Ministry
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{"id":2439775223908,"title":"St Aidan's Way of Mission: Celtic insights for a post-Christian world","handle":"st-aidans-way-of-mission-celtic-insights-for-a-post-christian-world","description":"\u003cp\u003eSurveying the life and times of Aidan of Lindisfarne, this book draws insights into missional approaches to inspire both outreach and discipleship for today's Church. As in his previous BRF book, Hilda of Whitby, Ray Simpson shows that such figures from past centuries can provide models for Christian life and witness today. An author and speaker on Celtic spirituality with a worldwide reputation, he combines historical fact with spiritual lessons in a highly accessible style, with an appeal to a wide audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRay Simpson is a founder of the international new monastic movement known as The Community of Aidan and Hilda and is principal tutor of its Celtic Christian Studies programmes. He has written some thirty books on spirituality and lives on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where many Christian leaders come to the Community's Retreat House and Library and for consultation. He tweets a daily prayer @whitehouseviews and writes a weekly blog on www.raysimpson.org\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25 November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the Lindisfarne-based founder of a new monastic movement, the Community of Aidan and Hilda. His Australian co-author, Brent Lyons-Lee, is an expert in indigenous mission initiatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt one point, the authors commend the practice of lectio divina. It means 'godly reading', and is based around the four Rs of reading, reflection, response, and relaxing. It serves them well. Often, all there is to go on is fleeting insights into Aidan's life from Bede. But, in the spiritual realm, a little goes a long way. The Irish saint's very name means 'little flame'. From the book's first chapter - 'Incarnational and indigenous mission' - we are carried straight to religious flashpoints of contemporary importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBorn at about the time that St Columba died, at the end of the sixth century, Aidan was commissioned from Iona to evangelise the brutally warring Anglo-Saxon settlers of Northumbria. Not for him the later Romanised colonial model of mission, a model replic ated from Australia to the Americas, where 'the gospel was preached, but abuse was modelled.' Instead, the Lindisfarne mission seeded 'little colonies of heaven' that helped to grow 'an indigenous, English-speaking church'.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the chapter on 'Soul friends and lifelong learning'. Here we are reminded that, when universities were separated from a spiritual grounding in the Beatitudes, and Christ's relationship to nature, they lost 'a holistic understanding of godly learning that embraces head, heart and hands'. Other chapters explore pilgrimage, women as spiritual foster-mothers, social justice, and religious rule and rhythm.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are those who would see 'Celtic Christianity' dead and buried. There are those who believe the future to be post-Christian. This little gem is a lectio divina of the signs of resurrection.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eDr McIntosh is an Honorary Fellow in divinity at Edinburgh University\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices September 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis small book is an attempt to draw on the principles underpinning St Aidan's involvement in Celtic Christianity at its height, and apply them to our day. Although sometimes there's a slight element of 'St Aidan can do no wrong', it's important to say that the author is very clear about the mistakes of the representatives of both Roman and Celtic Christianity in Saxon Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters tackle topics ranging from church and state to the environment, the need for spiritual soul mates and the way the church continues to inflict inequality on women.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI think the heart of the book is in chapter 5. The author is sceptical of current models of doing Church and instead expounds the notion of the local expression of Christianity as a village of God. The following has become a bit of a mantra for the author:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are other pithy sayings of this sort, particularly in the chapter on church and state which develops into a brief summary of the author's thoughts on social justice issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe essential message of the book is that we have reached a point where Christianity needs re-rooting in British (and European) soil, that this will be a long process requiring patience and a long-term approach as exemplified by St Aidan's dealings with the ordinary person and nobility of his day.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuy Whitehouse\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eJournal of Contemporary Ministry No 2 (2016)\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan is an inspiring saint whose Irish mission to the English is an instructive model for mission in the post-Christendom Western world today, suggest Ray Simpson with Brent Lyons-Lee.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the founding Guardian and chief liturgist of the International New Monastic Community of Aidan and Hilda and author of over thirty books on spirituality and mission. Brent Lyons-Lee is Mission Catalyst for Community Engagement with the Baptist Union of Victoria and a social justice activist. This is his third book he has co-written with Ray Simpson connecting Celtic insights with spirituality that can be at home in Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe story began when Aidan was posted to the Iona monastery. When a previous mission effort to Northumbria failed, Aidan was sent from Iona to Northumbria in 635. He learned English, built trust with King Oswald and his court, and walked around the region seeking to incarnate the gospel and create indigenous 'colonies of heaven.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the invitation of the book to reflect on Aidan's example of the Christian life as a pilgrimage, not a possession. Irish pilgrims or peregrine allowed God's Spirit to blow them where it wished and let mission take as long as it needed. As reflected in vows of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, it is about setting sail and letting the 'Wild Goose' or untameable Spirit of God lead into wild or windy places, and then make them places of welcome and wonder. To find your calling, Simpson often says, 'Let your feet follow your heart until you find your place of resurrection' (p. 29). The place of resurrection is about not only where you will literally die, but also where you can experience shalom and harmony between yourself and your place and neighbours (and so where you may as well stay until you die). It is where 'fruit comes as a gift because we are the right person in the right place at the right time. Creativity flows. Connections take place. Synchronicity occurs. Jesus is revealed' (p. 29). That is sufficient vision to invite us to let go of what we hold (and what holds us) and step out on a Spirit-led journey, and keep walking till we find a place where the bells ring for us.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second inspiring lesson I got from this book is that, rather than viewing the church as institutional and attractional, do-it-yourself or even focused on mission only, Aidan's vision of church was as 'God-shaped hub communities that have a heart for God, others and society' (p. 87). Starting in Lindisfarne, Aidan planted a network of monastic communities that included schools, libraries and guest quarters, and space for productive farming as well as celebratory feasting. Simpson suggests today's global village still needs churches as 'villages of God':\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a model of church functioning in ways that are responsive to one's adopted city and seeking to foster shalom.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan also celebrated the image and gifts of God in women as well as men. Aidan prioritised practices and rhythms, and I appreciated the writer's urging to identify practices worth commending to people in my community. Moreover, Aidan had a grounded vision of an earthy faith that cares for Creation. The book is practical about how to do this, but also beautifully weaves together Celtic and Australian indigenous stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, Simpson and Lyons-Lee stressed the importance that Aidan taught of having soul friends who help us cultivate balanced and prayerful living and a lifelong love for learning wisdom. Aidan's spirituality and teaching were not focused only on book learning but also on cultivating a deep devotion, as this prayer urged:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDivine Mentor,\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTeach us the habits of holy learning,\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo know your ways\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo explore your world\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn from experience\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo understand people\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo manage time and talents\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo draw on wellsprings of wisdom\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eUntil we become a people of saints and scholars (p. 47).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Church in the West does not need another one-size-fits-all off-the-shelf program. However, we do need stories of saints who have walked journeys of courageous faith and adventurous mission - not to imitate closely but to suggest principles and ways of engaging our neighbourhoods in fresh and humble ways. St Aidan's Way of Mission is a delightful read, weaving together the story of this inspiring saint and implications for contemporary ministry.[p\u0026gt;]\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eDr Darren Cronshaw\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson's writing is readable and thought-provoking. The subtitle for this book is 'Celtic insights for a post-Christian world', and is a helpful reminder how valuable the insights of the Celtic saints are for the challenges we face today. The authors reflect on life as a Christian in a world that has lost touch with a deeply-rooted spirituality, returning to the mission of St Aidan and his deep desire to bring the relevance of Christianity to day to day life. They explain the relevance of Aidan in the globally dangerous world we find ourselves in and remind us of the call to live the eternal values of Christianity, but also the need to ensure we are culturally relevant. Lyons-Lee brings an Australian cross-cultural mission perspective and contributes an interesting angle to the spirituality of place and how this relates to the Celtic church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan was a man of his time (seventh century), yet in the great missions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many missionaries dispersed from Britain and Ireland, and clearly could not have done this had it not been for the work of their forefathers and mothers. Simpson and Lee remind us for the need for a 'bottom up' rather than a 'top down' culture of mission. They argue that the question of whether we are post-Christian relates closely to our post-colonial heritage, taking in the strands of evangelism and the prosperity gospel, and other negative forms of Christianity which favour the few. They demonstrate the model of mission where networks and communities have justice integrated within them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eCeltic women feature strongly, and certainly I was left wanting more of the great women who are considered the key Celtic saints- Hilda Brigid and Bega. They are women who could offer a lot to our churches and different models of leadership and ministry. When the writers state that in the history of Christianity, only three countries have routinely dignified them by appointing them to lead large monasteries of women and men, I would have liked to know more of these women within the German, French and English traditions. I can imagine some of the names that would be included here, but found myself wondering about these founders about whom little is known, women who were known for leadership and soul friendship and would have been the early spiritual directors. This book raises important questions and the chapter focussing particularly on women would be a creative study for our 'Catholic Women's Ordination' groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eKatharine Salmon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:08+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:09+00:00","vendor":"Ray Simpson","type":"Paperback","tags":["For individuals","Jul-16","Kindle","Mission","Spirituality"],"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":21769401073764,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464859","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"St Aidan's Way of Mission: Celtic insights for a post-Christian world - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":188,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464859","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464859-l.jpg?v=1549043156"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464859-l.jpg?v=1549043156","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238877659275,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464859-l.jpg?v=1549043156"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464859-l.jpg?v=1549043156","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eSurveying the life and times of Aidan of Lindisfarne, this book draws insights into missional approaches to inspire both outreach and discipleship for today's Church. As in his previous BRF book, Hilda of Whitby, Ray Simpson shows that such figures from past centuries can provide models for Christian life and witness today. An author and speaker on Celtic spirituality with a worldwide reputation, he combines historical fact with spiritual lessons in a highly accessible style, with an appeal to a wide audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nRay Simpson is a founder of the international new monastic movement known as The Community of Aidan and Hilda and is principal tutor of its Celtic Christian Studies programmes. He has written some thirty books on spirituality and lives on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, where many Christian leaders come to the Community's Retreat House and Library and for consultation. He tweets a daily prayer @whitehouseviews and writes a weekly blog on www.raysimpson.org\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25 November 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the Lindisfarne-based founder of a new monastic movement, the Community of Aidan and Hilda. His Australian co-author, Brent Lyons-Lee, is an expert in indigenous mission initiatives.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt one point, the authors commend the practice of lectio divina. It means 'godly reading', and is based around the four Rs of reading, reflection, response, and relaxing. It serves them well. Often, all there is to go on is fleeting insights into Aidan's life from Bede. But, in the spiritual realm, a little goes a long way. The Irish saint's very name means 'little flame'. From the book's first chapter - 'Incarnational and indigenous mission' - we are carried straight to religious flashpoints of contemporary importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBorn at about the time that St Columba died, at the end of the sixth century, Aidan was commissioned from Iona to evangelise the brutally warring Anglo-Saxon settlers of Northumbria. Not for him the later Romanised colonial model of mission, a model replic ated from Australia to the Americas, where 'the gospel was preached, but abuse was modelled.' Instead, the Lindisfarne mission seeded 'little colonies of heaven' that helped to grow 'an indigenous, English-speaking church'.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the chapter on 'Soul friends and lifelong learning'. Here we are reminded that, when universities were separated from a spiritual grounding in the Beatitudes, and Christ's relationship to nature, they lost 'a holistic understanding of godly learning that embraces head, heart and hands'. Other chapters explore pilgrimage, women as spiritual foster-mothers, social justice, and religious rule and rhythm.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are those who would see 'Celtic Christianity' dead and buried. There are those who believe the future to be post-Christian. This little gem is a lectio divina of the signs of resurrection.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eDr McIntosh is an Honorary Fellow in divinity at Edinburgh University\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices September 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis small book is an attempt to draw on the principles underpinning St Aidan's involvement in Celtic Christianity at its height, and apply them to our day. Although sometimes there's a slight element of 'St Aidan can do no wrong', it's important to say that the author is very clear about the mistakes of the representatives of both Roman and Celtic Christianity in Saxon Britain.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters tackle topics ranging from church and state to the environment, the need for spiritual soul mates and the way the church continues to inflict inequality on women.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI think the heart of the book is in chapter 5. The author is sceptical of current models of doing Church and instead expounds the notion of the local expression of Christianity as a village of God. The following has become a bit of a mantra for the author:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are other pithy sayings of this sort, particularly in the chapter on church and state which develops into a brief summary of the author's thoughts on social justice issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe essential message of the book is that we have reached a point where Christianity needs re-rooting in British (and European) soil, that this will be a long process requiring patience and a long-term approach as exemplified by St Aidan's dealings with the ordinary person and nobility of his day.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eGuy Whitehouse\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eJournal of Contemporary Ministry No 2 (2016)\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan is an inspiring saint whose Irish mission to the English is an instructive model for mission in the post-Christendom Western world today, suggest Ray Simpson with Brent Lyons-Lee.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is the founding Guardian and chief liturgist of the International New Monastic Community of Aidan and Hilda and author of over thirty books on spirituality and mission. Brent Lyons-Lee is Mission Catalyst for Community Engagement with the Baptist Union of Victoria and a social justice activist. This is his third book he has co-written with Ray Simpson connecting Celtic insights with spirituality that can be at home in Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe story began when Aidan was posted to the Iona monastery. When a previous mission effort to Northumbria failed, Aidan was sent from Iona to Northumbria in 635. He learned English, built trust with King Oswald and his court, and walked around the region seeking to incarnate the gospel and create indigenous 'colonies of heaven.'\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eI loved the invitation of the book to reflect on Aidan's example of the Christian life as a pilgrimage, not a possession. Irish pilgrims or peregrine allowed God's Spirit to blow them where it wished and let mission take as long as it needed. As reflected in vows of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, it is about setting sail and letting the 'Wild Goose' or untameable Spirit of God lead into wild or windy places, and then make them places of welcome and wonder. To find your calling, Simpson often says, 'Let your feet follow your heart until you find your place of resurrection' (p. 29). The place of resurrection is about not only where you will literally die, but also where you can experience shalom and harmony between yourself and your place and neighbours (and so where you may as well stay until you die). It is where 'fruit comes as a gift because we are the right person in the right place at the right time. Creativity flows. Connections take place. Synchronicity occurs. Jesus is revealed' (p. 29). That is sufficient vision to invite us to let go of what we hold (and what holds us) and step out on a Spirit-led journey, and keep walking till we find a place where the bells ring for us.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe second inspiring lesson I got from this book is that, rather than viewing the church as institutional and attractional, do-it-yourself or even focused on mission only, Aidan's vision of church was as 'God-shaped hub communities that have a heart for God, others and society' (p. 87). Starting in Lindisfarne, Aidan planted a network of monastic communities that included schools, libraries and guest quarters, and space for productive farming as well as celebratory feasting. Simpson suggests today's global village still needs churches as 'villages of God':\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA 24-hour society calls for seven-days-a-week faith communities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA cafe society calls for churches that are eating places.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA travelling society calls for churches that provide accommodation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA stressed society calls for churches that nurture retreats and meditation.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA multi-choice society calls for churches that have a choice of styles and facilities.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA fragmented society calls for holistic models and whole-life discipling.\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAn eco-threatened society calls for more locally sustainable communities that have roots in the soil.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a model of church functioning in ways that are responsive to one's adopted city and seeking to foster shalom.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan also celebrated the image and gifts of God in women as well as men. Aidan prioritised practices and rhythms, and I appreciated the writer's urging to identify practices worth commending to people in my community. Moreover, Aidan had a grounded vision of an earthy faith that cares for Creation. The book is practical about how to do this, but also beautifully weaves together Celtic and Australian indigenous stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFinally, Simpson and Lyons-Lee stressed the importance that Aidan taught of having soul friends who help us cultivate balanced and prayerful living and a lifelong love for learning wisdom. Aidan's spirituality and teaching were not focused only on book learning but also on cultivating a deep devotion, as this prayer urged:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDivine Mentor,\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTeach us the habits of holy learning,\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo know your ways\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo explore your world\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo learn from experience\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo understand people\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo manage time and talents\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo draw on wellsprings of wisdom\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eUntil we become a people of saints and scholars (p. 47).\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe Church in the West does not need another one-size-fits-all off-the-shelf program. However, we do need stories of saints who have walked journeys of courageous faith and adventurous mission - not to imitate closely but to suggest principles and ways of engaging our neighbourhoods in fresh and humble ways. St Aidan's Way of Mission is a delightful read, weaving together the story of this inspiring saint and implications for contemporary ministry.[p\u0026gt;]\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eDr Darren Cronshaw\u003c\/strong\u003e\r\n\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson's writing is readable and thought-provoking. The subtitle for this book is 'Celtic insights for a post-Christian world', and is a helpful reminder how valuable the insights of the Celtic saints are for the challenges we face today. The authors reflect on life as a Christian in a world that has lost touch with a deeply-rooted spirituality, returning to the mission of St Aidan and his deep desire to bring the relevance of Christianity to day to day life. They explain the relevance of Aidan in the globally dangerous world we find ourselves in and remind us of the call to live the eternal values of Christianity, but also the need to ensure we are culturally relevant. Lyons-Lee brings an Australian cross-cultural mission perspective and contributes an interesting angle to the spirituality of place and how this relates to the Celtic church.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAidan was a man of his time (seventh century), yet in the great missions of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, many missionaries dispersed from Britain and Ireland, and clearly could not have done this had it not been for the work of their forefathers and mothers. Simpson and Lee remind us for the need for a 'bottom up' rather than a 'top down' culture of mission. They argue that the question of whether we are post-Christian relates closely to our post-colonial heritage, taking in the strands of evangelism and the prosperity gospel, and other negative forms of Christianity which favour the few. They demonstrate the model of mission where networks and communities have justice integrated within them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eCeltic women feature strongly, and certainly I was left wanting more of the great women who are considered the key Celtic saints- Hilda Brigid and Bega. They are women who could offer a lot to our churches and different models of leadership and ministry. When the writers state that in the history of Christianity, only three countries have routinely dignified them by appointing them to lead large monasteries of women and men, I would have liked to know more of these women within the German, French and English traditions. I can imagine some of the names that would be included here, but found myself wondering about these founders about whom little is known, women who were known for leadership and soul friendship and would have been the early spiritual directors. This book raises important questions and the chapter focussing particularly on women would be a creative study for our 'Catholic Women's Ordination' groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eKatharine Salmon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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St Aidan's Way of Mission: Celtic insights for a post-Christian world
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Surveying the life and times of Aidan of Lindisfarne, this book draws insights into missional approaches to inspire both outreach...
{"id":2439747993700,"title":"Resourcing Rural Ministry: Practical insights for mission","handle":"resourcing-rural-ministry-practical-insights-for-mission","description":"\u003cp\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry offers an in-depth exploration of the key aspects, challenges and opportunities of mission in a rural church. Relevant for ordained and lay leaders alike, the book covers subjects ranging from encouraging evangelism in a multi-church group to making best use of church buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContaining a wealth of real-life case studies and suggestions for follow-up, this ecumenical publication draws on the expertise and resources of the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC), which has served the spiritual and practical needs of the rural Christian community for over 40 years. This book contributes to ARC's Germinate programme of training, development and support for rural multi-church groups of all denominations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry was first developed by Simon Martin as Training and Resources Officer at the ARC. Additional chapters have been contributed by the Revd Caroline Hewlett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne and the final text has been prepared and edited by Jill Hopkinson\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide is rooted in the reality of rural life with all its opportunities and challenges. Experienced rural practitioners share stories and resources which will inspire and equip those Christians, lay and ordained, who are working together in the very varied rural communities in Britain. Simon Martin and the other contributors have provided an invaluable resource for all who are engaged in rural mission and ministry, which I hope will be widely read and used.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Ruth Gee, BA, M Litt, President of the Methodist Conference 2013 - 2014, Chair of the Darlington Methodist District \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want an inspiring read, this book is for you. This is a can-do book for whatever your context may be. I found it faith-building and full of fantastic stories, innovative ideas and best practice throughout its pages. This book is a must for anyone passionate about seeing the gospel transform their community, whether an individual, lay preacher or church leader, and will inspire creativity, energy and enthusiasm to make a real difference in your setting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Roy Crowne, Executive Director, HOPE \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFundamentals of Christian faith and being church are story, relationships and being disciples. This book is packed with helpful resources and background theology that speak into all of these areas and will aid the rural church to be a vibrant and relevant presence in today's society. This is a 'must read' book for clergy, educators, lay leaders and anyone who has a heart for rural mission.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Peter Ball, Mission and Training Officer, Eastern Synod of the United Reformed Church \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA really useful, affirming, grounded, inspirational and practical resource book. Great for anyone in rural ministry, but with wisdom for those in lay and ordained ministry anywhere.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Lucy Moore, BRF Messy Church Team Leader \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA key message of this very useful and usable collection is that we can learn so much from the stories of what God is doing among us and through us. Read these contributions and you'll be excited by a wealth of experience, insight and resource. How to develop a learning culture is a hugely important question, and it is a vital issue for the rural church in regard to worship, discipleship and evangelism. This book is a significant contribution to that development, not least because of its consistent theme of learning from each other and learning together. I warmly commend it to all who long for the flourishing of the rural church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Rt Revd James Bell, Bishop of Ripon, Chair of the Rural Affairs Group of the Church of England General Synod \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry was first developed by Simon Martin as Training and Resources Officer at the Arthur Rank Centre. Additional chapters have been contributed by Revd Caroline Hewlett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne and the final text prepared and edited by Jill Hopkinson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePobl Dewi (Diocese of St David's) - June 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Arthur Rank Centre has been the churches' focus on rural ministry and mission for 40+ years. The accumulated knowledge on all matters affecting every denomination is unrivalled. The connections into every diocese and district has distilled much experience into this small book. The title and subtitle show how the commitment of ministry is to mission. The key questions are asked and answered. What support is available for rural congregations that have limited resources and few members? How do you resource small, dispersed rural congregations and their leaders, lay and ordained?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reliance on lay people is the norm in rural communities and churches. Clergy have to find their role, which can be very different from how it is in an urban church. The nature of church, its theology, worship, practical outreach and expectations are likely to be very different if there are less than a dozen regularly at worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose few laypeople are likely to be involved in many other community activities and their witness does not go unseen. The community in which the church is set has its own rhythms and customs. It is wise to understand these so that the life of the church respects those that are honourable and desirable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is no surprise that this book refers readers to larger resources on the website (www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk). The chapter on worship recognises how it is part of the breath of the community, even for those who do not join in. There are many who may use the church building for their own good purposes, such as meditation and prayer, at other times of the week. The chapter on evangelism refers to the Journey to Faith section. There is a useful critique of Fresh Expressions and Messy Church. The chapter on children and young people brings together several good examples of rural churches that have tried new ways of building relationships with this generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelationship is the key to rural ministry and mission. Many people have existing relationships and friendships and the church has to recognise these links so that its invitation to a new relationship with Christ is offered appropriately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChurch buildings have their own contribution to make in re-connecting church to community. Good examples abound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Canon Jeremy Martineau\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 29 April 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMULTI-AUTHOR books have their difficulties, but this is a book that will be widely appreciated and much read in rural parishes. The book was conceived and largely written by Simon Martin of the Arthur Rank Centre (the Church's presence at the centre of the farming and countryside world). Unfortunately, Simon became seriously ill before the completion of this book, and it was prepared for publication by Jill Hopkinson and other authors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the wake of \u003cem\u003eFaith in the City\u003c\/em\u003e (1985), the attention of the churches turned to rural matters, not least because of the animal-health problems of the 1980s. \u003cem\u003eFaith in the Countryside\u003c\/em\u003e (1990) seemed for a time to be the high watermark of the Church's concern with the countryside and its rural parishes. But in recent years there has been a steady flow of books on rural matters, among which this book now takes its place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBooks on the rural Church tend to fall into two categories: first, those that are essentially local histories, but which generalise about the state of affairs in the countryside; second, those about how to minister in rural areas which are full of accounts of how to confront the steady decline in rural church life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book contains little historical analysis of the development of rural parishes, but is full of accounts of pioneering work and how this has been achieved. Those in need of help as they seek to deal with the complexities of church life in rural communities should turn to this book, which is full of examples of 'what to do' and 'how to do it', many of them drawn from the Arthur Rank Centre's publication \u003cem\u003e Country Parish\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are chapters on discipleship and nurture; mission in the rural context; rural fresh expressions; worship in small churches; and the use and adaptation of historic church buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor generations, the central issue in rural parishes has been who 'owns' the church, 'not in the sense of legal tenure but in the sense of who makes the rules, determines the programme and the general direction and feel of that church'. There have been historic struggles between patrons, clergy, and churchwardens. But today many parishes have witnessed ownership struggles between the old resident community and recent arrivals who bring a different understanding of the nature of the church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuch differences have to be reconciled, because, according to Martin, a successful rural church must be run by its congregation. While it used to be considered that the role of the laity was to help the clergy do what was essentially their job, Martin and his co-authors make it clear that the rural church will only thrive if it is run by the laity, and the role of the very few rural clergy is to encourage and equip the laity to do this job\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e.In one church, a member of the congregation wrote on the wall 'This is my church.' This book makes clear that unless the laity, in every sense, own and take responsibility for the local church, it will die. Many will recognise the truth of this statement in the contemporary countryside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Dr Anthony Russell is a former Bishop of Ely and President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurches Together in England - April 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is long overdue as it brings many of the resources for mission from the Arthur Rank Centre - which has resourced rural ministry and mission for 40 years - into one place. This is very welcome for clergy and lay people alike and from across the churches in England, especially as it is said that 1 in 6 of the population live in rural areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten by national advisors and local practitioners alike, \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e does exactly what it says, by providing a wide variety of ideas, resources, case studies and comment for anyone concerned with the rural context of mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApart from all the helpful information, what I like best about this book is the layout. Under straight forward titles and in short sections it is easy to find what you might be looking for. Whether it be Messy Church, Multi-Church Ministry, or rural aspects of Ministerial Training, it also includes examples of more unusual ministry e.g. Forest Church and various aspects of theological reflection e.g. Robert Warren's diagram of Doing, Being and Living.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e draws on various traditions including monastic and Fresh Expressions, as well as quoting examples from different denominations. It is a compendium or 'one stop shop' for those who want to address the challenges of the rural church - especially practically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a practical guide, some may say \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e is light in terms of political and social critique, and that it could have drawn more on major works on ministry and mission before it. I would say its strength lies in covering the contemporary ground brilliantly and with just the right amount of information and reflection to encourage every reader in the task of developing understanding, discipleship and rural ministry to get on with the task better informed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll insights are positive, and difficult topics are not ignored. This is well illustrated in a quote from page 42: 'Multi-church ministry brings with it a great many joys and opportunities, in working with different communities and congregations. It also has its own tensions and complications and can be stressful for lay and ordained alike. We know that it is possible for some churches in rural multi-church groups to grow and to do so consistently over several years. We also know that many rural congregations have reduced in size and others maintain regular numbers attending'. What follows this quote is a chapter exploring the issues, with a pragmatic approach, based on research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short, this is a book for everyone in rural ministry. Full of ideas and encouragement, notes and anecdotes, resources and analysis that has been 'rural-proofed' to be relevant and helpful. Drawing on resources from the Arthur Rank Centre e.g. Country Way (p39) and Journey to Faith (p110), it draws on 40 years' experience and provides the reader with a wonderful overview, guide and mission resource all in one place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJim Currin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCTE Evangelisation, Mission and Media\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStaff member on the Churches Rural Group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Door (The Diocese of Oxford) March 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is currently a group, established by the Diocesan Board of Mission, whose function is to consider a range of strategic initiatives to enhance the rural church, and this book is a welcome introductory resource for all those who have an interest in rural ministry and its expression in the 21st century. \u003cbr\u003eThe authors recognise the specific characteristics of rural ministry relating to context, culture and community and the need to be aware of the specific ways these impact on church life. In keeping with \u003cem\u003eLiving Faith\u003c\/em\u003e there are resources related to mission and ministry including chapters on worship, evangelism, discipleship, children and young people, and developing Messy Church. The book offers a range of ideas, initiatives and approaches in these and other areas, drawing on a range of denominations.\u003cbr\u003eOne of the most helpful sections is by Simon Martin who maintains that rural churches are particularly effective in showing Christ's compassion to those in need and also in what might be termed low level nurture and teaching. He is realistic about the appropriateness of using some resources in the rural context and offers helpful ideas and resources such as the sharing of stories and the use of the Arthur Rank Centre's Equipping for Rural Mission via \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.germinate.net\/go\/profiling\"\u003ewww.germinate.net\/go\/profiling\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003cbr\u003eAs he rightly states small rural churches are not failed larger ones. Rather they have a range of expressions, networks and routes into their communities that enables them to function as a little yeast, that, in the words of Saint Paul to the Galatians, 'leavens the whole batch of dough'.\u003cbr\u003eRegarding discipleship and nurture, as in other chapters, a number of resources are offered alongside comments and observations from those who have used them. Again there is a helpful degree of realism here to enable one to assess whether what one might offer is appropriate not only for the local context and communities, but also for the resources one has available. This book could well be used by members of rural multi-parish benefices, and within rural deaneries, as a vehicle for gaining fresh insights for rural ministry. By focusing on each chapter in turn, resources for discussing mission and ministry could be creatively and imaginatively explored. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Revd Charles Chadwick is the Parish Development Adviser in the Dorchester Archdeaconry and Leader of the Rural Strategies Steering Group.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder 29 January 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a small, but useful, contribution to counteract the old dictum, 'If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.' Encouraging all churches to believe in possibilities and experimentation, it is a book of 'realtime' stories from across the country, of folk just like you and I, not giving up. Men and women questioning and engaging their localities with bespoke attempts to reach out and reveal the something of the divine and the importance of spiritual reflection in all of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven that, for the past 20 years or more, the polls and pundits are shouting that, in all our mainstream Churches, the active attendance in local churches of our neighbours is rapidly declining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCounteract\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories relayed within \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry - Practical Insights for Mission \u003c\/em\u003eby Simon Martin with Caroline Hewett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne simply try and counteract the data so often solemnly presented at synods and conferences, but it cannot contradict the overall important trends being revealed. The 'number crunchers-crunching' suggest that our neighbours simply see no need of 'belonging' or 'embracing' the stories of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Martin and editor Jill Hopkinson from the Arthur Rank Centre, with friends and colleagues, offer throughout this book (203 pages) cameos of hope and experimentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe, in the Church, have become familiar with terms like 'fresh expressions' and 'messy churches', but perhaps not with 'Eastertingle' or 'Who let the Dads out' groups, ie the men who care for their little ones gathering together. Even a 'Forest Church' that explores worship in a landscape\/outside of a church building.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the book five pages point to other resources tried and tested - probably\u003cbr\u003esome useful and successful, others not so, but all venturesome and calling us to\u003cbr\u003etake courage!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnvisioned\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout this book it points to envisioned lay folk and clergy. One short paragraph struck me on p160 (Bar Nash-Williams united benefice of Stamfordham and Matfen): 'All the good plans and keen participation come to nothing if you don't start with the heart, it's your heart that says, 'It's worth it just for one child'. Its the heart that says, 'We do what we can and trust to God for the rest.' When you start with that attitude a tiny church can do good things with tiny resources.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmen to that. For we Methodists those words speak to our DNA of 'warmed hearts' and 'faithful service' to our God-given communities wherever you are. I commend this book to those who are seeking some ideas with a warm heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rev Canon Alan Robson is Lincolnshire agricultural chaplain.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eMETconnexion\u003c\/em\u003e. December 2015\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eIf you are looking for a practical understanding of the main issues, challenges and responses in rural ministry in Britain, this is the text for you. It's very accessible, straightforward and written by Simon Martin and others who are all associated with the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC) which seeks to equip the rural church for effective ministry and mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I particularly like about this book is that it covers the main areas, at least as I understand them. Too many books on rural Christianity spend a lot of their time offering an analysis of the changing nature of rural communities, dealing with indices of rural deprivation, mobility and so on. This is important and helps us to understand the rural context in which we live out our faith and minister. But, too often they don't offer enough direct suggestion as to what we might actually do.\u003c\/p\u003e\nThe chapters consider mission, worship, evangelism, messy church, fresh expressions, worship, discipleship, young people and multi-church ministry. I particularly appreciate the separate chapters on mission and evangelism. Too often these areas are conflated and the result is that being involved with people outside of the believing community is considered to be evangelism. In reality that is mission which creates the opportunity for a more direct sharing of faith and a challenge to discipleship. This book very helpfully, in my view, gets this right.My one small criticism of this book is that it's a bit Anglican. That is fully understandable. The ARC (http:\/\/www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk\/) is a largely Anglican organisation with a Methodist\/United Reformed Rural Officer. The book refers to a lot of ARC resources and programmes which can be used for anyone, although at times there is more of an Anglican flavour. The chapter on 'multi-church ministry' is a good example where the Methodist norm is discussed but rather than strengths and weaknesses of a rural circuit being considered there is more of an introduction to how Methodists do things for others. I think more could be learnt by Methodists and others by a sharper critique of the current Methodist circuit.This is a very good book that enables us to better understand the challenges and possibilities in rural mission and ministry. It does point to the need to produce more material that helps Methodists and other non-Anglicans understand their nuanced context. This is a fine resource that will benefit many.\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eRev'd Dr Stephen Skuce\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCountry Way magazine - January 2016\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe all know that society is changing rapidly and that there is a real need for Christians to find new and innovative ways of ensuring that the story of Jesus and the love of God, for this world, and us as individuals can still be heard and responded to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is not always so easy is finding the right models and ways for doing so. Resourcing Rural Ministry is therefore a 'must have' on the bookshelf of all those who wish to think about what God is saying to the rural church in this generation. In many ways rural church life comes with some unique opportunities as well as often being at the heart of the many challenges facing rural communities in the 21st century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhilst no book can offer all of the answers, and each context is unique, Resourcing Rural Ministry will help people to think about their rural context, the story the rural church has to tell and then to look at the mission opportunities this provides through practical ideas. The fundamentals of the Christian faith and being church are story, relationships and growing as disciples. This book is packed with helpful resources and background theology that speak into all of these areas and will aid the rural church to be a vibrant and relevant presence in today's society. God provides us with many opportunities to be more missional in our approach and outlook toward church and community life, and this book is a useful tool to help us grasp those opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Ball\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:31+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:33+00:00","vendor":"Simon Martin","type":"Paperback","tags":["Church life","Kindle","Mission","Nov-15"],"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":21769050685540,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857462626","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Resourcing Rural Ministry: Practical insights for mission - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":232,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857462626","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857462626-l.jpg?v=1549043173"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857462626-l.jpg?v=1549043173","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238875005067,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857462626-l.jpg?v=1549043173"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857462626-l.jpg?v=1549043173","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry offers an in-depth exploration of the key aspects, challenges and opportunities of mission in a rural church. Relevant for ordained and lay leaders alike, the book covers subjects ranging from encouraging evangelism in a multi-church group to making best use of church buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContaining a wealth of real-life case studies and suggestions for follow-up, this ecumenical publication draws on the expertise and resources of the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC), which has served the spiritual and practical needs of the rural Christian community for over 40 years. This book contributes to ARC's Germinate programme of training, development and support for rural multi-church groups of all denominations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry was first developed by Simon Martin as Training and Resources Officer at the ARC. Additional chapters have been contributed by the Revd Caroline Hewlett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne and the final text has been prepared and edited by Jill Hopkinson\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide is rooted in the reality of rural life with all its opportunities and challenges. Experienced rural practitioners share stories and resources which will inspire and equip those Christians, lay and ordained, who are working together in the very varied rural communities in Britain. Simon Martin and the other contributors have provided an invaluable resource for all who are engaged in rural mission and ministry, which I hope will be widely read and used.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Ruth Gee, BA, M Litt, President of the Methodist Conference 2013 - 2014, Chair of the Darlington Methodist District \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want an inspiring read, this book is for you. This is a can-do book for whatever your context may be. I found it faith-building and full of fantastic stories, innovative ideas and best practice throughout its pages. This book is a must for anyone passionate about seeing the gospel transform their community, whether an individual, lay preacher or church leader, and will inspire creativity, energy and enthusiasm to make a real difference in your setting.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Roy Crowne, Executive Director, HOPE \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFundamentals of Christian faith and being church are story, relationships and being disciples. This book is packed with helpful resources and background theology that speak into all of these areas and will aid the rural church to be a vibrant and relevant presence in today's society. This is a 'must read' book for clergy, educators, lay leaders and anyone who has a heart for rural mission.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Peter Ball, Mission and Training Officer, Eastern Synod of the United Reformed Church \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA really useful, affirming, grounded, inspirational and practical resource book. Great for anyone in rural ministry, but with wisdom for those in lay and ordained ministry anywhere.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Lucy Moore, BRF Messy Church Team Leader \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA key message of this very useful and usable collection is that we can learn so much from the stories of what God is doing among us and through us. Read these contributions and you'll be excited by a wealth of experience, insight and resource. How to develop a learning culture is a hugely important question, and it is a vital issue for the rural church in regard to worship, discipleship and evangelism. This book is a significant contribution to that development, not least because of its consistent theme of learning from each other and learning together. I warmly commend it to all who long for the flourishing of the rural church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Rt Revd James Bell, Bishop of Ripon, Chair of the Rural Affairs Group of the Church of England General Synod \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry was first developed by Simon Martin as Training and Resources Officer at the Arthur Rank Centre. Additional chapters have been contributed by Revd Caroline Hewlett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne and the final text prepared and edited by Jill Hopkinson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePobl Dewi (Diocese of St David's) - June 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Arthur Rank Centre has been the churches' focus on rural ministry and mission for 40+ years. The accumulated knowledge on all matters affecting every denomination is unrivalled. The connections into every diocese and district has distilled much experience into this small book. The title and subtitle show how the commitment of ministry is to mission. The key questions are asked and answered. What support is available for rural congregations that have limited resources and few members? How do you resource small, dispersed rural congregations and their leaders, lay and ordained?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reliance on lay people is the norm in rural communities and churches. Clergy have to find their role, which can be very different from how it is in an urban church. The nature of church, its theology, worship, practical outreach and expectations are likely to be very different if there are less than a dozen regularly at worship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose few laypeople are likely to be involved in many other community activities and their witness does not go unseen. The community in which the church is set has its own rhythms and customs. It is wise to understand these so that the life of the church respects those that are honourable and desirable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is no surprise that this book refers readers to larger resources on the website (www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk). The chapter on worship recognises how it is part of the breath of the community, even for those who do not join in. There are many who may use the church building for their own good purposes, such as meditation and prayer, at other times of the week. The chapter on evangelism refers to the Journey to Faith section. There is a useful critique of Fresh Expressions and Messy Church. The chapter on children and young people brings together several good examples of rural churches that have tried new ways of building relationships with this generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelationship is the key to rural ministry and mission. Many people have existing relationships and friendships and the church has to recognise these links so that its invitation to a new relationship with Christ is offered appropriately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChurch buildings have their own contribution to make in re-connecting church to community. Good examples abound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Canon Jeremy Martineau\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 29 April 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMULTI-AUTHOR books have their difficulties, but this is a book that will be widely appreciated and much read in rural parishes. The book was conceived and largely written by Simon Martin of the Arthur Rank Centre (the Church's presence at the centre of the farming and countryside world). Unfortunately, Simon became seriously ill before the completion of this book, and it was prepared for publication by Jill Hopkinson and other authors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the wake of \u003cem\u003eFaith in the City\u003c\/em\u003e (1985), the attention of the churches turned to rural matters, not least because of the animal-health problems of the 1980s. \u003cem\u003eFaith in the Countryside\u003c\/em\u003e (1990) seemed for a time to be the high watermark of the Church's concern with the countryside and its rural parishes. But in recent years there has been a steady flow of books on rural matters, among which this book now takes its place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBooks on the rural Church tend to fall into two categories: first, those that are essentially local histories, but which generalise about the state of affairs in the countryside; second, those about how to minister in rural areas which are full of accounts of how to confront the steady decline in rural church life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book contains little historical analysis of the development of rural parishes, but is full of accounts of pioneering work and how this has been achieved. Those in need of help as they seek to deal with the complexities of church life in rural communities should turn to this book, which is full of examples of 'what to do' and 'how to do it', many of them drawn from the Arthur Rank Centre's publication \u003cem\u003e Country Parish\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are chapters on discipleship and nurture; mission in the rural context; rural fresh expressions; worship in small churches; and the use and adaptation of historic church buildings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor generations, the central issue in rural parishes has been who 'owns' the church, 'not in the sense of legal tenure but in the sense of who makes the rules, determines the programme and the general direction and feel of that church'. There have been historic struggles between patrons, clergy, and churchwardens. But today many parishes have witnessed ownership struggles between the old resident community and recent arrivals who bring a different understanding of the nature of the church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuch differences have to be reconciled, because, according to Martin, a successful rural church must be run by its congregation. While it used to be considered that the role of the laity was to help the clergy do what was essentially their job, Martin and his co-authors make it clear that the rural church will only thrive if it is run by the laity, and the role of the very few rural clergy is to encourage and equip the laity to do this job\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e.In one church, a member of the congregation wrote on the wall 'This is my church.' This book makes clear that unless the laity, in every sense, own and take responsibility for the local church, it will die. Many will recognise the truth of this statement in the contemporary countryside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Dr Anthony Russell is a former Bishop of Ely and President of the Royal Agricultural Society of England.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurches Together in England - April 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is long overdue as it brings many of the resources for mission from the Arthur Rank Centre - which has resourced rural ministry and mission for 40 years - into one place. This is very welcome for clergy and lay people alike and from across the churches in England, especially as it is said that 1 in 6 of the population live in rural areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten by national advisors and local practitioners alike, \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e does exactly what it says, by providing a wide variety of ideas, resources, case studies and comment for anyone concerned with the rural context of mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eApart from all the helpful information, what I like best about this book is the layout. Under straight forward titles and in short sections it is easy to find what you might be looking for. Whether it be Messy Church, Multi-Church Ministry, or rural aspects of Ministerial Training, it also includes examples of more unusual ministry e.g. Forest Church and various aspects of theological reflection e.g. Robert Warren's diagram of Doing, Being and Living.