Christian life
A selection of titles for your Living Faith.
{"id":14678017769852,"title":"Loving My Neighbour: A Lenten Journey","handle":"loving-my-neighbour-a-lenten-journey","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLenten readings and reflections consider how to love in truth, love the vulnerable and the suffering, embrace difference, care for our world, love ourselves, and love to the very end. It’s never been more important to understand how much God loves us and how much he wants us to love each other. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLoving My Neighbour\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e takes us on a journey through the challenging terrain of how we can truly love one another, individually and in our communities. Daily Bible readings and reflections from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day explore how we can love in truth, love the vulnerable and the suffering, embrace difference, care for our world, and love ourselves as God loves us. Holy Week brings us back to reflect on Christ on the cross, who loved us to the very end.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t936eS2Q41Y?si=sWnhGUC1VFJX8ZIo\" 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\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/K_2ceGtotHU?si=_4xIaEAN0X_OZ8H7\" 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\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online 19.02.24. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf all Christian books, one of the most difficult to write effectively is a Lent book, but this group project is a very helpful guide to the Lenten season and the personal reflection it should invoke. The book considers the topics of love: loving in truth, loving those who are vulnerable, loving those who are in suffering, loving oneself, loving those who are different, loving the world around us and finally loving to the end. It takes us on one of the most challenging of areas that we can truly love others who are not always lovable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a collection of daily Bible readings and reflections, it draws upon story and the experience of the writing team to develop its ideas. Despite having seven writers, it does cohere as a book, so credit goes to Olivia Warburton as the overall editor. It is important that we have little pen portraits of the writers so that we can understand a little of how they came to write and communicate in the way that they did. The use of Bible readings, reflections and prayers are useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePersonally, I would have included some questions which could be used by individuals and for home groups which could have made the text more directly influential on us as readers. The picture of the Palm Sunday entrance is not really a good summary of the wide-ranging nature of the text: if the focus had been more on Holy Week, then this might be appropriate. This will be a good guide to help you through Lent and could be a good resource for a group during the season. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Cavan Wood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times Lent book round up by Philip Welsh 19.01.24\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Loving My Neighbour, seven authors, from a range of Christian traditions, each take a week of daily Bible readings to immerse us in aspects of loving our neighbour, with Jonathan Swift’s sharp reminder that ‘We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSanjee Perera looks at loving in truth, in freewheeling theological meditations that are by turns challenging and overwrought. John Swinton writes outstandingly about loving the vulnerable. ‘When we reflect upon the upside-down kingdom, we come to realise that the broken . . . are more important than anything else. We also discover that ‘they’ are in fact ‘us’.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEsther Kuku strides into loving those who are suffering with the confidence of the saved. ‘We have been justified and we will be delivered out of every difficult circumstance we face.’ Sister Gemma Simmonds offers mature wisdom on the importance of loving oneself, and is sensitive to the ambivalence of love: ‘Knowing someone and being known by them at depth carries both grace and potential threat.’ She draws helpfully on Catholic tradition: for St Ignatius, ‘the heart of humility is not self-denigration but gratitude.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInderjit Bhogal writes powerfully about loving those who are different. The Old Testament tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves once, but to love the stranger 40 times. His exposition of Gospel stories is exemplary and thought-provoking, along with the way drawing on his own experience within white groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Gregory is a climate scientist and Baptist minister. He writes attractively about loving the world around us: ‘Next time you see a weather forecast, give thanks for the insights of scientists that enable us to understand some of how God has shaped creation.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring Holy Week — loving to the end — Joanna Collicutt takes a fresh approach to the last words from the Cross, as showing us how to die well, ‘to say our sad goodbyes to this precious and delicious earthly life, to the people we love, and to the grudges we bear and, like him, to entrust ourselves to our heavenly Father’. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA multi-author project is likely to be a mixed bag. Loving My Neighbour scores quite well.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd Philip Welsh a retired priest in the \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003ediocese of London.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTogether magazine Jan-Feb 2024. Review by Fiona Lloyd\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLoving My Neighbour – a Lenten Journey\u003c\/strong\u003e is BRF Ministries’ Lent book for 2024. Inspired by one of Jesus’ most famous parables, several well-known authors offer their perspectives on what loving our neighbour means in our modern world. Between them, they cover themes such as caring for our world, embracing difference and loving the vulnerable. I found it refreshing to have several different voices co-authoring this book, as it emphasised all the different ways we can find to love those around us. The book is set out in the form of a devotional, with a short Bible passage for each day along with a reflections and a prayer. These can easily be read in about five minutes, but still give plenty of food for thought, touching on other relevant scriptures and using personal anecdotes to paint images that linger in the mind. Warburton writes in the introduction that ‘it’s never been more important to understand how much God loves us and how much he wants us to love each other,’ and this is a book that will certainly help us in this endeavour.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-18T13:44:46+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-18T13:43:29+01:00","vendor":"Inderjit Bhogal, Joanna Collicutt, David Gregory, Esther Kuku, Sanjee Perera, Gemma Simmonds, John Swinton","type":"eBook","tags":["Biblical engagement","Devotional","Easter","Glassboxx","Lent","seasonal"],"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":53596581331324,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392144","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Loving My Neighbour: A Lenten Journey - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":220,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392144","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/39.png?v=1729786714","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/40.png?v=1729786714"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/39.png?v=1729786714","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917498241404,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/39.png?v=1729786714"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/39.png?v=1729786714","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917498208636,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/40.png?v=1729786714"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/40.png?v=1729786714","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eLenten readings and reflections consider how to love in truth, love the vulnerable and the suffering, embrace difference, care for our world, love ourselves, and love to the very end. It’s never been more important to understand how much God loves us and how much he wants us to love each other. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eLoving My Neighbour\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e takes us on a journey through the challenging terrain of how we can truly love one another, individually and in our communities. Daily Bible readings and reflections from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day explore how we can love in truth, love the vulnerable and the suffering, embrace difference, care for our world, and love ourselves as God loves us. Holy Week brings us back to reflect on Christ on the cross, who loved us to the very end.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t936eS2Q41Y?si=sWnhGUC1VFJX8ZIo\" 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\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/K_2ceGtotHU?si=_4xIaEAN0X_OZ8H7\" 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\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online 19.02.24. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf all Christian books, one of the most difficult to write effectively is a Lent book, but this group project is a very helpful guide to the Lenten season and the personal reflection it should invoke. The book considers the topics of love: loving in truth, loving those who are vulnerable, loving those who are in suffering, loving oneself, loving those who are different, loving the world around us and finally loving to the end. It takes us on one of the most challenging of areas that we can truly love others who are not always lovable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a collection of daily Bible readings and reflections, it draws upon story and the experience of the writing team to develop its ideas. Despite having seven writers, it does cohere as a book, so credit goes to Olivia Warburton as the overall editor. It is important that we have little pen portraits of the writers so that we can understand a little of how they came to write and communicate in the way that they did. The use of Bible readings, reflections and prayers are useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePersonally, I would have included some questions which could be used by individuals and for home groups which could have made the text more directly influential on us as readers. The picture of the Palm Sunday entrance is not really a good summary of the wide-ranging nature of the text: if the focus had been more on Holy Week, then this might be appropriate. This will be a good guide to help you through Lent and could be a good resource for a group during the season. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Cavan Wood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times Lent book round up by Philip Welsh 19.01.24\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Loving My Neighbour, seven authors, from a range of Christian traditions, each take a week of daily Bible readings to immerse us in aspects of loving our neighbour, with Jonathan Swift’s sharp reminder that ‘We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSanjee Perera looks at loving in truth, in freewheeling theological meditations that are by turns challenging and overwrought. John Swinton writes outstandingly about loving the vulnerable. ‘When we reflect upon the upside-down kingdom, we come to realise that the broken . . . are more important than anything else. We also discover that ‘they’ are in fact ‘us’.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEsther Kuku strides into loving those who are suffering with the confidence of the saved. ‘We have been justified and we will be delivered out of every difficult circumstance we face.’ Sister Gemma Simmonds offers mature wisdom on the importance of loving oneself, and is sensitive to the ambivalence of love: ‘Knowing someone and being known by them at depth carries both grace and potential threat.’ She draws helpfully on Catholic tradition: for St Ignatius, ‘the heart of humility is not self-denigration but gratitude.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInderjit Bhogal writes powerfully about loving those who are different. The Old Testament tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves once, but to love the stranger 40 times. His exposition of Gospel stories is exemplary and thought-provoking, along with the way drawing on his own experience within white groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Gregory is a climate scientist and Baptist minister. He writes attractively about loving the world around us: ‘Next time you see a weather forecast, give thanks for the insights of scientists that enable us to understand some of how God has shaped creation.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring Holy Week — loving to the end — Joanna Collicutt takes a fresh approach to the last words from the Cross, as showing us how to die well, ‘to say our sad goodbyes to this precious and delicious earthly life, to the people we love, and to the grudges we bear and, like him, to entrust ourselves to our heavenly Father’. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA multi-author project is likely to be a mixed bag. Loving My Neighbour scores quite well.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd Philip Welsh a retired priest in the \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003ediocese of London.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTogether magazine Jan-Feb 2024. Review by Fiona Lloyd\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLoving My Neighbour – a Lenten Journey\u003c\/strong\u003e is BRF Ministries’ Lent book for 2024. Inspired by one of Jesus’ most famous parables, several well-known authors offer their perspectives on what loving our neighbour means in our modern world. Between them, they cover themes such as caring for our world, embracing difference and loving the vulnerable. I found it refreshing to have several different voices co-authoring this book, as it emphasised all the different ways we can find to love those around us. The book is set out in the form of a devotional, with a short Bible passage for each day along with a reflections and a prayer. These can easily be read in about five minutes, but still give plenty of food for thought, touching on other relevant scriptures and using personal anecdotes to paint images that linger in the mind. Warburton writes in the introduction that ‘it’s never been more important to understand how much God loves us and how much he wants us to love each other,’ and this is a book that will certainly help us in this endeavour.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Loving My Neighbour: A Lenten Journey
£9.99
Digital eBook Only - Lenten readings and reflections consider how to love in truth, love the vulnerable and the suffering,...
