Updates

from the Lent 2012 newsletter

St. Timothy's Church Library:

Bright new changes coming soon to your Church Library, and the Library Blog --You can find the blog linked on the church website: Click on "Links" in the sidebar! We're #1. The Library blog also continues to include the Film Ministry updates.

The upcoming new and improved changes should help you "check out" the books before you check them out. And, soon, you will be able to even "reserve" a book from the Church Library. We have books for everybody, feeding the Christian soul and mind!

Is there a wish list of books you would like to see placed in our library? Do you have any newer or classic books that you would like to donate?

Some recent donations to the Church Library include:
"Have a Little Faith: A True Story", by Mitch Albom - The story of two incredible men whose lives demonstrate what faith is all about.
"Becoming a Prayer Warrior: A Guide to Effective and Powerful Prayer", by Elizabeth Alves - Written by the founder and president of "Intercessors International", a Texas-based ministry. Join her at the feet of Jesus and you, too, will become a mighty prayer warrior.

Blessings during the Holy Lenten season.
-MC

Film Ministry:

The film ministry provides opportunities for parishioners to borrow films each Sunday after worship. The DVD includes questions for thought and discussion. A wide variety of films are available such as documentaries, comedies, dramatic presentations and even some historical films. New films to come on board soon, include; “Of Gods and Men” a fictional film based upon the true story of a group of Trappist monks stationed within an impoverished Algerian community and their decision whether to leave or stay when threatened by fundamentalist terrorists. Also joining the collection will be the film, “Courageous” which is about four police officers who struggle with their faith and their roles as husbands and fathers when tragedy strikes home. Please come and visit the film collection after church and borrow a film!
-PY

Virtual Book - "In The Wake of the War Canoe", by W.H. Collison

A St.Timothy's member (and a regular Church Library borrower) had informed me of this historical, out of print book, published in 1915. Thank you, Ursula.

In the Wake of the War Canoe is the Venerable William Henry Collison's memoir of his life setting up missions on the B.C. coast. He was the Archdeacon of Metlakahtla, in British Columbia.

The excellent virtual pdf book link, page by page...:
http://www.archive.org/stream/wakewarcanoe00collrich#page/18/mode/2up

This is an amazing story of high adventure, which is surprising, as it's written by an Anglican missionary. The Venerable H.W.Collison's missionary adventures among the Haidas and Tsimshians of British Columbia are exciting and fascinating.

A good review of the book, by Adele Case, Britannia Secondary School, Vancouver, BC. -

"Collison introduced the natives of the Queen Charlotte Islands to civilizing influences, and his life appears a testimonial to many virtues: fortitude, devotion to duty, honesty, fairness, and indomitability. Mrs. Collison, too, must have been admired by the many people she nursed and helped. At times there is a sermonistic, almost smug note (especially when heathen Indians reject old evil practices to die as voluble Christians)... this tone was common in serious works of the Victorian era writers.

The book deserves a careful reading by all who are fascinated by Northwest coast history. Whether he is writing about the hunting of sea otters, trading voyages with his Haida friends, struggles against the "demon alcohol" or smallpox, or the factional disputes between tribes, one is again and again surprised at the versatility of the man. Realizing that he must instruct the tribesmen in their own language, he quickly became a fluent linguist, often mediating in tribal disputes. Shamans and necromancers tried to scoff at his message, but his white man's medicine was strong, his converts increased, and his own sterling character acted like a magnet to lead many natives toward Christian rites.

The chapters dealing with the complexities of the crest system, the potlatch ceremony, and the symbolism of swans-down, will fascinate anyone who appreciates the art and traditions of the Pacific coast original peoples. If only there had been more illustrations!" (http://umanitoba.ca/cm/cmarchive/vol11no1/inthewake.html)

Other "virtual read" versions of this book can be found here: (ie. text,Daisy, Kindle, etc...)
http://openlibrary.org/books/OL7132133M/In_the_wake_of_the_war_canoe

In Praise of Churches...

from the Advent 2011 newsletter

While I was browsing the web, one day, I came across a wonderful blog written by a local "Church Lady", Suzanne Wilson, who has compiled a history of churches in North America, Monaco and the Vatican. Her concise, but thoroughly researched blog is called, "Churches on Sundays". A blessing for us all. http://www.churchesonsundays.blogspot.com/

