Yes, I confess that I paused in the middle of reading this, brief though it is. 4.5 stars.
Thoughtful, straightforward, unglamorous, substantial, pastoYes, I confess that I paused in the middle of reading this, brief though it is. 4.5 stars.
Thoughtful, straightforward, unglamorous, substantial, pastoral� Questions at the end of each chapter very helpful. All Christians can benefit from this, not just those approaching menopause....more
Slight as well as slim. Stott’s restrained, almost dry, but equally heartfelt prose is always a nice read, but there wasn’t quite enough here. As a coSlight as well as slim. Stott’s restrained, almost dry, but equally heartfelt prose is always a nice read, but there wasn’t quite enough here. As a collection of exegetical thoughts, largely unobjectionable and sometimes very nicely put, but I would have liked more devotional warmth and Christological insight....more
It’s hard to cover such a broad topic in so few pages (or indeed at all), but the authors� spin on or, if you prefer, way into Country [“�and ±ٱ�It’s hard to cover such a broad topic in so few pages (or indeed at all), but the authors� spin on or, if you prefer, way into Country [“�and ±ٱ”] � i.e. Christian imagery, metaphor, and faltering practice in the world and words of singers and songs � does enable them to present a fairly unified approach to both their historical chapters and their thematic chapters.
The history was very informative, not too much detail for the uninitiated, and I am always amazed at the humble roots of any phenomenon that has been commercialised, popularised, tarted up, etc. There is quite a breadth to what can be contained under the heading of Country music, and remarkable how so much has been derived from and generated by mountain fiddlers and backwoods hymn-singing by simple folk.
I frequently turned to recordings while I was reading this, and mostly enjoyed what I heard!...more
Solid theology, a friendly, engaging style, and a commendable attempt to bring the second half of Hebrews to more readers in this fairly light but sinSolid theology, a friendly, engaging style, and a commendable attempt to bring the second half of Hebrews to more readers in this fairly light but sincerely devotional manner. It's a bit like a "sequel" to TC's Advent book on Hebrews 1-6....more
A simple, almost cutesy take on the incarnation, with profound truth hidden there amid the wanderings of a little girl and her soft toys. Each of us rA simple, almost cutesy take on the incarnation, with profound truth hidden there amid the wanderings of a little girl and her soft toys. Each of us really is so small when compared even to other created things, so it's easy to imagine that the Creator might not notice us... but of course he became very small, too, and so can very much "see" even the tiniest and most inconsequential of us. Those who object are probably too puffed up with their own self-importance to take proper notice of proportions....more
Superb. How true it is that they don’t make them like they used to! This was Mrs L’s children’s Bible, and as far as I can see it remains the best relSuperb. How true it is that they don’t make them like they used to! This was Mrs L’s children’s Bible, and as far as I can see it remains the best relatively child-friendly collection of biblical narratives. The language is too advanced for the youngest kids, but it is consistent, well-written, only lightly-interpreted (some interpretation is of course unavoidable), beautifully illustrated, and comprises a lot of stories, more than any other collection I have seen, and there is simply no naffness....more
Wonderful insights into desert spirituality: lecture style with a helpful Q&A (presumably transcription of a real one) as an epilogue.
Again (see The TWonderful insights into desert spirituality: lecture style with a helpful Q&A (presumably transcription of a real one) as an epilogue.
Again (see The Truce of God), incredibly perceptive about our psychology, foibles, false trails for the mind, and the dangers of pride and self-deception even in the midst of a pursuit of holiness.
A bit on the anecdote-heavy-and-jumps-around-a-bit end of things for my normal taste, perhaps like a sort of pep talk, and lacking the polish and sophA bit on the anecdote-heavy-and-jumps-around-a-bit end of things for my normal taste, perhaps like a sort of pep talk, and lacking the polish and sophistication of many authors, but very much an unpretentious, simple, honest and convicting whiz around the importance of gratitude to God. All the more powerful as you get to the final chapters and realise he must have finished it only months before dying of cancer. An energetic and generous man saying some important things, facing his end head on, confident in the God of grace who had sustained him for many years. Thank you!...more
Excellent illustrations, some quite quirky and surprising, that would make a fascinating imaginative journey for the reader even without the texts.
I rExcellent illustrations, some quite quirky and surprising, that would make a fascinating imaginative journey for the reader even without the texts.
I rushed through this, when it should have been savoured over many days, and it will definitely repay slower reading and be of great value in stimulating and nurturing spiritual experience (through reflection, prodding, musing, linking, providing the language, etc) in readers young or old. I’ve not come across devotional material (as opposed to narrative or moralising-with-or-without-narrative or hints-of-biblical-theology) for kids before, and this is a great place to start.
The only obvious weakness is the lack of reflection on life in community or on the nature of the church, but this is a book primarily about stirring wonder and deeper thinking about God and (by) the individual, so perhaps it’s not so surprising to have the corporate dimension missing.
My next task is to read the Chinese translation on the shelf at home�...more
An eccentric, heartfelt, often surprisingly informal overview of what it means to be a priest in the (Reformed) Christian understanding of life, the uAn eccentric, heartfelt, often surprisingly informal overview of what it means to be a priest in the (Reformed) Christian understanding of life, the universe and everything.
38 short chapters mostly hit, with some miss. Welch writes with commendable directness and economy, but he does make some odd assertions from time to time, and I am not as convinced as he is of the significance of Jacob’s ladder as a “real� and lasting [metaphysical] thing of significance in biblical cosmology....more
Loading...