{"id":14678028910972,"title":"Franciscan Footprints: Following Christ in the ways of Francis and Clare","handle":"franciscan-footprints-following-christ-in-the-ways-of-francis-and-clare-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThere are many ways of following Christ – each footprint is unique. One of these, the Franciscan spiritual journey, has been tried and tested over the centuries, and the experiences of St Francis and St Clare and all those who have been inspired by their lives still resonate with us. Helen Julian CSF explores the distinctive features of their spirituality and shows how these practices can be applied to, and become part of, our daily lives.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrough stories of care for creation, social justice, mission, preaching, contemplative spirituality and simple living, discover your own pathway today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelen Julian CSF was an Anglican Franciscan sister and a priest, who served her community as Minister General. She wrote three books for BRF Ministries and was a contributor to BRF’s New Daylight Bible reading notes and 'Fellowship' Holy Habits Bible Reflections and Group Studies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can read Helen Julian's blog about the writing of this book click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/franciscan-footprints-following-christ-in-the-ways-of-francis-and-clare-helen-julian-csf-tells-the-story-of-her-new-book-for-brf\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Sr Maranu Gascoigne, Tau, the journal of the Third Order Society of St Francis, Province of the Pacific (November 2021)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn memory of Sr. Helen Julian with whom I was a novice in CSF for several years I purchased a copy on my kindle and now wished I had a hard copy that I could hand on…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat is the kind of book she has written. You will want everyone who is a friend of Francis and Clare, a follower of SSF\/CSF\/TSSF \/Community of St. Clare \/FI (Franciscans International) to read it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is first and foremost an historical document. Helen’s detective approach and eye for detail throughout brings to life the followers of Francis and Clare tracing the stories of not only our Founders but also thinkers, mystics, martyrs, missionaries and those whose passion was for social justice. Many of whom found a home within the Third Order. She propels us forward with her inclusion of FI (Franciscan International). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaybe I am biased since I can almost hear Helen Julian reading it to me, her nuances, intonations and occasional rye giggle captures her spirit and dedication to CSF over 3 decades.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelen Julian gifts us a legacy, what is clearly our whakapapa, a road map of where we have come from. By way of invitation she offers us a beautiful question on page 15, ‘what is yours to do’? So succinctly are a series of questions at the end of each chapter and a source for all of us to sit in prayer with. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI hope that we here in TSSF Aotearoa gift everyone who enquires a copy of this book (happy to fund it!). It is jam packed with Bibliography for further reading. A comprehensive section of websites and a complete index of all the Franciscans that she has named in the book. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOver recent months I have heard a similar phrase used, 'what is ours to do?' and I am honouring Sr. Helen Julian who may have been the inspiration to this ‘credo’ that we as TSSF Aotearoa have so identified with. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDon’t buy one copy buy at least two!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Maranu Gascoigne \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFairacres Chronicle Summer 2020. Review by John-Francis Friendship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This is a book about people whose lives were inspired by these two saints of Assisi. Through simple stories of martyrs and mystics, missionaries and thinkers, writers and others involved in pastoral care and social justice, Sr Helen Julian offers a series of compellingly-written and moving biographies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom thirteenth-century Italians to twentieth-century Congolese she weaves a rich and diverse tapestry of friars, sisters and Poor Clares, members of religious congregations, housewives and priests—mostly Roman Catholic but also Anglican—saints and ‘ordinary’ Christians. Some well-known, others less so; some have straddled the pages of history, others have remained hidden to all but a few. Christian heroes great and small whose lives will inspire you and leave you with the lingering taste of heaven.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn providing us with short accounts of lives inspired by Christ and the two saints of Assisi, Sr Helen Julian invites us to do what Clare advised her own sister, St Agnes: ‘Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Fr John-Francis Friendship\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Spring 2021. Review by Liz Pacey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubtitled ‘Following Christ in the ways of Francis and Clare’, the main protagonists are of course these two founders of Franciscan spirituality. Much more than this, the book covers a breadth of experience down the years and across all walks of human life. Each chapter brings us examples lived out from the 13th century to modern times: the lives of mystics, martyrs, missionaries and many more. Each chapter ends with questions, causing us not only to reflect on the ways and situations of these holy people, but equally importantly on our own. The final chapter is titled ‘The witness of life: simply living’. Here are the ordinary people. Any lingering doubts we may have had about where we could fit in are dispelled. This is a truly inspirational book on many levels. We see so many times where a life truly devoted to God, and given the right encouragement on the way, can lead. And through it all we have the words of Francis himself in our heads. The importance of discerning and carrying out in our lives: ‘May Christ teach you what is yours (to do)’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eReview by Liz Pacey\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Church Times, 18 September 2020. Review by Lavinia Byrne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subtitle sets the tone of this judicious little book. It makes clear that these accounts of the saints’ lives and those of their many followers are about following Christ, not imitating the founders’ personal sanctity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEighty-eight of these individual followers are listed in the index, and that is before the reader even makes contact with the founding charism through the inspiration of the religious orders, both Anglican and Roman Catholic. Sister Helen Julian is ideally equipped to write this book, as Minister General of the Anglican Community of St Francis. Founded in 1905 by Rosina Eleanor Rice, the Community has Sisters in England, San Francisco, and South Korea, and forms what is known technically as the Second Order of Franciscans, the first being the male religious, and the Third Order being their lay followers. There is also a group known as Franciscans International.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYet the scope of the book’s appeal should go wider than members of the Franciscan family; for here is an unsentimental story of the many and varied ways in which the spirit of Francis and Clare has led people to simple heroism. The human face of this heroism is demonstrated through channels that the reader might readily have predicted: good works, a commitment to social justice, care of others, and the witness of living simply. Intriguingly, Sister Helen Julian takes her remit further and tells us about the vocations of thinkers and writers and the pursuit of learning. She is equally interested in the mystics and spiritual writers, missionaries and preachers, and martyrs and pastors who have all found inspiration in the Franciscan way of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of these accounts are historical: she starts of by telling the stories of Francis and Clare themselves, then of the Anglican founders who emerged in the early 20th century to carry the flame forward. But the book’s real impact comes from the many stories that bring it right up to date. Memories of the recently dead sit seamlessly alongside accounts from earlier centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result: a sense that Francis and Clare’s heritage is in good hands and that the charism deserves to survive. After all, it has served its purpose: it has enabled many to follow Christ.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Lavinia Byrne\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003efranciscan\u003c\/em\u003e September 2020 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by Hazel Berry TSSF\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘I have done what is mine, may Christ teach you what is yours’. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSr Helen Julian uses this advice that Francis gave to the brothers shortly before he died to set the scene for her fascinating profiles of the many Franciscan brothers, sisters and third order members down the ages who have responded to his dying message. She deftly traces Francis’ footprints across the centuries with descriptions of those who knew Francis and Clare up to the present day with a moving description of Mychal Judge, a 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Century Franciscan, who died ministering to the firefighters in the South Tower of the World Trade Centre after the devastation of 9\/11.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first two chapters provide an interesting description of the founding fathers and mothers of the First and Second Orders. There is also a brief mention of the formation of the Third Order in the Catholic and Anglican Churches. I would particularly recommend these chapters to anyone interested in finding out more about the Franciscan life especially those looking to test their vocation in one of the three orders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater chapters focus on different categories of Franciscans: ‘Thinkers and Writers’; Mystics and Spiritual Writers’; Social Care and Justice’; ‘Martyrs’; ‘Missionaries and Preachers’; and Pastors. As someone who spent their working life in social services and the justice system in the UK, the section on social care and justice was of special interest. The work done by Franciscans in pursuit of social justice, with for example with those suffering with AIDs and with immigrant communities is inspirational. A great deal of this work is done under the umbrella of Franciscans International as well as by many individual Franciscans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book concludes with a chapter on ‘Simply Living’, which was and always will be a mark of the Franciscan life. I was intrigued to read that Pope John XXIII, a modern exemplar of simply living, joined the Third Order as a teenager and at one point considered becoming a friar. But as he said on a visit to a friary after becoming Pope: ‘a stronger wind blew me on another road’. Notwithstanding this change of direction, in his short tenure as Pope he did in fact embrace many Franciscan themes. And as Helen Julian, author of this excellent little book suggests, the Second Vatican Council could be seen as Pope John’s response to Christ’s call to Francis to, ‘Go rebuild my house!’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHazel Berry TSSF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Salvationist 01.08.20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by Major Martin Hill\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaint Francis and his spiritual companion, Saint Clare, have given more than 800 years of inspiration to Christians of all ages and backgrounds who yearn for pure and unadulterated devotion to Christ. In \u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints\u003c\/em\u003e, Helen Julian reminds us that ‘Francis and Clare set examples of community life, of a deep spiritual life, of care for others in their need and for creation, of pastoral care, of preaching the word and taking it to places where it had not been heard, of simply living in the mundane reality of life and of being willing to lay down their lives even unto death.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSt Francis’s own story is one of transformation from seeking pleasure to embracing poverty, the poor, prayer, liturgy and lepers. \u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints\u003c\/em\u003e contains brief biographies of individual lives shaped by Francis, Clare and the Franciscan ideal. Their stories prove that a passionate desire to follow Christ can be deeply attractive. They include thinkers, writers, mystics, carers, campaigners, martyrs, missionaries, preachers and pastors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe inspired by Giles, a farm labourer and early companion of Francis, who was also a perceptive pastor, or by Duns Scotus, the eminent 13th-century theologian and philosopher. Admire Ramon Llull, who believed in converting Muslims through prayer, not crusade, and promoted dialogue between Abrahamic faiths. Meet royalty like Elizabeth of Hungary and orphans like Angela Merici.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead about Rosina Rice, a ‘slum sister’ in London from the late 19th century, or Jack Winslow and Algy Robertson, who in the 20th century developed a Christian ashram in India. Discover John Bradburne, who served lepers in Zimbabwe, Sister Ruth and Colin Wilfred, who served HIV\/Aids sufferers in the USA and UK respectively. Reflect on the thoughts of contemporary teacher and writer Richard Rohr, who combines spirituality, social justice, action and contemplation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen highlights unsung heroes, as well as acknowledging some well-known names. We see the footprints of men and women who rarely make the footnotes. It means there is every likelihood that somewhere in the pages of this book you will meet someone to relate to or even emulate. It proves ‘how many different ways there are to please God’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform July-A\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eugust 2020. Review by Diana Paulding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book charts the development and flourishing of the Franciscan tradition, from the 13th-century lives of Francis and Clare of Assisi to the modern-day Anglican Franciscan community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmploying an unusual but effective style, Helen Julian focuses on individuals who have embodied the teachings of Francis and Clare throughout the centuries, and those who have lived out lives devoted to Christ within the Franciscan tradition. These individuals are numerous and diverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough biographies of each of their lives, Helen Julian seeks to illuminate the ways in which we too can live Christ-centric lives with the devotion and humility that the first founders modelled. Richly researched, \u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints\u003c\/em\u003e contains dozens of brief biographies, grouped by the subjects’ defining characteristics, be that writers or mystics, martyrs or preachers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe great strength of this structure is that it allows the reader to view the tradition from many angles, rather than simply as a timeline of significant members. Nonetheless, Helen Julian also manages to cover the range of eras and cultures that the Franciscan tradition has spanned, taking us to medieval Italy, Reformation Europe, the seminaries of 20th-century China, among Peruvian guerrilla organisations, and to the Twin Towers on 9\/11.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn many ways, \u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints \u003c\/em\u003eis a who’s who of the Franciscan tradition, although the brevity of each biography means that it only provides introductory information about each person. Reflective questions at the end of each chapter encourage the reader to consider how these disciples’ lives can inform and inspire their own. The common themes of service to others, humble lives, and devotion to God can provide inspiration for us all, regardless of our own religious tradition. The 17th century ‘flying friar’, however, may be best read as a good story about levitation rather than inspiration for our own preaching!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDiana Paulding is an Old Testament graduate based in Norfolk\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Ted Witham TSSF, on the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tssf.org.au\/2020\/05\/17\/following-the-followers-of-saint-francis-sister-helen-julians-new-book\/?fbclid=IwAR2KaES2ny0fw7r6aDhfG73clL76YCsk5kD22TJ1M8a9larejq2uvdwFWFo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewebsite\u003c\/a\u003e of the Third Order, Society of St Francis Australia, May 2020\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints\u003c\/em\u003e, like much of Franciscan spirituality, is deceptively simple. In this helpful and engaging book, Sister Helen Julian, Minister General of the Anglican Community of St Francis, tells the story of about 100 Franciscans over the last 800 years – from Saints Francis and Clare in the 12th Century to Padre Pio and Algy Robertson SSF in the 20th Century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories of mainly individuals and some organisations are presented in nine thematic chapters. The first two chapters tell the stories of the original founders, the two Assisi saints, Francis and Clare, and the founders of the Anglican Franciscans, including Sister Rosina Mary CSF, who founded the Community of Saint Francis in 1905.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe titles of further chapters, ‘Thinkers and Writers’, ‘Mystics and Spiritual Writers’, ‘Social Care, Social Justice’, ‘Martyrs’, ‘Missionaries and Preachers’, ‘Pastors’ and ‘Simply Living’, display the breadth of the Franciscan way of life. Placing each of her characters into these themes allows Sister Helen to ‘follow the followers’ and explore the many paths along which Franciscans follow Jesus. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Franciscan intellectual tradition is represented strongly by the 13th Century Bonaventure and the 21st Century Sister Ilia Delio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of these Franciscans are new to me. Felix of Cantalice (born 1515) was a ploughman who became a lay Franciscan friar. He begged for the friars in Rome for many years, and was known as Brother Deo Gratias, because he exclaimed, ‘Thanks be to God’ (\u003cem\u003eDeo Gratias\u003c\/em\u003e) for every gift. He sang simple songs in the street and was beloved of children and the poor. His story is told under ‘Simply Living’: his life was seemingly uneventful, but by faithfully being who he was attracted many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was good to see the United Nations NGO Franciscans International in its context as an expression of the Franciscan family’s social care and social justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI commend Franciscan Footprints warmly. It is a good book to share within the Franciscan family and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt his death, Saint Francis said, ‘I have done what is mine to do. May Christ teach you what is yours.’ Helen Julian’s book will help both long-term Franciscans and the curious to learn what Christ is teaching them what their life might be. The characters in her book have made their Franciscan footprints. Readers will find much in this book to help them make their own Franciscan Footprints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eReviewed by Ted Witham TSSF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Richard Frost, BRF author and blogger, May 2020\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Shortly before his death, Francis looked at the brothers gathered around him. ‘I have done what is mine,’ he said. ‘May Christ teach you what is yours.’ So begins Helen Julian’s excellent book about the gift left for us by Francis and Clare of Assisi and many who have made their own footprints for people to follow: ‘The gift is the inspiration of their lives and writings, and the fellowship of their prayers,’ she writes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter outlining the origins and development of Franciscan religious communities, Helen Julian tells the stories of many significant individuals from the time of Francis and Clare right through to the present day. She introduces the readers to some of who come from the author’s own Anglican Franciscan community as well as historical figures, some canonised and others who are simply saints. ‘You could think of it as arriving at a party: I’m standing next to you and telling you about the people gathered in the room. Then you can decide who you’d like to get to know better,’ she writes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Julian covers first, second and third order Franciscan writers and thinkers, mystics and spiritual writers, social care and justice influencers, martyrs and pastors and those who the author describes as ‘witnessing by simply living’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn many respects, \u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints\u003c\/em\u003e is a book of stories and despite their variety and often inspirational nature, for this reviewer there were too many of them. But it’s not a book that needs to be read in one sitting nor in the order in which the chapters are presented. Each chapter ends with a thought-provoking suggestion for reflection which with careful selection could be used for small group discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn writing about the 13\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century Scottish Franciscan, Duns Scotus, Helen Julian writes in a way that sums up the whole book: ‘You may feel out of depth in their ideas. But I encourage you to at least paddle in the shallows of their thoughts: you may be surprised by what you discover.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComing in to the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e century, here is a prayer by American friar Mychal Judge, who became the first officially recorded fatality in the Twins Towers attack on 11 September 2001 while helping others to escape:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLord, take me where you want me to go;\u003cbr\u003eLet me meet who you want me to meet;\u003cbr\u003eTell me what you want me to say;\u003cbr\u003eAnd keep me out of your way. \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\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview of Franciscan Footprints by Rona Bure: Third Order, Society of St Francis, European Province website \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.tssf.org.uk\"\u003ewww.tssf.org.uk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis small book covers a great deal of ground – not only in time but in the grouping of the various men and women into Anglican founders, thinkers and writers, mystics and spiritual writers; social care, social justice, martyrs, missionaries and preachers, pastors and simply living. This enables the reader to realise the depth and scope of what these Franciscans did in their lives. Indeed Helen Julian CSF quotes from St Clare as follows:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘She said that they had been called to be like mirrors, in which people could look and see Christ. A mirror doesn’t exist to be looked at for itself; its whole purpose is to reflect back accurately what is in front of it.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a challenge for all Franciscans throughout time and today. Can we be a Mirror to the World? This is a question which many of the people in this book have tried to answer. You too can try and answer the questions posed at the end of every chapter. This could be a very useful exercise in exploring your interest in Francis and Clare. The very different themes of the chapters will resonate in different ways to you depending on your particular view. I see much debate ensuing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am not a theologian and read simply to learn and explore to develop my understanding of what it is to be a Franciscan. There were many names in this book with which I was not familiar with and it widened my perspective and put others into context. In this time when challenges abound this book reminds us how important it is to be servants of our communities in every way. However this is not an easy task and I was heartened with the honest comment that Helen Julian makes in the book in that she throws at us a perspective that says we can fail but demonstrates as one door closes another opens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the Chapter on Pastors Helen Julian writes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘When that door opens and someone appears, I always send up a silent prayer, ‘Lord, let me listen with your ears and respond from your heart.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no doubt that the Franciscans in this book did so. Can we follow in the Footsteps? Read the book and ponder…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Rona Bure\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-18T13:51:44+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-18T13:49:33+01:00","vendor":"Helen Julian","type":"eBook","tags":["Apr-20","For individuals","Glassboxx","Spirituality"],"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":53596585820540,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468123","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Franciscan Footprints: Following Christ in the ways of Francis and Clare - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468123","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/41.png?v=1729786347","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/42.png?v=1729786355"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/41.png?v=1729786347","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917488312700,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/41.png?v=1729786347"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/41.png?v=1729786347","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917488411004,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/42.png?v=1729786355"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/42.png?v=1729786355","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThere are many ways of following Christ – each footprint is unique. One of these, the Franciscan spiritual journey, has been tried and tested over the centuries, and the experiences of St Francis and St Clare and all those who have been inspired by their lives still resonate with us. Helen Julian CSF explores the distinctive features of their spirituality and shows how these practices can be applied to, and become part of, our daily lives.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrough stories of care for creation, social justice, mission, preaching, contemplative spirituality and simple living, discover your own pathway today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelen Julian CSF was an Anglican Franciscan sister and a priest, who served her community as Minister General. She wrote three books for BRF Ministries and was a contributor to BRF’s New Daylight Bible reading notes and 'Fellowship' Holy Habits Bible Reflections and Group Studies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can read Helen Julian's blog about the writing of this book click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/franciscan-footprints-following-christ-in-the-ways-of-francis-and-clare-helen-julian-csf-tells-the-story-of-her-new-book-for-brf\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Sr Maranu Gascoigne, Tau, the journal of the Third Order Society of St Francis, Province of the Pacific (November 2021)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn memory of Sr. Helen Julian with whom I was a novice in CSF for several years I purchased a copy on my kindle and now wished I had a hard copy that I could hand on…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThat is the kind of book she has written. You will want everyone who is a friend of Francis and Clare, a follower of SSF\/CSF\/TSSF \/Community of St. Clare \/FI (Franciscans International) to read it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is first and foremost an historical document. Helen’s detective approach and eye for detail throughout brings to life the followers of Francis and Clare tracing the stories of not only our Founders but also thinkers, mystics, martyrs, missionaries and those whose passion was for social justice. Many of whom found a home within the Third Order. She propels us forward with her inclusion of FI (Franciscan International). \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaybe I am biased since I can almost hear Helen Julian reading it to me, her nuances, intonations and occasional rye giggle captures her spirit and dedication to CSF over 3 decades.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHelen Julian gifts us a legacy, what is clearly our whakapapa, a road map of where we have come from. By way of invitation she offers us a beautiful question on page 15, ‘what is yours to do’? So succinctly are a series of questions at the end of each chapter and a source for all of us to sit in prayer with. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eI hope that we here in TSSF Aotearoa gift everyone who enquires a copy of this book (happy to fund it!). It is jam packed with Bibliography for further reading. A comprehensive section of websites and a complete index of all the Franciscans that she has named in the book. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOver recent months I have heard a similar phrase used, 'what is ours to do?' and I am honouring Sr. Helen Julian who may have been the inspiration to this ‘credo’ that we as TSSF Aotearoa have so identified with. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDon’t buy one copy buy at least two!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Maranu Gascoigne \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFairacres Chronicle Summer 2020. Review by John-Francis Friendship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This is a book about people whose lives were inspired by these two saints of Assisi. Through simple stories of martyrs and mystics, missionaries and thinkers, writers and others involved in pastoral care and social justice, Sr Helen Julian offers a series of compellingly-written and moving biographies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom thirteenth-century Italians to twentieth-century Congolese she weaves a rich and diverse tapestry of friars, sisters and Poor Clares, members of religious congregations, housewives and priests—mostly Roman Catholic but also Anglican—saints and ‘ordinary’ Christians. Some well-known, others less so; some have straddled the pages of history, others have remained hidden to all but a few. Christian heroes great and small whose lives will inspire you and leave you with the lingering taste of heaven.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn providing us with short accounts of lives inspired by Christ and the two saints of Assisi, Sr Helen Julian invites us to do what Clare advised her own sister, St Agnes: ‘Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Fr John-Francis Friendship\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Spring 2021. Review by Liz Pacey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubtitled ‘Following Christ in the ways of Francis and Clare’, the main protagonists are of course these two founders of Franciscan spirituality. Much more than this, the book covers a breadth of experience down the years and across all walks of human life. Each chapter brings us examples lived out from the 13th century to modern times: the lives of mystics, martyrs, missionaries and many more. Each chapter ends with questions, causing us not only to reflect on the ways and situations of these holy people, but equally importantly on our own. The final chapter is titled ‘The witness of life: simply living’. Here are the ordinary people. Any lingering doubts we may have had about where we could fit in are dispelled. This is a truly inspirational book on many levels. We see so many times where a life truly devoted to God, and given the right encouragement on the way, can lead. And through it all we have the words of Francis himself in our heads. The importance of discerning and carrying out in our lives: ‘May Christ teach you what is yours (to do)’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eReview by Liz Pacey\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Church Times, 18 September 2020. Review by Lavinia Byrne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subtitle sets the tone of this judicious little book. It makes clear that these accounts of the saints’ lives and those of their many followers are about following Christ, not imitating the founders’ personal sanctity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEighty-eight of these individual followers are listed in the index, and that is before the reader even makes contact with the founding charism through the inspiration of the religious orders, both Anglican and Roman Catholic. Sister Helen Julian is ideally equipped to write this book, as Minister General of the Anglican Community of St Francis. Founded in 1905 by Rosina Eleanor Rice, the Community has Sisters in England, San Francisco, and South Korea, and forms what is known technically as the Second Order of Franciscans, the first being the male religious, and the Third Order being their lay followers. There is also a group known as Franciscans International.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYet the scope of the book’s appeal should go wider than members of the Franciscan family; for here is an unsentimental story of the many and varied ways in which the spirit of Francis and Clare has led people to simple heroism. The human face of this heroism is demonstrated through channels that the reader might readily have predicted: good works, a commitment to social justice, care of others, and the witness of living simply. Intriguingly, Sister Helen Julian takes her remit further and tells us about the vocations of thinkers and writers and the pursuit of learning. She is equally interested in the mystics and spiritual writers, missionaries and preachers, and martyrs and pastors who have all found inspiration in the Franciscan way of life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of these accounts are historical: she starts of by telling the stories of Francis and Clare themselves, then of the Anglican founders who emerged in the early 20th century to carry the flame forward. But the book’s real impact comes from the many stories that bring it right up to date. Memories of the recently dead sit seamlessly alongside accounts from earlier centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result: a sense that Francis and Clare’s heritage is in good hands and that the charism deserves to survive. After all, it has served its purpose: it has enabled many to follow Christ.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Lavinia Byrne\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003efranciscan\u003c\/em\u003e September 2020 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by Hazel Berry TSSF\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e‘I have done what is mine, may Christ teach you what is yours’. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSr Helen Julian uses this advice that Francis gave to the brothers shortly before he died to set the scene for her fascinating profiles of the many Franciscan brothers, sisters and third order members down the ages who have responded to his dying message. She deftly traces Francis’ footprints across the centuries with descriptions of those who knew Francis and Clare up to the present day with a moving description of Mychal Judge, a 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e Century Franciscan, who died ministering to the firefighters in the South Tower of the World Trade Centre after the devastation of 9\/11.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first two chapters provide an interesting description of the founding fathers and mothers of the First and Second Orders. There is also a brief mention of the formation of the Third Order in the Catholic and Anglican Churches. I would particularly recommend these chapters to anyone interested in finding out more about the Franciscan life especially those looking to test their vocation in one of the three orders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLater chapters focus on different categories of Franciscans: ‘Thinkers and Writers’; Mystics and Spiritual Writers’; Social Care and Justice’; ‘Martyrs’; ‘Missionaries and Preachers’; and Pastors. As someone who spent their working life in social services and the justice system in the UK, the section on social care and justice was of special interest. The work done by Franciscans in pursuit of social justice, with for example with those suffering with AIDs and with immigrant communities is inspirational. A great deal of this work is done under the umbrella of Franciscans International as well as by many individual Franciscans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book concludes with a chapter on ‘Simply Living’, which was and always will be a mark of the Franciscan life. I was intrigued to read that Pope John XXIII, a modern exemplar of simply living, joined the Third Order as a teenager and at one point considered becoming a friar. But as he said on a visit to a friary after becoming Pope: ‘a stronger wind blew me on another road’. Notwithstanding this change of direction, in his short tenure as Pope he did in fact embrace many Franciscan themes. And as Helen Julian, author of this excellent little book suggests, the Second Vatican Council could be seen as Pope John’s response to Christ’s call to Francis to, ‘Go rebuild my house!’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHazel Berry TSSF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Salvationist 01.08.20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by Major Martin Hill\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSaint Francis and his spiritual companion, Saint Clare, have given more than 800 years of inspiration to Christians of all ages and backgrounds who yearn for pure and unadulterated devotion to Christ. In \u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints\u003c\/em\u003e, Helen Julian reminds us that ‘Francis and Clare set examples of community life, of a deep spiritual life, of care for others in their need and for creation, of pastoral care, of preaching the word and taking it to places where it had not been heard, of simply living in the mundane reality of life and of being willing to lay down their lives even unto death.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSt Francis’s own story is one of transformation from seeking pleasure to embracing poverty, the poor, prayer, liturgy and lepers. \u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints\u003c\/em\u003e contains brief biographies of individual lives shaped by Francis, Clare and the Franciscan ideal. Their stories prove that a passionate desire to follow Christ can be deeply attractive. They include thinkers, writers, mystics, carers, campaigners, martyrs, missionaries, preachers and pastors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBe inspired by Giles, a farm labourer and early companion of Francis, who was also a perceptive pastor, or by Duns Scotus, the eminent 13th-century theologian and philosopher. Admire Ramon Llull, who believed in converting Muslims through prayer, not crusade, and promoted dialogue between Abrahamic faiths. Meet royalty like Elizabeth of Hungary and orphans like Angela Merici.