Reviews

A DAILY DOSE OF MERCY

Written by: Don Stephens with Nancy Predaina

Published by Hodder and Stoughton

Price: £12.99

The founder of the charity Mercy Ships which offers free surgical care to people in urgent and desperate need in Africa, has pulled together a series of 365 devotions for each day of the year, accompanied by a short scripture message.

The theme of the book comes from Micah 6:8 ‘And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and walk humbly with your God’.

The charity, founded in 1978, has operated with ships filled with volunteer medical experts (who pay their own way) offering treatment to those in desperate need of care and treatment.

In an introduction to the 340 page volume, Stephens writes:

“Our work is far from over. The tragic truth is that more than five billion people worldwide have no access to safe surgical care. Please pray for our dedicated staff and crew as we sail ahead to offer even more hope and healing to the people of Africa.”

The reflections are based on the best stories from the charity’s daily Mercy Minute radio programmes and are designed to be read in less than a minute, offering food for thought in the bustling busy lives of the 21stcentury.

FOLLOWING THE WAY OF JESUS

A CLARION CALL TO JOIN THE JESUS MOVEMENT

Written by: Bishop Michael B Curry and others

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton

Price: £6.99

Bishop Michael Curry, the Primate of the Episcopal Church of the USA, was catapulted to global fame in May last year when he delivered the sermon at the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

This slim paperback features three chapters from him and contributions from some of the rising stars of the Episcopal Church of the USA.

However it is Curry’s words that are most prominent – and make compelling reading for all involved in the future of Christian churches.

He has a rare ability to communicate to a popular audience, translating sometimes complex theology into language that can be easily understood.

At a time when many mainstream Christian churches (including the Church of Scotland) are grappling with declining numbers, he offers a powerful prophetic voice with a call to go back to the roots of the Christian church and remember that it was established as a movement, not as a building-centre organisation.

Whilst written for an Anglican audience, the message and the lessons of going back to the roots of the Christian church offers a compelling message for today.

Each of the first three chapters, written by way of introduction by Bishop Curry, draws on his own experience and interpretation of modern history in offering readers food for thought, ends with questions for readers to consider.

Whilst encouraging people to become Jesus followers, the remaining chapters consider topics including evangelism, multicultural ministries, ministry with young adults, racial reconciliation and justice, being part of the world, before a short, but simple conclusion from Bishop Curry, which neatly summarises the premise of the book and the challenge that lies ahead: ‘The Jesus Movement is not a fanciful if inspiring notion for the moment.

“It is not a quick fix for a long-term problem.”

“It is a solemn call to return, to reclaim the deepest roots of who we are as followers of Jesus Christ and thereby to reorient ourselves in a time of profound disorientation.”

FOR CHILDREN:

THE SLEEPY SHEPHERD

A timeless retelling of the Christmas story

Written by: Stephen Cottrell

Illustrated by Chris Hagan

Published by: SPCK

Price: £6.99

THE SHEPHERD WHO COULDN’T SING

Written by: Alan Barker

Illustrated by Thea Baker

Published by: SPCK

Price: £5.99

Sadly these two titles arrived too late for review in our December issue.

However for anyone planning services through the year, these two books are a valuable resource for those involved in the retelling of the Christmas story.

The Shepherd Who Couldn’t Sing is particularly aimed at younger children with The Sleepy Shepherd aimed at slightly older schoolchildren

Both are beautifully illustrated and would make a welcome addition to the shelves of those involved in bringing the eternal Christmas message to a new generation of children.

Lynne McNeil