Our Library also has some very good books on churches, and Church, history. There have been more than a few of these books donated by various church members. Here is just a small selection of what you can find on our Library shelf:
Pacific Pilgrims, by Lyndon Grove (1979): A 120 history of the Anglican Church in BC and its "pilgrims".
In Praise of Churches, by John Betjeman and Paul Hogarth (1996): A wonderfully illustrated guide and evocation of the church and church life -- High and Low, Matins, Evensong, etc.
The English Parish Church, by Gerald Randall (1988): A summary of the evolution of parish churches in England, from Pre-Gothic to the present day.
Cathedrals and Abbeys of England, by the Very Reverend Stephen Platten, Dean of Norwich (1999): A guide to over 60 of England's most visited cathedrals and abbeys.

These books, and more, along with Suzanne Wilson's blog would make for excellent Christmas reading, with plenty of pictures to enjoy.

I love thy Church, O God!
Her walls before thee stand.
Dear as the apple of thine eye,
And graven on thy hand.
Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heavenly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise.

~from the hymn, "I Love Thy Kingdom Lord" by Timothy Dwight, 1752-1817

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit." (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year 2012.

~submitted by M.C.

"The Pursuit of God", by A.W.Tozer

UPDATE: We now have a paperback copy of this book in the Church Library!

from the Fall 2011 newsletter

St. Timothy's Church Library will be open the Sunday, September 25th, after a couple summer months of renovations at Sutherland Church. Every year I have an "amnesty" on long over-due books. If you have any books that were borrowed prior to June please return them soon! More new books have been added to the growing church library collection. Check them out!

During the summer I read a "life-changing" book by A.W.Tozer, "The Pursuit of God". This book was written by Tozer in 1948, and is said to be one of his best writings. You could almost say that this book was written by Tozer while on his knees in worship before God. It is timeless. Aiden Wilson Tozer (April 21, 1897 - May 12, 1963) was an American pastor with the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church.

Here is an online link to Tozer's classic book that can be read online, or printed on a printer, which ever you prefer. I believe every member of St. Timothy's should read this book at least once in their lifetime. It could prove life-changing for you, also:
http://www.ntslibrary.com/PDF%20Books/Tozer_Pursuit_of_God.pdf

"Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God."~A.W. Tozer

Blessed reading!

~M.C.

Book Review: "What Good is God?

from the Lent 2011 newsletter

While searching through the books at my local library on religion and faith, I recently came across a newly published book by well-respected author, Philip Yancey, "What Good is God? - In Search of a Faith That Matters".

I enjoy Philip's books as I find that they are usually a fairly "easy" read and they attempt to answer questions that I often have about my own personal faith struggles.

To quote the book cover, "What good is a God in a world where terrorists attack tourist sites in Mumbai, where women and children are sold into slavery, where a gunman kills 32 students and staff on a college campus, an where six million people in South Africa alone suffer with HIV/AIDS." Each chapter of the book introduces this question in light of different situations and places around the world where Philip is visiting and then Philip includes the "speech" that he delivered while he was visiting in this area.

I particularly enjoyed the chapters on the church in China and in the Middle East. Consider reading this book, it will provide some answers to your questions and it will give you lots of "food for thought".

"'What good is God?' is an open question whole answer God has invested in us his followers. We are the ones called to demonstrate a faith that matters to a watching world." - Philip Yancey

Submitted by P.Y., our Film Ministry Librarian

UPDATE:
This book, given by donation, is now available to borrow from the Church Library

The Spirit of Wildness

From the March 2011 newsletter

One of my favourite reads during the past year has been Trevor Herriot's poetically written book: "Jacob's Wound: A Search for the Spirit of Wildness", so much so, that I have placed a copy of this wonderful book into our Church Library. I believe many who love spirituality and nature will enjoy reading it. I do hope to be able to be able to also acquire a copy of Trevor Herriot's first book, the multiple-award winning "River in a Dry Land: A Prairie Passage", for the library, as the book is clearly the forerunner to "Jacob's Wound."

