Skip to main content

Cold Tangerines

Not long to go now until REAL, and the excitement's mounting.

I follow Shauna Niequist via her blog and Twitter, and it's been fun reading along, " listening " to her, and realising we're soon going to meet her in person! She is in the final stages of writing her third book, and I'm looking forward to hearing some excerpts from it at REAL. Her two already published books are absolute favourites of mine. Each is written in a very readable style - the chapters are self contained, so you can pick the book up and read a chapter at random - great for beside the bed, on the coffee table, or in the car (that one's especially for the mums waiting to pick children up from activities!) I can't tell you how many times I've re-read each one, and each time God uses her words and her stories to encourage and challenge me.

We have Shauna's books available at Kerith Resources on Sundays - both books have already been widely read and enjoyed by all different age groups of Kerith women - buy a copy or borrow one, but do get hold of one to read before REAL to hear something of Shauna's heart.

I've reviewed Bittersweet before, so here's an encouragement to read Cold Tangerines. This beautifully written review is by my lovely young student friend Ellie Jackson.

Cold Tangerines
If you have ever pondered the spiritual significance of a cup of tea then Shauna Niequist will probably be able to reveal it to you. Cold Tangerines is a collection of exquisitely written splurges about the joy that can be found in the little things; whether that’s a cup of tea or writing in pencil or needles or pennies, Shauna candidly peels away the preconception that the ordinary is mundane and instead offers us‘a shameless appeal for celebration.' I’m under the impression that this book is not intended as a gorge-fest to be read hungrily in a couple of hours, but is neatly divided into easily digestible segments for an everyday burst of holy positivity. She advocates the beauty and the power of God in the daily grind,from the more obvious bible studies, to childhood passions, inanimate objects and influential relationships. The result is 40 chapters of honest, raw, conversational prose that spurs you on to examine what your own cold tangerines might be. It’s something to keep on your bookshelf to remind you to be grateful when life is hard and when life is good. It’s a book to share with your friends and an attitude to share with the world. It will resonate with your soul and beguile you into thinking that you’ve made a new best friend,which you have, after all we’re all sisters in Christ, but just remember that even though you might feel you know Shauna inside out, she doesn’t know your name yet!
Whatever is true, whatever isnoble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever isadmirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things Philippians 4:8









Popular posts from this blog

Guest Blog: Esther in Indonesia

I'm delighted to welcome Esther Ross-Watson to my Blog today! She is a dearly loved member of our Kerith family. She and her late husband Michael served as missionaries for many years. Esther bravely made the decision to travel again, and she has recently returned from Indonesia. Here's her story:  Whilst Michael was on his last days on earth in August 2017 he received a request from the Island of Madura, Indonesia asking us to return to the town of Pamekasen, Madura, Indonesia where we had begun our Missions work in July 1973 exactly one year after we were married. They were keen to have us see what God had been doing in the years since we’d moved on and we excitedly said ‘Yes’ we will come!   Obviously that had to go on hold for a while because I didn’t feel I could, or even wanted to go alone! Anyway around March/April time 2018, I begun to feel a gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit urging me to think some more about it! It was like a feeling of wanting to know

Our Living Hope

Not sure what happens with my blog...or me writing my blog! Can't believe I've been away from it for almost two months. Oh well, no condemnation! Let's pick it up and start again :) Yesterday was a great day in Church! I was so challenged and encouraged - I love Sundays and all the different ways God shows His love and who he is to us. Natalie Jones preached at both our morning meetings in Bracknell , she gave such a good message on generosity, be sure to catch it when the podcast comes on our website, but for now, watch a  summary of Natalie's preach At the 6pm meeting, we had Paul Manwaring sharing about culture : the 4 Gamechangers - again, a really challenging message to check out if you didn't get to hear it live. I wore my HOPE earrings yesterday - sometimes I deliberately  choose to wear them as a practical symbol that I am choosing HOPE - that I choose Jesus, I choose trust, I choose hope. I'm so glad I did, as throughout the day I felt God speak

3 Little Bottles

Thought I'd mix it up today and do something lighthearted here. I popped into town this morning (as an aside, anyone else still incredulous that "new Bracknell / The Lexicon is so great and that it's really here to stay?!)  Anyhow, I popped into town for a quick wander and bought 3 "essentials" I'd run out of, so I thought I'd share them with you - and of course I'd love to hear about your 3 recent essential purchases. 1 Contact lense solution I've worn glasses since Secondary school, and contact lenses since I left Uni. Gas permeables - great for me - slightly perilous in swimming pools / the sea / other people's sinks (£80 to replace). They work for me - and so a couple of bottles of solution each month keep me going.I ran out a couple of days ago, so it was £4.70 well spent for clean lenses and clear eyesight. 2. "Buffet" by The Ordinary This was a new one for me, a present I received last Christmas. I LOVE it and can