Recommended Reading for Summer 2023

Here at CVE Scotland we love a good book! We’re hoping that over the summer you will have time to grab a book and settle down in peace and quiet, for a few hours at least! Here are our recommendations for this summer, followed by a fantastic offer for free and discounted Christian books for school staff and school chaplains:

Zeal without Burnout, Christopher Ash – reflect on how to pace ourselves in our various responsibilities and tasks. This book was UCCF Teaching Network’s latest Book Club read. The target audience is church leaders, but the messages can be applied to balancing our work in school.

Brave by Faith, Alistair Begg. ‘God-sized confidence in a post-Christian world’.

“Don’t doubt that there are going to be moments when you face the same choice that Daniel did: between loyalty to the prevailing winds of our culture …and loyalty to God, at great and increasing cost. … Remember to lift your eyes to a higher throne, a greater King, and a nobler cause.”

In his customary accessible style Alistair Begg has written 7 short chapters packed with practical wisdom to help us to live as Christians in a society that doesn’t like what we believe, what we say or how we live.  This book could change the way you think about everything!

God’s Kingdom will last for ever. Regain confidence, hope and joy as you read.

Another book tackling a similar theme is

Being the Good Bad Guys: How to live for Jesus in a world that says you shouldn’t, Stephen McAlpine

If it is more of a novel style book you’d like to get lost in whilst relaxing by the pool then these two books are more story-like thrilling and inspiring stories of bravely swimming against the tide:

Gloria!: The Archbishop’s Wife, Abidemi Sanusi (Synopsis from AbeBooks: “The wife of an Anglican bishop could expect a life of peace and comfort. But Benjamin Kwashi is the bishop of Jos in Nigeria, a place that is torn by Muslim-Christian violence. Gloria Kwashi has had her home burnt down and has endured rape and beatings. One of the beatings left her blinded, until surgery was able to restore her sight. Despite this, she continues to reach out to widows and orphans and supports her husband in his remarkable ministry in Northern Nigeria. This book is a record of love and endurance that should stimulate us to examine our own lives and how we respond to adversity.”)

Neither Bomb Nor Bullet: Benjamin Kwashi (Summary from 10 of those: “In the warzone that Nigeria has become, Archbishop Ben Kwashi has survived three assassination attempts. A brutal assault on his wife, Gloria, drove him to his knees – to forgive and find the strength to press on. Islamist militants have Nigeria in their sights. These are the terrorists who kidnapped hundreds of Christian schoolgirls – who have vowed to turn Africa’s most populous nation into a hard-line Islamic state. Their plan is to drive the Christian minority from the north by kidnapping, bombing and attacking churches. Plateau State is on the frontline. But holding that line against Boko Haram, and standing firm for the Gospel, is Ben Kwashi, the Anglican Archbishop of Jos. In Jos, churches have been turned into fortresses and Archbishop Ben now conducts more funerals than weddings and baptisms put together. Yet his faith grows ever more vibrant. He has adopted scores of orphans who live in his home, including many who are HIV positive. And the challenge of his message – to live for the Gospel even in the face of terror – has never been so timely.”)

If you’d like to reflect on your vocation in schools then these two books will come in handy:

To Infinity and Turn Left: Exploring God’s Purpose for Christian Teachers – Graham Coyle

On Christian Teaching by David Smith

Special offer for schools workers:

We have recommended books from Dernier Publishing before. They have recently begun a new offer to help get good quality Christian books into schools for their pupils and we’re delighted to be able to share this deal with you.

Dernier Publishing will send a pack with some promotional material, a free copy of The Dove Stone (for 8-12s, written by a teacher with schools use in mind), and an offer of 30% off books (for a limited time), to any teacher/schools worker who requests it. If you are a teacher/librarian/schools chaplain, they’d love to send you the book and offer. All you need to do is contact them (email <info@dernierpublishing.com>) with your postal address… and they will send a pack in the post.

Dernier Publishing also have monthly offers for schools, via email, with a different book each time. Teachers/school workers can sign up from the Schools page on the website: dernierpublishing.com/schools.