REVIEWS

SOUL FUEL FOR YOUNG EXPLORERS

Written by: Bear Grylls

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton

Price: £10.99

Bear Grylls requires no introduction: the famous explorer, author and Chief Ambassador of World Scouting is also a committed Christian.

Following on from his 2019 book, Soul Fuel, he has created a book for young people to help them find peace every day, but also the courage and confidence to make the most of opportunities which come their way.

The book opens with Grylls’ own moving journey to faith (a forceful prayer at the age of sixteen following the unexpected death of his godfather) and uses scripture to advise, support and guide young people through their journey. Written in clear but simple language the book seeks to motivate and inspire young people at a critical time in their lives. The pages are not overly wordy but eye-catchingly illustrated in a way that will appeal to young people.

In a heartfelt introduction he explains why he has written the book and why it is important to him: ‘It is important for you to be encouraged to follow your dreams. They are often God-given. Get out there and live your life with purpose, courage and passion’ and adding: ‘My hope is that through these readings, I can shine a light on the truth that with faith, ambition and that never-give-up attitude, you really can achieve so much in your life.’

AS MANY AS THE STARS

Written by: Robert Glover

Published by Hodder and Stoughton

Price: £16.99

The publishers are marketing the story as the story of the charity of Care for Children’s founder and the placement of one million orphan children in families in China and beyond.

However, behind that narrative is a story of a strong Christian faith underpinning their journey. Yet faith came in an unexpected way: Glover, who had been a submariner, considered a footballing career until it was ended by injury and was drawn to social work, working with boys in a care home, but found himself felled by serious illness. He recalled being in a hospital bed and the disappearance of pain precisely at the time healing prayers were made by his wife and mother.

This experience sowed the seeds of faith - and it was this faith which underpinned their call to China to transform work with orphaned and disabled children and create a new way of caring for vulnerable children in partnership with the Chinese government. The work has been copied across Asia.

But perhaps the most moving moments are the reflections on his wife and children’s care for others: bringing home homeless people to wash and be fed at their home and (on occasion) taking in someone they had found on the street on a temporary basis. Motivated by love and care - and a strong faith - it is perhaps these moments which still the show in a fascinating journey.

Glover himself recognises that the seeds of his path were sown at an early age when he forged a friendship with ‘Jimmy’, son of the new Chinese takeaway owners in his native Norfolk, after standing up to bullies.

The premise of the book is perhaps best summed up by the author in his introduction: ‘It’s been my privilege to play a part in a story that God wanted to tell, in a plan, he intended to execute, in China. This is the story I want to tell you. Why he called me, a lad from Norfolk, to help bring about a revolution in childcare on the other side of the world, I can’t say. But he did. And to a nation with a one child policy he chose to send Liz and me, who had six children: that brought many laughs with officials in China. And now that multitude of orphans, whom he has placed in the care of loving fathers and mothers all over that teeming nation, number as many as the stars….’

EVERY STEP AN ARRIVAL

Written by: Eugene Peterson

Published by: Hodder and Stoughton

Price: £9.99

Drawn from the written reflections of the author of The Message bible, this book challenges readers to take ninety days to walk thought the pages of the Bible and seeks to inspire even the weariest believer who has chosen to follow the challenge.

Peterson, a retired pastor, author, scholar and poet died in October 2018, but his work lives on in this publication and so the book opens with a note from the editors who have gathered the reflections that each of the 90 daily journeys could feel ‘haphazard’ at a first glance, as one devotion doesn’t necessarily follow the next, but the intention is to ‘shed light on your life or on God’s nature’.

Each day offers a short reflection and ends with a carefully considered question or challenge for readers.

This article appears in the January 2021 Issue of Life and Work

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