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e draws on various traditions including monastic and Fresh Expressions, as well as quoting examples from different denominations. It is a compendium or 'one stop shop' for those who want to address the challenges of the rural church - especially practically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a practical guide, some may say \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e is light in terms of political and social critique, and that it could have drawn more on major works on ministry and mission before it. I would say its strength lies in covering the contemporary ground brilliantly and with just the right amount of information and reflection to encourage every reader in the task of developing understanding, discipleship and rural ministry to get on with the task better informed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll insights are positive, and difficult topics are not ignored. This is well illustrated in a quote from page 42: 'Multi-church ministry brings with it a great many joys and opportunities, in working with different communities and congregations. It also has its own tensions and complications and can be stressful for lay and ordained alike. We know that it is possible for some churches in rural multi-church groups to grow and to do so consistently over several years. We also know that many rural congregations have reduced in size and others maintain regular numbers attending'. What follows this quote is a chapter exploring the issues, with a pragmatic approach, based on research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short, this is a book for everyone in rural ministry. Full of ideas and encouragement, notes and anecdotes, resources and analysis that has been 'rural-proofed' to be relevant and helpful. Drawing on resources from the Arthur Rank Centre e.g. Country Way (p39) and Journey to Faith (p110), it draws on 40 years' experience and provides the reader with a wonderful overview, guide and mission resource all in one place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJim Currin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCTE Evangelisation, Mission and Media\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStaff member on the Churches Rural Group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Door (The Diocese of Oxford) March 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is currently a group, established by the Diocesan Board of Mission, whose function is to consider a range of strategic initiatives to enhance the rural church, and this book is a welcome introductory resource for all those who have an interest in rural ministry and its expression in the 21st century. \u003cbr\u003eThe authors recognise the specific characteristics of rural ministry relating to context, culture and community and the need to be aware of the specific ways these impact on church life. In keeping with \u003cem\u003eLiving Faith\u003c\/em\u003e there are resources related to mission and ministry including chapters on worship, evangelism, discipleship, children and young people, and developing Messy Church. The book offers a range of ideas, initiatives and approaches in these and other areas, drawing on a range of denominations.\u003cbr\u003eOne of the most helpful sections is by Simon Martin who maintains that rural churches are particularly effective in showing Christ's compassion to those in need and also in what might be termed low level nurture and teaching. He is realistic about the appropriateness of using some resources in the rural context and offers helpful ideas and resources such as the sharing of stories and the use of the Arthur Rank Centre's Equipping for Rural Mission via \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.germinate.net\/go\/profiling\"\u003ewww.germinate.net\/go\/profiling\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003cbr\u003eAs he rightly states small rural churches are not failed larger ones. Rather they have a range of expressions, networks and routes into their communities that enables them to function as a little yeast, that, in the words of Saint Paul to the Galatians, 'leavens the whole batch of dough'.\u003cbr\u003eRegarding discipleship and nurture, as in other chapters, a number of resources are offered alongside comments and observations from those who have used them. Again there is a helpful degree of realism here to enable one to assess whether what one might offer is appropriate not only for the local context and communities, but also for the resources one has available. This book could well be used by members of rural multi-parish benefices, and within rural deaneries, as a vehicle for gaining fresh insights for rural ministry. By focusing on each chapter in turn, resources for discussing mission and ministry could be creatively and imaginatively explored. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Revd Charles Chadwick is the Parish Development Adviser in the Dorchester Archdeaconry and Leader of the Rural Strategies Steering Group.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder 29 January 2016\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a small, but useful, contribution to counteract the old dictum, 'If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.' Encouraging all churches to believe in possibilities and experimentation, it is a book of 'realtime' stories from across the country, of folk just like you and I, not giving up. Men and women questioning and engaging their localities with bespoke attempts to reach out and reveal the something of the divine and the importance of spiritual reflection in all of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven that, for the past 20 years or more, the polls and pundits are shouting that, in all our mainstream Churches, the active attendance in local churches of our neighbours is rapidly declining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCounteract\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories relayed within \u003cem\u003eResourcing Rural Ministry - Practical Insights for Mission \u003c\/em\u003eby Simon Martin with Caroline Hewett, Rona Orme and Becky Payne simply try and counteract the data so often solemnly presented at synods and conferences, but it cannot contradict the overall important trends being revealed. The 'number crunchers-crunching' suggest that our neighbours simply see no need of 'belonging' or 'embracing' the stories of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Martin and editor Jill Hopkinson from the Arthur Rank Centre, with friends and colleagues, offer throughout this book (203 pages) cameos of hope and experimentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe, in the Church, have become familiar with terms like 'fresh expressions' and 'messy churches', but perhaps not with 'Eastertingle' or 'Who let the Dads out' groups, ie the men who care for their little ones gathering together. Even a 'Forest Church' that explores worship in a landscape\/outside of a church building.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the book five pages point to other resources tried and tested - probably\u003cbr\u003esome useful and successful, others not so, but all venturesome and calling us to\u003cbr\u003etake courage!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnvisioned\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout this book it points to envisioned lay folk and clergy. One short paragraph struck me on p160 (Bar Nash-Williams united benefice of Stamfordham and Matfen): 'All the good plans and keen participation come to nothing if you don't start with the heart, it's your heart that says, 'It's worth it just for one child'. Its the heart that says, 'We do what we can and trust to God for the rest.' When you start with that attitude a tiny church can do good things with tiny resources.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmen to that. For we Methodists those words speak to our DNA of 'warmed hearts' and 'faithful service' to our God-given communities wherever you are. I commend this book to those who are seeking some ideas with a warm heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rev Canon Alan Robson is Lincolnshire agricultural chaplain.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eMETconnexion\u003c\/em\u003e. December 2015\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eIf you are looking for a practical understanding of the main issues, challenges and responses in rural ministry in Britain, this is the text for you. It's very accessible, straightforward and written by Simon Martin and others who are all associated with the Arthur Rank Centre (ARC) which seeks to equip the rural church for effective ministry and mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat I particularly like about this book is that it covers the main areas, at least as I understand them. Too many books on rural Christianity spend a lot of their time offering an analysis of the changing nature of rural communities, dealing with indices of rural deprivation, mobility and so on. This is important and helps us to understand the rural context in which we live out our faith and minister. But, too often they don't offer enough direct suggestion as to what we might actually do.\u003c\/p\u003e\nThe chapters consider mission, worship, evangelism, messy church, fresh expressions, worship, discipleship, young people and multi-church ministry. I particularly appreciate the separate chapters on mission and evangelism. Too often these areas are conflated and the result is that being involved with people outside of the believing community is considered to be evangelism. In reality that is mission which creates the opportunity for a more direct sharing of faith and a challenge to discipleship. This book very helpfully, in my view, gets this right.My one small criticism of this book is that it's a bit Anglican. That is fully understandable. The ARC (http:\/\/www.arthurrankcentre.org.uk\/) is a largely Anglican organisation with a Methodist\/United Reformed Rural Officer. The book refers to a lot of ARC resources and programmes which can be used for anyone, although at times there is more of an Anglican flavour. The chapter on 'multi-church ministry' is a good example where the Methodist norm is discussed but rather than strengths and weaknesses of a rural circuit being considered there is more of an introduction to how Methodists do things for others. I think more could be learnt by Methodists and others by a sharper critique of the current Methodist circuit.This is a very good book that enables us to better understand the challenges and possibilities in rural mission and ministry. It does point to the need to produce more material that helps Methodists and other non-Anglicans understand their nuanced context. This is a fine resource that will benefit many.\n\u003cp style=\"font-size: 15px; text-align: left;\"\u003eRev'd Dr Stephen Skuce\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCountry Way magazine - January 2016\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe all know that society is changing rapidly and that there is a real need for Christians to find new and innovative ways of ensuring that the story of Jesus and the love of God, for this world, and us as individuals can still be heard and responded to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is not always so easy is finding the right models and ways for doing so. Resourcing Rural Ministry is therefore a 'must have' on the bookshelf of all those who wish to think about what God is saying to the rural church in this generation. In many ways rural church life comes with some unique opportunities as well as often being at the heart of the many challenges facing rural communities in the 21st century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhilst no book can offer all of the answers, and each context is unique, Resourcing Rural Ministry will help people to think about their rural context, the story the rural church has to tell and then to look at the mission opportunities this provides through practical ideas. The fundamentals of the Christian faith and being church are story, relationships and growing as disciples. This book is packed with helpful resources and background theology that speak into all of these areas and will aid the rural church to be a vibrant and relevant presence in today's society. God provides us with many opportunities to be more missional in our approach and outlook toward church and community life, and this book is a useful tool to help us grasp those opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Ball\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e"}
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{"id":2439743307876,"title":"Stories for Interactive Assemblies: 15 story-based assemblies to get children talking","handle":"stories-for-interactive-assemblies-15-story-based-assemblies-to-get-children-talking","description":"\u003cp\u003eFifteen easy-to-tell stories combining biblical teaching with contemporary storytelling. Set within the world of the classroom, each story has its roots in one of Jesus' parables. Primary children will recognise themselves and their classmates in the stories and relate to the underlying message that is the essence of the parable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach assembly outline is topped and tailed by a theme to help direct the teacher towards the main teaching objective of the story, and a prayer or reflection and suggested song to close the assembly if desired. Each unit also contains a teacher's page giving the Bible reference for the original parable and information to link the teaching to PSHE\/Citizenship and the National Framework for RE or local SACRE guidelines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nNigel Bishop is Head Teacher at Strand Community School Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire. His teaching career spans 20 years. During this time, during which time he has taught children from four to eleven years in a wide range of schools in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, trying to share with them his passion for experiential learning. Nigel is also a Methodist Lay Preacher and has used his communication skills in all-age worship as well as numerous school assemblies. He hopes that the stories he has used in schools and churches might reach and inspire a wider audience through their publication. Nigel lives in Grimsby with his wife, Jackie, their children Nicola and Jonathan, and Megan the dog. \n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\nEvery school should have one of these books. The stories are easy to listen to and children remain engrossed throughout the assembly, even those who find listening difficult. The reason for this is that they can relate to the scenario depicted by the story. An excellent resource and certainly a 'must have' for both KS1 and KS2.'\r\n\u003cem\u003eChristine Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:12+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:20:13+00:00","vendor":"Nigel Bishop","type":"Paperback","tags":["Feb-12","For schools","RE"],"price":699,"price_min":699,"price_max":699,"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":21768999174244,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461438","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Stories for Interactive Assemblies: 15 story-based assemblies to get children talking - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":699,"weight":165,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461438","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461438-l.jpg?v=1549043177"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461438-l.jpg?v=1549043177","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238874677387,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":562,"width":368,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461438-l.jpg?v=1549043177"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":562,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461438-l.jpg?v=1549043177","width":368}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eFifteen easy-to-tell stories combining biblical teaching with contemporary storytelling. Set within the world of the classroom, each story has its roots in one of Jesus' parables. Primary children will recognise themselves and their classmates in the stories and relate to the underlying message that is the essence of the parable.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach assembly outline is topped and tailed by a theme to help direct the teacher towards the main teaching objective of the story, and a prayer or reflection and suggested song to close the assembly if desired. Each unit also contains a teacher's page giving the Bible reference for the original parable and information to link the teaching to PSHE\/Citizenship and the National Framework for RE or local SACRE guidelines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nNigel Bishop is Head Teacher at Strand Community School Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire. His teaching career spans 20 years. During this time, during which time he has taught children from four to eleven years in a wide range of schools in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, trying to share with them his passion for experiential learning. Nigel is also a Methodist Lay Preacher and has used his communication skills in all-age worship as well as numerous school assemblies. He hopes that the stories he has used in schools and churches might reach and inspire a wider audience through their publication. Nigel lives in Grimsby with his wife, Jackie, their children Nicola and Jonathan, and Megan the dog. \n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\nEvery school should have one of these books. The stories are easy to listen to and children remain engrossed throughout the assembly, even those who find listening difficult. The reason for this is that they can relate to the scenario depicted by the story. An excellent resource and certainly a 'must have' for both KS1 and KS2.'\r\n\u003cem\u003eChristine Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e"}
You may also like:
Stories for Interactive Assemblies: 15 story-based assemblies to get children talking
£6.99
Fifteen easy-to-tell stories combining biblical teaching with contemporary storytelling. Set within the world of the classroom, each story has its...
{"id":2439785939044,"title":"Paul and His Friends in Leadership: How they changed the world","handle":"paul-and-his-friends-in-leadership-how-they-changed-the-world","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe more we understand biblical characters like the apostle Paul in their specific situations and in their own time, the more we will be able to apply biblical principles to today's church, its leaders and its mission-transforming and enriching the way we do church today. Paul and His Friends in Leadership examines the apostle Paul's critical relationships with key people, illustrating his humanity, faith, confidence in God and his leadership qualities. This novel approach, by an expert in the New Testament, will encourage us to reflect on leadership in the church today and help us to see how crucial authentic relationships are to our contemporary mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eContents\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\nPreface\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's greatness\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's life: a sketch\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's calling, his mission and his churches\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's mission to Cyprus and Galatia (AD47 - 48)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eBarnabas, missionary leader\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's mission to the Aegean provinces (AD49 - 57)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilvanus, missionary and translator \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTimothy, Paul's leading fellow worker \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eLuke, beloved physician and author \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePriscilla and Aquila, merchants \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eStephanas, servant of the saints \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGaius, host of the church in Corinth \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eApollos, passionate preacher \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eErastus, high-ranking city official \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 1), Paul's ambassador \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphras, evangelist \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePhilemon, house-church leader \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOnesimus, runaway slave \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eJohn Mark, author \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe Asiarchs of Ephesus, leading citizens\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePhoebe, patroness in Cenchreae \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAristarchus, travel companion \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's mission in Rome (AD57)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAndronicus and Junia, Paul's kin \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eRufus, 'chosen in the Lord' \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's last years (AD60 - 65)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphroditus, carer \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEuodia and Syntyche, fellow workers \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 2), evangelist in Crete \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOnesiphorus, earnest friend \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nThe origin of love in the writings of Paul\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe significance of Paul's mission friends\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nPaul W. Barnett is a former Bishop of North Sydney, Australia, and lecturer in New Testament at Moore College, Sydney. He is the author of many well-received and influential books on the New Testament. His two interests are Christian ministry and the world of the early church. His passion is to encourage the practice of biblical principles for ministry in today's world.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Summer 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eReview by David Sellick\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBarnett sets out to show that Paul was more of a 'people person' than he is often given credit for and that he offered caring leadership to those with whom he shared mission, so that together 'they changed the world', as the book's subtitle claims. In Acts and Paul's letters about 100 people are named and of these Barnett identifies about forty whom he regards as Paul's key 'mission colleagues'. All named people associated with Paul's missionary work from AD49 to 57 are introduced and discussed in as much detail as the author can amass. We know that Paul often mentions people by name in his letters, but Barnett cross references Acts and the letters to produce a mini-biography of each, thereby illustrating how Paul chose, trained and supported a string of fellow missionaries who so firmly established the emerging Christian church across the eastern Roman Empire to the imperial city itself. This is a fascinating complement to Pauline studies.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-12-14T16:20:10+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:54+00:00","vendor":"Paul W Barnett","type":"Paperback","tags":["Kindle","Leadership","Mission"],"price":799,"price_min":799,"price_max":799,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769567076452,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465443","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436780798052,"product_id":2439785939044,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:22:54+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:46+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146","variant_ids":[21769567076452]},"available":false,"name":"Paul and His Friends in Leadership: How they changed the world - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":182,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465443","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238878773387,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238878773387,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857465443-l.jpg?v=1549043146","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThe more we understand biblical characters like the apostle Paul in their specific situations and in their own time, the more we will be able to apply biblical principles to today's church, its leaders and its mission-transforming and enriching the way we do church today. Paul and His Friends in Leadership examines the apostle Paul's critical relationships with key people, illustrating his humanity, faith, confidence in God and his leadership qualities. This novel approach, by an expert in the New Testament, will encourage us to reflect on leadership in the church today and help us to see how crucial authentic relationships are to our contemporary mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch3\u003eContents\u003c\/h3\u003e\r\nPreface\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's greatness\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's life: a sketch\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's calling, his mission and his churches\u003cbr\u003e\r\nPaul's mission to Cyprus and Galatia (AD47 - 48)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eBarnabas, missionary leader\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's mission to the Aegean provinces (AD49 - 57)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilvanus, missionary and translator \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTimothy, Paul's leading fellow worker \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eLuke, beloved physician and author \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePriscilla and Aquila, merchants \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eStephanas, servant of the saints \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGaius, host of the church in Corinth \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eApollos, passionate preacher \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eErastus, high-ranking city official \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 1), Paul's ambassador \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphras, evangelist \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePhilemon, house-church leader \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOnesimus, runaway slave \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eJohn Mark, author \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eThe Asiarchs of Ephesus, leading citizens\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003ePhoebe, patroness in Cenchreae \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eAristarchus, travel companion \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's mission in Rome (AD57)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAndronicus and Junia, Paul's kin \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eRufus, 'chosen in the Lord' \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nPaul's last years (AD60 - 65)\u003cbr\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEpaphroditus, carer \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEuodia and Syntyche, fellow workers \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eTitus (part 2), evangelist in Crete \u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eOnesiphorus, earnest friend \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\nThe origin of love in the writings of Paul\u003cbr\u003e\r\nThe significance of Paul's mission friends\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nPaul W. Barnett is a former Bishop of North Sydney, Australia, and lecturer in New Testament at Moore College, Sydney. He is the author of many well-received and influential books on the New Testament. His two interests are Christian ministry and the world of the early church. His passion is to encourage the practice of biblical principles for ministry in today's world.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Summer 2018\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eReview by David Sellick\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBarnett sets out to show that Paul was more of a 'people person' than he is often given credit for and that he offered caring leadership to those with whom he shared mission, so that together 'they changed the world', as the book's subtitle claims. In Acts and Paul's letters about 100 people are named and of these Barnett identifies about forty whom he regards as Paul's key 'mission colleagues'. All named people associated with Paul's missionary work from AD49 to 57 are introduced and discussed in as much detail as the author can amass. We know that Paul often mentions people by name in his letters, but Barnett cross references Acts and the letters to produce a mini-biography of each, thereby illustrating how Paul chose, trained and supported a string of fellow missionaries who so firmly established the emerging Christian church across the eastern Roman Empire to the imperial city itself. This is a fascinating complement to Pauline studies.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Paul and His Friends in Leadership: How they changed the world
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The more we understand biblical characters like the apostle Paul in their specific situations and in their own time, the...
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{"id":2439762247780,"title":"Valuing Money: A 10-unit RE programme helping children unpack the real value of money","handle":"valuing-money-a-10-unit-re-programme-helping-children-unpack-the-real-value-of-money","description":"\u003cstrong\u003eMONEY... MONEY... MONEY...\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eValuing Money\u003c\/em\u003e provides teaching material to help children explore moral and ethical issues around money and what it represents, and to think about what is truly valuable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes \u003cstrong\u003eten story-led lesson plans\u003c\/strong\u003e with illustrations, Bible links and \u003cstrong\u003ecross-curricular\u003c\/strong\u003e classroom activities and three assembly outlines suitable for Collective Worship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnects \u003cstrong\u003eNumeracy\u003c\/strong\u003e teaching to wider issues of personal and shared responsibility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelates Bible stories to \u003cstrong\u003equestions of financial value\u003c\/strong\u003e and their implications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExplores \u003cstrong\u003ekey Christian concepts\u003c\/strong\u003e for thinking theologically in RE.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChris Hudson is an experienced primary teacher, subject leader and educational author, mostly working in the North-East of England. He's had 22 years' experience of teaching in a range of primary schools. As a published educational author, he has 17 commissioned books to date, and has created wide range of material for educational websites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the Church Times\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eValuing Money tackles the subject of our attitudes to money head on. It is curious how the subject that dominates political debate, and much of our thinking at home, rarely features in schools. It is almost 'the elephant in the room'. Economics at A level exists as an academic study, but there is little in relation to the ethical questions relating to hard cash. Having a great deal of it is assumed to be the good life; being hard up is not so good. Hudson's volume, aimed at Key Stages in primary schools, will set the standard for years to come. Financial education is the name of the game here, with a subtle message that most maths money problems usually involve spending money, and only very rarely involve giving it away. It is almost as if there is something dangerous or slightly 'iffy' about being generous with money. It is easier to talk about something else. As with the previous volume, each unit includes a story, a biblical context, an RE lesson, and pointers to how the same context can be used in both literacy and numeracy. The ten units in the book, therefore, will provide a year's financial education in an innovative and interesting way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt won't be easy. From the time of Jesus onwards, we have been left in no doubt that meeting his standards on this one provides the biggest challenge of them all. Regular readers will have spot ted the endless search for good assembly material. As assemblies are not going to disappear any time soon, a good story is like gold dust.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Dennis Richards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:19+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:22+00:00","vendor":"Chris Hudson","type":"Paperback","tags":["For schools","Jun-15","RE"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"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":21769218457700,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461216","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436627148900,"product_id":2439762247780,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:22+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:46:05+00:00","alt":null,"width":791,"height":1121,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461216-l.jpg?v=1549043165","variant_ids":[21769218457700]},"available":true,"name":"Valuing Money: A 10-unit RE programme helping children unpack the real value of money - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":401,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461216","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238876807307,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.706,"height":1121,"width":791,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461216-l.jpg?v=1549043165"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461216-l.jpg?v=1549043165"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461216-l.jpg?v=1549043165","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238876807307,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.706,"height":1121,"width":791,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461216-l.jpg?v=1549043165"},"aspect_ratio":0.706,"height":1121,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857461216-l.jpg?v=1549043165","width":791}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cstrong\u003eMONEY... MONEY... MONEY...\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eValuing Money\u003c\/em\u003e provides teaching material to help children explore moral and ethical issues around money and what it represents, and to think about what is truly valuable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes \u003cstrong\u003eten story-led lesson plans\u003c\/strong\u003e with illustrations, Bible links and \u003cstrong\u003ecross-curricular\u003c\/strong\u003e classroom activities and three assembly outlines suitable for Collective Worship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConnects \u003cstrong\u003eNumeracy\u003c\/strong\u003e teaching to wider issues of personal and shared responsibility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelates Bible stories to \u003cstrong\u003equestions of financial value\u003c\/strong\u003e and their implications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExplores \u003cstrong\u003ekey Christian concepts\u003c\/strong\u003e for thinking theologically in RE.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChris Hudson is an experienced primary teacher, subject leader and educational author, mostly working in the North-East of England. He's had 22 years' experience of teaching in a range of primary schools. As a published educational author, he has 17 commissioned books to date, and has created wide range of material for educational websites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the Church Times\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eValuing Money tackles the subject of our attitudes to money head on. It is curious how the subject that dominates political debate, and much of our thinking at home, rarely features in schools. It is almost 'the elephant in the room'. Economics at A level exists as an academic study, but there is little in relation to the ethical questions relating to hard cash. Having a great deal of it is assumed to be the good life; being hard up is not so good. Hudson's volume, aimed at Key Stages in primary schools, will set the standard for years to come. Financial education is the name of the game here, with a subtle message that most maths money problems usually involve spending money, and only very rarely involve giving it away. It is almost as if there is something dangerous or slightly 'iffy' about being generous with money. It is easier to talk about something else. As with the previous volume, each unit includes a story, a biblical context, an RE lesson, and pointers to how the same context can be used in both literacy and numeracy. The ten units in the book, therefore, will provide a year's financial education in an innovative and interesting way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt won't be easy. From the time of Jesus onwards, we have been left in no doubt that meeting his standards on this one provides the biggest challenge of them all. Regular readers will have spot ted the endless search for good assembly material. As assemblies are not going to disappear any time soon, a good story is like gold dust.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Dennis Richards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Valuing Money: A 10-unit RE programme helping children unpack the real value of money
£9.99
MONEY... MONEY... MONEY... Valuing Money provides teaching material to help children explore moral and ethical issues around money and what...
{"id":2439772504164,"title":"Reproducing Churches","handle":"reproducing-churches","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis book investigates the theological basis for church planting and creating fresh expressions of church. Based on extensive research, senior church planting authority George Lings argues that the church has a divine calling and capacity to reproduce, albeit in ways that are intentionally non-identical. Using the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as key passages throughout scripture, he shows how such reproduction fulfills the mission of God. The book also includes many practical examples drawn from church history, to help apply the message to congregations today.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: why this book?\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 Different lenses, different views of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 Creation and covenant's mandate to reproduce\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 The reproductive strand in the kingdom and the Gospels\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 The Trinity and the Church seen as community-in-mission\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Looking to Jesus the pioneer\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Following Jesus in dying to live\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 The Holy Spirit and the surprises in reproduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 Christendom's eclipse of a reproducing Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Reproduction and the classic 'four marks' of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 The useful outworking of the reproductive strand\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Rehabilitating the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's Research Unit, which for 20 years has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church. He has written over 50 booklets on the evolving theory and practice of bringing to birth fresh expressions of church, through the Encounters On The Edge series, which had an international subscription base of 500. Moreover the content of his book proposal has been peer-tested for academic rigour for it rests upon the findings of a recent PhD.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.7.17\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford of \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the Church can help\u003c\/em\u003e by David Walker and \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches \u003c\/em\u003eby George Lings\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in a while, a book comes along that changes the way you look at things. Here are two.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Walker's delightfully titled \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e analyses the different ways in which people express their belonging to church and their engagement with God, and suggests new strategies that will help the local church understand and provide for this belonging.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBased on extensive research of church attendance at rural harvest festivals and Christmas carol services, the central thesis of this book is that regular churchgoing is not the only way in which Christian belonging is expressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn one level, this is completely obvious. Most churches, however, persist with a gold standard of 'every-Sunday-morning' belonging, and all evangelistic endeavour is geared towards achieving this. But, as Walker's well-researched and well-argued book unfolds, we find that belonging can be measured in other ways, and this is more to do with personality and circumstance than commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSo, the one who comes less often is not necessarily less committed. Someone whose primary belonging comes through relationships, and who wishes to express this in service, may never come every week. But his or her 'lived-out' discipleship, day by day, demonstrates a commitment equal to any weekly communicant. If weekly attendance is the only goal, this person's faith development may be stymied, and the church's ability and flexibility to grow in different ways diminished.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePut this alongside the vastly changed pattern of work, leisure, and family life in Britain today, and the impact on church life is plain to see. Strategies for evangelism and discipleship need to work with the grain of these different types of belonging, not against them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe development of Fresh Expressions in the Church of England is one such example of helping people to belong differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of Church is not a stepping-stone towards the so-called 'real church' of Sunday morning. Worshipping in a variety of cultural styles, meeting in different places and different formats and at different times, Fresh Expressions have enabled the Church to broaden its reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis has been a remarkable story of missional and ecclesiological enterprise, and, although many people have played a significant part in this story, none has done more than George Lings. His ministry as theologian, researcher and church-planter has provided the impetus and inspiration for the Church to try new things. He has also led the way in enabling the Church to reflect on and learn from these experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll this is brought together in \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches\u003c\/em\u003e. Lings explains and develops the basic thesis that reproduction is inherent in what it means to be the Church, not merely an optional function that some may choose. In other words, for the Church to be the Church it must reproduce. Based, again, on extensive research and vast experience, this book is probably the best available handbook for understanding church-planting and Fresh Expressions, and seeing how the Church can become what it is meant to be be. Put these two books together, and every church will be rethinking its evangelistic strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-12-14T16:26:28+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:59+00:00","vendor":"George Lings","type":"Paperback","tags":["Kindle","Leadership","Mission"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":21769363980388,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464644","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":7436691406948,"product_id":2439772504164,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-01-18T15:21:59+00:00","updated_at":"2019-02-01T17:45:58+00:00","alt":null,"width":427,"height":650,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464644-l.jpg?v=1549043158","variant_ids":[21769363980388]},"available":false,"name":"Reproducing Churches - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":263,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464644","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3238877462667,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464644-l.jpg?v=1549043158"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464644-l.jpg?v=1549043158"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464644-l.jpg?v=1549043158","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3238877462667,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"width":427,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464644-l.jpg?v=1549043158"},"aspect_ratio":0.657,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857464644-l.jpg?v=1549043158","width":427}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThis book investigates the theological basis for church planting and creating fresh expressions of church. Based on extensive research, senior church planting authority George Lings argues that the church has a divine calling and capacity to reproduce, albeit in ways that are intentionally non-identical. Using the doctrine of the Trinity, as well as key passages throughout scripture, he shows how such reproduction fulfills the mission of God. The book also includes many practical examples drawn from church history, to help apply the message to congregations today.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003ch2\u003eContents\u003c\/h2\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction: why this book?\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e1 Different lenses, different views of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e2 Creation and covenant's mandate to reproduce\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e3 The reproductive strand in the kingdom and the Gospels\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e4 The Trinity and the Church seen as community-in-mission\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e5 Looking to Jesus the pioneer\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e6 Following Jesus in dying to live\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e7 The Holy Spirit and the surprises in reproduction\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e8 Christendom's eclipse of a reproducing Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e9 Reproduction and the classic 'four marks' of the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e10 The useful outworking of the reproductive strand\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003e11 Rehabilitating the Church\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\nGeorge Lings heads up Church Army's Research Unit, which for 20 years has been at work discerning the evolving mission of the church and the resultant fresh expressions of church. He has written over 50 booklets on the evolving theory and practice of bringing to birth fresh expressions of church, through the Encounters On The Edge series, which had an international subscription base of 500. Moreover the content of his book proposal has been peer-tested for academic rigour for it rests upon the findings of a recent PhD.\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.7.17\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eReview by Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford of \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers: How people engage with God today and how the Church can help\u003c\/em\u003e by David Walker and \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches \u003c\/em\u003eby George Lings\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce in a while, a book comes along that changes the way you look at things. Here are two.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Walker's delightfully titled \u003cem\u003eGod's Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e analyses the different ways in which people express their belonging to church and their engagement with God, and suggests new strategies that will help the local church understand and provide for this belonging.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBased on extensive research of church attendance at rural harvest festivals and Christmas carol services, the central thesis of this book is that regular churchgoing is not the only way in which Christian belonging is expressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOn one level, this is completely obvious. Most churches, however, persist with a gold standard of 'every-Sunday-morning' belonging, and all evangelistic endeavour is geared towards achieving this. But, as Walker's well-researched and well-argued book unfolds, we find that belonging can be measured in other ways, and this is more to do with personality and circumstance than commitment.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eSo, the one who comes less often is not necessarily less committed. Someone whose primary belonging comes through relationships, and who wishes to express this in service, may never come every week. But his or her 'lived-out' discipleship, day by day, demonstrates a commitment equal to any weekly communicant. If weekly attendance is the only goal, this person's faith development may be stymied, and the church's ability and flexibility to grow in different ways diminished.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003ePut this alongside the vastly changed pattern of work, leisure, and family life in Britain today, and the impact on church life is plain to see. Strategies for evangelism and discipleship need to work with the grain of these different types of belonging, not against them.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe development of Fresh Expressions in the Church of England is one such example of helping people to belong differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eFresh Expressions of Church is not a stepping-stone towards the so-called 'real church' of Sunday morning. Worshipping in a variety of cultural styles, meeting in different places and different formats and at different times, Fresh Expressions have enabled the Church to broaden its reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis has been a remarkable story of missional and ecclesiological enterprise, and, although many people have played a significant part in this story, none has done more than George Lings. His ministry as theologian, researcher and church-planter has provided the impetus and inspiration for the Church to try new things. He has also led the way in enabling the Church to reflect on and learn from these experiments.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAll this is brought together in \u003cem\u003eReproducing Churches\u003c\/em\u003e. Lings explains and develops the basic thesis that reproduction is inherent in what it means to be the Church, not merely an optional function that some may choose. In other words, for the Church to be the Church it must reproduce. Based, again, on extensive research and vast experience, this book is probably the best available handbook for understanding church-planting and Fresh Expressions, and seeing how the Church can become what it is meant to be be. Put these two books together, and every church will be rethinking its evangelistic strategy.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":7363008889023,"title":"Images of Grace: A journey from darkness to light at Easter","handle":"images-of-grace","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘At the heart of the Christian message is a collection of abstract nouns: love; sin; forgiveness; grace. It is quite difficult to explain what the gospel message is without using some or all of those words. But the problem with abstract nouns is that when we use them, we assume that the person we are talking to understands them, and not only that, we assume that they have the same understanding of the word that we do…’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLent is traditionally a time of repentance, fasting and prayer as we prepare to celebrate our salvation at Easter. Through daily readings and reflections from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day, Amy Scott Robinson explores different biblical images of repentance, sin, forgiveness and grace, bringing them together in Holy Week as a lens through which to view Christ’s work of reconciliation on the cross.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kqn_CTRCtzY\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yGNTnqU6LHs\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IQ0wKSf1ZEM\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is rich in accessible biblical scholarship and insight. It brings the reader's attention to a variety of passages and it is refreshing to read a Lent Book that encourages the reader to look at a variety of passages from across the whole of Christian scripture. The combination of a well-considered reflection, a question and, a suitable prayer for each day make this book the perfect companion for Lent.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rev'd Canon Michael Robinson (no relation!)\u003cbr\u003eBishops’ Chaplain \u0026amp; Canon Theologian of St Edmundsbury Cathedral\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘Amy is an expert storyteller, a well of emotion and reflection, and a follower of Jesus with a deep, genuine hunger for the reality of God.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdrian Plass, author and speaker\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online February 2023. Review by Margaret Tinsley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BRF Lent Book for 2023, sub-titled ‘A Journey from Darkness to Light at Easter’ takes the reader day by day on exactly that journey. Amy Scott Robinson was inspired to write this book because she felt that abstract nouns, such as sin and grace, although in frequent use, might be misunderstood – or given a different meaning - by many people. The book is based on the idea that the use of images helps this understanding. These images vary from a few words, to extended metaphors, to whole stories – but all help us to understand Christian concepts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into weekly sections, covering sin and repentance, forgiveness, atonement, restoration, reconciliation and ends with Holy Week. Each day has a Bible reading, commentary, a question and a prayer and, at the end of each week, there is a set of questions, which makes the book suitable for group activity. The commentary which Amy Scott Robinson gives each day is invariably pertinent and engaging and involves personal and literary examples, as well as providing a thoughtful interpretation of the passage. The question demands the reader applies the material to his\/her own life. As a Lent book I recommend this for personal or for group use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Margaret Tinsley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost, author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving previously reviewed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/image-of-the-invisible-daily-bible-readings-from-advent-to-epiphany?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=d107cbc7e\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImage of the Invisible\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, Amy Scott-Robinson’s book for Advent through to Epiphany, I was looking forward to this offering for Lent, Holy Week and Easter. And I was not disappointed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with that previous book, she uses metaphors, stories and biblical examples to open up a wide range of themes. Initially, these images explore the traditional themes of Lent: sin, repentance and forgiveness. Dipping briefly and helpfully in the theological arguments about atonement, the author then continues with images of restoration and reconciliation. A final section for Holy Week finds us encountering a donkey, turning over tables and washing feet before standing by the tomb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin the book, we meet characters as diverse as David and Jonah, Jesus Barabbas and Joseph of Arimathea. Each aspect, each chapter, is explored and explained, using helpful contemporary stories and images alongside the biblical ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this reviewer, reading a book of daily reflections in a shorter timescale inevitably dilutes the full benefit of it (not least also that I read it during Advent!). Thus, for me, the focus on sin during the first half has a particular effect and it is from Week 4 onwards that readers are given a flood of hope as all the images combine to provide ones of grace. Grace which is sufficient for each day and for each one of us, in all times and seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost is the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. He is also the author of \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\"\u003etwo other books\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmy Scott Robinson\u003c\/strong\u003e is an author and performance storyteller. After studying English at Christ's College, Cambridge, she trained as a teacher and began writing for charities and providers of liturgical resources, before publishing her own works on puppetry and story. She is married to the rector of four rural parishes in Suffolk, where she is also the benefice children’s worker. She lives in the Rectory and has two children, two guinea pigs, and at any given moment, a half-finished cup of cold tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2022-10-05T11:05:46+01:00","created_at":"2022-10-05T09:23:24+01:00","vendor":"Amy Scott Robinson","type":"Paperback","tags":["Centenary Collection","Discipleship","Easter","Lent"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"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":42199947903167,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391178","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":33397562081471,"product_id":7363008889023,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-10-05T10:55:21+01:00","updated_at":"2022-10-05T10:55:23+01:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ImagesofGrace.jpg?v=1664963723","variant_ids":[42199947903167]},"available":true,"name":"Images of Grace: A journey from darkness to light at Easter - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391178","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":25987135209663,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ImagesofGrace.jpg?v=1664963723"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ImagesofGrace.jpg?v=1664963723"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ImagesofGrace.jpg?v=1664963723","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":25987135209663,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ImagesofGrace.jpg?v=1664963723"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ImagesofGrace.jpg?v=1664963723","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e‘At the heart of the Christian message is a collection of abstract nouns: love; sin; forgiveness; grace. It is quite difficult to explain what the gospel message is without using some or all of those words. But the problem with abstract nouns is that when we use them, we assume that the person we are talking to understands them, and not only that, we assume that they have the same understanding of the word that we do…’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLent is traditionally a time of repentance, fasting and prayer as we prepare to celebrate our salvation at Easter. Through daily readings and reflections from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day, Amy Scott Robinson explores different biblical images of repentance, sin, forgiveness and grace, bringing them together in Holy Week as a lens through which to view Christ’s work of reconciliation on the cross.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/kqn_CTRCtzY\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yGNTnqU6LHs\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/IQ0wKSf1ZEM\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is rich in accessible biblical scholarship and insight. It brings the reader's attention to a variety of passages and it is refreshing to read a Lent Book that encourages the reader to look at a variety of passages from across the whole of Christian scripture. The combination of a well-considered reflection, a question and, a suitable prayer for each day make this book the perfect companion for Lent.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rev'd Canon Michael Robinson (no relation!)\u003cbr\u003eBishops’ Chaplain \u0026amp; Canon Theologian of St Edmundsbury Cathedral\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘Amy is an expert storyteller, a well of emotion and reflection, and a follower of Jesus with a deep, genuine hunger for the reality of God.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdrian Plass, author and speaker\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online February 2023. Review by Margaret Tinsley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe BRF Lent Book for 2023, sub-titled ‘A Journey from Darkness to Light at Easter’ takes the reader day by day on exactly that journey. Amy Scott Robinson was inspired to write this book because she felt that abstract nouns, such as sin and grace, although in frequent use, might be misunderstood – or given a different meaning - by many people. The book is based on the idea that the use of images helps this understanding. These images vary from a few words, to extended metaphors, to whole stories – but all help us to understand Christian concepts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is divided into weekly sections, covering sin and repentance, forgiveness, atonement, restoration, reconciliation and ends with Holy Week. Each day has a Bible reading, commentary, a question and a prayer and, at the end of each week, there is a set of questions, which makes the book suitable for group activity. The commentary which Amy Scott Robinson gives each day is invariably pertinent and engaging and involves personal and literary examples, as well as providing a thoughtful interpretation of the passage. The question demands the reader applies the material to his\/her own life. As a Lent book I recommend this for personal or for group use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Margaret Tinsley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost, author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving previously reviewed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/image-of-the-invisible-daily-bible-readings-from-advent-to-epiphany?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=d107cbc7e\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImage of the Invisible\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, Amy Scott-Robinson’s book for Advent through to Epiphany, I was looking forward to this offering for Lent, Holy Week and Easter. And I was not disappointed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs with that previous book, she uses metaphors, stories and biblical examples to open up a wide range of themes. Initially, these images explore the traditional themes of Lent: sin, repentance and forgiveness. Dipping briefly and helpfully in the theological arguments about atonement, the author then continues with images of restoration and reconciliation. A final section for Holy Week finds us encountering a donkey, turning over tables and washing feet before standing by the tomb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithin the book, we meet characters as diverse as David and Jonah, Jesus Barabbas and Joseph of Arimathea. Each aspect, each chapter, is explored and explained, using helpful contemporary stories and images alongside the biblical ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this reviewer, reading a book of daily reflections in a shorter timescale inevitably dilutes the full benefit of it (not least also that I read it during Advent!). Thus, for me, the focus on sin during the first half has a particular effect and it is from Week 4 onwards that readers are given a flood of hope as all the images combine to provide ones of grace. Grace which is sufficient for each day and for each one of us, in all times and seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost is the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. He is also the author of \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\"\u003etwo other books\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmy Scott Robinson\u003c\/strong\u003e is an author and performance storyteller. After studying English at Christ's College, Cambridge, she trained as a teacher and began writing for charities and providers of liturgical resources, before publishing her own works on puppetry and story. She is married to the rector of four rural parishes in Suffolk, where she is also the benefice children’s worker. She lives in the Rectory and has two children, two guinea pigs, and at any given moment, a half-finished cup of cold tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e"}
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Images of Grace: A journey from darkness to light at Easter
£9.99
‘At the heart of the Christian message is a collection of abstract nouns: love; sin; forgiveness; grace. It is quite...
