Head versus heart and our gut reactions (by Michael Hampson)

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It’s over fifteen years since I read ‘Head versus heart and our gut reactions’ by Michael Hampson. The author has worked as an Anglican minister, also as a teacher and a writer, and is now retired. This book, I recalled, had a Christian focus but was suitable for anyone interested in the Enneagram theory. 

I like reading different perspectives on personality theories, sometimes to find out more about myself, sometimes to help me understand friends better. Not that one can determine a type from a book, but this kind of thing can confirm ideas or behaviours that I’ve observed.

This book is a bit different from other Enneagram books in that it starts with the three basic ways in which people tend to react initially to new situations. For some, the focus is all on the people concerned and others who might be involved. For some, the focus is on practical questions. And for some, there’s a gut reaction that is more physical than either mental or emotional. 

There are no strong people (by Jeff Lucas)

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It’s ten years since I read Jeff Lucas’s book ‘There are no strong people’. I recalled being somewhat disappointed when I first read it. Jeff Lucas, a British pastor who lives mostly in the United States, usually writes more light-hearted content. Most of his books contain self-deprecating anecdotes and wry observations alongside thoughts from the Bible and thought-provoking commentary.

This one, however, is more serious. But I decided to read it again, having forgotten what it was about and what was said. As so often happens, I found that I liked it rather more this time around.

The book is about the story of Samson, as given in the book of Judges, chapters 13-16. It’s divided into four sections, and each one starts with a couple of pages quoted directly from Judges. The author suggests that the reader read each biblical quotation thoughtfully, even if one is familiar with it already, and then perhaps read it again. I thought this was good advice.

Family matters (by Helen Parker)

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I started reading Helen Parker’s books for teenagers because, years ago, she was part of our local writers’ group. I read ‘Hide and secret’ a few years ago and thought it both interesting and well-written. I enjoyed the stand-alone sequel, ‘Island treasure’ too, when I read that a year or so later, although I would have liked more about the characters in ‘Hide and secret’.

So when the third book, ‘Family matters’,  was published, I put it on my wishlist and was given it last Christmas. I just finished reading it. I hadn’t really remembered the characters from ‘Hide and secret’, but realised after a few chapters that some of them were in this book: in particular Ruth, whose early years were spent in Cairo. She is now 14 and goes to a high school in Edinburgh. She still doesn’t feel entirely at home there, but she’s reasonably settled. Most of her local friends are ones who also belong to her church youth group.

One of Ruth’s friends is Lucy, who is excited that her mother has a new boyfriend, Zak. He’s very generous, and she hopes he might be her stepfather. Ruth has other friends with stepfathers, and they all like them very much; some of what Lucy says feels a bit strange, however. Not that he’s behaving inappropriately to Lucy, but she isn’t quite sure how to deal with a new man in the family - and one or two of the things she says don’t quite ring true.

Blessing the church (by Clifford Hill)

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It’s over twenty years since I read the book ‘Blessing the church?' It’s written by four different people: Clifford Hill, Peter Fenwick, David Forbes and David Noakes. I acquired the book after meeting Clifford Hill briefly at our church, and the first time I read it I was very impressed. So I thought it was time for a reread.

The overall idea of the book is to give a general overview of the ‘charismatic movement’ over the course of the 20th century. It particularly looks at how it was presented and accepted in the UK, and it leads up to discussion of the ‘Toronto blessing’ which was controversial in the 1990s. 

This book was published in 1995 so it’s now thirty years out of date. But the history is well-written and interesting, as is the examination of the different streams of the charismatic movement. The authors are careful to compare everything with Scripture, looking at the work of the Holy Spirit through the book of Acts, and Paul’s advice and warnings in some of his letters. 

Naked spirituality (by Brian McLaren)

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I have appreciated the thoughtful - if sometimes blunt - writing by Brian McLaren for  nearly fifteen years now. He’s an American Christian leader - formerly a pastor - who thinks outside the box. He expresses things in unusual ways, sometimes, and is eager that believers learn to know and trust God fully, rather than just following rituals or perceived rules.

