Words for Silence
A Year of Contemplative Meditations
Fr Gregory Fruehwirth, OJN
Preface by Archbishop Tutu
Published by SPCK
ISBN: 978-0-281-06105-1

You have to respect anyone who can make the eating of a tuna casserole a spiritual experience, or as our PC or laptop brings us the 'blue screen of death' react by sitting quietly and saying to ourselves 'Breathing out, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile.'

I must confess that when I started reading this book I found it difficult to get into, until I realised that the problem was with me rather than the author. I'm so used to ready short and snappy meditations with a real punch, that when I was actually forced to slow down and think through some of the ideas that Fr Gregory puts across here in such a contemplative style that I realised that there's a real depth of spiritual understanding and insight in this book.

The author takes us through the liturgical year, and illustrates his meditations with illustrations taken from life within the community to which he belongs (the Order of Julian of Norwich) along with words of wisdom from a variety of 'spiritual mothers and fathers' who have influenced him.

If you are interested in exploring a more contemplative approach to your own spiritual life then this would be a good starting point. There is certainly much food for thought.

The Things He Carries
A Journey to the Cross:
Meditations for Lent and Holy Week
Stephen Cottrell
Published by SPCK
ISBN: 978-0-281-06080-1

What we have here are eight Lent studies with accompanying readings and thought provoking questions, but I think it should come with a health warning!

The author is Bishop of Reading and a key author of the Emmaus Series, and in these studies he takes no prisoners. I felt as if he he'd grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and made me follow Jesus every inch of the way as he's beaten, forced to carry that crossbeam, stumble, endure all manner of insult and indignity and finally be nailed to the cross and raised skyward.

This is an intense series of studies, beautifully written and would work just as well as a personal or group study. If you've been used to using a fairly bland and non-threatening Lent series, and then wondered why there wasn't much response from the group then I heartily recommend this book as an antidote!

The God who leads us on
Story Meditations on Salvation
Ronni Lamont
Published by SPCK
ISBN: 978-0-281-06076-4

As a preacher I am always enthusiastic to find a resource that offers a different way of looking at Bible stories, and this is one such book.

As a former teacher and minister, Ronni Lamont has a wealth of experience to call on, and this book is the result of her experiments in re-writing familiar Bible stories from a diffferent angle in order for congregations to more easily relate them to their own lives. As an example of the range on offer we have Joseph's story and tales from the stable to use at Christmas as an alternative to the usual selection.

There are 40 stories (of about 800 words each) and the themes range through the pages of the Bible - from Eve becoming a little bored with the perfect life in Eden and fancying forbidden fruit, through to the diary of a runaway slave called Onesimus.

As in all such collections, some stories work better than others, but overall the quality very good. I particularly liked the contemporary twist in the story of Herod's killing of the innocent children (but won't spoil it for you!)

There are ideas for reflections and a prayer following each item.

Desire, Love
and the Rule of St Benedict
by Andrew Clitherow
Published by SPCK
ISBN: 978-0-281-05998-0

Andrew Clitherow is Priest-in-Charge of St Cuthbert's and St John's, Lytham and also an Honorary Chaplain of Blackburns Cathedral and Chaplain to the Queen no less!

Why St Benedict? Well, there has been renewed interest over the past few years in this Rule - written for Benedictine monks in the first half of the sixth century - as a guide for those who live outside monasteries and seek guidance on how to put their faith into practice. The author explains that this Rule is short, simple and straightforward and although needs placing into a modern context (whipping children who fail to memorise a psalm is perhaps a little excessive these days!) contains a wealth of good advice on how we might live the Christian life.

Andrew Clitherow has a real desire to see the Church behaving less like a secular organisation and more like the radical lifestyle of the early believers based upon a sound and firm foundation.

