I’ve been thinking about John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” This may be due in part to checking my calendar to attend the excellent production by Arise Collective Theatre, coming soon to Freedom Encounter Theater in Branson (see recent Globe article).
I also thought about Bunyan’s classic, though, when a family text thread deteriorated into some hilarious memories about things my husband and I did well, or not so well, in our parenting. Without wasting space on that time, I let a friend’s husband give my son a haircut with a FlowBee, I’ll skip to the part where all three young adults shared fond memories of our family reading together, and one mentioned Helen Taylor’s “Little Pilgrim’s Progress.”
Practically a classic in its own right, that book helped facilitate conversations of amazing spiritual depth when our older kids were about 12 and eight, and even Luke, age two at the time, remembers role-playing “Little Christian” with his brother. For anyone wondering whether their kids are ready for the depth of Bunyan’s story or the stage production, this book can help give context in advance or revisit scenes afterwards. It parallels the challenges faced by Christian, using situations and language children will better understand but not shying away from the tough parts. Even at 50-plus years in print, it’s still popular on several online retail sites.
Also on the “progress” theme, I grabbed a book at the recent Senior Adult Ministries Conference held in Branson. “The Dream Train” borrows the “Pilgrim” concept as it narrates a hesitant not-yet believer’s journey in what begins as a simple dream but escalates into a fascinating ride aboard the Ecclesia Express, a train that transports passengers to Calvary and ultimately to the Shining City.
While other writers have done similar projects, this one is unique in that author Terry Tramel, a minister for over 45 years, weaves the story around passengers who describe their experiences and love for the Lord using words the reader may find familiar because of having sung those same words. For example, a fellow passenger who attributes her ability to remain positive despite blindness to “Perfect submission, all is at rest; I in my Savior am happy and blessed,” turns out to be, of course, Fanny Crosby. A nostalgic trip down memory lane for people who grew up in church, the book sheds light on the circumstances, good and bad, that inspired many beloved gospel songs and hymns. Tramel’s book is available on Amazon, GoodReads, and Barnes & Noble.
Check out one or both of these books or see the show at Freedom Encounter—it’s amazing how a classic lives on!
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