Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet


God Speaks – 40 Letters from the Father’s Heart 


Beautifully presented and illustrated journal which has its origins in Lent, but could be used at any time of year



God SpeaksGod Speaks – 40 Letters from the Father’s Heart
By Ruth O’Reilly-Smith
Authentic Media
ISBN: 978-1-78893-222-6
Reviewed by: Jeannie Kendall


Let me start with a confession. I am really choosy about journals. I don’t journal every day, but do have seasons of it. Recently I went to a Christian bookshop to replace one I had finished, but could not find anything. Some, in all honesty, were overpriced notebooks, and none had the mix of content and space to reflect that I was searching for.

So I was intrigued to be sent this journal from Ruth O’Reilly-Smith. To begin with, it is beautifully presented and illustrated, hardback with shades of green and blue, which for me at least, matters in a journal. Its origin was Lent 2020 when Ruth felt prompted to write a letter from God as part of her own journaling. Each of the 40 days in the book has that letter, an illustrated Bible verse, an ‘Ask God’, ‘Prayer’ and ‘My thoughts’ section for reflection. Although it has its origins in Lent, it could be used at any time of year.

The style of letter – very much as the subtitle suggests a letter from the Father to a Beloved child – will not suit everyone. However for many it will be just right and makes a beautiful gift, perhaps especially for someone who has either not tried journaling, or prefers some structure to do so. 
 

Jeannie Kendall is a recently retired Baptist minister, a current tutor on the Pastoral Supervision course at Spurgeon’s College, and the author of Finding Our Voice and Held in Your Bottle 

 

Baptist Times, 20/12/2021
    Post     Tweet
Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson
'Brings her unique experiences as a novelist to bear on the nature of the text, while sharing her insights as a female writer on the importance of women'
Giving the Church, by Michael Moynagh
Giving the Church is a comprehensive critique of how the church at large presents itself to contemporary society
A Handful of Pennies, by Afaf Musallam
This Palestinian Christian Arab woman’s long journey searching for identity and peace works on several levels
Easter Inside Out: The story as if you were there, by David Kitchen
​​'If this kind of retelling scripture is something you have never tried, this is a great place to start'
Raised to Stay, by Natalie Runion
The author uses her own trauma to reflect and share what she has learned; an engaging read but perhaps more suitable for a US context
365 Truths for Every Woman's Heart, by Holley Gerth
'A really useful resource that when everything gets too much in the day (or night), can provide a calming reminder of how God never leaves us or forsakes us'
    Posted: 21/03/2025
    Posted: 04/10/2024
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast