Occupying

Maureen Trowbridge reviews ‘Choose Life’ by Simon Guillebaud (Lion Hudson IP, 2014).

Two reviews ahead of Advent, including a Hebraic offering that might just change your Christmas.

Maureen Trowbridge reviews two devotional books based on spiritual songs and poems.

Clifford Denton reviews ‘Beloved Warrior’ by Gail Dixon (ICT Media Tech/Print, 2019)

Gail Dixon has been in Christian ministry and missionary work for nearly 40 years, first with World Horizons and more lately leading its sister organisation, Nations Trust. This inspiring devotional book emerges from her wide-ranging experiences and is based on personal reflection over a long life of discipleship.

One imagines her sitting before the Lord, after all these years of walking with him and praying to him, and being inspired to share the most central aspects of her relationship with him. What has resulted is a book is about the covenant love of Jesus within the battle for the salvation of many - hence the title, Beloved Warrior.

The Battle and the Warrior

Gail includes some remarkable accounts of the intensity of this wider battle, which have resulted in fruit being borne for the Kingdom in lives saved and transformed by Jesus’ love. The accounts draw on both scriptural examples, of those who have gone before, and a multitude of modern-day examples.

But even though the book is about the battle for salvation, the book is structured around and focused on Jesus, the Beloved Warrior. Each of its ten chapters focus on a different characteristic of our Saviour and our relationship with him, including prayer, worship, rest, perseverance, faithfulness and surrender.

Beautiful Writing

Gail seeks to draw the reader into experiencing the Lord’s love and sharing it with others, whatever the commitment and cost. Her writing is scriptural, tender and powerful:

His warfare is full of mercy, full of healing, because the weapon is love. He woos us, through our bruising, and breathes onto us when our flame is dying. He longs for us to know that we are His beloved. He is never discouraged, and as we stand into His love, so we too will discover that we are warriors. His love, His power, flows through us. (p271)

All income from the book will be donated to the work of Nations Trust.

Beloved Warrior (158pp) is available from Amazon as a paperback (£10) and on Kindle (£2.65).

'My Rock; My Refuge: A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms' by Timothy Keller (with Kathy Keller) (Hodder & Stoughton, hardback, 372 pages, £12.99, available from The Good Book for £8.99 + P&P)

While daily Bible study notes such as 'Every Day with Jesus', 'Word for Today' and 'Daily Bread' have long been immensely popular among believers, full-year devotional books by favourite Christian authors and celebrities have become increasingly in vogue, and there is now an utter abundance from which to choose. If you're into this type of inspirational reading to begin each day of the year, you can take your pick.

A current best-seller on both sides of the Atlantic (though the US title is catchier – 'The Songs of Jesus') comes from American theologian and apologist Timothy Keller, author of the huge-selling, 'The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Scepticism'.

Two decades ago, Keller began reading the entire book of Psalms every month. 'My Rock; My Refuge' – his first-ever devotional - is based on his accumulated years of study, insight and inspiration, as recorded in his prayer journals.

Inspirational Reflections

The book (co-written with his wife, Kathy) works through all 150 psalms, one per day (or part of one, and never more than 12 verses a day), providing short inspirational reflections on each passage followed by a thoughtful prayer. Keller is an insightful thinker and his comments, though kept short, are full of spiritual depth and wisdom, providing plenty of food for thought and allowing space for further contemplation.

Keller is an insightful thinker and his comments are full of spiritual depth and wisdom.

Additional references are sometimes provided, allowing further study should you have the time. But please note, this is not a commentary - so do not expect complex theological expositions, or lengthy explanations of some of the more contentious passages within the Psalter. Indeed, many difficult verses aren't discussed at all.

Grow in Hunger

Personally, I'm not the type of person who likes to read other people's prayers, yet there's plenty of meat in Keller's heart-cries to help engender further prayer on your own part. Do consider using this book if you are seeking clear and insightful reflections that get to the heart of each individual psalm. Keller's hope is that as you spend time meditating on them one by one, your hunger for God will grow and you will be drawn into a closer walk of fellowship with him.