Book Talk

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     I suspect that I have read no less than forty books about the Holy Spirit and his work the last several years. They run the entire gamut from the most ardent defence of the charismatic movement to the most intense denial of its validity. Regardless of your position on this theme I should like to have you read two more books, both of them written by persons laboring in other lands.

     By The Power of the Holy Spirit is from the pen of David M. Howard, who spent nine years in Colombia with the Latin American Mission. According to his own statement his book "is an endeavor to show the relationship of the Holy Spirit and his gifts to the responsibilities of the church in world evangelism." There are some interesting things contained in it especially because it has been written to answer questions of modern college and university students who wonder about the gift of tongues and related matters.

     Three Men Filled With the Spirit is by Michael C. Griffiths, of Singapore, who is with the Overseas Missionary Fellowship, originally founded as the China Inland Mission, by J. Hudson Taylor in 1865. The avowed purpose of the book is found in the subtitle which asks, "The gift of tongues, must it divide us?" I doubt that you can say you have thoroughly covered the issue being raised in our time without reading these two books and if you will send us a check for $2.50 we will mail you both of them. We hope you'll do this.

     Did you get a copy of Your Mind Matters, by John R. W. Stott? It deals with such questions as these: Is our way of life simply a religious extension of the bent toward mindlessness? Is our faith only a matter of the heart? Do we turn off our brains when we turn on to God? The little book is only 95¢.

     Another 95¢ book is Making Men Whole, by J. B. Phillips. "We all need to be reminded that God is by no means baffled or bewildered by mankind's muddles and follies. The world remains primarily God's responsibility, and the best we can do is to find out our own part in His vast purpose and make sure that we are fulfilling that to the limit of our ability." This is great!

     I know several brethren who have started a ministry of giving books. In every situation where it is proper they pass along a good book to a friend who visits, to a business associate, or to a neighbor. These are all inexpensive paperbacks, but they may turn someone on to Jesus in the quietness of his own home. It is a tremendous way to share good things with others.

     One book that I think you should give to friends is Raccoon John Smith. It is filled with humor, pathos and down-to-earth faith. When I first got it I could not lay it down until I had finished reading it. It is 95¢.

     For those who never read the Bible because they say they cannot get anything out of it. Hurlbut's Story of the Bible meets a real need. This book has sold over four million copies and it covers the entire Bible in common everyday English. It is only $1.25 per copy, and it is worth more than that.

     First Steps, by Charles Foster, is the best book for little children, age 3 through 7, that I have ever seen. I wish that someone in each congregation would pass these out to every little child who badgers his folks to tell him a story. Jesus comes alive to childish minds. It is 95¢.

     The most widely read religious novel of all times is In His Steps, by Charles M. Sheldon. More than eight million of these have been circulated throughout the world. Pass it around to others. It is only 95¢ per copy.

     Remember that books are gifts which can be opened more than once. If your order is less than $3.00 please enclose 25¢ to help with postage charges. If it exceeds that amount, Nell and I will pay the postage. We hope that this year you will give the gifts that bring lasting happiness. Give books! Their message will continue to live on and affect lives long after we are departed.