In this book, ‘Naked spirituality’, which I last read in 2014, McLaren proposes twelve ‘words’ which, he claims, can help us move closer to God. The title refers to stripping away the practises of organised religion - not necessarily to opt out altogether, but to see beyond or inside symbols, concentrating instead on our soul and its communion with God in solitude.

As an introvert myself, I could resonate with quite a bit of the content of this book. Probably everyone could benefit from some of it, but I think it might be more difficult for extraverts who draw their energy from people around them. Still, we all need private space as well as time with people, and prayer often begins when we (metaphorically, if not literally) close our doors and pray silently, as Jesus instructed us. 

The Barnabas factor (by Derek Wood)

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It’s over twenty years since I read ‘The Barnabas factor’ by Derek Wood. It’s not a long book - not much more than 150 pages in my paperback edition - and I recalled finding it interesting and somewhat inspiring. The subtitle is ‘the power of encouragement’. 

I hadn’t remembered anything about the style or focus of the book, and was pleased to find that it’s quite a light-weight read, although the relaxed style doesn’t mean that the content itself is trivial. Far from it. The main principle is that people need to be encouraged. The focus is on the church, with specific mention of clergy and other leaders, but the suggestions would apply to anyone.

Each chapter is fairly short, looking at different aspects of encouragement. The word itself basically means to give someone courage - not necessarily to do something dangerous or scary, but to motivate them, or help them feel more positive about themselves. And, as the author suggests in several places, many people are more inclined to offer criticism or discouragement than to be positive about others. This may be out of a mistaken understanding of pride and humility, or just general embarrassment or awkwardness.

All questions great and small (by Adrian Plass and Jeff Lucas)

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Two of my favourite modern Christian writers are Adrian Plass and Jeff Lucas. So when they write a book together, I acquire it as soon as possible. One of these books is ‘All questions great and small’, which I read and very much liked in 2016. Clearly, a decade later, it was time for a reread.

The book is presented as answers to questions which the authors were given on one of their tours. The introduction (or, rather, the Foreword) is written by someone who was part of the ‘Seriously funny’ team. She explains that Jeff and Adrian took it in turns to answer as many questions as they could, whether serious or otherwise.

Then the official introduction, written by Adrian, caricatures some typical enthusiastic Christian pat responses to questions. He points out that it’s too easy to become lazy when presented with doubts, or genuine queries about the Bible, or about living as a Christian in the 21st century. So in their tour - and in this book - they attempt to be completely honest. No question is considered unsuitable, or too silly. 

Finding freedom (by Joyce Huggett)

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I had very much appreciated the books I had previously read by Joyce Huggett, and I reread them from time to time. So when I saw another of her books, ‘Finding freedom’, on the shelves of friends who were giving away books, it was an easy decision to acquire it. Joyce Huggett and her husband lived in Cyprus for six years while we were here, but I don’t think I ever met her.

The subtitle of this book is, ‘becoming the person God made me to be’, and each chapter focuses on an aspect of freedom - from false expectations, from sin, from past experiences, and more. As with the author’s other works, this book is biblically sound, with plenty of scripture references. The writing is good, and well organised too. 

But I have to admit, I found it a bit heavy-going in places, and mostly not really relevant to me. Not that I disagreed with anything as such. But perhaps it’s intended for rather younger people, or those new to faith. The first chapter, for instance, simply covers the essence of the gospel - of the freedom we find when making a commitment to trust and follow Jesus. The author gives a few examples of people who experience release from past sins, and from feelings of guilt, often far in excess of what was done wrong.

Naturally gifted (by Gordon and Rosemary Jones)

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I don’t remember how or when we acquired the book ‘Naturally gifted’. But I vaguely recall that the authors, Gordon and Rosemary Jones, were giving a seminar somewhere and sold their books afterwards. I don’t know if I was there, or if it was my husband or even someone else. What I do know is that their book has been in one of our bookcases for a long time, and I haven’t read it for at least twenty years, possibly longer.

The byline or subtitle on the front says that the book is ‘a Christian perspective on personality, gifts and abilities’. That’s essentially what the book is about, summing up various ways of looking at gifts, temperament, abilities and more, from the point of view of the body of Christ. 

The first chapter talks about the importance of recognising our individuality. It examines, briefly, a few people from the Bible, some of whom were very dubious about their abilities. It also gives some brief anecdotes, describing people who feel lost, or without talent; it also mentions people who are in careers or ministries where they feel constantly stressed, or struggling in some way. 

Jesus: safe, tender, extreme (by Adrian Plass)

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I regularly read my collection of books by the British Christian writer Adrian Plass. I love his fiction, particularly the humorous ‘diaries’ that made him so well-known in the Christian world. But I also appreciate his non-fiction, more so each time I read a book.

It’s just over ten years since I read ‘Jesus: safe, tender, extreme’ so it was more than time for another reread. I knew that it was going to be interesting, with the author’s personal spin on Jesus, but I hadn’t remembered anything much about the content as such.

The prologue introduces us to Adrian Plass’s mother-in-law who was living in their dining room as he started the book. She had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and wanted to die at home with her family. Clearly she was a lovely, radiant woman and an inspiration to much of what follows in the book.

The great omission (by Dallas Willard)

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Several writers whom I respect have recommended books by the late Dallas Willard. He was an American Christian writer and thinker. I read one of his books some years ago, and decided to put a couple more on my wishlist. I was given ‘The great omission’ for my recent birthday, and decided to start reading it a few weeks ago.

It’s not the kind of book to read in one sitting - at least, not for me. And this book, as explained at the beginning, wasn’t written as a single book anyway; instead it’s a collection of articles or transcripts of talks. So while they’re grouped somewhat by subject, and set as chapters, there’s inevitably some overlap. Some chapters are slightly more formal in style than others, too. Most days I read one chapter - around ten pages - and found that was enough. Sometimes I read two chapters if they were shorter, but it wasn’t always easy to keep my focus.

The main premise of the book is that many Christians - at least, in the US, and when this was written - talk about Jesus as Saviour, and read the Bible, and attend Christian events or church services. But they haven’t understood that the ‘Great Commission’ tells us that we should make disciples, not just people who say the right things and get involved with nice groups. Disciples are those who learn from their teacher, and if we say we are followers of Jesus, then our aim should be to become more Christ-like.

The furious longing of God (by Brennan Manning)

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I do like the books by Brennan Manning. He was a Roman Catholic priest and a reformed alcoholic who wrote some thought-provoking books about what it really means to be loved by God. I have been rereading some of his books, and remembered that I have ‘The furious longing of God’ on my Kindle. I wanted a Christian book to read while travelling, and I last read this in 2013. 

It’s not a long book, and it’s divided into quite a few sections with titles such as ‘healing’ or ‘boldness’, each one looking at a slightly different aspect of God’s love, and with a page of points to ponder at the end of each section. But since I was with family, and very busy, I didn’t read this every day; or sometimes only a couple of pages.

The author expounds on his favourite theme, which I first came across in ‘The ragamuffin gospel’ many years ago. But in this book it’s as if he takes a step deeper - he points out, more than once, that being a Christian believer is not just about becoming a nicer person, or avoiding certain behaviours. It’s about becoming a new creation, caught up in the passionate love of our father who created us. 

Standing on my knees (by Jeff Lucas)

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I do like reading - and rereading - books by Jeff Lucas. He’s a British pastor who works in the United States, and he has a somewhat dry sense of humour that comes through in his writing. He acknowledges his failings - possibly exaggerating them at times - rather than trying to tell his readers what to do from the point of view of an expert. And I find his style very readable.

