“THE SHACK” - Wm. Paul Young

“This book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” did for his. It’s that good”. Comment by Eugene Peterson, author of “The Message”.

My comments:
Amazing, unbelievable but believable, shocking, beautiful, breath taking, moving, makes you cry, makes you laugh and so on.  Yes, all this in 248 pages.  A copy can be found on the Church Library shelf. Whose going to be the first there?

                                                             Eileen Robinson

“Surprised by Hope”

Tom Wright, who has written the above book, is the Bishop of Durham. He has also written over 40 other books. 
Many of you will know of the “For Everyone” guides to the New Testament.

This book aims to “take us through” what we believe about life after death, the resurrection, the Kingdom of God here or there.  Tom Wright argues that what we believe about life after death affects what we believe about life before death. Under chapter headings such as “All dressed up and no place to go”, “Puzzled about Paradise”, “What the whole world’s waiting for” and “Purgatory, Paradise and Hell”.

Tom Wright leads us through some soul-searching and really deep thinking as to why we believe what we do and are we ready for it anyway?

The final section of the book goes on to look at the mission of the Church - biblical roots, the building for the Kingdom, rethinking Salvation and living the future.  It seems that most people do not know what the ultimate Christian hope is. 
This book will help and you will be “Surprised by Hope”.

Eileen Robinson

“Finding God in unexpected places”

I have written about Philip Yancey before but he is well worth writing about again. “Finding God in Unexpected Places” was a book written some fourteen years ago, but in 2001-2 having experienced and visited Ground Zero
following the bombing of the Twin Towers he completely revised this book with fourteen new chapters.

One section is entitled “Finding God in the Rubble” obviously responding to the tragedy and repercussions of 11th September 2001.

Philip Yancey has travelled widely and met many people in his research for his books and this one is no exception.
He talks about people’s experiences but he also includes personal experiences. He has found he has to look beyond the Church walls
in order to find God, having grown up with racism, fear and judgment which have blocked his view.
The book is grouped into seven parts with headings such as “Finding God without really looking”, “Finding God in a fractured society” and, yes, “Finding God within the Church”. 

Do read it — you will learn much.               Eileen Robinson

“Too busy not to pray”

Bill Hybels’ book has been out for 20 years, but has just been revised and reprinted.

Bill Hybels is the founder of the Willow Creek Church in the States, so obviously he has been a very busy man.  His book, however, reveals how his work has been grounded in prayer and seeking God’s will.

I have found the book very encouraging, very practical and certainly gives suggestions and recommendations on how to pray.  We are all different and there are no set rules on how to pray. Bill Hybels’ book has an engaging and sometimes humorous style and however you approach your prayer life you are likely to benefit from reading this book. I certainly have.

Eileen Robinson

"His and Mine"

A Selection of Inspirational Poems

This book, by Mavis Grimwade, came into being as a result of meditation by the author on various subjects over several years and they cover the experiences that many of us have gone through in our lives.

God gave her the words and she recorded them — hence the title of the book, which she hopes will be a blessing to others.

Two copies are now available in the Church library for anyone who wishes to borrow them.              Celia Goyns

"Cross Purposes"

Eddie Askew is well known by many of us, particularly those who have been received into membership over the last few years.  He died in July 2007, just six months after his beloved wife.  His books continue to be sold and all profits go to the Leprosy Mission, a charity of which he was Director for many years, having previously worked in India where leprosy is prevalent. We have just received a free copy of “Cross Purposes” Eddie’s book of meditations and prayers based on meals with Jesus. This is now in the Church Library along with his autobiography “Edge of Daylight”.

Eileen Robinson

"The Help"
by Kathryn Stockett

"The Help" is actually about a number of 'helps': black helps who looked after, and virtually brought up, white children in Jackson, Mississippi. The book is set in the early 1960's, but it could be in many places in America and at many other times.

This is a book which I think we should all read to be familiar, or probably more familiar, with the segregation that took place in America, prior and during the time of the Martin Luther King era.

How this was overcome over many years is revealed in many ways in this book. How people suffered so much to get justice.

"The Help" has been rising to the top twenty of the paperback book list over recent months.

Eileen Robinson

"I Shall Not Hate"
by Izzeldin Abuelaish

This is by far the most remarkable and moving book I have ever read.
Izzeldin Abuelaish is a Palestinian doctor and infertility expert, born and raised on the Gaza Strip.
He has devoted his working life to medicine and reconciliation between Israel and Palestine. He crossed the lines in the sand that divide the Israelis and Palestinians as a physician, treating patients on both sides. He also is a humanitarian who sees improved health and education for women as the way forward in the Middle East

When three of his daughters and his niece were killed when their house was shelled, he ultimately set up his Daughters of Life Foundation, a foundation designed to change the status and role of women.

We have had sympathy, prayers and cared about the people on the Gaza Strip for sixty years. We did not know really what it meant.  Read this book and you will learn a lot more.

Eileen Robinson

"The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ"
by Philip Pullman

On the back of the cover of this book it states in block capitals "This is a story". It is correct, but considering how Philip Pullman has made it very clear in the past that he is not a "believer" he has a big knowledge of the scriptures with the full details of the life of Jesus."

This is a very cleverly woven story around twin brothers who were born in that stable in Bethlehem. 

Have I aroused your curiosity? Read it for yourself.

Eileen Robinson