Humility and Pride

Our virtual reading club 'Reading Together' has arrived at the final chapter of its fourth book 'The Bruised Reed' by Richard Sibbes.  There are some cracking sections in these final chapters. How about this for a quote to ponder...

"Nothing is stronger than humility, which goes out of itself, or weaker than pride, which rests on its own foundation"

If you're not already a member, don't miss out on the next book.  Drop me an email & I'll sign you up - we would love to have new members & even more discussion. 

Lorna

Spring Cleaning

Things are a little quieter in the shop at this time of the year so we are having a spring clean.  Our office and storerooms are getting cramped and untidy with all the extra stock so we are clearing out.  Keep an eye on our sale list because it is regularly being updated with all sorts of bargains!  Some bargains may have signs of shelf wear but others are in tip top condition (but we just have too many of them).  As a hoarder, I struggle with getting rid of stuff so the sooner it's gone the better or I may just sneak it back into the storeroom where it can sit happily for another year or two!

The full sale list

Books reduced to £3.50, buy 4 for £12

Books reduced to £5, buy 3 for £12

Go on, sneak a peek!
Lorna

News update

Big apologies for the distinct lack of blogging lately - we haven't been slacking honest!
One of our projects has been to get our mobile site up and running so all you folk with smartphones will find it easier to browse our site. It has been designed on similar lines to our desktop site so should feel familiar. Please let us know if you have any problems... www.christianbookshopossett.co.uk

eBooks is another project.  As you know we have been selling them from our site for a while, but we are gradually adding publishers and recently added Crossway Books to the list.  Please be patient as we increase the titles available - it is laborious work and takes time and concentration (which isn't often to be found in a bookshop with little helpers around!). http://www.christianbookshopossett.co.uk/catalogue.php?&sp=ebooks

Just a note for any ladies who are interested - the online bookclub is coming close to the end of the current book so now would be a good time to join up as we start a new book.  Drop me an email if you fancy the idea.

Thats all for now!
Lorna

Easter Activity Mornings

We have had a lot of fun over the past couple of weeks with our Activity Mornings.  It is great to see a busy bookshop - over 50 children came in over the 2 mornings - and to encourage crafts about all things books!  We did papermaking, bookbinding, paper marbling, treasure quests and lots more.  I can't resist sharing this with you which was written by one of the children in response to the question 'At night when the shop is shut, the books...'

 

"At night when the shop is shut, the books open up for the characters, who are trapped inside, so they can have their freedom.  They tiptoe around the shop, not making a single sound, whilst they are dancing and trying to enjoy their short time, before they have to jump back in their book.

Characters from children's books are more energetic than ones from adult books.  They love the night-time, because it is their only precious hours when they are released from their prison-like cell inside the book.  The adults are much more cautious of stepping out into the outside world, having more knowledge of the dangers which could occur.

All of the characters had gathered in one area (under a table) to keep them safe from us. The great Apostle Paul was at the front reading from his own book of the Bible - Acts.  Nobody moved - they were mesmerized at the amazing word of God for maybe the last time - they didn't know what was to happen to them next...

Suddenly the sound of huge footprints could be heard in the distance.  All the characters jumped back into their books. Snap! And they were gone for another year..."

 

If you want to see more pics of the fun we had, check out our album on facebook (you don't need to be on facebook to view them).

Lorna

Christ in the Chaos

This really is a little gem of a book and I'm sure I won't do it justice in reviewing it.  Kimm Crandall is brutally honest about the chaotic nature of motherhood, but makes no attempt to give 'top ten tips of being a less chaotic mother' (what a relief!).  The essence of it is captured in the subtitle 'How the gospel changes motherhood'.  The Gospel!  For a true believer, the gospel and the power of it known and felt in the soul is what changes everything (not just motherhood).  But because Kimm applies the true message of the Gospel especially to motherhood it really strikes a chord with those mothers who feel that every day they should do better, try harder, be more patient, not shout, remain calm, keep the house clean, the children clean, the husb... etc etc (does that cover every mother??).  Actually, what matters is Christ.  He knows our failures before we do and in spite of them, He loves us.  Kimm presses this point all the way through the book and applies it so practically to the reality of our day to day lives as mothers.  Whether it is our desire to be the perfect Mum (and outwardly only showing this mask), our comparisons between our parenting skills and others, our inability to keep calm in aggravating circumstances, our struggles to meet the ever-changing needs of our family, our felt failure to keep the home... and so the list goes on. How often we bind ourselves up in rules and lists of our own making. But what liberty there is in the gospel! 

