Archive | September 2016

Game On by Lillian Duncan

Sep18

Forgiveness Is Freeing

gameGame On by Lillian Duncan is a contemporary Christian thriller and what a fantastic one it is. Lillian Duncan draws the reader in from the start and keeps them guessing to the end.

A major theme is that of forgiveness. Forgiveness is freeing – not only to the person forgiven but also the one doing the forgiving. “She had a choice. Stay stuck in the past. Or forgive.” Too many times people stay focused on the past, unable to forgive, unable to move forwards. “You don’t want me to forgive him?… He doesn’t deserve it.” Does anyone deserve forgiveness? God forgives us because of His amazing grace. We need to extend grace to others and forgive because we are forgiven.

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Paddington (PG)

Sep17

Wonderful

paddingtonPaddington (PG) is a wonderful family film. It is one bear’s search for a home. A search to belong. The cast included many famous faces – Jim Broadbent, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Nicole Kidman and more. I just knew that I was going to be in for a great film and I was not disappointed.

Paddington has all the elements that a great family film needs – lovable characters, a ‘typical’ family unit, a nosy neighbour and a villain. It is all good family viewing.

Paddington is delightfully portrayed through animation. Those big eyes could melt the hardest heart – as Mr Brown found out. He was perfectly played by Hugh Bonneville and in complete contrast from his Lord Grantham character in Downton Abbey.

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The Secret Diary Of Hendrick Groen 83 Years Old by Hendrick Groen

Sep17

Life Through Old Eyes

hendrickThe Secret Diary Of Hendrick Groen 83 Years Old by Hendrick Groen is an account of his life during 2013. It was interesting to read of events that actually happened during that year – such as the deaths of Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela. This created a bond between the reader and the author.

Hendrick Groen lives in an old peoples residence aptly named the House Of The Setting Sun. The reader becomes acquainted with his close friends and hears his thoughts on various topics.

Life in the home needs to be more exciting so Hendrick Groen and his friends form the Old But Not Dead Club. They individually arrange surprise outings for the whole group. The closed group becomes so popular that soon many more want to join.

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Without Rival by Lisa Bevere

Sep17

Looking Fruitful Or Being Fruitful

rivalWithout Rival by Lisa Bevere is a marvellous book looking at what it means to be a woman of God without rival. I always enjoy Lisa Bevere’s books as not only are they full of godly truths but also full of common sense. Lisa Bevere talks about things that I really should know but need reminding of.

Lisa Bevere talks about how God does not love us equally but uniquely. If we were equally loved, it would mean we were replaceable – and we’re not. “I don’t love my children equally. I love them uniquely.” As earthly parents we love our children uniquely too, none of them are replaceable. To quote St Augustine “God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us.”

We also need to know whose we are. If we know that we belong to God, we can feel secure, knowing we are loved without rival. It is not just enough to know about God, we need to know Him. We also need to remember not only to talk to God but to be quiet and listen to Him. “There is a vast difference between talking about God and listening to a God who talks to you.”

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