Twirl: A Fresh Spin at Life by Patsy Clairmont (W Publishing)
Women of Faith speaker Patsy Clairmont pens an uplifting volume in Twirl: A Fresh Spin at Life. The author chooses the title from the children’s game of twirling in circles until the world whirls in dizziness. She reminds readers most people have opted to live in the “spin cycle” of busyness.
Like the book’s name, Clairmont titles the 26 chapters with a single word, such as “Fragrance,” “Stars” and “Cuddle.” She closes each with reflections. For example, in a chapter about pets, she asks: “What pets have you owned? What was your favorite pet? Why? Has a pet ever saved your life? How?”
Clairmont, an outstanding speaker, liberally sprinkles the pages with Scripture verses, quotes and wisdom. She shares Bible stories, personal stories, family stories, friends’ stories and stories that relate to almost any age or stage in life. While the book will attract females because of the author’s connection to women’s conferences, males also can enjoy Clairmont’s writing.
Twirl could be used as a daily or weekly devotional book. However, the reader may not be able to resist polishing off multiple chapters or the whole volume in a single sitting. I couldn’t.
Kathy Robinson Hillman, first vice president
Baptist General Convention of Texas
Waco
The 40 Most Influential Christians Who Shaped What We Believe Today by Daryl Aaron (Bethany House)
Sign up for our weekly edition and get all our headlines in your inbox on Thursdays
Daryl Aaron, professor of biblical and theological studies at the University of Northwestern in St. Paul, Minn, gives readers a chronology and synopsis of key people who have shaped Christian doctrine, beginning in the first century with Clement of Rome and ending with 20th century evangelical theologian Carl F.H. Henry.
Each chapter has three sections—context, contribution and conclusion. Aaron writes about influential figures from across the theological spectrum. The 300-page book includes a bibliography divided into primary and secondary resources. Aaron also includes copies of both the Nicene Creed and the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed.
The approach is academically sound but easy to read. Most likely, you will find your favorite theologian as the subject of a chapter. This is an extremely interesting book.
Skip Holman, minister of discipleship
Northeast Baptist Church
San Antonio
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.