The writing style of the book is very direct and at times Kimm took me by surprise in her language. However, the truths she expresses have been written about throughout the ages and only the day I finished the book I read a piece by J C Philpot (1802-1869) which chimed in beautifully with its essential message.
Highly recommended for all Mums AND Dads (actually, I think this book wouldn't go amiss read by most people who feel they struggle with understanding how the gospel applies to their chaos).
Lorna
Christ in the Chaos, by Kim Crandall, published by Cruciform Press, available in paperback or eBook.

Mother's Day

Hands up who's forgotten Mother's Day! Don't worry, it may only be 4 days away (yes, 10th March) but there is still time for us to get great books to your Mum - we will even gift wrap and send them direct if you wish.
I think the definition of a great book is very subjective - Jeremy assures me that Mums don't want to read books about being a Mum on Mother's Day because it's too depressing when they realise they are doing it all wrong, so I will try to steer clear of them in my recommendations!

Biographies are always a good read, here's one you probably won't find in another bookshop - Ann Judson, Missionary Wife reprinted from volume 1 of 'The Lives of the Three Mrs Judsons' by Arabella Stuart. This edition has been revised, edited & expanded by Corner Pillar Press and is a fascinating read of a devoted wife & missionary.
Otherwise the newest biography on our shelves is in the Bitesize Biography series & written by an excellent author Simonetta Carr, it is about Renee of France - have a read of the review on our site & see what you think.

Devotionals are another option, Lydia Brownback has written a series called On-the-Go Devotionals for women, which are easy to read & Christ centred.

Let me know what sort of book your Mum would like as a present & we will do our best to recommend a title. We can add in a Mother's Day card too!
Lorna

Every Good Endeavour

There aren't many sizeable books around which concentrate totally upon the subject of Work - even though it takes up much of our waking hours! But Keller has brought 25 years of developed thought and teaching and distilled it here. His claim to be heard is based on the development of his ministry at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. Being located at the centre of the business district in New York led him into many discussions with city workers about a distinctively Christian understanding of work and what it is for. He finds it rooted in Genesis and God's original plan for man - to be in his image and to work. To cultivate the earth as a vocation. Work therefore has dignity and purpose, and cultivation embraces cultural efforts and the building of human society. It is the fall of man into sin that makes work to be a very different experience: pointless, fruitless, selfish and even idolatrous. At this point the gospel which changes a believer's heart, changes his viewpoint on work. Keller proposes a 'toolkit' of principles so that everyone can reflect on their own particular work, apply it, and seek to faithfully serve the Lord. eg. biblical understanding gives realism, but not cynicism, and it is balanced by hope. There is much practical wisdom in this section. However in general I found the first part of the book to be better than the last. For instance I like how Keller cites Luther as seeing that God designs his providence to be (in part) mediated through man's labour. Thus we rightly thank God for our daily bread - but there is a lengthy production process before it comes to our table.
Is this a must-read book? Well, no, in short. It is helpful but I feel Keller is stronger on his philosophy than his bible exposition. It contains an over-elevated view of 'common grace'. It extends redemption to all things, not just the realm of man's salvation. Now I realise this is a popular concept nowadays, but would urge caution. One other gripe is that Keller always seems to bend over backwards in order to be PC and 'with it'. This rather distorts his good endeavours!
'Every Good Endeavour. Connecting your work to God's plan for the world.' By Tim Keller, published by Hodder & Stoughton, h/b with dust jacket. RRP £12.99. From us £8.99.
Jeremy