In her typically engaging and enthralling style, Faith Cook shows us how God graciously works in individuals' lives. Among others here we find the encouraging short stories of John Foxe, Fanny Guinness, John Gifford and ‘Grimshaw's men', Paul Greenwood and Jonathan Maskew. ‘Those who turn many to righteousness shall shine like the stars of heaven for ever and ever' (Daniel 12:3).
'Stars in God's sky' is just vintage Faith Cook. Don't miss out on this new treasure; instead, buy, read, enjoy, be blessed, and share with others!'
Roger Carswell, Evangelist, Leeds, UK
'If Faith Cook wrote a comic book, I would buy it! Reading her mini-biographies, as in Stars in God's Sky (and a raft of others), is always a soul-nourishing, faith-fortifying exercise. I love her tendency to by-pass the all-stars and focus on the 'dirt disciples' who simply slug it out in faithfulness to Jesus. We are again in her debt. My father used to tell me, 'Anything J. C. Ryle writes is good!' And I've the same opinion of Faith Cook. I hope preachers read her stuff--it'll both nourish their souls and improve their sermon illustrations!'
Dr Ralph Davis, Woodland Presbyterian Church, Hattiesburg, MS, USA
'What an encouragement to meet in these pages such extraordinary ‘ordinary Christians' who shone so brightly in the shadows!'
Rev Michael Reeves, Theological Adviser, UCCF, UK
'One of the great principles of God's Word as it relates to history is that every life that God touches is valuable. This book demonstrates that vital truth abundantly. From the somewhat famous to the completely obscure--though not to the Living God--Faith Cook reveals the polychromatic grace of God at work in the fabric of our human existence. In doing so, she excites us to praise the God of all grace and to rejoice that all who are in Christ are called to service.'
Michael Haykin, Adjunct Pfoessor Church History and Spirituality, Toronto Baptist Seminary
'This is a selection of inspiring and easy to read biographies. These believers 'being dead yet speak' (Hebrews 11:4), and their stories in different ways highlight the reality of God's keeping grace. Remembering ordinary people, and how God cares for them through the most trying times is a certain antidote for discouragement, and an inspiration to persevere in following Christ.'
Sharon James, author of EP titles, Gentle rain on tender grass, Dawn of heaven breaks
'Any book by Faith Cook is well worth reading. In this book she writes about lesser known people who deserve our closer attention. Many have heard of Foxe's Book of Martyrs but few know about the writer, I have read a biography of Henry Grattan Guinness but here Faith Cooke concentrates on his wife's life and work. I had never understood why Primitive Methodists separated from the main body of Methodists; Hugh Bourne's story explains it clearly. Each of the lives told about here are a revelation and provide inspiration.'
Review from www.thegoodbookstall.co.uk
'Here is yet another enthralling compilation of short biographies of people who could be described as being ‘behind the news.' Faith Cook delights in bringing to our attention Christians who may be less well known or have not had major biographies written about them. In all there are ten short biographies. Amongst these ten is the man behind the famous book, John Foxe (Foxes Book of Martyrs), John Gifford (John Bunyan's first minister) and women such as Fanny Guinness and Susannah Harrison. This book is ideal to read as part of a quiet time or to give to a teenager or to an adult interested in the history of God's people. It is wonderful to be reminded that we have a wealth of precious stories to discover about those who have gone before us.
We can but stand in awe of Christians in earlier times who suffered illness or ill treatment or dealt with the death of children or who worked so hard that their health broke down. There are, of course, those who still undergo these trials today. A knowledge of Christians such as Cook writes of from previous generations can only be an inspiration for the present. A verse from Daniel chapter 12 is quoted at the beginning of the book. ‘Those who turn many to righteousness shall shine like the stars of heaven for ever and ever'. What a joy to ponder that one day we ‘ordinary' Christians throughout the centuries will meet!'
Mignon Goswell is manager of PTC Media at the Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne
