The BRF Book of 100 Prayers: Resourcing your spiritual journey

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The BRF Book of 100 Prayers: Resourcing your spiritual journey

Author : Martyn Payne

£12.99

An illustrated collection of prayers by Martyn Payne. Prayer is at the heart of BRFʼs work, and this special illustrated anniversary collection is a celebration of prayer for BRFʼs centenary year. It can be used in a range of different settings, from individual devotions to corporate worship. Including sections on prayers of preparation, seasonal prayers, and themed prayers for special times and hard times, it is the perfect daily companion to resource your spiritual journey.

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Title	The BRF Book of 100 Prayers: Resourcing your spiritual journey
Author	Martyn Payne
ISBN
Description	An illustrated collection of prayers by Martyn Payne. Prayer is at the heart of BRFʼs work, and this special illustrated anniversary collection is a celebration of prayer for BRFʼs centenary year. It can be used in a range of different settings, from individual devotions to corporate worship. Including sections on prayers of preparation, seasonal prayers, and themed prayers for special times and hard times, it is the perfect daily companion to resource your spiritual journey. Part 1: Approaching God Part 2: Prayers for the journey Part 3: Seasons of the Christian year Part 4: Together through the generations Part 5: How should we live?
Details	Product code: 9781800391475 Published: 19 August 2022 Format: Hardback Pages: 144 Dimensions: 111mm wide and 178mm high

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Part 1: Approaching God
Part 2: Prayers for the journey
Part 3: Seasons of the Christian year
Part 4: Together through the generations
Part 5: How should we live?

Formerly part of BRFʼs Messy Church team, Martyn Payne is BRFʼs prayer advocate and a gifted storyteller whose previous books The Big Story (2011) and Creative Ways to Tell a Bible Story (2012) demonstrate the variety of approaches he uses to bring the Bible alive for children and adults alike.

Transforming Ministry Summer 2023. Review by Liz Pacey

For those of us who regularly write prayers, this book has immediate appeal. A celebration of BRF’s centenary year, the slim, attractively bound volume is a joy to hold. Most prayers were written and shared online during the pandemic, and it is very special to reflect on words of encouragement from those difficult times. The book also covers a wider timespan, containing prayers and excerpts written at the beginning of the BRF ministry. It is wonderful to look back and see how prayer has truly shaped a ministry and made it bloom. The book has five categories: Approaching God; Prayers for the Journey; Seasons of the Christian Year; Together through the generations; How should we live? Each short daily prayer is accompanied by a thought, many of which are quotations from a wide variety of spiritual leaders, past and present. It encourages us to take the space to pray, meditate and wonder on our own, and then be prepared to be catapulted into the heady joy of sharing. A book to keep and, maybe, buy an extra copy as a gift.

Reviewed by Liz Pacey

Country Way Autumn 2022

This is a small hardback book with a ribbon book mark. It would easily fit into a small back or not take up much space in a rucksack. This book has been published to commemorate the centenary of the Bible Reading Foundation to ‘Resource Your Spiritual Journey’. In the foreword, it reminds us that the world was fighting a pandemic in 1918, just as we were fighting our own pandemic in 2020 and tells us that nearly all of the prayers written in this book were done so during the lockdown of Covid-19. The prayers are divided into five sections which can be used in either a church setting or by individuals. What I liked best about this book is that not only do you have the prayers, but there are also little quotes or thoughts and occasionally a bible verse, written on each page. These little messages helped me to think more deeply about what had been written in the prayers and definitely guided me on my journey. This book would make a lovely gift for a friend or loved one, whether they are just starting out on their spiritual journey or are well travelled.

Methodist Recorder 26.08.22. Review by Judith Lampard

In order to celebrate its centenary, BRF has published this treasury of prayers. Appropriately, The BRF Book of 100 Prayers: Resourcing your Spiritual Journey by Martin Payne begins with its Centenary Prayer thanking God for the growth of the work, from its local beginnings to its worldwide reach today. The Rev Leslie Mannering’s challenging words to his congregation in Brixton, south London, 100 years ago are remembered: ‘How can St Matthew’s become a spiritual force?… Only if our congregation as a solid whole realises that prayer and intercession is their supreme work as Christians.’ This is still BRFs’ vision today. Currently BRF has four areas of ministry: Anna Chaplaincy, offering spiritual care in older life; Living Faith; Messy Church and Parenting for Faith. Many readers will be aware of the regular prayer resources the charity produces. This book is a most welcome addition.

Martyn Payne reminds readers that at the end of the First World War, the so-called Spanish flu killed around 50 million people. A century later the coronavirus pandemic spread rapidly around the world, again causing millions of deaths. Many of these prayers were composed at the time of this pandemic, some appearing initially on social media. With the similarity of emotions of fear, anxiety and loss, at both the start and close of this centenary, BRF is again encouraging people to ‘get a move on’ spiritually, as the need for prayer is as urgent today as it was a century ago.

These 100 new prayers are intended for private and public use and are divided into five sections: Approaching God, Prayers for the journey, Seasons of the year, Together through the generations, and How should we live? The text is accessible, concise, with well-chosen language and illustrations to complement the words. In addition to the numbered prayers, there are thoughts, comments and biblical quotes offering inspiration, hope and encouragement to readers on their personal spiritual journeys.

The BRF Book of 100 Prayers, in addition to the useful, excellent, content, comes with an attractive cover and a ribbon marker and would be very suitable as a gift on significant occasions.

Reviewed by Judith Lampard, a local preacher in the City Road circuit.