{"id":7220230095039,"title":"Spiritual Care Series – single-use licence","handle":"spiritual-care-series-single-pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eTo purchase additional individual licences, you must either be a course facilitator yourself, or have the details for a current course facilitator who has already purchased a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/spiritual-care-series-6-user-bundle\" title=\"Spiritual Care Series Pack\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSpiritual Care Series pack\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Spiritual Care Series is an eight-week comprehensive course for churches who want to provide good quality spiritual care to older people in their local community. The course equips participants to understand the ageing process, supporting people to reconnect with their past and cope with the losses that ageing brings. It also covers the importance of good listening skills, communication and boundaries in the provision of this care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe course comprises of video material, course material and access to an online learning platform. The videos and guides are designed to provoke discussion and an interactive learning experience. It is ideal for churches or organisations who want to provide good quality care to older people. Participants will develop their understanding and knowledge of the ageing process and at the end of the course, they will have the confidence and skills to come alongside older people to offer spiritual care. It can be used by churches who work ecumenical together or in groups. At the end of the course, participants receive a certificate to confirm successful completion of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Course outline\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderstanding the ageing process\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpirituality in ageing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood communication\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe power of storytelling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDementia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA new home and a new way of life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrief, loss, death and dying\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoles, boundaries and self-care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe individual licence includes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParticipant’s workbook\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccess to Bridge Learning Management System online \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eHealth TV Network\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHealth TV Network is an experienced provider of training resources for the healthcare sector. Contributors to the Spiritual Care Series include theologians, professionals working in the care system and trainers. Professor John Swinton is the chair in divinity and religious studies at Aberdeen University and is one of the UK presenters to the course video material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBRF is licensed to promote and distribute the Spiritual Care Series in the UK. Online access to the Bridge Learning Management System (LMS) is managed by Health TV Network (HTN) in Australia. We will be sharing the data you provide to us with HTN to give users access to the Bridge (LMS) component of this course. For general enquiries about the Spiritual Care Series, please contact BRF on 01865 319700 or enquiries@brf.org.uk.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-05-03T16:37:51+01:00","created_at":"2022-04-14T11:20:48+01:00","vendor":"Health TV Network and BRF","type":"Pack","tags":["Ageing and spiritual care","Anna Chaplaincy books","Church life","For churches","Pastoral care","Retired and inspired","Spiritual care","spiritual care series courses"],"price":5000,"price_min":5000,"price_max":5000,"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":41524410974399,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"SCSSINGLE","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Spiritual Care Series – single-use licence","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":5000,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"SCSSINGLE","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/spiritualcareseriesparticipantsguide.jpg?v=1661948125"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/spiritualcareseriesparticipantsguide.jpg?v=1661948125","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":25746373378239,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":1415,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/spiritualcareseriesparticipantsguide.jpg?v=1661948125"},"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":1415,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/spiritualcareseriesparticipantsguide.jpg?v=1661948125","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eTo purchase additional individual licences, you must either be a course facilitator yourself, or have the details for a current course facilitator who has already purchased a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/spiritual-care-series-6-user-bundle\" title=\"Spiritual Care Series Pack\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSpiritual Care Series pack\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Spiritual Care Series is an eight-week comprehensive course for churches who want to provide good quality spiritual care to older people in their local community. The course equips participants to understand the ageing process, supporting people to reconnect with their past and cope with the losses that ageing brings. It also covers the importance of good listening skills, communication and boundaries in the provision of this care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe course comprises of video material, course material and access to an online learning platform. The videos and guides are designed to provoke discussion and an interactive learning experience. It is ideal for churches or organisations who want to provide good quality care to older people. Participants will develop their understanding and knowledge of the ageing process and at the end of the course, they will have the confidence and skills to come alongside older people to offer spiritual care. It can be used by churches who work ecumenical together or in groups. At the end of the course, participants receive a certificate to confirm successful completion of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Course outline\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderstanding the ageing process\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpirituality in ageing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGood communication\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe power of storytelling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDementia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA new home and a new way of life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGrief, loss, death and dying\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRoles, boundaries and self-care\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe individual licence includes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParticipant’s workbook\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAccess to Bridge Learning Management System online \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eHealth TV Network\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHealth TV Network is an experienced provider of training resources for the healthcare sector. Contributors to the Spiritual Care Series include theologians, professionals working in the care system and trainers. Professor John Swinton is the chair in divinity and religious studies at Aberdeen University and is one of the UK presenters to the course video material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBRF is licensed to promote and distribute the Spiritual Care Series in the UK. Online access to the Bridge Learning Management System (LMS) is managed by Health TV Network (HTN) in Australia. We will be sharing the data you provide to us with HTN to give users access to the Bridge (LMS) component of this course. For general enquiries about the Spiritual Care Series, please contact BRF on 01865 319700 or enquiries@brf.org.uk.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Spiritual Care Series – single-use licence
£50.00
To purchase additional individual licences, you must either be a course facilitator yourself, or have the details for a current...
{"id":7367016087743,"title":"Bible in Ten: Any book of the Bible cracked in ten minutes or less","handle":"bible-in-ten-any-book-of-the-bible-cracked-in-ten-minutes-or-less","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFor anyone who wants to crack open the Bible, poet, broadcaster and teacher Dave Kitchen provides a lively introduction to every single book in ten minutes or less. Bible in Ten is for everyone who wants to be connected with all that is unexpected, beautiful and astonishing in the Bible. It tells the stories of success and failure, suffering and hope, home and exile, and a love that is stronger than death. \u003c\/span\u003eHere are 67 short, sharp snapshots covering every corner of a book that people sometimes don’t know quite as well as they think they do. It’s a way into a volume that is often on the shelves but far less frequently taken off them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gFxcR9kCb8k\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Bible is packed with advice, stories and promises that cry out to be heard. This book gives people a real chance to take the words off the page and into their own world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBible in Ten\u003c\/em\u003e is available in print, digital and audio formats.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Bible in Ten Audio Book\" href=\"https:\/\/www.audible.co.uk\/pd\/Bible-in-Ten-Audiobook\/B0BYGD1MDX\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUDIO BOOK OUT NOW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uHS_l796Hiw\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo read David Kitchen’s moving blog about his friend Rob Lacey, whose\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Street Bible\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003einspired\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBible in Ten,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003eclick\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/bible-in-ten-the-tale-behind-the-book\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-safelink=\"true\" data-linkindex=\"2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• New Christians and seekers who want to know more about the Bible, or those who have given up on Bible study, providing an accessible way back in\u003cbr\u003e• Daily Bible notes readers, helping to fill in background to their study focus\u003cbr\u003e• Church leaders, youth leaders, Messy Church leaders or small group leaders who want to introduce a whole book to their congregation or group\u003cbr\u003e• Parents looking to develop Bible knowledge in the home\u003cbr\u003e• RE teachers looking for ready-to-use lesson material\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/DaveKitchen_480x480.jpg?v=1676495494\" width=\"262\" height=\"302\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDavid Kitchen is an award-winning writer, broadcaster, teacher and storyteller who has been making the Bible come alive for longer than he cares to remember. In Bible in Ten he combines his down-to-earth writing skills with almost 50 years’ experience in church leadership and worship. His hobbies include music, poetry and playing crawling-up-stairs games with his grandson.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements for Bible in Ten \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'For a busy working parent on the run between home, school, work and church, Bible in Ten is an absolute essential. It helps me to grasp the main ideas behind any particular Bible book in just ten minutes – brilliantly helpful when we’re at the start of a new housegroup season, or church sermon series, or even for my own devotional times. I highly recommend it for anyone who feels frazzled!'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft www.thehopefilledfamily.com\/ \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I wish the brilliant \u003cem\u003eBible in Ten \u003c\/em\u003ehad been written sooner – it is fun, fresh and full of insight. Easy to read but with so much packed in. Whatever your biblical starting point, there’s something of value for you. Dave Kitchen has put in the hard miles of study to give us a shortcut to understanding the big picture. Thanks, Dave!’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbby Guinness, head of Spring Harvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘What a wonderful idea Dave Kitchen has come up with. I have known Dave for over 35 years and he has not lost any of his enthusiasm and quirky sharing of the good news of God’s love. This will be a valuable resource in my present multicultural context, giving people an instant insight into the scriptures and hopefully a desire to go deeper through Bible study and teaching. I warmly commend this book.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Poxon, past president of the Methodist Conference and minister of St Mark’s Methodist\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eChurch in Tottenham\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Such an exciting initiative. I love \u003cem\u003eBible in Ten\u003c\/em\u003e.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRob Parsons, OBE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Here’s a version of the Bible which sets out to catch your attention – but goes on to engage your imagination and offer a fresh perspective on some familiar passages: thoroughly recommended.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Wigley, chair of Wales Synod Cymru of the Methodist Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Very helpful, easy-to-read resource that I would encourage both young and old to invest in. It will certainly be a book that I will be keeping within reaching distance on my bookshelf.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIshmael, singer-songwriter, speaker and author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Tackling the Bible can feel like a mammoth task and I certainly have often wondered where to start. Well, look no further! I love that this book has a mini summary at the end of each section, adding context and a little life reflection about what each book of the Bible has shared with us. Also, purely on a selfish note… this is on point for a dyslexic. Small, accessible, bite-sized pieces of an extremely large, comprehensive and complex book, and this helps to make some sense of it in the here and now. I want to share this with everyone I know.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMegan Thomas, Methodist Youth President 2014–15\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Brilliant! So pithy and relevant. What a fantastic achievement – love those final paragraphs at the end of the chapter, communicating the very essence of the book. Sure it’s going to be a real success!’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRae Duke, broadcaster, teacher and podcast host\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times online. Reviewed by Pieter Lalleman.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cover of this book states: ‘Quite how people made the Bible sound so dull is a mystery. This is the book that proves it’s anything but.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book does live up to this claim: Using only a few pages per book of the Bible, Kitchen presents the contents of each of the 66 books. His style is fresh and attractive. He nearly always brings out the essence of the biblical book, paying little attention to questions of authorship and date. He seldom refers to chapter and verse numbers, allowing the text to be read continuously, and he adds helpful contemporary applications. The tone of the summaries is light-hearted and pleasantly positive, even for the less ‘attractive’ parts of the Bible, but each sentence is full of information so one has to read attentively. Paragraphs have six lines or less, but the lines are long due to the square shape of the book (7 by 7 inch).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy minor quibbles include the chapter on Revelation: it’s too short and fails to mention Jesus as Lord of history. Hebrews also deserves better. The chapter on the Psalms merely offers samples, nothing on types of Psalms. Like all quotations in the book, these are probably in Kitchen’s own translation, although this is never stated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI could mention some more quibbles, but my overall verdict is that this is a very useful book for many readers of the Bible, regardless of age and background. Let me finish with a random sample from Amos: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt's at about this time that the leaders decide they want a more positive message. Amos is told to make money in his own country and leave them alone. ‘I don’t do this for cash,’ he replies. ‘I actually run a sheep business… plus I’ve got a few fig trees. I do this because I have to – for God. Getting rid of me doesn’t get rid of the bad news.’\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis short piece brings out the strengths of the book: sparkling language and a good grasp of the Bible.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Revd Dr Pieter J. Lalleman is the pastor of Knaphill Baptist Church, Surrey\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry September 2023. Review by Betty Taylor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have many Biblical commentaries but nothing to compare with this! Kitchen has done a unique job in bringing the Bible to life in a fresh way, engaging our attention through his fun-filled approach. It is easy to read yet packed with good news in a nutshell, each book ending with a summary written in a challenging way. It will appeal to young and old, whether knowledgeable or engaging with the Bible for the first time. The author has made the whole Bible accessible, alive and full of insight as we weave through 66 snapshots – each book in turn, all given the importance they deserve. I recommend this wonderful book to congregations generally, but more specifically to young families who attend ‘Fresh Expressions’ of church. Many may have come recently into the Christian family and the Bible can be a daunting volume to take on board. Bible in Ten will change that by giving a beautiful glimpse into scripture and providing the desire to dig deeper. This book is an exciting innovation! Be sure to order your copy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Betty Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder March 2023. Review by Donald Kerr\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bible is still recognised as the best selling book of all time, with over 4 billion copies produced worldwide. Nevertheless, it can be more than a little daunting even for those who are motivated to delve into it. The variety of translations and paraphrases does help, of course, but it still feels like a big book. Furthermore, the different life situations and varied types of literature can easily confuse. If only there was a simple way in which we could appreciate the overall message of each book which would then whet our appetite to go back and dig deeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the challenge which Dave Kitchen has taken up in \u003cem\u003eBible in Ten\u003c\/em\u003e, subtitled ‘Any book of the Bible cracked in ten minutes or less.’ The ‘ten’ refers to the 10 minutes maximum which the reader spends in reading the overview of each book. However, this is much more than an introductory textbook. Each chapter starts with a short paragraph designed to take us into the issues which the biblical book in question raises and finishes with some thoughts or reflections to help us apply the book’s message to ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave Kitchen is by profession a teacher (now retired) but is also a broadcaster, poet and Methodist local preacher. He is thus an excellent communicator. His style is at once racy, clear and compassionate. He has lived within the biblical text so deeply that he is able to express its heart in a manner both simple and profound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho might benefit from this book? Those starting out on the Christian pathway who want to find a way into scripture and those who have journeyed for many years but would still value an overview of those parts of the Bible which they have tended to skip over. Teachers and preachers will find fresh inspiration here and Bible study groups will find plenty of material to aid their learning and discussion. To quote Abby Guinness, the head of Spring Harvest: ‘Whatever your biblical starting point there is something of value to you. Dave Kitchen has put in the hard miles of study to give us a shortcut to understanding the big picture.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-10-10T14:14:56+01:00","created_at":"2022-10-10T14:14:55+01:00","vendor":"David Kitchen","type":"Paperback","tags":["Biblical engagement","Church life","Discipleship","For churches","For individuals","Glassboxx"],"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":41997407256767,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391512","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":33430415671487,"product_id":7367016087743,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-10-10T14:14:55+01:00","updated_at":"2022-10-10T14:14:57+01:00","alt":null,"width":2102,"height":2102,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BibleinTen.jpg?v=1665407697","variant_ids":[41997407256767]},"available":true,"name":"Bible in Ten: Any book of the Bible cracked in ten minutes or less - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1299,"weight":385,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391512","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26020738334911,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2102,"width":2102,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BibleinTen.jpg?v=1665407697"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BibleinTen.jpg?v=1665407697"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BibleinTen.jpg?v=1665407697","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26020738334911,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2102,"width":2102,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BibleinTen.jpg?v=1665407697"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2102,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BibleinTen.jpg?v=1665407697","width":2102}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFor anyone who wants to crack open the Bible, poet, broadcaster and teacher Dave Kitchen provides a lively introduction to every single book in ten minutes or less. Bible in Ten is for everyone who wants to be connected with all that is unexpected, beautiful and astonishing in the Bible. It tells the stories of success and failure, suffering and hope, home and exile, and a love that is stronger than death. \u003c\/span\u003eHere are 67 short, sharp snapshots covering every corner of a book that people sometimes don’t know quite as well as they think they do. It’s a way into a volume that is often on the shelves but far less frequently taken off them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gFxcR9kCb8k\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Bible is packed with advice, stories and promises that cry out to be heard. This book gives people a real chance to take the words off the page and into their own world.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eBible in Ten\u003c\/em\u003e is available in print, digital and audio formats.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca title=\"Bible in Ten Audio Book\" href=\"https:\/\/www.audible.co.uk\/pd\/Bible-in-Ten-Audiobook\/B0BYGD1MDX\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUDIO BOOK OUT NOW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/uHS_l796Hiw\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo read David Kitchen’s moving blog about his friend Rob Lacey, whose\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Street Bible\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003einspired\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBible in Ten,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003eclick\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/bible-in-ten-the-tale-behind-the-book\" data-auth=\"NotApplicable\" data-safelink=\"true\" data-linkindex=\"2\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• New Christians and seekers who want to know more about the Bible, or those who have given up on Bible study, providing an accessible way back in\u003cbr\u003e• Daily Bible notes readers, helping to fill in background to their study focus\u003cbr\u003e• Church leaders, youth leaders, Messy Church leaders or small group leaders who want to introduce a whole book to their congregation or group\u003cbr\u003e• Parents looking to develop Bible knowledge in the home\u003cbr\u003e• RE teachers looking for ready-to-use lesson material\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/DaveKitchen_480x480.jpg?v=1676495494\" width=\"262\" height=\"302\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDavid Kitchen is an award-winning writer, broadcaster, teacher and storyteller who has been making the Bible come alive for longer than he cares to remember. In Bible in Ten he combines his down-to-earth writing skills with almost 50 years’ experience in church leadership and worship. His hobbies include music, poetry and playing crawling-up-stairs games with his grandson.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements for Bible in Ten \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'For a busy working parent on the run between home, school, work and church, Bible in Ten is an absolute essential. It helps me to grasp the main ideas behind any particular Bible book in just ten minutes – brilliantly helpful when we’re at the start of a new housegroup season, or church sermon series, or even for my own devotional times. I highly recommend it for anyone who feels frazzled!'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft www.thehopefilledfamily.com\/ \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I wish the brilliant \u003cem\u003eBible in Ten \u003c\/em\u003ehad been written sooner – it is fun, fresh and full of insight. Easy to read but with so much packed in. Whatever your biblical starting point, there’s something of value for you. Dave Kitchen has put in the hard miles of study to give us a shortcut to understanding the big picture. Thanks, Dave!’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbby Guinness, head of Spring Harvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘What a wonderful idea Dave Kitchen has come up with. I have known Dave for over 35 years and he has not lost any of his enthusiasm and quirky sharing of the good news of God’s love. This will be a valuable resource in my present multicultural context, giving people an instant insight into the scriptures and hopefully a desire to go deeper through Bible study and teaching. I warmly commend this book.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Poxon, past president of the Methodist Conference and minister of St Mark’s Methodist\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eChurch in Tottenham\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Such an exciting initiative. I love \u003cem\u003eBible in Ten\u003c\/em\u003e.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRob Parsons, OBE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Here’s a version of the Bible which sets out to catch your attention – but goes on to engage your imagination and offer a fresh perspective on some familiar passages: thoroughly recommended.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Wigley, chair of Wales Synod Cymru of the Methodist Church\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Very helpful, easy-to-read resource that I would encourage both young and old to invest in. It will certainly be a book that I will be keeping within reaching distance on my bookshelf.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIshmael, singer-songwriter, speaker and author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Tackling the Bible can feel like a mammoth task and I certainly have often wondered where to start. Well, look no further! I love that this book has a mini summary at the end of each section, adding context and a little life reflection about what each book of the Bible has shared with us. Also, purely on a selfish note… this is on point for a dyslexic. Small, accessible, bite-sized pieces of an extremely large, comprehensive and complex book, and this helps to make some sense of it in the here and now. I want to share this with everyone I know.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMegan Thomas, Methodist Youth President 2014–15\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Brilliant! So pithy and relevant. What a fantastic achievement – love those final paragraphs at the end of the chapter, communicating the very essence of the book. Sure it’s going to be a real success!’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRae Duke, broadcaster, teacher and podcast host\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBaptist Times online. Reviewed by Pieter Lalleman.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cover of this book states: ‘Quite how people made the Bible sound so dull is a mystery. This is the book that proves it’s anything but.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book does live up to this claim: Using only a few pages per book of the Bible, Kitchen presents the contents of each of the 66 books. His style is fresh and attractive. He nearly always brings out the essence of the biblical book, paying little attention to questions of authorship and date. He seldom refers to chapter and verse numbers, allowing the text to be read continuously, and he adds helpful contemporary applications. The tone of the summaries is light-hearted and pleasantly positive, even for the less ‘attractive’ parts of the Bible, but each sentence is full of information so one has to read attentively. Paragraphs have six lines or less, but the lines are long due to the square shape of the book (7 by 7 inch).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy minor quibbles include the chapter on Revelation: it’s too short and fails to mention Jesus as Lord of history. Hebrews also deserves better. The chapter on the Psalms merely offers samples, nothing on types of Psalms. Like all quotations in the book, these are probably in Kitchen’s own translation, although this is never stated.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI could mention some more quibbles, but my overall verdict is that this is a very useful book for many readers of the Bible, regardless of age and background. Let me finish with a random sample from Amos: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt's at about this time that the leaders decide they want a more positive message. Amos is told to make money in his own country and leave them alone. ‘I don’t do this for cash,’ he replies. ‘I actually run a sheep business… plus I’ve got a few fig trees. I do this because I have to – for God. Getting rid of me doesn’t get rid of the bad news.’\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis short piece brings out the strengths of the book: sparkling language and a good grasp of the Bible.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Revd Dr Pieter J. Lalleman is the pastor of Knaphill Baptist Church, Surrey\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry September 2023. Review by Betty Taylor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have many Biblical commentaries but nothing to compare with this! Kitchen has done a unique job in bringing the Bible to life in a fresh way, engaging our attention through his fun-filled approach. It is easy to read yet packed with good news in a nutshell, each book ending with a summary written in a challenging way. It will appeal to young and old, whether knowledgeable or engaging with the Bible for the first time. The author has made the whole Bible accessible, alive and full of insight as we weave through 66 snapshots – each book in turn, all given the importance they deserve. I recommend this wonderful book to congregations generally, but more specifically to young families who attend ‘Fresh Expressions’ of church. Many may have come recently into the Christian family and the Bible can be a daunting volume to take on board. Bible in Ten will change that by giving a beautiful glimpse into scripture and providing the desire to dig deeper. This book is an exciting innovation! Be sure to order your copy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Betty Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMethodist Recorder March 2023. Review by Donald Kerr\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bible is still recognised as the best selling book of all time, with over 4 billion copies produced worldwide. Nevertheless, it can be more than a little daunting even for those who are motivated to delve into it. The variety of translations and paraphrases does help, of course, but it still feels like a big book. Furthermore, the different life situations and varied types of literature can easily confuse. If only there was a simple way in which we could appreciate the overall message of each book which would then whet our appetite to go back and dig deeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the challenge which Dave Kitchen has taken up in \u003cem\u003eBible in Ten\u003c\/em\u003e, subtitled ‘Any book of the Bible cracked in ten minutes or less.’ The ‘ten’ refers to the 10 minutes maximum which the reader spends in reading the overview of each book. However, this is much more than an introductory textbook. Each chapter starts with a short paragraph designed to take us into the issues which the biblical book in question raises and finishes with some thoughts or reflections to help us apply the book’s message to ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDave Kitchen is by profession a teacher (now retired) but is also a broadcaster, poet and Methodist local preacher. He is thus an excellent communicator. His style is at once racy, clear and compassionate. He has lived within the biblical text so deeply that he is able to express its heart in a manner both simple and profound.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho might benefit from this book? Those starting out on the Christian pathway who want to find a way into scripture and those who have journeyed for many years but would still value an overview of those parts of the Bible which they have tended to skip over. Teachers and preachers will find fresh inspiration here and Bible study groups will find plenty of material to aid their learning and discussion. To quote Abby Guinness, the head of Spring Harvest: ‘Whatever your biblical starting point there is something of value to you. Dave Kitchen has put in the hard miles of study to give us a shortcut to understanding the big picture.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Bible in Ten: Any book of the Bible cracked in ten minutes or less
£12.99
For anyone who wants to crack open the Bible, poet, broadcaster and teacher Dave Kitchen provides a lively introduction to...
{"id":7367026409663,"title":"World Turned Upside Down","handle":"world-turned-upside-down","description":"\u003cp\u003eThere are no simple answers to life’s challenges, so how do we integrate our most testing experiences into our faith in a way which strengthens rather than undermines it? When we are at our weakest, when we feel we most need God and yet have no idea how to talk to him, it is the Psalms which leap to our rescue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the psalmists as our guides, we learn to draw closer to God, to hear his voice in fresh ways, and to identify what it is that troubles us. Borrowing their words, we find that we are able to articulate our most painful feelings and walk through suffering with honesty, hope, and confidence in the God who travels beside us. Here is an opportunity to read the Psalms differently: an invitation to embark on a new journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"150\" width=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Alison_Morgan_1_480x480.jpg?v=1678322105\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Alison_Morgan_1_480x480.jpg?v=1678322105\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 20px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRevd Dr Alison Morgan \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehas written widely on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eliterature, theology and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristian life. She \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eis \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003ean Associate of the Mathetes Trust, where she \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoversees the Rooted in Jesus discipleship programme for Africa, now in use in 19 countries\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Alison has a PhD from Cambridge \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003efor her work on the Italian poet Dante, and in her spare time enjoys birdwatching, walking and photography.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eForeword by \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘The Psalms take us on a journey; and they take us on foot… in a sense walking is the dominant theme of the entire Psalter.’ So writes Alison Morgan in her highly perceptive, reflective and personal exploration of this great repository of timeless wisdom. Alison is the ideal walking companion and guide, walking not racing, never charging on ahead, always taking time to stop, to absorb the view and to ponder. She shares her personal experiences – of pregnancy, of rejection, of confusion, of bereavement, of times when her world has been turned upside down – in such a gentle manner as to invite the reader to call to mind the highs and lows they have similarly experienced, endured or enjoyed. As well as being intimately familiar with the landmarks, Alison is the kind of guide who inspires confidence: she has trodden this path before, she reads the map, she knows the direction, she is not daunted by difficult terrain, scree or scramble, not held back by headwind, storm or fog.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt each stage, Alison’s method is to draw attention to a particular fea- ture of the Psalmist’s landscape, then, as readers and author together rest their gaze on that aspect, readers come to see how the Psalmist’s hard-won insights into the human condition can be a source of under- standing, perseverance, faith, and hope in their own lives. In the process they come to know themselves more fully; they also come to know God more fully, the God who has ‘searched me out and known me’. The best guides, of course, do more than show people the way; they also enable them to find their own way. Anyone who follows Alison’s guidance will be better equipped to return to the Psalms again and again and discover fresh insights of their own – and become a guide to others.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the very outset of this book, it becomes clear to the reader that this walk is not an amiable, aimless ramble. Rather, the journey on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewhich Alison is the guide is a pilgrimage; indeed, as she points out, several psalms were themselves composed to accompany the pilgrim. As a disciple of the one who called himself the Way, the Truth and the Life, Alison discerns the presence of Jesus every step of the way. What Alison offers the reader here is a \u003cem\u003ecamino \u003c\/em\u003ethrough the Psalms. It is telling that the heading of the final chapter is ‘Coming home’.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI hope you will enjoy your pilgrim walk with Alison, that you will marvel \u003cspan\u003eat the beauty along the way, and marvel even more at the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of it all; I wish you a rewarding journey and a safe homecoming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eDr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs ever, Alison Morgan manages to convey a wealth of academic study in a deeply personal and accessible way. In this hope-filled book she applies the Psalms to the reality of every-day life and shows how they can help us express our own thoughts and feelings to God as well as listen to his response. Along the way she tackles issues such as meaning, lament, identity – and especially pain which, like fire, can ‘burn or refine’. In her own poetic language she illustrates the poetry of the psalms which ‘demands to be felt more than thought about’ and expresses what it feels like to be human. ‘World Turned Upside Down’ is practical as well as inspirational. It points to the way in which the Psalms can help us to grow through our suffering rather than be crushed by it, and includes moving and profound meditations on creation and death. This book is all about looking at life differently, and its message could hardly be more apt in today’s culture: namely that, however hard it may sometimes be to believe, ‘God is sovereign, and God is with us’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBishop James Newcome\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Written with great insight and compassion, this deep dive into the Psalms is a much- needed book, at a time when suffering has come home to so many. Alison Morgan deftly explores the many ways in which the ancient poetry of the Psalms can speak into our own lives, so that we really understand what it means to say of these scrip- tures that “deep calls unto deep”.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMalcolm Guite, poet and life fellow of Girton College, Cambridge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is stunningly \u003cem\u003ebeautiful\u003c\/em\u003e: as filled with light and shadow, and with energy and life, as the Psalms that form its subject and have power – so Alison Morgan argues – to turn things on their heads. But this is a book that is also \u003cem\u003efelt\u003c\/em\u003e. Alison “sees and sings” these ancient biblical songs, by mapping them onto the here and now of her own and others’ lived experience – and she does so with a visceral intensity, that invigorates the senses and discovers meaning in the sights, sounds and textures of places. This is a remarkable book, that brings memory, experience and theology into play with literature, art, music and even neuroscience, and does so with the lightest of touch and the sharpest of wit. It will surely inspire even those who have known the Psalms all their lives, as well as those for whom they are new or less familiar.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProfessor\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eClare\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eA.P.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWillsdon,\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHistory\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eof\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eArt,\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSchool\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eof\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCulture\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eand\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCreative\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eArts, \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUniversity of Glasgow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I found my journey through the Psalms with Alison Morgan eye-opening, encouraging and challenging. It was as though God was inviting me into a deeper level of com- munication and intimacy with him as Alison shared her reflections. She has given me tools and a desire to engage with the Psalms, and the God of the Psalms, more deeply and honestly.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBishop Martin Breytenbach, retired bishop of St Mark the Evangelist, Limpopo, \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSouth Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There is so much to enjoy throughout the book. Each chapter offers a stimulating breadth of literature, history, geography and natural sciences easily woven into the narrative. Many engaging stories illumine the text and demonstrate what may be involved in real, visceral engagement with God. There is a catholicity of scholarly perspectives deftly presented without being showy or obtrusive. Alison’s style is lucid and lyrical with occasional iridescence. There is evidence of substantial pastoral experience supporting people in different continents and cultures undergoing the common human condition of fiercely personal trials. This leads to realism in facing personal pain and the unreasonable reactions from others that can be so shocking in life’s adverse episodes.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRodney Green CBE, former chief executive, Leicester City Council, and author of \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e90,000 Hours: Managing the world of work\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is an excellent companion as you walk through the ups and downs of everyday life. It is a gentle yet deep reflection on personal and sometimes challenging experiences that can only strengthen and deepen one’s faith in God. Alison’s inter- cultural writing style will draw you in, whatever your cultural heritage or ethnicity. Her insights during this personal adventure through the Psalms will keep you engaged and genuinely bless you. In this book, you will find something which is critically rigorous, helpfully informative and personally meaningful and that you can use as part of your pattern of prayer. I wholeheartedly commend it to you.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRt Revd Dr Timothy Wambunya, honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Oxford and former bishop of Butere in Kenya\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a deeply personal book in which the author explores how the Psalms, in all their shades of light and dark, have illuminated and given shape to her own journey of faith. A most engaging read, vividly written.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanon Patrick Woodhouse, former canon of Wells Cathedral and author of \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife in the Psalms\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Alison does not shrink either from the difficulties we face in life nor from the so-called difficult parts of the Psalms. Indeed she brings these two together, first by talking openly about the bad things that happen, some of them from her own life story, and then by using the words of the Psalms themselves to face, express and reassess our experience. A particular delight was reading Alison’s appreciation of the richness of the natural world, represented in the Psalms, illustrating their word pictures with her own examples full of awe and wonder.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Liz Hoare, tutor in spiritual formation, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Like the Psalms themselves, Alison’s book is refreshingly honest and abounds in insights from her extensive general knowledge and life experience. That makes it a very rich read. Alison draws the reader into their own journey of reflection on what it feels like to be human, with an understanding that we can only truly find ourselves as we discover God in all his multifaceted layers. I found this book immediately engaging, totally absorbing and ultimately healing and restorative.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanon Andrew Evans, rector of Broughton Gifford, Great Chalfield and Holt, and rural dean of Bradford, Diocese of Salisbury\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘A book focused on pain could be a daunting prospect – and this one does make demands, inviting us to engage emotionally with our experience as well as in our thinking. But it does so with a lightness of touch, bringing numerous stories from personal experience, laced with wise reflection and playful humour. In all this the Psalms provide lenses through which to explore life’s hardest times and also words through which to express them. Inhabiting these ancient songs really can help turn our world the right way up.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Bill Goodman, assistant principal at St Peter’s College and director of ongoing ministerial development, Diocese of Sheffield\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry September 2023. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a powerful book which enables us to see the Psalms in all their glory. Alison Morgan has written a guide to the hymns of Israel that helps us to see their eternal relevance. They include making sense of life, dealing with pain, personal identity and the honesty we need to face suffering. Using her own experience and some powerful connecting analogies, the author helps us to see that we need a spirituality that is totally honest so that we might have a right relationship with God. Drawing on the work of Walter Brueggemann and others, she helps us to see how the Psalms can be about dislocation, feeling away from God – yet the very naming of our sins, doubts and fears is the way to help them lose their power as we can bring them to God. There is a great deal for a reader or preacher to learn from here – it can help us to develop an approach to pain and suffering which is both biblical and human.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Cavan Wood \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-10-10T14:51:44+01:00","created_at":"2022-10-10T14:51:42+01:00","vendor":"Alison Morgan","type":"Paperback","tags":["Bereavement","Biblical engagement","Devotional","Glassboxx","Pastoral care","Prayer","Spiritual care","Spirituality"],"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":41997426426047,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391666","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":33430612476095,"product_id":7367026409663,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-10-10T14:51:42+01:00","updated_at":"2022-10-10T14:51:44+01:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/WorldTurnedUpsideDown.jpg?v=1665409904","variant_ids":[41997426426047]},"available":true,"name":"World Turned Upside Down - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1299,"weight":286,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391666","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26020938743999,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/WorldTurnedUpsideDown.jpg?v=1665409904"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/WorldTurnedUpsideDown.jpg?v=1665409904"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/WorldTurnedUpsideDown.jpg?v=1665409904","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26020938743999,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/WorldTurnedUpsideDown.jpg?v=1665409904"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/WorldTurnedUpsideDown.jpg?v=1665409904","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThere are no simple answers to life’s challenges, so how do we integrate our most testing experiences into our faith in a way which strengthens rather than undermines it? When we are at our weakest, when we feel we most need God and yet have no idea how to talk to him, it is the Psalms which leap to our rescue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith the psalmists as our guides, we learn to draw closer to God, to hear his voice in fresh ways, and to identify what it is that troubles us. Borrowing their words, we find that we are able to articulate our most painful feelings and walk through suffering with honesty, hope, and confidence in the God who travels beside us. Here is an opportunity to read the Psalms differently: an invitation to embark on a new journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\" data-mce-style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"150\" width=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Alison_Morgan_1_480x480.jpg?v=1678322105\" style=\"margin-right: 20px; float: left;\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Alison_Morgan_1_480x480.jpg?v=1678322105\" data-mce-style=\"margin-right: 20px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRevd Dr Alison Morgan \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehas written widely on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eliterature, theology and the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristian life. She \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eis \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003ean Associate of the Mathetes Trust, where she \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoversees the Rooted in Jesus discipleship programme for Africa, now in use in 19 countries\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Alison has a PhD from Cambridge \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003efor her work on the Italian poet Dante, and in her spare time enjoys birdwatching, walking and photography.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eForeword by \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘The Psalms take us on a journey; and they take us on foot… in a sense walking is the dominant theme of the entire Psalter.’ So writes Alison Morgan in her highly perceptive, reflective and personal exploration of this great repository of timeless wisdom. Alison is the ideal walking companion and guide, walking not racing, never charging on ahead, always taking time to stop, to absorb the view and to ponder. She shares her personal experiences – of pregnancy, of rejection, of confusion, of bereavement, of times when her world has been turned upside down – in such a gentle manner as to invite the reader to call to mind the highs and lows they have similarly experienced, endured or enjoyed. As well as being intimately familiar with the landmarks, Alison is the kind of guide who inspires confidence: she has trodden this path before, she reads the map, she knows the direction, she is not daunted by difficult terrain, scree or scramble, not held back by headwind, storm or fog.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt each stage, Alison’s method is to draw attention to a particular fea- ture of the Psalmist’s landscape, then, as readers and author together rest their gaze on that aspect, readers come to see how the Psalmist’s hard-won insights into the human condition can be a source of under- standing, perseverance, faith, and hope in their own lives. In the process they come to know themselves more fully; they also come to know God more fully, the God who has ‘searched me out and known me’. The best guides, of course, do more than show people the way; they also enable them to find their own way. Anyone who follows Alison’s guidance will be better equipped to return to the Psalms again and again and discover fresh insights of their own – and become a guide to others.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrom the very outset of this book, it becomes clear to the reader that this walk is not an amiable, aimless ramble. Rather, the journey on \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ewhich Alison is the guide is a pilgrimage; indeed, as she points out, several psalms were themselves composed to accompany the pilgrim. As a disciple of the one who called himself the Way, the Truth and the Life, Alison discerns the presence of Jesus every step of the way. What Alison offers the reader here is a \u003cem\u003ecamino \u003c\/em\u003ethrough the Psalms. It is telling that the heading of the final chapter is ‘Coming home’.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI hope you will enjoy your pilgrim walk with Alison, that you will marvel \u003cspan\u003eat the beauty along the way, and marvel even more at the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of it all; I wish you a rewarding journey and a safe homecoming.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eDr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs ever, Alison Morgan manages to convey a wealth of academic study in a deeply personal and accessible way. In this hope-filled book she applies the Psalms to the reality of every-day life and shows how they can help us express our own thoughts and feelings to God as well as listen to his response. Along the way she tackles issues such as meaning, lament, identity – and especially pain which, like fire, can ‘burn or refine’. In her own poetic language she illustrates the poetry of the psalms which ‘demands to be felt more than thought about’ and expresses what it feels like to be human. ‘World Turned Upside Down’ is practical as well as inspirational. It points to the way in which the Psalms can help us to grow through our suffering rather than be crushed by it, and includes moving and profound meditations on creation and death. This book is all about looking at life differently, and its message could hardly be more apt in today’s culture: namely that, however hard it may sometimes be to believe, ‘God is sovereign, and God is with us’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBishop James Newcome\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Written with great insight and compassion, this deep dive into the Psalms is a much- needed book, at a time when suffering has come home to so many. Alison Morgan deftly explores the many ways in which the ancient poetry of the Psalms can speak into our own lives, so that we really understand what it means to say of these scrip- tures that “deep calls unto deep”.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMalcolm Guite, poet and life fellow of Girton College, Cambridge\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is stunningly \u003cem\u003ebeautiful\u003c\/em\u003e: as filled with light and shadow, and with energy and life, as the Psalms that form its subject and have power – so Alison Morgan argues – to turn things on their heads. But this is a book that is also \u003cem\u003efelt\u003c\/em\u003e. Alison “sees and sings” these ancient biblical songs, by mapping them onto the here and now of her own and others’ lived experience – and she does so with a visceral intensity, that invigorates the senses and discovers meaning in the sights, sounds and textures of places. This is a remarkable book, that brings memory, experience and theology into play with literature, art, music and even neuroscience, and does so with the lightest of touch and the sharpest of wit. It will surely inspire even those who have known the Psalms all their lives, as well as those for whom they are new or less familiar.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProfessor\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eClare\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eA.P.\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eWillsdon,\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eHistory\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eof\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eArt,\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eSchool\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eof\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCulture\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eand\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eCreative\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eArts, \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUniversity of Glasgow\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I found my journey through the Psalms with Alison Morgan eye-opening, encouraging and challenging. It was as though God was inviting me into a deeper level of com- munication and intimacy with him as Alison shared her reflections. She has given me tools and a desire to engage with the Psalms, and the God of the Psalms, more deeply and honestly.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBishop Martin Breytenbach, retired bishop of St Mark the Evangelist, Limpopo, \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSouth Africa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There is so much to enjoy throughout the book. Each chapter offers a stimulating breadth of literature, history, geography and natural sciences easily woven into the narrative. Many engaging stories illumine the text and demonstrate what may be involved in real, visceral engagement with God. There is a catholicity of scholarly perspectives deftly presented without being showy or obtrusive. Alison’s style is lucid and lyrical with occasional iridescence. There is evidence of substantial pastoral experience supporting people in different continents and cultures undergoing the common human condition of fiercely personal trials. This leads to realism in facing personal pain and the unreasonable reactions from others that can be so shocking in life’s adverse episodes.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRodney Green CBE, former chief executive, Leicester City Council, and author of \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e90,000 Hours: Managing the world of work\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is an excellent companion as you walk through the ups and downs of everyday life. It is a gentle yet deep reflection on personal and sometimes challenging experiences that can only strengthen and deepen one’s faith in God. Alison’s inter- cultural writing style will draw you in, whatever your cultural heritage or ethnicity. Her insights during this personal adventure through the Psalms will keep you engaged and genuinely bless you. In this book, you will find something which is critically rigorous, helpfully informative and personally meaningful and that you can use as part of your pattern of prayer. I wholeheartedly commend it to you.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRt Revd Dr Timothy Wambunya, honorary assistant bishop in the Diocese of Oxford and former bishop of Butere in Kenya\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a deeply personal book in which the author explores how the Psalms, in all their shades of light and dark, have illuminated and given shape to her own journey of faith. A most engaging read, vividly written.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanon Patrick Woodhouse, former canon of Wells Cathedral and author of \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife in the Psalms\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Alison does not shrink either from the difficulties we face in life nor from the so-called difficult parts of the Psalms. Indeed she brings these two together, first by talking openly about the bad things that happen, some of them from her own life story, and then by using the words of the Psalms themselves to face, express and reassess our experience. A particular delight was reading Alison’s appreciation of the richness of the natural world, represented in the Psalms, illustrating their word pictures with her own examples full of awe and wonder.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Liz Hoare, tutor in spiritual formation, Wycliffe Hall, Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Like the Psalms themselves, Alison’s book is refreshingly honest and abounds in insights from her extensive general knowledge and life experience. That makes it a very rich read. Alison draws the reader into their own journey of reflection on what it feels like to be human, with an understanding that we can only truly find ourselves as we discover God in all his multifaceted layers. I found this book immediately engaging, totally absorbing and ultimately healing and restorative.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanon Andrew Evans, rector of Broughton Gifford, Great Chalfield and Holt, and rural dean of Bradford, Diocese of Salisbury\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘A book focused on pain could be a daunting prospect – and this one does make demands, inviting us to engage emotionally with our experience as well as in our thinking. But it does so with a lightness of touch, bringing numerous stories from personal experience, laced with wise reflection and playful humour. In all this the Psalms provide lenses through which to explore life’s hardest times and also words through which to express them. Inhabiting these ancient songs really can help turn our world the right way up.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Bill Goodman, assistant principal at St Peter’s College and director of ongoing ministerial development, Diocese of Sheffield\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry September 2023. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a powerful book which enables us to see the Psalms in all their glory. Alison Morgan has written a guide to the hymns of Israel that helps us to see their eternal relevance. They include making sense of life, dealing with pain, personal identity and the honesty we need to face suffering. Using her own experience and some powerful connecting analogies, the author helps us to see that we need a spirituality that is totally honest so that we might have a right relationship with God. Drawing on the work of Walter Brueggemann and others, she helps us to see how the Psalms can be about dislocation, feeling away from God – yet the very naming of our sins, doubts and fears is the way to help them lose their power as we can bring them to God. There is a great deal for a reader or preacher to learn from here – it can help us to develop an approach to pain and suffering which is both biblical and human.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Cavan Wood \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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World Turned Upside Down
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{"id":7367030177983,"title":"At Home and Out and About","handle":"at-home-and-out-and-about","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Across a year’s worth of weekly reflections, Gordon Giles focuses on objects, scenes, activities and places, drawing out spiritual insights to help us reflect on what we have learned as we venture out again after months of restriction, absence and anxiety. From Easter, through the changing seasons to the following Easter, we are led to consider: What is it like spiritually to stop wearing masks? What does a beach say to us after coronavirus? How has Zoom affected us during lockdown and how do we now relate to technology as a medium of fellowship? Where is Christ amid our restrictions and our releases?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e• Readers of Lent and Advent books who have enjoyed the previous two in this series\u003cbr\u003e• Anyone who wants to reflect on the world in which they live in the light of recent events\u003cbr\u003e• Those who enjoy and are concerned for the natural world\u003cbr\u003e• Church groups reading together or privately\u003cbr\u003e• Churches looking for material related to the seasons of the year or the church calendar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/GordonGiles1_480x480.jpg?v=1676494801\" width=\"131\" height=\"233\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGordon Giles is Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral. He is the author of several books and the editor of BRF’s New Daylight Bible reading notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry September 2023. Review by Betty Taylor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book provided two surprises. The first was to discover that the pandemic had affected 52 areas of our lives, from masks to Zoom, from furlough to haircuts; and secondly that these meditations were to last for a whole year, from Easter to Easter. I decided to choose a special moment in the week – maybe a Sunday afternoon – to delve into the next topic. You may think that the pandemic is best allowed to rest, but Giles steers us sensitively through, encouraging us ‘to reflect on what has changed and to engage with what has not’. We are to go out and about with a God who never changes and whose love is ever constant. Each meditation is biblically inspired and supported by scientific and statistical knowledge. All conclude with a prayer. Although I would recommend individual reading, there are questions for group discussion. We have so much to learn from our Covid experiences. This book motivates us to view those years in a fresh light as we journey onward in ‘faith, hope and love.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Betty Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2022-10-10T15:03:23+01:00","created_at":"2022-10-10T15:03:22+01:00","vendor":"Gordon Giles","type":"Paperback","tags":["Biblical engagement","Devotional","For individuals","Pastoral care","Prayer","seasonal","Spirituality"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"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":41997437501631,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391154","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":33430822748351,"product_id":7367030177983,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-10-10T15:03:22+01:00","updated_at":"2022-10-10T15:03:24+01:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/AtHomeandOutandAbout.jpg?v=1665410604","variant_ids":[41997437501631]},"available":true,"name":"At Home and Out and About - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":219,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391154","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26021152489663,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/AtHomeandOutandAbout.jpg?v=1665410604"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/AtHomeandOutandAbout.jpg?v=1665410604"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/AtHomeandOutandAbout.jpg?v=1665410604","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26021152489663,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/AtHomeandOutandAbout.jpg?v=1665410604"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/AtHomeandOutandAbout.jpg?v=1665410604","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e Across a year’s worth of weekly reflections, Gordon Giles focuses on objects, scenes, activities and places, drawing out spiritual insights to help us reflect on what we have learned as we venture out again after months of restriction, absence and anxiety. From Easter, through the changing seasons to the following Easter, we are led to consider: What is it like spiritually to stop wearing masks? What does a beach say to us after coronavirus? How has Zoom affected us during lockdown and how do we now relate to technology as a medium of fellowship? Where is Christ amid our restrictions and our releases?\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e• Readers of Lent and Advent books who have enjoyed the previous two in this series\u003cbr\u003e• Anyone who wants to reflect on the world in which they live in the light of recent events\u003cbr\u003e• Those who enjoy and are concerned for the natural world\u003cbr\u003e• Church groups reading together or privately\u003cbr\u003e• Churches looking for material related to the seasons of the year or the church calendar\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/GordonGiles1_480x480.jpg?v=1676494801\" width=\"131\" height=\"233\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGordon Giles is Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral. He is the author of several books and the editor of BRF’s New Daylight Bible reading notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry September 2023. Review by Betty Taylor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book provided two surprises. The first was to discover that the pandemic had affected 52 areas of our lives, from masks to Zoom, from furlough to haircuts; and secondly that these meditations were to last for a whole year, from Easter to Easter. I decided to choose a special moment in the week – maybe a Sunday afternoon – to delve into the next topic. You may think that the pandemic is best allowed to rest, but Giles steers us sensitively through, encouraging us ‘to reflect on what has changed and to engage with what has not’. We are to go out and about with a God who never changes and whose love is ever constant. Each meditation is biblically inspired and supported by scientific and statistical knowledge. All conclude with a prayer. Although I would recommend individual reading, there are questions for group discussion. We have so much to learn from our Covid experiences. This book motivates us to view those years in a fresh light as we journey onward in ‘faith, hope and love.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Betty Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e"}
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At Home and Out and About
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{"id":7393469857983,"title":"Comfort in Uncertain Times: Ukrainian Edition","handle":"comfort-in-uncertain-times-ukrainian-edition","description":"\u003cp\u003eUncertainty and change can be hard, and even more so for a child. Feelings of confusion, powerlessness and insecurity may be overwhelming. Scripture is full of people just like our children who had to cope with uncertainty and transition and flourished as they saw God’s hand and presence within it all. Designed as a series of stories and discussions for families, this book lays a biblical foundation for who God is in uncertain times and how to stay connected to him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"216\" width=\"216\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/RachelTurner_480x480.jpg?v=1676495221\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePreviously a full-time children’s and families worker and the National Children’s Work Coordinator for New Wine, Rachel Turner continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for parents, church leaders and youth workers. She is the pioneer of Parenting for Faith, author of the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith series and presents the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for church groups and individuals. Until March 2022, she led the Parenting for Faith team at BRF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-11-11T16:56:06+00:00","created_at":"2022-11-11T16:56:05+00:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"Paperback","tags":["Biblical engagement","Centenary","Children and family ministry","For individuals","Parenting"],"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":42077788176575,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392328","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Comfort in Uncertain Times: Ukrainian Edition","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":185,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392328","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ComfortinUncertainTimes_UKRAINIAN.jpg?v=1668185767"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ComfortinUncertainTimes_UKRAINIAN.jpg?v=1668185767","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26213938462911,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ComfortinUncertainTimes_UKRAINIAN.jpg?v=1668185767"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ComfortinUncertainTimes_UKRAINIAN.jpg?v=1668185767","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eUncertainty and change can be hard, and even more so for a child. Feelings of confusion, powerlessness and insecurity may be overwhelming. Scripture is full of people just like our children who had to cope with uncertainty and transition and flourished as they saw God’s hand and presence within it all. Designed as a series of stories and discussions for families, this book lays a biblical foundation for who God is in uncertain times and how to stay connected to him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"216\" width=\"216\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/RachelTurner_480x480.jpg?v=1676495221\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePreviously a full-time children’s and families worker and the National Children’s Work Coordinator for New Wine, Rachel Turner continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for parents, church leaders and youth workers. She is the pioneer of Parenting for Faith, author of the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith series and presents the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for church groups and individuals. Until March 2022, she led the Parenting for Faith team at BRF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Comfort in Uncertain Times: Ukrainian Edition
£8.99
Uncertainty and change can be hard, and even more so for a child. Feelings of confusion, powerlessness and insecurity may...
{"id":7395855466687,"title":"The Christmas Story","handle":"the-christmas-story-1","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eExplore the story of the first Christmas together as a family!\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Christmas Story\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis written for parents, grandparents and carers to share with their children through an interactive family Bible and prayer time. Each section provides a brief comment on the passage, questions to discuss, a visual aid to encourage engagement with the story, an activity idea, a prayer idea, a key verse and an Old Testament story link.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMultipack offers are available, please do select the quantity you require below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 10 copies save 10% XMASSTORY10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 25 copies save 20% XMASSTORY20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 50 copies save 30% XMASSTORY30\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 100 copies save 40% XMASSTORY40\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePraise for\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Easter Story\u003c\/em\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘A superb resource. If I were still a minister of a local church, I would ensure that every family in my church received a copy!’ Paul Beasley-Murray,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eChurch Matters\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e'A little gem which brings the Bible to life, introduces creativity and encourages family prayer.' Elizabeth Hogg,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFormerly part of BRF’s Messy Church team, Martyn Payne is 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. He is passionate about the blessing that comes when generations explore faith together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Advent 2021. Review by Sue Piper\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis little book covers the Christmas story from the announcement to Zechariah of the coming of the Christ child, to the escape to Egypt of the Holy family. Each section offers a reading from scripture, followed by a commentary, questions, ideas and activities for families to do together. The author was part of BRF’s Messy Church team and is passionate about the richness experienced when families talk about faith together; this book would make an excellent inexpensive pre-Christmas gift and would generate new ideas and conversations about the importance of celebrating the Nativity and what it means to us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Sue Piper\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-11-08T11:49:45+00:00","created_at":"2022-11-16T16:58:55+00:00","vendor":"Martyn Payne","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","Children and family ministry","Christmas","For children","Parenting"],"price":250,"price_min":250,"price_max":250,"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":42085442519231,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391208","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":33641497002175,"product_id":7395855466687,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-11-16T16:58:57+00:00","updated_at":"2022-11-16T16:58:57+00:00","alt":null,"width":1000,"height":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937","variant_ids":[42085442519231]},"available":true,"name":"The Christmas Story","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":250,"weight":100,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391208","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26237856612543,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26237856612543,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800391208_6b13ed73-6f98-4a4e-ad06-0a622c42b249.jpg?v=1668617937","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eExplore the story of the first Christmas together as a family!\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Christmas Story\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eis written for parents, grandparents and carers to share with their children through an interactive family Bible and prayer time. Each section provides a brief comment on the passage, questions to discuss, a visual aid to encourage engagement with the story, an activity idea, a prayer idea, a key verse and an Old Testament story link.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMultipack offers are available, please do select the quantity you require below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 10 copies save 10% XMASSTORY10\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 25 copies save 20% XMASSTORY20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 50 copies save 30% XMASSTORY30\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy 100 copies save 40% XMASSTORY40\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\" style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePraise for\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Easter Story\u003c\/em\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘A superb resource. If I were still a minister of a local church, I would ensure that every family in my church received a copy!’ Paul Beasley-Murray,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eChurch Matters\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e'A little gem which brings the Bible to life, introduces creativity and encourages family prayer.' Elizabeth Hogg,\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFormerly part of BRF’s Messy Church team, Martyn Payne is 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. He is passionate about the blessing that comes when generations explore faith together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Advent 2021. Review by Sue Piper\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis little book covers the Christmas story from the announcement to Zechariah of the coming of the Christ child, to the escape to Egypt of the Holy family. Each section offers a reading from scripture, followed by a commentary, questions, ideas and activities for families to do together. The author was part of BRF’s Messy Church team and is passionate about the richness experienced when families talk about faith together; this book would make an excellent inexpensive pre-Christmas gift and would generate new ideas and conversations about the importance of celebrating the Nativity and what it means to us today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Sue Piper\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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The Christmas Story
£2.50
Explore the story of the first Christmas together as a family! The Christmas Story is written for parents, grandparents and carers to...
{"id":7333895372991,"title":"Parenting Teens for a Life of Faith: Helping teens meet and know God","handle":"parenting-teens-for-a-life-of-faith-helping-teens-meet-and-know-god","description":"\u003cp\u003eParenting teens has its challenges. The once-small children we had are pulling away from us, growing in independence and making decisions with bigger consequences. It can be easy to think we are less influential in their lives, particularly when it comes to faith. But that is not true. Parents remain the significant spiritual influencer in a teen’s life, and they need us to help them navigate the world and faith together. This book will help all parents, carers, grandparents and others involved in teens’ everyday lives to understand the teenage faith journey more and find their place within it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthor Info \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePreviously a full-time children’s and families worker and the National Children’s Work Coordinator for New Wine, Rachel Turner continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for parents, church leaders and youth workers. She is the pioneer of Parenting for Faith, author of the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith series and presents the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for church groups and individuals. Until March 2022, she led the Parenting for Faith team at BRF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 23.06.23. Review by Dennis Richards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is intended for families in which parents have a settled ‘position’ on their personal commitment of faith, coupled with a firm church affiliation, and an aspiration to take their children along the same journey. Conscious that some may see this approach as a form of brainwashing, the author establishes from an early stage the concept of parents as ‘fellow travellers’, also on a journey and ready to share with their children the ups and downs of the Christian life. It is far more important to be ‘authentic’ than to strive to be ‘perfect’ and invariably fail. As a parent, you are simply a more experienced traveller, who by virtue of age and experience is further along the track. It is most unlikely, anyway, that anxious parents will be able to create an identikit version of themselves in their children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are interesting tips for engaging in debate with older children, nevertheless being aware also that younger children can ask the most searching of questions. ‘If God made everything, why did he make germs?’ is a familiar example. For my daughter, it was nettles, given that, aged five, she fell into a bed of them. It didn’t seem the right moment to preach to her about Job’s stoicism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e I did like the author’s vivid ‘surfing’ metaphor. Parents’ primary function is to enable their children to face the unpredictable waves of life. That section works well. I am less convinced by the six-point plan based on being a good supporter of a football team. It seems risky to me, especially as Rachel Turner bases the analogy on our local team, Leeds United. Sadly, they seem to be prone fairly regularly to relegation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is on firmer ground in her conclusions. There is little point in parents’ striving to pass on their faith; the proper task is to equip children with the means to find their own. Parents who have reached the other side of their children’s adolescence can take some comfort there, even if they no longer support Leeds United.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dennis Richards is a former head of St Aidan’s C of E High School Harrogate North Yorkshire\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Summer 2023. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere could scarcely be a more important topic for today’s world. This book is written not just for Christian parents with teenage or approaching-teenage children, but for others involved in support of parenthood, too – grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and youth leaders. As a grandparent of teens, a life of faith for them is very important to me, so I read this book expectantly. The book suggests an excellent framework for parenting, but it is not a guidebook for navigating issues. It addresses listening, availability, empathy, friendship, church involvement and is strong on prayer; but it doesn’t address bullying, social media, drugs, sexual identity or behaviour. There are lots of stories of parenting – both good and bad – and these kept me engaged, though some of the imagined conversations felt a bit contrived. There’s a lot to get right, and Rachel Turner covers a lot of ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwenty-first century teenagers need good parenting and good support. This book will encourage those who seek to provide it. I recommend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2022-08-30T16:28:17+01:00","created_at":"2022-08-30T16:28:16+01:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Glassboxx","Parenting","Parenting for Faith books","Parenting for Faith Resources"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"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":41901583139007,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391635","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":33158267863231,"product_id":7333895372991,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-08-30T16:28:16+01:00","updated_at":"2022-08-30T16:28:17+01:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ParentingTeensforaLifeofFaith.jpg?v=1661873297","variant_ids":[41901583139007]},"available":true,"name":"Parenting Teens for a Life of Faith: Helping teens meet and know God - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":185,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391635","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":25739825610943,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ParentingTeensforaLifeofFaith.jpg?v=1661873297"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ParentingTeensforaLifeofFaith.jpg?v=1661873297"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ParentingTeensforaLifeofFaith.jpg?v=1661873297","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":25739825610943,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ParentingTeensforaLifeofFaith.jpg?v=1661873297"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ParentingTeensforaLifeofFaith.jpg?v=1661873297","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eParenting teens has its challenges. The once-small children we had are pulling away from us, growing in independence and making decisions with bigger consequences. It can be easy to think we are less influential in their lives, particularly when it comes to faith. But that is not true. Parents remain the significant spiritual influencer in a teen’s life, and they need us to help them navigate the world and faith together. This book will help all parents, carers, grandparents and others involved in teens’ everyday lives to understand the teenage faith journey more and find their place within it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthor Info \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePreviously a full-time children’s and families worker and the National Children’s Work Coordinator for New Wine, Rachel Turner continues to consult, speak at conferences and run training days for parents, church leaders and youth workers. She is the pioneer of Parenting for Faith, author of the Parenting Children for a Life of Faith series and presents the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for church groups and individuals. Until March 2022, she led the Parenting for Faith team at BRF.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 23.06.23. Review by Dennis Richards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is intended for families in which parents have a settled ‘position’ on their personal commitment of faith, coupled with a firm church affiliation, and an aspiration to take their children along the same journey. Conscious that some may see this approach as a form of brainwashing, the author establishes from an early stage the concept of parents as ‘fellow travellers’, also on a journey and ready to share with their children the ups and downs of the Christian life. It is far more important to be ‘authentic’ than to strive to be ‘perfect’ and invariably fail. As a parent, you are simply a more experienced traveller, who by virtue of age and experience is further along the track. It is most unlikely, anyway, that anxious parents will be able to create an identikit version of themselves in their children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are interesting tips for engaging in debate with older children, nevertheless being aware also that younger children can ask the most searching of questions. ‘If God made everything, why did he make germs?’ is a familiar example. For my daughter, it was nettles, given that, aged five, she fell into a bed of them. It didn’t seem the right moment to preach to her about Job’s stoicism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e I did like the author’s vivid ‘surfing’ metaphor. Parents’ primary function is to enable their children to face the unpredictable waves of life. That section works well. I am less convinced by the six-point plan based on being a good supporter of a football team. It seems risky to me, especially as Rachel Turner bases the analogy on our local team, Leeds United. Sadly, they seem to be prone fairly regularly to relegation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe is on firmer ground in her conclusions. There is little point in parents’ striving to pass on their faith; the proper task is to equip children with the means to find their own. Parents who have reached the other side of their children’s adolescence can take some comfort there, even if they no longer support Leeds United.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dennis Richards is a former head of St Aidan’s C of E High School Harrogate North Yorkshire\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Summer 2023. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere could scarcely be a more important topic for today’s world. This book is written not just for Christian parents with teenage or approaching-teenage children, but for others involved in support of parenthood, too – grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers and youth leaders. As a grandparent of teens, a life of faith for them is very important to me, so I read this book expectantly. The book suggests an excellent framework for parenting, but it is not a guidebook for navigating issues. It addresses listening, availability, empathy, friendship, church involvement and is strong on prayer; but it doesn’t address bullying, social media, drugs, sexual identity or behaviour. There are lots of stories of parenting – both good and bad – and these kept me engaged, though some of the imagined conversations felt a bit contrived. There’s a lot to get right, and Rachel Turner covers a lot of ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwenty-first century teenagers need good parenting and good support. This book will encourage those who seek to provide it. I recommend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Parenting Teens for a Life of Faith: Helping teens meet and know God
£9.99
Parenting teens has its challenges. The once-small children we had are pulling away from us, growing in independence and making...
{"id":7422307336383,"title":"This Crown of Comfort: God’s seven calls to women in distress","handle":"this-crown-of-comfort","description":"\u003cp\u003eGod loves women. He deeply cares for those of us who are broken and hurt. And just as he helped his beloved Jerusalem find healing in her brokenness, he does the same for us. For he cried out seven double imperatives to her in the book of Isaiah, seven steps to restore her to wholeness, and he cries out the same to us. But he doesn’t begin by scolding us; instead, he comforts. His first double imperative is, ‘Comfort, comfort,’ despite what has happened in our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn This Crown of Comfort, Eva Leaf shares stories from her own life and from the lives of other women of how God met them in their brokenness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cwM5gQbkiI4?si=HQcCMOpHpSxVQVNR\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UkXt_VjH0a0?si=LG9XcXiaufbUQSZd\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEva Leaf became a Christian at the age of 14 and attended a Canadian Bible College in her twenties. For the last 32 years, she has been a Navigator rep and has just stepped down from leading the Navigators publications team. She lives in Warwickshire, is married and has four grown-up children. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘This is a compelling read; a book to be read slowly and reflectively – although I sometimes struggled to do that as I found myself eager to read the next chapter! The stories Eva recounts from her own life and from the lives of others are often heartbreakingly sad – but her focus isn’t on the heartbreak but on the hope and encouragement which she has gleaned from a life soaked in the truth of Scripture. I found familiar passages from Isaiah’s prophecy coming alive in fresh and transformative ways as Eva unwrapped their relevance for our lives. The opportunity for more focused reflection at the end of each chapter also helps ground what we’ve read within the reality of our own circumstances. I’m already looking forward to reading this book again – even more slowly, more reflectively.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMags Duggan, author, retreat leader and speaker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eThis Crown of Comfort\u003c\/em\u003e conveys seven powerful messages from Isaiah about God’s tender heart towards Jerusalem. The author skillfully intertwines her many personal stories with the messages to illuminate God’s unfailing love to his people. This book is an easy read yet rich with insights, comfort and encouragement – a must for anyone who seeks healing and desires to experience God afresh.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnissa Chung, UKCP registered psychotherapist and supervisor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eThis Crown of Comfort\u003c\/em\u003e is the wondrous feast that God prepares for us in the presence of our enemies, a feast that David speaks of in Psalm 23. How full the table is – a rich and delicious harvest that Eva Leaf has gathered from the book of Isaiah. No matter how broken we are or how hurt, God knows, and he calls us to come to him and receive and savour his love and care so that we can share that love and care with other women. A wonderful book for women to read and study together.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLee Merrill Byrd, author, publisher and editor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Both reflective and instructive, Eva takes us on a deeply personal journey that comforts and reassures. No matter how broken or hurt we are, we are given in this excellent book the tools or ‘the calls of God’ to build a bridge to healing and wholeness. This book reminds us of God’s deep love for us in our time of greatest need and provides a spiritual balm for every situation.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDawn Braithwaite, solicitor and consultant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Who would you go to in a difficult situation or time of distress? Well, I would most certainly consider Eva Leaf. A trusted friend, a confidant with life experience and biblical insight, she provides readers with great insight to the very God of comfort that we all so need – men and women. While written to women, this is a treasure trove coming from the seven calls of God found in Isaiah. Thank you, Eva, for being courageous enough to live this… and then to so very thoughtfully share!’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDon Pape, literary agent, Pape Commons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Eva takes you on a valuable journey to see life’s inexplicable and sometimes relentless pains, from God’s viewpoint. Her journey is set in the landscape of God’s beautiful promises for comfort, for restoration and ultimately for transformation. These scriptures are illuminated sensitively by life stories. Each chapter provides the option for a personal reflection, encounter and healing. There is much to linger over and explore along the way, in order to gain new vistas and perspectives, that bring both life and hope.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFiona Oommen, business general manager and leadership coach\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Crown of Comfort readers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNew review November 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"\u003e'I've had a bit of a tumultuous week, which has thankfully now resolved itself, but reading some of ‘This Crown of Comfort’ really did comfort me! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"\u003eEva’s book is raw, honest, insightful, and warm all at once. It so beautifully demonstrates the great care and comfort that God has long offered to women through his words spoken over Jerusalem. The questions at the end of each chapter help the reader to reflect deeply and find ways to actively apply God's wisdom and guidance to their own lives. To any woman seeking to grow closer to God and find reassurance amongst the trials of life, I would highly recommend this book.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"\u003eEarlier reader reviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I began reading this book at a pace, as the stories and insights are riveting, but I knew I wanted to go through it again at a slower pace, processing what God was saying to me. I began journalling using the questions at the end of each chapter. My friend said she was having the same experience, so we agreed to go through the questions together. I have just sent a copy to another friend who is feeling lost but has recently experienced God’s comfort. We're going to read and discuss it together too!’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘I am so thankful to have experienced God’s comfort as I read the words of truth and wisdom on each page of this book. I have been able to relearn truth of how God views me and who He says I am. The book is written in such a way that it helped me to process and reflect and I was then able to move forward on the journey of being able to forgive with God’s help whilst receiving comfort only God can give. It is a book that has massively shaped and transformed the past few months of my life as I grieve many hurts. It has really helped me to experience God as a God who comforts whilst walking through pain. I will be sure to pass on this book to those I come alongside who also need that gentle reminder of a God who is with them in life’s hurt and pain.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransforming Ministry January 2024. Review by Liz Pacey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is written about women and primarily (but not exclusively) for women. It takes us chapter by chapter through the seven double imperatives (e.g., ‘comfort, comfort my people’) that God issues to a broken Jerusalem in the book of Isaiah. There is a progression through these calls: Comfort; Awake, rise up; Awake, get dressed; Depart; Build up; Pass through; Build up. Each chapter contains reflections on the Bible verses, alongside illustrations from the author’s personal experience and that of many others. We are blessed by being allowed to share in such powerful experiences and insights; and there is much practical advice about moving on. This is a book that addresses deep distress and needs and promises even deeper solutions and hope. In the reflections at the end of each chapter it becomes ‘close and personal’. We are encouraged to look deeply into our troubles and ourselves, to write our thoughts and reflect through the day. Whether we are hurting ourselves or seeking to share comfort with those around, there is plenty here to touch our hearts – as God touched Jerusalem.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Liz Pacey\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-01-03T12:57:16+00:00","created_at":"2023-01-03T12:49:38+00:00","vendor":"Eva Leaf","type":"Paperback","tags":["Biblical engagement","Devotional","For individuals","For Women","Glassboxx","Pastoral care","Women"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"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":42164481294527,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392083","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":33880199430335,"product_id":7422307336383,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-01-03T12:49:39+00:00","updated_at":"2023-01-03T12:49:45+00:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisCrownofComfort.jpg?v=1672750185","variant_ids":[42164481294527]},"available":true,"name":"This Crown of Comfort: God’s seven calls to women in distress - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":185,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392083","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26487358324927,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisCrownofComfort.jpg?v=1672750185"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisCrownofComfort.jpg?v=1672750185","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Portraitsoftcoverbook5.5x8.5inthehandsofawomanwearingabluesweater_ThisCrownofComfort.png?v=1681832721"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisCrownofComfort.jpg?v=1672750185","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26487358324927,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisCrownofComfort.jpg?v=1672750185"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/ThisCrownofComfort.jpg?v=1672750185","width":1535},{"alt":"Woman wearing a blue sweater and jeans holding a paperback of This Crown of Comfort by Eva Leaf published by BRF ","id":26961458888895,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.5,"height":2666,"width":4000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Portraitsoftcoverbook5.5x8.5inthehandsofawomanwearingabluesweater_ThisCrownofComfort.png?v=1681832721"},"aspect_ratio":1.5,"height":2666,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Portraitsoftcoverbook5.5x8.5inthehandsofawomanwearingabluesweater_ThisCrownofComfort.png?v=1681832721","width":4000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eGod loves women. He deeply cares for those of us who are broken and hurt. And just as he helped his beloved Jerusalem find healing in her brokenness, he does the same for us. For he cried out seven double imperatives to her in the book of Isaiah, seven steps to restore her to wholeness, and he cries out the same to us. But he doesn’t begin by scolding us; instead, he comforts. His first double imperative is, ‘Comfort, comfort,’ despite what has happened in our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn This Crown of Comfort, Eva Leaf shares stories from her own life and from the lives of other women of how God met them in their brokenness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cwM5gQbkiI4?si=HQcCMOpHpSxVQVNR\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/UkXt_VjH0a0?si=LG9XcXiaufbUQSZd\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEva Leaf became a Christian at the age of 14 and attended a Canadian Bible College in her twenties. For the last 32 years, she has been a Navigator rep and has just stepped down from leading the Navigators publications team. She lives in Warwickshire, is married and has four grown-up children. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘This is a compelling read; a book to be read slowly and reflectively – although I sometimes struggled to do that as I found myself eager to read the next chapter! The stories Eva recounts from her own life and from the lives of others are often heartbreakingly sad – but her focus isn’t on the heartbreak but on the hope and encouragement which she has gleaned from a life soaked in the truth of Scripture. I found familiar passages from Isaiah’s prophecy coming alive in fresh and transformative ways as Eva unwrapped their relevance for our lives. The opportunity for more focused reflection at the end of each chapter also helps ground what we’ve read within the reality of our own circumstances. I’m already looking forward to reading this book again – even more slowly, more reflectively.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMags Duggan, author, retreat leader and speaker\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eThis Crown of Comfort\u003c\/em\u003e conveys seven powerful messages from Isaiah about God’s tender heart towards Jerusalem. The author skillfully intertwines her many personal stories with the messages to illuminate God’s unfailing love to his people. This book is an easy read yet rich with insights, comfort and encouragement – a must for anyone who seeks healing and desires to experience God afresh.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAnissa Chung, UKCP registered psychotherapist and supervisor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eThis Crown of Comfort\u003c\/em\u003e is the wondrous feast that God prepares for us in the presence of our enemies, a feast that David speaks of in Psalm 23. How full the table is – a rich and delicious harvest that Eva Leaf has gathered from the book of Isaiah. No matter how broken we are or how hurt, God knows, and he calls us to come to him and receive and savour his love and care so that we can share that love and care with other women. A wonderful book for women to read and study together.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLee Merrill Byrd, author, publisher and editor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Both reflective and instructive, Eva takes us on a deeply personal journey that comforts and reassures. No matter how broken or hurt we are, we are given in this excellent book the tools or ‘the calls of God’ to build a bridge to healing and wholeness. This book reminds us of God’s deep love for us in our time of greatest need and provides a spiritual balm for every situation.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDawn Braithwaite, solicitor and consultant\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Who would you go to in a difficult situation or time of distress? Well, I would most certainly consider Eva Leaf. A trusted friend, a confidant with life experience and biblical insight, she provides readers with great insight to the very God of comfort that we all so need – men and women. While written to women, this is a treasure trove coming from the seven calls of God found in Isaiah. Thank you, Eva, for being courageous enough to live this… and then to so very thoughtfully share!’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDon Pape, literary agent, Pape Commons\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Eva takes you on a valuable journey to see life’s inexplicable and sometimes relentless pains, from God’s viewpoint. Her journey is set in the landscape of God’s beautiful promises for comfort, for restoration and ultimately for transformation. These scriptures are illuminated sensitively by life stories. Each chapter provides the option for a personal reflection, encounter and healing. There is much to linger over and explore along the way, in order to gain new vistas and perspectives, that bring both life and hope.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFiona Oommen, business general manager and leadership coach\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Crown of Comfort readers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNew review November 2024\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"\u003e'I've had a bit of a tumultuous week, which has thankfully now resolved itself, but reading some of ‘This Crown of Comfort’ really did comfort me! \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"\u003eEva’s book is raw, honest, insightful, and warm all at once. It so beautifully demonstrates the great care and comfort that God has long offered to women through his words spoken over Jerusalem. The questions at the end of each chapter help the reader to reflect deeply and find ways to actively apply God's wisdom and guidance to their own lives. To any woman seeking to grow closer to God and find reassurance amongst the trials of life, I would highly recommend this book.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"\u003eEarlier reader reviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘I began reading this book at a pace, as the stories and insights are riveting, but I knew I wanted to go through it again at a slower pace, processing what God was saying to me. I began journalling using the questions at the end of each chapter. My friend said she was having the same experience, so we agreed to go through the questions together. I have just sent a copy to another friend who is feeling lost but has recently experienced God’s comfort. We're going to read and discuss it together too!’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘I am so thankful to have experienced God’s comfort as I read the words of truth and wisdom on each page of this book. I have been able to relearn truth of how God views me and who He says I am. The book is written in such a way that it helped me to process and reflect and I was then able to move forward on the journey of being able to forgive with God’s help whilst receiving comfort only God can give. It is a book that has massively shaped and transformed the past few months of my life as I grieve many hurts. It has really helped me to experience God as a God who comforts whilst walking through pain. I will be sure to pass on this book to those I come alongside who also need that gentle reminder of a God who is with them in life’s hurt and pain.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTransforming Ministry January 2024. Review by Liz Pacey\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is written about women and primarily (but not exclusively) for women. It takes us chapter by chapter through the seven double imperatives (e.g., ‘comfort, comfort my people’) that God issues to a broken Jerusalem in the book of Isaiah. There is a progression through these calls: Comfort; Awake, rise up; Awake, get dressed; Depart; Build up; Pass through; Build up. Each chapter contains reflections on the Bible verses, alongside illustrations from the author’s personal experience and that of many others. We are blessed by being allowed to share in such powerful experiences and insights; and there is much practical advice about moving on. This is a book that addresses deep distress and needs and promises even deeper solutions and hope. In the reflections at the end of each chapter it becomes ‘close and personal’. We are encouraged to look deeply into our troubles and ourselves, to write our thoughts and reflect through the day. Whether we are hurting ourselves or seeking to share comfort with those around, there is plenty here to touch our hearts – as God touched Jerusalem.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Liz Pacey\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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This Crown of Comfort: God’s seven calls to women in distress
£9.99
God loves women. He deeply cares for those of us who are broken and hurt. And just as he helped...
