Gertrude “Biddy” Hobbs Chambers is not your ordinary Christian woman nor is she married to your average Christian minister. Theirs is a different sort of Christianity than you hear much of in religious circles. They depend on God to supply the way, to prepare for the need, and to change an unrepentant heart. Mr. and Mrs. Oswald Chambers give selflessly and work tirelessly to fulfill their burning desire to give their utmost for His highest. After years of reading My Utmost for His Highest as my favorite devotional–a book of uncommon depth of insight, I looked forward to reading this biography of Biddy Chambers that tells the story behind the book. It is an intense read. Mrs. Oswald Chambers devotes her life to mining the treasure she wrote in shorthand in notebooks and journals. They contain sermons Oswald Chambers preached and classes he taught. Biddy turns these into assorted leaflets, calendars, and over thirty books, some of which live on to this day. After her husband passes at age 43, Biddy continues to live dependent on God for provision and direction.

In the life story of Biddy Chambers, Michelle Ule displays her talent for getting it right. This biography is researched thoroughly, written skillfully, and compiled concretely with careful attention to detail, making for a rich read. We soon learn Biddy Chambers is one for ‘doing the next thing’ that comes her way, all the while remaining devoted to transcribing journals and notebooks of Oswald’s words into spiritual themed books. Oswald Chambers is the author. Biddy, though, transcribes, organizes, prepares, edits, and does the hard work for publication. Book profits support the printing of more books. Biddy is savvy, smart, and much more. Hospitality, leading Bible studies, cooking for a crowd and various forms of ministry are a constant part of her life besides the typing of manuscripts and correspondence tasks. Key friends participate in the Chambers’ ongoing BTC ministry. Such is the life of Biddy Chambers. We can learn from her. Oswald and Biddy challenge us to live in ways that still speak today: how to live close to God. In their lives we witness an amazing trust in God. Both knew the true, blessed secret to a happy, fulfilling life.

Mary DeMuth, advocate for the sexually abused, has written a clarion call to the church. You can’t ignore her purpose or passion in alerting the Christian community that it’s time to WAKE UP. She means it. This book is a cumulative work with lots of citations. The girl did her homework. But it’s also personal. DeMuth’s own heart-breaking story chronicles the trauma and devastation of being sexual abused. Past abuse follows the survivor wherever they go. Sexual abuse is monstrous. DeMuth skillfully peels back the layers to expose the truth about assault, predators, victims, PTSD, sexual abuse in the church–historically and institutionally. She painstakingly covers all the bases so we aren’t left in the dark, nor are we uncertain as to where this is heading. The church is taken to task by DeMuth, and rightly so. She challenges the system that has long protected the abuser (perpetrator) rather than the abused (victim). You don’t believe this? Google it. Many examples exist of institutional abuse on the Evangelical watch, which includes missionary settings, Christian schools and universities, youth groups, and churches. I used to be in denial–I didn’t want to believe this could be true–but it is true, and it is epidemic. DeMuth verifies how the survivors of abuse are often further traumatized by those who simply do not believe them or fail to address the issue head-on. This allows the perpetrator to move on to their next victim, as they often do. There are also the coverups–which reek of dishonesty, deceit, and greed (or fear). For those who think this only happens in other places and not in their neighborhood, think again. They are sadly mistaken. We as Christian people cannot live in denial any longer. The truth is at our doorstep. It is of greatest urgency that we call a spade, a spade. With grave intention, we must believe and protect the hurting, vulnerable, and wounded among us. We’re not in Kansas anymore. One caution is in order. This book may trigger you if you have sexual abuse in your present or past. You might want to have someone who has spiritual depth of insight walk through this journey with you.