Reviews

REVIEWS

VIDEOS

If you use videos regularly in your church, here are three that you might consider, depending on your needs and interests:

How to Have a Great Marriage - with Max and Sue Sinclair

This information video, part of the Enriching Family Life series, is really for those thinking of asking this experienced couple from trust Treasures in Heaven to come and take a weekend or workshop for married couples.

Contains details of Max and Sue's marriage presentation, plus what the thoughts of the general public on marriage, and comments from organisers and participants.

For details contact Treasures in Heaven Trust, PO Box 26, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 02P (Tel 01732 834297; e-mail: max@treasuresinheaven.fsnet.co.uk)

OM India's Dalit Education Centres project

If you've been following the news from India, where hundreds of thousands of Dalits - seen practically as 'non-people' in India's caste system - are now very open to Christianity and church education, you'll know there is a massive opportunity for the Church to grow.

OM India has a video explaining all about their ambitious project to open 100 new schools, each catering for 500 students, bringing education to thousands of India's most opressed people.

To get a copy and find out how you can give to this amazing opportunity, mail OM on info@uk.om.org or write to them at Operation Mobilisation, Freepost, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7BR (Tel 01691 773388).

Celibacy - Why? Why not?

Here's a provocative issue, certainly one to get youth groups talking - and maybe home groups, too.

"In Western society, more than 40 per cent of the adult population are single. Some, of course, are sexually active, but a number are celibate by choice.

"Six men and women speak with refreshing frankness about what it means to them to have chosen to be celibate for God and the path that led them to make that momentous decision. Dare you watch?"

So reads the blurb for this 30-minute video from the Jesus Fellowship. You may not agree with everything on it, but there's no questioning the passionate commitment of the people interviewed to their way of life. You can get a copy from the Jesus Fellowship at Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire NN7 3LB (tel 01327 349992).

BOOKS

Finding the right retreat

Soul Space, by Margaret Silf, SPCK £19.99

This book combines practical information, questions you would love to ask, inspirational guidance and personal testimonies. The result is an excellent resource for first time retreatants or for those like myself who have been on retreat but never read a book on what it should be like!

The section on 'Beginning where you are' is very helpful, asking why retreat at all, as well as looking at the variety of retreats on offer, ranging from websites for those who are housebound to staying at a retreat centre for up to 30 days. There really is something for everyone.

The practicalities of what sort of place to go to and what will be expected are sensitively dealt with. Even so, I was left feeling that although retreat guides might pretend to be human, they are in fact super-spiritual beings who will read your innermost thoughts and even interpret your silences with amazing insight and pinpoint accuracy!

There is an excellent cross-referencing system where anything in bold type can be looked up in the alphabetically arranged fact-file section, where it is explained in more detail. At times I wondered whether there was almost too much practical information which sometimes repeated itself, but that may have been because that particular section is there to be dipped into rather than read straight through.

All in all, I would heartily recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of exploring the whole area of making a retreat, whether for the first time or regular retreat-goers looking for some fresh inspiration. The testimony section was a lovely way to ground what had been said in the reality of people’s experiences. It certainly made me look at my diary to see when I can next get away!

Heather Coupland, a vicar's wife and mum based in West Sussex

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		REVIEWS VIDEOS If you use videos regularly in your church, here are three that you might consider, depending on your needs and interests: How to Have a Great Marriage - with Max and Sue Sinclair This information video, part of the Enriching Family Life series, is really for those thinking of asking this experienced couple from trust Treasures in Heaven to come and take a weekend or workshop for married couples. Contains details of Max and Sue's marriage presentation, plus what the thoughts of the general public on marriage, and comments from organisers and participants. For details contact Treasures in Heaven Trust, PO Box 26, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 02P (Tel 01732 834297; e-mail: max@treasuresinheaven.fsnet.co.uk) OM India's Dalit Education Centres project If you've been following the news from India, where hundreds of thousands of Dalits - seen practically as 'non-people' in India's caste system - are now very open to Christianity and church education, you'll know there is a massive opportunity for the Church to grow. OM India has a video explaining all about their ambitious project to open 100 new schools, each catering for 500 students, bringing education to thousands of India's most opressed people. To get a copy and find out how you can give to this amazing opportunity, mail OM on info@uk.om.org or write to them at Operation Mobilisation, Freepost, Oswestry, Shropshire SY10 7BR (Tel 01691 773388). Celibacy - Why? Why not? Here's a provocative issue, certainly one to get youth groups talking - and maybe home groups, too. "In Western society, more than 40 per cent of the adult population are single. Some, of course, are sexually active, but a number are celibate by choice. "Six men and women speak with refreshing frankness about what it means to them to have chosen to be celibate for God and the path that led them to make that momentous decision. Dare you watch?" So reads the blurb for this 30-minute video from the Jesus Fellowship. You may not agree with everything on it, but there's no questioning the passionate commitment of the people interviewed to their way of life. You can get a copy from the Jesus Fellowship at Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire NN7 3LB (tel 01327 349992). BOOKS Finding the right retreat Soul Space, by Margaret Silf, SPCK £19.99 This book combines practical information, questions you would love to ask, inspirational guidance and personal testimonies. The result is an excellent resource for first time retreatants or for those like myself who have been on retreat but never read a book on what it should be like! The section on 'Beginning where you are' is very helpful, asking why retreat at all, as well as looking at the variety of retreats on offer, ranging from websites for those who are housebound to staying at a retreat centre for up to 30 days. There really is something for everyone. The practicalities of what sort of place to go to and what will be expected are sensitively dealt with. Even so, I was left feeling that although retreat guides might pretend to be human, they are in fact super-spiritual beings who will read your innermost thoughts and even interpret your silences with amazing insight and pinpoint accuracy! There is an excellent cross-referencing system where anything in bold type can be looked up in the alphabetically arranged fact-file section, where it is explained in more detail. At times I wondered whether there was almost too much practical information which sometimes repeated itself, but that may have been because that particular section is there to be dipped into rather than read straight through. All in all, I would heartily recommend this book to anyone who is thinking of exploring the whole area of making a retreat, whether for the first time or regular retreat-goers looking for some fresh inspiration. The testimony section was a lovely way to ground what had been said in the reality of people’s experiences. It certainly made me look at my diary to see when I can next get away! Heather Coupland, a vicar's wife and mum based in West Sussex © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.