Trevor Herriot's first book about the Qu'Appelle River Valley, "River in a Dry Land," was highly acclaimed by reviewers when it was first published in 2000 and went on to win four awards: the Writers' Trust Drainie-Taylor Biography Prize, the Libris Award for Best First-Time Author, the Saskatchewan Book of the Year Award, and the Regina Book Award. It was also shortlisted for the Governor General's Award for Non-fiction.

Here is a short book review from Publishers Weekly on "Jacob's Wound" -
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-55591-616-9
In a series of meditations on nature and wildness, religion and spirituality, sojourning and home, Trevor Herriot demonstrates both the contemplative mysticism that returned him to his Catholic roots and the sharp eye of a naturalist distinctly aware of his physical surroundings. In the first half of the book, “Ascending Hakkarmel,” Herriot describes the intimate practice of living occasionally in a tipi on “the Land,” his family's retreat, in chapters alternating with meditations on the Bible, such as the conflict between Jacob and Esau, and religious or spiritual teachings and experiences, such as Teilhard de Chardin's.

In the book's second half, titled “From Mount Carmel,” the author continues, in writing that is lush and evocative, to toggle between personal anecdote and thoughts on scripture and religious tradition. The chapter titles of this half, such as “Wild Grace,” “Scapular 1” and “Into the Presence of God—1. Descend,” belie the author's poetic style. Herriot provides, rather than a sustained ecological or theological argument, an engaged reflection on nature and God.

"Jacob's Wound is an extended posture of supplication, a benediction voiced into the wind. Trevor Herriot stands, extends his arms toward heaven and earth, and draws the spirit toward its home in the heart." ~Ross A. Laird, "Globe & Mail, October 30, 2004"

Official New Library Opening!

From the Advent 2010 newsletter

The "new" St. Timothy's Library has officially opened -- with many thanks to the graciousness of Sutherland Church to offer us a large eight shelf book case that can be closed and locked when not in use. What seemed like "boxes of books" at one time suddenly became much smaller once placed on the new bookcase shelves!

There is room to Grow our Library! There is still quite a few more books and videos to catalogue and place on those shelves. But, for the first time in many years, there is a wide and varied selection of books for borrowing. The Library also has a small collection of Biblical-based VHS videos (does anybody watch those anymore?) and DVD's for children, youth, and adults. Check out your "new" library this Sunday...

"Make thy books thy companions. Let thy cases and shelves be thy pleasure grounds and gardens." ~Judah ibn-Tibbon (12th century)

New Beginnings!

From the September 2010 Newsletter

When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. (2 Timothy 4:13)

With the recent move to Sutherland Church, soon all of the St. Timothy’s Church Library books will become easily accessible to our members. I do hope to be able to set up our Library before the end of September, perhaps sharing ideas and resources with Sutherland Church’s librarian. With newfound freedom, I wish to make our Church Library more attractive and exciting for all ages!

Stay tuned for big changes ahead! Your ideas and comments will be most welcome during the Library's transition.

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

from the June 2010 Newsletter

Prayer? Prayer is both the most exhilarating and the most frustrating experience in life.
When God answers your prayer, it's a feeling like no other. So often our prayers don't get answered the way we want. When that's the case, it can be so disappointing it drives you to tears.

We believe praying is like baking with an easy, three-step cake mix, coming out perfect every time. Despite all the books that promise such a thing, there is no secret formula we can use to guarantee the results we want. Still, we keep looking for it. We think about times we got exactly what we wanted and try to recall everything we did. Is there a secret formula we can follow to control how God answers our prayers?

"If prayer stands as the place where human beings meet, then I must learn about prayer," writes Philip Yancey. The Church Library has added Philip Yancey's, "Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?"to its collection. His book circles around two themes: "Why God doesn't act the way we want God to, and why (we) don't act the way God wants (us) to. Prayer is the precise point where those two themes converge. In his most powerful book, Philip Yancey probes the very heartbeat---the most fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect---of our relationship with God. His book "...explores the questions surrounding prayer that many of us wonder but few of us know how to express."

