My Choice Words Secondhand

 Published in 1999, this could almost be yesterday's women who chose to become nuns but the writing remains fresh because it is basically transcriptions of their words. Each were asked the same set of questions. From different backgrounds and life experiences, a unique insight into religious life appears.  It could be so easy not to pick this book up because it might seem so removed from everyday life, but even for an everyday Christian there are pearls of wisdom about prayer, sexuality, guidance, being church. The interviewees have not run away from life - they have removed distractions to focus on God, become fully who they are in Christ and quietly underpin our world spiritually.

 Written in the 1970s, by Stuart K Hine - author of the classic hymn 'How Great Thou Art', the three parts of this  book are his testimony to God's leading and faithfulness in his formative years and later in his missionary work in Middle Europe in the mid 20th century.  On a historical level there is so much to explore. Where are the towns and villages he served in now? The borders were fluid during and after the world wars and as he wrote the whole area was shut off behind the Iron Curtain. The large Jewish populations he encountered were no doubt decimated. Do the churches survive? (A quick internet search suggests some do) On a spiritual/faith level the man's tireless energy, infectious faith, believing prayer shine out. He prays:answers come instantly and he gives glory to God. One stand out phrase for me was that he always began a Bible study (OT or NT) by asking what this showed us of Christ. Could I live like this? Probably not, but I am inspired by it. I wonder...