Amy Scott Robinson
{"id":3271915962468,"title":"Image of the Invisible: Daily Bible readings from Advent to Epiphany","handle":"image-of-the-invisible-daily-bible-readings-from-advent-to-epiphany","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen you hear the name ‘God’, does an image come into your head? Do you think of him as a shining light, or with a human shape, or as an anchor in the storm, a rock, a fortress?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs we look towards celebrating the incarnation at Christmas, we consider how God chose to express himself, in a moment in history, as a tiny baby. But what other images describe God in the Bible, and what can we learn about his character through them? How does an invisible God reveal himself to us in scripture and in Jesus? Amy Scott Robinson, a poet and storyteller, answers this question with imagination and a close reading of the text.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmy Scott Robinson 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\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo read Amy's lockdown blog click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/amy-scott-robinson-wrote-brfs-advent-book-for-2019-image-of-the-invisible-in-this-lockdown-blog-she-thinks-about-why-she-misses-being-in-church\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmy Scott Robinson’s selection of daily readings and commentary makes for a powerful and transformative Advent journey. Taking the hardest little word of all, that word 'God', a word that can be everything or nothing, a word that seems to carry no image with it and evades our understanding at every turn, Amy takes us on a journey through scripture in which she makes biblical image after image richly available to our imaginations so that we can come closer to God as he comes closer to us in Advent. I am particularly impressed by the way she thinks about the arts and engages the artistic imagination without ever losing the common touch or the simple but illuminating turn of phrase. Strongly recommended.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMalcolm Guite, priest and poet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\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. This fine book, helping us reach out to the Father, is filled with who she is.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAdrian Plass, author and speaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Sometimes we need a poet’s eye to see the God of the Bible afresh. Poet, storyteller and theologian Amy Scott Robinson uses the Bible’s own metaphors of God as artisan, metalworker, consuming fire and others to lead us more deeply into our understanding of God. If you like C.S. Lewis, Malcolm Guite or Lauren Winner, you will love this outstanding book of thought-provoking, gasp-inducing, beautiful devotions to enrich your vision of God. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTanya Marlow, author of \u003cem\u003eThose Who Wait: Finding God in disappointment, doubt and delay\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e What a stunning gift this book is! Open it day by day as you ponder the God who reveals himself as a burning bush, weaver, gardener, shepherd, king, and, of course, baby. Amy Robinson helps us to unwrap the images of the invisible, the God who became flesh. Her book is a masterpiece of metaphor, a creative unlocking of what we might have missed. Through her creative, thought-provoking, deep and winsome writing, she leads us to the God who makes himself known.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAmy Boucher Pye, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Living Cross\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Lucy Rycroft in her blog \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\"\u003eThe Hope Filled Family\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis extraordinary book, one of the best Advent Bible studies I’ve seen, is for those wishing to go deeper in their discipleship this Advent, and are prepared to set some time aside for the purpose. \u003ca data-mce-fragment=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/amyscottrobinson.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/amyscottrobinson.com\/\"\u003eAmy Scott Robinson\u003c\/a\u003e bases her devotions on different ways God appears or is described in the Bible – such as a burning bush or pillar of cloud, a potter or weaver, bread or rock. Taking something tangible and often so closely linked to our experience is a wonderful way of helping us get to know God better this Advent season. There are questions at the end of each section, as well as small group materials and plans at the back of the book, so it would work well as an Advent study for small groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/transformingministrymagazine.co.uk\/image-of-the-invisible\/%20\"\u003eonline\u003c\/a\u003e November 2020\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescribed as one of ‘four outstanding books from Advent 2019 which you may have missed and are still in print', this book '\u003cspan\u003eProvides daily readings helping us to find God using beautifully wrought scriptural metaphor.'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader online 21.11.19. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an amazing book, subtitled ‘Finding God in scriptural metaphor’. After a few introductory biblical verses, Robinson transforms mundane observations from daily life into mesmerising accounts of God in action and potentially at work in our lives. The inventiveness and creativity of Robinson’s storytelling skill makes for a scintillating read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe writes – ‘the Bible is full of metaphors for God, images that help us to experience a little of his character’. Various metaphors are explored and how they take us into a deeper understanding of God’s nature and our relationship with Him. The influence of the early church’s ‘O Antiphons’ is acknowledged in Robinson’s personal selection of metaphors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer eye for the telling detail in her observations, coupled with the directness of her narrative style, make this an excellent guide for both individuals and small groups wanting a guide on the well-trodden path from Advent to Epiphany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe five weeks are explored under individual themes: ‘When God appears’, ‘God the Creator’, ‘God the Owner’, ‘Veiled in flesh’ and finally ‘Visible in Creation’. Each day has a few biblical verses relating to the particular theme. There are twenty Old Testament and seventeen New Testament verse selections. The daily comments are followed by a question to ponder, a suggestion to consider and a brief closing prayer. At the end of each week there are a couple of general questions on the theme considered. The final pages include brief suggestions and guidelines for five weekly group Bible studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this an exciting book with unexpected links amidst the twists and turns in the narrative. Robinson comments ‘God does not give us what we’re looking for – He gives us what we need’. If you are searching for an Advent book this year, this is what you need!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.10.19 Advent Books Round Up by David Wilbourne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn her \u003cem\u003eImage of the Invisible\u003c\/em\u003e, Amy Scott Robinson explores 37 metaphors for God-in-Christ. She crafts a prose poem, ‘the best words in the best order’, from Advent Sunday to Epiphany, imaginatively putting flesh on her chosen biblical passage. Eschatology is realised when the Mayor of Coventry, after the devastating Luftwaffe raid, is surprised by King George VI, knocking on his back door: ‘Heavens above, it’s the King. We’d better look sharp.’ Scott Robinson’s God graciously ‘reads our poetry before it deserves to be seen’, greeting us, his brides, with a tearful ‘You look amazing!’ Elijah’s God of consuming fire graciously makes a little fire on Galilee’s beach to cook his friends breakfast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis excellent book provides a very valuable companion for the forthcoming seasons of Advent and Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing a theme of metaphors and images, Amy Scott Robinson provides many valuable insights into different facets of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginning with an exploration of Old Testament figures, Amy explores how the metaphors involved reveal something about God – be that through a burning bush, a pillar of cloud and even a guinea pig. We are also introduced to the creative sides of God – not just the familiar ones of potter and inspirer of poetry but also of weaver and architect. A trip through the parables not only shows God as master, landowner and king but also explores a range of challenges about day to day living. The week which includes Christmas takes a slightly different approach, considering God in comparison to the characters of the nativity. The final period to Epiphany considers images of God as bread, water, door, rock and the gifts of the Magi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach reflection – one for every day of December and then up to Epiphany – also contains a suggestion for further reflection and a prayer. There are also other points at which to review our thinking and suggestions for group discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many authors who write about themselves but seem to do so just for the sake of it, Amy Scott Robinson knows when and how to include such examples. She writes of normal day to day life and, crucially, keeps them totally relevant to the topic. Just don’t buy her a house plant, that’s all. As the reviewer, reading a book of daily reflections one after the other without the benefit of 24 hours in-between, I look forward to re-reading it as my part of my own journey through the coming season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you enjoy and relate well to the use of metaphors and images, you will enjoy and relate well to this excellent book. If you’re one who finds using your imagination more difficult, then this book will open up that aspect of your mind to great effect. Whatever makes you you, \u003cem\u003eImage of the Invisible\u003c\/em\u003e will provide a very valuable and helpful way to deepen your faith and knowledge of God this Advent and Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\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\"\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/a\u003e and writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-04-08T11:13:43+01:00","created_at":"2019-04-08T11:15:02+01:00","vendor":"Amy Scott Robinson","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","Kindle","Sep-19"],"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":26427520057444,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467898","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Image of the Invisible: Daily Bible readings from Advent to Epiphany","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467898","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467898-l.jpg?v=1554718505"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467898-l.jpg?v=1554718505","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3264872480907,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467898-l.jpg?v=1554718505"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9780857467898-l.jpg?v=1554718505","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen you hear the name ‘God’, does an image come into your head? Do you think of him as a shining light, or with a human shape, or as an anchor in the storm, a rock, a fortress?