Philip Yancey, in an interview with Christian Odyssey Magazine (Dec. '06-Jan '07) http://www.christianodyssey.com/06/0612prayer.htm, added this powerful gem about Prayer:

"Don't fake it. A lot of us are like children playing 'peek-a-boo,' hiding their faces in their hands so you can't see them. They are the only ones being fooled. But a lot of us do that in prayer. We come to God, put on a smile and make ourselves look good, but we aren't fooling God. God knows the secrets. The more we put on a mask, the more we misrepresent ourselves. I heard a great sermon about Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. You don't hear much about them, except in sermons on Stewardship Sunday. But this preacher asked what it was that they did wrong. It was not that they did not give their money away. Peter said they didn't have to. But they misrepresented themselves to God. The whole Bible is full of what God puts up with from us—complaints, anger, remorse, repentance. But if you pretend to be something you are not, he can't work with you."

Yancey writes in "Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?"-

"Prayer is cooperation with God, a consent that opens the way for grace to work. Most of the time the Counsellor communicates subtly: feeding ideas into my mind, bringing to awareness a caustic comment I just made, inspiring me to choose better than I would have done otherwise, shedding light on the hidden dangers of temptation, sensitizing me to another's needs. God's Spirit whispers rather than shouts, and brings peace not turmoil." (p. 103)

Everything in this world that we put our faith in has the potential to fail. God does not. He is consistently reliable, even if we do not agree with his decisions. He always leads us in the right direction if we give in to his will. In the "Lord's Prayer," Jesus said to his Father, "…your will be done." (Matthew 6:10, NIV) I believe that only when we reach the place where we are willing to do or accept God's will instead of our own, we will have reached the turning point in our prayers.

~M C

Lost and found...

from the Easter 2010 newsletter

Spring is finally here, and it is time for a "Spring cleaning", again. I have noted a few Church Library books missing for some time. Could you please check your shelves, closets, under the couch, etc. to see if there are any books that may have been forgotten or misplaced?

There are a couple children's books missing --- notably, "Joseph and His Amazing Coat" and "Daniel and the Lion's Den" (both are Usborne paperback books). Another is the Christian Classic pocket book fiction, part of a series missing for quite a while --"The Curate's Awakening", by George S. McDonald -- the first book of two in the series (book two is "The Lady's Confession" which is still in the library). Thank you.

Happy Easter, and happy reading for the Soul. Nothing beats reading a Christian book! Please check out our books for all ages any Sunday!

-submitted by M C

Update: "Daniel" has been found... "Joseph" and the "Curate" are still lost...)

Celebrating Advent

From the Advent Newsletter, 2009

"Silent night, Holy night. All is calm, all is bright. . . ."

The carols try to tell us that this is a calm and silent time of year. But for most of us, the weeks leading up to Christmas can be anything but calm. You know the drill: Christmas parties, shopping, wrapping, relatives, Christmas plays, etc., etc. It's enough to leave even the strongest among us exhausted.

Can we slow things down a little so we can enjoy the season again? Can we put Christ ahead of Christmas?

There is a way to put a little relaxation back into your Christmas season without adding too much to your busy schedule. As we enter the Advent season and get closer and closer to the 25th, try reading a Christmas book, borrowed from the Church Library. Find a quiet corner, a cup of cocoa, and favorite blanket and curl up and read from a selection of:

"The Glory of Christmas: Inspirational Writings from..." - C. Swindoll, M. Lucado, C. Colson
"The Purpose of Christmas" - Rick Warren
"Christmas in Mitford: Esther's Gift; The Mitford Snowmen" - Jan Karon
"The Good Shepherd" - Gunnar Gunnarsson
"Christmas Stories..." - Teresa Worman

plus a few more...

There is always available that timeless original Christmas story from the Bible: Luke 2:1-20.

The Church Library is always looking for more reading treasures to add to it's Advent and Christmas collection. Have a Blessed Christmas, everyone.

-submitted by M C

Harvesting good Christian books...

From the October 2009 Newsletter

During the mid-17^th century theologians gathered and compiled a document that was meant to encompass the core doctrines and beliefs of the Christian faith. This document, called the “Westminster Catechism”, was one of the most important and influential documents to come out of the Reformation. One of the Catechism's most powerful statements is this - "The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever."

“In Him we have obtained an inheritance having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory.” (Ephesians 1:11-12)

Our church library is full of books written by worshipful authors who glorify God and enjoy Him, through their writings, so that we may also better understand the passion of glorifying and enjoying God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We have many books about prayer, and devotionals that help guide us in glorification of our God, for both young and old.