{"id":2439795015780,"title":"God among the Ruins: Trust and transformation in difficult times","handle":"god-among-the-ruins-trust-and-transformation-in-difficult-times","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere do we turn when our world is falling apart?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eIt takes courage to hope; to stand in our confusion and grief and still to believe that 'God is not helpless among the ruins'. Guided by Habakkuk and his prophetic landmarks, we are drawn on a reflective journey through the tangled landscape of bewildered faith, through places of wrestling and waiting, and on into the growth space of deepened trust and transformation. As you read, discover for yourself the value and practice of honest prayer, of surrender, of silence and listening, and of irrepressible hoping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt's a long and winding road\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWounded ragings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt wasn't meant to be like this\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDon't just do something, sit there!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOf plastic bottles, empty tin cans and trust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom the back door to the barn door - and beyond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat's in a name?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWalking with the wounded\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wonder of this book is its searing honesty. Through the lens of her own life-changing loss and learning from Habbakuk's journey through profound pain, Mags helps us see how we might come to trust the goodness of God amidst heart-rending devastation and chaos. This is gentle, biblically-rooted, and carefully crafted wisdom that faces difficult questions and emotions of suffering head on yet persists in seeking God amongst it all. This is wisdom that has been lived. I trust that many might discover this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Tracy Cotterell, London Institute for Contemporary Christianity \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 9\/11 when I saw the Twin Towers in New York, one after the other, pancake to the ground in a deafening explosion of devastation and heart-wrenching tragedy, it was hard to imagine God among those ruins. When I walked beside a couple whose only child had died at 10 months on Thanksgiving Day, they found it hard to imagine a God among their ruins. When my own hopes and dreams collapsed after trying everything imaginable to keep them alive, I too struggled with finding God in the ruins. In this beautifully written book and with a careful study of Habakkuk, Duggan unfolds the story of her own journey through haunting loss to the transforming comfort of God. So if you have struggled with believing in a loving God when your own world collapses, this book will serve you well. It certainly guided and helped me. Dr.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e MaryKate Morse, professor, author and spiritual director \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf only I had had this book when I looked for help with my own experience of deep and all-pervading disappointment with God in 1983 and could find nothing written on the subject! An interaction with the words of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk based on Mags's own devastation, it is totally authentic in declaring the pain each of them went through and the ways in which they related to God in and through it. It is totally practical as well in offering guidance through activities that help one to recognise one's own difficulties and bring them before God. And, through it all, no matter how horrible the circumstances and the experience, Emmanuel, the God who is with us. It is wonderful to have such a resource available to those who are going through pain and anger with God.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Dr Colin Bulley, Pioneers UK, Member Care Consultant, Spiritual Director \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was eagerly anticipating the release of 'God Among The Ruins', having sat under Mags Duggan's teaching on a number of occasions, and I was not disappointed. Although the book was birthed in the author's own journey of suffering, that does not become the main focus. Each chapter gently and compassionately brings the reader to God Himself through the faith journey of Habakkuk. Mags has not avoided the problems that suffering brings, nor has she offered trite answers where there are none. Rather she helps us learn to walk with the questions as we move towards God. The practical reflections suggested at the end of each chapter are so helpful for readers wanting to apply the truths they are encountering. So helpful. So good.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Valerie Murphy, Coordinator of Women's Bible Teaching Ministry, Crescent Church Belfast, Retreat Leader, Bible Teacher \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncisively yet simply written, there are lessons for us all, not just those who have suffered grief or earthquake.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Canon Dr Steve Davie, Principal of the Bradford Hub of the Leeds School of Ministry \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"384\" width=\"288\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MagsinFergusFalls_480x480.jpg?v=1676493905\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags Duggan has worked with the Navigators for 35 years, many of these as a cross-cultural missionary in East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. More recently, she was on the faculty of Redcliffe College, Gloucester, where she lectured in two areas she is passionate about: Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. Currently, she is engaged in providing spiritual nurture and pastoral care to a diverse group of cross-cultural missionaries and ministry leaders, both here in the UK and around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Winter 2018. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an honest and moving book, with a message for everyone who has struggled or suffered. It is based on the book of Habakkuk, whose short prophecy tells of the prophet's despair, questioning and wrestling with God, and emergence as a wiser, more peaceful person. Duggan tells her own story of despair, questioning, wrestling and her emergence as a wiser, more peaceful person. God Among the Ruins is honest and gently emotive. It is not intended to be a happy story, but it is a tremendously encouraging one. Duggan's chapter on 'Walking with the wounded' is particularly moving. The writing is warm and compelling. It could suit a home group as well as an individual. Each chapter contains simple but practical suggestions to help the reader put the message into practice. It is a book of hope, which nearly everyone would benefit from. I recommend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e_____________________________________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Baptist Times, August 2018. Reviewed by David Stuckey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I was a lot younger my mum gave me her copy of God in The Slums written by Hugh Redwood in the 1930s. It was not an easy read for a young lad but I have revisited it several times in the intervening years and have come to appreciate its sincerity and its poignancy. It told of finding God's presence in unlikely places, in the midst of trial and tribulation, and at times it could be an achingly poignant read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have come across few accounts of loss and despair over the years to come close to Redwood's image of abiding faith - until now. Mags Duggan has similarly identified God's goodness and guidance in times of trial and torment. 'Trust and transformation in difficult times,' she suggests, as her opening reflection in God Among the Ruins repeats familiar words from Habakkuk: 'Even though ... even here ... Emmanuel'. At times when God seemed distant, when crops failed, when death and devastation abounded, Habakkuk was able to declare 'Yet I will rejoice'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags gives her readers an achingly personal reflection of coming to terms with the death of her young niece from cancer, and those words she found which resonated with her in these circumstances came from another who clung to his faith in God in harrowing circumstances. The words of Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner and missionary who died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp came to her, 'sparking the hope of healing and new life,' she writes. Liddell had declared 'Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God's plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book to savour, to dip into for comfort and support, to reflect on personal circumstances and to appreciate the rewards of faith and Christian support. And having unwrapped and dissected Habakkuk in many helpful and meaningful ways, the author then reveals that she too was diagnosed with breast cancer on the day she submitted the manuscript for publication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book to make you weep and wonder, as it gives the reader fresh insight not only into living with cancer but also submitting one's life into the caring arms of the Almighty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDavid Stuckey is a journalist and member of Maghull Baptist Church, Merseyside\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Mike Treneer, International President Emeritus, The Navigators (8 March 2018)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many reasons to commend Mags Duggan's beautifully written book 'God Among the Ruins'! I will mention just three:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis meditation on the Old Testament book of Habakkuk in the light of Mags' own experience of grief for her niece, powerfully brings Bible and life together in ways that help us to understand both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags combines profound insights into some of life's most challenging questions with simple practical suggestions for growing in our relationship with God through them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Mags opens up her own process of grief, she helpfully illustrates and guides us in how we too can 'comfort others with the comfort we too have received from God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Mike Treneer, International President Emeritus, The Navigators.