LIFE STORIES
By D.J. Carswell
10 of Those. 115 pages. £5.99
ISBN 978 1 913 278 014
Never has it been more needful to hear messages of hope. In these uncertain times, many of our family and friends are asking questions about our faith in God and the difference that knowing Jesus personally, and the forgiveness of our sins, makes in our daily lives.
Dot Carswell has written this very accessible and easy-to-read book, full of powerful testimonies. The life stories of those featured in the chapters are honest and encouraging. From a blues singer to a loyalist paramilitary, an actress to a rocket scientist, a freedom seeker to a police officer, these testimonies portray clearly and helpfully how becoming a Christian provides peace with God and eternal hope for the future.
This book follows on from the author’s earlier book, Real Lives, and is helpfully and clearly written, making it an ideal book to give as a gift to a seeking friend. Each set of circumstances is unique, but for each person there comes a growing conviction about the truthfulness of the word of God and the sinfulness of their own heart.
The moving stories include the testimonies of Myra and John, who had been Jehovah’s Witnesses, but continued to seek after a truth they knew they did not have, until the Lord brought them into contact with real believers. Their earnest prayers that the Lord would show them the way and the truth led to the Lord saving them both. The Lord revealed to them the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9 that they could do nothing to earn God’s free gift of eternal life. They responded to the free offer of the gospel and were wonderfully saved.
Ziggy’s life story is of an upbringing in a Jewish home, in the shadow of the holocaust. His family had suffered greatly, and whilst they observed many traditions, Ziggy did not believe that God could be known personally; He was too distant and too holy. He believed that Jesus was a traitor to His people and that He deserved to be crucified. At university a close friend of Ziggy’s became a Christian. This in time brought him into contact with Christians at St Helen’s church in London’s Bishopsgate. Something in the way that they spoke about Jesus made Ziggy want to listen in a way he had never done before. Eventually, the Lord powerfully spoke to Ziggy through the book of Romans and passages from the Old Testament. Finally, Ziggy understood Isaiah 53:9 and the sacrifice that Jesus had made for him through His death on the cross.
Alison’s moving story of life as a drug addict was painful to read, as she suffered at the hands of an abusive partner. Not only did the Lord miraculously spare her life but He led her to Teen Challenge in South Wales where she came to hear about a loving Saviour and was led to repent and put her trust in Him. Gradually a deep healing took place in her heart and life and she found she had a new craving for the word of God. Her powerful story is the final testimony in the book.
Life Stories does not shy away from the harsh realities of life. They are discussed honestly, but never in a sensational way. The book ends with a chapter entitled ‘The Greatest Story Ever Told’ in which the gospel is clearly outlined, explaining in a few pages both who Jesus is and why He came to die.
I would warmly commend this book to you and ask that you prayerfully consider buying copies specifically to give away to others. In these days, we have unique opportunities to share what it means to know the Lord and how He saves ordinary people. May God give us boldness to put these testimonies into the hands of those who need to hear them!