{"id":7466623631551,"title":"Being God's Child: A Parent's Guide","handle":"being-gods-child-a-parents-guide","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eAn exploration of ten different ways in which parents can learn or re-learn how to connect with God as his child, written by Parenting for Faith’s ministry lead Anna Hawken.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGod makes us the most unbelievable offer... to be our parent.\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, even when we’re all grown up and have children of our own! But many of us don’t live experiencing the connection, guidance and support that’s on offer. Why? Because we’ve forgotten how to be a child.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this easy-to-read guide, Anna Hawken explores ten different ways to rediscover our ‘child side’. She uses the living, breathing examples of the children in our lives to inspire and challenge us, by looking at things that we sometimes struggle with but they are great at, like:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• asking lots of questions\u003cbr\u003e• messing up without giving up\u003cbr\u003e• sharing their emotions\u003cbr\u003e• asking for help and what they need\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRead it on your own or with others, using the individual reflections, questions and small group notes to guide you. These simple ideas will help even the busiest parent to draw closer to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is it for?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristian parents, with a particular focus on those who are new to faith, exploring, or who feel their faith journey has changed significantly since becoming a parent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParents who attend Messy Church \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParents who have come to church through bringing their child for infant baptism \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChurch leaders, children's and family workers and toddler group leaders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/AnnaHawken_480x480.jpg?v=1692792195\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 20px; float: right;\" width=\"232\" height=\"302\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/AnnaHawken_480x480.jpg?v=1692792195\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAnna Hawken is the Parenting for Faith Ministry \u003c\/span\u003eLead at BRF. She has worked in children’s and family ministry since 2010 and speaks at churches and events around the UK. She hosts the Parenting for Faith podcast and presents the Parenting for Faith Babies and Toddlers course. She lives in Milton Keynes with her husband and three children. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Summer 2024. Review by Jane Slinger\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #231f20; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;\"\u003eHow do you feel about being God’s child? If you are a busy parent, how do you find time to connect with God? These questions are explored at length in this fascinating book showing how, even amongst the busiest of days, parents can come into a better relationship with God by observing and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #231f20; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;\"\u003einteracting with their children. Although aimed at parents, anyone reading this book could not help but come closer to God by learning how to experience God as his child. The author goes deeper into our spirituality and demonstrates ten innovative ideas to enable us to include God in our busy everyday lives and thus deepen our relationship with him. There are Bible references and stories and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #231f20; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;\"\u003eideas that would be excellent for use in small groups. Towards the end of the book there are ‘Next Steps’ and ‘Ideas to use with your Children’, exploring in various ways how any child can enjoy a closer relationship with God. I recommend this book as an interesting, helpful and enlightening read.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #231f20; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Jane Slinger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","published_at":"2023-03-20T15:46:14+00:00","created_at":"2023-03-20T15:23:36+00:00","vendor":"Anna Hawken","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Discipleship","Glassboxx","Messy Church","Parenting","Parenting for Faith books"],"price":699,"price_min":699,"price_max":699,"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":43664146956479,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391987","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":34227057426623,"product_id":7466623631551,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-03-20T15:32:36+00:00","updated_at":"2023-03-20T15:32:37+00:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BeingGod_sChild.jpg?v=1679326357","variant_ids":[43664146956479]},"available":true,"name":"Being God's Child: A Parent's Guide - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":699,"weight":125,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391987","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26840138940607,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BeingGod_sChild.jpg?v=1679326357"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BeingGod_sChild.jpg?v=1679326357"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BeingGod_sChild.jpg?v=1679326357","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26840138940607,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BeingGod_sChild.jpg?v=1679326357"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/BeingGod_sChild.jpg?v=1679326357","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000;\"\u003eAn exploration of ten different ways in which parents can learn or re-learn how to connect with God as his child, written by Parenting for Faith’s ministry lead Anna Hawken.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGod makes us the most unbelievable offer... to be our parent.\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, even when we’re all grown up and have children of our own! But many of us don’t live experiencing the connection, guidance and support that’s on offer. Why? Because we’ve forgotten how to be a child.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this easy-to-read guide, Anna Hawken explores ten different ways to rediscover our ‘child side’. She uses the living, breathing examples of the children in our lives to inspire and challenge us, by looking at things that we sometimes struggle with but they are great at, like:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• asking lots of questions\u003cbr\u003e• messing up without giving up\u003cbr\u003e• sharing their emotions\u003cbr\u003e• asking for help and what they need\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRead it on your own or with others, using the individual reflections, questions and small group notes to guide you. These simple ideas will help even the busiest parent to draw closer to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho is it for?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChristian parents, with a particular focus on those who are new to faith, exploring, or who feel their faith journey has changed significantly since becoming a parent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParents who attend Messy Church \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParents who have come to church through bringing their child for infant baptism \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChurch leaders, children's and family workers and toddler group leaders\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/AnnaHawken_480x480.jpg?v=1692792195\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 20px; float: right;\" width=\"232\" height=\"302\" data-mce-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/AnnaHawken_480x480.jpg?v=1692792195\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAnna Hawken is the Parenting for Faith Ministry \u003c\/span\u003eLead at BRF. She has worked in children’s and family ministry since 2010 and speaks at churches and events around the UK. She hosts the Parenting for Faith podcast and presents the Parenting for Faith Babies and Toddlers course. She lives in Milton Keynes with her husband and three children. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Summer 2024. Review by Jane Slinger\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #231f20; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;\"\u003eHow do you feel about being God’s child? If you are a busy parent, how do you find time to connect with God? These questions are explored at length in this fascinating book showing how, even amongst the busiest of days, parents can come into a better relationship with God by observing and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #231f20; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;\"\u003einteracting with their children. Although aimed at parents, anyone reading this book could not help but come closer to God by learning how to experience God as his child. The author goes deeper into our spirituality and demonstrates ten innovative ideas to enable us to include God in our busy everyday lives and thus deepen our relationship with him. There are Bible references and stories and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #231f20; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;\"\u003eideas that would be excellent for use in small groups. Towards the end of the book there are ‘Next Steps’ and ‘Ideas to use with your Children’, exploring in various ways how any child can enjoy a closer relationship with God. I recommend this book as an interesting, helpful and enlightening read.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0cm; line-height: normal; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #231f20; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Jane Slinger\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e"}
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Being God's Child: A Parent's Guide
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An exploration of ten different ways in which parents can learn or re-learn how to connect with God as his...
{"id":7481157288127,"title":"Good Call: Learning to make decisions with God","handle":"good-call","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHave you ever experienced conflict between what your head and your heart were telling you to do? Have you struggled to reach agreement with others when making a group decision, or regretted a major decision and had to live with the consequences? Have you ever found it difficult to be sure of God’s will in a particular situation? If so, you’re in very good company. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEverybody makes decisions – all the time. Are there ‘5 simple steps’ to the right decision? No, there aren’t. Should you stop thinking about it and ‘just do something’? No, you shouldn’t. But could you expect God to share with you his will and purpose, giving you clues and directions in a way you can understand? Yes, you could. Iain Dunbar and Peter Wilkinson share their own decision-making history (even the dodgy stuff) and encourage you to look honestly at yours. Borrowing from the world of coaching, they help you evaluate your decision-making to date and develop new and better habits and practices with God at the centre.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TTAJSirLtAo\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ygPF7xNSdy8\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIain R. Dunbar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIain Dunbar's background is in business development and operational management for UK, US and Australian companies. He has extensive experience of recruitment, career development, team building, coaching of individuals and leadership groups, and church leadership and teaching in Independent Evangelical, Baptist and Anglican contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter R. Wilkinson \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Wilkinson is now retired after a professional life as a chartered engineer working for the largest defence company in the UK. He is actively involved in local Baptist churches in senior leadership roles including preaching, teaching and worship leading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘In a world where we are faced with daily, seemingly relentless, pressures\u003cbr\u003eto make potentially life-changing decisions, this timely volume places a\u003cbr\u003estrong emphasis on the importance of hearing from God and personal\u003cbr\u003eself-reflection – rather than offering a formulaic ‘system’ that can often lead\u003cbr\u003eto discouragement and feelings of failure through poor decision-making.\u003cbr\u003eI have been privileged to know Iain and Pete as friends, mentors and church\u003cbr\u003eco-leaders during the past 40-plus years and can testify to their authenticity,\u003cbr\u003eintegrity and godly wisdom that will be evident throughout this book.\u003cbr\u003eWhether you are facing important decisions now, or at any time in the future\u003cbr\u003e(which is a certainty!), I would strongly commend their work to you.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAndrew Marriott, executive director, Missionary Ventures [MotiVate] NZ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘I have known Iain and Pete for the best part of 45 years. As I read this book,\u003cbr\u003eI hear their voices; the intonation, the stress on certain words, the pain and\u003cbr\u003ejoys of being who and what they are. We are all different people yet, beneath\u003cbr\u003ethe differences, our hearts find their resting place in God and one can sense\u003cbr\u003etheir earnest ‘desires of the heart’ as they engage with the professional and\u003cbr\u003epersonal frustrations they have encountered. Here are two blokes, wrestling\u003cbr\u003ewith the transcendent God of Jacob. Their scientific\/ engineering\/ managerial\u003cbr\u003enature comes through in recounted personal and corporate experiences.\u003cbr\u003eTheir stories are honest and illustrative and heart meets head as we are\u003cbr\u003etaken through the chapters. Iain’s use of scriptural narrative – the ‘story’\u003cbr\u003ewritten for a reason and with passion by a passionate, storytelling Jewish\u003cbr\u003epeople – is lively. His plain reading of this story, sitting on top of the exegesis,\u003cbr\u003e‘lives’ and he applies it brilliantly. Pete brings a different felt experience. His\u003cbr\u003emethodical, engineering approach is like a strong but gentle hand coming\u003cbr\u003ein, guiding the apprentice’s hand at the lathe – ‘Here, let me help you... Just\u003cbr\u003ea bit more pressure there… That’s right, see what you can do? Now, try it\u003cbr\u003eon your own.’ This book is pastoral in nature, aiming for practical, clear and\u003cbr\u003egodly outcomes at all levels of decision-making, accompanied by the peace\u003cbr\u003eof God to rule in our hearts and minds.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd J. Andrew Dodd, Baptist minister (retired) and president of Churches\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTogether in Cumbria\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry January 2024. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving worked in project management in industry, I’ve studied ‘decision-making’, and was unsure I wanted to read another book about it. But I was pleasantly surprised by this book, which is bright, interesting and full of great examples. Having made some good but many poor decisions in life, it was good to discover that the authors had too. They do not propose a canned methodology, but commend a process based on data, analytical skill, and discernment that comes from God. Chapters on developing our spiritual senses and discernment are particularly strong. The book considers decision-making in families and in church councils. Will I make only good decisions from here on? Sadly, no! But I will be more aware of the resources available to me as a person of faith! The book is written with imagination and should be read cover-to-cover, but you could dip into it and still benefit. I commend it to leaders, church members, parents, teachers and businesspeople.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 04.08.23. Review by Dr Eve Poole\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen wrestling with a knotty problem, many Christians have experienced trying God on the metaphorical white phone, only to find a rather puzzling buzz on the line. The businessmen Iain Dunbar and Peter Wilkinson share your frustration and have written a book to try to help.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGood Call: Learning to make decisions with God\u003c\/em\u003e is deliberately accessible in style, as the two of them take it in turns to workshop you through a better process. They start by asking you to learn from your own history, by recalling your past decisions and charting them on a timeline, good and bad. Reflecting on them will teach you your own tendencies under pressure. The authors remind you that good decisions, even hard ones with difficult consequences, will always give you a sense of peace, while the less good ones will tend to prey on your mind and feel somehow unresolved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing examples from the Bible and from their own careers, they set out a process for learning how to discern God’s voice in the noise. It requires patience to develop what they liken to ‘good taste’, and the hallmark of a bad decision will often be that it was rushed. But starting to make every decision with God, no matter how small, trains you in the way. This habit holds you in relationship and teaches you to listen. The accumulation of all your decisions hones in you the development of a settled conscience, which be- comes over time an ever more reliable guide as you learn to discern the path God wants you to take. And if you are ever really stuck? They remind you to cry to the Lord, and sleep on it. Joy will come in the morning, and you will always feel peaceful when you have got it right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDr Eve Poole writes on theology, economics, and leadership.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-04-21T20:20:17+01:00","created_at":"2023-04-21T20:20:17+01:00","vendor":"Iain Dunbar \u0026 Peter Wilkinson","type":"Paperback","tags":["Discipleship","Glassboxx","Leadership"],"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":43664178479295,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392182","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":34356733313215,"product_id":7481157288127,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-04-21T20:20:17+01:00","updated_at":"2023-04-21T20:20:19+01:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/GoodCall.jpg?v=1682104819","variant_ids":[43664178479295]},"available":true,"name":"Good Call: Learning to make decisions with God - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1299,"weight":268,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392182","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26972291596479,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/GoodCall.jpg?v=1682104819"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/GoodCall.jpg?v=1682104819"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/GoodCall.jpg?v=1682104819","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26972291596479,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/GoodCall.jpg?v=1682104819"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/GoodCall.jpg?v=1682104819","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHave you ever experienced conflict between what your head and your heart were telling you to do? Have you struggled to reach agreement with others when making a group decision, or regretted a major decision and had to live with the consequences? Have you ever found it difficult to be sure of God’s will in a particular situation? If so, you’re in very good company. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEverybody makes decisions – all the time. Are there ‘5 simple steps’ to the right decision? No, there aren’t. Should you stop thinking about it and ‘just do something’? No, you shouldn’t. But could you expect God to share with you his will and purpose, giving you clues and directions in a way you can understand? Yes, you could. Iain Dunbar and Peter Wilkinson share their own decision-making history (even the dodgy stuff) and encourage you to look honestly at yours. Borrowing from the world of coaching, they help you evaluate your decision-making to date and develop new and better habits and practices with God at the centre.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TTAJSirLtAo\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ygPF7xNSdy8\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIain R. Dunbar\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIain Dunbar's background is in business development and operational management for UK, US and Australian companies. He has extensive experience of recruitment, career development, team building, coaching of individuals and leadership groups, and church leadership and teaching in Independent Evangelical, Baptist and Anglican contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter R. Wilkinson \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeter Wilkinson is now retired after a professional life as a chartered engineer working for the largest defence company in the UK. He is actively involved in local Baptist churches in senior leadership roles including preaching, teaching and worship leading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘In a world where we are faced with daily, seemingly relentless, pressures\u003cbr\u003eto make potentially life-changing decisions, this timely volume places a\u003cbr\u003estrong emphasis on the importance of hearing from God and personal\u003cbr\u003eself-reflection – rather than offering a formulaic ‘system’ that can often lead\u003cbr\u003eto discouragement and feelings of failure through poor decision-making.\u003cbr\u003eI have been privileged to know Iain and Pete as friends, mentors and church\u003cbr\u003eco-leaders during the past 40-plus years and can testify to their authenticity,\u003cbr\u003eintegrity and godly wisdom that will be evident throughout this book.\u003cbr\u003eWhether you are facing important decisions now, or at any time in the future\u003cbr\u003e(which is a certainty!), I would strongly commend their work to you.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAndrew Marriott, executive director, Missionary Ventures [MotiVate] NZ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘I have known Iain and Pete for the best part of 45 years. As I read this book,\u003cbr\u003eI hear their voices; the intonation, the stress on certain words, the pain and\u003cbr\u003ejoys of being who and what they are. We are all different people yet, beneath\u003cbr\u003ethe differences, our hearts find their resting place in God and one can sense\u003cbr\u003etheir earnest ‘desires of the heart’ as they engage with the professional and\u003cbr\u003epersonal frustrations they have encountered. Here are two blokes, wrestling\u003cbr\u003ewith the transcendent God of Jacob. Their scientific\/ engineering\/ managerial\u003cbr\u003enature comes through in recounted personal and corporate experiences.\u003cbr\u003eTheir stories are honest and illustrative and heart meets head as we are\u003cbr\u003etaken through the chapters. Iain’s use of scriptural narrative – the ‘story’\u003cbr\u003ewritten for a reason and with passion by a passionate, storytelling Jewish\u003cbr\u003epeople – is lively. His plain reading of this story, sitting on top of the exegesis,\u003cbr\u003e‘lives’ and he applies it brilliantly. Pete brings a different felt experience. His\u003cbr\u003emethodical, engineering approach is like a strong but gentle hand coming\u003cbr\u003ein, guiding the apprentice’s hand at the lathe – ‘Here, let me help you... Just\u003cbr\u003ea bit more pressure there… That’s right, see what you can do? Now, try it\u003cbr\u003eon your own.’ This book is pastoral in nature, aiming for practical, clear and\u003cbr\u003egodly outcomes at all levels of decision-making, accompanied by the peace\u003cbr\u003eof God to rule in our hearts and minds.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd J. Andrew Dodd, Baptist minister (retired) and president of Churches\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTogether in Cumbria\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry January 2024. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving worked in project management in industry, I’ve studied ‘decision-making’, and was unsure I wanted to read another book about it. But I was pleasantly surprised by this book, which is bright, interesting and full of great examples. Having made some good but many poor decisions in life, it was good to discover that the authors had too. They do not propose a canned methodology, but commend a process based on data, analytical skill, and discernment that comes from God. Chapters on developing our spiritual senses and discernment are particularly strong. The book considers decision-making in families and in church councils. Will I make only good decisions from here on? Sadly, no! But I will be more aware of the resources available to me as a person of faith! The book is written with imagination and should be read cover-to-cover, but you could dip into it and still benefit. I commend it to leaders, church members, parents, teachers and businesspeople.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 04.08.23. Review by Dr Eve Poole\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen wrestling with a knotty problem, many Christians have experienced trying God on the metaphorical white phone, only to find a rather puzzling buzz on the line. The businessmen Iain Dunbar and Peter Wilkinson share your frustration and have written a book to try to help.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGood Call: Learning to make decisions with God\u003c\/em\u003e is deliberately accessible in style, as the two of them take it in turns to workshop you through a better process. They start by asking you to learn from your own history, by recalling your past decisions and charting them on a timeline, good and bad. Reflecting on them will teach you your own tendencies under pressure. The authors remind you that good decisions, even hard ones with difficult consequences, will always give you a sense of peace, while the less good ones will tend to prey on your mind and feel somehow unresolved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing examples from the Bible and from their own careers, they set out a process for learning how to discern God’s voice in the noise. It requires patience to develop what they liken to ‘good taste’, and the hallmark of a bad decision will often be that it was rushed. But starting to make every decision with God, no matter how small, trains you in the way. This habit holds you in relationship and teaches you to listen. The accumulation of all your decisions hones in you the development of a settled conscience, which be- comes over time an ever more reliable guide as you learn to discern the path God wants you to take. And if you are ever really stuck? They remind you to cry to the Lord, and sleep on it. Joy will come in the morning, and you will always feel peaceful when you have got it right.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDr Eve Poole writes on theology, economics, and leadership.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Good Call: Learning to make decisions with God
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Have you ever experienced conflict between what your head and your heart were telling you to do? Have you struggled...
{"id":7515651047615,"title":"Knowing You, Jesus: following Jesus through the gospels in a year","handle":"knowing-you-jesus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eInspired by the famous prayer of Richard of Chichester ‘to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow thee more nearly... day by day', this 365-day devotional encourages faith formation and intentional discipleship. Tony Horsfall, Mags Duggan, John Ayrton, Jenny Brown, Melinda Hendry and Steve Aisthorpe present a detailed, chronological exploration of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, drawing from all four gospels. As we immerse ourselves in the gospel story, may we not only understand it better but experience transformation into the likeness of Christ our Saviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• New Christians and those wanting to rediscover or deepen faith \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Those who enjoy using a one-year devotional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Those who have enjoyed other books by Tony Horsfall and Mags Duggan, and BRF Bible reading notes to which the writers have contributed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Church leaders recommending resources for Bible weeks\/Bible Sunday \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Those mentoring and discipling others\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTony Horsfall\u003c\/strong\u003e is an author and retreat leader with a lifetime’s experience in mentoring others, including church leaders and missionaries, both in Britain and overseas.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #00aaff;\"\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #00aaff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.charistraining.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewww.charistraining.co.uk\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMags Duggan\u003c\/strong\u003e is an author, retreat leader, spiritual director and former lecturer.\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJenny Brown\u003c\/strong\u003e is senior staff worker with Friends International, an experienced mentor and a lay reader. She has previously worked at All Souls, Langham Place and with UCCF.\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Ayrton\u003c\/strong\u003e is an ordained Baptist minister. Formerly a staff worker with UCCF, he is now involved in a member care role with Interserve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMelinda Hendry\u003c\/strong\u003e is Ministry Development Lead at Living Leadership, working particularly with women in ministry for their spiritual health and formation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSteve Aisthorpe\u003c\/strong\u003e is a leader, facilitator, coach, researcher and author, with extensive experience in education, international development and faith-based organisations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","published_at":"2023-07-19T12:21:54+01:00","created_at":"2023-07-17T17:13:01+01:00","vendor":"Tony Horsfall,","type":"Paperback","tags":["Biblical engagement","Christmas","Devotional","Discipleship","For churches","For individuals","Glassboxx"],"price":1999,"price_min":1999,"price_max":1999,"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":43664145055935,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391857","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":34676486176959,"product_id":7515651047615,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-07-19T11:42:18+01:00","updated_at":"2023-07-19T11:42:19+01:00","alt":null,"width":1843,"height":2764,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/KnowingYou_Jesus.jpg?v=1689763339","variant_ids":[43664145055935]},"available":true,"name":"Knowing You, Jesus: following Jesus through the gospels in a year - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1999,"weight":525,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391857","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":27312105816255,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":2764,"width":1843,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/KnowingYou_Jesus.jpg?v=1689763339"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/KnowingYou_Jesus.jpg?v=1689763339"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/KnowingYou_Jesus.jpg?v=1689763339","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":27312105816255,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":2764,"width":1843,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/KnowingYou_Jesus.jpg?v=1689763339"},"aspect_ratio":0.667,"height":2764,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/KnowingYou_Jesus.jpg?v=1689763339","width":1843}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eInspired by the famous prayer of Richard of Chichester ‘to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow thee more nearly... day by day', this 365-day devotional encourages faith formation and intentional discipleship. Tony Horsfall, Mags Duggan, John Ayrton, Jenny Brown, Melinda Hendry and Steve Aisthorpe present a detailed, chronological exploration of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, drawing from all four gospels. As we immerse ourselves in the gospel story, may we not only understand it better but experience transformation into the likeness of Christ our Saviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• New Christians and those wanting to rediscover or deepen faith \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Those who enjoy using a one-year devotional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Those who have enjoyed other books by Tony Horsfall and Mags Duggan, and BRF Bible reading notes to which the writers have contributed \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Church leaders recommending resources for Bible weeks\/Bible Sunday \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Those mentoring and discipling others\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTony Horsfall\u003c\/strong\u003e is an author and retreat leader with a lifetime’s experience in mentoring others, including church leaders and missionaries, both in Britain and overseas.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #00aaff;\"\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #00aaff;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.charistraining.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewww.charistraining.co.uk\u003c\/a\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMags Duggan\u003c\/strong\u003e is an author, retreat leader, spiritual director and former lecturer.\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJenny Brown\u003c\/strong\u003e is senior staff worker with Friends International, an experienced mentor and a lay reader. She has previously worked at All Souls, Langham Place and with UCCF.\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Ayrton\u003c\/strong\u003e is an ordained Baptist minister. Formerly a staff worker with UCCF, he is now involved in a member care role with Interserve.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMelinda Hendry\u003c\/strong\u003e is Ministry Development Lead at Living Leadership, working particularly with women in ministry for their spiritual health and formation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSteve Aisthorpe\u003c\/strong\u003e is a leader, facilitator, coach, researcher and author, with extensive experience in education, international development and faith-based organisations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e"}
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Knowing You, Jesus: following Jesus through the gospels in a year
£19.99
Inspired by the famous prayer of Richard of Chichester ‘to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly and follow...
{"id":7537586372799,"title":"Holding Onto Hope: 40 days of God’s encouragement through art and reflections","handle":"holding-onto-hope-40-days-of-god-s-encouragement-through-art-and-reflections","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAmy Boucher Pye and Leo Boucher return with a 40-day journey exploring the themes of hope and new life through vivid biblical images, Holding onto Hope can be used through Lent or during any 40-day period. We start with how all creation praises God, from the flowers of the field to the streams in the desert and the trees clapping their hands. We then explore the agricultural pattern of sowing, growing and harvesting before moving to the gracious promises and invitations God makes to his people, such as how he writes eternity onto our hearts. Next come compelling images of God as our help and refuge, including God being our shade and rear guard, before seeing how God changes his people – he clothes us, renews our minds and strengthens us. Finally, we focus on our new life in Christ through images such as new wineskins, the imperishable seed and the city to come.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmy Boucher-Pye \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cimg height=\"116\" width=\"174\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/AmyBoucherPye_480x480.jpg?v=1676495733\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 20px; float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003eAmy is a writer and speaker with a thousand devotional reflections in print, including with New Daylight and Our Daily Bread. She has previously written The Living Cross and Celebrating Christmas for BRF Ministries.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyboucherpye.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewww.amyboucherpye.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeo Boucher \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeo is a retired data systems analyst who paints in his art shack and volunteers with his church and other organisations, including teaching art to seniors at retirement communities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online 19.02.24. Review by Betty Taylor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a beautiful book in so many ways! The binding is tactile and eye-catching, and the pages are a delight to turn. The small, hardback artistic cover immediately attracts our attention.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor each of forty days we have a painting to absorb, an accompanying reflection and a relevant prayer. There are also questions for further thought, and for possible discussion if the book is used in a group situation.\u003cbr\u003eSix topics are divided mainly on a weekly basis, covering creation, agriculture, God’s promises, his help, how he changes people and brings new life in Christ. All is enveloped in faith, hope, love and joy as we are taken on a journey filled with personal snippets, historic moments, and biblical references. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn a world where so many are weary and burdened, this lovely book brings encouragement for rest and renewal in God’s love and care.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe talents of a father and daughter partnership are richly displayed as Amy Boucher Pye brings imagery through carefully chosen words, and Leo Boucher through his illuminating artwork. The two combine to knit together the concept of a God who reaches out to us and longs for us to reach out to Him in return.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHolding on to Hope seeks to be an inspiration for God’s voice to be heard in a troubled world and to bring a sense of peace and security. Let us pray it does just that, becoming a treasured companion for all who delve into its pages.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Betty Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTogether magazine Jan-Feb 2024. Review by Daryl Wearring\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful Lent devotional includes stunning artwork, alongside encouraging writing, as we journey through Lent to Easter. Each week focuses on a different aspect of God’s character, from his creation to the different ways he beckons and encourages us, through to our new life in Christ. Each day’s text is accompanied by a beautiful painting to aid reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Anne le Tissier, writer.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHolding Onto Hope is a timely gift to a world that attempts to steal hope through conflicts, natural disasters, economic pressures, broken relationships, sickness, memory loss, disappointment, grief… and so much more. Written to be read over forty days, Amy gently encourages us to grasp hold of the hope God gives through his truth and promises, while Leo’s simple yet vivid and poignant paintings, draw us to another level of engaging with God’s love and reassurance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach devotion settles our heart and focuses our mind by starting with a painting and an engaging story. Both dovetail with insights that Amy then provides from scripture, conveying the hope we have in God through life’s varied experiences, before she concludes the day with a short prayer; prayers which often resonated deeply in my heart. There are also daily questions to reflect on individually or discuss as part of a group, plus a guide to \u003cem\u003evisio divina\u003c\/em\u003e to help readers pray with the paintings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHolding Onto Hope is a beautifully crafted book to read and ponder, helping us grasp tight to God’s presence and truth when hope feels out of reach. As Amy says, \u003cem\u003e‘We can put our hope in [God], trusting him to follow through on the promises he made to his people centuries ago, because we know him to be faithful and true.’ (page 126)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Anne le Tissier author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/the-mirror-that-speaks-back-looking-at-listening-to-and-reflecting-your-worth-in-jesus\"\u003eThe Mirror that Speaks Back\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-09-11T14:46:37+01:00","created_at":"2023-09-11T14:46:37+01:00","vendor":"Amy Boucher Pye \/ Leo Boucher","type":"Hardback","tags":["Biblical engagement","Devotional","Easter","Glassboxx","Lent","Pastoral care","Spirituality"],"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":43664151380159,"title":"Hardback","option1":"Hardback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392007","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":34819061874879,"product_id":7537586372799,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-09-11T14:46:37+01:00","updated_at":"2023-09-11T14:46:39+01:00","alt":null,"width":1949,"height":1831,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/HoldingontoHope.jpg?v=1694439999","variant_ids":[43664151380159]},"available":true,"name":"Holding Onto Hope: 40 days of God’s encouragement through art and reflections - Hardback","public_title":"Hardback","options":["Hardback"],"price":1299,"weight":492,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392007","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":27499625840831,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.064,"height":1831,"width":1949,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/HoldingontoHope.jpg?v=1694439999"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/HoldingontoHope.jpg?v=1694439999"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/HoldingontoHope.jpg?v=1694439999","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":27499625840831,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.064,"height":1831,"width":1949,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/HoldingontoHope.jpg?v=1694439999"},"aspect_ratio":1.064,"height":1831,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/HoldingontoHope.jpg?v=1694439999","width":1949}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAmy Boucher Pye and Leo Boucher return with a 40-day journey exploring the themes of hope and new life through vivid biblical images, Holding onto Hope can be used through Lent or during any 40-day period. We start with how all creation praises God, from the flowers of the field to the streams in the desert and the trees clapping their hands. We then explore the agricultural pattern of sowing, growing and harvesting before moving to the gracious promises and invitations God makes to his people, such as how he writes eternity onto our hearts. Next come compelling images of God as our help and refuge, including God being our shade and rear guard, before seeing how God changes his people – he clothes us, renews our minds and strengthens us. Finally, we focus on our new life in Christ through images such as new wineskins, the imperishable seed and the city to come.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmy Boucher-Pye \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cimg height=\"116\" width=\"174\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/AmyBoucherPye_480x480.jpg?v=1676495733\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-bottom: 16px; margin-left: 20px; float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003eAmy is a writer and speaker with a thousand devotional reflections in print, including with New Daylight and Our Daily Bread. She has previously written The Living Cross and Celebrating Christmas for BRF Ministries.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.amyboucherpye.com\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewww.amyboucherpye.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLeo Boucher \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLeo is a retired data systems analyst who paints in his art shack and volunteers with his church and other organisations, including teaching art to seniors at retirement communities.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online 19.02.24. Review by Betty Taylor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a beautiful book in so many ways! The binding is tactile and eye-catching, and the pages are a delight to turn. The small, hardback artistic cover immediately attracts our attention.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor each of forty days we have a painting to absorb, an accompanying reflection and a relevant prayer. There are also questions for further thought, and for possible discussion if the book is used in a group situation.\u003cbr\u003eSix topics are divided mainly on a weekly basis, covering creation, agriculture, God’s promises, his help, how he changes people and brings new life in Christ. All is enveloped in faith, hope, love and joy as we are taken on a journey filled with personal snippets, historic moments, and biblical references. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn a world where so many are weary and burdened, this lovely book brings encouragement for rest and renewal in God’s love and care.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe talents of a father and daughter partnership are richly displayed as Amy Boucher Pye brings imagery through carefully chosen words, and Leo Boucher through his illuminating artwork. The two combine to knit together the concept of a God who reaches out to us and longs for us to reach out to Him in return.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHolding on to Hope seeks to be an inspiration for God’s voice to be heard in a troubled world and to bring a sense of peace and security. Let us pray it does just that, becoming a treasured companion for all who delve into its pages.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Betty Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTogether magazine Jan-Feb 2024. Review by Daryl Wearring\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful Lent devotional includes stunning artwork, alongside encouraging writing, as we journey through Lent to Easter. Each week focuses on a different aspect of God’s character, from his creation to the different ways he beckons and encourages us, through to our new life in Christ. Each day’s text is accompanied by a beautiful painting to aid reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Anne le Tissier, writer.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHolding Onto Hope is a timely gift to a world that attempts to steal hope through conflicts, natural disasters, economic pressures, broken relationships, sickness, memory loss, disappointment, grief… and so much more. Written to be read over forty days, Amy gently encourages us to grasp hold of the hope God gives through his truth and promises, while Leo’s simple yet vivid and poignant paintings, draw us to another level of engaging with God’s love and reassurance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach devotion settles our heart and focuses our mind by starting with a painting and an engaging story. Both dovetail with insights that Amy then provides from scripture, conveying the hope we have in God through life’s varied experiences, before she concludes the day with a short prayer; prayers which often resonated deeply in my heart. There are also daily questions to reflect on individually or discuss as part of a group, plus a guide to \u003cem\u003evisio divina\u003c\/em\u003e to help readers pray with the paintings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHolding Onto Hope is a beautifully crafted book to read and ponder, helping us grasp tight to God’s presence and truth when hope feels out of reach. As Amy says, \u003cem\u003e‘We can put our hope in [God], trusting him to follow through on the promises he made to his people centuries ago, because we know him to be faithful and true.’ (page 126)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Anne le Tissier author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/the-mirror-that-speaks-back-looking-at-listening-to-and-reflecting-your-worth-in-jesus\"\u003eThe Mirror that Speaks Back\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Holding Onto Hope: 40 days of God’s encouragement through art and reflections
£12.99
Amy Boucher Pye and Leo Boucher return with a 40-day journey exploring the themes of hope and new life through...
