Archives

One Silent Night by Scott R Rezer

Nov29

A Timeless Appeal

One Silent Night by Scott R Rezer is the most charming dual timeline Christian Christmas novel that I absolutely loved. It is the first book in A Festival Of Carols and I cannot wait to read the subsequent books.

One Silent Night is beautifully written. There is a serenity to it and an air of wistfulness. The story has a timeless appeal. This is a book that could be read as part of a Christmas tradition.

The novel is set in the Ardennes, Belgium in 1944 and also in small town America in 2012. Both stories are set just before Christmas and are similar but different as we follow two serving soldiers – one in World War II and the other invalided out after an IED in Afghanistan.

Obviously in 1944 there was much loss of life as a bitter battle raged as the American soldiers fought the Nazis. In 2012 in his hometown, the veteran is returning home following the death of his grandparents three years earlier. The memories are all around. His heart has been locked away. “By shutting away Christmas, I was shutting away… my memories.” Memories should keep us warm, not cause us pain.

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The Unextraordinary Life Of Sophie Simpleton by P.G James

Nov14

Beautiful – Life Lessons For Us All

The Unextraordinary Life Of Sophie Simpleton by P.G James is the most beautiful Christian childrens novel that I adored. It is suitable for ages eight years and over but whatever your age, this is a book that you will enjoy.

As I read the book it reminded me of Milly Molly Mandy (first published in 1925) which I read as a child, I read to my children and I read to my granddaughters. The Unextraordinary Life Of Sophie Simpleton is a book with a timeless appeal. It is a book to read to each generation. It is a book that will last forever in a memory. “Stories are for telling.”

Sophie Simpleton is nearly nine years old. She is small in stature with a huge heart. Her heart connects with the hearts of others. She is pure in spirit, always speaking kind words that bring life, even when others do not deserve her kindness.

Life has had to be overcome for Sophie Simpleton. Her older brother is often ill, meaning she is passed over and ignored. She also has a lazy eye so her good eye is patched (my daughter had the same so I knew what Sophie Simpleton was going through). And she is the victim of many bullies at school. “Sophie’s teacher seemed oblivious to the suffering… Her classroom felt more like a jail than a place of education.”

Sophie Simpleton seems to be invisible but there are those who ‘see’ her. Mrs Templestowe is kindness personified. She teaches Sophie Simpleton many life lessons. The Captain, though he is partially sighted also sees Sophie Simpleton. And Jesus sees her as she has an encounter with the living God. We are reminded that Jesus wants us to be like little children and come to Him.

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Legacy Of Mercy by Lynn Austin

Nov12

Love & Kindness

Legacy Of Mercy by Lynn Austin is a delightful Christian historical novel that I loved. It is the second book in the Waves Of Mercy series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is set in the late nineteenth century America and the chapters alternate between a grandmother and her granddaughter. They are similar but different. The grandmother lives simply in a small country town. The granddaughter lives in a lavish town house with servants, in a sprawling city. Ironically there is far more freedom in the small town where characters can be themselves. There is no show to impress the neighbours.

Both characters love deeply. They have a heart for others and a desire to serve Jesus wherever He leads them. “Other Christians are the only hands and feet Jesus has.” We need to show the world Jesus, by our actions and by the way we live and love.

There are characters who have been hurt and are trying to outrun their past. “God hears you weeping…He longs to comfort you and the only arms He has are mine.” God sees our pain, and He uses others to help to heal us and to show us love.

A character feels useless. “My days feel so meaningless that I can’t help wondering what God’s purpose is for my life.” While we are still breathing, God has a plan for our lives. “God sees the long-range picture.” We see but a small part. God places us where He thinks we will bloom. “God can use even our greatest failures for His glory.” God takes our mess and transforms it into a masterpiece.

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Drawn By The Current by Jocelyn Green

Nov10

God, Our Safe Harbor

Drawn By The Current by Jocelyn Green is a simply marvellous Christian historical novel that is grounded in fact. It is the third book in The Windy City Saga series but can be read as a stand-alone.

The novel is set in Chicago in 1915 and has its’ focus on the real-life Eastland disaster. We witness characters suffering from PTSD, although that was unheard of at that time.

To survive the sinking was a matter of luck. “She would never understand why she had been spared.” Sometimes there are questions, to which we will never know the answer this side of heaven. After a trauma, it is necessary to talk it out. “Surviving wasn’t as simple as it sounds. Talking helped.”

We see the power of prayer. “Not that I can think of a single thing that might be of use to him, aside from prayer. That, he’ll need in spades.” Prayer is simply talking to God. We need to lift others up to God. We can trust that God always has our back. “Please, Father … send help.” There are times when we have no words but God knows what is on our hearts.

We see the patronizing attitude of some men. “You’re a nurturer. It’s what women are good at.” Women were seen as inferior to men by some. In contrast, others saw their equality.

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