Bright Days, Dark Nights: With Charles Spurgeon in Triumph over Emotional Pain [Paperback]

Elizabeth Ruth Skoglund (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 080106192X | ISBN-13: 978-0801061929 | Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Draws on Charles Spurgeon’s experience with depression to illuminate the profound relationship between body, mind, and spirit. Spurgeon’s insight promotes emotional wholeness while recognizing God as the author of hope.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Elizabeth Skoglund deftly relates the teachings of Charles Spurgeon to such human experiences as loneliness, anxiety, depression, and change. Her conclusions are wise and practical. This is a book to keep for rereading -- John Timmerman, professor of English, Calvin College

Though many are accustomed to lookingto Spurgeon as a model for sermonic inspiration, theological understanding, evangelistic fervor, dedication to truth, devotional comfort, and even entertaining humor, this book will inspire us to consider Spurgeon in the darker times of despondency. If such a humble and mighty servant of God as Spurgeon suffered these agonies, may others not profit from the study of his experiences, so wonderfully spread before us by Elizabeth Skoglund? -- Bob L. Ross, director, Pilgrim Publications, Pasadena, Texas

About the Author

Elizabeth Ruth Skoglund is the author of more than twenty-five books, including Amma and A Quiet Courage. She also has a private counseling practice in Burbank, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080106192X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801061929
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #403,603 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Chicago, into a Swedish immigrant family, Elizabeth Skoglund moved to Southern California at the age of three. She had many dreams for the future: missionary, teacher, doctor and even hoped to start an orphanage. Ultimately, she became a secondary teacher/counselor in the public school system, and then a psychotherapist/author. She was named Beautiful Activist in Los Angeles for the year 1973. In 2006-2007 she was honored as the Outstanding Scandinavian American by the American Scandinavian Foundation in recognition of her book A Quiet Courage and other communications about the Swedish World War II hero Per Anger. She is the author of 35 books and maintains a private counseling service in Glendale, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very rich, worthwhile read, October 20, 2001

By 

ransome22 "ransome22" (Washington DC area) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bright Days, Dark Nights: With Charles Spurgeon in Triumph over Emotional Pain (Paperback)

A close friend of mine who has wrestled with depression for some time confided to me how deeply this book had touched his life. Indeed, while every page reflected in some measure the life of my friend, each page also touched on issues common to us all. What a comfort it is to know that so many in the body of Christ have traveled before us, traversed the same valleys, felt the same anxieties, trusted in the same God, and found Him to be absolutely true to His promises. Spurgeon himself, regarded by so many as one of the greatest preachers having lived, speaks with such frankness about his own internal and emotional struggles that he is likely strikes a common chord with all of us. Spurgeon's writing is uncommonly rich and filled with keen observations, anecdotes, and gems of wisdom based on the truth of Scripture. In one such anecdote, Spurgeon comments on the nature of death for the Christian as simply a transition to a more glorious life hereafter: "At Stratford-on-Bow," Spurgeon notes, "in the days of Queen Mary, there was once a stake erected for the burning of two martyrs, one of them a lame man, the other a blind man. Just when the fire was lit, the lame man hurled away his staff, and turning round said to the blind man, 'Courage, brother, this fire will cure us both.'" Although this book is composed almost exclusively of Spurgeon's writings and sermons, it does contain a modest amount of Skoglund's observations as well. In fact it seems that Skoglund has so saturated herself with the writings of Spurgeon that the styles of the two are at times nearly indistinguishable. Perhaps because of the denseness of Spurgeon's writings, this book can be slow going at times. However, as a relative newcomer to Spurgeon, I have the sense that Skoglund has done a wonderful job of piecing together many of Spurgeon's writings on emotional struggle and the encouragement which is to be found in Christ.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spiritual Tonic, October 18, 2000

By 

Paul M. Dubuc (Columbus, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bright Days, Dark Nights: With Charles Spurgeon in Triumph over Emotional Pain (Paperback)

This is a wonderful little book. Elizabeth Skoglund has done a fine job of weaving together the writings of Charles Spurgeon on topics dealing with emotional pain and suffering. Each of the chapters are broken up into short segments. The book is best read "devotionally"; a little at a time. It has been a great help to me as a supplement to regular prayer and Scripture reading. Chapters are titled "Confidence", "Depression", "Anxiety", "Loneliness", "Change", and "Transition" (dying). Spurgeon, having suffered from these emotional problems himself, was ahead of his time in recognizing their more common sources and in dispelling some of the easy answers that are still common in evangelical Christian circles today. The first chapter, "Body, Mind and Spirit" offers a good foundation. It recognizes that we are whole persons, not separable into neat compartments. Emotional problems often stem from physical as well as spiritual causes. This book offers strength and courage from a great man who has been through plenty of dark times himself

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific book, April 17, 2000

By 

"phrelanzer" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bright Days, Dark Nights: With Charles Spurgeon in Triumph over Emotional Pain (Paperback)

Encouraging words on difficult emotions from a legendary minister, as sifted through the experiences of a contemporary Christian counselor! Skoglund makes Spurgeon accessible to the layperson, and brings his writings on painful emotions together in an organized format. Spurgeon's wisdom mixed with Skoglund's personal anecdotes create a great read for anyone experiencing depression, anxiety, or a "dark eclipse of the soul" and wondering if they are alone...