{"id":7537856938175,"title":"Grandparenting for Faith: Sharing God with the children you love the most","handle":"grandparenting-for-faith-sharing-god-with-the-children-you-love-the-most","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn this book, Becky Sedgwick explores how grandparents can proactively encourage and equip their grandchildren to meet and know God. Grandparenting brings new life and joy, and also the opportunity to walk spiritually alongside our grandchildren, offering tools and skills for the journey. Whatever your circumstances, God has positioned you to be a unique voice speaking into your grandchildren’s lives, helping to nurture them into the reality of a relationship with the God who loves them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBulk buy packs or 5 and 10 also available \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/grandparenting-for-faith-bulk-buy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecky Sedgwick\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"154\" width=\"154\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/BeckySedgwick_480x480.jpg?v=1694516993\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-left: 20px; float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecky Sedgwick is the resources coordinator for Parenting for Faith. She has been resourcing and equipping parents for the past fifteen years, first as a local family worker in her church, and more recently as local church coordinator for Parenting for Faith.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘A great guide to the wonderful if bewildering responsibilities of being a Christian grandparent. Realistic, supportive and, above all, both helpful and hopeful.’ \u003cem\u003eRevd Canon J. John, evangelist and author\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Grandparents are among the most significant spiritual influences in children’s and teenagers’ lives. Becky Sedgwick’s brilliant book not only brings encouragement to grand- parents, but solid equipping. This book is hopeful, realistic and deeply relevant to every grandparent, whether their grandchildren are babies, or adults with babies of their own. Best spiritual grandparenting book I have ever read!’ \u003cem\u003eRachel Turner, founder of Parenting for Faith\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Grandparenting for Faith is a liberating, convicting and exciting work. It will empower grandparents in all types of family settings and dynamics to be part of their grandchildren’s lives and share their faith without damaging relationships with their adult children. Read and share this book, and learn how easy it is to answer God’s call to grandparent for faith.’ \u003cem\u003eMartha Flavell, children and family lead at Bible Society\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Grandparenting for Faith is packed full of practical ideas, and it breaks things down in a clear way that will leave grandparents encouraged by what they are already doing, equipped to be more intentional, and inspired that what they are doing will make a difference in the lives of their grandchildren.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOlly Goldenberg, founder of Children Can\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Every grandparent should read this book! It has lots of easy, practical suggestions for showing and living your Christian faith – without being at all heavy or ‘preachy’. I’m now eager to work on some of the ideas with my own six grandchildren.’ \u003cem\u003ePenelope Swithinbank, priest, writer and grandmother\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Grandparenting for Faith is a much-needed and encouraging resource for all who desire to leave a legacy of faith for the next generation. I’m convinced there has never been a greater need for grandparents to take seriously the influence they can have in the lives of their grandchildren.’ \u003cem\u003eLinda Green, grandmother and co-author of He Gives More Grace\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘What a valuable book, whether your grandchildren live in Christian homes or are far from God. Becky writes with warmth and insight. She is always down to earth and full of practical wisdom. A book I shall return to frequently as I seek to play my part in discipling my eleven grandchildren.’ \u003cem\u003eBill Lattimer, principal of The Douglas Trust\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e ‘What an inspiring and encouraging book for grandparents! Becky explains the significance of grandparenting for faith and gives lots of practical ideas in an accessible and non- judgemental way. She makes it relevant whether you have lots of contact with your grandchildren or none at all and everything in between. Such a helpful handbook to equip you in praying for your grandchildren throughout their lives.’ \u003cem\u003eCaroline Montgomery, pioneer of Refresh at St Stephen’s Church, Twickenham\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘In these times of significant pressures among families, limited family time, low confidence among grandparents, confusion about roles within families and limited avail- ability of support for families, this book is a very welcome tool. Beautifully written and very easy to read, it conveys a great awareness of the challenges of real life, while also prompting and encouraging grandparents to think beyond what they currently do and consider how they could develop their spiritual support of their grandchildren. I love this book. It is so much needed and I highly recommend it to all Christian grandparents who want to see their faith passed on to their children and grandchildren.’ \u003cem\u003eSarah Holmes, researcher and lecturer, Liverpool Hope University\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresbyterian Herald May 2024\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eOur churches are full of grandparents. They may bring their grandchildren to church because their children do not. They may sit with children and grandchildren in a multi-generational pew. They may lament the fact that their grandchildren are missing from church and show no interest in faith. They may speak with joy of grandchildren’s involvement in other places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eRachel Turner, founder of Parenting for Faith, has said, ‘Grandparents are among the most significant spiritual influence in children’s and teenager’s lives.’ That is what this book helps to unpack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBecky Sedgwick writes about the truths of grandparents, reminding all of us of the biblical and crucial role that grandparents can play in the lives of their grandchildren, wherever those grandchildren are on the faith spectrum. Understanding that grandparents are not surplus to requirements in a family but actually have a vital role to play in the sharing of faith, of telling stories and of praying for the grandchildren in their lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis book is not just about inspirational words to show grandparents that their role is important. It also contains a ‘grandparents’ toolkit’, a range of ideas that have been tried by other grandparents that might help with where to start or what to try next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI love a book that both inspires and gives practical suggestions and this definitely has both. I think it is a needed book on a topic which is not considered enough. It would be a useful book for any grandparent to think about their legacy of faith for the next generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 28.04.24. Review by Dennis Richards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt may once have been thought that grandparents had something of a “cushy” role. Not for them the daily grind of disciplining noisy children, who, more often than not, metamorphosed into grumpy adolescents. Have fun with the grandchildren, spoil them a bit, break a few parental rules, and then hand them back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot any more. The prevalence of divorce and the cost of childcare have made the part played by grandparents crucial to survival for many families. The opposite is also true. Some grandparents may find themselves sidelined, as their children move to increasingly distant places, in search of career opportunities or a different way of life. In such families, the grandchildren don’t even live on the same continent as their grandparents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis newly published volume, while unmistakably Evangelical in outlook, is also insightful and accessible in a way that would not alienate the general reader. Don’t forget, the author tells us, that children today will be picking up their ideas of God and Christianity from a variety of sources. School RE lessons and exams will come into play, as will films and television. Given the extensive “small group notes” section, there is every reason to recommend the volume to church or house-group leaders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tough questions are not avoided. What is the appropriate reaction if your new son- or daughter-in-law specifically asks the grandparents to avoid talking about God or religious belief altogether? or when the children are being brought by parents of different faiths? The chapter heading reads: 'No one said it would be easy.' You can say that again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dennis Richards, a former head of St Aidan’s C of E High School, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLouise Morse: Pilgrims' Friend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'I’m recommending ‘Grandparenting for Faith’ in my E-Send going out next week, in my blog and on my social media pages. Becky Sedgwick has written an inspiring and immensely practical book. I like it very much. '\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSee Louise's full article here: https:\/\/www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk\/news-views\/grandparenting-for-faith \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-09-12T11:57:07+01:00","created_at":"2023-09-12T11:57:07+01:00","vendor":"BRFonline","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Glassboxx","Parenting","Parenting for Faith books","Parenting for Faith Resources"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"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":43664162717887,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392045","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":34821526814911,"product_id":7537856938175,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-09-12T12:01:18+01:00","updated_at":"2023-09-12T12:01:20+01:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GrandparentingforFaith.jpg?v=1694516480","variant_ids":[43664162717887]},"available":true,"name":"Grandparenting for Faith: Sharing God with the children you love the most - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":230,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392045","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":27503308341439,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GrandparentingforFaith.jpg?v=1694516480"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GrandparentingforFaith.jpg?v=1694516480"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GrandparentingforFaith.jpg?v=1694516480","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":27503308341439,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GrandparentingforFaith.jpg?v=1694516480"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/GrandparentingforFaith.jpg?v=1694516480","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn this book, Becky Sedgwick explores how grandparents can proactively encourage and equip their grandchildren to meet and know God. Grandparenting brings new life and joy, and also the opportunity to walk spiritually alongside our grandchildren, offering tools and skills for the journey. Whatever your circumstances, God has positioned you to be a unique voice speaking into your grandchildren’s lives, helping to nurture them into the reality of a relationship with the God who loves them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBulk buy packs or 5 and 10 also available \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/grandparenting-for-faith-bulk-buy\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecky Sedgwick\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"154\" width=\"154\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/BeckySedgwick_480x480.jpg?v=1694516993\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-left: 20px; float: right;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecky Sedgwick is the resources coordinator for Parenting for Faith. She has been resourcing and equipping parents for the past fifteen years, first as a local family worker in her church, and more recently as local church coordinator for Parenting for Faith.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘A great guide to the wonderful if bewildering responsibilities of being a Christian grandparent. Realistic, supportive and, above all, both helpful and hopeful.’ \u003cem\u003eRevd Canon J. John, evangelist and author\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Grandparents are among the most significant spiritual influences in children’s and teenagers’ lives. Becky Sedgwick’s brilliant book not only brings encouragement to grand- parents, but solid equipping. This book is hopeful, realistic and deeply relevant to every grandparent, whether their grandchildren are babies, or adults with babies of their own. Best spiritual grandparenting book I have ever read!’ \u003cem\u003eRachel Turner, founder of Parenting for Faith\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Grandparenting for Faith is a liberating, convicting and exciting work. It will empower grandparents in all types of family settings and dynamics to be part of their grandchildren’s lives and share their faith without damaging relationships with their adult children. Read and share this book, and learn how easy it is to answer God’s call to grandparent for faith.’ \u003cem\u003eMartha Flavell, children and family lead at Bible Society\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Grandparenting for Faith is packed full of practical ideas, and it breaks things down in a clear way that will leave grandparents encouraged by what they are already doing, equipped to be more intentional, and inspired that what they are doing will make a difference in the lives of their grandchildren.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOlly Goldenberg, founder of Children Can\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Every grandparent should read this book! It has lots of easy, practical suggestions for showing and living your Christian faith – without being at all heavy or ‘preachy’. I’m now eager to work on some of the ideas with my own six grandchildren.’ \u003cem\u003ePenelope Swithinbank, priest, writer and grandmother\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Grandparenting for Faith is a much-needed and encouraging resource for all who desire to leave a legacy of faith for the next generation. I’m convinced there has never been a greater need for grandparents to take seriously the influence they can have in the lives of their grandchildren.’ \u003cem\u003eLinda Green, grandmother and co-author of He Gives More Grace\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘What a valuable book, whether your grandchildren live in Christian homes or are far from God. Becky writes with warmth and insight. She is always down to earth and full of practical wisdom. A book I shall return to frequently as I seek to play my part in discipling my eleven grandchildren.’ \u003cem\u003eBill Lattimer, principal of The Douglas Trust\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e ‘What an inspiring and encouraging book for grandparents! Becky explains the significance of grandparenting for faith and gives lots of practical ideas in an accessible and non- judgemental way. She makes it relevant whether you have lots of contact with your grandchildren or none at all and everything in between. Such a helpful handbook to equip you in praying for your grandchildren throughout their lives.’ \u003cem\u003eCaroline Montgomery, pioneer of Refresh at St Stephen’s Church, Twickenham\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘In these times of significant pressures among families, limited family time, low confidence among grandparents, confusion about roles within families and limited avail- ability of support for families, this book is a very welcome tool. Beautifully written and very easy to read, it conveys a great awareness of the challenges of real life, while also prompting and encouraging grandparents to think beyond what they currently do and consider how they could develop their spiritual support of their grandchildren. I love this book. It is so much needed and I highly recommend it to all Christian grandparents who want to see their faith passed on to their children and grandchildren.’ \u003cem\u003eSarah Holmes, researcher and lecturer, Liverpool Hope University\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePresbyterian Herald May 2024\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eOur churches are full of grandparents. They may bring their grandchildren to church because their children do not. They may sit with children and grandchildren in a multi-generational pew. They may lament the fact that their grandchildren are missing from church and show no interest in faith. They may speak with joy of grandchildren’s involvement in other places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eRachel Turner, founder of Parenting for Faith, has said, ‘Grandparents are among the most significant spiritual influence in children’s and teenager’s lives.’ That is what this book helps to unpack.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBecky Sedgwick writes about the truths of grandparents, reminding all of us of the biblical and crucial role that grandparents can play in the lives of their grandchildren, wherever those grandchildren are on the faith spectrum. Understanding that grandparents are not surplus to requirements in a family but actually have a vital role to play in the sharing of faith, of telling stories and of praying for the grandchildren in their lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis book is not just about inspirational words to show grandparents that their role is important. It also contains a ‘grandparents’ toolkit’, a range of ideas that have been tried by other grandparents that might help with where to start or what to try next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI love a book that both inspires and gives practical suggestions and this definitely has both. I think it is a needed book on a topic which is not considered enough. It would be a useful book for any grandparent to think about their legacy of faith for the next generations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 28.04.24. Review by Dennis Richards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt may once have been thought that grandparents had something of a “cushy” role. Not for them the daily grind of disciplining noisy children, who, more often than not, metamorphosed into grumpy adolescents. Have fun with the grandchildren, spoil them a bit, break a few parental rules, and then hand them back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot any more. The prevalence of divorce and the cost of childcare have made the part played by grandparents crucial to survival for many families. The opposite is also true. Some grandparents may find themselves sidelined, as their children move to increasingly distant places, in search of career opportunities or a different way of life. In such families, the grandchildren don’t even live on the same continent as their grandparents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis newly published volume, while unmistakably Evangelical in outlook, is also insightful and accessible in a way that would not alienate the general reader. Don’t forget, the author tells us, that children today will be picking up their ideas of God and Christianity from a variety of sources. School RE lessons and exams will come into play, as will films and television. Given the extensive “small group notes” section, there is every reason to recommend the volume to church or house-group leaders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tough questions are not avoided. What is the appropriate reaction if your new son- or daughter-in-law specifically asks the grandparents to avoid talking about God or religious belief altogether? or when the children are being brought by parents of different faiths? The chapter heading reads: 'No one said it would be easy.' You can say that again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dennis Richards, a former head of St Aidan’s C of E High School, Harrogate, North Yorkshire.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLouise Morse: Pilgrims' Friend\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'I’m recommending ‘Grandparenting for Faith’ in my E-Send going out next week, in my blog and on my social media pages. Becky Sedgwick has written an inspiring and immensely practical book. I like it very much. '\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSee Louise's full article here: https:\/\/www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk\/news-views\/grandparenting-for-faith \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Grandparenting for Faith: Sharing God with the children you love the most
£9.99
In this book, Becky Sedgwick explores how grandparents can proactively encourage and equip their grandchildren to meet and know God....
{"id":7550558208191,"title":"Death and Life: A church's guide to exploring mortality","handle":"death-and-life-a-churchs-guide-to-exploring-mortality","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAs a society we aren’t good at talking about death, and as individuals we may try and avoid thinking about it. But death is part of life, and we must all face it eventually. For Christians, dying and death are not the end but a transition point in a story that continues. Reflecting well on our own mortality can help us to make peace with the prospect of death and to live more fully in the here and now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis research-based book includes all you need to plan and deliver a course enabling people – old or young, healthy or frail – to prepare practically, emotionally and spiritually for their last months on this earth. The course covers six topics: Legal practicalities; Life stories; Funeral planning; Physical aspects of dying; Spiritual aspects of dying; and The life to come. It also offers a range of materials on the theme of living well in the light of mortality: a creative workshop, sermon starters, Bible studies, meditations, and a set of prayer stations which combine to form a prayer walk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Death and Life Reflection Cards\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/collections\/anna-chaplaincy-courses\/products\/death-and-life-reflection-cards\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Death_and_Life_Reflection_Cards_2.png?v=1713518661\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eRevd Canon Dr Joanna Collicutt\u003c\/strong\u003e has a background in clinical psychology and academic psychology of religion. She was for many years the Oxford Diocesan Adviser for Older People, and it was in this role that she became interested in the spiritual and theological aspects of death and dying. She is an associate priest in an Oxfordshire parish and is currently studying for a PhD in the area of Christianity and the arts. Joanna has written or co-written ten books, including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThinking of you: A resource for the spiritual care of people with dementia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (BRF, 2017) and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeriously Messy: Making space for families to talk together about death and life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (BRF, 2019).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJo Ind\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVictoria Slater \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlison Webster\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, winter 2024. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eSubtitled ‘A church’s guide to exploring mortality’, this is designed as a six-session course book to help those who are dealing with bereavement and thinking through death and its effects. Amongst the techniques used are creative arts approaches as well as Bible studies, meditations, prayer walks and questionnaires. The authors present the course with a concern for the individual, finding a way that relates to each person of need. It offers several sermon starters which could be adapted or developed for a series in church to supplement the course. The breadth of this resource is really heartening. By using art in places, it will enable those who are left wordless at times by bereavement to find a way to respond. It has a wide range of musical suggestions from Graham Kendrick to Stormzy, presumably designed to appeal to different generations. Churches of all theological traditions will find this book an invaluable aid to dealing with the last great journey and its consequences on those left behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Cavan Wood \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.07.24. Review by Dominic Walker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is a handbook to help and resource facilitators to plan and lead a six-session course on how to live and die well. The authors have provided a variety of material to prepare people practically, emotionally, and spiritually for the end of their lives on earth. We are told: 'The course covers six topics: Legal practicalities; Life stories; Funeral planning; Physical aspects of dying; and the Life to come. It also offers a range of materials on the theme of living well in the light of mortality; a creative workshop, sermon starters, Bible studies, meditations, and a set of prayer stations which combine to form a prayer walk.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is a good course and well researched, but its promotion may be a challenge, because most people, including Christians, avoid thinking about death. Nevertheless, the unwillingness to face the process of dying can have serious pastoral consequences and give rise to some unbiblical and strange ideas about life after death. Most clergy will have encountered bereaved people who imagine a parallel universe in which their departed relatives in bliss look down upon us poor souls below!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis course is broad in its range of topics, offering good practical and legal advice, besides drawing people into the mystery of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It encourages people to think, to reflect, and to face their innermost feelings and fears. The material is pastoral and honest in its tone, and, while not claiming to have all the answers, it affirms the love and goodness of God and why Christians can face death in 'sure and certain hope'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe funeral preface reminds us that, for God’s faithful people, life is changed, not ended, and when our mortal flesh is laid aside, an everlasting dwelling place is made ready for us in heaven. For churches with elderly folk in their congregations, this course will provide help for them to prepare for, and hopefully to embrace, that change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS is a former Bishop of Monmouth\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-10-06T16:10:19+01:00","created_at":"2023-10-06T16:10:19+01:00","vendor":"Joanna Collicutt","type":"Paperback","tags":["Anna Chaplaincy books","Anna Chaplaincy Courses","Bereavement","Glassboxx","Grief","New Titles","Pastoral care"],"price":2499,"price_min":2499,"price_max":2499,"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":43664255549631,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392830","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":34897174364351,"product_id":7550558208191,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-10-06T16:10:19+01:00","updated_at":"2023-10-06T16:10:21+01:00","alt":null,"width":2480,"height":3508,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLife.jpg?v=1696605021","variant_ids":[43664255549631]},"available":true,"name":"Death and Life: A church's guide to exploring mortality - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":2499,"weight":540,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392830","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":27605747826879,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":3508,"width":2480,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLife.jpg?v=1696605021"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLife.jpg?v=1696605021","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLifeReflectionCards_2.png?v=1713518598"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLife.jpg?v=1696605021","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":27605747826879,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":3508,"width":2480,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLife.jpg?v=1696605021"},"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":3508,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLife.jpg?v=1696605021","width":2480},{"alt":null,"id":28639584944319,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.193,"height":788,"width":940,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLifeReflectionCards_2.png?v=1713518598"},"aspect_ratio":1.193,"height":788,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLifeReflectionCards_2.png?v=1713518598","width":940}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAs a society we aren’t good at talking about death, and as individuals we may try and avoid thinking about it. But death is part of life, and we must all face it eventually. For Christians, dying and death are not the end but a transition point in a story that continues. Reflecting well on our own mortality can help us to make peace with the prospect of death and to live more fully in the here and now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis research-based book includes all you need to plan and deliver a course enabling people – old or young, healthy or frail – to prepare practically, emotionally and spiritually for their last months on this earth. The course covers six topics: Legal practicalities; Life stories; Funeral planning; Physical aspects of dying; Spiritual aspects of dying; and The life to come. It also offers a range of materials on the theme of living well in the light of mortality: a creative workshop, sermon starters, Bible studies, meditations, and a set of prayer stations which combine to form a prayer walk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Death and Life Reflection Cards\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/collections\/anna-chaplaincy-courses\/products\/death-and-life-reflection-cards\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Death_and_Life_Reflection_Cards_2.png?v=1713518661\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eRevd Canon Dr Joanna Collicutt\u003c\/strong\u003e has a background in clinical psychology and academic psychology of religion. She was for many years the Oxford Diocesan Adviser for Older People, and it was in this role that she became interested in the spiritual and theological aspects of death and dying. She is an associate priest in an Oxfordshire parish and is currently studying for a PhD in the area of Christianity and the arts. Joanna has written or co-written ten books, including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThinking of you: A resource for the spiritual care of people with dementia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (BRF, 2017) and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeriously Messy: Making space for families to talk together about death and life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (BRF, 2019).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJo Ind\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVictoria Slater \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlison Webster\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, winter 2024. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eSubtitled ‘A church’s guide to exploring mortality’, this is designed as a six-session course book to help those who are dealing with bereavement and thinking through death and its effects. Amongst the techniques used are creative arts approaches as well as Bible studies, meditations, prayer walks and questionnaires. The authors present the course with a concern for the individual, finding a way that relates to each person of need. It offers several sermon starters which could be adapted or developed for a series in church to supplement the course. The breadth of this resource is really heartening. By using art in places, it will enable those who are left wordless at times by bereavement to find a way to respond. It has a wide range of musical suggestions from Graham Kendrick to Stormzy, presumably designed to appeal to different generations. Churches of all theological traditions will find this book an invaluable aid to dealing with the last great journey and its consequences on those left behind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Cavan Wood \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.07.24. Review by Dominic Walker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is a handbook to help and resource facilitators to plan and lead a six-session course on how to live and die well. The authors have provided a variety of material to prepare people practically, emotionally, and spiritually for the end of their lives on earth. We are told: 'The course covers six topics: Legal practicalities; Life stories; Funeral planning; Physical aspects of dying; and the Life to come. It also offers a range of materials on the theme of living well in the light of mortality; a creative workshop, sermon starters, Bible studies, meditations, and a set of prayer stations which combine to form a prayer walk.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is a good course and well researched, but its promotion may be a challenge, because most people, including Christians, avoid thinking about death. Nevertheless, the unwillingness to face the process of dying can have serious pastoral consequences and give rise to some unbiblical and strange ideas about life after death. Most clergy will have encountered bereaved people who imagine a parallel universe in which their departed relatives in bliss look down upon us poor souls below!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis course is broad in its range of topics, offering good practical and legal advice, besides drawing people into the mystery of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It encourages people to think, to reflect, and to face their innermost feelings and fears. The material is pastoral and honest in its tone, and, while not claiming to have all the answers, it affirms the love and goodness of God and why Christians can face death in 'sure and certain hope'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe funeral preface reminds us that, for God’s faithful people, life is changed, not ended, and when our mortal flesh is laid aside, an everlasting dwelling place is made ready for us in heaven. For churches with elderly folk in their congregations, this course will provide help for them to prepare for, and hopefully to embrace, that change.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd Dominic Walker OGS is a former Bishop of Monmouth\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Death and Life: A church's guide to exploring mortality
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As a society we aren’t good at talking about death, and as individuals we may try and avoid thinking about...
{"id":7565823410367,"title":"Spiritual Growth in a Time of Change: Following God in midlife","handle":"spiritual-growth-in-a-time-of-change-following-god-in-midlife-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHow to navigate a spiritual journey through these years, leading to deeper faith and a closer walk with God.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOur 40s and 50s can be times of change and turbulent emotional transitions as we encounter a range of challenging personal issues. They can also be some of the most important years of our lives in spiritual terms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTony Horsfall addresses a number of ‘midlife’ issues – from facing up to the past to renegotiating relationships – and explores how to navigate a spiritual journey through these years, leading to deeper faith and a closer walk with God.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘Accessible and an easy read. The exercises are practical and pose useful questions. Spiritual Growth in a Time of Change offers a straightforward introduction to the issues, and may provide some welcome lightbulb moments for anyone who is new to the concept of midlife.’ Sarah Meyrick, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eChurch Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2023-10-24T13:32:34+01:00","created_at":"2023-10-24T13:32:34+01:00","vendor":"Tony Horsfall","type":"Paperback","tags":["Discipleship","For individuals","Glassboxx","Pastoral care","Spirituality","Tony Horsfall"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"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":43664155377855,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392021","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":34963725025471,"product_id":7565823410367,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-10-24T13:37:52+01:00","updated_at":"2023-10-24T13:37:54+01:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/SpiritualGrowthinaTimeofChange2023.jpg?v=1698151074","variant_ids":[43664155377855]},"available":true,"name":"Spiritual Growth in a Time of Change: Following God in midlife - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":180,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392021","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":27679710380223,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/SpiritualGrowthinaTimeofChange2023.jpg?v=1698151074"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/SpiritualGrowthinaTimeofChange2023.jpg?v=1698151074"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/SpiritualGrowthinaTimeofChange2023.jpg?v=1698151074","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":27679710380223,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/SpiritualGrowthinaTimeofChange2023.jpg?v=1698151074"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/SpiritualGrowthinaTimeofChange2023.jpg?v=1698151074","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eHow to navigate a spiritual journey through these years, leading to deeper faith and a closer walk with God.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOur 40s and 50s can be times of change and turbulent emotional transitions as we encounter a range of challenging personal issues. They can also be some of the most important years of our lives in spiritual terms.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTony Horsfall addresses a number of ‘midlife’ issues – from facing up to the past to renegotiating relationships – and explores how to navigate a spiritual journey through these years, leading to deeper faith and a closer walk with God.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘Accessible and an easy read. The exercises are practical and pose useful questions. Spiritual Growth in a Time of Change offers a straightforward introduction to the issues, and may provide some welcome lightbulb moments for anyone who is new to the concept of midlife.’ Sarah Meyrick, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eChurch Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Spiritual Growth in a Time of Change: Following God in midlife
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How to navigate a spiritual journey through these years, leading to deeper faith and a closer walk with God.Our 40s...
{"id":7603197771967,"title":"The Upper Room: An Introduction SPECIAL OFFER","handle":"the-upper-room-an-introduction-special-offer","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"custom-field custom-field__promotional-headline custom-field__type--text\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy to give away!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e31 selected Bible passages and reflections to introduce people to The Upper Room daily resource. For over 80 years, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Upper Room\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e has encouraged people everywhere to share their stories of faith. Today it is translated into more than 30 languages and can be found in over 100 countries. From small groups to large congregations, these meditations spark conversations and continue to bring people of faith together.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"custom-field custom-field__promotional-headline custom-field__type--text\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"custom-field--value\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal for\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• New Christians\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Those attending or running Christian basics\/introduction courses such as post-Alpha, Emmaus or The Being With Course\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Church leaders to give to their congregations to encourage daily Bible reading and for occasions such as Bible Sunday or international days of prayer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Those who appreciate testimony-style devotionals based on real-life experience\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"custom-field--value\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","published_at":"2023-12-04T16:58:24+00:00","created_at":"2023-12-04T16:58:24+00:00","vendor":"BRFonline","type":"Paperback","tags":["Bible reading notes","Biblical engagement","Devotional","Discipleship","For churches"],"price":2500,"price_min":2500,"price_max":2500,"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":42656259801279,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"URINTRO10","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Upper Room: An Introduction SPECIAL OFFER","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":2500,"weight":40,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"URINTRO10","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/BUY10COPIESFOR_25.00SAVE_4.99.png?v=1701709368"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/BUY10COPIESFOR_25.00SAVE_4.99.png?v=1701709368","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":27867613987007,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1080,"width":1080,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/BUY10COPIESFOR_25.00SAVE_4.99.png?v=1701709368"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1080,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/BUY10COPIESFOR_25.00SAVE_4.99.png?v=1701709368","width":1080}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cdiv class=\"custom-field custom-field__promotional-headline custom-field__type--text\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuy to give away!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e31 selected Bible passages and reflections to introduce people to The Upper Room daily resource. For over 80 years, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe Upper Room\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e has encouraged people everywhere to share their stories of faith. Today it is translated into more than 30 languages and can be found in over 100 countries. From small groups to large congregations, these meditations spark conversations and continue to bring people of faith together.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"custom-field custom-field__promotional-headline custom-field__type--text\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"custom-field--value\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal for\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• New Christians\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Those attending or running Christian basics\/introduction courses such as post-Alpha, Emmaus or The Being With Course\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Church leaders to give to their congregations to encourage daily Bible reading and for occasions such as Bible Sunday or international days of prayer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e• Those who appreciate testimony-style devotionals based on real-life experience\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"custom-field--value\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e"}
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The Upper Room: An Introduction SPECIAL OFFER
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Buy to give away! 31 selected Bible passages and reflections to introduce people to The Upper Room daily resource. For over...
{"id":7619786244287,"title":"On the Way to Work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfillment","handle":"on-the-way-to-work","description":"\u003cp\u003eDoes your work give you a sense of purpose? How do you feel when work serves up difficulties and problems? How do we work well? Is there a God, and might God have something to say about the way we work? Weaving together biblical perspectives with academic research and his own experiences of working in different settings, Chris Gillies lays the theological foundation for work, moves on to examining biblical role models from both Old and New Testaments, and concludes by exploring common issues we wrestle with in our work, from money matters or managing and leading others to knowing if we’re in the right job or simply doing the right thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zocoSqG4BN4?si=wpDl7TTQSwymPIW1\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Gillies\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cspan\u003eWith thirty years’ experience of working at director level in financial services, Chris Gillies has also served on the boards of four different churches and ten UK charities including Westminster Theological Centre and The Children’s Society. He is Chair of Council for Stewardship and Treasurer for LICC.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There’s new thinking here, hammered out on the anvil of a long, demanding, and successful career at the highest corporate levels through prayerful reflection, biblical engagement and careful analysis. Chris Gillies offers us a rich understanding of God’s purposes for humankind, framing his approach to work on the dynamic springboard of the life, character and work of Jesus, and on the ongoing empowering of the Holy Spirit for everyday work. This is a book that anyone at any level could profit from. Bravo. And thank you.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMark Greene, mission champion, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Christians just don’t think enough about work and the way work is changing. On the Way to Work is a treasure trove of deep insight from the scriptures and a mine of good advice from a seasoned practitioner. Chris Gillies’ insights are honed from many years’ experience and will be lifegiving for all kinds of people in different roles and occupations.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteven Croft, bishop of Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘On the Way to Work paints a reframing vision of how we can approach our working lives as worship. Such a brilliant handbook for how to approach the world of work with a kingdom-first mindset. Equipping, affirming and inspiring. I can’t wait for Monday!’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCaragh Bennet, cofounder and CEO, ZENA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies combines values with brilliant business acumen. He is one of the few people I pause to think “what would Chris do” and, most importantly, how. I’ve been lucky enough for Chris to have been my professional mentor since working together at Zurich. This book offers the opportunity for everyone to experience his wisdom and guidance, helping you choose how to spend your energy and achieve your aspirations, with morals at the forefront of decisions and actions.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKathryn Axcell-Steele, head of brand and integrated marketing, Wesleyan Assurance Society\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies offers a rich and rare combination of biblical wisdom, practical insight and personal experience that will inspire Christians to think differently about their work and its significance. My hope and prayer is that Christians and other readers will learn from Chris and the compelling vision he sets forth in this book.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMatt Lynch, associate professor of Old Testament, Regent College\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This important book is insightful and inspiring, and full of invaluable, real-life examples of leaders navigating the world of work. Anyone who is keen to discover how to best deploy their influence for the kingdom of God will find much here to guide them through their careers.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Foster, rector, St Aldates, Oxford, and advisor, Alpha UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘A theology of work and a work of theology. Over many years of treasured friendship, Chris Gillies both demonstrated to me and challenged me to see that the call of God, the vocation of the Christian, is not limited to ordained ministers and foreign missionaries, but rests upon all who follow Jesus and all who are sent to serve the king and his kingdom in every sphere of life and work.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimon Ponsonby, pastor of theology, St Aldates, Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘\u003c\/em\u003eThis book will expand your vision of what a deeply fruitful and successful life looks like. A central premise of the book is that our work matters to God and God really does matter to our work. With that as a robust foundation, Chris Gillies tackles many layers of the implications of what that means for our frontline work, time, money, decision making, relationships; in essence, our whole lives!’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNess Wilson, leader, Pioneer UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a remarkable book, and you should read it. In these pages,\u003cbr\u003eChris Gillies illuminates a path to work that is not only distinctive but\u003cbr\u003ealso the way of Jesus and of the kingdom of God. If you let this book\u003cbr\u003edo its work, it will change you – for good. Chris has crafted a work\u003cbr\u003ethat is truly transformative – a powerful journey towards personal\u003cbr\u003eand spiritual growth.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Woolley, chief executive, The London Institute for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a timely book on the importance of work – what we do, how we\u003cbr\u003edo it and most importantly why work is part of God’s plan for what it\u003cbr\u003emeans to be human. Chris Gillies brings together years of experience,\u003cbr\u003ea biblical framework and lots of helpful illustrations in a very readable\u003cbr\u003eand accessible style.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Lynas, UK director, Evangelical Alliance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time. Chris Gillies repeatedly illustrates wise practical advice with telling anecdotes from his own experience, covering many different topics, acknowledging the value of different perspectives and sharing maturely what God has taught him along the way.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eRichard Higginson, former director and chair, Faith in Business\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this book has something invaluable to offer. It masterfully combines the wisdom of years of experience with practical advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking God’s calling on their life and true success in their work.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReuben Coulter, senior advisor, Faith Driven Investor and partner, Ignis Advisory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a book that has been over 40 years in the writing and its depth and insights reflect the journey of a man who has set his sights on bringing kingdom influence to the highest level of businesses.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNic Harding, director, Kairos Connexion and Together for the Harvest\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies writes a wonderfully practical and thoughtful book that speaks powerfully about what it means to engage in the world of work in a distinctively Christian way. He constructs a brilliant, thorough and nuanced analysis that challenges the oft-prevailing and unhelpful narrative of the sacred–secular divide, and offers beautifully crafted autobiographical, theological and academic reflections to suggest an alternative mode of being for operating as a Christian in the workplace.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCatherine Delve, CEO, Resurgam Asset Management Limited; chair of trustees, Bridge the Gap Football\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTudor Humphreys: BRF Ministries supporter and Friend. January 2025\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eWhen I saw this book promoted in a BRF Ministries newsletter I ordered it from my local Christian bookshop. What I like about it is that Chris Gillies has obviously worked and thrived in high pressure work environments, but like many people he stumbled into his first job not really thinking through what his Christian faith had to say about it. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eLater he learned better:\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eHe has worked out for himself and shared with readers what the Bible has to say about work and how to live out our Christian beliefs in the workplace. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eHe takes us through the Bible from God’s ‘work’ in creation in Genesis to our role in working to ‘continue the creation story’ via the parable of the tenants in Matthew, Mark and Luke, to our role as ‘fellow workers’ in the family business of\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e‘Sustaining and caring for His creation’\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein 1 Corinthians.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eHe offers real life examples of how to manage power, authority, roles\/responsibilities, wealth and time, instead of hiding anything to do with faith until we enter a church at the weekend. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eHe addresses Christian approaches to the challenges of balancing the needs of organisations to do productive work as well as addressing the needs of people doing the work. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eThinking about work and investing time in the process has been instilled in me since I studied with the YMCA College\/University of Kent in the 1980\/90s soon after making a commitment to follow the Master when my wife and I were called to establish a charity with a Christian ethos, focused on working with those outside the church. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eThe author places our work as Christians, whether in the office the farm, factory, hairdressers or supermarket, on an equal footing to what might be called ‘Christian ministry\/mission roles.’ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eI like that and it’s not just the author’s view. He says this: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003e‘If you listen to modern mission organisations you’ll hear a shift in the way think and talk about mission. You’ll hear more talk about how every role is important including those who work in the marketplace…’\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eThe author takes us through a series of steps from what the Bible has to say about ‘work’, including Colossians 3:23-24 \u003ci\u003eWork at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. You are slaves of the Lord Christ.’ \u003c\/i\u003e(NIRV) \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eAs well as drawing from his own experience in business, he cites examples of other ‘workers’ and gives real work\/life case studies of how to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel, and how to be ‘salt and light’ in a holistic, integrated way in a modern workplace in a changing society. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eSo if you’ve never considered your day to day work as ‘important’ in terms of building\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e‘the Kingdom,’ or if you’ve been thinking about work and faith for a while, this book might just encourage you to keep on ‘blossoming where you’ve been planted’ or inspire you to take courage, and explore new ways of being a ‘labourer in the harvest field’. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by \u003c\/em\u003eTudor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eHumphreys BRF supporter and friend \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTogether magazine November\/December 2024. Review by Fiona Lloyd\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor many of us work is an important part of our daily life. This includes not just paid employment but also voluntary work, studying and work within the home (such as raising children). Yet unless we have an overtly ‘Christian’ job such as ministry or missionary roles, it can be easy to regard our work as being somehow distinct from our spiritual life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChris Gillies has worked in the business and finance sector for over 40 years, and more recently has used his skills to serve in the charitable sector. As he progressed in his career, he gradually became more aware of the importance of how his faith affected the way he worked, and how working in any environment – secular as well as Christian – should be viewed as work for God. Out of this realisation came his latest book, \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work\u003c\/i\u003e. In this book, Gillies discusses how seeing our work and faith as being intertwined rather than completely separate from each other can change our perspective and bring fresh motivation, explaining how applying biblical ideology can transform the workplace and lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. And while this is written from a Christian perspective, Gillies is keen to emphasise that the principles he promotes are equally relevant for those of other faiths or no faith at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work \u003c\/i\u003eis split into three sections. The first gives the reader a spiritual overview of the Bible timeline, from the Garden of Eden to Christ’s return. Within this, Gillies examines how work is part of God’s plan for humankind and considers what it means to be fruitful. When set against the backdrop of eternity, our current work has long-term meaning, regardless of the nature of that work. Gillies reminds us that ‘The way we work can provide evidence today of God’s renewed order.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThe second section of the book focuses on biblical role models. Old Testament characters such as Joseph, Deborah and Daniel demonstrate what it means to honour God in our work, and how living and working according to his ways can affect those around us or for whom we have responsibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eIn the New Testament it is assumed that Jesus himself worked for many years before beginning his itinerant ministry. While the Gospels tell us nothing about his years as a carpenter, we can still learn from the last three years of his earthly life. The way Jesus interacted with those around him provides an example as to how we should behave in the workplace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eGillies devotes the third section of the book (by far the longest part) to common issues we may encounter in the workplace. He starts by contrasting secular and sacred worldviews, showing how understanding the death and resurrection of Jesus can reform and rejuvenate our approach to work, and noting that ‘The divide in our worldview should not be between sacred and secular, but between God’s way and a more self-centred human way.’ Our role should not be simply to criticise the practices of modern society but to propose a better alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eLater chapters offer advice on how to implement Christian principles into our work environment so that individuals as well as companies can flourish. Gillies underpins these with numerous personal anecdotes, along with relevant Scripture quotes. He also encourages the reader to think about how to balance the ‘big five’ demands on our lives, namely: time with God; time with family; time at work; building community; rest and recreation. This is a helpful template, reminding us to view our lives holistically instead of focusing on one area to the detriment of the others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eA lot of ground is covered in \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work\u003c\/i\u003e, so I appreciated the way the author ended each chapter with a summary of the key points and a few questions for self-reflection. Gillies has an engaging style and manages to break complex topics down into smaller, more easily digestible chunks. This is a valuable resource for those who want to think more about how their faith relates to their work – whatever form that takes – and for pastors who want to help their congregations be salt and light to a watching world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eReviewed by Fiona Lloyd\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFaith in Business Quarterly (vol 23.2). Review by David Steinegger\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘On the way to work, do you look forward to your day? Does it give you a sense of purpose?’ So begins the introduction to Chris Gillies’ book. \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work \u003c\/i\u003eprovides a refreshing perspective on the theology of work, gives examples of some of the great biblical role models, offers practical insights into working through many of the common issues we face, and is enriched with examples from Chris’ own experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book is structured into three parts. The first part brings a theological perspective which starts in the Garden of Eden, continues through the redemption story and ends in the eternal city in Revelation. I appreciated how this section connects God’s great story for humankind with our stories and reminds us that our lives in our workplaces truly matter. The second part of the book highlights some of the great characters in the Old Testament and God’s anointing in their ‘workplaces’. It then moves on to the life of Christ and the characteristics of his redemptive approach. Part three, the largest section of the book, focuses on common issues we face in the workplace. This section starts with an insightful Christian worldview perspective, reminding us that there is no sacred-secular divide, and that God is profoundly interested in all of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn part three, Chris goes on to look at some real workplace issues, with biblical and practical insights to tackle them. For example, his chapter on ‘How do I know if I’m in the right job’ gives a scriptural base to address this question, together with practical pointers. Here he encourages readers to loosen their grip on a calling to do a specific job, and rather pursue their life’s mission. This will be helpful for many. I would add that at times God speaks very specifically into our career decisions through scripture, the holy spirit’s guidance and the voice of others. He tackles another real issue in the chapter ‘Balancing the big five’ – describing the challenge of the big five calls on our time – our relationship with God, family, work, community and rest and leisure. In reflecting on this, I was reminded that God has set eternity in our hearts (Eccl 3:11) and if we can live each day with this promise, and the challenge in mind, then we can come to a place of truly flourishing in our lives as Kingdom people – and this is much more precious than gold!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe 290 pages can at first feel a little overwhelming. But I devoured the book on two long haul flights, being stimulated by the three-cord strand of biblical theology, practical insight and great examples from Chris’ many years of experience in the workplace. The summaries at the end of each chapter are helpful, as are each chapter’s questions for personal reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIt would have been helpful if the book had also explored the biblical basis and importance of having wise mentors or coaches: ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.’ (Proverbs 11:14). I have found wise Christian mentors to be a great blessing on my journey in many workplaces across multiple countries and cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI would also like to have seen a template in the book summarising some of the more practical learning points which are interspersed throughout the book. Perhaps a workbook could follow!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAppropriately, the book ends with a chapter on ‘the prize for running well.’ We are called to be faithful with the gifts and abilities that God has given us. We are reminded that our wok in the here and now foreshadows a new kind of redeemed work after Jesus returns. And here’s a great challenge that Chris presents: we have the opportunity to anticipate that future time by modelling it in the present and living it now for the glory of God and service to humanity!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWe are called to be kingdom people in our workplaces – and in whatever we do, to work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord. Having a God-given sense of purpose in our days is essential if we are to live fulfilled lives. This book offers helpful pointers to living a purposeful life and is a great addition to the library of all who are seeking to be faithful, fruitful and fulfilled in their workplaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavid Steinegger holds a number of non-executive positions, is a people builder, a church leader, and a trustee of several charities, including Wycliffe Bible Translators UK, which he chairs.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.07.24. Review by Eve Poole\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis new book on work from Chris Gillies benefits from his lifetime of working in the financial-services sector. He has spent more than 40 years in finance, working in many different markets, particularly for Zurich Insurance; and has more than 30 years’ experience as a board member of various charities, including the Children’s Society and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. His book synthesises his own rich experience of work with his research and with perspectives from the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhat sold the book to me was that it was described as 'quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time' by Richard Higginson. As the founder of Faith in Business, he is the oracle in this field, because he has read every book ever written on the subject. So, on this glowing recommendation, I dived straight in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book itself is very readable, with a handy summary section and points for reflection at each chapter end. Part I focuses on the basics, such as using the Bible, addressing selfishness, being fruitful, and the need to keep a focus on God’s work throughout. Part II covers “Biblical role models” from Joseph to Jesus, and profiles forgotten heroes, such as Boaz as the model employer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePart III tackles a range of knotty topics, from money to ethical decision-making, in which my favourite chapter was on “Balancing the Big Five”. It asks some sharp questions about work-life balance. His Big Five are: time with God, time with family, work time (paid or unpaid), time building community, and time for rest, leisure, and exercise. He encourages readers to analyse how they are spending their time across these activities, to identify where time spent may be out of kilter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI also really appreciated his wise words on vocation: 'the key to finding your special God-given calling is to loosen your grip on the idea that God is calling you to do a specific job.' Charles Eve once called this yearning for the certainty of a highlighted job advert our desire to 'grab the steering wheel' instead of letting God drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies likewise reminds us to look with soft eyes on the totality of our mission in life, to discern where our work and any particular job fits into the whole. Given that the world of work these days is very non-linear, this is sage advice. At the end of the book, Gillies recommends that we make use of a period of retreat to take stock of our work, to recommit ourselves to our vocation in its totality, and to listen for what God might be saying to us about what we should do next.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eDr Eve Poole writes on theology, economics, and leadership.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCPAS Lead on newsletter review June 2024. Review by Mike Duff\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSt Paul charges the Philippians, as citizens of heaven, to live utterly different lives to the Roman citizens around them. With 30 years' experience in top-level corporate leadership, Chris Gillies delivers the same powerful challenge to Christians immersed in the culture of their working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e'The idea God was as interested in my work as he was in the way I did church... that God might have work for me to do at my workplace didn't really occur to me. My understanding of why God mattered to my daily work was virtually non-existent.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs at home in the Bible as the workplace, Chris addresses this autobiographical question through four basic themes: how it all started; the problem of selfishness; what it means to be fruitful; where we are heading. Elements of the salvation story are carefully worked out as they apply not in church, home or individual discipleship but in our working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNext, he explores with penetrating insight some obvious biblical role models - Joseph, Jethro, Daniel and others - and less obviously how Jesus approached his own redeeming work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe longest section applies biblical discipleship themes to the workplace: What is the prevailing workplace worldview and how might we confront and change it? Am I in the right job? How can we do we do the right thing and adopt a godly lifestyle amid pressures to conform? How do we balance the major claims on our time when work demands everything? How would Jesus have us handle money and lead others? What is our true reward for working well?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePreachers will recognise in this outstanding resource many familiar insights but applied with a clarity, insight and authority ew will have achieved. Those whose work is outside the church will find themselves challenged by God's intimate and relentless concern with their working life. Church leaders will be given a profound insight into the world of work and how to shape the life of the church so that it connects with this vital 'frontline'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Mike Duff, CPAS Patronage Secretary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichard Frost, writer and blogger: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. 1 June 2024\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBooks providing a Christian perspective on work can at times feel as rare as hearing a sermon on the topic. So, Chris Gillies' offering is a welcome contribution and one which I looked forward to reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI spent most of my professional career helping people with their work and also supporting businesses and organisations in caring for staff. I even wrote a book about it myself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eChris Gillies brings a wealth of experience from senior management positions in financial sector businesses and charitable organisations. This, combined with insight from his faith and biblical knowledge, and observations from others (most notably Mark Greene, well known for his own work in this field) provides a strong base on which to build.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies explores the nature of work from Genesis through Old Testament examples such as Joseph and Daniel and the core characteristics Jesus demonstrates for us to aspire to. The author also includes a number of examples of businesses adopting a godly approach towards people, practice and profit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIts pages are full of well-rehearsed biblical insights and familiar business-speak which will resonate particularly with those with similar faith perspectives and senior leadership experience. For this reviewer, I would have liked to have seen more content which relates to the vast majority of those who find themselves on the way to work: the ones who don't occupy well-paid, high-level, influential roles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNevertheless, for those who wish to explore this important aspect of life (and one which, for many, occupies a considerable amount of it of it) it is a thought-provoking read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost, a former employment specialist, and the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\"\u003efour other books\u003c\/a\u003e. Richard writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooks for Today April 2024. Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOn the way to work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfilment \u003c\/em\u003eby Chris Gillies, who is the treasurer of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, is intended for all those who are at work, to help them live out their faith Mondays to Fridays. Divided into three parts, the first section is entitled ‘From a garden to a city’; the second looks at some of the Old Testament heroes and goes on to reflect on Jesus and how Christians today have sought to implement the teaching of Jesus in the workplace; while the third section deals with some is very down-to-earth issues such as how hard we should we work along with money matters. At the end of each chapter there’s a summary of the key principles. This is a good book for ministers to commend to their people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 150%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 7.5pt 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"more-8148\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #202020;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/paulbeasleymurray.us12.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=a45b3e6fc109e00f067477a28\u0026amp;id=802455cdc0\u0026amp;e=3cc647e01f\" style=\"-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Aptos; color: #007c89;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-03-07T17:10:46+00:00","created_at":"2024-01-02T12:35:44+00:00","vendor":"Chris Gillies","type":"Paperback","tags":["2024","Discipleship","For individuals","Glassboxx","Mission"],"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":43664199483583,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392397","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":35270451462335,"product_id":7619786244287,"position":1,"created_at":"2024-01-02T12:37:31+00:00","updated_at":"2024-01-02T12:37:33+00:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053","variant_ids":[43664199483583]},"available":true,"name":"On the Way to Work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfillment - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":1299,"weight":316,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392397","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":27997854695615,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":27997854695615,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/OntheWaytoWork.jpg?v=1704199053","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eDoes your work give you a sense of purpose? How do you feel when work serves up difficulties and problems? How do we work well? Is there a God, and might God have something to say about the way we work? Weaving together biblical perspectives with academic research and his own experiences of working in different settings, Chris Gillies lays the theological foundation for work, moves on to examining biblical role models from both Old and New Testaments, and concludes by exploring common issues we wrestle with in our work, from money matters or managing and leading others to knowing if we’re in the right job or simply doing the right thing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zocoSqG4BN4?si=wpDl7TTQSwymPIW1\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Gillies\u003c\/strong\u003e - \u003cspan\u003eWith thirty years’ experience of working at director level in financial services, Chris Gillies has also served on the boards of four different churches and ten UK charities including Westminster Theological Centre and The Children’s Society. He is Chair of Council for Stewardship and Treasurer for LICC.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There’s new thinking here, hammered out on the anvil of a long, demanding, and successful career at the highest corporate levels through prayerful reflection, biblical engagement and careful analysis. Chris Gillies offers us a rich understanding of God’s purposes for humankind, framing his approach to work on the dynamic springboard of the life, character and work of Jesus, and on the ongoing empowering of the Holy Spirit for everyday work. This is a book that anyone at any level could profit from. Bravo. And thank you.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMark Greene, mission champion, The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Christians just don’t think enough about work and the way work is changing. On the Way to Work is a treasure trove of deep insight from the scriptures and a mine of good advice from a seasoned practitioner. Chris Gillies’ insights are honed from many years’ experience and will be lifegiving for all kinds of people in different roles and occupations.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteven Croft, bishop of Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘On the Way to Work paints a reframing vision of how we can approach our working lives as worship. Such a brilliant handbook for how to approach the world of work with a kingdom-first mindset. Equipping, affirming and inspiring. I can’t wait for Monday!’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCaragh Bennet, cofounder and CEO, ZENA\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies combines values with brilliant business acumen. He is one of the few people I pause to think “what would Chris do” and, most importantly, how. I’ve been lucky enough for Chris to have been my professional mentor since working together at Zurich. This book offers the opportunity for everyone to experience his wisdom and guidance, helping you choose how to spend your energy and achieve your aspirations, with morals at the forefront of decisions and actions.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eKathryn Axcell-Steele, head of brand and integrated marketing, Wesleyan Assurance Society\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies offers a rich and rare combination of biblical wisdom, practical insight and personal experience that will inspire Christians to think differently about their work and its significance. My hope and prayer is that Christians and other readers will learn from Chris and the compelling vision he sets forth in this book.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eMatt Lynch, associate professor of Old Testament, Regent College\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This important book is insightful and inspiring, and full of invaluable, real-life examples of leaders navigating the world of work. Anyone who is keen to discover how to best deploy their influence for the kingdom of God will find much here to guide them through their careers.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStephen Foster, rector, St Aldates, Oxford, and advisor, Alpha UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘A theology of work and a work of theology. Over many years of treasured friendship, Chris Gillies both demonstrated to me and challenged me to see that the call of God, the vocation of the Christian, is not limited to ordained ministers and foreign missionaries, but rests upon all who follow Jesus and all who are sent to serve the king and his kingdom in every sphere of life and work.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSimon Ponsonby, pastor of theology, St Aldates, Oxford\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘\u003c\/em\u003eThis book will expand your vision of what a deeply fruitful and successful life looks like. A central premise of the book is that our work matters to God and God really does matter to our work. With that as a robust foundation, Chris Gillies tackles many layers of the implications of what that means for our frontline work, time, money, decision making, relationships; in essence, our whole lives!’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNess Wilson, leader, Pioneer UK\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a remarkable book, and you should read it. In these pages,\u003cbr\u003eChris Gillies illuminates a path to work that is not only distinctive but\u003cbr\u003ealso the way of Jesus and of the kingdom of God. If you let this book\u003cbr\u003edo its work, it will change you – for good. Chris has crafted a work\u003cbr\u003ethat is truly transformative – a powerful journey towards personal\u003cbr\u003eand spiritual growth.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Woolley, chief executive, The London Institute for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContemporary Christianity (LICC)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e‘This is a timely book on the importance of work – what we do, how we\u003cbr\u003edo it and most importantly why work is part of God’s plan for what it\u003cbr\u003emeans to be human. Chris Gillies brings together years of experience,\u003cbr\u003ea biblical framework and lots of helpful illustrations in a very readable\u003cbr\u003eand accessible style.’\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Lynas, UK director, Evangelical Alliance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time. Chris Gillies repeatedly illustrates wise practical advice with telling anecdotes from his own experience, covering many different topics, acknowledging the value of different perspectives and sharing maturely what God has taught him along the way.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eRichard Higginson, former director and chair, Faith in Business\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, this book has something invaluable to offer. It masterfully combines the wisdom of years of experience with practical advice, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking God’s calling on their life and true success in their work.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eReuben Coulter, senior advisor, Faith Driven Investor and partner, Ignis Advisory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a book that has been over 40 years in the writing and its depth and insights reflect the journey of a man who has set his sights on bringing kingdom influence to the highest level of businesses.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eNic Harding, director, Kairos Connexion and Together for the Harvest\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Chris Gillies writes a wonderfully practical and thoughtful book that speaks powerfully about what it means to engage in the world of work in a distinctively Christian way. He constructs a brilliant, thorough and nuanced analysis that challenges the oft-prevailing and unhelpful narrative of the sacred–secular divide, and offers beautifully crafted autobiographical, theological and academic reflections to suggest an alternative mode of being for operating as a Christian in the workplace.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eCatherine Delve, CEO, Resurgam Asset Management Limited; chair of trustees, Bridge the Gap Football\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTudor Humphreys: BRF Ministries supporter and Friend. January 2025\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eWhen I saw this book promoted in a BRF Ministries newsletter I ordered it from my local Christian bookshop. What I like about it is that Chris Gillies has obviously worked and thrived in high pressure work environments, but like many people he stumbled into his first job not really thinking through what his Christian faith had to say about it. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eLater he learned better:\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eHe has worked out for himself and shared with readers what the Bible has to say about work and how to live out our Christian beliefs in the workplace. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eHe takes us through the Bible from God’s ‘work’ in creation in Genesis to our role in working to ‘continue the creation story’ via the parable of the tenants in Matthew, Mark and Luke, to our role as ‘fellow workers’ in the family business of\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e‘Sustaining and caring for His creation’\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ein 1 Corinthians.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eHe offers real life examples of how to manage power, authority, roles\/responsibilities, wealth and time, instead of hiding anything to do with faith until we enter a church at the weekend. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003c!-- [if !supportLists]--\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-list: Ignore;\"\u003e·\u003cspan style=\"font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eHe addresses Christian approaches to the challenges of balancing the needs of organisations to do productive work as well as addressing the needs of people doing the work. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eThinking about work and investing time in the process has been instilled in me since I studied with the YMCA College\/University of Kent in the 1980\/90s soon after making a commitment to follow the Master when my wife and I were called to establish a charity with a Christian ethos, focused on working with those outside the church. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eThe author places our work as Christians, whether in the office the farm, factory, hairdressers or supermarket, on an equal footing to what might be called ‘Christian ministry\/mission roles.’ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eI like that and it’s not just the author’s view. He says this: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003e‘If you listen to modern mission organisations you’ll hear a shift in the way think and talk about mission. You’ll hear more talk about how every role is important including those who work in the marketplace…’\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eThe author takes us through a series of steps from what the Bible has to say about ‘work’, including Colossians 3:23-24 \u003ci\u003eWork at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. You are slaves of the Lord Christ.’ \u003c\/i\u003e(NIRV) \u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eAs well as drawing from his own experience in business, he cites examples of other ‘workers’ and gives real work\/life case studies of how to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel, and how to be ‘salt and light’ in a holistic, integrated way in a modern workplace in a changing society. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eSo if you’ve never considered your day to day work as ‘important’ in terms of building\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e‘the Kingdom,’ or if you’ve been thinking about work and faith for a while, this book might just encourage you to keep on ‘blossoming where you’ve been planted’ or inspire you to take courage, and explore new ways of being a ‘labourer in the harvest field’. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by \u003c\/em\u003eTudor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;\"\u003eHumphreys BRF supporter and friend \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTogether magazine November\/December 2024. Review by Fiona Lloyd\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor many of us work is an important part of our daily life. This includes not just paid employment but also voluntary work, studying and work within the home (such as raising children). Yet unless we have an overtly ‘Christian’ job such as ministry or missionary roles, it can be easy to regard our work as being somehow distinct from our spiritual life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChris Gillies has worked in the business and finance sector for over 40 years, and more recently has used his skills to serve in the charitable sector. As he progressed in his career, he gradually became more aware of the importance of how his faith affected the way he worked, and how working in any environment – secular as well as Christian – should be viewed as work for God. Out of this realisation came his latest book, \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work\u003c\/i\u003e. In this book, Gillies discusses how seeing our work and faith as being intertwined rather than completely separate from each other can change our perspective and bring fresh motivation, explaining how applying biblical ideology can transform the workplace and lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction. And while this is written from a Christian perspective, Gillies is keen to emphasise that the principles he promotes are equally relevant for those of other faiths or no faith at all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work \u003c\/i\u003eis split into three sections. The first gives the reader a spiritual overview of the Bible timeline, from the Garden of Eden to Christ’s return. Within this, Gillies examines how work is part of God’s plan for humankind and considers what it means to be fruitful. When set against the backdrop of eternity, our current work has long-term meaning, regardless of the nature of that work. Gillies reminds us that ‘The way we work can provide evidence today of God’s renewed order.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThe second section of the book focuses on biblical role models. Old Testament characters such as Joseph, Deborah and Daniel demonstrate what it means to honour God in our work, and how living and working according to his ways can affect those around us or for whom we have responsibility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eIn the New Testament it is assumed that Jesus himself worked for many years before beginning his itinerant ministry. While the Gospels tell us nothing about his years as a carpenter, we can still learn from the last three years of his earthly life. The way Jesus interacted with those around him provides an example as to how we should behave in the workplace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eGillies devotes the third section of the book (by far the longest part) to common issues we may encounter in the workplace. He starts by contrasting secular and sacred worldviews, showing how understanding the death and resurrection of Jesus can reform and rejuvenate our approach to work, and noting that ‘The divide in our worldview should not be between sacred and secular, but between God’s way and a more self-centred human way.’ Our role should not be simply to criticise the practices of modern society but to propose a better alternative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eLater chapters offer advice on how to implement Christian principles into our work environment so that individuals as well as companies can flourish. Gillies underpins these with numerous personal anecdotes, along with relevant Scripture quotes. He also encourages the reader to think about how to balance the ‘big five’ demands on our lives, namely: time with God; time with family; time at work; building community; rest and recreation. This is a helpful template, reminding us to view our lives holistically instead of focusing on one area to the detriment of the others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eA lot of ground is covered in \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work\u003c\/i\u003e, so I appreciated the way the author ended each chapter with a summary of the key points and a few questions for self-reflection. Gillies has an engaging style and manages to break complex topics down into smaller, more easily digestible chunks. This is a valuable resource for those who want to think more about how their faith relates to their work – whatever form that takes – and for pastors who want to help their congregations be salt and light to a watching world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eReviewed by Fiona Lloyd\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFaith in Business Quarterly (vol 23.2). Review by David Steinegger\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘On the way to work, do you look forward to your day? Does it give you a sense of purpose?’ So begins the introduction to Chris Gillies’ book. \u003ci\u003eOn the Way to Work \u003c\/i\u003eprovides a refreshing perspective on the theology of work, gives examples of some of the great biblical role models, offers practical insights into working through many of the common issues we face, and is enriched with examples from Chris’ own experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book is structured into three parts. The first part brings a theological perspective which starts in the Garden of Eden, continues through the redemption story and ends in the eternal city in Revelation. I appreciated how this section connects God’s great story for humankind with our stories and reminds us that our lives in our workplaces truly matter. The second part of the book highlights some of the great characters in the Old Testament and God’s anointing in their ‘workplaces’. It then moves on to the life of Christ and the characteristics of his redemptive approach. Part three, the largest section of the book, focuses on common issues we face in the workplace. This section starts with an insightful Christian worldview perspective, reminding us that there is no sacred-secular divide, and that God is profoundly interested in all of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn part three, Chris goes on to look at some real workplace issues, with biblical and practical insights to tackle them. For example, his chapter on ‘How do I know if I’m in the right job’ gives a scriptural base to address this question, together with practical pointers. Here he encourages readers to loosen their grip on a calling to do a specific job, and rather pursue their life’s mission. This will be helpful for many. I would add that at times God speaks very specifically into our career decisions through scripture, the holy spirit’s guidance and the voice of others. He tackles another real issue in the chapter ‘Balancing the big five’ – describing the challenge of the big five calls on our time – our relationship with God, family, work, community and rest and leisure. In reflecting on this, I was reminded that God has set eternity in our hearts (Eccl 3:11) and if we can live each day with this promise, and the challenge in mind, then we can come to a place of truly flourishing in our lives as Kingdom people – and this is much more precious than gold!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe 290 pages can at first feel a little overwhelming. But I devoured the book on two long haul flights, being stimulated by the three-cord strand of biblical theology, practical insight and great examples from Chris’ many years of experience in the workplace. The summaries at the end of each chapter are helpful, as are each chapter’s questions for personal reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIt would have been helpful if the book had also explored the biblical basis and importance of having wise mentors or coaches: ‘Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.’ (Proverbs 11:14). I have found wise Christian mentors to be a great blessing on my journey in many workplaces across multiple countries and cultures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI would also like to have seen a template in the book summarising some of the more practical learning points which are interspersed throughout the book. Perhaps a workbook could follow!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAppropriately, the book ends with a chapter on ‘the prize for running well.’ We are called to be faithful with the gifts and abilities that God has given us. We are reminded that our wok in the here and now foreshadows a new kind of redeemed work after Jesus returns. And here’s a great challenge that Chris presents: we have the opportunity to anticipate that future time by modelling it in the present and living it now for the glory of God and service to humanity!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWe are called to be kingdom people in our workplaces – and in whatever we do, to work at it with all our hearts, as working for the Lord. Having a God-given sense of purpose in our days is essential if we are to live fulfilled lives. This book offers helpful pointers to living a purposeful life and is a great addition to the library of all who are seeking to be faithful, fruitful and fulfilled in their workplaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavid Steinegger holds a number of non-executive positions, is a people builder, a church leader, and a trustee of several charities, including Wycliffe Bible Translators UK, which he chairs.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 21.07.24. Review by Eve Poole\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis new book on work from Chris Gillies benefits from his lifetime of working in the financial-services sector. He has spent more than 40 years in finance, working in many different markets, particularly for Zurich Insurance; and has more than 30 years’ experience as a board member of various charities, including the Children’s Society and the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. His book synthesises his own rich experience of work with his research and with perspectives from the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhat sold the book to me was that it was described as 'quite simply the best book I have read about the interrelationship between Christian faith and our working lives for a very long time' by Richard Higginson. As the founder of Faith in Business, he is the oracle in this field, because he has read every book ever written on the subject. So, on this glowing recommendation, I dived straight in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe book itself is very readable, with a handy summary section and points for reflection at each chapter end. Part I focuses on the basics, such as using the Bible, addressing selfishness, being fruitful, and the need to keep a focus on God’s work throughout. Part II covers “Biblical role models” from Joseph to Jesus, and profiles forgotten heroes, such as Boaz as the model employer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePart III tackles a range of knotty topics, from money to ethical decision-making, in which my favourite chapter was on “Balancing the Big Five”. It asks some sharp questions about work-life balance. His Big Five are: time with God, time with family, work time (paid or unpaid), time building community, and time for rest, leisure, and exercise. He encourages readers to analyse how they are spending their time across these activities, to identify where time spent may be out of kilter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI also really appreciated his wise words on vocation: 'the key to finding your special God-given calling is to loosen your grip on the idea that God is calling you to do a specific job.' Charles Eve once called this yearning for the certainty of a highlighted job advert our desire to 'grab the steering wheel' instead of letting God drive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies likewise reminds us to look with soft eyes on the totality of our mission in life, to discern where our work and any particular job fits into the whole. Given that the world of work these days is very non-linear, this is sage advice. At the end of the book, Gillies recommends that we make use of a period of retreat to take stock of our work, to recommit ourselves to our vocation in its totality, and to listen for what God might be saying to us about what we should do next.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eDr Eve Poole writes on theology, economics, and leadership.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCPAS Lead on newsletter review June 2024. Review by Mike Duff\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSt Paul charges the Philippians, as citizens of heaven, to live utterly different lives to the Roman citizens around them. With 30 years' experience in top-level corporate leadership, Chris Gillies delivers the same powerful challenge to Christians immersed in the culture of their working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e'The idea God was as interested in my work as he was in the way I did church... that God might have work for me to do at my workplace didn't really occur to me. My understanding of why God mattered to my daily work was virtually non-existent.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAs at home in the Bible as the workplace, Chris addresses this autobiographical question through four basic themes: how it all started; the problem of selfishness; what it means to be fruitful; where we are heading. Elements of the salvation story are carefully worked out as they apply not in church, home or individual discipleship but in our working life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNext, he explores with penetrating insight some obvious biblical role models - Joseph, Jethro, Daniel and others - and less obviously how Jesus approached his own redeeming work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe longest section applies biblical discipleship themes to the workplace: What is the prevailing workplace worldview and how might we confront and change it? Am I in the right job? How can we do we do the right thing and adopt a godly lifestyle amid pressures to conform? How do we balance the major claims on our time when work demands everything? How would Jesus have us handle money and lead others? What is our true reward for working well?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePreachers will recognise in this outstanding resource many familiar insights but applied with a clarity, insight and authority ew will have achieved. Those whose work is outside the church will find themselves challenged by God's intimate and relentless concern with their working life. Church leaders will be given a profound insight into the world of work and how to shape the life of the church so that it connects with this vital 'frontline'.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Mike Duff, CPAS Patronage Secretary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichard Frost, writer and blogger: \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. 1 June 2024\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBooks providing a Christian perspective on work can at times feel as rare as hearing a sermon on the topic. So, Chris Gillies' offering is a welcome contribution and one which I looked forward to reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eI spent most of my professional career helping people with their work and also supporting businesses and organisations in caring for staff. I even wrote a book about it myself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eChris Gillies brings a wealth of experience from senior management positions in financial sector businesses and charitable organisations. This, combined with insight from his faith and biblical knowledge, and observations from others (most notably Mark Greene, well known for his own work in this field) provides a strong base on which to build.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eGillies explores the nature of work from Genesis through Old Testament examples such as Joseph and Daniel and the core characteristics Jesus demonstrates for us to aspire to. The author also includes a number of examples of businesses adopting a godly approach towards people, practice and profit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIts pages are full of well-rehearsed biblical insights and familiar business-speak which will resonate particularly with those with similar faith perspectives and senior leadership experience. For this reviewer, I would have liked to have seen more content which relates to the vast majority of those who find themselves on the way to work: the ones who don't occupy well-paid, high-level, influential roles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eNevertheless, for those who wish to explore this important aspect of life (and one which, for many, occupies a considerable amount of it of it) it is a thought-provoking read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost, a former employment specialist, and the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\"\u003efour other books\u003c\/a\u003e. Richard writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooks for Today April 2024. Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eOn the way to work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfilment \u003c\/em\u003eby Chris Gillies, who is the treasurer of the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, is intended for all those who are at work, to help them live out their faith Mondays to Fridays. Divided into three parts, the first section is entitled ‘From a garden to a city’; the second looks at some of the Old Testament heroes and goes on to reflect on Jesus and how Christians today have sought to implement the teaching of Jesus in the workplace; while the third section deals with some is very down-to-earth issues such as how hard we should we work along with money matters. At the end of each chapter there’s a summary of the key principles. This is a good book for ministers to commend to their people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"line-height: 150%; -ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; margin: 7.5pt 0cm 7.5pt 0cm;\"\u003e\u003cspan id=\"more-8148\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; color: #202020;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/paulbeasleymurray.us12.list-manage.com\/track\/click?u=a45b3e6fc109e00f067477a28\u0026amp;id=802455cdc0\u0026amp;e=3cc647e01f\" style=\"-ms-text-size-adjust: 100%; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-family: 'Helvetica',sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Aptos; color: #007c89;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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On the Way to Work: A Christian approach to thinking differently about success and fulfillment
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Does your work give you a sense of purpose? How do you feel when work serves up difficulties and problems?...
{"id":7619789979839,"title":"The Everyday God: Encountering the Divine in the works of mercy","handle":"the-everyday-god","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘The everyday God is a God who is for everyone…who appears in everyday events and ordinary people. He calls us to move out of our comfort zones and into his liminal space on the margins of our society, to see the face of Christ in a stranger…’ \u003cbr\u003eJonathan Arnold, a seasoned community engagement expert, delves deep into the heart of the biblical mandate to love one’s neighbour. Through a tapestry of real-life stories, he unveils the power of practical faith, illustrating how it can ignite transformation among the homeless, refugees, the poor and vulnerable, imprisoned and marginalised, as well as those living with dementia, disability and disease. \u003cbr\u003eIn these pages, you’ll witness how acts of social and environmental justice, intertwined with mercy, have the potential to reshape lives, offering a vivid portrait of the profound impact of embracing the everyday God. As he reflects upon Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 25:34–40, Arnold challenges us to discover God’s presence in the most unexpected places and join in with where he is acting, whether inside or outside our churches.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Jonathan Arnold\u003c\/strong\u003e is Executive Director of the Social Justice Network in the Diocese of Canterbury, a charity that helps people at times of crisis, including migration, debt, hunger, homelessness, modern slavery and exploitation, the rehabilitation of ex-offenders and rural justice. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent, an Associate of Sidney De Hahn Centre for Arts and Health, Christ Church Canterbury University. Jonathan was formerly Dean of Divinity and Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was tutor in ecclesiastical history and chair of examiners for the theology faculty. Other books include Music and Faith: Conversations in a Post-Secular Age (2019); Sacred Music in Secular Society (2014); The Great Humanists (2011) and Dean John Colet of St. Paul's (2007). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 18.10.24. Review by Jonathan Evens\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSometimes, books, like buses, come in pairs. The Everyday God could be a complementary pairing with Elizabeth Oldfield’s recently published Fully Alive (Books, 17 May, Podcast, 23 May). Oldfield’s book offers contemporary reflections on the seven deadly sins; and these then lead into reflections on the virtues that are the polar opposites of those sins. The kind of virtuous living that Oldfield seeks is characterised by the seven works of corporal mercy, which are the main focus of The Everyday God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn this book, Jonathan Arnold brings his varied background in music, theology, and social justice into play through frameworks deriving from each of these three to explore the seven works of corporal mercy and the concepts of justice and mercy more generally. In each chapter, a different musical approach is used to introduce the theme, stories — drawn from a lecture series organised by Canterbury Cathedral and the Social Justice Network that Arnold leads — give apposite examples of the seven works of mercy in practice, while the theological concepts of “being with” (Samuel Wells) and “being interrupted” (Al Barrett and Ruth Harley) inform much of the practice described.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eArnold weaves these strands and themes together in compelling ways which are ultimately based in the Wellsian insight that our fundamental issue is isolation rather than limitation, and the reversal found in the story of St Martin and the Beggar, in which an act of mercy leads to a deeper vison of Christ for the one acting mercifully. This latter insight leads to the polyphonic understanding that, as Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote, 'Christ plays in ten thousand places, Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his. . .' The everyday God is found in those with whom we are with as the seven works of corporal mercy are practised.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIt is possible that specialists in music, theology, or social justice might think that their particular strand was insufficiently explored through Arnold’s approach; but for the generalist, like myself, there is more than enough of interest and insight to keep one engaged as his explorations proceed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAt one point, he proposes an addition to or expansion of the concepts of 'being with' and 'being interrupted', in terms of 'being disrupted'. This comes from the story of Zacchaeus, but is applied to the one who triggers change through an act of mercy. Within that story, however, it is Zacchaeus, as recipient, who experiences disruption, meaning that this argument for disruption doesn’t work incarnationally as clearly as is the case for 'being with' and 'being interrupted'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThese are quibbles, however, in regard to a book that expands our understanding of the interconnections between music, theology and social justice, whilst actively inspiring incarnational mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Jonathan Evens, team rector of Wickford and Runwell in the diocese of Chelmsford.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTransforming Ministry Winter 2024. Review by Laura Hillman\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThis book is a treasure chest of ideas and inspiration based on the experiences of the author – director of the Social Justice Network for the Diocese of Canterbury. He is also a musician who takes Augustine’s words ‘God is music’ as the thread connecting the rich variety of themes and real-life stories to the gospel narrative. Chapters are based on the traditional seven works of mercy: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, housing the homeless, welcoming strangers, visiting the sick and the imprisoned; burying the dead. There is an additional chapter on caring for creation. All include material for individual reflection as well as group discussion with suggestions for further reading and resources. There are first-hand accounts of changed lives from prisoners, asylum seekers and others on the margins of society. The honesty of those whose lives have been transformed is an inspiration and a challenge. This is a book to dip into: it will not fail to interest both on a personal level as an aid to meditation and as a catalyst for change in the community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Laura Hillman\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Donato Tallo\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJonathan Arnold has produced a thought provoking, practical and meditational book on the Everyday God who is alive and active, quite often in the most unexpected of places, and always both inside and outside of church buildings. The book reminds the reader that everyone is created in the image of God and that caring for all living beings and the environment as a whole is something that must be central to the life of a Christian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is a book that can be read by an individual at a pace to suit one's own needs or indeed would be a brilliant book for a church home group or equivalent gathering.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEach chapter presents the reader with challenges to think about, includes thoughts, reflections and teachings from a wide range of individuals and links in scripture to the particular work of mercy being explored. The book is accessible and the fact each chapter finishes with a reflection, prayer and spiritual exercise allows the reader to use it in a manner to aid their spiritual life and development both in terms of prayer and considering practical actions that could be taken forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe work Jonathan is engaged in the\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDiocese of Canterbury is brought to life in an accessible and interesting format\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethough the pages of this book and provides the reader with a significant insight into how the work Jonathan and his colleagues are engaged which makes a significant difference to the lives of so many people each and every day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWe live in a challenging world where so often it is easy to over look those in need, this book reminds the reader that we should not consider helping those in need as an option but consider it as a duty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJonathan highlights to the reader that at different times in life different people can be vulnerable, that all of us can be scared or troubled in someway and that the Bible reminds us that loving our neighbour is something we should all do despite its challenges. God is there for everyone and through the works of mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, give shelter to travellers, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead) we can all see God in the face of others through our spiritual and practical actions linked to the works of mercy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis book has inspired me to find out more about Jonathans work and to reflect more on how I can find God in all things and in all people as well as considering what more I can do each and everyday with regard to the works of mercy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Donato Tallo\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-01-02T12:54:23+00:00","created_at":"2024-01-02T12:54:23+00:00","vendor":"Jonathan Arnold","type":"Paperback","tags":["2024","Devotional","Discipleship","For churches","For individuals","Glassboxx"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"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":43664171401407,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392106","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":35270673531071,"product_id":7619789979839,"position":1,"created_at":"2024-01-02T14:10:19+00:00","updated_at":"2024-01-02T14:10:21+00:00","alt":null,"width":1535,"height":2339,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/EverydayGod.jpg?v=1704204621","variant_ids":[43664171401407]},"available":true,"name":"The Everyday God: Encountering the Divine in the works of mercy - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":250,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392106","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":27998080204991,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/EverydayGod.jpg?v=1704204621"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/EverydayGod.jpg?v=1704204621"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/EverydayGod.jpg?v=1704204621","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":27998080204991,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/EverydayGod.jpg?v=1704204621"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/EverydayGod.jpg?v=1704204621","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘The everyday God is a God who is for everyone…who appears in everyday events and ordinary people. He calls us to move out of our comfort zones and into his liminal space on the margins of our society, to see the face of Christ in a stranger…’ \u003cbr\u003eJonathan Arnold, a seasoned community engagement expert, delves deep into the heart of the biblical mandate to love one’s neighbour. Through a tapestry of real-life stories, he unveils the power of practical faith, illustrating how it can ignite transformation among the homeless, refugees, the poor and vulnerable, imprisoned and marginalised, as well as those living with dementia, disability and disease. \u003cbr\u003eIn these pages, you’ll witness how acts of social and environmental justice, intertwined with mercy, have the potential to reshape lives, offering a vivid portrait of the profound impact of embracing the everyday God. As he reflects upon Jesus’s teaching in Matthew 25:34–40, Arnold challenges us to discover God’s presence in the most unexpected places and join in with where he is acting, whether inside or outside our churches.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Jonathan Arnold\u003c\/strong\u003e is Executive Director of the Social Justice Network in the Diocese of Canterbury, a charity that helps people at times of crisis, including migration, debt, hunger, homelessness, modern slavery and exploitation, the rehabilitation of ex-offenders and rural justice. He is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Kent, an Associate of Sidney De Hahn Centre for Arts and Health, Christ Church Canterbury University. Jonathan was formerly Dean of Divinity and Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was tutor in ecclesiastical history and chair of examiners for the theology faculty. Other books include Music and Faith: Conversations in a Post-Secular Age (2019); Sacred Music in Secular Society (2014); The Great Humanists (2011) and Dean John Colet of St. Paul's (2007). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 18.10.24. Review by Jonathan Evens\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eSometimes, books, like buses, come in pairs. The Everyday God could be a complementary pairing with Elizabeth Oldfield’s recently published Fully Alive (Books, 17 May, Podcast, 23 May). Oldfield’s book offers contemporary reflections on the seven deadly sins; and these then lead into reflections on the virtues that are the polar opposites of those sins. The kind of virtuous living that Oldfield seeks is characterised by the seven works of corporal mercy, which are the main focus of The Everyday God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn this book, Jonathan Arnold brings his varied background in music, theology, and social justice into play through frameworks deriving from each of these three to explore the seven works of corporal mercy and the concepts of justice and mercy more generally. In each chapter, a different musical approach is used to introduce the theme, stories — drawn from a lecture series organised by Canterbury Cathedral and the Social Justice Network that Arnold leads — give apposite examples of the seven works of mercy in practice, while the theological concepts of “being with” (Samuel Wells) and “being interrupted” (Al Barrett and Ruth Harley) inform much of the practice described.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eArnold weaves these strands and themes together in compelling ways which are ultimately based in the Wellsian insight that our fundamental issue is isolation rather than limitation, and the reversal found in the story of St Martin and the Beggar, in which an act of mercy leads to a deeper vison of Christ for the one acting mercifully. This latter insight leads to the polyphonic understanding that, as Gerard Manley Hopkins wrote, 'Christ plays in ten thousand places, Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his. . .' The everyday God is found in those with whom we are with as the seven works of corporal mercy are practised.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIt is possible that specialists in music, theology, or social justice might think that their particular strand was insufficiently explored through Arnold’s approach; but for the generalist, like myself, there is more than enough of interest and insight to keep one engaged as his explorations proceed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAt one point, he proposes an addition to or expansion of the concepts of 'being with' and 'being interrupted', in terms of 'being disrupted'. This comes from the story of Zacchaeus, but is applied to the one who triggers change through an act of mercy. Within that story, however, it is Zacchaeus, as recipient, who experiences disruption, meaning that this argument for disruption doesn’t work incarnationally as clearly as is the case for 'being with' and 'being interrupted'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThese are quibbles, however, in regard to a book that expands our understanding of the interconnections between music, theology and social justice, whilst actively inspiring incarnational mission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Jonathan Evens, team rector of Wickford and Runwell in the diocese of Chelmsford.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTransforming Ministry Winter 2024. Review by Laura Hillman\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eThis book is a treasure chest of ideas and inspiration based on the experiences of the author – director of the Social Justice Network for the Diocese of Canterbury. He is also a musician who takes Augustine’s words ‘God is music’ as the thread connecting the rich variety of themes and real-life stories to the gospel narrative. Chapters are based on the traditional seven works of mercy: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, housing the homeless, welcoming strangers, visiting the sick and the imprisoned; burying the dead. There is an additional chapter on caring for creation. All include material for individual reflection as well as group discussion with suggestions for further reading and resources. There are first-hand accounts of changed lives from prisoners, asylum seekers and others on the margins of society. The honesty of those whose lives have been transformed is an inspiration and a challenge. This is a book to dip into: it will not fail to interest both on a personal level as an aid to meditation and as a catalyst for change in the community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Laura Hillman\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Donato Tallo\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJonathan Arnold has produced a thought provoking, practical and meditational book on the Everyday God who is alive and active, quite often in the most unexpected of places, and always both inside and outside of church buildings. The book reminds the reader that everyone is created in the image of God and that caring for all living beings and the environment as a whole is something that must be central to the life of a Christian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis is a book that can be read by an individual at a pace to suit one's own needs or indeed would be a brilliant book for a church home group or equivalent gathering.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEach chapter presents the reader with challenges to think about, includes thoughts, reflections and teachings from a wide range of individuals and links in scripture to the particular work of mercy being explored. The book is accessible and the fact each chapter finishes with a reflection, prayer and spiritual exercise allows the reader to use it in a manner to aid their spiritual life and development both in terms of prayer and considering practical actions that could be taken forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe work Jonathan is engaged in the\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eDiocese of Canterbury is brought to life in an accessible and interesting format\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ethough the pages of this book and provides the reader with a significant insight into how the work Jonathan and his colleagues are engaged which makes a significant difference to the lives of so many people each and every day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWe live in a challenging world where so often it is easy to over look those in need, this book reminds the reader that we should not consider helping those in need as an option but consider it as a duty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eJonathan highlights to the reader that at different times in life different people can be vulnerable, that all of us can be scared or troubled in someway and that the Bible reminds us that loving our neighbour is something we should all do despite its challenges. God is there for everyone and through the works of mercy (feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, give shelter to travellers, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, and bury the dead) we can all see God in the face of others through our spiritual and practical actions linked to the works of mercy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThis book has inspired me to find out more about Jonathans work and to reflect more on how I can find God in all things and in all people as well as considering what more I can do each and everyday with regard to the works of mercy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Donato Tallo\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
The Everyday God: Encountering the Divine in the works of mercy
£9.99
‘The everyday God is a God who is for everyone…who appears in everyday events and ordinary people. He calls us...
