What’s new in books, DVDs and CDs?
The Psalms Project Volume 2 by Steven Faux (Elevation) Steven Faux is an award-winning composer of TV and film soundtracks so I had high expectations and I have not been disappointed. This is the second part of a project to paint musical and visual pictures of the emotions and stories we encounter in the Psalms. There is a wide range of evocative soundscapes to discover from tracks that sound like a film soundtrack, musical theatre songs, choral works and some modern classical music with great playing by the London Chamber Orchestra as well as some lovely vocal performances. I am now going to buy Volume 1 too! Reviewed by Kim Walker
REVIEWS The Great Partnership by Jonathan Sacks (Hodder) This is a truly amazing book. It will infuriate you, make you think, make you cry and feed your mind – and that’s just in the first few pages. This is without doubt such a total crushing of shallow modern world views that it should be a set text for anyone interested in such things. The book also has the human touch. Sacks talks movingly about his very ordinary but faithful father, the Holocaust and his own journey to faith. There are times, for evangelicals, where much of what he says is confronting – especially his reading of some of the Scriptures, and some times where he seems plain wrong. It is also the kind of book you’ll need to read in smallish chunks in case your brain explodes. Anyway, it’s a cracker. Read it. Reviewed by Steve Morris
Big Hearted
NO CEILING TO HOPE
by Chris Duffett and Simon Goddard
by Patrick Regan
(Gilead Books Publishing)
(Monarch)
If you struggle being inside a church building on a Sunday morning, you’ll love this. A practical, innovative guide for anyone with a passion to take the goodness of a “big-hearted” God out onto streets. From tattooing a cross onto a man in a tattoo parlour to offering free hugs to local shoppers to praying for physical healing, Duffet’s exuberance and creative spirit jumps off the page. Goddard’s middle section on the church is a helpful and practical exploration on how to nurture an outward-looking mentality in a congregation, with challenging reflections from the life of St Francis of Assisi. Inspiring, accessible and refreshing.
This is a feel-good book with a provocative edge by Patrick Regan, a youth worker turned founder of gritty charity XLP. And this book paints pictures of hope in some of the most difficult situations – home and abroad.
Reviewed by Katherine Maxwell-Cook
It is strong when Regan is on home soil – describing the work he and his comrades have done in some tough urban areas. He shows a real understanding of the dynamics of gang culture and we help but feel encouraged by his sheer determination to help in places the church has sometimes given up on. But it isn’t without its issues. It has the feel of a book that’s been dictated rather than written. It could have benefitted from a real pruning back and clarity about the purpose of the book. But it is inspiring and would benefit anyone interested working with young people on the margins. Reviewed by Steve Morris
We’ve got lots more reviews on our website, including the brilliant If God, Then What? by Andrew Wilson, Love Does by Bob Goff, and A Thorn in My Mind by Cathy Wield. eauk.org/idea
Showing Films If you are showing film scenes or entire films in your church activities then you are likely to need copyright licences from CCLI.
For further information and advice visit www.ccli.co.uk/showing-films or contact the Sales team on 01323 436103 quoting A026.
Registered in England & Wales: 2580472. VAT No. 583 6735 03. Registered Office: Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI), Chantry House, 22 Upperton Road, Eastbourne, BN21 1BF SEP/OCT 2012
IDEA MAGAZINE / 33