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_____________________________________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:29+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:31+00:00","vendor":"Mags Duggan","type":"Paperback","tags":["Anna Chaplaincy books","Kindle","Pastoral care","Recommended for Anna Chaplaincy","Torch Trust","Women"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769678848100,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465757","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436832178276,"product_id":2439795015780,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:23:31+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:39+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465757-l.jpg?v=1549043139","variant_ids":[21769678848100]},"available":true,"name":"God among the Ruins: Trust and transformation in difficult times - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":162,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465757","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238879527051,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465757-l.jpg?v=1549043139"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465757-l.jpg?v=1549043139","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/50_6c8264b5-c1ab-40fc-87c3-ef992720c7bd.png?v=1734095701"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465757-l.jpg?v=1549043139","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238879527051,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465757-l.jpg?v=1549043139"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465757-l.jpg?v=1549043139","width":427},{"alt":null,"id":63560967586172,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/50_6c8264b5-c1ab-40fc-87c3-ef992720c7bd.png?v=1734095701"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/50_6c8264b5-c1ab-40fc-87c3-ef992720c7bd.png?v=1734095701","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere do we turn when our world is falling apart?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eIt takes courage to hope; to stand in our confusion and grief and still to believe that 'God is not helpless among the ruins'. Guided by Habakkuk and his prophetic landmarks, we are drawn on a reflective journey through the tangled landscape of bewildered faith, through places of wrestling and waiting, and on into the growth space of deepened trust and transformation. As you read, discover for yourself the value and practice of honest prayer, of surrender, of silence and listening, and of irrepressible hoping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt's a long and winding road\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWounded ragings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt wasn't meant to be like this\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDon't just do something, sit there!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOf plastic bottles, empty tin cans and trust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom the back door to the barn door - and beyond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat's in a name?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWalking with the wounded\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wonder of this book is its searing honesty. Through the lens of her own life-changing loss and learning from Habbakuk's journey through profound pain, Mags helps us see how we might come to trust the goodness of God amidst heart-rending devastation and chaos. This is gentle, biblically-rooted, and carefully crafted wisdom that faces difficult questions and emotions of suffering head on yet persists in seeking God amongst it all. This is wisdom that has been lived. I trust that many might discover this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Tracy Cotterell, London Institute for Contemporary Christianity \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 9\/11 when I saw the Twin Towers in New York, one after the other, pancake to the ground in a deafening explosion of devastation and heart-wrenching tragedy, it was hard to imagine God among those ruins. When I walked beside a couple whose only child had died at 10 months on Thanksgiving Day, they found it hard to imagine a God among their ruins. When my own hopes and dreams collapsed after trying everything imaginable to keep them alive, I too struggled with finding God in the ruins. In this beautifully written book and with a careful study of Habakkuk, Duggan unfolds the story of her own journey through haunting loss to the transforming comfort of God. So if you have struggled with believing in a loving God when your own world collapses, this book will serve you well. It certainly guided and helped me. Dr.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e MaryKate Morse, professor, author and spiritual director \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf only I had had this book when I looked for help with my own experience of deep and all-pervading disappointment with God in 1983 and could find nothing written on the subject! An interaction with the words of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk based on Mags's own devastation, it is totally authentic in declaring the pain each of them went through and the ways in which they related to God in and through it. It is totally practical as well in offering guidance through activities that help one to recognise one's own difficulties and bring them before God. And, through it all, no matter how horrible the circumstances and the experience, Emmanuel, the God who is with us. It is wonderful to have such a resource available to those who are going through pain and anger with God.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Dr Colin Bulley, Pioneers UK, Member Care Consultant, Spiritual Director \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was eagerly anticipating the release of 'God Among The Ruins', having sat under Mags Duggan's teaching on a number of occasions, and I was not disappointed. Although the book was birthed in the author's own journey of suffering, that does not become the main focus. Each chapter gently and compassionately brings the reader to God Himself through the faith journey of Habakkuk. Mags has not avoided the problems that suffering brings, nor has she offered trite answers where there are none. Rather she helps us learn to walk with the questions as we move towards God. The practical reflections suggested at the end of each chapter are so helpful for readers wanting to apply the truths they are encountering. So helpful. So good.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Valerie Murphy, Coordinator of Women's Bible Teaching Ministry, Crescent Church Belfast, Retreat Leader, Bible Teacher \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncisively yet simply written, there are lessons for us all, not just those who have suffered grief or earthquake.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Canon Dr Steve Davie, Principal of the Bradford Hub of the Leeds School of Ministry \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"384\" width=\"288\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MagsinFergusFalls_480x480.jpg?v=1676493905\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags Duggan has worked with the Navigators for 35 years, many of these as a cross-cultural missionary in East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. More recently, she was on the faculty of Redcliffe College, Gloucester, where she lectured in two areas she is passionate about: Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. Currently, she is engaged in providing spiritual nurture and pastoral care to a diverse group of cross-cultural missionaries and ministry leaders, both here in the UK and around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Winter 2018. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an honest and moving book, with a message for everyone who has struggled or suffered. It is based on the book of Habakkuk, whose short prophecy tells of the prophet's despair, questioning and wrestling with God, and emergence as a wiser, more peaceful person. Duggan tells her own story of despair, questioning, wrestling and her emergence as a wiser, more peaceful person. God Among the Ruins is honest and gently emotive. It is not intended to be a happy story, but it is a tremendously encouraging one. Duggan's chapter on 'Walking with the wounded' is particularly moving. The writing is warm and compelling. It could suit a home group as well as an individual. Each chapter contains simple but practical suggestions to help the reader put the message into practice. It is a book of hope, which nearly everyone would benefit from. I recommend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e_____________________________________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Baptist Times, August 2018. Reviewed by David Stuckey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I was a lot younger my mum gave me her copy of God in The Slums written by Hugh Redwood in the 1930s. It was not an easy read for a young lad but I have revisited it several times in the intervening years and have come to appreciate its sincerity and its poignancy. It told of finding God's presence in unlikely places, in the midst of trial and tribulation, and at times it could be an achingly poignant read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have come across few accounts of loss and despair over the years to come close to Redwood's image of abiding faith - until now. Mags Duggan has similarly identified God's goodness and guidance in times of trial and torment. 'Trust and transformation in difficult times,' she suggests, as her opening reflection in God Among the Ruins repeats familiar words from Habakkuk: 'Even though ... even here ... Emmanuel'. At times when God seemed distant, when crops failed, when death and devastation abounded, Habakkuk was able to declare 'Yet I will rejoice'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags gives her readers an achingly personal reflection of coming to terms with the death of her young niece from cancer, and those words she found which resonated with her in these circumstances came from another who clung to his faith in God in harrowing circumstances. The words of Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner and missionary who died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp came to her, 'sparking the hope of healing and new life,' she writes. Liddell had declared 'Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God's plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book to savour, to dip into for comfort and support, to reflect on personal circumstances and to appreciate the rewards of faith and Christian support. And having unwrapped and dissected Habakkuk in many helpful and meaningful ways, the author then reveals that she too was diagnosed with breast cancer on the day she submitted the manuscript for publication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book to make you weep and wonder, as it gives the reader fresh insight not only into living with cancer but also submitting one's life into the caring arms of the Almighty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDavid Stuckey is a journalist and member of Maghull Baptist Church, Merseyside\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Mike Treneer, International President Emeritus, The Navigators (8 March 2018)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many reasons to commend Mags Duggan's beautifully written book 'God Among the Ruins'! I will mention just three:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis meditation on the Old Testament book of Habakkuk in the light of Mags' own experience of grief for her niece, powerfully brings Bible and life together in ways that help us to understand both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags combines profound insights into some of life's most challenging questions with simple practical suggestions for growing in our relationship with God through them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Mags opens up her own process of grief, she helpfully illustrates and guides us in how we too can 'comfort others with the comfort we too have received from God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Mike Treneer, International President Emeritus, The Navigators.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_____________________________________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}

