The Birth of Jesus

I have been reading this book to a group of children over the past few weeks (in instalments) and I think it is brilliant! What an accurate and exciting telling of the amazing story of the birth of our Lord and Saviour. When children are hearing so much about the birth of Jesus at schools and nurseries, this book fills in all the gaps and dispels all the myths. It includes the stories of Simeon and Anna, it explains that the wise men didn't go to the stable the night Jesus was born, and that there may not have been just 3 of them. It gives simple spiritual applications throughout. My children have been enthralled by the way it tells the story ... 'Mummy, Herod told a really terrible lie to the wise men, he said he wanted to worship Jesus when really he wanted to kill him' (Matt with a face of horror!). I really think this is the best book on the Birth of Jesus that I have ever read to children.
The Birth of Jesus by B A Ramsbottom, Gospel Standard Publications, £3.95
Lorna

William Mason

"Many complain of bad memories. They cannot remember many things. They cannot retain things long. Here then is the one thing needful. Here is but one short, gospel work for your memory. 'Remember that Jesus Christ was raised up from the dead' 2 Tim 2:8. Exercise your memory upon this. Clothe your memory with this. For this finishing stroke contains the whole of thy Lord's blessed and joyful works, from his birth in the ignoble stable, until his ascension to his kingdom in glory. O clothe your memory constantly with the joy of this, that the eternal Son of the eternal Father became an infant of days, lived to be a man of years, died as an accursed malefactor, bearing our sins, the guilt of our sins, the curse of our sins, all the wrath due to our sins, and all the penalties which our sins deserved, in his own blessed and innocent body on the tree. That he, the true scape-goat, carried all our sins away into the land of forgetfulness. Hence, thus saith your God and Father, 'Your sins and your iniquities, I will remember no more' Jeremiah 31:34. 'Though your sins and your iniquities be sought for, they shall not be found.' Jeremiah 1:20. You cannot; but at times remember your sins. It is fit you should to humble you, and to cause you to remember the love of Jesus, who bore them, suffered for them, and has taken them all away, O then remember that, Jesus was raised again from the dead."

Quoted from 'The Believer's Pocket Companion or The One Thing Needful To Make Poor Sinners Rich & Miserable Sinners Happy' by William Mason (1719-1791).

Available in a small hardback for £7.95 or a paperback for £4.50

I would also recommend Mason's Spiritual Treasury (Morning and Evening Portions), as an excellent way to start and end the day (2 vol set for £16.95).
Lorna

It's a gift!

For those that don't know, our AV block calendar is the only daily tear-off calendar in publication which purely has a Scripture quote from the Authorised (KJV) Version with no other verse or meditation. That may sound a pretty bold statement, but we believe it to be true. In fact if it wasn't we wouldn't produce it! It is really a labour of love (especially when the traditional KJV Bible is becoming less and less popular), but we know from many testimonies that it is spiritually profitable, and has been over many years. So, every year someone amongst our circle of family/friends is asked to choose 365 scripture portions for the calendar and they have often commented on how good it is for them to do this.

The other unique thing about our calendar is that it is doublesided - you don't have to choose which picture you prefer because you will get both! Perfect for indecisive people because you can simply turn the calendar around halfway through the year and you get to enjoy both pictures for 6 months each!

It is also worth mentioning that if you buy the 2009 calendar for yourself or as a gift for anyone, you are really getting value for money. As you tear off each text throughout the year you will come across Loyalty Vouchers and other hidden treasures qualifying you for extra discounts on books from the shop. Search for yourself - it's a gift at only £6.95!

Lorna

Musings

Life has been a little busy lately, hence the lack of blogging. The 'ladies' events (at least 3 men managed to slip through the door too) went well last week. We always enjoy these events; the lighting, fresh coffee, and homebaked goodies lend themselves to a cosy atmosphere with plenty of good chat and fellowship. It was particularly good to see some new faces in the shop and we hope these new friends will come back now that they have taken that first scary step over the threshold and discovered what a friendly bunch we are! In the clear up following these events I have been reorganising things in the shop... the sale boxes have been filled up, some present ideas have been picked out, plus all the new titles that have been published just in time for Christmas are piling in and quickly finding a slot on the shelves. Hopefully, Jeremy and I will get a chance to read through some of these and blog on them.