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead about Rosina Rice, a ‘slum sister’ in London from the late 19th century, or Jack Winslow and Algy Robertson, who in the 20th century developed a Christian ashram in India. Discover John Bradburne, who served lepers in Zimbabwe, Sister Ruth and Colin Wilfred, who served HIV\/Aids sufferers in the USA and UK respectively. Reflect on the thoughts of contemporary teacher and writer Richard Rohr, who combines spirituality, social justice, action and contemplation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen highlights unsung heroes, as well as acknowledging some well-known names. We see the footprints of men and women who rarely make the footnotes. It means there is every likelihood that somewhere in the pages of this book you will meet someone to relate to or even emulate. It proves ‘how many different ways there are to please God’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform July-A\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eugust 2020. Review by Diana Paulding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book charts the development and flourishing of the Franciscan tradition, from the 13th-century lives of Francis and Clare of Assisi to the modern-day Anglican Franciscan community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmploying an unusual but effective style, Helen Julian focuses on individuals who have embodied the teachings of Francis and Clare throughout the centuries, and those who have lived out lives devoted to Christ within the Franciscan tradition. These individuals are numerous and diverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough biographies of each of their lives, Helen Julian seeks to illuminate the ways in which we too can live Christ-centric lives with the devotion and humility that the first founders modelled. Richly researched, \u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints\u003c\/em\u003e contains dozens of brief biographies, grouped by the subjects’ defining characteristics, be that writers or mystics, martyrs or preachers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe great strength of this structure is that it allows the reader to view the tradition from many angles, rather than simply as a timeline of significant members. Nonetheless, Helen Julian also manages to cover the range of eras and cultures that the Franciscan tradition has spanned, taking us to medieval Italy, Reformation Europe, the seminaries of 20th-century China, among Peruvian guerrilla organisations, and to the Twin Towers on 9\/11.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn many ways, \u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints \u003c\/em\u003eis a who’s who of the Franciscan tradition, although the brevity of each biography means that it only provides introductory information about each person. Reflective questions at the end of each chapter encourage the reader to consider how these disciples’ lives can inform and inspire their own. The common themes of service to others, humble lives, and devotion to God can provide inspiration for us all, regardless of our own religious tradition. The 17th century ‘flying friar’, however, may be best read as a good story about levitation rather than inspiration for our own preaching!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDiana Paulding is an Old Testament graduate based in Norfolk\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Ted Witham TSSF, on the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/tssf.org.au\/2020\/05\/17\/following-the-followers-of-saint-francis-sister-helen-julians-new-book\/?fbclid=IwAR2KaES2ny0fw7r6aDhfG73clL76YCsk5kD22TJ1M8a9larejq2uvdwFWFo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ewebsite\u003c\/a\u003e of the Third Order, Society of St Francis Australia, May 2020\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints\u003c\/em\u003e, like much of Franciscan spirituality, is deceptively simple. In this helpful and engaging book, Sister Helen Julian, Minister General of the Anglican Community of St Francis, tells the story of about 100 Franciscans over the last 800 years – from Saints Francis and Clare in the 12th Century to Padre Pio and Algy Robertson SSF in the 20th Century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories of mainly individuals and some organisations are presented in nine thematic chapters. The first two chapters tell the stories of the original founders, the two Assisi saints, Francis and Clare, and the founders of the Anglican Franciscans, including Sister Rosina Mary CSF, who founded the Community of Saint Francis in 1905.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe titles of further chapters, ‘Thinkers and Writers’, ‘Mystics and Spiritual Writers’, ‘Social Care, Social Justice’, ‘Martyrs’, ‘Missionaries and Preachers’, ‘Pastors’ and ‘Simply Living’, display the breadth of the Franciscan way of life. Placing each of her characters into these themes allows Sister Helen to ‘follow the followers’ and explore the many paths along which Franciscans follow Jesus. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Franciscan intellectual tradition is represented strongly by the 13th Century Bonaventure and the 21st Century Sister Ilia Delio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of these Franciscans are new to me. Felix of Cantalice (born 1515) was a ploughman who became a lay Franciscan friar. He begged for the friars in Rome for many years, and was known as Brother Deo Gratias, because he exclaimed, ‘Thanks be to God’ (\u003cem\u003eDeo Gratias\u003c\/em\u003e) for every gift. He sang simple songs in the street and was beloved of children and the poor. His story is told under ‘Simply Living’: his life was seemingly uneventful, but by faithfully being who he was attracted many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was good to see the United Nations NGO Franciscans International in its context as an expression of the Franciscan family’s social care and social justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI commend Franciscan Footprints warmly. It is a good book to share within the Franciscan family and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt his death, Saint Francis said, ‘I have done what is mine to do. May Christ teach you what is yours.’ Helen Julian’s book will help both long-term Franciscans and the curious to learn what Christ is teaching them what their life might be. The characters in her book have made their Franciscan footprints. Readers will find much in this book to help them make their own Franciscan Footprints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eReviewed by Ted Witham TSSF\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Richard Frost, BRF author and blogger, May 2020\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Shortly before his death, Francis looked at the brothers gathered around him. ‘I have done what is mine,’ he said. ‘May Christ teach you what is yours.’ So begins Helen Julian’s excellent book about the gift left for us by Francis and Clare of Assisi and many who have made their own footprints for people to follow: ‘The gift is the inspiration of their lives and writings, and the fellowship of their prayers,’ she writes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter outlining the origins and development of Franciscan religious communities, Helen Julian tells the stories of many significant individuals from the time of Francis and Clare right through to the present day. She introduces the readers to some of who come from the author’s own Anglican Franciscan community as well as historical figures, some canonised and others who are simply saints. ‘You could think of it as arriving at a party: I’m standing next to you and telling you about the people gathered in the room. Then you can decide who you’d like to get to know better,’ she writes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Julian covers first, second and third order Franciscan writers and thinkers, mystics and spiritual writers, social care and justice influencers, martyrs and pastors and those who the author describes as ‘witnessing by simply living’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn many respects, \u003cem\u003eFranciscan Footprints\u003c\/em\u003e is a book of stories and despite their variety and often inspirational nature, for this reviewer there were too many of them. But it’s not a book that needs to be read in one sitting nor in the order in which the chapters are presented. Each chapter ends with a thought-provoking suggestion for reflection which with careful selection could be used for small group discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn writing about the 13\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century Scottish Franciscan, Duns Scotus, Helen Julian writes in a way that sums up the whole book: ‘You may feel out of depth in their ideas. But I encourage you to at least paddle in the shallows of their thoughts: you may be surprised by what you discover.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComing in to the 21\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e century, here is a prayer by American friar Mychal Judge, who became the first officially recorded fatality in the Twins Towers attack on 11 September 2001 while helping others to escape:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLord, take me where you want me to go;\u003cbr\u003eLet me meet who you want me to meet;\u003cbr\u003eTell me what you want me to say;\u003cbr\u003eAnd keep me out of your way. \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\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview of Franciscan Footprints by Rona Bure: Third Order, Society of St Francis, European Province website \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.tssf.org.uk\"\u003ewww.tssf.org.uk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis small book covers a great deal of ground – not only in time but in the grouping of the various men and women into Anglican founders, thinkers and writers, mystics and spiritual writers; social care, social justice, martyrs, missionaries and preachers, pastors and simply living. This enables the reader to realise the depth and scope of what these Franciscans did in their lives. Indeed Helen Julian CSF quotes from St Clare as follows:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘She said that they had been called to be like mirrors, in which people could look and see Christ. A mirror doesn’t exist to be looked at for itself; its whole purpose is to reflect back accurately what is in front of it.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a challenge for all Franciscans throughout time and today. Can we be a Mirror to the World? This is a question which many of the people in this book have tried to answer. You too can try and answer the questions posed at the end of every chapter. This could be a very useful exercise in exploring your interest in Francis and Clare. The very different themes of the chapters will resonate in different ways to you depending on your particular view. I see much debate ensuing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am not a theologian and read simply to learn and explore to develop my understanding of what it is to be a Franciscan. There were many names in this book with which I was not familiar with and it widened my perspective and put others into context. In this time when challenges abound this book reminds us how important it is to be servants of our communities in every way. However this is not an easy task and I was heartened with the honest comment that Helen Julian makes in the book in that she throws at us a perspective that says we can fail but demonstrates as one door closes another opens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the Chapter on Pastors Helen Julian writes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘When that door opens and someone appears, I always send up a silent prayer, ‘Lord, let me listen with your ears and respond from your heart.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no doubt that the Franciscans in this book did so. Can we follow in the Footsteps? Read the book and ponder…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Rona Bure\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Franciscan Footprints: Following Christ in the ways of Francis and Clare
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{"id":14683532296572,"title":"Followers of the Way: Ancient discipleship for modern Christians","handle":"followers-of-the-way-ancient-discipleship-for-modern-christians","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eIf discipleship is about connecting more deeply with God and connecting God with the whole of life, Simon Reed argues, we’re looking at a lifelong process that requires long-term skills rather than short-term courses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Celtic and Desert Christians, drawing on Old and New Testament practices, modelled how to do this through the practice of living by a Way of Life. In this updated edition, \u003ci\u003eFollowers of the Way \u003c\/i\u003eexplores how we can look to Celtic Christianity to inspire authentic Christian discipleship today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Enables busy contemporary Christian people to discover a more authentically Christian way of life for themselves as individuals and as a gathered community.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStephen Skuce, District Superintendent, North Western District of the Methodist Church in Ireland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\n\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Reed is an Anglican minister with two churches in Ealing, London. He is also one of the three Guardians of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, an international and cross-denominational network of Christians who draw inspiration from Celtic spirituality for the renewal of today’s church. His first book for BRF, \u003ci\u003eCreating Community, \u003c\/i\u003eshowed how today’s churches can become living communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Summer 2023. Review by Jane Slinger\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our journey as followers of Jesus Christ, do we know how to integrate and sustain discipleship in all areas of our life? Reed, a Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, answers by showing us a ‘way of life’ inspired by the ancient wisdom and practice of Celtic Christianity. Like following a map, we need help and direction to know where we are going. In each chapter he explains and discusses different practices to enable us to ‘set out on a lifelong journey to connect more deeply with God and to connect God with the whole of life.’ I particularly liked the chapters on healing and prayer. Thus, by following this way of life, ‘we must become better people, living better lives in a better world.’ What more could we wish to achieve? The book is warmly and personally written, particularly relevant today as we have so few answers to the many seemingly insurmountable problems in our lives. There is a great need to bring healing and wholeness to the whole of creation. I thoroughly recommend this enjoyable book. R\u003cem\u003eeviewed by Jane Slinger \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e \u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-21T10:39:59+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-21T10:38:29+01:00","vendor":"Simon Reed","type":"eBook","tags":["Celtic Christianity","Devotional","Discipleship","Glassboxx","Prayer","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":53597783359868,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391727","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Followers of the Way: Ancient discipleship for modern Christians - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":270,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391727","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/43.png?v=1729786287","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/44.png?v=1729786287"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/43.png?v=1729786287","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917487526268,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/43.png?v=1729786287"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/43.png?v=1729786287","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917487493500,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/44.png?v=1729786287"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/44.png?v=1729786287","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eIf discipleship is about connecting more deeply with God and connecting God with the whole of life, Simon Reed argues, we’re looking at a lifelong process that requires long-term skills rather than short-term courses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Celtic and Desert Christians, drawing on Old and New Testament practices, modelled how to do this through the practice of living by a Way of Life. In this updated edition, \u003ci\u003eFollowers of the Way \u003c\/i\u003eexplores how we can look to Celtic Christianity to inspire authentic Christian discipleship today.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘Enables busy contemporary Christian people to discover a more authentically Christian way of life for themselves as individuals and as a gathered community.’\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStephen Skuce, District Superintendent, North Western District of the Methodist Church in Ireland\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\n\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor Info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Reed is an Anglican minister with two churches in Ealing, London. He is also one of the three Guardians of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, an international and cross-denominational network of Christians who draw inspiration from Celtic spirituality for the renewal of today’s church. His first book for BRF, \u003ci\u003eCreating Community, \u003c\/i\u003eshowed how today’s churches can become living communities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Summer 2023. Review by Jane Slinger\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn our journey as followers of Jesus Christ, do we know how to integrate and sustain discipleship in all areas of our life? Reed, a Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, answers by showing us a ‘way of life’ inspired by the ancient wisdom and practice of Celtic Christianity. Like following a map, we need help and direction to know where we are going. In each chapter he explains and discusses different practices to enable us to ‘set out on a lifelong journey to connect more deeply with God and to connect God with the whole of life.’ I particularly liked the chapters on healing and prayer. Thus, by following this way of life, ‘we must become better people, living better lives in a better world.’ What more could we wish to achieve? The book is warmly and personally written, particularly relevant today as we have so few answers to the many seemingly insurmountable problems in our lives. There is a great need to bring healing and wholeness to the whole of creation. I thoroughly recommend this enjoyable book. R\u003cem\u003eeviewed by Jane Slinger \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e \u003c\/h5\u003e"}
You may also like:
Followers of the Way: Ancient discipleship for modern Christians
£9.99
Digital eBook Only - If discipleship is about connecting more deeply with God and connecting God with the whole of...