God among the Ruins: Trust and transformation in difficult times

£8.99

Where do we turn when our world is falling apart?It takes courage to hope; to stand in our confusion and...

Details

{"id":7059689275583,"title":"Celtic Prayer – Caught Up in Love: Wisdom for living from a modern Celtic community","handle":"celtic-prayer-caught-up-in-love","description":"\u003cp\u003eEven the most committed pray-ers can get stuck in a rut. Loved and familiar ways of praying can become dry and stale and it can be difficult to rekindle the spark, especially if you’ve only ever known a handful of ways to pray. But help is at hand in this wide-ranging and exciting new collection from the Community of Aidan and Hilda. Edited by David Cole, with contributions from 30 members of the dispersed community, Celtic Prayer– Caught Up in Love explores 20 different ways of praying from the Celtic Christian tradition. Accessible and inspiring, it will refresh your spirit and draw you deeper into knowing God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is the antidote to desiccated prayer. A book of fresh and new ways to commune with the Divine when your prayer life might have become dry and lifeless.’ Nicolette Rodden, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Coordinator for the Community of Aidan and Hilda\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsh Barker, Graham Booth, Ruth Booth, Scott Brennan, Sue Clarke, Liz Crichton, Stella Durand, Becky Mairi Farrell, Carol Few, Jane Franklin, Geoff Holt, Joy Holt, Sandi Kerner, Charlotte Lobb, Heather MacDonald, Kenneth McIntosh, Sally McLean, Michael Mitton, Dorothy Neilson, Peter Neilson, Sue Oliver, Russ Parker, Simon Reed, Nicolette Rodden, Maureen Simpson, Ray Simpson, Penny Warren.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/DavidCole2_480x480.jpg?v=1676495811\" width=\"174\" height=\"309\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole (aka Brother Cassian) is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader and the Deputy Guardian for the Community of Aidan and Hilda. He is the founder of Waymark Ministries, which creates opportunities for people to engage with the Christian message. His books include Celtic Advent and Celtic Lent (BRF,2018), Celtic Saints and The Celtic Year (BRF,2020). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Julian Meetings Magazine December 2022. Review by Janet Robinson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike David Cole‘s The art of peace (which we reviewed last year) the contents of this book from the Community of Aidan and Hilda are written by various members of that dispersed community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is much more than a treatise on Celtic Prayer. It deals comprehensively with many aspects of prayer and living the Christian life. Writers comment that those practising Celtic prayer need to incorporate prayer into a working life, and for most of us, that is the way we ourselves need to live. Accordingly, they discuss the need for daily rhythms of prayer and to learn to be contemplative in the market place. There are practical chapters on both ways of prayer and the reading of scripture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany aspects of living in the awareness of God are covered and thoughtfully approached. And there are also several topics ─ like diversity and social justice, and prejudice, inequality and bias ─ which are not often included in books on prayer. Unanswered prayer and living with disability are not forgotten. A chapter entitled God loves your mind and emotions is sensitively discussed by four members of the community. The early Celtic saints are not forgotten and their lives and practices illustrate the Christian life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a serious but accessible and inspiring book which would worthily repay much study and thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Janet Robinson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Autumn 2022. Review by Elizabeth Stephenson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis engaging book of essays has been written by members of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, a dispersed ecumenical body which gains inspiration from the ancient Celtic saints. The contributions are thoughtful, well-written and accessible, and collectively they explain and promote the benefits and strengths of Celtic spirituality, especially through prayer. The aim is simple: to seek God within everyday life, in the landscape and through the seasons, for we have a God who cares for both the cosmos and the ordinary. The great truths of the Christian gospel are woven together in practical and usable prayers, like the characteristic Celtic knotwork. Individual essay themes include contemporary cultural thoughts on unity, inclusion and disability as well as the ‘eternal’ issues so familiar to the early saints, including meditation, healing, justice, pilgrimage and the Holy Spirit. There are many new and relevant prayers within the text, as well as practical creative advice on liturgy and finding God in art and music. All readers should find new inspiration here to strengthen their prayer lives, so I warmly recommend this book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Elizabeth Stephenson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 17.06.22. Review by Philip Welsh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Community of Aidan and Hilda is a 'dispersed Celtic-inspired New Monastic community', whose vision is to engage with the 'saints and the streets; the seasons and the soil; Spirit and the scriptures'. Thirty members have collaboratively provided 20 short chapters on aspects of prayer, drawing insights from the Celtic tradition as they range from meditation to daily work, the inner city to needlework, social issues to icons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir focus is on living prayerfully now, not historical investigation, although, by the end of the book, we have also received a useful introduction to the Celtic background. Their spiritual feet are on the ground. Establish a rhythm of daily prayer, we are advised: 'I imagine that such a length of time could be about four minutes.' Recognise times when you may need liturgy rather than meditation: 'I found that silence just created a space for worry.' Avoid 'unreal and unbiblically shallow positivity'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey acknowledge that mind and heart go together in faith, but the book reflects the tradition’s emphasis on the affective and imaginative over the cognitive (the contributor who saw the hand of God when she failed to get a job as a surgeon, because it left Friday nights free for the church house-group, might have benefited from a more robust theology of Providence).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe outstanding chapter is Becky Mairi Farrell’s radical reflection on living with disability. 'Some disabled people don’t welcome prayers for healing because we are already whole.' The term ‘disability’ itself is unacceptable to many as it doesn’t address the way that society at large can disable people.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors clearly value belonging to their community. We hear little about the place of the local church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten at a popular level, Celtic Prayer is an attractive volume from an enterprising community, who embody a practical spirituality that is both ancient and modern: 'Let the light fade and the work be done. Let the flowers and the laptops close.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Philip Welsh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCeltic Prayer — Caught Up in Love: Wisdom for living from a modern Celtic community\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBRF £12.99\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(978-1-80039-053-9)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChurch Times Bookshop £11.69\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Carl McColman, soul friend and story teller. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.anamchara.com\"\u003ewww.anamchara.com\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarch 2022.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo much of the literature of Celtic Christianity is, well, ancient. We associate “Celtic spirituality” with St. Patrick, St. Brigit, St. Columba, St. Kevin… with ancient monastic sites like Iona, Glendalough, or Skellig Michael… with legends of old like the Voyage of St. Brendan. It’s easy to think of Celtic Christianity as a nostalgic spirituality from way back when! But there is a living, breathing, vibrant tradition of dedicated seekers who live the spirituality of the Celts in our time. One such community grounded in the Celtic tradition is the Community of Aidan and Hilda, based on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. So this beautiful new book from BRF features prayers, liturgies, and guidance from a variety of members of this contemporary Celtic organization. From the back cover: 'explores 20 different ways of praying from the Celtic Christian tradition.' Check it out!