Inspirational books (both fact and fictional) tell stories of people who were lost, and then found by God, and how their lives were changed by glorification and enjoyment in the service of God. None of these books ever replaces the utmost authority of the Bible, but help to broaden our faith and understanding of the Word.

As the crispy autumn days comes upon us, let us grow and harvest the books of St. Timothy’s Church

library, broadening the horizons of our faith:

“And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that He answered them well, asked Him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The most important is, Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:28-30)

Submitted by M C

St. Timothy's Church Library

(from the June 2009 Newsletter)

Summer holidays are just around the corner, and what a great time to pick up a book or two from your Church Library for reading during those balmy evenings ahead.

I encourage the church children and youth to check out some of the books, now that school is almost over --- more time to read and grow as a Christian over the holiday months. During the next few months the Church Library will become "reorganized", with new selections from the many donated and new books that have been received --- and have yet to be catalogued. The Church Librarian has got a busy summer ahead of her... (smile)

I also am calling an "amnesty" on any books borrowed in the past, that have not yet been returned to the Church Library. If you have any of those books lying around the house, or on your bookshelves, please bring them back for others to enjoy. Have a great summer reading some great Christian books. Check out your Church Library, today.

-submitted by M.C.

Ripple Effect: The Legacy of Billy Graham

(from the April 2009 Newsletter)
M.C. reports:

Little did a Sunday School teacher realize how far the "ripple effect" of her evangelism would reach. It started with J. Wilbur Chapman (1859-1918), an American evangelist, revivalist and pastor, who wrote some of our well known hymns; He was helped during an invitation time, by his Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Binkley, who, "putting her hand under my elbow... I stood up with the others...it was the day of my acknowledgment of Christ". The ripples that emanated from Chapman's evangelism included the conversions of Billy Sunday, then Mordecai Ham, who brought the great evangelist, Billy Graham, to Jesus Christ, in1934. This tremendous impact of evangelism began out of the humble efforts of a simple Sunday School teacher. Everything we do in the name of Jesus Christ has an effect that will be viewed through Eternity. "We may never live to see the full fruits of our labour, but the "Glory of God" will shine on through your evangelism, in life and death."

We have a couple books about, and by Billy Graham in the Church Library:
A very colourful pictorial biography: "Billy Graham: God's Ambassador", by photographer Russ Busby -- Billy Graham was the driving force behind the evangelical movement of the 20th Century.
This book begins with a quote from Daniel Webster, in fitting with the theme -
"If we work on marble, it will perish; if on brass, time will efface it; if we rear up temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds and imbue them with principles, with the just fear of God and the love of our fellow men, we engrave on those tablets something that will brighten all eternity."

The other books:
"Approaching Hoofbeats: The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse", by Billy Graham, sends us the warning message of Revelations to the Seven Churches, and the church (believers in Jesus Christ), that we must not forsake our "first love", nor diminish the message of the Bible, in particular, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Billy Graham states that those who "water down" the Bible's message simply are leaving the doors open to the four horsemen of the apocalypse, in the end (Ephesians 6:12). A very powerful book, with a sobering message to us all. This is a "must read" for those studying "Revelations" in our Bible study home groups.

also: "The Secret of Happiness", by Billy Graham. Based on the Beatitudes.The foremost preacher of our generation searches the heart of the world's greatest sermon. Happiness. It's what we all long for, what all human beings seek in our jobs, our relationships, our activities. We try so hard to be happy, and all too often we end up empty and unsatisfied. Why? Because, says Billy Graham in this classic work, we are looking for happiness in all the wrong places.

Instead of looking for happiness in the temporal pleasures of this world, we need to understand eternity through what Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount – that true, lasting happiness is a by-product, a bonus that comes when we seek what is really important -- trust in God. Presented with Dr. Graham's characteristic simplicity, this landmark book teaches us to live above the circumstances of life and rest in the true happiness God wants us to have.

