BibleLands Recommended Resources

This is the story of an unfinished journey - a journey that finds a path through pain leading to healing and celebration. It is the story of one woman choosing to seek wholeness despite heartache, serenity in the midst of struggling to adapt to a very different life, and discovering how in the driest of desert places God can reveal fresh water springs for the soul. It is a story shared through lyrical reflections and poems sparked by the ups and downs of life in a teeming Middle Eastern metropolis.

The painting of the Holy Trinity by Russian artist Andrei Rublev is probably the best-known and best-loved icon from the Eastern Orthodox Church. Beginning with her own experience of gazing at the icon during convalescence from surgery, Ann Persson shares her journey of discovery through some of the historic and artistic traditions of icon-painting, including a midwinter pilgrimage to the Russian monastery for which Rublev's icon was originally commissioned. She provides a detailed commentary on the image itself to draw out its full significance, and also reflects on the Bible story that inspired the icon. The Circle of Love is perfect introductory reading for all who are interested in exploring the use of icons in meditative prayer, and discovering something of the spiritual riches found in that tradition.

Creative Mission sets out to demonstrate that mission is fun, practical, easy-to-do and, above all, possible. The book contains a wealth of ideas to help churches, large and small, urban and rural, to connect with people who have occasional contact with the church, as well as suggestions for the church family to join in community events. Many of the ideas are for families, children and adults, to enjoy together or alongside one another. Some ideas can be used within worship; others are for social events, fundraising activities, campaigns for justice across the world or RE and assemblies in schools. All will appeal to children as well as adults, but many can also be used if there are few or no children in the church family.

In the Bible the desert is a place of punishment and discipline, but also of blessing and love's reawakening. Both Jesus and the people of Israel before him spent time in the desert, learning what it meant to be chosen and loved and holy. Yet while the people of the Exodus frequently got it wrong, providing some cautionary tales for us to learn from, Jesus himself constantly got it right, offering a perfect model for us to follow. In The Way of the Desert Andrew Watson takes us on a Lenten journey from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day, from the parting of the Red Sea to Israel's entry into the promised land.

Daily Bible readings and comment for reflection from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day, on the theme of understanding all that Christ is and that he offers.

This is a book of 30 undated readings that take a deeper look at six themes particularly relevant to the weeks before Easter: holiness, relationship, forgiveness, sacrifice, hope and love.

The BRF Lent book for 2010 shows how Lent can be a time for exploring a different kind of 'giving up', one that can transform our lives. We too can allow the Holy Spirit to shed his light on our ideas of God that are too harsh, too small, too fragile, or too stern.

Travel through Lent with Jesus and his disciples to Jerusalem, the cross and beyond. David Winter draws from all four Gospels and paints a vivid portrait of the Master and his twelve followers as they travel to Jerusalem.

This popular book of Bible readings and reflections provides an opportunity to stop and reflect on the Gospel story on every day in Lent, helping us to find inspiration and strength for the journey of our lives.

This book, revised from the 2006 Lent edition, offers a chance to reflect on the experiences and teaching of seven key figures in English spirituality.

What does it mean to say that God is at work in the world today? 'Into Your Hands' explores this key issue of the Christian life.

To engage with Jesus expands the mind and heart. It challenges our view of the way the world is, where it is heading and what difference we could make to it. But in a world of competing philosophies, where does Jesus fit in? Meet Jesus is a lively and straightforward exploration of these and other questions, with the aim of engaging our reason, inspiring our faith and worship, deepening our fellowship and service, and bringing new depth to our witness to the world. Each chapter ends with some practical points for action and the book concludes with a section of discussion material for groups.