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs we look towards celebrating the incarnation at Christmas, we consider how God chose to express himself, in a moment in history, as a tiny baby. But what other images describe God in the Bible, and what can we learn about his character through them? How does an invisible God reveal himself to us in scripture and in Jesus? Amy Scott Robinson, a poet and storyteller, answers this question with imagination and a close reading of the text.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmy Scott Robinson 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\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo read Amy's lockdown blog click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/amy-scott-robinson-wrote-brfs-advent-book-for-2019-image-of-the-invisible-in-this-lockdown-blog-she-thinks-about-why-she-misses-being-in-church\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmy Scott Robinson’s selection of daily readings and commentary makes for a powerful and transformative Advent journey. Taking the hardest little word of all, that word 'God', a word that can be everything or nothing, a word that seems to carry no image with it and evades our understanding at every turn, Amy takes us on a journey through scripture in which she makes biblical image after image richly available to our imaginations so that we can come closer to God as he comes closer to us in Advent. I am particularly impressed by the way she thinks about the arts and engages the artistic imagination without ever losing the common touch or the simple but illuminating turn of phrase. Strongly recommended.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMalcolm Guite, priest and poet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\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. This fine book, helping us reach out to the Father, is filled with who she is.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAdrian Plass, author and speaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Sometimes we need a poet’s eye to see the God of the Bible afresh. Poet, storyteller and theologian Amy Scott Robinson uses the Bible’s own metaphors of God as artisan, metalworker, consuming fire and others to lead us more deeply into our understanding of God. If you like C.S. Lewis, Malcolm Guite or Lauren Winner, you will love this outstanding book of thought-provoking, gasp-inducing, beautiful devotions to enrich your vision of God. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTanya Marlow, author of \u003cem\u003eThose Who Wait: Finding God in disappointment, doubt and delay\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e What a stunning gift this book is! Open it day by day as you ponder the God who reveals himself as a burning bush, weaver, gardener, shepherd, king, and, of course, baby. Amy Robinson helps us to unwrap the images of the invisible, the God who became flesh. Her book is a masterpiece of metaphor, a creative unlocking of what we might have missed. Through her creative, thought-provoking, deep and winsome writing, she leads us to the God who makes himself known.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAmy Boucher Pye, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Living Cross\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by Lucy Rycroft in her blog \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/20-best-books-to-read-during-advent\/\"\u003eThe Hope Filled Family\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis extraordinary book, one of the best Advent Bible studies I’ve seen, is for those wishing to go deeper in their discipleship this Advent, and are prepared to set some time aside for the purpose. \u003ca data-mce-fragment=\"1\" href=\"https:\/\/amyscottrobinson.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/amyscottrobinson.com\/\"\u003eAmy Scott Robinson\u003c\/a\u003e bases her devotions on different ways God appears or is described in the Bible – such as a burning bush or pillar of cloud, a potter or weaver, bread or rock. Taking something tangible and often so closely linked to our experience is a wonderful way of helping us get to know God better this Advent season. There are questions at the end of each section, as well as small group materials and plans at the back of the book, so it would work well as an Advent study for small groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/transformingministrymagazine.co.uk\/image-of-the-invisible\/%20\"\u003eonline\u003c\/a\u003e November 2020\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescribed as one of ‘four outstanding books from Advent 2019 which you may have missed and are still in print', this book '\u003cspan\u003eProvides daily readings helping us to find God using beautifully wrought scriptural metaphor.'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader online 21.11.19. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an amazing book, subtitled ‘Finding God in scriptural metaphor’. After a few introductory biblical verses, Robinson transforms mundane observations from daily life into mesmerising accounts of God in action and potentially at work in our lives. The inventiveness and creativity of Robinson’s storytelling skill makes for a scintillating read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe writes – ‘the Bible is full of metaphors for God, images that help us to experience a little of his character’. Various metaphors are explored and how they take us into a deeper understanding of God’s nature and our relationship with Him. The influence of the early church’s ‘O Antiphons’ is acknowledged in Robinson’s personal selection of metaphors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer eye for the telling detail in her observations, coupled with the directness of her narrative style, make this an excellent guide for both individuals and small groups wanting a guide on the well-trodden path from Advent to Epiphany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe five weeks are explored under individual themes: ‘When God appears’, ‘God the Creator’, ‘God the Owner’, ‘Veiled in flesh’ and finally ‘Visible in Creation’. Each day has a few biblical verses relating to the particular theme. There are twenty Old Testament and seventeen New Testament verse selections. The daily comments are followed by a question to ponder, a suggestion to consider and a brief closing prayer. At the end of each week there are a couple of general questions on the theme considered. The final pages include brief suggestions and guidelines for five weekly group Bible studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this an exciting book with unexpected links amidst the twists and turns in the narrative. Robinson comments ‘God does not give us what we’re looking for – He gives us what we need’. If you are searching for an Advent book this year, this is what you need!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.10.19 Advent Books Round Up by David Wilbourne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn her \u003cem\u003eImage of the Invisible\u003c\/em\u003e, Amy Scott Robinson explores 37 metaphors for God-in-Christ. She crafts a prose poem, ‘the best words in the best order’, from Advent Sunday to Epiphany, imaginatively putting flesh on her chosen biblical passage. Eschatology is realised when the Mayor of Coventry, after the devastating Luftwaffe raid, is surprised by King George VI, knocking on his back door: ‘Heavens above, it’s the King. We’d better look sharp.’ Scott Robinson’s God graciously ‘reads our poetry before it deserves to be seen’, greeting us, his brides, with a tearful ‘You look amazing!’ Elijah’s God of consuming fire graciously makes a little fire on Galilee’s beach to cook his friends breakfast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis excellent book provides a very valuable companion for the forthcoming seasons of Advent and Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing a theme of metaphors and images, Amy Scott Robinson provides many valuable insights into different facets of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginning with an exploration of Old Testament figures, Amy explores how the metaphors involved reveal something about God – be that through a burning bush, a pillar of cloud and even a guinea pig. We are also introduced to the creative sides of God – not just the familiar ones of potter and inspirer of poetry but also of weaver and architect. A trip through the parables not only shows God as master, landowner and king but also explores a range of challenges about day to day living. The week which includes Christmas takes a slightly different approach, considering God in comparison to the characters of the nativity. The final period to Epiphany considers images of God as bread, water, door, rock and the gifts of the Magi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach reflection – one for every day of December and then up to Epiphany – also contains a suggestion for further reflection and a prayer. There are also other points at which to review our thinking and suggestions for group discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many authors who write about themselves but seem to do so just for the sake of it, Amy Scott Robinson knows when and how to include such examples. She writes of normal day to day life and, crucially, keeps them totally relevant to the topic. Just don’t buy her a house plant, that’s all. As the reviewer, reading a book of daily reflections one after the other without the benefit of 24 hours in-between, I look forward to re-reading it as my part of my own journey through the coming season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you enjoy and relate well to the use of metaphors and images, you will enjoy and relate well to this excellent book. If you’re one who finds using your imagination more difficult, then this book will open up that aspect of your mind to great effect. Whatever makes you you, \u003cem\u003eImage of the Invisible\u003c\/em\u003e will provide a very valuable and helpful way to deepen your faith and knowledge of God this Advent and Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\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\"\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/a\u003e and writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Image of the Invisible: Daily Bible readings from Advent to Epiphany
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When you hear the name ‘God’, does an image come into your head? Do you think of him as a...
{"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
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‘At the heart of the Christian message is a collection of abstract nouns: love; sin; forgiveness; grace. It is quite...