BOOK OF THE MONTH: ‘Home with God’, Kyle Worley (2025)
This book is a warm, encouraging, biblical hug. In it, Kyle Worley unpacks God’s radical invitation to all His children – to be welcomed home in Jesus Christ. Our true home is in Christ, and this is God’s proffered home for all who believe in Him right now. We don’t have to wait for eternity, or to be good enough – God takes the initiative, extends the invitation, and does the work in us to make us worthy and honoured guests.
Kyle Worley co-hosts a podcast with Jennifer Wilkin, and folk who appreciate her style of writing will find a similar clarity of thought and theology here. Plus Chapter 1 opens with an eye-opening anecdote of the author’s time in seminary with a very familiar Scottish professor. In Part One, the author unpacks the biblical concept of ‘home’, leading the reader from the garden home humanity was originally welcomed into, right through the story of Israel to the forever home offered in Jesus. This progression helps the reader to appreciate the overarching story of the Bible, and to understand why finding our home in Jesus is the best possible offer ever. Part Two then unpacks what this ‘new home’ really looks like, as we are called to change, grow and join with others in Christ.
I have always had a particular joy in the idea of ‘abiding in Christ’, and I can honestly say that if I had ever been able to write a book on the subject, then this is the book that I would have loved to write. It is encouraging, faithful, approachable and an easy read. The author clearly feels a deep delight in having his home in our Saviour and wants all his readers to share the feeling.
This book is available from Waterstones.
Miriam Montgomery, Free Church Books
‘Light from Calvary’, Robert H. Ireland (originally 1873, republished 2024)
Originally published in 1873, by a former Free Church Minister, ‘Light from Calvary’ is a walk through the seven last words of Jesus, spoken from the cross. Ireland takes each of the last words of Jesus recorded in the gospels and delves into the truths behind the words, words that have been called ‘the bright lights of heaven shining at intervals through the darkness’. Each chapter is a deep dive into the theological truths that underpin the words Jesus spoke. They are littered with references from throughout scripture to help bring these truths to life and bring them to bear upon the reader. Highlighting our sin and need for a saviour, the forgiveness that is offered, the wrath Jesus faced, the hope for life eternal, the promises fulfilled, and much more, he demonstrates how these seven last words are full of the riches of salvation.
Ireland doesn’t merely explain the truths that Jesus spoke but takes time to apply them to life and show what a right response to them might be. Written with a clear pastoral heart this book is intended to lift the gaze to Calvary and leave the reader standing amazed at all that Jesus has done. Though this may be a short book it is full of riches and gives much for the reader to dwell upon.
This book is available from Banner of Truth
Carrie Marlow, Free North Church, Inverness