{"id":14683936817532,"title":"The Bible in Cockney","handle":"the-bible-in-cockney-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eRead how Jesus feeds five thousand geezers with just five loaves of Uncle Fred and two Lillian Gish. Or how Noah built a bloomin’ massive nanny. Then there’s always the story of David and that massive geezer Goliath, or the time when Simon’s finger and thumb-in-law was Tom and Dick in Uncle Ned and Jesus healed her... A very down-to-earth ‘translation’ that brings scripture out of the pulpit and back onto the streets. ‘It certainly is a good laugh while imparting the essential message of the Bible.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout the author\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eNow working as a funeral celebrant in Essex, Mike Coles was for many years head of religious education at Sir John Cass Church of England Secondary School in Stepney, East London. He hated RE when he was at school, and vowed that he would never make the children suffer as he had to! When he moved to the East End, he immediately fell in love with Cockney rhyming slang and started to use it in his lessons. The children loved it, he decided to write down some of his stories and – well, here they are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReview from previous edition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'It certainly is a good laugh while imparting the essential message of the Bible.' Reverend Stan in The Badge, the London cab drivers' newspaper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-21T14:08:57+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-21T14:07:59+01:00","vendor":"Mike Coles","type":"eBook","tags":["Biblical engagement","Centenary Classics","Centenary Collection","Glassboxx"],"price":1499,"price_min":1499,"price_max":1499,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":1499,"compare_at_price_min":1499,"compare_at_price_max":1499,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53597994910076,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857462343","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":true,"featured_image":{"id":71596268224892,"product_id":14683936817532,"position":1,"created_at":"2024-10-24T17:26:48+01:00","updated_at":"2024-10-24T17:26:50+01:00","alt":null,"width":1303,"height":2000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/45.png?v=1729787210","variant_ids":[53597994910076]},"available":true,"name":"The Bible in Cockney - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":1499,"weight":169,"compare_at_price":1499,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857462343","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":62917504139644,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/45.png?v=1729787210"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/45.png?v=1729787210","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/46.png?v=1729787211"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/45.png?v=1729787210","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917504139644,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/45.png?v=1729787210"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/45.png?v=1729787210","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917504172412,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/46.png?v=1729787211"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/46.png?v=1729787211","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eRead how Jesus feeds five thousand geezers with just five loaves of Uncle Fred and two Lillian Gish. Or how Noah built a bloomin’ massive nanny. Then there’s always the story of David and that massive geezer Goliath, or the time when Simon’s finger and thumb-in-law was Tom and Dick in Uncle Ned and Jesus healed her... A very down-to-earth ‘translation’ that brings scripture out of the pulpit and back onto the streets. ‘It certainly is a good laugh while imparting the essential message of the Bible.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbout the author\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eNow working as a funeral celebrant in Essex, Mike Coles was for many years head of religious education at Sir John Cass Church of England Secondary School in Stepney, East London. He hated RE when he was at school, and vowed that he would never make the children suffer as he had to! When he moved to the East End, he immediately fell in love with Cockney rhyming slang and started to use it in his lessons. The children loved it, he decided to write down some of his stories and – well, here they are.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReview from previous edition\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'It certainly is a good laugh while imparting the essential message of the Bible.' Reverend Stan in The Badge, the London cab drivers' newspaper\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
The Bible in Cockney
£14.99
Digital eBook Only - Read how Jesus feeds five thousand geezers with just five loaves of Uncle Fred and two...
{"id":14683945894268,"title":"The Art of Peace: Life lessons from Christian mystics","handle":"the-art-of-peace-life-lessons-from-christian-mystics-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDeep inner peace and peace of mind with spiritual balance is something everyone wants, but how does one attain it? More importantly, how does one maintain it in the midst of everyday life? Moving through sections on Stillness, Silence, Solitude and Sanctuary, this book draws on the lived experience and learning of the author, as well as the wisdom of Christian contemplatives and mystics from the past, to help people walk the mystic path of peace through life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole (aka Brother Cassian) is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader and the Deputy Guardian for the Community of Aidan and Hilda. He is the founder of Waymark Ministries, which creates opportunities for people to engage with the Christian message. His books include \u003cem\u003eCeltic Advent\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCeltic Lent\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2018), \u003cem\u003eCeltic Saints\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Celtic Year\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2020).\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Julian Meetings Magazine, April 2022. Review by Janet Robinson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI glanced through this book and felt that perhaps I should be practising contemplative prayer rather than reading about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, I did read it and found it comprehensive, deeply thoughtful and very helpful. Cole is a leader and spiritual guide in the Community of Aidan and Hilda, which seeks to apply lessons from the Celtic Church in Britain to the church of today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is arranged in four sections which discuss Stillness, Silence, Solitude and Sanctuary. Much of David Cole‘s advice is practical. For example, he suggests how the reader might engage in learning to slow down: meditating momentarily ─ small moments in the day when we take a few breaths and re-centre; then creating a small period of time in the day just to sit and Be; planning to withdraw weekly for perhaps half a day; and, if it can be arranged, having a longer time once a month. He also suggests, at various points in the book, that the reader stops reading, puts the book down and is simply still for a little while. In this way it almost becomes a retreat in book form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI particularly valued his pertinent examples from the works of other Christian mystics, including some favourites: Julian, the author of the Cloud of Unknowing and Meister Eckhart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy reading very slowly and including the recommended pauses, this workbook could provide a home-based retreat during these days when travelling is difficult. It could enhance our own sense of peace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Janet Robinson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, winter 2021-2022. Review by Margaret Tinsley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Art of Peace\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole, known as Brother Cassian in his order, uses a mix of extracts from Christian mystics and his own experiences to accomplish his aim: ‘to transition the reader from being somebody interested in, or simply practising, contemplation to being a contemplative.’ He does this by considering four different areas: stillness, silence, solitude, sanctuary. He often challenges the reader by giving the instruction to stop reading, leave the book and practise, for example being still for a time. While the book is written in a relaxed, easily comprehensible style, the reader needs to accept the author’s terminology, most notably when he uses the term ‘the Divine’ as he feels the word ‘God’ is too limiting. His biblical quotations come from the Passion Translation, which often gives a fresh understanding of scripture. With his considerable awareness of Christian mystics of all ages and their works and his personal knowledge of the dispersed Community of Aidan and Hilda, David Cole provides material here for a retreat in book form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eReviewed by Margaret Tinsley \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 24.09.21. Review by Anne Spalding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole brings together writings, ancient and contemporary, under the themes of Stillness, Silence, Solitude, and Sanctuary. He starts with the need for stillness, drawing on Evelyn Underhill, Thomas Merton, Julian of Norwich, and Brother Lawrence, and inviting readers to slow down and stop intentionally, in order to ‘go and be’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis invitation seems to be particularly for those who have not previously tried stillness, silence, and contemplation. The author’s style is colloquial, and he mostly uses ‘the Divine’, in case ‘God’ carries un - helpful images. Similarly, scriptural quotes are often from contemporary versions such as the Passion Translation, so that scripture can be read with fresh eyes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCole next describes the pursuit of silence to find the Divine presence, and the part played by listening in ‘the sound of sheer silence’ (like Elijah). He also introduces the practice of wordlessness in God’s presence; the need to move away from the limitations of language to be with the one who is indescribable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Cole goes on to focus on solitude in the cell. This is balanced with being ‘alone together’, which he illustrates with the Way of Life in his own (dispersed) community, the Community of Aidan and Hilda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLastly, Cole acknowledges that sometimes we need refuge or sanctuary, and explores reasons for this from Meister Eckhart, the author of The Cloud of Unknowing, St John of the Cross, and Anthony de Mello. He advocates finding sanctuary in the Divine presence within. Cole also recognises that many find closeness to the Divine in the natural world, describing this with writings from the Eastern Orthodox tradition and elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo me, the various writings felt like a patchwork rather than a whole, but there is good material to explore, and references are provided for anyone wishing to follow up on a particular theme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDr Anne Spalding is a member of the Third Order of the Society of St Francis, and lives in Suffolk\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \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\u003eAs his other books demonstrate, David Cole is a thought-provoking writer and \u003cem\u003eThe Art of Peace\u003c\/em\u003e is no different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFocussing on four key themes of stillness, silence, solitude and sanctuary, Brother Cassian (as he is known in the new monastic Community of Aidan and Hilda) explores how Celtic tradition has influenced many aspects of spirituality. Add in to that material from other strands of thought from a range of writers and this is a very rich book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those who are less familiar with contemplative approaches, this book provides a very good introduction. For those of us with some experience, there are helpful reminders of what may have been lost in the passing and rushing of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike much writing on Christian mysticism some sections (some paragraphs even) require reading more than once. ‘You will have picked up that oxymorons and paradoxes are part and parcel of mysticism,’ the author acknowledges. But it is worth the extra effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelpfully, at regularly intervals, the writer encourages the reader to stop, put the book down and reflect on the content of the relevant chapter. Using this book, he writes, ‘the reader will be able to transition from being someone interested in, or simply practising, contemplation to \u003cem\u003ebeing\u003c\/em\u003e a contemplative.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is of course much more to it than that but \u003cem\u003eThe Art of Peace\u003c\/em\u003e is a very helpful thread in the tapestry of faith.\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":"2024-10-21T14:14:44+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-21T14:12:48+01:00","vendor":"David Cole","type":"eBook","tags":["Anna Chaplaincy books","For individuals","Glassboxx","Jun-21","Prayer","Spirituality"],"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":53597999661436,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469939","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Art of Peace: Life lessons from Christian mystics - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":175,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469939","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/47.png?v=1729787138","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/48.png?v=1729787137"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/47.png?v=1729787138","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917502828924,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/47.png?v=1729787138"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/47.png?v=1729787138","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917502796156,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/48.png?v=1729787137"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/48.png?v=1729787137","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDeep inner peace and peace of mind with spiritual balance is something everyone wants, but how does one attain it? More importantly, how does one maintain it in the midst of everyday life? Moving through sections on Stillness, Silence, Solitude and Sanctuary, this book draws on the lived experience and learning of the author, as well as the wisdom of Christian contemplatives and mystics from the past, to help people walk the mystic path of peace through life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole (aka Brother Cassian) is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader and the Deputy Guardian for the Community of Aidan and Hilda. He is the founder of Waymark Ministries, which creates opportunities for people to engage with the Christian message. His books include \u003cem\u003eCeltic Advent\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eCeltic Lent\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2018), \u003cem\u003eCeltic Saints\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eThe Celtic Year\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2020).