Of No Reputation - An Ordinary Life by Stephen Grant; published by and available from John Ritchie Ltd; 111 pages. Price £5.99 (9781909803923)
In the Introduction to his book, Stephen Grant recalls his early ambition: "I was going to be Jim Elliot, Spurgeon and a bit of Wesley thrown in for good measure". Reflecting on the course of his life as a Christian, however, he concludes: "My life has been very ordinary. I am not Spurgeon, Wesley or Jim Elliot and am unlikely to morph into them any time soon". Stephen then makes the very obvious point that most of the believers in the days of the early church were ordinary people who lived ordinary lives for God. This remains the case today. He then submits that we can live for God in the circumstances of normal life - and for most of us, he says, this is what God wants us to do: "Ordinary is good as far as God is concerned … An ordinary life is beautiful to God".
In the chapters that follow, Stephen then gives helpful advice on how to live for God. He suggests that Satan seeks to disturb our ordinary lives and make us discontented. He writes openly about his personal struggles to maintain spiritual discipline, emphasising the importance of reading the Bible and prayer, and giving useful suggestions: "Read when you feel like it and read when you don't". "The Spirit of God shapes and changes our character as we regularly fill our minds with the Truth of God." He recalls difficult occasions in his life when particular verses were a great encouragement to him. He addresses three problems in relation to prayer: prayer is time consuming, prayer is repetitive and prayer seems pointless, but ends that chapter: "Let me encourage you in your ordinary life to pray every day".
Taking as his text 1 Thessalonians 4.11: "Aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands", Stephen considers in detail that exhortation of Paul. One chapter is devoted to "A Quiet Life"; the next, to "Mind Your Own Business", and the third, to "Work With Your Own Hands". He emphasises the importance of humility, of concentrating on our own walk with the Lord, and the character of work. Work is worship and work is witness.
The book concludes with a consideration of "The Effect of an Ordinary Life" and "A Tribute to an Ordinary Life". "Deep impressions are made upon unbelievers by ordinary lives", and Stephen then pays tribute to a believer from Shetland, Jenny Leslie, who in an ordinary life accomplished much.
Written with honesty and with many personal illustrations, the book is easy to read. It would be of particular help to those who are younger, but all believers will find it useful.
-FM
Pastures for the Flock by John Ritchie; published by and available from John Ritchie Ltd; 300 pages. Price £8.99 (9781909803893)
It is fitting that John Ritchie Ltd should include in its Classic Series a selection of the ministry of its founder John Ritchie. In his generation, John Ritchie was a noted evangelist and author. Born in 1853 in Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, he knew the gospel from early years. The effects of the 1859 revival, when literally thousands were saved, were still evident as he grew up. He himself was saved in the same week as 19 other young people in the same area. At that time he was about 18 years of age.
Pastures for the Flock is a compilation of 24 addresses originally delivered to young believers. In the scope of its pages, the author deals with a great variety of important matters relevant to the young and the not-so-young; these include fundamental truth related to salvation and the steps that follow salvation – baptism, separation from the world, the value of Scripture, assembly fellowship, and Christian stewardship. Both as an evangelist and later as a publisher, John Ritchie sought to address the needs of young people. The approach in the 24 addresses included in Pastures for the Flock is that of a teacher well aware of how to present truth to young minds. He is forthright but not condescending. His language ensures the teaching is accessible. Nor does he avoid certain aspects of truth in the interest of popularity, e.g. in dealing with the mode of baptism, or the Councils who issue bulls, frame canons or devise laws, outside the Word of God to be obeyed by adherents of a particular denomination.
There is little dated about the Pastures for the Flock. Young men and women were a particular focus of John Ritchie's ministry. They and many who have relaxed their hold on the lessons they were taught in their youth, would benefit from his teaching.
-TW
