Activity Morning

Back in the Easter school holidays we trialled running a children's activity day at the shop.  The idea was to encourage more footfall from the local community so that they a) realise there is a Christian Bookshop in town, b) realise it is not staffed by aliens, c) enjoy spending time here, d) become enthusiastic about reading, e)... (I won't bore you with any more!).  It was a success! That first activity day saw 19 children with their Mums in the shop enjoying crafts, colouring, book quizzes & storytelling.  Okay, so it didn't really generate sales, but that is not always the sole aim behind our ventures. 

We were encouraged to give it another go during the June half term holidays, which turned out to be such a gorgeous day that the morning ended with a game of football in the carpark (supervised by the Dads). 

Yesterday we had the first of our Summer holiday sessions.  Thankfully we knew in advance that we could have an abundance of folk and therefore moved to Plan B which was to set up the activities & a selection of books in the Chapel building next door (our shop floor is pretty small).  No less than 31 children turned up and this time we actually sold a few books too (bonus!). Much to Jeremy's dismay the homemade cakes were also demolished and there were scant leftovers to take home.

For anyone who missed out on the fun yesterday, we are planning a second session at the end of the holidays.  Friday 3rd September is the date to mark on the calendar, drop in anytime between 10am and noon.  See you there...

Lorna

Gospel Invitations

I have recently read a little booklet by Daniel Whitaker (1800's) on the subject of the Nature and Design of Gospel Invitations.  It is well worth reading and clearly distinguishes between the errors that are so widely preached in many churches and the truly biblical Gospel Invitation.  The following quote is taken from his concluding comments...
"When men attempt to set forth the invitations of the gospel, of a spiritual nature, in an indefinite, unlimited manner; there is such an uncertainty in the sound, that the poor, needy and disconsolate sinner, for whose sake they are designed; knows not what is piped, or what is harped.  Therefore, while such men attempt to encourage all, they in reality encourage none; but only discourage the real character, for whom they are intended; namely, the hungry, and the thirsty, the labouring, and the heavy-laden.
But when they are set forth, as they really are in the gospel, in a definite way, the character being described, the blessings pointed out, and their freeness shown; then the mind and will of the Lord is clearly manifested; as in the following invitation: 'Come unto me, all ye that are heavy laden: and I will give you rest' (Matt 11:28).  Here the love of Christ is set forth to the persons invited; and his readiness to receive and entertain them, and bestow his blessings needed by and promised to them; for he means them to come and enjoy the blessing; it being his delight to give it to them."
I would love to quote more, he seems to hit the nail on the head so many times!
The booklet is published by Huntingtonian Press, a small publisher specialising in experimental high calvinist literature click here for their full list of publications.
Lorna
The Nature and Design of Gospel Invitations by Daniel Whitaker, published by Huntingtonian Press, £2.20

William Gadsby

William Gadsby is still alive and well today. Reports of his death have been much exaggerated (apologies to Mark Twain). His hymns, full of gospel doctrine, are used today in hymnbooks outside of his own selection. Gospel Mission Books also maintain his 'Select Works' in print. Cost £6.95. This is a reprint of Volume 2 of his full Works, not easy to get hold of secondhand, and includes miscellaneous material. There are some trenchant pieces, eg. 'An Everlasting Task for Arminians,' and 'The Nature and Design of the Marriage Union.' Very gracious sermons, eg. 'The Glory of God's Grace,' and 'The Publican's Prayer.' But also there is 'A Few Thoughts on Sunday Schools,' which although 170 years old, is still relevant. His references to general education are now (thankfully) obsolete, in the UK anyway. But he is good on the basic purpose of them and the principles by which the teachers should be led. In connection with this he produced his Catechism, intended for children, but which is also helpful for adults. Indeed today many might think it too hard to use! However it gives real doctrinal backbone, particularly to the gospel through which we are to be saved, and by which we are to live. We have found it useful for teaching our own children. It can be had separately as a booklet for as little as 75p, or £1.50 if you prefer a much smarter Gospel Standard publication.

Jeremy

Helpful Truth in Past Places

There has been a resurgence of interest in the Puritan writings in recent years.  Banner of Truth were at the forefront of reprinting Puritan writings when they began back in the 1950's, but it seems that even in the last 5 years or so there has been an even greater flood of publications that are edited versions of the Puritans.  One such book that I have recently been reading is called Helpful Truth in Past Places.  It is subtitled 'the Puritan Practice of Biblical Counseling' and whatever your bias for or against Biblical Counselling (a controversial issue in some quarters!) you cannot deny that many of the Puritan writers have much practical advice that is solidly biblical and whose principles can certainly be applied to contemporary issues.  The aim of Mark Deckard the author of this book is to take the reader through some of these Puritan writings, to draw out some of the principles and to make the applications relevant. 
'Why is this happening to me?' is answered through John Flavel's The Mystery of Providence, the anxious and dissatisfied Christian is encouraged through The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs and those who have lost all joy are comforted with A Lifting Up for the Downcast by William Bridge.  Writings by Thomas Brooks, Jonathan Edwards, John Bunyan and John Owen are also examined.  I haven't finished the book yet, but so far I have found it useful for an overview of some of these older writings and thought provoking in its applications.
Lorna
Helpful Truth in Past Places by Mark Deckard, Christian Focus Publications, £11.99

Anne Bradstreet

This is the most recent book I have read, and one which we are promoting on an offer price of just £6.00 (RRP £7.99) until the end of this week! (03/07/10)

You can just sense the empathy Faith Cook has with the subject of this her latest biography, Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672). Anne was a woman of literary talent, along with a sense of family and public duty. There are questions as to the boundaries of a Christian woman’s role even today, but this is nothing compared to the received opinion in the 1600s. A Bunyan might be allowed to write a classic, but not a Bradstreet. They were both persecuted nonconformists, whose suffering sharpened their quills, but his work was readily published whilst hers only reached the press via a series of acts of providence. Nonetheless she has the remarkable distinction of being America’s first published poet of either sex! Quite amazing! Anne is regarded as American, because she left England with her family at just 18 years old in search of freedom – part of a mass migration of Puritans. In the tough New World she reflected the ethos of a culture already beginning to diverge from the mother country in hundreds of lines of rhyming couplets. But above all, her faith shines out through her verse. Fear, danger and death were never far away in the New England colonies, and all were sanctified to Anne. She viewed her life as a pilgrimage to glory. Beware, this book will cause some serious heart-searching. Take this sample:

Why should I live but to thy praise?
My life is hid with thee.

O Lord, no longer be my days
Than I may fruitful be.

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

Reading Together

Those of you who receive our monthly bulletins will be aware of our plans to set up a reading club.  This is now up and running - we have a new blog called 'Reading Together' which is limited to subscribed members only.  Initially the club is also limited only to ladies - sorry chaps.  This is essentially because I am facilitating it and not Jeremy.  If our gentlemen customers would be interested in joining a reading club they need to pester Jeremy and he may be persuaded to set one up. 
The first book we have chosen to read together is 'The Great Gain of Godliness' by Thomas Watson in the Puritan Paperback series.  This is subtitled 'practical notes on Malachi 3:16-18'.  The aim is to read a planned portion of the book over a 2 week period and make comments and discussion points on the blog.  Our vision is that this will encourage a discipline of regular reading of books at a higher level than 'easy-reading', at the same time as being supportive and edifying to each involved. Another plus is that you get a discount on the book being read if you buy it from us! 
I for one am excited to be getting going on my copy of the book and am hoping that lots of you will join us (first come, first served - the blog is limited to 100 members!).
Drop me a line if you want to know more,
Lorna