\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2021-12-06T17:33:20+00:00","created_at":"2021-11-09T10:31:53+00:00","vendor":"David Cole","type":"Paperback","tags":["Celtic Christianity","Kindle","Prayer"],"price":1299,"price_min":1299,"price_max":1299,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":41383800668351,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390539","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":30823400046783,"product_id":7059689275583,"position":1,"created_at":"2021-11-09T10:31:53+00:00","updated_at":"2021-11-09T10:31:54+00:00","alt":null,"width":1000,"height":1524,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390539.jpg?v=1636453914","variant_ids":[41383800668351]},"available":true,"name":"Celtic Prayer – Caught Up in Love: Wisdom for living from a modern Celtic community - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1299,"weight":275,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390539","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":23264505331903,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390539.jpg?v=1636453914"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390539.jpg?v=1636453914","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/1_e2d7726c-c4ac-4ce7-bc99-d6944f814b36.png?v=1734095699"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390539.jpg?v=1636453914","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":23264505331903,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390539.jpg?v=1636453914"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390539.jpg?v=1636453914","width":1000},{"alt":null,"id":63560967094652,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/1_e2d7726c-c4ac-4ce7-bc99-d6944f814b36.png?v=1734095699"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/1_e2d7726c-c4ac-4ce7-bc99-d6944f814b36.png?v=1734095699","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eEven the most committed pray-ers can get stuck in a rut. Loved and familiar ways of praying can become dry and stale and it can be difficult to rekindle the spark, especially if you’ve only ever known a handful of ways to pray. But help is at hand in this wide-ranging and exciting new collection from the Community of Aidan and Hilda. Edited by David Cole, with contributions from 30 members of the dispersed community, Celtic Prayer– Caught Up in Love explores 20 different ways of praying from the Celtic Christian tradition. Accessible and inspiring, it will refresh your spirit and draw you deeper into knowing God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is the antidote to desiccated prayer. A book of fresh and new ways to commune with the Divine when your prayer life might have become dry and lifeless.’ Nicolette Rodden, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity Coordinator for the Community of Aidan and Hilda\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAsh Barker, Graham Booth, Ruth Booth, Scott Brennan, Sue Clarke, Liz Crichton, Stella Durand, Becky Mairi Farrell, Carol Few, Jane Franklin, Geoff Holt, Joy Holt, Sandi Kerner, Charlotte Lobb, Heather MacDonald, Kenneth McIntosh, Sally McLean, Michael Mitton, Dorothy Neilson, Peter Neilson, Sue Oliver, Russ Parker, Simon Reed, Nicolette Rodden, Maureen Simpson, Ray Simpson, Penny Warren.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/DavidCole2_480x480.jpg?v=1676495811\" width=\"174\" height=\"309\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole (aka Brother Cassian) is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader and the Deputy Guardian for the Community of Aidan and Hilda. He is the founder of Waymark Ministries, which creates opportunities for people to engage with the Christian message. His books include Celtic Advent and Celtic Lent (BRF,2018), Celtic Saints and The Celtic Year (BRF,2020). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Julian Meetings Magazine December 2022. Review by Janet Robinson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike David Cole‘s The art of peace (which we reviewed last year) the contents of this book from the Community of Aidan and Hilda are written by various members of that dispersed community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is much more than a treatise on Celtic Prayer. It deals comprehensively with many aspects of prayer and living the Christian life. Writers comment that those practising Celtic prayer need to incorporate prayer into a working life, and for most of us, that is the way we ourselves need to live. Accordingly, they discuss the need for daily rhythms of prayer and to learn to be contemplative in the market place. There are practical chapters on both ways of prayer and the reading of scripture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany aspects of living in the awareness of God are covered and thoughtfully approached. And there are also several topics ─ like diversity and social justice, and prejudice, inequality and bias ─ which are not often included in books on prayer. Unanswered prayer and living with disability are not forgotten. A chapter entitled God loves your mind and emotions is sensitively discussed by four members of the community. The early Celtic saints are not forgotten and their lives and practices illustrate the Christian life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a serious but accessible and inspiring book which would worthily repay much study and thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Janet Robinson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Autumn 2022. Review by Elizabeth Stephenson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis engaging book of essays has been written by members of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, a dispersed ecumenical body which gains inspiration from the ancient Celtic saints. The contributions are thoughtful, well-written and accessible, and collectively they explain and promote the benefits and strengths of Celtic spirituality, especially through prayer. The aim is simple: to seek God within everyday life, in the landscape and through the seasons, for we have a God who cares for both the cosmos and the ordinary. The great truths of the Christian gospel are woven together in practical and usable prayers, like the characteristic Celtic knotwork. Individual essay themes include contemporary cultural thoughts on unity, inclusion and disability as well as the ‘eternal’ issues so familiar to the early saints, including meditation, healing, justice, pilgrimage and the Holy Spirit. There are many new and relevant prayers within the text, as well as practical creative advice on liturgy and finding God in art and music. All readers should find new inspiration here to strengthen their prayer lives, so I warmly recommend this book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Elizabeth Stephenson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 17.06.22. Review by Philip Welsh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Community of Aidan and Hilda is a 'dispersed Celtic-inspired New Monastic community', whose vision is to engage with the 'saints and the streets; the seasons and the soil; Spirit and the scriptures'. Thirty members have collaboratively provided 20 short chapters on aspects of prayer, drawing insights from the Celtic tradition as they range from meditation to daily work, the inner city to needlework, social issues to icons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir focus is on living prayerfully now, not historical investigation, although, by the end of the book, we have also received a useful introduction to the Celtic background. Their spiritual feet are on the ground. Establish a rhythm of daily prayer, we are advised: 'I imagine that such a length of time could be about four minutes.' Recognise times when you may need liturgy rather than meditation: 'I found that silence just created a space for worry.' Avoid 'unreal and unbiblically shallow positivity'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey acknowledge that mind and heart go together in faith, but the book reflects the tradition’s emphasis on the affective and imaginative over the cognitive (the contributor who saw the hand of God when she failed to get a job as a surgeon, because it left Friday nights free for the church house-group, might have benefited from a more robust theology of Providence).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe outstanding chapter is Becky Mairi Farrell’s radical reflection on living with disability. 'Some disabled people don’t welcome prayers for healing because we are already whole.' The term ‘disability’ itself is unacceptable to many as it doesn’t address the way that society at large can disable people.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors clearly value belonging to their community. We hear little about the place of the local church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten at a popular level, Celtic Prayer is an attractive volume from an enterprising community, who embody a practical spirituality that is both ancient and modern: 'Let the light fade and the work be done. Let the flowers and the laptops close.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Philip Welsh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCeltic Prayer — Caught Up in Love: Wisdom for living from a modern Celtic community\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBRF £12.99\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(978-1-80039-053-9)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChurch Times Bookshop £11.69\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Carl McColman, soul friend and story teller. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.anamchara.com\"\u003ewww.anamchara.com\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMarch 2022.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo much of the literature of Celtic Christianity is, well, ancient. We associate “Celtic spirituality” with St. Patrick, St. Brigit, St. Columba, St. Kevin… with ancient monastic sites like Iona, Glendalough, or Skellig Michael… with legends of old like the Voyage of St. Brendan. It’s easy to think of Celtic Christianity as a nostalgic spirituality from way back when! But there is a living, breathing, vibrant tradition of dedicated seekers who live the spirituality of the Celts in our time. One such community grounded in the Celtic tradition is the Community of Aidan and Hilda, based on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. So this beautiful new book from BRF features prayers, liturgies, and guidance from a variety of members of this contemporary Celtic organization. From the back cover: 'explores 20 different ways of praying from the Celtic Christian tradition.' Check it out!\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e"}

