Jesus Family Archives – Reflections

Peek below the surface

The Victor by Patricia St John

Philo, the son of a fisherman in first century Tyre, is traumatised by his sister’s sinister illness. When his father drowns, the family is thrown into poverty. Only little Ione provides a ray of sunshine.

What’s going on in the world?

I’ve been thinking about Jesus’s promise to his followers:

My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)

To whom does that apply? And where are the people who enjoy this rich and satisfying life?

Who is this God of many facets?

A Modern Psalm (expanded)

O Lord, my Lord, I see You as a Crystal,
Reflecting varied facets of Your light.
I marvel at Creation, then am dazzled
By seeming shifts between Your love and might.

Feminine audacity and spiritual depth

Once on a Hill in Tuscany by Alison Taylor-Brown

This collection of eleven short stories fascinated me and my wife as I read them aloud evening by evening. The cocky but sensitive Giulia is always good for some unexpected twist of events. The beautiful language and delightful use of simile drew me into the scenes. But the greatest merit of these tales is the spiritual insight revealed through the heroine’s reactions to her unexpected encounters.

Brave admission

Honesty Over Silence by Patrick Regan

It’s OK Not To Be OK

Suffering – whether it’s physical or emotional – is never easy. It’s particularly difficult to accept and understand as a Christian, when one knows God as a caring Father. Why does He let it happen? Why doesn’t He answer our prayers?

Jesus – eine Weltgeschichte von Markus Spieker

Dies ist ein mächtiges Buch – in jedem Sinne des Wortes. Es ist meisterhaft recherchiert, mit vielen Beispielen untermauert und trotzdem sehr gut lesbar. Sehr empfehlenswert – trotz seiner Länge.

Von der frühen Antike über das Judentum und die grossen Weltreiche der Griechen und Römer mit ihren Glaubensvorstellungen und philosophischen Ansichten, führt Spieker dann in das Zeitalter des christlichen Glaubens. Durch Höhen und Tiefen, mit Hinweisen auf feindliche und freundliche Denker und Machtsucher, zeigt der Autor, wie die Anhänger Jesu meist sehr positive Auswirkungen auf die gesellschaftliche Entwicklung und das Weltgeschehen bewirkten.

Wounds of the soul

The Pilgrim, by Joy Margetts

Pilgrims seek healing for the wounds of the soul

Before Hal joins the Cistercian Abbey in the heart of medieval Wales and adopts the new name of Hywel, his selfish lust has already done immeasurable harm to those closest to him. When a careless slip of the tongue deeply hurts his fellow novices, he expects to be banished. Much to his amazement, his mentor instead suggests he accompany a pilgrimage to the Holy Island of the Saints.

He soon discovers the other members of the group each have their own hangups and aspirations.

Eye-opening, heart-rending

The Wanderer Scorned, by Natasha Woodcraft

The Wanderer Scorned – an elaborated Biblical story

I have had the privilege of ‘meeting’ Natasha a couple of times on Zoom, hearing her read an extract from her WIP and even singing Abba’s and Awan’s songs that appear in this book. Her invitation to take part in a blog tour to promote the book launch on 6th August 2022 thrilled me. I read the ARC out aloud to my wife – we were both captivated by it – and these are my impressions.

As the cover image implies, this is a deeply moving book. It explores interactions within a single family attempting to survive in a bountiful but unfamiliar world.

Adventures in thin places

The Road of Brightness, by Michael Mitton

No one is sure who first suggested undertaking a pilgrimage to Assisi. But a highly improbable group of friends and acquaintances from Dingle, Ireland, decide to do just that. And the new local priest, Father Kilbar, agrees to lead them, although he has never been there before.

Further incidents from a 14th century monastery

The Wounds of God

No. 2 in the Hawk and the Dove Series

This book follows the same pattern as the first in the series. Everyday life in a family of seven can be fun, even though it involves a constant struggle to make ends meet.

The devoted mother picks opportunities to entertain her starry-eyed, fifteen-year-old daughter with legends of their ancestor, Father Peregrine. Many centuries earlier, he was the rather bizarre abbot of a Yorkshire monastery. The bumbling antics of his protégés, together with musings on the nature and will of God, paint a vivid picture.