It’s almost exactly ten years since I read ‘Standing on my knees’, so it was definitely time for a reread of this book, which is about prayer. There are many available books on this topic, of course, as the author acknowledges. But many of them try to share the secrets they have learned, or the benefit of their experiences, rather than sharing, with the reader, in the many difficulties that may have to be overcome. 

There are ten chapters in this fairly short book, and I aimed to read one every day, though sometimes I took a couple of days over a longer chapter. I thought the subject was covered in a very encouraging, inspiring way. The first chapter looks at some of the people in history who were expert in praying; the author admires them, as he does with those called to be intercessors who have no problem spending significant amounts of time with God. But he tells us that this book is for ordinary Christians who sometimes struggle to spend more than five minutes in prayer, and whose minds tend to wander rather than focus. 

Beyond ourselves (by Catherine Marshall)

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It’s over ten years since I last read Catherine Marshall’s thoughtful, semi-biographical book ‘Beyond ourselves’. She is the author of the better-known ‘A man called Peter’, describing her marriage to the outgoing, driven preacher to whom she was married until his early death.  She also wrote some Christian novels. 

‘Beyond ourselves’ was written some years later, in 1961. By this time the author had remarried, to a widower called Len who had three children of his own. Peter and Catherine only had one son, so although she was a bit overwhelmed by having three extra offspring, it evidently worked well for them all. But for a while her writing had to take second place.

This book recounts Catherine’s experiences as she learns to grow closer to God, and to listen for his voice. It doesn’t sound like something that would take up a whole book - and it’s not a short volume. But for her it was a lifelong adventure. 

God speaks your love language (by Gary Chapman)

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I reread Gary Chapman’s classic book ‘The five love languages’ a couple of years ago. For some time I had been thinking I should reread another of his books, ‘God speaks your love language’. I had entirely forgotten that I last read it as recently as 2022. It didn’t really matter, as I hadn’t remembered much of what was in it anyway.

The theory of love languages is very helpful to a lot of people, although the older I get, the harder it is for me to figure out what my main ‘love language’ is. Perhaps I’ve become better at two or three others, or perhaps I appreciate different ones in different stage of my life. In a sense, it doesn’t matter: I’m aware of the five broad ways in which love can be expressed, and try, where possible and appropriate, to use them all. 

The idea behind it is that a lot of couples don’t feel love because they speak different love languages. If one partner has ‘acts of service’ as their main love language, and the other has ‘words of affirmation’, they might entirely miss that the other person is trying to express love. Trying to speak the other person’s language can revolutionise a stressful romantic relationship. It’s also important to speak our children’s love languages - or, ideally all of them - so that they know they’re loved.

The Bible Jesus read (by Philip Yancey)

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I’ve appreciated and liked reading all the books I’ve collected by Philip Yancey, over the years. I’ve reread most of them at least once. The one I found least memorable was ‘The Bible Jesus read’, which I read in 2008. It was well overdue for a reread; all I could remember about it was that it related to what is generally known as the Old Testament (the Hebrew Scriptures). 

I’ve read about half a chapter per day over the past couple of weeks. The introductory chapter asks why we should read, or at least be familiar with the older parts of the Bible. Christians, after all, focus mainly on Jesus. His life, ministry and death are covered in the four gospels, and the rest of the New Testament explains the growth of the early church, and instructions for lifestyle, worship, and so on. 

But, as Yancey points out with examples, Jesus himself was familiar with the Jewish Scriptures. He quotes them several times, and expects his followers to know the context and background. So as a most basic tenet, if we are following Jesus, we should read the Scriptures that he read, as well as the more recent ones. 