Celtic Prayer – Caught Up in Love: Wisdom for living from a modern Celtic community

£12.99

Even the most committed pray-ers can get stuck in a rut. Loved and familiar ways of praying can become dry...

Details

{"id":7136988102847,"title":"Sharing the Christmas Story","handle":"sharing-the-christmas-story","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this year's BRF Advent book Sally Welch explores two questions: What is the Christmas story really about, and how do we share it? Through each week of Advent, a different aspect of the Christmas story is examined: light, promise, mystery, love, peace and hope. Within each week, the days are focused on the ways in which the Christmas story is shared: prophecies, journeys, new life, signs, poems, stories and conversations. Each day offers a Bible passage, followed by a reflection and prayer activity. Suggestions for group study and group study questions are also included.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSally Welch is a parish priest of 20 yearsʼ standing, having ministered in both rural and\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eurban contexts within the Diocese of Oxford. She is currently the diocesan spirituality\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eadviser and co-director of the Centre for Christian Pilgrimage. Sally is a committed pilgrim and has walked many pilgrim routes in the UK and Europe, with plans for many more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry Way Autumn 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eSharing the Christmas Story by Sally Welch, is nice chunky paperback book with just under 160 pages. It takes you through Advent with a reading, a very clear and thought provoking reflection, a couple of questions and a prayer, for each day. On the Sunday of each week there are extra questions and a creative prayer to try out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eThe book has been published this year and so is dated as such. It doesn’t start on the first day of Advent but rather 1 December, which this year is a Thursday. Personally I would have preferred it to just say ‘First of December’ etc but maybe I’m being pedantic as obviously it can still be used in any year. Each week focusses on a different aspect of the Christmas story, the themes being; promise, light, mystery, love, peace and hope. Within each week, the days are then broken down to look at the way the Christmas story is shared such as through prophecy, signs or stories. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eMy first thought on reading the book was that this would be a great tool to use with my family (I have children aged 19, 12 and 11) around the dinner table possibly? The suggestion says to use the book for group study and I agree that this is the perfect all in one tool. What I love about the questions is that they aren’t theological questions about the text but rather ‘real life’ questions such as ‘Do you put God in a box?’ and ‘If you discovered you had only one day to live, what would you do?’. This means that the book would be suitable for someone who has only just started their journey in faith as well as being suitable for those further along in their journey. Priced at £8.99 this is definitely worth every penny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online November 2022. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor each day through the six weeks of Advent and the Christmas season, Sally Welch has chosen, and reflected on, a short Bible reading relating to the Christmas story. Within each week, she has considered the way the story is shared through prophecies, journeys, signs, poems, stories and conversations. Over these busy and exciting weeks, the book takes in the themes of promise, light, mystery, love, peace and hope. This autumn of 2022, with the nation and the world in turmoil, it feels like we need rather a lot of these things. Sally uses texts from Old and New Testaments, some well-known and others less well-known. At the end of each week Sally has suggested creative ideas for prayer.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere must have been many books of daily readings for Advent which have been published over the years. This one comes across as fresh and new. It is thoughtful and intelligent, but not academic; warm and attractive but not corny. I commend it to readers as individuals and for use by small groups this Advent.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 28.10.22. Review by Peter McGeary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author of this kind of book faces a difficult set of tasks. Advent is a wonderful time of the Church’s year, filled with themes of history, judgement, and expectation. The trouble is that it is all too short, and takes place in a world that thinks that 'Christmas' is a time of commercial frenzy that for many people begins weeks before 1 December. How does an author instil a sense of prayerfulness and reflection into this season? Sally Welch is a director of the Centre for Christian Pilgrimage, in the diocese of Oxford, and her book is an attempt to do just that: to get us to slow down and think and pray. She takes us on a journey of exploration of the themes of the season. Sharing the Christmas Story is designed for individual or group use, and is a very good attempt to get the reader to carve out a short daily time for a scripture reading, a reflection, questions, and, finally, prayer. The material covers six weeks from the beginning of Advent until the feast of the Epiphany, and each week has an overarching theme to link the Bible passages. The great quality here is simplicity and brevity, although material can be easily expanded for group use (there are helpful suggestions at the beginning about how this might be done). The BRF has produced another fine volume that tells the Story with simplicity and clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by The Revd Peter McGeary, Vicar of St Mary’s, Cable Street, London.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBRF’s Christmas devotional for 2022 takes you all the way through from Advent to Epiphany, with in-depth daily devotionals (which include the Bible reading presented in full – very handy), introductions to each week of readings, and questions\/creative prayer to use in groups. You do need to set aside a bit more time to read this devotional, as the print is small and the daily readings are a little longer than those in other books, but the sacrifice of time will more than make up for itself in terms of the richness of thought, depth of theological understanding, and challenge of personal application contained here.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-03-16T11:33:33+00:00","created_at":"2022-01-17T11:42:55+00:00","vendor":"Sally Welch","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","Biblical engagement","Centenary Collection"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":41235741049023,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391062","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Sharing the Christmas Story","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":175,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391062","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391062.jpg?v=1642419912"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391062.jpg?v=1642419912","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":23899862073535,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391062.jpg?v=1642419912"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391062.jpg?v=1642419912","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eIn this year's BRF Advent book Sally Welch explores two questions: What is the Christmas story really about, and how do we share it? Through each week of Advent, a different aspect of the Christmas story is examined: light, promise, mystery, love, peace and hope. Within each week, the days are focused on the ways in which the Christmas story is shared: prophecies, journeys, new life, signs, poems, stories and conversations. Each day offers a Bible passage, followed by a reflection and prayer activity. Suggestions for group study and group study questions are also included.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSally Welch is a parish priest of 20 yearsʼ standing, having ministered in both rural and\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eurban contexts within the Diocese of Oxford. She is currently the diocesan spirituality\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eadviser and co-director of the Centre for Christian Pilgrimage. Sally is a committed pilgrim and has walked many pilgrim routes in the UK and Europe, with plans for many more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry Way Autumn 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eSharing the Christmas Story by Sally Welch, is nice chunky paperback book with just under 160 pages. It takes you through Advent with a reading, a very clear and thought provoking reflection, a couple of questions and a prayer, for each day. On the Sunday of each week there are extra questions and a creative prayer to try out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eThe book has been published this year and so is dated as such. It doesn’t start on the first day of Advent but rather 1 December, which this year is a Thursday. Personally I would have preferred it to just say ‘First of December’ etc but maybe I’m being pedantic as obviously it can still be used in any year. Each week focusses on a different aspect of the Christmas story, the themes being; promise, light, mystery, love, peace and hope. Within each week, the days are then broken down to look at the way the Christmas story is shared such as through prophecy, signs or stories. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003eMy first thought on reading the book was that this would be a great tool to use with my family (I have children aged 19, 12 and 11) around the dinner table possibly? The suggestion says to use the book for group study and I agree that this is the perfect all in one tool. What I love about the questions is that they aren’t theological questions about the text but rather ‘real life’ questions such as ‘Do you put God in a box?’ and ‘If you discovered you had only one day to live, what would you do?’. This means that the book would be suitable for someone who has only just started their journey in faith as well as being suitable for those further along in their journey. Priced at £8.99 this is definitely worth every penny.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ydpd11d151bmsonormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online November 2022. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor each day through the six weeks of Advent and the Christmas season, Sally Welch has chosen, and reflected on, a short Bible reading relating to the Christmas story. Within each week, she has considered the way the story is shared through prophecies, journeys, signs, poems, stories and conversations. Over these busy and exciting weeks, the book takes in the themes of promise, light, mystery, love, peace and hope. This autumn of 2022, with the nation and the world in turmoil, it feels like we need rather a lot of these things. Sally uses texts from Old and New Testaments, some well-known and others less well-known. At the end of each week Sally has suggested creative ideas for prayer.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere must have been many books of daily readings for Advent which have been published over the years. This one comes across as fresh and new. It is thoughtful and intelligent, but not academic; warm and attractive but not corny. I commend it to readers as individuals and for use by small groups this Advent.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 28.10.22. Review by Peter McGeary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author of this kind of book faces a difficult set of tasks. Advent is a wonderful time of the Church’s year, filled with themes of history, judgement, and expectation. The trouble is that it is all too short, and takes place in a world that thinks that 'Christmas' is a time of commercial frenzy that for many people begins weeks before 1 December. How does an author instil a sense of prayerfulness and reflection into this season? Sally Welch is a director of the Centre for Christian Pilgrimage, in the diocese of Oxford, and her book is an attempt to do just that: to get us to slow down and think and pray. She takes us on a journey of exploration of the themes of the season. Sharing the Christmas Story is designed for individual or group use, and is a very good attempt to get the reader to carve out a short daily time for a scripture reading, a reflection, questions, and, finally, prayer. The material covers six weeks from the beginning of Advent until the feast of the Epiphany, and each week has an overarching theme to link the Bible passages. The great quality here is simplicity and brevity, although material can be easily expanded for group use (there are helpful suggestions at the beginning about how this might be done). The BRF has produced another fine volume that tells the Story with simplicity and clarity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by The Revd Peter McGeary, Vicar of St Mary’s, Cable Street, London.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBRF’s Christmas devotional for 2022 takes you all the way through from Advent to Epiphany, with in-depth daily devotionals (which include the Bible reading presented in full – very handy), introductions to each week of readings, and questions\/creative prayer to use in groups. You do need to set aside a bit more time to read this devotional, as the print is small and the daily readings are a little longer than those in other books, but the sacrifice of time will more than make up for itself in terms of the richness of thought, depth of theological understanding, and challenge of personal application contained here.\u003c\/p\u003e"}

Sharing the Christmas Story

£8.99

In this year's BRF Advent book Sally Welch explores two questions: What is the Christmas story really about, and how...

