Recently we have been challenged from the pulpit to review our commitment to Christian literature - not just in principle, but in practice, the regular practice of our spending time reading good Christian books.
If the turnover of Eden's bookstall is anything to go by, it is a challenge that we all need to heed. So, what would you like to read? If it isn't on the bookstall, do ask me, or fill out a book order form.
Perhaps, like Lois, you have just finished a book that you would like to recommend to others. Lois writes:
Mountain Rain is the biography of James O. Fraser. At the age of 22 James, a talented pianist and promising engineer, left England for China, where he spent the rest of his life labouring to reach the Lisu people for Christ.
This book shares much about the practicalities of faith in a Christian's everyday walk amongst those who are not yet Christians. It also highlights the reality of Satan's power and the extent to which he can hinder our effectiveness as Christians.
As I read this book, God revealed parts of Scripture to me that furthered my understanding of what I had read. One passage, quite early on in the book struck me as being of vital importance to an effective prayer life. That is somewhat ironic as I have often struggled in that area.
'He had come to see that in the past years he had wasted much time praying prayers that were not effective at all. Praying without faith was "like trying to cut with a blunt knife - much labour expended to little purpose". The work accomplished by labour in prayer depended on faith.'
Two passages of Scripture that I studied later that week seemed to shed extra light on what James Fraser was saying:
I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint. ()
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.()
An individual's or a group's relationship with God and their knowledge of God's will, affects the effectiveness of prayer. Like Habakkuk, if they are stationed ready and listening, they are in a position to hear what he has to say to them. Like the early believers in Acts, if they are steeped in God's word, accountable to one another and in continued and earnest communication with him they will be in tune with his will and will be able to pray far more effectively. (see also )
Prayer is key in any Christian's attempt to achieve God's will, and James Fraser points out that sometimes we are guilty of making our own plans, working hard at them and then asking God to bless them, rather than first seeking God's will in prayer and praying the prayer of faith.
Mountain Rain is stuffed full of blessings. Go, get them for yourselves.
Another biography set in China that some of our number have been reading is The Heavenly Man. The experiences of Brother Yun, a house church leader tortured and imprisoned for his faith make truly dramatic reading, not least for his concern to point away from himself to the character and beauty of Jesus.
So, what are you going to read?
Chris Akhurst
Mountain Rain by Eileen Crossman Authentic Life pb £5.99.
The Heavenly Man, Monarch Books pb £7.99.