\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Julian Meetings Magazine, April 2022. Review by Janet Robinson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI glanced through this book and felt that perhaps I should be practising contemplative prayer rather than reading about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, I did read it and found it comprehensive, deeply thoughtful and very helpful. Cole is a leader and spiritual guide in the Community of Aidan and Hilda, which seeks to apply lessons from the Celtic Church in Britain to the church of today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is arranged in four sections which discuss Stillness, Silence, Solitude and Sanctuary. Much of David Cole‘s advice is practical. For example, he suggests how the reader might engage in learning to slow down: meditating momentarily ─ small moments in the day when we take a few breaths and re-centre; then creating a small period of time in the day just to sit and Be; planning to withdraw weekly for perhaps half a day; and, if it can be arranged, having a longer time once a month. He also suggests, at various points in the book, that the reader stops reading, puts the book down and is simply still for a little while. In this way it almost becomes a retreat in book form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI particularly valued his pertinent examples from the works of other Christian mystics, including some favourites: Julian, the author of the Cloud of Unknowing and Meister Eckhart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy reading very slowly and including the recommended pauses, this workbook could provide a home-based retreat during these days when travelling is difficult. It could enhance our own sense of peace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Janet Robinson\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, winter 2021-2022. Review by Margaret Tinsley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Art of Peace\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole, known as Brother Cassian in his order, uses a mix of extracts from Christian mystics and his own experiences to accomplish his aim: ‘to transition the reader from being somebody interested in, or simply practising, contemplation to being a contemplative.’ He does this by considering four different areas: stillness, silence, solitude, sanctuary. He often challenges the reader by giving the instruction to stop reading, leave the book and practise, for example being still for a time. While the book is written in a relaxed, easily comprehensible style, the reader needs to accept the author’s terminology, most notably when he uses the term ‘the Divine’ as he feels the word ‘God’ is too limiting. His biblical quotations come from the Passion Translation, which often gives a fresh understanding of scripture. With his considerable awareness of Christian mystics of all ages and their works and his personal knowledge of the dispersed Community of Aidan and Hilda, David Cole provides material here for a retreat in book form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eReviewed by Margaret Tinsley \u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 24.09.21. Review by Anne Spalding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole brings together writings, ancient and contemporary, under the themes of Stillness, Silence, Solitude, and Sanctuary. He starts with the need for stillness, drawing on Evelyn Underhill, Thomas Merton, Julian of Norwich, and Brother Lawrence, and inviting readers to slow down and stop intentionally, in order to ‘go and be’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis invitation seems to be particularly for those who have not previously tried stillness, silence, and contemplation. The author’s style is colloquial, and he mostly uses ‘the Divine’, in case ‘God’ carries un - helpful images. Similarly, scriptural quotes are often from contemporary versions such as the Passion Translation, so that scripture can be read with fresh eyes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCole next describes the pursuit of silence to find the Divine presence, and the part played by listening in ‘the sound of sheer silence’ (like Elijah). He also introduces the practice of wordlessness in God’s presence; the need to move away from the limitations of language to be with the one who is indescribable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Cole goes on to focus on solitude in the cell. This is balanced with being ‘alone together’, which he illustrates with the Way of Life in his own (dispersed) community, the Community of Aidan and Hilda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLastly, Cole acknowledges that sometimes we need refuge or sanctuary, and explores reasons for this from Meister Eckhart, the author of The Cloud of Unknowing, St John of the Cross, and Anthony de Mello. He advocates finding sanctuary in the Divine presence within. Cole also recognises that many find closeness to the Divine in the natural world, describing this with writings from the Eastern Orthodox tradition and elsewhere.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo me, the various writings felt like a patchwork rather than a whole, but there is good material to explore, and references are provided for anyone wishing to follow up on a particular theme.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDr Anne Spalding is a member of the Third Order of the Society of St Francis, and lives in Suffolk\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \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\u003eAs his other books demonstrate, David Cole is a thought-provoking writer and \u003cem\u003eThe Art of Peace\u003c\/em\u003e is no different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFocussing on four key themes of stillness, silence, solitude and sanctuary, Brother Cassian (as he is known in the new monastic Community of Aidan and Hilda) explores how Celtic tradition has influenced many aspects of spirituality. Add in to that material from other strands of thought from a range of writers and this is a very rich book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those who are less familiar with contemplative approaches, this book provides a very good introduction. For those of us with some experience, there are helpful reminders of what may have been lost in the passing and rushing of time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike much writing on Christian mysticism some sections (some paragraphs even) require reading more than once. ‘You will have picked up that oxymorons and paradoxes are part and parcel of mysticism,’ the author acknowledges. But it is worth the extra effort.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelpfully, at regularly intervals, the writer encourages the reader to stop, put the book down and reflect on the content of the relevant chapter. Using this book, he writes, ‘the reader will be able to transition from being someone interested in, or simply practising, contemplation to \u003cem\u003ebeing\u003c\/em\u003e a contemplative.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is of course much more to it than that but \u003cem\u003eThe Art of Peace\u003c\/em\u003e is a very helpful thread in the tapestry of faith.\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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The Art of Peace: Life lessons from Christian mystics
£8.99
Digital eBook Only - Deep inner peace and peace of mind with spiritual balance is something everyone wants, but how...
{"id":14683951300988,"title":"Encountering the Risen Christ","handle":"encountering-the-risen-christ-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Encountering_the_Risen_Christ_banner_1.png?v=1712134873\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eHow can we encounter the risen Lord Jesus in a life-transforming way? How can we be equipped and strengthened to share the message of the resurrection with the world? The post-resurrection encounters between Jesus and the disciples provide us with some of the most profound and personal moments to be found in scripture. The risen Christ comes to his disciples in all their brokenness – their sadness, fear, doubt, shattered dreams and failure – and calls them to a future filled with hope, confidence, confirmed faith, new beginnings and restored lives. Encountering the Risen Christ reflects on the main characters in the post-resurrection accounts and shows how we too can encounter Jesus Christ in a life-transforming way. The seven chapters plus discussion material can be used across the seven weeks from Easter to Pentecost in individual reflection or group study, or at any time of year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark Bradford is vicar of St Cuthbert’s Fulwood. Previously he taught history and politics and has worked for the Oasis Trust in Leeds training and discipling 18–25-year-olds. He is married with three young children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePersonal, perceptive, profound, provocative, well-resourced and well-written; Mark Bradford offers us an imaginative and encouraging exploration of encounter as the key and critical mode of Christian experience and discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd James Bell, Bishop of Ripon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories in this book may be familiar, but we are offered a fresh insight. The journeys travelled by early disciples are fleshed out for a contemporary eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book takes you deeper into the Easter story by exposing the failures and successes, doubts and certainties, and above all the unashamed humanity of the cast of characters who follow Jesus to the cross and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJill Rowe, Oasis Ethos and Formation Director\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConnecting theology with experience, and mission with spirituality, Mark offers a careful reading of the New Testament encounters with Jesus, leading us into experiencing the transforming power of the resurrection for ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIan Paul, Theologian, writer and speaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReading Mark’s unfolding of the risen Christ, we are challenged to put the resurrection at the centre of who we are as Christians as well as what we do. This will orientate us to a discipleship that holds together death and new life, so we can know the victory of Christ without ignoring the reality of suffering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChristina Baxter, Former Principal of St John's College, Nottingham\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-21T14:17:27+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-21T14:16:00+01:00","vendor":"Mark Bradford","type":"eBook","tags":["Devotional","Feb-20","Glassboxx","Group reading","Lent"],"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":53598004347260,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857464293","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Encountering the Risen Christ - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":180,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857464293","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/49.png?v=1729786226","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/50.png?v=1729786225"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/49.png?v=1729786226","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917486510460,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/49.png?v=1729786226"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/49.png?v=1729786226","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917486477692,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/50.png?v=1729786225"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/50.png?v=1729786225","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/Encountering_the_Risen_Christ_banner_1.png?v=1712134873\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eHow can we encounter the risen Lord Jesus in a life-transforming way? How can we be equipped and strengthened to share the message of the resurrection with the world? The post-resurrection encounters between Jesus and the disciples provide us with some of the most profound and personal moments to be found in scripture. The risen Christ comes to his disciples in all their brokenness – their sadness, fear, doubt, shattered dreams and failure – and calls them to a future filled with hope, confidence, confirmed faith, new beginnings and restored lives. Encountering the Risen Christ reflects on the main characters in the post-resurrection accounts and shows how we too can encounter Jesus Christ in a life-transforming way. The seven chapters plus discussion material can be used across the seven weeks from Easter to Pentecost in individual reflection or group study, or at any time of year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark Bradford is vicar of St Cuthbert’s Fulwood. Previously he taught history and politics and has worked for the Oasis Trust in Leeds training and discipling 18–25-year-olds. He is married with three young children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePersonal, perceptive, profound, provocative, well-resourced and well-written; Mark Bradford offers us an imaginative and encouraging exploration of encounter as the key and critical mode of Christian experience and discipleship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd James Bell, Bishop of Ripon\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stories in this book may be familiar, but we are offered a fresh insight. The journeys travelled by early disciples are fleshed out for a contemporary eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Rt Revd Nick Baines, Bishop of Leeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book takes you deeper into the Easter story by exposing the failures and successes, doubts and certainties, and above all the unashamed humanity of the cast of characters who follow Jesus to the cross and beyond.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJill Rowe, Oasis Ethos and Formation Director\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConnecting theology with experience, and mission with spirituality, Mark offers a careful reading of the New Testament encounters with Jesus, leading us into experiencing the transforming power of the resurrection for ourselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIan Paul, Theologian, writer and speaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReading Mark’s unfolding of the risen Christ, we are challenged to put the resurrection at the centre of who we are as Christians as well as what we do. This will orientate us to a discipleship that holds together death and new life, so we can know the victory of Christ without ignoring the reality of suffering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChristina Baxter, Former Principal of St John's College, Nottingham\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Encountering the Risen Christ
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Digital eBook Only - How can we encounter the risen Lord Jesus in a life-transforming way? How can we be...