Details

{"id":2439820607588,"title":"Holy Habits: Gladness and Generosity: Missional discipleship resources for churches","handle":"holy-habits-gladness-and-generosity-missional-discipleship-resources-for-churches","description":"\u003cp\u003eGladness and generosity go together in this Holy Habit because they are inextricably linked. A generously forgiving and trusting nature is often - though not necessarily - a cheerful one. But the root of giving that is generous and cheerful is thankfulness, as we realise what God has done for us and respond with gladness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoly Habits is an adventure in Christian discipleship. Inspired by Luke’s model of church found in Acts 2:42–47, it identifies ten habits and encourages the development of a way of life formed by them. The habits are: Biblical Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking Bread, Prayer, Sharing Resources, Serving, Eating Together, Gladness and Generosity, Worship, and Making More Disciples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese resources are designed to help churches explore the habits creatively in a range of contexts and live them out in whole-life, intergenerational, missional discipleship.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iBCv-KMD5E0\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeil Johnson is Co-Superintendent Minister of the Birmingham Methodist Circuit. Tom Milton is Communications Officer for the Birmingham Methodist Circuit. Andrew Roberts is a Methodist minister working as Discipleship Specialist within the Discipleship and Ministries Learning Network, and author of the book Holy Habits (Malcolm Down Publishing, 2016). He previously served as Director of Training with Fresh Expressions and co-authored Fresh! An introduction to fresh expressions and pioneer ministry (SCM Press, 2012).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePremier Christianity Magazine, August 2018. Review by Justin Brierley \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e****\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMethodist minister Andrew Roberts has achieved an ambitious task. He and a team of editors have delivered a set of ten Holy Habits booklets that will enable an entire church community to explore a multifaceted approach to discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe series covers ten elements of discipleship distilled from the life of the early Church as describefd in Acts 2:42-47: Biblical Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking Bread, Prayer, Sharing Resources, Serving, Eating Together, Gladness and Generosity, Worship and Making More Disciples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is much to commend in the Holy Habits initiative. Each booklet offers a range of suggestions for incorporating and exploring each respective habit. This includes worship ideas, preaching notes, small group activities, creative projects and individual and community practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe books will act as a starting point for churches planning a long-term discipleship programme, but leaders will need to put in effort themselves to flesh out some of the ideas contained within.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Justin Brierley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:05+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:06+00:00","vendor":"Andrew Roberts","type":"Paperback","tags":["Holy Habits church handbooks","Holy Habits: Gladness and Generosity","Jan-18","PDF","Torch Trust"],"price":499,"price_min":499,"price_max":499,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21770086547556,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466853","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Holy Habits: Gladness and Generosity: Missional discipleship resources for churches - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":499,"weight":170,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466853","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":24432196386916,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWNLOAD6853","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":8946161811556,"product_id":2439820607588,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-02-20T16:31:03+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-20T16:31:03+00:00","alt":null,"width":458,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWNLOAD6853.jpg?v=1550680263","variant_ids":[24432196386916]},"available":true,"name":"Holy Habits: Gladness and Generosity: Missional discipleship resources for churches - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":499,"weight":170,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"DOWNLOAD6853","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3259471167627,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWNLOAD6853.jpg?v=1550680263"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466853-l.jpg?v=1550594959","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWNLOAD6853.jpg?v=1550680263"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466853-l.jpg?v=1550594959","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3259349631115,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466853-l.jpg?v=1550594959"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857466853-l.jpg?v=1550594959","width":458},{"alt":null,"id":3259471167627,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"width":458,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWNLOAD6853.jpg?v=1550680263"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/DOWNLOAD6853.jpg?v=1550680263","width":458}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eGladness and generosity go together in this Holy Habit because they are inextricably linked. A generously forgiving and trusting nature is often - though not necessarily - a cheerful one. But the root of giving that is generous and cheerful is thankfulness, as we realise what God has done for us and respond with gladness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoly Habits is an adventure in Christian discipleship. Inspired by Luke’s model of church found in Acts 2:42–47, it identifies ten habits and encourages the development of a way of life formed by them. The habits are: Biblical Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking Bread, Prayer, Sharing Resources, Serving, Eating Together, Gladness and Generosity, Worship, and Making More Disciples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese resources are designed to help churches explore the habits creatively in a range of contexts and live them out in whole-life, intergenerational, missional discipleship.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iBCv-KMD5E0\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeil Johnson is Co-Superintendent Minister of the Birmingham Methodist Circuit. Tom Milton is Communications Officer for the Birmingham Methodist Circuit. Andrew Roberts is a Methodist minister working as Discipleship Specialist within the Discipleship and Ministries Learning Network, and author of the book Holy Habits (Malcolm Down Publishing, 2016). He previously served as Director of Training with Fresh Expressions and co-authored Fresh! An introduction to fresh expressions and pioneer ministry (SCM Press, 2012).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePremier Christianity Magazine, August 2018. Review by Justin Brierley \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e****\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMethodist minister Andrew Roberts has achieved an ambitious task. He and a team of editors have delivered a set of ten Holy Habits booklets that will enable an entire church community to explore a multifaceted approach to discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe series covers ten elements of discipleship distilled from the life of the early Church as describefd in Acts 2:42-47: Biblical Teaching, Fellowship, Breaking Bread, Prayer, Sharing Resources, Serving, Eating Together, Gladness and Generosity, Worship and Making More Disciples.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is much to commend in the Holy Habits initiative. Each booklet offers a range of suggestions for incorporating and exploring each respective habit. This includes worship ideas, preaching notes, small group activities, creative projects and individual and community practices.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe books will act as a starting point for churches planning a long-term discipleship programme, but leaders will need to put in effort themselves to flesh out some of the ideas contained within.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Justin Brierley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}

Holy Habits: Gladness and Generosity: Missional discipleship resources for churches

£4.99

Gladness and generosity go together in this Holy Habit because they are inextricably linked. A generously forgiving and trusting nature...