In the book he explores our desires in relation to the sometimes unpredictable nature of love, and suggests ways in which we might come to terms with our humanity and divinity. He offers suggestions for practical exercises and prayers to help us reflect on the interplay between desire and love as the basis for a new way of life. Each chapter ends with a Bible passage and a prayer for reflection.

Anyone Can Pray
by Graeme Davidson,
P ublished by SPCK
ISBN: 9780281060313

New Zealander Graeme Davidson has written a very practical and down to earth resource for anyone desiring to begin or develop their Christian prayer life. He has aimed it at anyone from teenage upwards, so it’s maybe thinner than some on theology but full of practical ideas, some quite challenging and from a wide range of spiritual backgrounds.

‘Anyone can pray,’ says Davidson. ‘It’s as simple as getting in touch with your best friend!’

The book starts quite sensibly by asking (and answering) the question ‘Why pray?’ and then leads the reader through the process of praying – finding time, finding the best posture for prayer, making contact and what to say to God. The author discusses praying through the decisions of life, and asking for healing for which he offers a cautious approach ‘We can make our requests to him,’ says Davidson. ‘But God decides what he wants for us.’

There are useful sections on meditation and reflection, and the author offers examples from all shades of Christian experience (as well as a surprising section on Yoga and Zen meditation!) including the use of the Rosary, reflecting on nature and some spiritual exercises from the 16th century Inigo de Loyola.

An closing passage helpfully offers a word or two of comfort for those of us who struggle to maintain a regular prayer life. ‘Like any relationship there will be ups and downs, times when we wonder whether it’s worthwhile or whether God even bothers about us…many saints who specialised in prayer found that the more that they reached out to God, the more he became like an illusive shadow shrinking from sight.’

If that sounds like you, then Graeme Davidson has some suggestions, but you’ll have to read the book to find out what they are!

Fire of the North
The life of Cuthbert
by David Adam

Many of us might wish an epitaph such as this from the Venerable Bede, talking about Cuthbert: ‘Above all else, he was afire with heavenly love.’

Cuthbert, who for some years was both monk and bishop of Lindisfarne is obviously a great source of inspiration for writer David Adam, who himself was vicar of that same Holy Island for some 13 years.

Having researched his subject well, the author presents us with a fascinating and evocative story, which draws us into the life and times of this important Christian figure. Cuthbert's was a life of adventuring with God, where miracles and signs accompanied his journeying, and where obedience to God’s call enabled many others to be blessed.

Cuthbert was ‘The fire in the north’ and in his time at Lindisfarne attracted many to that wonderful place, led by tales of his wise council and of the healings which took place there.

He was known as an uplifter of the downcast, a comforter of the weary, a strengthener of the weak. He saw himself as a soldier of Christ. We see him as an example to follow.

First published in 1993, SPCK have wisely seen fit to re-issue this lovely little book, which will be an inspiration to many.

Franciscan Spirituality
Following St Francis Today
by Brother Ramon SSF

Brother Ramon notes in his introduction, ‘Franciscan spirituality is especially to our own day. Not only does it ground us in the biblical faith from which the Franciscan experience springs, but it roots us into the very stuff of creation, with its immediate awareness of earth, sea and sky.’

This is a book to inform and inspire any Christian looking for a way to live out the Gospel. Brother Ramon leads us through Francis’ life and times, which might surprise some have comfortable thoughts of the saint surrounded by woodland animals. Francis was a soldier at the age of twenty, taking part in a bloody battle on the Tiber. Then he had a startling vision of the crucifies Christ which was to lead to his separation from his family and the world for twenty years of service to God, establishing his Order of Poor Friars based upon the 3 vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

What is Franciscan spirituality? Brother Ramon tells us that is evangelical, rooted in the Gospels. It is a life of service to God and others, a community of love fired with a sense of mission.

Today many thousands throughout the world live as members of the Order of St Francis either within the Roman Catholic or Anglican communion.

The re-issue of this book will please many who are interested in exploring the possibilities within this modern world of following the way of this thirteenth century friar.