{"id":14683967914364,"title":"Mentoring Conversations: 30 key topics to explore together","handle":"mentoring-conversations-30-key-topics-to-explore-together-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eA core resource for anyone involved in spiritual mentoring, Mentoring Conversations provides a basis for spiritual conversation in a mentoring context through 30 short chapters structured around six key topic areas: Foundations; Steps to growth; Living out your faith; Going deeper; Staying strong; and Living with mystery. Each chapter begins with a Bible passage or text, followed by the author’s comment on the topic, questions for discussion, scriptures for further reflection and suggestions for further reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SmhsuAecoyc\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a well-respected author and retreat leader with a lifetime’s experience in mentoring others, including church leaders and missionaries, in Britain as well as overseas. His book \u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2016) has helped many to understand the importance of mentoring in today’s church, and to take their first steps in mentoring others. For the last ten years he has convened an annual Spiritual Mentoring Forum for those wishing to develop their interest in this vital area of disciple-making.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/212958208834\/user\/1649153580\/?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZUryqrtr80pGc7U2GStVjsrGkaOvlZfWoAccNy3bV7kSCAx9Oog8d4u6Zv0x0HyOktkJP-D-BlUH4gLgw-B9iWVDEdbw7y1gDbdUq-_rYBNTIfiD3PnrY1cIotx9H7AX3rUp7A2oxAs5gwu30z3ifFj-IbIYzGnnFifrtPMitFxxZrCOPZ8K1jC-bKdxiXgGGY\u0026amp;__tn__=-UC%2CP-R\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'I want to thank Tony for this amazing resource. A lot of my time now is spent offering Spiritual Direction and in spite of excellent training both for ordination and later for Spiritual Direction, I often feel in need of help! And here it is - thoughtful and thought provoking, easy to use, a wonderful resource and a mine of helpful ideas and questions. Even if you don't mentor others, I can recommend this as a resource for your own spiritual journey and growth; each section has some excellent input based on Scripture and ideas and questions to help you to go deeper with God and think about transformation in your own life.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePenelope Swithinbank, Woman Alive Book Club\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'For anyone involved in spiritual mentoring, this book provides a basis for conversations through 30 short chapters around 6 key themes in the Christian life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter begins with a Bible passage, Tony’s comment, then questions to use with someone as starting points for conversation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany pastors\/clergy have been looking for a resource\/framework\/tool for ongoing discussion with church members to help them grow in faith, through mentoring. Well, Tony has given us all a huge gift in this book and, at just £9.99, I can see it being one of the most dipped into books on our shelves for many years to come.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Paul Eddy, Vicar of Stanford in the Vale, Oxfordshire and Researcher into Male Identity, Spirituality and Discipleship.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'I thoroughly and wholeheartedly recommend this book by Tony Horsfall. It will be such a blessing for all engaged in such conversations. It is outstanding and will be such a help to all who walk with others in the making of disciples and growing in Christlikeness. Thank you Tony. CHOOSE IT AND USE IT!!!'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBishop Ken Clarke\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'A treasury of wisdom and practical help\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTony Horsfall has a gift for effortlessly combining the profound truths of Scripture with grounded, practical application for our everyday lives. His new book, Mentoring Conversations, is a treasury of wisdom and practical help for both the experienced mentor and those who are just beginning to accompany others on their journey of faith. Drawing from his many years of rich experience as a mentor, the thirty topics Tony presents cover the key areas which all of us need to engage with in order to grow more surely into a deeper relationship with God and into a transformed life. I found the section on ‘Staying Strong’ particularly helpful in these Covid riven days; the questions following the topics of ‘building resilience’ and ‘the importance of self-care’ were incisive and relevant ones for me, and I’m looking forward to exploring these topics even more with the women I’m currently mentoring. I so appreciate the real- world wisdom of this book and I have a feeling I’ll be drawing from the depths of resources this book provides for many years to come.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMags Duggan, author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/god-among-the-ruins-trust-and-transformation-in-difficult-times?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=8589002da\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eGod Among the Ruins\u003c\/a\u003e and\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-better-song-to-sing-finding-life-again-through-the-invitations-of-jesus?_pos=3\u0026amp;_sid=10b0ff8a8\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eA Better Song to Sing\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There are many books about mentoring but few books for mentoring. Tony Horsfall, after 20 years of practice and reflection, now provides such a book. This is not a book about how mentoring should (or shouldn’t) be done, but a kind of atlas of potential conversation starters, charting the many personal and theological issues that may arise within a journey of faith. Each chapter is short and snappy, as well as being both biblically rooted and pastorally sensitive. The chapters also provide plenty of opportunities for going deeper into specific issues, with insightful discussion questions and recommended reading. This book will be a handy resource for mentors and mentees as they explore the great issues of Christian discipleship together.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAaron Edwards, lecturer and programme lead for the MA Mission and Christian Mentoring pathway at Cliff College, Derbyshire\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘In this insightful book, Tony Horsfall reminds us that conversation is at the heart of a spiritual mentoring relationship. Tony invites us to reflect upon the conversations we enter into with our mentoring practice, asking us to engage in “holy conversation”. Covering topics foundational to Christian formation with clarity, this book is an essential practical resource to draw upon and a must read for all those who are serving as a mentor today.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJennie Fytche, training provider and mentor, Christian Coach and Mentor Network\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This wonderful book will make an excellent tool, enabling both mentor and mentee to walk together with God. It will provoke conversation, reminding them of what God has already done in their lives, and offer practical teaching to increase a sense of his presence and purpose for the future. Rooted in scripture, it will help answer the heart cry of many for a deeper walk with Jesus. I am delighted to commend this volume to anyone who is serious about following Christ.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAndy Lancaster, pastoral care leader, Bridge Community Church, Leeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Another gem of a book from Tony. It is written in a conversational style that is easy to read and yet has some deep thoughts on the area of mentoring. I loved the questions at the end of each chapter to help mentor and mentee alike move on in their spiritual journey. Definitely a must for my “holy conversations” in mentoring – I will definitely be using this book with all of my mentees.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSharon Prior, senior lecturer, Moorlands College\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eMentoring Conversations\u003c\/em\u003e will be an invaluable resource for Christian mentors who want to engage their mentees in searching and transformative dialogue. The wide range of topics make it suitable for use with Christians at any stage of faith who have a desire to grow as disciples of Jesus. Although it is written primarily with a one-to-one mentoring relationship in mind, I can also see this book being useful for those engaged in peer mentoring or even small spiritual formation groups. Each topic has the potential to be a catalyst for transformation and growth. I am excited about adding this to my own mentoring resources.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMajor Jane Alton, Salvation Army officer, church leader and Christian mentor\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Tony Horsfall is recognised and respected as an elder statesman in the area of mentoring, and this book is a gift to those of us who have been inspired and encouraged by him. In its down-to-earth and biblically based focus on the growth of the individual, it mirrors Tony’s own approach to any conversation you have with him – you leave feeling encouraged, challenged and that you have had his undivided attention! I shall use this mentoring tool, which is riddled with insights and wisdom, widely in my own mentoring, both formally and informally.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Wilcox, The Christian Coach and Mentor Network and author of Intentional Mentoring\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Another rich yet practical book from Tony Horsfall. As more churches and missions become aware of the value of mentoring relationships, this book is a timely gift with the comprehensive range of topics included. The conversation starters will assist experienced mentors to take interactions to a deeper level and will be a godsend to people new to mentoring.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChristine Perkins, Pioneers UK member care for single women\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Matters. Review by Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMentoring Conversations: 30 Key topics to explore together \u003c\/em\u003eis a great resource by an experienced mentor. The focus of the book is on producing mature disciples. Although it can be used in small groups, the primary intention is for the book to be used in a one-to-one setting where both mentor and mentoree each have a copy. Helpful quotations abound: e.g. 'For optimal spiritual health, conversations on spiritual matters matter. They speak to our desire to know and be known by God and one another, and to do so in community.' Each chapter has a series of ‘conversation starters’ as also a guide to further reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Paul Beasley-Murray, author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/make-the-most-of-retirement?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=700927f23\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eMake the Most of Retirement \u003c\/a\u003eand editor of \u003ca href=\"www.paulbeasleymurray.com\"\u003eChurch Matters.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-21T14:26:10+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-21T14:24:54+01:00","vendor":"Tony Horsfall","type":"eBook","tags":["Discipleship","For individuals","Glassboxx","Group reading","Oct-20","Pastoral care","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":53598010016124,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469267","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Mentoring Conversations: 30 key topics to explore together - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":241,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469267","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/51.png?v=1729786773","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/52_c144e80d-218f-4638-baae-a5f29415405a.png?v=1729786773"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/51.png?v=1729786773","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917498732924,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/51.png?v=1729786773"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/51.png?v=1729786773","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917498765692,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/52_c144e80d-218f-4638-baae-a5f29415405a.png?v=1729786773"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/52_c144e80d-218f-4638-baae-a5f29415405a.png?v=1729786773","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eA core resource for anyone involved in spiritual mentoring, Mentoring Conversations provides a basis for spiritual conversation in a mentoring context through 30 short chapters structured around six key topic areas: Foundations; Steps to growth; Living out your faith; Going deeper; Staying strong; and Living with mystery. Each chapter begins with a Bible passage or text, followed by the author’s comment on the topic, questions for discussion, scriptures for further reflection and suggestions for further reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SmhsuAecoyc\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a well-respected author and retreat leader with a lifetime’s experience in mentoring others, including church leaders and missionaries, in Britain as well as overseas. His book \u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth\u003c\/em\u003e (BRF, 2016) has helped many to understand the importance of mentoring in today’s church, and to take their first steps in mentoring others. For the last ten years he has convened an annual Spiritual Mentoring Forum for those wishing to develop their interest in this vital area of disciple-making.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/groups\/212958208834\/user\/1649153580\/?__cft__%5b0%5d=AZUryqrtr80pGc7U2GStVjsrGkaOvlZfWoAccNy3bV7kSCAx9Oog8d4u6Zv0x0HyOktkJP-D-BlUH4gLgw-B9iWVDEdbw7y1gDbdUq-_rYBNTIfiD3PnrY1cIotx9H7AX3rUp7A2oxAs5gwu30z3ifFj-IbIYzGnnFifrtPMitFxxZrCOPZ8K1jC-bKdxiXgGGY\u0026amp;__tn__=-UC%2CP-R\"\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'I want to thank Tony for this amazing resource. A lot of my time now is spent offering Spiritual Direction and in spite of excellent training both for ordination and later for Spiritual Direction, I often feel in need of help! And here it is - thoughtful and thought provoking, easy to use, a wonderful resource and a mine of helpful ideas and questions. Even if you don't mentor others, I can recommend this as a resource for your own spiritual journey and growth; each section has some excellent input based on Scripture and ideas and questions to help you to go deeper with God and think about transformation in your own life.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePenelope Swithinbank, Woman Alive Book Club\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'For anyone involved in spiritual mentoring, this book provides a basis for conversations through 30 short chapters around 6 key themes in the Christian life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter begins with a Bible passage, Tony’s comment, then questions to use with someone as starting points for conversation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany pastors\/clergy have been looking for a resource\/framework\/tool for ongoing discussion with church members to help them grow in faith, through mentoring. Well, Tony has given us all a huge gift in this book and, at just £9.99, I can see it being one of the most dipped into books on our shelves for many years to come.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Paul Eddy, Vicar of Stanford in the Vale, Oxfordshire and Researcher into Male Identity, Spirituality and Discipleship.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'I thoroughly and wholeheartedly recommend this book by Tony Horsfall. It will be such a blessing for all engaged in such conversations. It is outstanding and will be such a help to all who walk with others in the making of disciples and growing in Christlikeness. Thank you Tony. CHOOSE IT AND USE IT!!!'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBishop Ken Clarke\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'A treasury of wisdom and practical help\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eTony Horsfall has a gift for effortlessly combining the profound truths of Scripture with grounded, practical application for our everyday lives. His new book, Mentoring Conversations, is a treasury of wisdom and practical help for both the experienced mentor and those who are just beginning to accompany others on their journey of faith. Drawing from his many years of rich experience as a mentor, the thirty topics Tony presents cover the key areas which all of us need to engage with in order to grow more surely into a deeper relationship with God and into a transformed life. I found the section on ‘Staying Strong’ particularly helpful in these Covid riven days; the questions following the topics of ‘building resilience’ and ‘the importance of self-care’ were incisive and relevant ones for me, and I’m looking forward to exploring these topics even more with the women I’m currently mentoring. I so appreciate the real- world wisdom of this book and I have a feeling I’ll be drawing from the depths of resources this book provides for many years to come.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMags Duggan, author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/god-among-the-ruins-trust-and-transformation-in-difficult-times?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=8589002da\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eGod Among the Ruins\u003c\/a\u003e and\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-better-song-to-sing-finding-life-again-through-the-invitations-of-jesus?_pos=3\u0026amp;_sid=10b0ff8a8\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eA Better Song to Sing\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘There are many books about mentoring but few books for mentoring. Tony Horsfall, after 20 years of practice and reflection, now provides such a book. This is not a book about how mentoring should (or shouldn’t) be done, but a kind of atlas of potential conversation starters, charting the many personal and theological issues that may arise within a journey of faith. Each chapter is short and snappy, as well as being both biblically rooted and pastorally sensitive. The chapters also provide plenty of opportunities for going deeper into specific issues, with insightful discussion questions and recommended reading. This book will be a handy resource for mentors and mentees as they explore the great issues of Christian discipleship together.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAaron Edwards, lecturer and programme lead for the MA Mission and Christian Mentoring pathway at Cliff College, Derbyshire\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘In this insightful book, Tony Horsfall reminds us that conversation is at the heart of a spiritual mentoring relationship. Tony invites us to reflect upon the conversations we enter into with our mentoring practice, asking us to engage in “holy conversation”. Covering topics foundational to Christian formation with clarity, this book is an essential practical resource to draw upon and a must read for all those who are serving as a mentor today.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJennie Fytche, training provider and mentor, Christian Coach and Mentor Network\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This wonderful book will make an excellent tool, enabling both mentor and mentee to walk together with God. It will provoke conversation, reminding them of what God has already done in their lives, and offer practical teaching to increase a sense of his presence and purpose for the future. Rooted in scripture, it will help answer the heart cry of many for a deeper walk with Jesus. I am delighted to commend this volume to anyone who is serious about following Christ.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAndy Lancaster, pastoral care leader, Bridge Community Church, Leeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Another gem of a book from Tony. It is written in a conversational style that is easy to read and yet has some deep thoughts on the area of mentoring. I loved the questions at the end of each chapter to help mentor and mentee alike move on in their spiritual journey. Definitely a must for my “holy conversations” in mentoring – I will definitely be using this book with all of my mentees.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSharon Prior, senior lecturer, Moorlands College\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘\u003cem\u003eMentoring Conversations\u003c\/em\u003e will be an invaluable resource for Christian mentors who want to engage their mentees in searching and transformative dialogue. The wide range of topics make it suitable for use with Christians at any stage of faith who have a desire to grow as disciples of Jesus. Although it is written primarily with a one-to-one mentoring relationship in mind, I can also see this book being useful for those engaged in peer mentoring or even small spiritual formation groups. Each topic has the potential to be a catalyst for transformation and growth. I am excited about adding this to my own mentoring resources.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMajor Jane Alton, Salvation Army officer, church leader and Christian mentor\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Tony Horsfall is recognised and respected as an elder statesman in the area of mentoring, and this book is a gift to those of us who have been inspired and encouraged by him. In its down-to-earth and biblically based focus on the growth of the individual, it mirrors Tony’s own approach to any conversation you have with him – you leave feeling encouraged, challenged and that you have had his undivided attention! I shall use this mentoring tool, which is riddled with insights and wisdom, widely in my own mentoring, both formally and informally.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Wilcox, The Christian Coach and Mentor Network and author of Intentional Mentoring\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Another rich yet practical book from Tony Horsfall. As more churches and missions become aware of the value of mentoring relationships, this book is a timely gift with the comprehensive range of topics included. The conversation starters will assist experienced mentors to take interactions to a deeper level and will be a godsend to people new to mentoring.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChristine Perkins, Pioneers UK member care for single women\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Matters. Review by Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMentoring Conversations: 30 Key topics to explore together \u003c\/em\u003eis a great resource by an experienced mentor. The focus of the book is on producing mature disciples. Although it can be used in small groups, the primary intention is for the book to be used in a one-to-one setting where both mentor and mentoree each have a copy. Helpful quotations abound: e.g. 'For optimal spiritual health, conversations on spiritual matters matter. They speak to our desire to know and be known by God and one another, and to do so in community.' Each chapter has a series of ‘conversation starters’ as also a guide to further reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Paul Beasley-Murray, author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/make-the-most-of-retirement?_pos=1\u0026amp;_sid=700927f23\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003eMake the Most of Retirement \u003c\/a\u003eand editor of \u003ca href=\"www.paulbeasleymurray.com\"\u003eChurch Matters.\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Mentoring Conversations: 30 key topics to explore together
£9.99
Digital eBook Only - A core resource for anyone involved in spiritual mentoring, Mentoring Conversations provides a basis for spiritual...