Details

{"id":2439784267876,"title":"Seasoned by Seasons: Flourishing in life's experiences","handle":"seasoned-by-seasons-flourishing-in-lifes-experiences","description":"\u003cp\u003eLike the seasons themselves, our lives are variable and can change in a moment. In Seasoned by Seasons, Michael Mitton acknowledges this and offers Bible reflections for the variety of life's seasons: spring, the season of emerging new life; summer, the season of fruitfulness; autumn, the season of letting go; winter, the season of discovering light in the dark. What can we learn, and how can we be encouraged in each season of our lives? This book will empower you to discover for yourself the truths and messages of scripture, and might well transform the way you view life's changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn: the season of making space\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFear - space for new confidence (Andrew)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfirmity - space for wholeness (Mephibosheth)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRejection - space for true value (Hagar)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVulnerability - space for true safety (Woman in the crowd)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChange -space for new vision (Joseph)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHumbling - space for growth (Naaman)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisturbance - space for a new calling (Nehemiah)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter: the season of discovery\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeath - the discovery of prevailing love (Naomi and Ruth)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuilt - the discovery of wisdom (David)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDespair - the discovery of hope (Isaiah)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFailure - the discovery of being (Samaritan Woman)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConfusion - the discovery of light (Nicodemus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDepression - the discovery of insight (Elijah)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrisis - the discovery of presence (Daniel)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring: the season of birthing\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfant - birthing new life (Hannah)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreation - birthing wonder (Earth)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdventure - birthing vision (Abraham)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLove - birthing romance (Jacob and Rachel)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreativity - birthing imagination (Bezalel)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHealing - birthing new wellbeing (Crippled woman)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAwakening - birthing faith (Ethiopian Eunuch)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer: the season of flourishing\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHoliday - the flourishing of rest (Mary and Martha)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBirthday - the flourishing of you (Ecclesiastes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRousing - the flourishing of justice (John the Baptist)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelease - the flourishing of freedom (Slave girl)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbundance - the flourishing of wealth (Solomon)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalvation - the flourishing of gratitude (Zacchaeus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCelebration - the flourishing of community (Bride at Cana)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was captivated by Michael's wonderfully colourful and imaginative storytelling. The Bible characters are us as we journey with them through the hopes, heartaches, difficulties and dreams that, in God's hands, add that special je ne sais quoi to the seasons of our lives. Each reflection was so vivid I couldn't wait to read the next.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Michele Guinness, writer and speaker \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book comes as a welcome reminder that there really is more than one season. The unpredictability of life may mean that we find ourselves in seasons in which the focus of activity is internal rather than external, or preparatory rather than productive. This very practical book serves as a wise and gracious toolkit for anyone in any season. Like the seasons themselves, it is a gift for our souls.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Roger Morris, Bishop of Colchester \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichael Mitton is a freelance writer, speaker and spiritual director. He has worked for the Diocese of Derby as the Fresh Expressions Adviser. Before that, he was Deputy Director of the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, heading up Acorn's Christian Listeners, and prior to that was Director of Anglican Renewal Ministries. He has also written Travellers of the Heart and Seasoned by Seasons for BRF and is a regular contributor to New Daylight. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Summer 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by Laura Hillman\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book would make a good introduction for someone not accustomed to regular Bible reading as the author leads the reader gently through well-known stories and passages drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. His illustrations are from a variety of sources as diverse as the early Celts and Doctor Who. The book is divided into four sections, one for each season, beginning with autumn. Each section consists of seven chapters with an introduction reflecting the seasonal flavour: summer is the season of flourishing whereas winter is the season of discovery. The author uses the method of Ignatian spirituality to add his own imaginative detail to the text. Each chapter is completed by a question for reflection and a short prayer making it suitable for use with a home group. But it is also a book to dip into as the author deals with the ups and downs of human existence with sensitivity and compassion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArlesford Parish Magazine. Review by the Rector, the Revd Graham Bowkett\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a wise, compassionate reflection on the vicissitudes of life. Using the framework of the Celtic year and borrowing his title from Shakespeare's Portia, musing on 'How many things by season season'ed are\/To their right praise and true perfection!', Mitton takes the reader deep into the heart of a series of moving biblical stories and characters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDefined by daylight rather than weather, the Celtic season of Lammas (autumn) begins on 1 August, followed by Samhain (winter) on 1 November, Imbolc (spring) on 1 February and Beltaine (summer) on 1 May. For Mitton, autumn is the season for creating space for new confidence, vision and growth; winter is the season for discovering love, wisdom and hope; spring is when wonder, imagination and faith are born; and summer is the time of flourishing: the flourishing of justice, freedom and gratitude.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Revd Graham Bowkett\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:46+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:47+00:00","vendor":"Michael Mitton","type":"Paperback","tags":["Devotional","Kindle","Oct-17","Pastoral care"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769550692452,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465405","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Seasoned by Seasons: Flourishing in life's experiences - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":182,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465405","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465405-l.jpg?v=1549043148"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465405-l.jpg?v=1549043148","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238878609547,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465405-l.jpg?v=1549043148"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465405-l.jpg?v=1549043148","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eLike the seasons themselves, our lives are variable and can change in a moment. In Seasoned by Seasons, Michael Mitton acknowledges this and offers Bible reflections for the variety of life's seasons: spring, the season of emerging new life; summer, the season of fruitfulness; autumn, the season of letting go; winter, the season of discovering light in the dark. What can we learn, and how can we be encouraged in each season of our lives? This book will empower you to discover for yourself the truths and messages of scripture, and might well transform the way you view life's changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn: the season of making space\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFear - space for new confidence (Andrew)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfirmity - space for wholeness (Mephibosheth)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRejection - space for true value (Hagar)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVulnerability - space for true safety (Woman in the crowd)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChange -space for new vision (Joseph)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHumbling - space for growth (Naaman)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisturbance - space for a new calling (Nehemiah)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter: the season of discovery\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeath - the discovery of prevailing love (Naomi and Ruth)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuilt - the discovery of wisdom (David)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDespair - the discovery of hope (Isaiah)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFailure - the discovery of being (Samaritan Woman)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConfusion - the discovery of light (Nicodemus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDepression - the discovery of insight (Elijah)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrisis - the discovery of presence (Daniel)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpring: the season of birthing\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfant - birthing new life (Hannah)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreation - birthing wonder (Earth)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdventure - birthing vision (Abraham)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLove - birthing romance (Jacob and Rachel)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreativity - birthing imagination (Bezalel)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHealing - birthing new wellbeing (Crippled woman)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAwakening - birthing faith (Ethiopian Eunuch)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer: the season of flourishing\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHoliday - the flourishing of rest (Mary and Martha)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBirthday - the flourishing of you (Ecclesiastes)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRousing - the flourishing of justice (John the Baptist)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelease - the flourishing of freedom (Slave girl)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbundance - the flourishing of wealth (Solomon)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalvation - the flourishing of gratitude (Zacchaeus)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCelebration - the flourishing of community (Bride at Cana)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was captivated by Michael's wonderfully colourful and imaginative storytelling. The Bible characters are us as we journey with them through the hopes, heartaches, difficulties and dreams that, in God's hands, add that special je ne sais quoi to the seasons of our lives. Each reflection was so vivid I couldn't wait to read the next.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Michele Guinness, writer and speaker \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book comes as a welcome reminder that there really is more than one season. The unpredictability of life may mean that we find ourselves in seasons in which the focus of activity is internal rather than external, or preparatory rather than productive. This very practical book serves as a wise and gracious toolkit for anyone in any season. Like the seasons themselves, it is a gift for our souls.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Roger Morris, Bishop of Colchester \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMichael Mitton is a freelance writer, speaker and spiritual director. He has worked for the Diocese of Derby as the Fresh Expressions Adviser. Before that, he was Deputy Director of the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation, heading up Acorn's Christian Listeners, and prior to that was Director of Anglican Renewal Ministries. He has also written Travellers of the Heart and Seasoned by Seasons for BRF and is a regular contributor to New Daylight. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Summer 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by Laura Hillman\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book would make a good introduction for someone not accustomed to regular Bible reading as the author leads the reader gently through well-known stories and passages drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. His illustrations are from a variety of sources as diverse as the early Celts and Doctor Who. The book is divided into four sections, one for each season, beginning with autumn. Each section consists of seven chapters with an introduction reflecting the seasonal flavour: summer is the season of flourishing whereas winter is the season of discovery. The author uses the method of Ignatian spirituality to add his own imaginative detail to the text. Each chapter is completed by a question for reflection and a short prayer making it suitable for use with a home group. But it is also a book to dip into as the author deals with the ups and downs of human existence with sensitivity and compassion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArlesford Parish Magazine. Review by the Rector, the Revd Graham Bowkett\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a wise, compassionate reflection on the vicissitudes of life. Using the framework of the Celtic year and borrowing his title from Shakespeare's Portia, musing on 'How many things by season season'ed are\/To their right praise and true perfection!', Mitton takes the reader deep into the heart of a series of moving biblical stories and characters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDefined by daylight rather than weather, the Celtic season of Lammas (autumn) begins on 1 August, followed by Samhain (winter) on 1 November, Imbolc (spring) on 1 February and Beltaine (summer) on 1 May. For Mitton, autumn is the season for creating space for new confidence, vision and growth; winter is the season for discovering love, wisdom and hope; spring is when wonder, imagination and faith are born; and summer is the time of flourishing: the flourishing of justice, freedom and gratitude.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Revd Graham Bowkett\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}

Seasoned by Seasons: Flourishing in life's experiences

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Like the seasons themselves, our lives are variable and can change in a moment. In Seasoned by Seasons, Michael Mitton...

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Seasoned by Seasons: Flourishing in life's experiences