Reviews

Hillsong - DVD's

Review by Ruth Bromley

You may have great musicians in your Sunday school to lead and help the children worship God but most churches do not have someone like that! There are still options out there to teach the children in your ministry new songs and to help them interact with a “Superstrong God” through worship.

Hillsong Kids have been writing worship music for children for several years and they produce DVDs with child friendly characters singing the worship songs. These can be used in any children’s ministry setting or in church, allowing kids and adults to sing along with them.

Some songs from these songs have also been used in our Kids Praise Party and the children love singing along to them and doing the actions. If you are looking for something new but know there is not a musician to lead, give the DVDs a go and see how the kids learn to worship using a different medium to normal in Sunday school.

Soul Vision

Review by Graeme Thompson

It is a mounting challenge for youth leaders to reach this generation of young people who are media-driven but find the Bible increasingly remote. Excellent help is at hand though.

Many of you will know at first hand the quality of the Christianity Explored material or the youth CY version which is excellent to teach the basic story of the gospel in the context of small or even larger groups. Nate Morgan has produced an outstanding DVD which works well with the CY material or as a standalone resource and will engage teens and young adults. Using edgy and powerful images, Morgan presents the key truths of why Jesus died, the implications of His resurrection and Jesus identity and mission.

You can read more about the material at http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/outreach/christianity-explored/cy and view a trailer for the DVD, or check out the Soul web site at http://www.thegoodbook.co.uk/outreach/christianity-explored/cy.

Book Review – Amy Burtney (Young Adult, 1^st Saintfield PC)

“I wanna be.... a woman of God”

Beth Redman triumphs in writing an honest and genuinely heartfelt book, helping young Christian women become the Women of God they want to be. Living in a society engrossed with materialism means all too often, as young women, we find our desires often conform to this: “I want to be thinner, I want to be richer”. Redman’s book is a touching reminder that as Christians, our hearts true desire should be: I want to be - a woman of God; a check on our hearts to align with God's.

Redman’s book is not a sermon; it doesn’t patronize nor does it try to make us feel guilty. Instead, she offers support and encouragement to women struggling with the battles we all face – finding ourselves, jealousy and confusion. She doesn’t advise from a pedestal, but speaks from a heart that has had to fight these battles. Every chapter offers advice, and reassures readers by sharing the stories of women who have faced these battles, and by God’s grace, overcome them. Beth Redman is far from being a feminist, but her book encourages us to embrace our womanhood, to celebrate that women were always in God’s plan and to rejoice in the identity and sisterhood that we can share as Daughters of Christ.

The book is a challenging read where we are called to look at ourselves and search our hearts and question our attitudes; but if we can do this, with heart and soul, the results of this book can be life changing. This book is simply inspirational and its message is beautifully summarized in its last lines, “Trust God; don’t become disillusioned by seasons of ordinary. Work hard. Keep going. Be patient. Be faithful”.

Book Review – Neal Wilkinson (Youth Intern, 1^st Coleraine)

One: Living the Single Life

At only 100 pages in length, ‘One’ is not intended to be an in-depth exploration of singleness. It is a whistle-stop tour of some of the negative perceptions and perspectives we have in regards to being single, and an honest discussion about some of the hurts which single people face, from themselves and from others. Packed with Scripture and the testimonies and stories of others, ‘One’ tries to contrast the negative view of singleness with a Biblical positivity and many stories from various people who have chosen to be single, await marriage, been divorced or widowed.

The book begins by addressing one of the core struggles regarding Psalm 37:4 - delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart - if I desire to be in a relationship but am not, am I really delighting myself in the Lord? The book challenges us to desire God above all things and to have a new perspective of the opportunities of being single.

The book is limited by its length, and it can’t effectively cover all areas of singleness, and the related struggles; in that respect, this book is little shallow. It only briefly touches on dating and sexual desires, and focuses more on the emotions and perceptions of being single. Although I don't think it will change your life, it is a short and light read that can provide much needed reassurance and a challenge to how we view relationships and singleness.

Deep Ministry in a Shallow World