{"id":14683972567420,"title":"God among the Ruins: Trust and transformation in difficult times","handle":"god-among-the-ruins-trust-and-transformation-in-difficult-times-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eWhere do we turn when our world is falling apart?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eIt takes courage to hope; to stand in our confusion and grief and still to believe that 'God is not helpless among the ruins'. Guided by Habakkuk and his prophetic landmarks, we are drawn on a reflective journey through the tangled landscape of bewildered faith, through places of wrestling and waiting, and on into the growth space of deepened trust and transformation. As you read, discover for yourself the value and practice of honest prayer, of surrender, of silence and listening, and of irrepressible hoping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt's a long and winding road\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWounded ragings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt wasn't meant to be like this\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDon't just do something, sit there!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOf plastic bottles, empty tin cans and trust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom the back door to the barn door - and beyond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat's in a name?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWalking with the wounded\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wonder of this book is its searing honesty. Through the lens of her own life-changing loss and learning from Habbakuk's journey through profound pain, Mags helps us see how we might come to trust the goodness of God amidst heart-rending devastation and chaos. This is gentle, biblically-rooted, and carefully crafted wisdom that faces difficult questions and emotions of suffering head on yet persists in seeking God amongst it all. This is wisdom that has been lived. I trust that many might discover this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Tracy Cotterell, London Institute for Contemporary Christianity \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 9\/11 when I saw the Twin Towers in New York, one after the other, pancake to the ground in a deafening explosion of devastation and heart-wrenching tragedy, it was hard to imagine God among those ruins. When I walked beside a couple whose only child had died at 10 months on Thanksgiving Day, they found it hard to imagine a God among their ruins. When my own hopes and dreams collapsed after trying everything imaginable to keep them alive, I too struggled with finding God in the ruins. In this beautifully written book and with a careful study of Habakkuk, Duggan unfolds the story of her own journey through haunting loss to the transforming comfort of God. So if you have struggled with believing in a loving God when your own world collapses, this book will serve you well. It certainly guided and helped me. Dr.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e MaryKate Morse, professor, author and spiritual director \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf only I had had this book when I looked for help with my own experience of deep and all-pervading disappointment with God in 1983 and could find nothing written on the subject! An interaction with the words of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk based on Mags's own devastation, it is totally authentic in declaring the pain each of them went through and the ways in which they related to God in and through it. It is totally practical as well in offering guidance through activities that help one to recognise one's own difficulties and bring them before God. And, through it all, no matter how horrible the circumstances and the experience, Emmanuel, the God who is with us. It is wonderful to have such a resource available to those who are going through pain and anger with God.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Dr Colin Bulley, Pioneers UK, Member Care Consultant, Spiritual Director \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was eagerly anticipating the release of 'God Among The Ruins', having sat under Mags Duggan's teaching on a number of occasions, and I was not disappointed. Although the book was birthed in the author's own journey of suffering, that does not become the main focus. Each chapter gently and compassionately brings the reader to God Himself through the faith journey of Habakkuk. Mags has not avoided the problems that suffering brings, nor has she offered trite answers where there are none. Rather she helps us learn to walk with the questions as we move towards God. The practical reflections suggested at the end of each chapter are so helpful for readers wanting to apply the truths they are encountering. So helpful. So good.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Valerie Murphy, Coordinator of Women's Bible Teaching Ministry, Crescent Church Belfast, Retreat Leader, Bible Teacher \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncisively yet simply written, there are lessons for us all, not just those who have suffered grief or earthquake.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Canon Dr Steve Davie, Principal of the Bradford Hub of the Leeds School of Ministry \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"384\" width=\"288\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MagsinFergusFalls_480x480.jpg?v=1676493905\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags Duggan has worked with the Navigators for 35 years, many of these as a cross-cultural missionary in East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. More recently, she was on the faculty of Redcliffe College, Gloucester, where she lectured in two areas she is passionate about: Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. Currently, she is engaged in providing spiritual nurture and pastoral care to a diverse group of cross-cultural missionaries and ministry leaders, both here in the UK and around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Winter 2018. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an honest and moving book, with a message for everyone who has struggled or suffered. It is based on the book of Habakkuk, whose short prophecy tells of the prophet's despair, questioning and wrestling with God, and emergence as a wiser, more peaceful person. Duggan tells her own story of despair, questioning, wrestling and her emergence as a wiser, more peaceful person. God Among the Ruins is honest and gently emotive. It is not intended to be a happy story, but it is a tremendously encouraging one. Duggan's chapter on 'Walking with the wounded' is particularly moving. The writing is warm and compelling. It could suit a home group as well as an individual. Each chapter contains simple but practical suggestions to help the reader put the message into practice. It is a book of hope, which nearly everyone would benefit from. I recommend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e_____________________________________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Baptist Times, August 2018. Reviewed by David Stuckey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I was a lot younger my mum gave me her copy of God in The Slums written by Hugh Redwood in the 1930s. It was not an easy read for a young lad but I have revisited it several times in the intervening years and have come to appreciate its sincerity and its poignancy. It told of finding God's presence in unlikely places, in the midst of trial and tribulation, and at times it could be an achingly poignant read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have come across few accounts of loss and despair over the years to come close to Redwood's image of abiding faith - until now. Mags Duggan has similarly identified God's goodness and guidance in times of trial and torment. 'Trust and transformation in difficult times,' she suggests, as her opening reflection in God Among the Ruins repeats familiar words from Habakkuk: 'Even though ... even here ... Emmanuel'. At times when God seemed distant, when crops failed, when death and devastation abounded, Habakkuk was able to declare 'Yet I will rejoice'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags gives her readers an achingly personal reflection of coming to terms with the death of her young niece from cancer, and those words she found which resonated with her in these circumstances came from another who clung to his faith in God in harrowing circumstances. The words of Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner and missionary who died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp came to her, 'sparking the hope of healing and new life,' she writes. Liddell had declared 'Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God's plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book to savour, to dip into for comfort and support, to reflect on personal circumstances and to appreciate the rewards of faith and Christian support. And having unwrapped and dissected Habakkuk in many helpful and meaningful ways, the author then reveals that she too was diagnosed with breast cancer on the day she submitted the manuscript for publication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book to make you weep and wonder, as it gives the reader fresh insight not only into living with cancer but also submitting one's life into the caring arms of the Almighty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDavid Stuckey is a journalist and member of Maghull Baptist Church, Merseyside\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Mike Treneer, International President Emeritus, The Navigators (8 March 2018)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many reasons to commend Mags Duggan's beautifully written book 'God Among the Ruins'! I will mention just three:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis meditation on the Old Testament book of Habakkuk in the light of Mags' own experience of grief for her niece, powerfully brings Bible and life together in ways that help us to understand both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags combines profound insights into some of life's most challenging questions with simple practical suggestions for growing in our relationship with God through them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Mags opens up her own process of grief, she helpfully illustrates and guides us in how we too can 'comfort others with the comfort we too have received from God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Mike Treneer, International President Emeritus, The Navigators.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_____________________________________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-21T14:28:40+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-21T14:27:30+01:00","vendor":"Mags Duggan","type":"eBook","tags":["Anna Chaplaincy books","Feb-18","Glassboxx","Pastoral care","Recommended for Anna Chaplaincy","Women"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53598010868092,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857465764","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"God among the Ruins: Trust and transformation in difficult times - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":162,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857465764","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/53.png?v=1729786396","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/54.png?v=1729786394"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/53.png?v=1729786396","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917489295740,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/53.png?v=1729786396"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/53.png?v=1729786396","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917489262972,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/54.png?v=1729786394"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/54.png?v=1729786394","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eWhere do we turn when our world is falling apart?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eIt takes courage to hope; to stand in our confusion and grief and still to believe that 'God is not helpless among the ruins'. Guided by Habakkuk and his prophetic landmarks, we are drawn on a reflective journey through the tangled landscape of bewildered faith, through places of wrestling and waiting, and on into the growth space of deepened trust and transformation. As you read, discover for yourself the value and practice of honest prayer, of surrender, of silence and listening, and of irrepressible hoping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt's a long and winding road\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWounded ragings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIt wasn't meant to be like this\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDon't just do something, sit there!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOf plastic bottles, empty tin cans and trust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFrom the back door to the barn door - and beyond\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat's in a name?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWalking with the wounded\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wonder of this book is its searing honesty. Through the lens of her own life-changing loss and learning from Habbakuk's journey through profound pain, Mags helps us see how we might come to trust the goodness of God amidst heart-rending devastation and chaos. This is gentle, biblically-rooted, and carefully crafted wisdom that faces difficult questions and emotions of suffering head on yet persists in seeking God amongst it all. This is wisdom that has been lived. I trust that many might discover this book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Tracy Cotterell, London Institute for Contemporary Christianity \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn 9\/11 when I saw the Twin Towers in New York, one after the other, pancake to the ground in a deafening explosion of devastation and heart-wrenching tragedy, it was hard to imagine God among those ruins. When I walked beside a couple whose only child had died at 10 months on Thanksgiving Day, they found it hard to imagine a God among their ruins. When my own hopes and dreams collapsed after trying everything imaginable to keep them alive, I too struggled with finding God in the ruins. In this beautifully written book and with a careful study of Habakkuk, Duggan unfolds the story of her own journey through haunting loss to the transforming comfort of God. So if you have struggled with believing in a loving God when your own world collapses, this book will serve you well. It certainly guided and helped me. Dr.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e MaryKate Morse, professor, author and spiritual director \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf only I had had this book when I looked for help with my own experience of deep and all-pervading disappointment with God in 1983 and could find nothing written on the subject! An interaction with the words of the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk based on Mags's own devastation, it is totally authentic in declaring the pain each of them went through and the ways in which they related to God in and through it. It is totally practical as well in offering guidance through activities that help one to recognise one's own difficulties and bring them before God. And, through it all, no matter how horrible the circumstances and the experience, Emmanuel, the God who is with us. It is wonderful to have such a resource available to those who are going through pain and anger with God.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Dr Colin Bulley, Pioneers UK, Member Care Consultant, Spiritual Director \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was eagerly anticipating the release of 'God Among The Ruins', having sat under Mags Duggan's teaching on a number of occasions, and I was not disappointed. Although the book was birthed in the author's own journey of suffering, that does not become the main focus. