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S H U T - I N A MUSING by Donald Calhoun
P eer in g OUT from my bedroom window on this brisk winter Sunday morning, I watch the family car pull slowly out of the driveway and head in the direc tion of our local Wesleyan Meth odist church. Settling back on my bed, I am suddenly struck with the startling realization that to day is different for me—not just because I shall not be privileged to attend church with my family, for this is usually the case since my work as a conference presi dent takes me to the various churches of the conference. Today is altogether different. I shall not be attending church at all. I am a shut-in. I wonder if our church classi fies me as a shut-in. I have been shut in for three days, and that is a long time for most of us. How long does a shut-in need to be shut in order to be a true shut-in? Per haps I’ll need to check the Disci pline on this, or maybe I should write to Headquarters. It doesn’t really matter; I am shut in any way. It is time for me to begin wor ship now, but how do shut-ins worship? Funny, I’ve never thought of that before. I should have asked Mother on Thanks giving Day. She is a shut-in some times when it snows and she can’t get the car out. Well, of course, shut-ins listen to a good sermon on the radio. I heard someone say that. Let’s see what I can get on this transis tor. There is a program coming from the Presbyterian Church in Boston, but Boston seems so far away. Here is one from the local Calvary Baptist, but he is giving the invitation already. Now isn’t this one different — playing the guitar and preaching at the same time. Wonder if I could ever do that. No, those boots would hurt my feet. We surely do need some
Tyndale House Publishers (336 Gun derson Drive, Wheaton, 111. 60187). Living Letters read by Cliff Bar- rows has been released on tape. Liv ing Psalms and Proverbs by George Otis, and a tape version in the Phil lips cassette format of The Living Letters are scheduled for release this summer. Total publication has now likely passed the 4,000,000 mark. In this book twenty-nine outstand ing Christian education leaders cover a comprehensive survey of ministry among youth, involving the total pro gram of the church, Christian schools and other outside agencies. Such well-known writers as Paul Fromer, Ted Engstrom, Margaret Jacobsen, Harold Gamer, Bill Bynum, Edward Hayes, and Henry Brandt are among those who participate in this excel lent text. In a day and age of fast changing operations, this book would be an imperative for any Christian education or youth leader in the church.—442 pages; cloth; Moody Press, Chicago, 111.; $5.95. Youth and The Church Edited by Roy G. Irving and Roy B. Zuck THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY by F. J. Huegel. 116 pages; cloth; Bethany Fellowship, lncv Min neapolis, Minn.; $2.50. Well known for his for mer publications such as "Bone of His Bone," the author delves into such questions as the rea son God simply did not destroy Satan and be done with the problem of sin. The author's min istry has been greatly blessed of the Lord in cluding missionary service for nearly half a cen tury in Mexico. LIVING IN HOPE OF ETERNAL LIFE by Paige Patterson. 56 pages; cloth; Zondervan Publish ing House, Grand Rapids, Mich.; $2.95. It is difficult to find many publications which give a verse-by-verse commentary on the little book of Titus. The author, who has pastored churches in Texas and Louisiana, as well as doing mission ary evangelism throughout the Orient and Near East, presents the discussion of this book which gives the Christian reason to live in expectation of the soon-coming of Jesus Christ. THE SOURCE BOOK OF HUMOR by James C. Hefley. 205 pages; cloth; Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Mich.; $4.95. Those who do speaking regularly know how to employ suc cessfully humor as a means of emphasizing cer tain points and also relaxing an audience. The author, who has prepared a number of books of illustrations, has categorized carefully more than 2000 stories which can be used in church gather ings. Interestingly, he arranges several pages in the back of the book for recording the use of material to avoid repetition. BOOK ENDS_____ (A Review of Current1 Publications)
The Living Bible Translations The translation phenomenon of the decade, and in some respects of all time, is the series of Living Bible translations of Kenneth N. Taylor and his staff of associates. Mr. Tay lor studied at Dallas Theological Seminary, and finished his theologi cal training at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served sev eral years on the editorial and pub lication staff of the Moody Bible In stitute, where he was at one time in charge of the distribution of the famous Colportage Series. He has ten children, and the translations that have caught on so rapidly and so widely were prepared originally for them. First to appear was Living Let ters, the paraphrased Epistles. This was followed by Living Gospels, Liv ing Prophecies, Living Psalms and Proverbs and Living Lessons of Life and Love (including Ruth, Esther, Job, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon). The New Testament has been issued in one volume. Presum ably other parts of the Old Testa ment are being translated. A “ second generation” series, so to speak, has proved very popular as well. Selections from the other works are presented for children or teen agers with delightful drawings and illustrations, in some cases in color. Come Alive is the teenage edition of Romans. Speak Out is an illustrated edition of the Acts. Get Smart pre sents Proverbs for young people. The Living Story of Jesus is a de lightfully illustrated paraphrase of the Gospels for children in hardback. The Man Jesus is a paraphrased har mony of the Gospels’ account of the life of Christ for the teenage group. Living Words for Today is a de votional book with selections from The Living New Testament. Junior Devotions for Campers, and Teenage Devotions for Campers likely will find a wide circulation this summer. Heads Up! is an illustrated edition for youth of some of the Epistles. Rebel with a Cause covers Taylor’s paraphrased Book of Mark. A Serv icemen’s Living New Testam en t rounds out the list as presented in the latest promotional brochure of
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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