Rob Seabrook

Rob Seabrook

Author of Beneath the Tamarisk Tree

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Category: Bible Study

Finding Jesus in the Wilderness – Rachel Yarworth

For those who find themselves in the midst of a wilderness season, who need a dose of friendly encouragement, some truths spoken over them…

Deep Roots, Good Fruit – Kristin Elizabeth Couch

In the Bible, the book of Galatians has that well known passage “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,…

Christmas Uncut – Carl Laferton

Christmas Uncut presents a less sugar-coated version of the Christmas story than we might normally see or hear, explaining what actually happened when Jesus…

Dawn – Mark Miller

This is a detailed, hour by hour account, of all that happened from Jesus’s death on the cross to his Resurrection, taking its cues…

Nehemiah For You – Eric Mason

This is an excellent study of the book of Nehemiah. It begins with some helpful background as to how the book of Nehemiah fits…

Revelation Explained – K.J. Soze

Despite the introduction recommending that the reader prepares by reading the first book, The Message For The Last Days, I decided to launch in…

Recent Reads

  • The Language of Rivers and Stars – Seth Lewis
  • The Veil – Blake Healy
  • Where the Light Fell – Philip Yancey
  • Understanding Trauma – Dr Steve Midgley
  • Just Benny – Alex Banwell
  • Bound by Blood – Shawn D Brink
  • The Folded Lie – Mary Graf
  • Finding Jesus in the Wilderness – Rachel Yarworth
  • Keep On Keeping On – Mark Rutland
  • Nun’s Drift – Sheila Jacobs

rob_seabrook

Author of Beneath the Tamarisk Tree, a fictional take on the miraculous story of the Penitent Thief. Christian book reviews.

BOOK REVIEW - The Language of Rivers and Stars by BOOK REVIEW - The Language of Rivers and Stars by @sethlewis.ie 

Seth rightly points out that for many people, being in the natural world, surrounded by beauty, is often a way for us to feel a peace and connection to God, the Creator. So his aim in this book is to help the reader experience the beauty of creation in a deeper way, offering a biblical understanding of what God is saying to us through the world He has created.

Seth has a poetic style of writing that glides along, effortlessly explaining and unfolding the logic and theology, highlighting the beauty of the created world and the reason why we inherently relate to it. He describes the created world as God's language, His equivalent to words, written for us like beautiful prose or perfect poetry.

He weaves in Scripture to highlight that God's words, Scripture, and nature share a common language.

Seth has a lovely use of language, his words paint pictures of the beauty of creation, showing us why we are inspired by all that God has created for us to enjoy. The language of creation speaks loudly to us, telling us how much God wants us to be in relationship with Him. That is the purpose. So that we will draw near, lean in and embrace. So that we will know Him close.

One section of the book offers a chapter on each of the seven days of the Genesis creation account, which could also work well to be read as a daily devotional or even a study series for a home group or discussion group.

See www.robseabrook.com for more reviews of Christian books (link in Bio).

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.
BOOK REVIEW - The Veil by @blakekhealy This is a BOOK REVIEW - The Veil by @blakekhealy 

This is a book that is so far from anything I have read before, so profoundly revelatory, that it brings about a complete change of perspective. This makes it sound like a book everyone should read ... I am not so sure.

Blake talks in detail and openly about the spiritual gift he has been blessed with. His story goes that for as long as he can remember he has seen angels and demons, as clearly as he would see people stood right in front of him. He describes how he has matured in this gifting, whilst understandably having to overcome the fear and confusion of what he saw.

Some will find it just plain weird and unconnected with anything they have learned before of the Christian faith. Others, like me, will find it challenging to the core and will open their eyes to a new way of understanding spiritual things.

I am not sure that the sort of gifting that Blake has is one I would like. It comes with a heavy weight of responsibility to handle it well, without it driving you to the brink of insanity. Ultimately though, the core message is that whatever is going on in spiritual realms, seen or unseen, and whatever is seen or prophesied, the only important element is that it works towards forming and maintaining a stronger relationship with the Father. That is all. We do not worship the signs and wonders, we worship the Father whose presence brings them into being...

Read the full review at www.robseabrook.com (link in Bio)

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BOOK REVIEW - Where the Light Fell by @philipyance BOOK REVIEW - Where the Light Fell by @philipyanceyofficial 

Philip's book, What's So Amazing About Grace, is one of the first Christian books I read. A classic that opens up truths about the love of God and His immense and abundant grace.

Reading now about Philip's childhood and upbringing, it seems to me to be truly miraculous that he even made it through, let alone being able to write such depths of faith. It makes that book even more poignant and powerful.

The Christian fundamentalism that surrounded his childhood and teenage years I find frightening. The institutionalised racism, misogyny and basic lack of love, on the surface at least, appears abhorrent when judged by our current attitudes and standards. Maybe this is an unfair judgement to make? However, it seemed to lead to disfunction in the family, emotional abuse and a pushing away from faith (sadly faith getting mixed up with religion).

You could argue that the fundamentalism resulted in Philip being intellectually challenged, and without this challenge and working out the truths about God, we may never have gained from his wisdom. To say that God works for good in all circumstances I hope is not cold comfort, because the physical and emotional pain was real and harsh, and should not be belittled.

This book will help us to see through the clutter, falsehoods and religiosity that can work to keep us from God's truths. I pray you read it so that it will also help you to question and seek truths for yourself. And don’t miss Philip’s other great writing too.

Reading this book also makes me question our (society's) attitude to the importance of parenting. So often, psychologists, psychiatrists, councillors and even faith healers will, for the right reasons, dissect someone’s childhood as being the root cause of so many issues. So often people survive life despite their upbringing, rather than because of it...

Read the full review at www.robseabrook.com (link in Bio).

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I had the pleasure of taking part in the recording I had the pleasure of taking part in the recording of a podcast for the lovely team at @ctvc.ltd , discussing the topic of repentance, inspired by the story of St Dismas (The Penitent Thief) who was crucified next to Jesus.

He was the inspiration behind me writing my novel Beneath The Tamarisk Tree - more details on the novel at www.robseabrook.com

We had a lovely discussion about how redemption plays out in our lives and how the thief’s story of repentance can inspire those in search of hope and transformation.

Do have a listen to the podcast at www.thingsunseen.co.uk or search for the Things Unseen podcast on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts from.

#christian #biblical @mdpublishing @michaelemmettofficial @dismasministry
BOOK REVIEW - Understanding Trauma by Dr Steve Mid BOOK REVIEW - Understanding Trauma by Dr Steve Midgley

With the particular focus on helping us as churches to understand how trauma can affect individuals, this is a practical resource that will help us to see how we can support sufferers.

It is especially ideal for pastors, elders, leaders and those in ministry, as it will help them to understand what trauma is and how it affects people, including their experience of church, so that we can lovingly support them.

The author, Dr Steve Midgley, trained as a psychiatrist before later being ordained and serving as a vicar, as well as being an experienced Counsellor, allowing him to offer both a professional and a Biblical perspective on the topic.

I often remind myself that everyone has a story, a set of experiences and circumstances that have led to them being the person they are today. The important thing for them to know is that the person they are, warts and all, is known and loved by God. Our role as the church is to reflect that love and wholly accept them, whilst doing all we can to help, heal, nurture and build them up.

The church is in a privileged situation to help people who suffer with trauma. The Church is relational, a community where individuals can rediscover their identity in Christ, know their value and be accepted for who they are. Churches are places of fellowship and community, environments where people can find genuine acceptance without judgement. Or they should be. They need to be.

This book is very much an introduction to the topic, showing how the church can be wholly accepting and able to put in place some practical measures to support those who are experiencing the effects of trauma.

See more reviews of Christian books at www.robseabrook.com

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #newbooks #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #newchristianbooks #christian #biblical #recentreads @thegoodbookcompanyuk @thegoodbookcompanyusa @thegoodbookau
BOOK REVIEW - Just Benny by Alex Banwell Just Ben BOOK REVIEW - Just Benny by Alex Banwell

Just Benny is a story of reconciliation, and how the power of love can break in to repair brokenness, especially in relationships. Initially the characters discover love in their own strength, then later on the main character finds a deeper reconciliation driven by relationship with Jesus.

The story is of a boy called Benny, who suffers from epilepsy. He is endlessly protected by his mother, who stifles him with love. His father is disappointed by him, unable to bring himself to accept him or his illness. His sister is the glue who seems to hold them together, despite the impact he has had on her own childhood. And then at school he is an easy target for the bullies, especially when his seizures offer them so much easy ammunition.

Benny has zero self-esteem, immense insecurities and he and all those around him define him by his illness. He sees himself as being wholly unlovable.

But Benny finds strength to persist, perhaps reflecting the in-built urge to find love that is in us all. He finds a way to repair the relationship with his father who ultimately also digs deep to come to terms with the situation. Benny also finds strength and becomes the catalyst in repairing the relationships between his friends and their families, especially through his friendship with an older teenage girl who despises her own difficult circumstances. His developing love for her and her baby daughter is heart-warming to see, and brings healing to her.

It is also a story of innocent romance, with these two seemingly mis-matched characters becoming close, initially due to them both being rejected by their own families. They find that care for each other is so valuable and it grows into a genuine love.

In the end …

Read the full review at www.robseabrook.com (link in Bio).

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #christian #christianbooksstore #christianfiction #recentreads #christianbookclubs @broadplacepublishing
BOOK REVIEW - Bound by Blood, by @shawn.brink2 F BOOK REVIEW - Bound by Blood, by @shawn.brink2 

Firstly, let me address the issue of the genre that this book finds itself in, that of 'Christian horror', as I am not sure it is truly pitching it right. The book tells the story of a demonic cult who pitch themselves against a Christian church in a battle over the town. A brother goes against his twin, and the angels and demons take their sides.

So yes, it has content about the dark side of spirituality, in the same way that the books of Frank Peretti and Wendy Alec do. But in no way does it glorify that dark side, nor does it aim to entertain the reader with gore, haunting or shock. It uses the dark effectively to show the power of the light. To highlight the victory. It has none of the gratuitous content that one may associate with a “horror” story.

It is fast paced, full of suspense, maybe not a relaxing read but certainly entertaining in the same way that riding a roller-coaster is enormous fun. It is a powerful story of spiritual warfare, in the heart of a typical community that harbours both sides of the spiritual divide.

It is tense, scary, adrenalin inducing and the underlying message highlights the pull that the darker side of life can have, and the desperate lies that are presented to make it seem attractive, but despite the lies that our human nature is drawn to, there is a spiritual dimension that is more powerful.

See more reviews of Christian books at www.robseabrook.com (link in Bio),

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #newbooks #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #christian #christianfiction #recentreads #christianbookclubs
BOOK REVIEW - The Folded Lie by Mary Graf Fraud a BOOK REVIEW - The Folded Lie by Mary Graf

Fraud and scams can happen to anyone, whoever we are, whatever our beliefs and however clever or educated we think we are, and it is the victims who are often the ones left with extreme shame and guilt.

Ironically, in this story, it is a media literate teacher, who thinks the influence that mass media spreads through our culture, and the motives and methods employed, make us all victims of a global scam on humanity. But despite her expertise, experience and simple gut-instincts, her husband still falls victim of an elaborate and convincing scam.

It is an interesting read, as it presents both side of this extravagant scam, defrauding a businessman and his family out of his life savings. It shows the sort of lengths a con artist will go to, with high levels of sophistication to cover their tracks, as well as the sort of circumstances that combine to draw people in. I found myself asking if the driving force is the same greed on both sides of the equation?

There is a fairly light touch of faith through the book, although the fraudsters use it at one point as a way of gaining trust, faking shared beliefs to encourage empathy. A strategy that to me echoed Jesus's temptation in the desert, and a deception that believers need to have discernment over.

The story shows the similarity between complicated frauds and video games, how the web of complicated story lines, plot and characters can drag you in to become embroiled, seduced perhaps. But certainly manipulated and deceived.

There is an underlying theme of whether improved education, especially in the area of media literacy, would help people be more informed, more questioning and hence less likely to be caught by scams. Above all I came away knowing that we need discernment more than ever, as scams are increasingly all around us.

See www.robseabrook.com for more reviews of Christian books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author, but was under no pressure to provide a favourable review.

#bookstagram #bookreview #bookblogger #newbooks #christianbookstagram #instareads #christianbooks #newchristianbooks #christian #christianfiction @thefoldedlie
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