The Bible Series DVD's

(from the December 2008 newsletter)

The Church Library has added a small collection of DVD films, "The Bible Series". It consists of four films:

GENESIS - The Creation and the Flood: The story begins with the creation of Man and Woman, the sin committed by Adam and Eve, and the temptation by the snake, which led to their banishment from Paradise. The story continues with the first crime committed by mankind, Cain's murder of his brother, the condemnation of God, mankind's corruption and evil, and God's regret for having created earth. The choice f Noah, a just and upright man, to build the Ark, the flood and its clearing the way for a new mankind, the pact of the eternal Covenant between God and all living beings, are told through the clear and simple words of an old nomad shepherd.

ESTHER: Following the conquest of Babylon, the King of Persia gives a banquet for his people at which he requests the presence of his wife, Vashti. As she refuses the King's demand, Ahasuerus disowns Vashti and goes in search of her replacement. In his harem, he meets the young girl Esther who immediately captivates him with her charm and beauty. Unaware of her Jewish heritage, King Ahasuerus falls in love with Esther. Esther then reveals to Ahasuerus that she is Jewish and asks him to show her people mercy, because of a planned genocide of the Jews by the King's right-hand man, Haman. In doing so, she saves the lives of may innocent people and paves the way for their return to Jerusalem.

JEREMIAH: Jeremiah tells the story of the prophet who abandons his family and the woman he loves, in order to relay God's message in Jerusalem. Although he is persecuted and branded as a traitor for warning others of the destruction of the Holy City, he continues fearlessly with his mission. When his prophecy is fulfilled, he experiences first- hand Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians.

SOLOMON: Defeating his older brother, Solomon is crowned King of Israel and rules the land with love, peace and respect. While visiting the city, Solomon meets the beautiful Queen of Sheba and falls in love at first sight. When the time comes for her to return to her homeland, Solomon is unable to convince her to stay. Bereft of her beauty and companionship, he falls into a deep depression, departing from his once idyllic world of peace and luxury while his kingdom threatens to collapse.

The fifth film in the library's new Biblical Films collection, JESUS - The Greatest Story of All Time (2004), was originally produced as a television mini-series for CBS -- which not only retells the biblical story, but takes a look at the more human side of Jesus. While the movie does stray from strict scripture--Jesus is shown feeling conflicted over his feelings for Lazarus's sister Mary; Satan works hard at convincing Jesus to stray from his path--most of the plot will be familiar to viewers. The life and times of Jesus of Nazareth, from His humble beginnings as a carpenter to His destiny as the son of God, are vividly retold in this epic movie event.

The biblically-based films and videos added to the Church Library complements the existing Church Film Ministry. More will be added over time for our church members to enjoy.

-- submitted by MC

E. Stanley Jones - The "Billy Graham" of India

(From the September 2008 Newsletter)

E. (Eli) Stanley Jones (1884-1973) was a 20th century Christian missionary and theologian, known as the "Billy Graham" of India, He is best known here for the Christian Ashram movement. Jones wrote many timeless books, four of which have been placed in St. Timothy's Library:

The Christ of the Mount (1931) – A working philosophy of life, and greatest need of the modern world to rediscover the power of the message.

The Way to Power and Poise (1949) (devotional) - Full of psychological good sense and religious wisdom that comes from God.

How to be a Transformed Person (1951) (devotional) - We can gain a new life of based in reality, peace, confidence, growing into greater spiritual maturity, etc., "and all this because God transformed himself into man -- became like us, that we might become like him.".

Conversion (1959) - What is conversion? How does it come about? What are its lasting effects? A book richly illustrated with personal testimonies of conversion from people all over the world

E. Stanley Jones is also remembered for his interreligious lectures to the educated classes in India, thousands of which were held across the whole of India during the first decades of the 20th century. According to his and other contemporary reports, Jone's friendship for the cause of Indian self-determination allowed him to become friends with many Indian leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi and the Nehru family.

Gandhi challenged Jones, and the thousands of Western missionaries working there during the last decades of the British colonial empire, in his writings, to include greater respect for the mindset and strengths of the Indian character in their work. Gandhi was attracted to the hymns of Christianity. Sadly, an early visit to a "lukewarm" (Rev 3:14-22) and lacklustre Christian church in South Africa, closed Mahatma Gandhi's mind to becoming a Christian. E.Stanley Jones books do not allow us to remain complacent, nor "lukewarm" about our faith in Christ.

