spoken in a threatening, condemnatory, condescending, supercilious or inquisitorial way is like a clap of thunder to a vulnerable person" (p124).
Being divided into three parts makes this a somewhat disjointed book, yet I think it works because the meat in the sandwich is so good.
Jeremy
'Fraser: Not a Private Matter' by Fraser Tallach with John & David Tallach, Banner of Truth Trust, £6.50 p/b.

Struggling Start to Silver

We've been decimated by germs since New Year. Not the friendliest welcome to 2008, but one that serves to remind us of how fragile we and the bookshop work are. I reckon bugs and nasties must just love all those family gatherings at Christmas and New Year, like crocodiles watching with amazement as the wildebeest decide to join each other in a relaxing bathe in their waterhole!
Still, the orders have been dealt with so far, and emails answered, often from home. There's no let up either on preparations for this month's amazing Sale week (January 21st - 26th). Posters should go out this week about it. If you are around and free on Monday or Thursday evening we'll be staying open until 10pm to allow you to get at heavily discounted books. The basic is 20% on stock (plus the tea and cakes which were so sought after at our last evening event). I just hope we're back to full fitness by then.
Jeremy