None But Jesus #Flavel

It is as hard for some to look upon other men's gifts without envy, as it is to look upon their own without pride.

How soon would faith freeze without a cross? Bear your cross therefore with joy.

Oh when will you  learn the vanity of self-dependence?

How complete and perfect a cure is Christ!

Just a few quotes from the new None But Jesus in the Pocket Puritans series.  This little book is full of rich and thought-provoking quotes from the writings of John Flavel. Published by Banner of Truth, £3.25.
Lorna

Patrick of Ireland

Of the Early Church Fathers perhaps none is so remembered in the secular world than (St) Patrick, and few so neglected by evangelical Christians!  It is therefore a joy to discover anew this beacon of Celtic Christianity, reclaimed from outrageous legend and Romish gloss by Michael Haykin.  Whilst it would be going too far to claim the true Patrick (died c. AD 460) as an evangelical - indeed anachronistic - yet his faith seems sound, and certainly orthodox.

Haykin treats as suspect almost all historical data apart from the two different documents definitely ascribed to Patrick - his 'confessions' and a letter to a British chief.  From these we learn that although Ireland was the backdrop for the most significant features of Patrick's spiritual life, he was in fact from Britain.  He was carried captive to Ireland by pirates while a youth, converted during this time, and then managed to escape back to his homeland.  Later he made the momentous and courageous decision to go back to Ireland, now freely as a missionary to bring the gospel of Christ to those who had once been his captors.

Patrick was not some superstitious monk, but a humbly educated man with an intense devotion to his Old Latin Bible.  Haykin provides an assessment of Patrick's belief in the inerrancy of scripture and of its place in the development of his thinking about ministry, mission and doctrine.  Another chapter helpfully discusses Patrick's theology, particularly his Trinitarian creed.  Today's evangelical, who perhaps assumes the Trinity and gives scant thought to it, would be shamed by the fervent commitment of Patrick to the correct understanding of God's nature and being.  Celtic Christians like him were certainly not primitive or doctrinally flabby!  This is recommended reading.  One criticism would be that there is some repetition of material due to the way in which the book is arranged, with Patrick's life and times followed by more detailed specific studies of his thought.

This is the first in a new series edited by Michael A G Haykin called 'Early Church Fathers'.

'Patrick of Ireland. His Life and Impact' p/b £7.99. Christian Focus Publications.

NB. Also available in this series is 'Basil of Caesarea. His Life and Impact'.

Jeremy

Missing Post

We sent a very desirable secondhand set of Samuel Eyles Pierce 'Letters on Spiritual Subjects' out to the US about 6 weeks ago.  They should have taken no more than 2 weeks to arrive, but by the end of last week were nowhere to be seen.  We were gutted to think they might be lost in the post but our customer had more faith - he emailed over the weekend to say ...

With a great deal of thankfulness to the Lord for His great mercy, the books arrived today. I had a hard time believing that the Lord would allow such a treasure to be lost, so for some reason I was granted a strong conviction in the last few days  that they would arrive. Today, Saturday, I was delighted to open the mailbox and find them. What a spiritual treasure they appear to be.

What wonderful news! the Lord's timing is always right and we pray that He will bless the reading of these books.
Lorna

A Bruised Reed

Subtitled 'One Christian's Journey Through Depression', this is an honest account of the depths that can be plumbed in the suffering of depression.  A quick read at only 72 pages this book really packs a punch in informing the reader about some of the thoughts and feelings of one who is suffering from depression, and the ways in which they can be supported and encouraged during this difficult time. Continually the author points us to Scripture, he suggests scriptures that are helpful to the sufferer, some to uplift, others to admonish wrong thinking.  He addresses the issues of self-preoccupation, pride, guilt, anxiety, thankfulness, accountability, worship, love and more. My feeling is that this book will be particularly helpful to carers and friends of the sufferer as it gives a powerful insight into depression from the point of view of one who has suffered. I especially liked the emphasis on the support of the Church family towards a depressed fellow believer.
Practical and biblical, as well as short and snappy, this book comes highly recommended.
Lorna
A Bruised Reed by Phil Cottrell, published by Evangelical Press, £4.99

April offers

 Our April eBulletin has gone out with offers too good to miss on some popular CDs.  Have a read of the bulletin by clicking on the link below the picture, or go straight to our CD listings on our website.

April eBulletin

You can always keep up to date with our latest offers via our facebook page or our twitter feed. 

Lorna

Reading Together - A Glorious High Throne

We are almost halfway through the current book of the online reading club 'Reading Together'.  There are some rich pickings here from Edgar Andrews on the book of Hebrews.
On the subject of eternal intercession (Hebrews 7:25) he says...

Christ saves finally, completely, perfectly and utterly.  Here is no partial salvation, as many teach, leaving man to complete a work that Christ began.  Here is no temporary salvation that can be lost through neglect or inadvertence.  There would be no point in Christ's everlasting intercession if it did not secure an equally complete and durable salvation.  A perfect Saviour must provide a perfect salvation for all 'who come to God through him'.  But let us be sure that we do come through Christ, for he alone is 'the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through him'.

Quoted from Chapter 21 'A Perfect Saviour' in A Glorious High Throne - Hebrews Simply Explained by Edgar Andrews (Welwyn Commentary Series).
If the sound of an online reading club (ladies only) is tempting, drop me a line and I can get you signed up.
Lorna

Food for thought...

I read this excerpt after I heard the concerning news that this week Belgium has legalised euthanasia for children as well as adults...

It is a heart-rending thing to reflect on the sin and misery that prevail in this world.  Let us relieve ourselves, in some measure, by this consideration, that God has done all things according to the counsel of his own will.  Is the Almighty disappointed in his work of creation? has Satan prevailed over him because of his strength? or will any real dishonour attach to God by the rebellion of men and angels?  Impossible; away with the accursed thought!  These clouds before my eyes are dark and lowering - I cannot penetrate that gloom - I see nothing but confusion and wretchedness.  The very glory of this world is vanity; its highest enjoyments are unsatisfying.  But though I cannot see through this dreadful darkness, I will look beyond it by the eye of faith.  God reigns; all things therefore must issue in the glory of his name, and the happiness of his people.

Taken from Confidence in God in Times of Danger - A Study of God's Providence in the Book of Esther, by A Carson, currently available both new and secondhand from us.
Lorna