Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Book Review - Susie, The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon


ABOUT THE BOOK:

While many Christians recognize the name of Charles H. Spurgeon, the beloved preacher and writer, few are familiar with the life and legacy of his wife, Susie.  Yet Susannah Spurgeon was an accomplished and devout woman of God who had a tremendous ministry in her own right, as well as in support of her husband. Even while dealing with serious health issues, she administered a book fund for poor pastors, edited and published her husband's sermons and other writings, led a pastor's aid ministry, wrote five books, made her home a hub of hospitality, and was instrumental in planting a church. And as her own writing attests, she was also a warm, charming, and fascinating woman.

Now, for the first time, Susie brings this vibrant woman's story to modern readers. Ray Rhodes Jr. examines Susannah's life, showing that she was not only the wife of London's most famous preacher, but also a woman who gave all she had in grateful service to the Lord.

Susie is an inspiring and encouraging account of a truly remarkable woman of faith that will delight Spurgeon devotees and fans of Christian biographies alike.

“I am writing in my husband's study, where he thought, and prayed, and wrote. Every inch of the place is sacred ground. Everything remains precisely as he left it. His books (now my most precious possessions), stand in shining rows upon the shelves, in exactly the order in which he placed them, and one might almost fancy the room was ready and waiting for its master. But oh! That empty chair! That great portrait over the door! The strange, solemn silence, which pervades the place now that he is no longer on earth! I kneel sometimes by his chair, and laying my head on the cushioned arms, which so long supported his dear form, I pour out my grief before the Lord, and tell Him again that though I am left alone, yet I know that 'He hath done all things well'…


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ray Rhodes, Jr. serves as founding pastor of Grace Community Church of Dawsonville, GA and as president of Nourished in the Word Ministries. He has served four congregations over three decades of pastoral ministry and for fifteen years, he has led Nourished in the Word. Ray has published several books and holds theological degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min.). He is married to Lori and they are blessed with six daughters and four grandchildren. Ray has long been a Spurgeon enthusiast, and his doctoral thesis focused on the marriage and spirituality of Charles and Susannah Spurgeon.

MY REVIEW:

This is the most inspiring book! I had never read anything about Susannah Spurgeon before so had no idea about her life with Charles or her help in his ministry or anything about her own ministry.

This book is not a dry biography. It's a story brought alive by great writing and I was completely compelled by it. It is definitely a page turner and I really feel that I know these people in a deeper way. What was fascinating to me is that Susie was alive during the Victorian age - an era I have been heavily reading about lately. I thought about the restrictions put on women yet Susie never let these restrictions keep her from doing the work of Christ. She felt called to write and also had a book ministry where she would send her husband's books to other ministries about the country and also help them and their families in their ministries. She did this despite her own health and pain issues and continued even as a widow.

The love story between her and Charles is so sweet and tender. They did a lot of things together and she was his rock and encourager throughout their marriage and through his ministry. They were there for each other as they suffered with chronic illnesses and I was, personally, encouraged by this. In our society, we feel as though our worthiness comes from what we do but Susie showed me it's in living for Christ! Just as Susie took refuge in Christ through her illness, so can we. I was so encouraged by her example.

This is a wonderful book for everyone to read. It was inspiring and encouraging and just a great read about a very godly woman. I highly recommend it and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

*This book was provided to me by Moody Publishers. I received a copy of this book to review but I was not financially compensated in any way. The opinions expressed are my own and are based on my observations while reading this book.


Blessings - Julie

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