Month: August 2013

Book Review “A neglected Grace” by Jason Helopoulos

[amazon_link id=”1781912033″ target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]A Neglected Grace[/amazon_link]Although we never had Family worship when I grew up, I’ve long been convinced of the necessity of family worship. My convictions were reinforced a few months ago when a young man working with students here in France told me that many young people from a christian background who arrive in university have difficulties sharing the gospel. Even formulating the basics of the faith seems a challenge.

In France, secularism is so much part of our culture that even Christian families do not speak about God outside of church. People claim they have a “quiet time”, but they don’t speak together about spiritual issues. Parents do not teach their children about the gospel. They leave that into the hand of the Sunday school and the youth group. When you think that there is only one Sunday meeting, and maybe a youth group every other week, it means that the message that children hear most is the secular one.

I know there are exceptions, but they are few. In my experience, the majority of French Christian parents do not teach their children about Christ at home.

This recent book was a helpful addition to my collection of books on family worship. It offers a sound biblical grounding for family worship and gives practical advice. It is also realistic. People who speak on family worship often give an idealistic view of the practice, with quiet children listening and answering questions. It is discouraging for most families. The reality is often very different. I have got 3 young boys, and I must admit that many times I have shortened our time of worship together because of the noise and shouting. But Jason Helopoulos’ book is honest: family worship is a struggle with young children, but we must persevere. It is aimed at encouraging rather than discouraging by offering a romantic view of family worship. Jason Helopoulos doesn’t hesitate to share some of his struggles, and those of others. By doing this, he encourages us to persevere.

We live in a world that is trying to pull our children and ourselves away from the gospel. How can we make sure that every sphere of our lives are God centred? By gathering together as families to worship God. It doesn’t take long, it is doesn’t require a theological degree, and it will benefit every member of the family. This book will help you towards that goal.

Book review: “the gospel call and true conversion” by Paul Washer

[amazon_link id=”1601782365″ target=”_parent” container=”” container_class=”” ]The Gospel Call and True Conversion[/amazon_link]This book is a most welcome volume on a most important subject: conversion. There’s much confusion on the subject in the evangelical scene today. Many people are rushed into false assurance when it is clear they have never understood the gospel, repented and believed. It is time to go back to the Word of God and ask ourselves whether our idea of conversion is biblical or not. I am afraid that for many people around, it isn’t.

Reading this book was helpful. It goes back to basics, and offers a healthy criticism of today’s unbiblical gospel. It confirmed my conviction that we don’t call people to repentance anymore, and that inviting Jesus into one’s heart is not biblical.

It will be helpful to anyone who is concerned about the many people around them claiming to be “born again” without showing any signs of change in their lives. Read it, underline it, apply it… It will be worth the effort

I was sent a review copy by “Cross focused reviews”

Lucie Jégouic 1912-2013

The oldest member of our church, Lucie Jégouic, went into the presence of her Lord and Saviour last Thursday, 1st August. She was in her 101st year. In the absence of our pastor, it was my privilege to conduct the funeral. It was a new experience, but the Lord helped me, and the prayers of many people were behind me. I also asked Alain Monclair, former pastor of the Guingamp church to help me.

The funeral was on Monday in the village where her husband and son are also buried, and where she had lived most of her life. We put 120 chairs out to start with, but quickly realized it wouldn’t be enough. There were at least 180 people. Many were standing. Most of them had not heard the gospel. But a few christian friends and church members had come. A few members of the family talked about the impact Lucie had had in their lives. Someone mentioned that she’d had 64 people descending from her (children, grand-children, great-grand-children, great-great-grand-children). Many of theme were present at the funeral.

I preached from Habakuk 2:4 “The just shall live by his steadfast trust”. I started with the many changes Lucie had been through in her lifetime, but highlighted her steadfast trust in the Lord over the last 50 years since her conversion. I challenged those present by asking them if they shared her hope.

After the ceremony, the family and close friends stayed while those who were not coming to the cemetery walked past the casket. In the cemetery, I prayed again and read a few verses. After this, the family and friends paid their last respects. Then she was laid to rest in the tomb, with her husband and son, awaiting the resurrection of her body.

After the cemetery, we all went to a local restaurant to have a “gouter”: drinks, crepes and cake.

One of the traditions that struck me was the visiting hours before the funeral. People who wanted to were able to go and see the body before the day of the funeral. Every afternoon, the family would be there, in the room, waiting for people to come and visit. Thank you again for all those who prayed.