There's still plenty of Christmas cards left for those of you who send them and also lots of 2009 calendars and diaries to suit all tastes. Don't forget, gift wrapping is free!

Now, which book shall I read first...?

Lorna

Ladies Night

Or should that be children's night? Anyway it's for ladies about children's books, hosted by ladies. It's the same November event as last year, but for 2 nights this time. The first is on tonight at 7pm - 10pm, then the next is on Thursday. Lorna is working like a trojan preparing the shop layout for it. As a man I'm strictly banned, so here I am writing about it. The great news for all comers is that a special 3 for 2 offer applies to all children's books - something to brighten up a grey Autumn evening! Even better, this offer is also on for the rest of the month for mail order customers (see website for more details) for as long as stocks last. This may not be too long... Unfortunately the homemade cake doesn't post out too well, so that's the downside for those who can't/don't turn up on the night. Our most represented publisher in the children's section of the shop is Christian Focus Publications. They have been very supportive - thumbs up to them. But we also have much more to offer in the way of sound, carefully chosen material for children and young people. Go to http://www.christianbookshopossett.co.uk/young_people.htm
Jeremy

A Beginner's Guide to...

...Creation.
This book is so new I can't find an image of its attractive cover! It is a slim (84pp including bibliography) introduction to the evidence for Creation. Dr Chris Pegington has worked in the field of genetics and thus has a personal knowledge of the influence of the scientific establishment and their aggressive adherence to evolutionary theory. So this is a handy book from a capable writer. He is notably honest in distinguishing between creationist theory and the actual biblical facts. There is also a refreshing candour in the author's own testimony as to how he became convinced of Creation. He openly acknowledges that it is "through faith we understand" (Hebrews 11:3), rather than 'by understanding we believe'. However the reasonableness of faith can be shown, and in this he succeeds even if some subjects are dealt with in more detail than others. New (to me anyway) facts are brought forward, and the 'in' topic of Intelligent Design is given a chapter to itself.
I was disappointed with a non-scientific statement on the very last page, in which the purpose of Christ's death is extended to include the redemption of the cosmos, ie. not just people. It is not therefore confined to sinners in this view, let alone the elect. But this is undervaluing the precious blood of Christ, not exalting it! It certainly does not square with Christ's own words in John 10:15, "I lay down my life for the sheep." I realise that a brief reference in a book is open to misinterpretation - hence I hope that may be the case here.
'A Beginner's Guide to Creation' is published by Bryntirion Press and costs £4.95.
Jeremy

Elizabeth Prentiss

I'm a newbie when it comes to Elizabeth Prentiss. I've felt a bit left out for years knowing that her best selling title 'Stepping Heavenward' has literally been read by millions and I hadn't so much as seen a copy. Now I have! My first surprise was when I discovered that it is fiction, somehow I had got the impression it was her autobiography. Not so, it is the journal of a fictional character 'Katy'. Katy is an impetuous teenager when the book begins and we follow her teenage tantrums, rebellion and of course the obligatory 'unsuitable' fiance, before her conversion. Her priorities then gradually change as she grows in grace. Her journal is written honestly, we learn of her initial struggles with married life, her innermost spiritual pride, her daily struggles with her hot tongue, her battles with legalism and her gradual submission to the will of the Lord. The human heart has not changed since the 1800's! I think this must account for it's continued popularity. The book is an easy read and thought provoking. I have discovered though that it seems to engender some extreme views - some people love it and recommend it to all their female friends, others really turn their noses up and would rather leave it to get dusty on the shelf. Why? I actually enjoyed it more the more I read it.

Having read 'Stepping Heavenward' I was then keen to know how similar it was to her real life. Sharon James' biography 'Elizabeth Prentiss: More Love to Thee' is a nicely produced hardback which traces her life, drawing heavily on 'The Life and Letters of Elizabeth Prentiss' (compiled by her husband shortly after her death), and many of her other writings. It is an accessible biography clearly laid out with timelines and family trees, although I did get a little bogged down in the detail at times. It is clear that Elizabeth Prentiss did indeed draw on her own life experiences in the writing of 'Stepping Heavenward' and this is evidently what makes it such an authentic read.

I have even gone one step further and have now read a short article by Prentiss' father, Edward Payson, on parenting. I feel 'Prentiss-ed out'. Enough for now.

Lorna