Library
Our Church Library has
experienced extraordinary growth since its development in February 1997.
Beginning with just 237 books and 36 videos, located on a few shelves in
the Church Office, we now have
1400 books:
Apologetics...Bibles...Bible Study...Biography
Christian
Life...The Church...Commentary
Cults/Religion...Death/Grief/Suffering...Devotional
Evangelism...Fiction...Grandchildren's Shelf
Health/Medical...Men...Missions
Prayer...Prophecy...Psychology...Reference...Science
Social/Moral
Issues...Theology/Doctrine...Women
We also have 124 Videos, 40 Audio
Cassettes,
and a variety of Magazines.
A view of our beautiful new
library,
located to the rig
ht of the foyer
entrance.
Book Report
John Newton
From Disgrace to Amazing Grace
Marilyn Stewart (Author
Jonathan Aitken
Millions can identify with the account of "a great sinner" as John
Newton described himself. His love story, slave ship story,
conversion story, hymn-writing story and fifty year story of
Christ-centered service combined into a personal epic that fascinated
and inspired his contemporaries.
Newton's early years were indeed disgraceful. He was a wild &
angry young man who rebelled against authority at every opportunity,
starting with foolish acts of disobedience against his father. At
the age of eighteen he joined the Royal Navy. He broke its rules
so recklessly that he earned himself a public flogging for desertion.
Filled with "bitter rage & black despair", he was torn between
committing suicide adn murdering his captain. Only his love for a
thirteen-year-old girl he had met, Polly Catlett, restrained his
destructive instincts.
Transferred from a warship to a slave ship in Madeira, Newton became
even wilder in his behavior. Next he worked for a shore-based
slave trader in Sierra Leone. He indulges in every available vice
including witchcraft. He was accused of stealing, imprisoned in
chains, starved and treated brutally. He was rescued by a ship's
captain. During the voyage home he again was a troublemaker.
The ship encountered a violent storm and Newton found himself praying to
God. After that day until his death he never let a year go by
without recognizing in prayerful thanksgiving what he called his "great
turning day" of conversion
Newton's conversion was a struggle and he went back to sea and the slave
trade. As commander of slave ships he developed and aversion to
the slave trade because it involved so much brutality. he left
slave trading at the age of twenty-nine and married Polly who remained
his wife until her death after 40 years of marriage.
At age 33, Newton felt called to serve God as an ordained minister.
he suffered rejection after rejection for six years because he was a
sympathizer with Methodists, Independents & Baptists. He became
pastor of a church and the church grew tremendously. He wrote
several books and hymns, among them his most popular "Amazing Grace".
His finest hour as a figure of influence began when William Wilberforce
sought his advice concerning politics and of course this led to
abolishing the slave trade in England.
A study of his diaries and prayer journals show he was a true servant of
Jesus Christ. Throughout his long and influential public life, the
outstanding features of Newton's private character were faith, humility
and gratitude. Almost the last words ever spoken by John Newton
showed what an effective communicator he was. "I am a great
sinner" he said, "but Christ is a great Savior."
Book review by Laura Lickteig
NOTE: This author was a well-known author and former politician.
His political career ended when he pleaded guilty to charges of perjury
as a result of having told a lie on oath in a civil libel lawsuit.
During his prison stay he converted to Christ. He is the author of
Charles W. Colson: A Life Redeemed/" He obviously relates closely
to Charles Colson and his prison experience and conversion
NEW BOOKS
Bible Study
All the Women of the Bible by M.L. del Mastro
Fiction
Rain Song by Alice Wisler
Sisterchicks in Wooden Shoes by Robin Jones Gunn
Sunrise Song by Catherine Palmer
Take Two (Above the line #2) by Karen Kingsbury
A Dream of our Own (Gallatine County #3) by Tracie Peterson
Bride in the Bargain by Deanne Gist
Whispers Along the Rails (Postcards from Pullman #2) by Judith
Miller
Christian Living
Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ by John Piper
I Really Want to Change - So Help Me God by James MacDonald
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