Listening to God (by Joyce Huggett)

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I very much liked the three books I had read by Joyce Huggett. She was a thoughtful Christian writer, and I knew something of her because she lived, for a while, in Cyprus, though I never met her. I didn’t expect any of her books to be currently in print, but put second-hand editions of one on my wishlist. I was very pleasantly surprised to be given a new edition of ‘Listening to God’ for Christmas. 

The byline on this book says that it’s the 30th anniversary edition of the ‘bestselling spiritual classic’. It’s been recommended by many writers on prayer and contemplation. The first edition was published in 1986, and it was something of a landmark at the time. In the notes at the end, on the anniversary edition, the author expresses great happiness that the boundaries between different strands of Christianity were much less obvious than they were in the 1980s. 

The purpose of the book is to encourage all Christians to spend more time in prayer, in particular in contemplative prayer. The idea of this sounds very positive to me; as an introvert, I need a lot of time on my own. Despite many decades of being a believer, and many prayers, I’m not good at sitting, and meditating, or contemplating. Partly this is because I don’t ‘see’ things with my eyes closed, partly, I suppose, because my mind is constantly active, wandering around all kinds of topics, ideas and thoughts.

Truefaced (by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol and John Lynch)

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It’s more than fifteen years since I read ‘Truefaced’ by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol and John Lynch. I vaguely recalled that it was an encouraging book about authenticity, but nothing more. It was definitely time for a reread.

It’s not a long book - just 155 pages in my paperback - with seven chapters. I read one at a time - sometimes just half a chapter - over ten days or so. I don’t think I found anything new in it, but I thought it well-written, the three authors blending their styles seamlessly. And it contains plenty to think about.  The subtitle is, 'Trust God and others with who you really are', and that's what the book is basically about. 

The first premise made is that most of us put on ‘masks’ when we’re with other people. Some more than others, of course. But it’s a rare person who is totally honest about who they are, all the time, and who doesn’t change their behaviour depending on who they are with. 

How to live the Christian life (by Selwyn Hughes)

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In the past 45 years or so, we have acquired quite a selection of Christian non-fiction, by a wide variety of authors. There are some whose works I reread fairly regularly. But there are other books which, as far as I can tell, I have not read for over twenty-five years. 

Back in the 1980s and 1990s it was easy and inexpensive to buy paperback books at church sales or Christian bookshops, and I suspect that ‘How to live the Christian life’ by the Welsh writer Selwyn Hughes was one of them. We used to use his Bible-reading notes until about twenty years ago; so it’s not surprising that we collected two or three of his books. This book was originally published in 1974, but revised and reprinted in this edition in 1981. 

It’s not a long book, and it seems to have some useful teaching in it for someone who is new to the Christian life. Inevitably it’s very dated; back in the 1980s, there weren’t nearly so many useful resources as there are now, and - of course - no Internet. So books of this kind would probably have been welcomed by people who came to faith in their teenage or student years, at one of the many missions or rallies that were so popular at the time.

The Enneagram: a Christian perspective (by Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert)

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It was a long time - over twenty years - since I read ‘The Enneagram: a Christian perspective’ by Richard Rohr and Andreas Ebert. It was one of the first books I read on the topic of the Enneagram, something I was only just beginning to explore. I had been a bit concerned about whether it was somewhat occult, to be avoided; I found the book very reassuring, if a tad heavy.

Richard Rohr is a Roman Catholic priest in the United States, and I have read some of his other books more recently. I find his writing very interesting, if sometimes a tad too intellectual, and occasionally verging on what seems, to me, almost heretical. In this book he’s teamed with Andreas Ebert who was a German Protestant pastor; so there’s some balance there.  This book was originally published in German.

The first section of the book is mainly about the historic roots of the Enneagram. The authors look at its earliest use - by Christians as well as Muslims and Pagans - and point out that it’s rooted in what Christians refer to as the seven ‘deadly sins’, with a couple of extras thrown in. They demonstrate how it’s a very useful tool in churches and other religious gatherings, and that the transformation which is enables works a lot better when God is involved.