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Reviews
The Miracles of Jesus The Baby Book Faith Like Potatoes I Am Not But I Know I AM Show me the Way I Am Somewhere Else – reflections from an emerging Church Being Single Look Great, Feel Great Expressions – the DVD
The Miracles of Jesus By Michael Symmons Roberts, £14.99, Lion.
The ancient accounts tell us that Jesus could calm storms with a word, feed thousands with just a few scraps of bread and fish, walk on water, cure the sick and even raise people from the dead.
In this enlightening book - an official tie-in to the major BBC1 3-part television series presented by Rageh Omaar - Michael Symmons Roberts examines many of Jesus' miracles in the context of 1st century Galilee. He reveals that Jesus' miracles were full of hidden meanings and shows how, by cracking this ancient code, we can come to a deeper understanding of who Jesus of Nazareth really was - a healer, a prophet or the long-awaited Messiah and Son of God? Rights to this series have also been sold to the Discovery Channel.
Michael Roberts is an award-winning writer of books, operas, radio and TV scripts. He was trained in Theology and Philosophy at Oxford University and has spent 13 years as a BBC documentary maker for radio and TV, specialising in religious programmes. His poetry collection Corpus won the 2005 Whitbread Poetry Prize
The Baby Book By Rachel Waddilove, £7.99, Lion.
Rachel Waddilove has worked for many years as a private maternity nurse; her clients include Gwyneth Paltrow and Lady Ivar Mountbatten. In this book, she draws on her considerable professional and personal experience to advise young parents on everything they need to know about looking after a baby in its first year. Areas covered include: needs for the nursery, coming home from hospital, breast feeding vs. bottle feeding, establishing a routine, sleep, crying and introducing solid food. In addition to the host of practical information given, Rachel also considers the emotional and social aspects of becoming parents.
Faith Like Potatoes By Angus Buchan and Jan Greenough, £6.99, Monarch.
Angus Buchan is a straight-talking South African farmer of Scottish extraction. His abrupt conversion startled friends of the explosive hard-drinking man. Angus's bold faith has carried him through droughts, family tragedies and financial crisis. He has seen wonderful miracles of provision and healing.
In obedience to God's call he started preaching, which led into a healing ministry. He has also set up an AIDS orphanage and a 500-seat auditorium on his land. Still a farmer, he is now an international evangelist, travelling through Africa in a refitted yellow fire engine, and filling the largest venues in South Africa. He has visited Scotland several times in recent years on speaking tours. In July 2006 he undertakes a UK-wide tour.
Angus Buchan is a farmer in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, with a remarkable evangelistic and healing ministry.
I Am Not But I Know I AM By Louie Giglio, £6.99, Hodders
Louie Giglio recognises a world and culture that keeps pushing us to be bigger, to be known, to be on top, to be at the centre of everything. Following John the Baptist`s example he shows us the secret to astonishing freedom and incredible rest - instead of following your own goals, concentrating on promoting your own interests and selfishly following your own programme - you should aim to get smaller in order for Jesus to grow.
Show me the Way By Wendy Craig with Chris Gidney, £9.99, Hodders.
Wendy Craig had a strong faith from an early age but fame and the demands of show business led her away from God. Then, later in life, an emptiness and loneliness led her to a spiritual experience that took her back to her faith. Show Me the Way is a collection of inspirational writing that has encouraged her own journey through life. She explores why these writings are important to her and provides a book of reassurance and insight for others.
I Am Somewhere Else – reflections from an emerging Church By Barbara Glasson, £9.95, Church House Publishing.
‘How can I live with my fear? What does this relationship mean? How do I deal with my anger? Living out of our own questions is the way that we begin to get to grips with who we are and possibly to move on to ask some of the questions behind all existence, “If life is a gift then who or what is the Giver?”’ I Am Somewhere Else presents a spirituality forged from the experience of an unusual and innovative ministry in inner-city Liverpool. Barbara Glasson runs ‘the bread church’: an ecumenical initiative where people gather to bake bread and worship God together. Her extraordinary reflections on faith journeys, from a bread maker’s point of view, are for readers both inside and outside the church. A story of encouragement to continue pushing at the edges, and a challenge to enjoy our humanity and our faith journey with increasing confidence and delight. Barbara Glasson is a Methodist minister working in Liverpool. She is also the author of Mixed-up Blessing.
Being Single By Philip Wilson, £14.95, Church House Publishing.
It is predicted that by 2010 some 40% of British homes will be single households, comprising those who have never had any relationships as well as those who have had very many relationships. In this original and challenging book, Philip Wilson examines the phenomenon of singleness in contemporary society and its implications for ministry.
He begins by examining the history of the family, from pre-modern and modern lifestyles to the point where singleness has become a desirable postmodern choice for many people. The history of the church's views on sexuality and marriage is also considered (with special emphases on Celtic Christianity, Monasticism and the Reformation).
In the second part of the book, Wilson interviews church-goers of all ages and types from across the UK. The results of his research are disquieting, revealing that many feel isolated and yet frequently over-used in church life. Many speak of the church as the worst place of all for a single person to be.
This book goes beyond offering self-help therapy for Christian single people. Rather, it is for anyone who wants to know how the contemporary church can offer a relevant community for the spiritual and practical needs of today and for the future.
Philip B Wilson is a minister of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, currently based in Belfast.
Look Great, Feel Great By Joyce Meyer, £6.99, Warner Books Nova.
Best selling author Joyce Meyer shares her own struggle to overcome unhealthy living habits, as well as twelve keys for restoring all-round health.
Unhealthy living habits contribute to the deterioration of one of our greatest resources: our bodies. A self-esteem drought is plaguing America today, and many people find themselves in bondage to unhealthy living habits.
In her latest book, Joyce Meyer provides a twelve-key plan for overcoming the poor eating and exercise habits that keep us from doing all God has called us to do. Joyce guides us to a healthier way of living, reminding us that turning every issue over to God gives us the strength to make lasting changes. First, she believes, we must reprogramme our approach to health to get back on God's plan.
To help us do this, Joyce's plan offers principles that include:
- Letting God do the heavy lifting. We all try to be self-sufficient, but Joyce encourages us to let God help us on the journey.
- Learning to love your body. Our spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical health are undeniably connected. We must unlearn hate for our bodies and who we are.
- Taking responsibility. The tools for putting our unhealthy lifestyles behind us are always available. The choice is ours.
In Scripture, God gives us all the keys we need for restoring mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. With Joyce Meyer's guidance, we can take this opportunity to achieve lifelong health for our bodies and our souls.
EXPRESSIONS: THE DVD, £12.99
Presented by well-known Songs of Praise host Diane-Louise Jordan and produced by the Fresh Expressions team, this new DVD contains 14 engaging and informative stories of emerging forms of church around the country.
It can be used as an excellent training tool for those interested in setting up or understanding more about Fresh Expressions. Be inspired!
Order your copy now by calling Church House Bookshop on 020 7898 1300, or emailing mailto:bookshop@c-of-e.org.uk
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