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Books
November 1, 2008
Dear Friends,
“The sale of books has been shrinking… as it does not seem that people generally are reading. This is a pity because there is power in words, as well as in the Word.” This quotation is taken from the Prayer Letter of the Rainbow Christian Bookshop at Petts Wood and reflected the changes in peoples’ lifestyles. Lots of things may have affected our reading habits, not least modern technology. The Rainbow, like other Christian Bookshops at Tonbridge and Pratts’ Bottom are a real Christian Presence open to the public every working day and it would be good to remember them in our prayers.
We are greatly blessed by the work Irene Pugmire does to keep our Bookstall available, which in turn helps the Bookshops that she orders from. Thank you Irene. So here are a few thoughts on Christian Books:
• I want to remember, ( because it is easy to forget) that it is a real privilege to have Christian literature available, especially when we remember that many people have given their lives to make Bibles available to the ordinary person like us.
• There are still many areas of the world where it is difficult to get suitable Christian literature, perhaps because of language or opposition or in many areas because of low literacy levels. We can support these areas in many ways, such as through the Annual Literacy Project of the Sevenoaks Churches (Usually our Good Friday offering goes there) and through “Book Aid” to which we can give Christian Books that we are ready to pass on and will go to the Third World. Telephone for details 0208778214. I have recently discovered that there is a collection point at Ashburnham Conference Centre and perhaps others around.
• But a greater challenge might be to seek to regularly read a Christian Book and to give a Christian Book to others. As we approach Christmas time it is a good opportunity to think of giving a book as a gift, (as well as a DVD – but more about that later in the Newsletter).
• With that in mind I would like to recommend “The Shack” by William P Young which Irene will gladly order for you through the Bookstall. It is a novel that touches on some of the deep issues of life especially suffering and helps us to take a step into the mystery of God, as Father, Son and Holy Spirit and what that means for our lives and relationships
So happy reading!
With warmest Christian Greetings
God Bless you,
Kath
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