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Rescources and material to challenge and encourage your faith

BOOKSHELF At HOLY REDEEMER
On the bookshelf this month is an intriguing book written by Adrian Plass called The Visit. It isn’t a hefty read and – it’s got pictures! But it’s the kind of book that makes you think, challenges preconceptions (that’s if you want to be challenged).


The author imagines that an ordinary run-of-the-mill church gets notice that the founder of the church (Christ himself) is coming on an extended visit, and the news is received with mixed feelings by leaders and congregation.

‘Each of us reacted to the news in our own way, but I think the thing we had in common was a feeling that the game (albeit a very sincere and meaningful game for some) was over. No more pretending when he came. He would know.

Anyway, Sunday arrived at last, and sure enough, he came…………’

The narrator in The Visit is the church organiser and he goes ahead with his organising, expecting that Jesus will slot into all the arrangements and behave in just the way the Bible seems to indicate he would. What a shock is in store – this is a Jesus who doesn’t do what he should, a Jesus even more loving and ‘real’ than anyone could have imagined.

Which of us has always wanted to see a miracle? The narrator is always in another place when miracles occur but finally he experiences a miracle of an even greater kind, his relationship with his dying mother is restored. (If you don’t reach for the tissues at this point you need a new heart!)

Give this book a go, and as you read imagine the Visit was to us at Holy Redeemer……… would we have been as comfortable as we think?