The Christian Ashram movement soon became international because E. Stanley Jones introduced the concept to the many countries where he had preaching missions. People on every continent experienced the Christian Ashram as a life transforming fellowship that was universal in its appeal and a way to understand and grow in the Christian faith. Brother Stanley nurtured the movement through frequent visits and letters. One of these successful Ashrams just celebrated its 35th anniversary in BC this year.

M.C.

"Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust"

A Rwandan holocaust survivor, she forgave the killers of her family. Immaculée Ilibagiza has written a book about her experience, “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Genocide". It is a simply written book with a powerful message about God and prayer.

The call to mass murder came across the radio in the middle of the night: "Hutus: Rise up and kill your Tutsi neighbors".

In the spring, of 1994, at the start of what become known as the Rwandan genocide, Immaculée Ilibagiza was a 22-year-old college student, home for Easter. She and her family were Tutsi. At the urging of her parents, she fled to the home of a local Episcopal priest--a Hutu--and hid with seven other women in his 3’x 4’ bathroom for three months. When they emerged 91 days later, it was to discover that almost all their friends and relatives had been murdered, hacked to pieces by the machetes of their Hutu friends and neighbors. Ilibagiza lost her parents, grandparents, and three brothers.

But instead of letting rage, grief, and a desire for revenge take over her life, Ilibagiza reached inside herself and found only forgiveness. She describes how she spent much of her time in the bathroom praying--as the screams of the murdered seeped through the single window. Yet when reciting The Lord’s Prayer, she stopped dead at “forgive those who trespass against us.” “So I am praying to God to help me out, to save me, but yet I have got anger", she has said. "There was an obstacle in my heart.”

She asked God to help her overcome that obstacle and forgive. It was, she said, a moment of complete surrender. “I gave everything to God,” she said. “Later when I saw Jesus on the cross, when He said, ‘Forgive them, Father, for they don't know what they do,’ I understood what exactly he meant and what I needed to do.” From that moment, she was able to pray for her enemies, “for this evil to come out of them,” she said. “So then that gives me a way out of my unforgiveness, of my hatred. And I felt so good.”

It is ironic that popular New Age spiritual guru, Dr. Wayne Dyer, who wrote the introduction to this powerful book, completely misses it's message about God and prayer. Dyer is a staunch advocate for the New Age belief called, "God realization." Dyer states: "God realization is the place where in your heart you take your thoughts and ask yourself, 'Are they in harmony with the source I originated from?' Everyone and everything that shows up in the world of form in this universe originates not from a particle, as quantum physics teaches us, but from an energy field. That energy field can be called God, soul, spirit, or consciousness. It looks a certain way, sounds a certain way, and feels a certain way. I try to stay in harmony with what I believe it sounds and feels like."

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). Even Immaculée Ilibagiza understands she was powerless alone to save herself, and prayed unceasingly (1Thess.5:17) for God's protection, so she could be "Left to Tell...". Her miraculous story has nothing to do with "god realization" and everything to do about "relying on God." *

Also: "Led By Faith: Rising from the Ashes of the Rwandan Genocide",
by Immaculée Ilibagiza

In her second book, continuing her story, we are taught how to trust God in all things:

"Immaculee sought a quiet room in a retreat house for solitary hours of prayer and mourning which healed her broken heart. It was a slow and painful passage bathed in tears, in which she grew into the exceptionally strong, loving woman beloved by millions.

She became a conduit of love for her surviving family members, Mother Teresa’s orphans, her colleagues at the UN, and eventually her own husband and children. Immaculee relates her story with warm humility drawing the reader into her tender presence.

Immaculee is what the world, imprisoned in the isolation of Godless materialism urgently needs, a person unafraid to love God and her fellow man intimately without fear of rejection, with a powerful love which overcomes even hatred and unthinkable acts of savagery."

(www.catholicmediareview.blogspot.com/)

There is still tension among the Tutsis and Hutus in Rwanda, "there will be tension for the next 100 years," she said. There are people with wounds from the massacres.(www.immaculee.com )

Rwanda still needs our heart felt prayers.

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*We can gain more powerful insights on the power of prayer that Immaculée discovered during her hour of need, and of that power that comes from God alone, inside Brother Andrew's book, "Prayer Works", also in St. Timothy's Church Library collection.

M.C.