{"id":7621809143999,"title":"Death and Life: Reflection Cards","handle":"death-and-life-reflection-cards","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10 reflection cards\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003eAs a society we aren’t good at talking about death, and as individuals we may try and avoid thinking about it. But death is part of life, and we must all face it eventually. For Christians, dying and death are not the end but a transition point in a story that continues. Reflecting well on our own mortality can help us to make peace with the prospect of death and to live more fully in the here and now. \u003cbr\u003eThese cards show us how. They can be used for personal reflection, prayer or in discussion with others.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoanna Collicutt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Revd Canon Dr Joanna Collicutt has a background in clinical psychology and academic psychology of religion. She was for many years the Oxford Diocesan Adviser for Older People, and it was in this role that she became interested in the spiritual and theological aspects of death and dying. She is an associate priest in an Oxfordshire parish and is currently studying for a PhD in the area of Christianity and the arts. Joanna has written or co-written ten books, including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThinking of you: A resource for the spiritual care of people with dementia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (BRF, 2017) and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeriously Messy: Making space for families to talk together about death and life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (BRF, 2019).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-02-19T16:00:28+00:00","created_at":"2024-01-05T16:45:37+00:00","vendor":"BRFonline","type":"Pack","tags":["Ageing and spiritual care","anna chaplaincy","Anna Chaplaincy Courses","Bereavement","Church life","Courses","For churches","Leadership","Pack","Recommended for Anna Chaplaincy"],"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":42711016276159,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800393257","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":true,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Death and Life: Reflection Cards","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":80,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800393257","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Death_LifeReflectionCards.jpg?v=1710853036","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLifeReflectioncards.png?v=1710859440"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Death_LifeReflectionCards.jpg?v=1710853036","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":28402103910591,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":1754,"width":1240,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Death_LifeReflectionCards.jpg?v=1710853036"},"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":1754,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/Death_LifeReflectionCards.jpg?v=1710853036","width":1240},{"alt":null,"id":28402601296063,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.193,"height":788,"width":940,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLifeReflectioncards.png?v=1710859440"},"aspect_ratio":1.193,"height":788,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/DeathandLifeReflectioncards.png?v=1710859440","width":940}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e10 reflection cards\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003c\/span\u003eAs a society we aren’t good at talking about death, and as individuals we may try and avoid thinking about it. But death is part of life, and we must all face it eventually. For Christians, dying and death are not the end but a transition point in a story that continues. Reflecting well on our own mortality can help us to make peace with the prospect of death and to live more fully in the here and now. \u003cbr\u003eThese cards show us how. They can be used for personal reflection, prayer or in discussion with others.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoanna Collicutt\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Revd Canon Dr Joanna Collicutt has a background in clinical psychology and academic psychology of religion. She was for many years the Oxford Diocesan Adviser for Older People, and it was in this role that she became interested in the spiritual and theological aspects of death and dying. She is an associate priest in an Oxfordshire parish and is currently studying for a PhD in the area of Christianity and the arts. Joanna has written or co-written ten books, including \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThinking of you: A resource for the spiritual care of people with dementia\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (BRF, 2017) and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eSeriously Messy: Making space for families to talk together about death and life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (BRF, 2019).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Death and Life: Reflection Cards
£8.99
10 reflection cards. As a society we aren’t good at talking about death, and as individuals we may try and avoid...
{"id":7623639761087,"title":"Guidelines January - April 2024 Bible study for today's ministry and mission PDF","handle":"copy-of-guidelines-january-april-2024-bible-study-for-todays-ministry-and-mission","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGuidelines is a unique Bible reading resource that offers four months of in-depth study written by leading scholars. Contributors are drawn from around the world, as well as the UK, and represent a stimulating and thought-provoking breadth of Christian tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eInstead of the usual dated daily readings, Guidelines provides weekly units, broken into at least six sections, plus an introduction giving context for the passage and a final section of points for thought and prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOn any day you can read as many or as few sections as you wish, to fit in with work or home routine. As well as a copy of Guidelines, you will need a Bible. Each contributor also suggests books for further study.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded in this issue:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDaniel - Ernest Lucas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFailure - Emma Ineson\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSong of Songs - Ruth Wells\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1 Samuel 1—15 - Walter Moberly\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2 Corinthians - Joanna Collicutt\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMigration - C.L. Crouch\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJohn the Baptist (part II) - David Spriggs\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLent in John - Stephen Finamore\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePsalms Book III - Bill Goodman\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWomen in Genesis\/Exodus - Evie Vernon\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe letter of Jude - Ian Paul\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Editor Info\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlivia Warburton, Head of Content Creation at BRF\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg height=\"192\" width=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Olivia_480x480.jpg?v=1677508420\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRachel Tranter, Editorial Manager at BRF\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg height=\"223\" width=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Rachel_Tranter_480x480.jpg?v=1677509416\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-01-08T11:23:30+00:00","created_at":"2024-01-08T11:10:03+00:00","vendor":"BRFonline","type":"Digital Download PDF","tags":["2024","Bible reading notes","Biblical engagement","Discipleship","Guidelines","Leadership","PDF"],"price":495,"price_min":495,"price_max":495,"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":42715185840319,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800393158","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":35295720538303,"product_id":7623639761087,"position":1,"created_at":"2024-01-08T11:20:13+00:00","updated_at":"2024-01-08T11:20:15+00:00","alt":null,"width":1080,"height":1080,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/digitaldownloadgraphics_2.png?v=1704712815","variant_ids":[42715185840319]},"available":true,"name":"Guidelines January - April 2024 Bible study for today's ministry and mission PDF - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":495,"weight":105,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800393158","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":28023847616703,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1080,"width":1080,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/digitaldownloadgraphics_2.png?v=1704712815"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/digitaldownloadgraphics_2.png?v=1704712815"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/digitaldownloadgraphics_2.png?v=1704712815","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":28023847616703,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1080,"width":1080,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/digitaldownloadgraphics_2.png?v=1704712815"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1080,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/digitaldownloadgraphics_2.png?v=1704712815","width":1080}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eGuidelines is a unique Bible reading resource that offers four months of in-depth study written by leading scholars. Contributors are drawn from around the world, as well as the UK, and represent a stimulating and thought-provoking breadth of Christian tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eInstead of the usual dated daily readings, Guidelines provides weekly units, broken into at least six sections, plus an introduction giving context for the passage and a final section of points for thought and prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOn any day you can read as many or as few sections as you wish, to fit in with work or home routine. As well as a copy of Guidelines, you will need a Bible. Each contributor also suggests books for further study.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded in this issue:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDaniel - Ernest Lucas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFailure - Emma Ineson\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSong of Songs - Ruth Wells\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1 Samuel 1—15 - Walter Moberly\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2 Corinthians - Joanna Collicutt\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMigration - C.L. Crouch\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJohn the Baptist (part II) - David Spriggs\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLent in John - Stephen Finamore\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ePsalms Book III - Bill Goodman\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWomen in Genesis\/Exodus - Evie Vernon\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe letter of Jude - Ian Paul\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Editor Info\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlivia Warburton, Head of Content Creation at BRF\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg height=\"192\" width=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Olivia_480x480.jpg?v=1677508420\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRachel Tranter, Editorial Manager at BRF\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg height=\"223\" width=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Rachel_Tranter_480x480.jpg?v=1677509416\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Guidelines January - April 2024 Bible study for today's ministry and mission PDF
£4.95
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{"id":7634609668287,"title":"Parenting for Faith: A parenting pack for every stage and age","handle":"parenting-for-faith-bundle","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWe've brought together these fantastic resources to provide encouragement, wisdom and knowledge no matter the stage or age of the children around you. Rachel Turner, founder of our Parenting for Faith ministry, provides resources from the baby stage through to teens, and new author Becky Sedgwick equips grandparents who want to be pro-active in sharing their faith with their grandchildren, whatever their age. This is a great bundle and we're also giving you over 10% off. Why wait? Order yours today!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBabies and Toddlers\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOur children's early years are incredibly significant in shaping their mental, emotional and spiritual lives for the future, but how do we sow seeds of faith when they are so tiny? In this book Rachel Turner suggests simple, everyday approaches to help our children connect with the God who knows them. Wherever you are on your faith journey, you can help your child meet and know God, and however young your child is, God loves them and has promises for them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith Omnibus Edition\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEquipping parents to raise God-connected children and teens. Collecting all the wisdom of titles previously published as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith, Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Confidence\u003c\/em\u003e. This book provides inspiration and wisdom for nurturing children into the reality of God's presence and love, equipping them to access him themselves and encouraging them to grow in a two-way relationship with him that will last a lifetime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eParenting Teens for a Life of Faith\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParenting teens has its challenges. The once-small children we had are pulling away from us, growing in independence and making decisions with bigger consequences. It can be easy to think we are less influential in their lives, particularly when it comes to faith. But that is not true. Parents remain the significant spiritual influencer in a teen’s life, and they need us to help them navigate the world and faith together. This book will help all parents, carers, grandparents and others involved in teens’ everyday lives to understand the teenage faith journey more and find their place within it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrandparenting for Faith \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn this book, Becky Sedgwick explores how grandparents can proactively encourage and equip their grandchildren to meet and know God. Grandparenting brings new life and joy, and also the opportunity to walk spiritually alongside our grandchildren, offering tools and skills for the journey. Whatever your circumstances, God has positioned you to be a unique voice speaking into your grandchildren’s lives, helping to nurture them into the reality of a relationship with the God who loves them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBulk buy packs or 5 and 10 also available\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca data-mce-fragment=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/grandparenting-for-faith-bulk-buy\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/grandparenting-for-faith-bulk-buy\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-01-25T18:15:45+00:00","created_at":"2024-01-23T17:28:21+00:00","vendor":"BRFonline","type":"Pack","tags":["Children and family ministry","Pack","Parenting for Faith books","Parenting for Faith packs","Parenting for Faith Resources"],"price":3200,"price_min":3200,"price_max":3200,"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":42759037485247,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"PFFPACK","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Parenting for Faith: A parenting pack for every stage and age","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":3200,"weight":920,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"PFFPACK","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/ParentingforFaithTheBookBundleforeverystage_2.png?v=1706206633"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/ParentingforFaithTheBookBundleforeverystage_2.png?v=1706206633","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":28123763474623,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1080,"width":1080,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/ParentingforFaithTheBookBundleforeverystage_2.png?v=1706206633"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":1080,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/ParentingforFaithTheBookBundleforeverystage_2.png?v=1706206633","width":1080}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWe've brought together these fantastic resources to provide encouragement, wisdom and knowledge no matter the stage or age of the children around you. Rachel Turner, founder of our Parenting for Faith ministry, provides resources from the baby stage through to teens, and new author Becky Sedgwick equips grandparents who want to be pro-active in sharing their faith with their grandchildren, whatever their age. This is a great bundle and we're also giving you over 10% off. Why wait? Order yours today!\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBabies and Toddlers\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOur children's early years are incredibly significant in shaping their mental, emotional and spiritual lives for the future, but how do we sow seeds of faith when they are so tiny? In this book Rachel Turner suggests simple, everyday approaches to help our children connect with the God who knows them. Wherever you are on your faith journey, you can help your child meet and know God, and however young your child is, God loves them and has promises for them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith Omnibus Edition\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEquipping parents to raise God-connected children and teens. Collecting all the wisdom of titles previously published as\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith, Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose,\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Confidence\u003c\/em\u003e. This book provides inspiration and wisdom for nurturing children into the reality of God's presence and love, equipping them to access him themselves and encouraging them to grow in a two-way relationship with him that will last a lifetime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eParenting Teens for a Life of Faith\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eParenting teens has its challenges. The once-small children we had are pulling away from us, growing in independence and making decisions with bigger consequences. It can be easy to think we are less influential in their lives, particularly when it comes to faith. But that is not true. Parents remain the significant spiritual influencer in a teen’s life, and they need us to help them navigate the world and faith together. This book will help all parents, carers, grandparents and others involved in teens’ everyday lives to understand the teenage faith journey more and find their place within it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrandparenting for Faith \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIn this book, Becky Sedgwick explores how grandparents can proactively encourage and equip their grandchildren to meet and know God. Grandparenting brings new life and joy, and also the opportunity to walk spiritually alongside our grandchildren, offering tools and skills for the journey. Whatever your circumstances, God has positioned you to be a unique voice speaking into your grandchildren’s lives, helping to nurture them into the reality of a relationship with the God who loves them.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBulk buy packs or 5 and 10 also available\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca data-mce-fragment=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/grandparenting-for-faith-bulk-buy\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/grandparenting-for-faith-bulk-buy\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":7481158533311,"title":"Refresh: Introducing adults to faith through toddler groups","handle":"refresh","description":"\u003cp\u003eRefresh Café is a fun and effective way to build fruitful relationships with parents and carers in your community. It’s stay and play turned on its head: the children have fun, but we focus on refreshing the adults with time to talk, fresh coffee, pastries and most importantly our key ingredient: a five-minute ‘thought for the day’ where we share something of God in a gentle, relevant and accessible way. All this in a welcoming play space for the children. This book shows you how to run Refresh, and includes 33 ‘thoughts for the day’ to use in your setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TrfXxTTYsow\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaroline Montgomery is the pioneer of Refresh. Formerly Families Pastor at St Stephen’s Church, Twickenham, she has been married to Richard for 35 years and they have three grown-up sons. She enjoys walking, going to the gym, knitting and having coffee with friends.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2023-04-21T20:30:01+01:00","created_at":"2023-04-21T20:30:01+01:00","vendor":"Caroline Montgomery","type":"Paperback","tags":["Children and family ministry","Discipleship","For churches","For individuals","Glassboxx","Leadership"],"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":42422720823487,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392168","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":34356753072319,"product_id":7481158533311,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-04-21T20:31:39+01:00","updated_at":"2023-04-21T20:31:40+01:00","alt":null,"width":1748,"height":2480,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500","variant_ids":[42422720823487]},"available":true,"name":"Refresh: Introducing adults to faith through toddler groups - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":799,"weight":165,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392168","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":26972311814335,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":2480,"width":1748,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":26972311814335,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":2480,"width":1748,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":2480,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/Refresh.jpg?v=1682105500","width":1748}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eRefresh Café is a fun and effective way to build fruitful relationships with parents and carers in your community. It’s stay and play turned on its head: the children have fun, but we focus on refreshing the adults with time to talk, fresh coffee, pastries and most importantly our key ingredient: a five-minute ‘thought for the day’ where we share something of God in a gentle, relevant and accessible way. All this in a welcoming play space for the children. This book shows you how to run Refresh, and includes 33 ‘thoughts for the day’ to use in your setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/TrfXxTTYsow\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" frameborder=\"0\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCaroline Montgomery is the pioneer of Refresh. Formerly Families Pastor at St Stephen’s Church, Twickenham, she has been married to Richard for 35 years and they have three grown-up sons. She enjoys walking, going to the gym, knitting and having coffee with friends.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e"}
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Refresh Café is a fun and effective way to build fruitful relationships with parents and carers in your community. It’s...
{"id":4378486243467,"title":"At the Foot of the Cross with Julian of Norwich","handle":"at-the-foot-of-the-cross-with-julian-of-norwich","description":"\u003cp\u003e'All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.' This quotation may be all that many people know of Julian of Norwich, an anchoress from the fourteenth century. This book seeks to bring to a popular readership a devotional engagement with Julian’s work. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe introduction gives a general background to Julian, the nature of visions in the 14th century and the type of text Julian gives us, namely a meditative text which intends to lead the reader to ‘beholding’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter centres on one aspect or image from Julian’s Revelation, which seeks to make the events of the Passion present to the reader’s imagination. The commentary incorporates reflection, the biblical narrative and Julian’s subsequent teachings to create a meditation that enables the reader to linger on the wonder of the cross, ending with a prayer that leads to silence and a thought or verse to carry into daily life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/EmmaPennington_480x480.jpg?v=1676494988\" width=\"226\" height=\"240\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmma Pennington is the canon missioner for Canterbury Cathedral. Formerly vicar of Garsington, Cuddesdon and Horspath in the Oxford Diocese and chaplain of Worcester College, Oxford, she has also been a prayer and spirituality adviser for the diocese and an area dean. She speaks widely about the spirituality of Julian of Norwich.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo read Emma's blog about filming a series to accompany her book click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/lights-camera-action-emma-pennington-on-filming\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a wonderfully refreshing introduction to Julian of Norwich,\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ewhich conveys her spiritual toughness and the resilience and\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003efreedom she found through reflecting on the cross of Christ.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFor those who associate Julian only with her vision of the hazelnut,\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ethis will be a revelation.’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAngela Tilby, canon emeritus, Christ Church, Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘I absolutely love this book. As the foreword explains, it aims to\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003edraw the reader into a profoundly meditative encounter with\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJulian’s visions and understanding of God. It manages this with\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ea beautiful simplicity that will draw in any reader. Informed by\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ethe author’s deep scholarship, this a sure and reliable guide.’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSantha Bhattacharji, fellow emeritus, St Benet’s Hall, University\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eof Oxford, and president, Churches Fellowship for Psychical and\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpiritual Studies\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘Emma Pennington has opened the writings of Julian of Norwich to\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eus in a fresh and wonderful way. She has also given us, in this book,\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ea spiritual treasure which causes us to journey and explore and, in\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ethat quest, to venture deeper and deeper into the love of God, with\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJulian as our companion.’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eRobert Willis, dean of Canterbury Cathedral\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘Emma Pennington has that rare gift of bringing theological and\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eliterary insights together. She transports us to a different world –\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJulian’s world of the 14th century – and yet makes it completely\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eand profoundly accessible to the modern reader. This is a very\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003emoving book, one to be read slowly and reflected on deeply. With\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eall its discomforts, as well as comfort, may I encourage you to\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eaccept her and Julian’s invitations to come and stand at the foot\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eof Christ’s cross.’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eColin Fletcher OBE, Bishop of Dorchester\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Way, November 2021. Review by Luke Penkett CJN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the greatest and most delightful blessings of At the Foot of the Cross is the fact that Emma Pennington—who has been studying Julian of Norwich’s writings for almost twenty years and, latterly, lecturing on them—writes with such love of her subject. Those who are coming to Julian for the first time, as well as those of us who have known her for rather longer, cannot fail to be moved by Pennington’s text. It is totally approachable and absorbing. Throughout her ten chapters she invites and enables her readers to connect with Julian, and with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmma Pennington is the canon missioner at Canterbury Cathedral and holds a doctorate from Oxford University on ‘Julian and the Sacrament of Penance’. In her preface Pennington describes—honestly and vulnerably—her initial encounter with the fourteenth-century mystical theologian and her purpose in writing: ‘I seek to share with you this experience of encountering God through Julian’s words, crystallised within a medieval text’ (p.10). After this, and a contextualising introduction, we have ten chapters divided into six sections focusing on encounter, and then on Julian’s first, second, fourth, eighth and ninth revelations. There is a helpful, brief and up-to-date list of books for ‘Further Reading’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter centres on an aspect or image from the revelations which draws the present-day reader towards five visions of the passion: the crown of thorns, Jesus’ face, the blood flowing from Jesus, Jesus’ death on the cross, and paradise. It would thus make an excellent Lent study book. The chapters include a section, ‘Going Deeper’, in which we meditate words of Julian, a handful of ‘Questions to Ponder or Discuss’ and a biblical quotation ‘to carry into daily life’. Whether it is the quantity of the blood, or the colour of Christ’s dying face, we are challenged to express our response or reaction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe writer becomes even more vulnerable in the conclusion, and shares a long-term experience which gave her a deeper understanding of faith, church and prayer as ‘the darkness becomes our light’ (p.154). This year, as many have had an unprecedented experience of self-isolation, a great number of people have found, through Julian’s words, that Jesus can break through the walls of our pain and suffering, offering us love and hope. Pennington ends with the words: Julian’s writings offer us a revelation of divine love, and she speaks many beautiful and comfortable words that have been loved and valued over the years. But this book has not been about those words; instead it has focused on the heart of her revelation, which is a vision of the cross, and Julian’s invitation to sit with her at its foot until we, like her, behold the cross, our own cross, the cross of others, the cross of the world, the cross of Christ as a revelation of divine love.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Luke Penkett CJN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Spring 2021. Review by Nancy May\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginning with a context-setting section, looking at Julian’s world and the influences upon her, this book goes on to examine the nature of her writings. In explaining what Julian’s visions are and what they are not, Emma Pennington contrasts them with the visions of her contemporary Margery Kempe. The way Julian processed her intense experience, and revisited it after reflecting prayerfully for many years, was key to her own spiritual development; and it continues to inspire and influence many today. Emma Pennington’s experience as a spiritual accompanier is evident in the way the book is constructed. In the main body of the book, eight chapters explore themes from five of the Revelations in a way that encourages the reader to visualize them from Julian’s point of view. Each chapter then ends with a short section encouraging readers to go deeper, to reflect and explore their own responses, before offering words of encouragement ‘for the journey’. The book has a short conclusion in which the author draws a parallel between Julian’s sickness and her own experience of intense physical pain which itself revealed something profound about God’s love. \u003cem\u003eReviewed by Nancy May \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulian Meetings Magazine December 2020. Review by Elizabeth Ruth Obbard ODC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis very attractively produced book is small and compact, but full of wisdom, as we are led ever more deeply into those chapters of her Revelations where Julian speaks of the Cross. There is much scholarship lightly worn as the author explores Julian’s words and their devotional context in 14\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century England. She sees one of Julian’s functions as enabling us to pray the Passion through Julian’s eyes as she, and we, contemplate the suffering Saviour. We discover, in our contemplation, the amazing love of God that the Cross reveals. As this book just focuses on Julian and the Cross it would be good (but not absolutely necessary) to have read the whole text so as to put the relevant chapters in a wider context. But I, for one, will never see Jesus’ face on the veil of Veronica, or the crown of thorns (the garland of both pain and victory), in the same way, as Julian leads us into this mystery of suffering and joy so closely combined. Each chapter ends with suggestions for ‘going deeper’, and questions to ponder or discuss - I would add to ‘journal with’ – plus a practical application such as ‘How can you bring love and life to someone who is suffering this week?’ A bonus is the section of full colour plates that show us the kind of pictures and devotional objects that would have influenced Julian as she pondered Christ’s Cross. An excellent book for Julian lovers to use again and again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Elizabeth Ruth Obbard ODC\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Frost, BRF author and blogger. 03.11.20\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMention the name Julian of Norwich and many of us would be able to recall her words, ‘All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.’ We may also know that this 14\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Century anchoress experienced a number of revelations or showings of Christ, often described as the ‘Revelations of Divine Love’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the author of this book writes, ‘This book is not about Julian’s life, however intriguing that may be, nor does it seek to expound her thinking… instead it is a work that invites you to enter into the substance and language of Julian’s words, to hear her voice… and to stand with her at the foot of the cross so we may know and love God the better’. Emma Pennington succeeds on all accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe beauty of this book is the valuable way in which she explains the context of medieval beliefs and practices at the time in which Julian lives. This broader picture provides additional insight into how we can interpret, learn and benefit from the revelations that Julian experienced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter concludes with a guided reading exercise and questions to consider for our personal devotion. There are also helpful photos of items and places relating to the life of Julian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmma Pennington is Canon Missioner at Canterbury Cathedral and a co-founder of the successful Festival of Prayer run in association with BRF. Holding a doctorate about her subject, the author’s academic language presents, very occasionally, a similar struggle as that provoked by Julian’s own 14\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Century English – but it’s worth persevering and re-reading as needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat most famous statement by Julian of Norwich is itself only briefly alluded to. But the author’s explanation and insights in these remarkable revelations, experienced by a seemingly ordinary person 650 years ago, make it very clear that in our life with Christ all shall indeed be well. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost is the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 09.10.20. Review by Anne Spalding \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople who have read only excerpts from Julian’s writings which focus on God’s love can be taken aback by the Revelations as a whole because of Julian’s intense attention to Christ on the cross. Pennington looks at exactly this, giving the context of medieval writing in general and the expectations of anchoresses and mystics around Julian’s time, and providing colour plates to illustrate some aspects still visible in churches today. Chapters include ‘The Crown of Thorns’, ‘Great Droplets of Blood’, and ‘The Face of Jesus’, and each has a discussion on the text in the light of scripture and of medieval life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJulian’s intention, and Pennington’s, is to give a devotional invitation; so, after the overview in part one, each chapter ends with a meditation, ‘Going Deeper’, then questions to ponder or discuss, and finally words for the journey from scripture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a book to skim-read. The medieval mind-set is a long way from a 21st-century outlook; so there is plenty of material to engage with and think through. Pennington is able to paint a rich picture of this difference. Also, Julian’s own focus on detail — for example, the texture of the blood, or the colour of the dying face of Christ — mean that readers of \u003cem\u003eAt the Foot of the Cross \u003c\/em\u003emust think and feel their response to these things, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut it is worth the effort of reading thoughtfully. Julian’s revelations came as part of her experience of illness and expectation of dying. And, through her revelations and reflection on Christ’s Passion, Julian found that Christ’s death was relevant for her circumstances. In our world, still filled with suffering and pain, Pennington’s book can help us to grasp, through Julian’s insights, something of how Jesus’s death on the cross can speak to our situation, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eReview by Dr Spalding a member of the Third Order SSF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-01-02T10:08:59+00:00","created_at":"2019-12-09T13:03:19+00:00","vendor":"Emma Pennington","type":"Paperback","tags":["Devotional","Discipleship","For individuals","Kindle","Spirituality"],"price":999,"price_min":999,"price_max":999,"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":31437547765899,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465191","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"At the Foot of the Cross with Julian of Norwich","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":999,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465191","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978857465191.jpg?v=1575896599","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/14_b0f04d19-4e89-4385-943c-c5221891b350.png?v=1734095693"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978857465191.jpg?v=1575896599","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":5781665611915,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978857465191.jpg?v=1575896599"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/978857465191.jpg?v=1575896599","width":1000},{"alt":null,"id":63560966242684,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/14_b0f04d19-4e89-4385-943c-c5221891b350.png?v=1734095693"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/14_b0f04d19-4e89-4385-943c-c5221891b350.png?v=1734095693","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e'All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.' This quotation may be all that many people know of Julian of Norwich, an anchoress from the fourteenth century. This book seeks to bring to a popular readership a devotional engagement with Julian’s work. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe introduction gives a general background to Julian, the nature of visions in the 14th century and the type of text Julian gives us, namely a meditative text which intends to lead the reader to ‘beholding’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter centres on one aspect or image from Julian’s Revelation, which seeks to make the events of the Passion present to the reader’s imagination. The commentary incorporates reflection, the biblical narrative and Julian’s subsequent teachings to create a meditation that enables the reader to linger on the wonder of the cross, ending with a prayer that leads to silence and a thought or verse to carry into daily life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 15px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/EmmaPennington_480x480.jpg?v=1676494988\" width=\"226\" height=\"240\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmma Pennington is the canon missioner for Canterbury Cathedral. Formerly vicar of Garsington, Cuddesdon and Horspath in the Oxford Diocese and chaplain of Worcester College, Oxford, she has also been a prayer and spirituality adviser for the diocese and an area dean. She speaks widely about the spirituality of Julian of Norwich.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo read Emma's blog about filming a series to accompany her book click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/lights-camera-action-emma-pennington-on-filming\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This is a wonderfully refreshing introduction to Julian of Norwich,\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ewhich conveys her spiritual toughness and the resilience and\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003efreedom she found through reflecting on the cross of Christ.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFor those who associate Julian only with her vision of the hazelnut,\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ethis will be a revelation.’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAngela Tilby, canon emeritus, Christ Church, Oxford\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘I absolutely love this book. As the foreword explains, it aims to\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003edraw the reader into a profoundly meditative encounter with\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJulian’s visions and understanding of God. It manages this with\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ea beautiful simplicity that will draw in any reader. Informed by\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ethe author’s deep scholarship, this a sure and reliable guide.’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSantha Bhattacharji, fellow emeritus, St Benet’s Hall, University\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eof Oxford, and president, Churches Fellowship for Psychical and\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSpiritual Studies\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘Emma Pennington has opened the writings of Julian of Norwich to\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eus in a fresh and wonderful way. She has also given us, in this book,\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ea spiritual treasure which causes us to journey and explore and, in\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ethat quest, to venture deeper and deeper into the love of God, with\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJulian as our companion.’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eRobert Willis, dean of Canterbury Cathedral\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e‘Emma Pennington has that rare gift of bringing theological and\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eliterary insights together. She transports us to a different world –\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eJulian’s world of the 14th century – and yet makes it completely\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eand profoundly accessible to the modern reader. This is a very\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003emoving book, one to be read slowly and reflected on deeply. With\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eall its discomforts, as well as comfort, may I encourage you to\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eaccept her and Julian’s invitations to come and stand at the foot\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eof Christ’s cross.’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eColin Fletcher OBE, Bishop of Dorchester\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Way, November 2021. Review by Luke Penkett CJN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the greatest and most delightful blessings of At the Foot of the Cross is the fact that Emma Pennington—who has been studying Julian of Norwich’s writings for almost twenty years and, latterly, lecturing on them—writes with such love of her subject. Those who are coming to Julian for the first time, as well as those of us who have known her for rather longer, cannot fail to be moved by Pennington’s text. It is totally approachable and absorbing. Throughout her ten chapters she invites and enables her readers to connect with Julian, and with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmma Pennington is the canon missioner at Canterbury Cathedral and holds a doctorate from Oxford University on ‘Julian and the Sacrament of Penance’. In her preface Pennington describes—honestly and vulnerably—her initial encounter with the fourteenth-century mystical theologian and her purpose in writing: ‘I seek to share with you this experience of encountering God through Julian’s words, crystallised within a medieval text’ (p.10). After this, and a contextualising introduction, we have ten chapters divided into six sections focusing on encounter, and then on Julian’s first, second, fourth, eighth and ninth revelations. There is a helpful, brief and up-to-date list of books for ‘Further Reading’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter centres on an aspect or image from the revelations which draws the present-day reader towards five visions of the passion: the crown of thorns, Jesus’ face, the blood flowing from Jesus, Jesus’ death on the cross, and paradise. It would thus make an excellent Lent study book. The chapters include a section, ‘Going Deeper’, in which we meditate words of Julian, a handful of ‘Questions to Ponder or Discuss’ and a biblical quotation ‘to carry into daily life’. Whether it is the quantity of the blood, or the colour of Christ’s dying face, we are challenged to express our response or reaction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe writer becomes even more vulnerable in the conclusion, and shares a long-term experience which gave her a deeper understanding of faith, church and prayer as ‘the darkness becomes our light’ (p.154). This year, as many have had an unprecedented experience of self-isolation, a great number of people have found, through Julian’s words, that Jesus can break through the walls of our pain and suffering, offering us love and hope. Pennington ends with the words: Julian’s writings offer us a revelation of divine love, and she speaks many beautiful and comfortable words that have been loved and valued over the years. But this book has not been about those words; instead it has focused on the heart of her revelation, which is a vision of the cross, and Julian’s invitation to sit with her at its foot until we, like her, behold the cross, our own cross, the cross of others, the cross of the world, the cross of Christ as a revelation of divine love.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Luke Penkett CJN\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Spring 2021. Review by Nancy May\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginning with a context-setting section, looking at Julian’s world and the influences upon her, this book goes on to examine the nature of her writings. In explaining what Julian’s visions are and what they are not, Emma Pennington contrasts them with the visions of her contemporary Margery Kempe. The way Julian processed her intense experience, and revisited it after reflecting prayerfully for many years, was key to her own spiritual development; and it continues to inspire and influence many today. Emma Pennington’s experience as a spiritual accompanier is evident in the way the book is constructed. In the main body of the book, eight chapters explore themes from five of the Revelations in a way that encourages the reader to visualize them from Julian’s point of view. Each chapter then ends with a short section encouraging readers to go deeper, to reflect and explore their own responses, before offering words of encouragement ‘for the journey’. The book has a short conclusion in which the author draws a parallel between Julian’s sickness and her own experience of intense physical pain which itself revealed something profound about God’s love. \u003cem\u003eReviewed by Nancy May \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulian Meetings Magazine December 2020. Review by Elizabeth Ruth Obbard ODC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis very attractively produced book is small and compact, but full of wisdom, as we are led ever more deeply into those chapters of her Revelations where Julian speaks of the Cross. There is much scholarship lightly worn as the author explores Julian’s words and their devotional context in 14\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century England. She sees one of Julian’s functions as enabling us to pray the Passion through Julian’s eyes as she, and we, contemplate the suffering Saviour. We discover, in our contemplation, the amazing love of God that the Cross reveals. As this book just focuses on Julian and the Cross it would be good (but not absolutely necessary) to have read the whole text so as to put the relevant chapters in a wider context. But I, for one, will never see Jesus’ face on the veil of Veronica, or the crown of thorns (the garland of both pain and victory), in the same way, as Julian leads us into this mystery of suffering and joy so closely combined. Each chapter ends with suggestions for ‘going deeper’, and questions to ponder or discuss - I would add to ‘journal with’ – plus a practical application such as ‘How can you bring love and life to someone who is suffering this week?’ A bonus is the section of full colour plates that show us the kind of pictures and devotional objects that would have influenced Julian as she pondered Christ’s Cross. An excellent book for Julian lovers to use again and again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Elizabeth Ruth Obbard ODC\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRichard Frost, BRF author and blogger. 03.11.20\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMention the name Julian of Norwich and many of us would be able to recall her words, ‘All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.’ We may also know that this 14\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Century anchoress experienced a number of revelations or showings of Christ, often described as the ‘Revelations of Divine Love’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs the author of this book writes, ‘This book is not about Julian’s life, however intriguing that may be, nor does it seek to expound her thinking… instead it is a work that invites you to enter into the substance and language of Julian’s words, to hear her voice… and to stand with her at the foot of the cross so we may know and love God the better’. Emma Pennington succeeds on all accounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe beauty of this book is the valuable way in which she explains the context of medieval beliefs and practices at the time in which Julian lives. This broader picture provides additional insight into how we can interpret, learn and benefit from the revelations that Julian experienced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter concludes with a guided reading exercise and questions to consider for our personal devotion. There are also helpful photos of items and places relating to the life of Julian.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmma Pennington is Canon Missioner at Canterbury Cathedral and a co-founder of the successful Festival of Prayer run in association with BRF. Holding a doctorate about her subject, the author’s academic language presents, very occasionally, a similar struggle as that provoked by Julian’s own 14\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e Century English – but it’s worth persevering and re-reading as needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat most famous statement by Julian of Norwich is itself only briefly alluded to. But the author’s explanation and insights in these remarkable revelations, experienced by a seemingly ordinary person 650 years ago, make it very clear that in our life with Christ all shall indeed be well. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost is the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 09.10.20. Review by Anne Spalding \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeople who have read only excerpts from Julian’s writings which focus on God’s love can be taken aback by the Revelations as a whole because of Julian’s intense attention to Christ on the cross. Pennington looks at exactly this, giving the context of medieval writing in general and the expectations of anchoresses and mystics around Julian’s time, and providing colour plates to illustrate some aspects still visible in churches today. Chapters include ‘The Crown of Thorns’, ‘Great Droplets of Blood’, and ‘The Face of Jesus’, and each has a discussion on the text in the light of scripture and of medieval life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJulian’s intention, and Pennington’s, is to give a devotional invitation; so, after the overview in part one, each chapter ends with a meditation, ‘Going Deeper’, then questions to ponder or discuss, and finally words for the journey from scripture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a book to skim-read. The medieval mind-set is a long way from a 21st-century outlook; so there is plenty of material to engage with and think through. Pennington is able to paint a rich picture of this difference. Also, Julian’s own focus on detail — for example, the texture of the blood, or the colour of the dying face of Christ — mean that readers of \u003cem\u003eAt the Foot of the Cross \u003c\/em\u003emust think and feel their response to these things, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut it is worth the effort of reading thoughtfully. Julian’s revelations came as part of her experience of illness and expectation of dying. And, through her revelations and reflection on Christ’s Passion, Julian found that Christ’s death was relevant for her circumstances. In our world, still filled with suffering and pain, Pennington’s book can help us to grasp, through Julian’s insights, something of how Jesus’s death on the cross can speak to our situation, too.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003cem\u003eReview by Dr Spalding a member of the Third Order SSF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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At the Foot of the Cross with Julian of Norwich
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'All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.' This quotation may...