Reviews

Touching and heart-breaking

Book Editor Rebecca Goldsmith reviews Wendy Gorton Hill’s book of prayer-poems

SUBTITLED as a book of ‘psalms for parents of prodigals’, Watching the Wayward is a book of prayer-poems on the experience of having a teenage child turn away from their Christian journey and struggle with addiction.

It might seem safe to assume that the topics covered are quite straightforward and that this is a book filled nicely, but simply, with prayers lamenting the child’s turning from God and praying for their return. But I was surprised, pleasantly so, by the range of issues and emotions covered in these psalms, from drug-taking and theft to stubbornness and pride – not always on the side of the one who is adrift. This is a book of psalms seeking forgiveness, as well as a lament for someone who at present seems lost.

The words of these poems recognise the pain that encompasses a whole family when a child loses their way and the honesty of a mother and wife who doesn’t know what to do – an honesty that touched me deeply. ‘Why, Lord?’ ‘What should I do?’ ‘What could I have done?’ Although each poem is very personal, the emotions and questions that arise are ones that I imagine would be universal to parents of prodigal children, or relatives of those who have left the Church or struggled with similar addiction issues.

Each psalm is supported by a Bible verse, and some by a quote from a Christian writer or theologian. There is also a further section of supplemental Scripture and journaling questions, which offer multiple Bible references and points for prayer or reflection.

Wendy Gorton Hill’s words are touching, heart-breaking and prayerfully written. This is a book I would recommend to those who are parents of prodigals, or to anyone who wants to have a deeper empathy for those who are.

Watching the Wayward is available as a Kindle ebook priced £2.29 or as a paperback from bookdepository.com priced £9.99

REVIEW

A Christmas feast – in bite-sized chunks

Major Mal Davies reviews Sacred Risk by General Shaw Clifton (Retired)

AS Advent and Christmas approach, you may be looking for something to read that will not only put you in the right spirit for the season but also offer some spiritual food for thought. The writing of General Shaw Clifton (Retired) never fails to provide such nourishment, and this has been particularly true of his Twenty Talks series, in which Sacred Risk: Twenty Talks for Advent and Christmas sits comfortably alongside his collections of talks on Holy Week, the Psalms, the Old Testament, the Gospels, and the epistle to the Romans.

Bravely, perhaps, his opening talk in Sacred Risk is based on the genealogy of Jesus recorded in Matthew 1:1–17 – a passage he admits might be ‘the least read in public worship settings’. And yet the talk is a good example of his writing throughout the book.

We are given good insights into Scripture. We see evidence of good research. There is solid doctrinal teaching – in this instance, about the nature of salvation and the role of the Saviour. There are touches of humour and, importantly, it is written in a light, almost conversational style. In short, it is complex truth revealed in an accessible form.

As the book explores the many characters, events, and themes around that first Christmas and the coming of Christ, we gain – bit by bit, talk by talk – a complete picture of the significance of the Incarnation.

Each talk concludes with questions that can be used to initiate group discussion or for personal reflection, making the book not just a good read but also a helpful and highly recommended seasonal resource.

Sacred Risk is available from sps-shop. com priced £5 (plus postage and packing) and as a Kindle or Kobo ebook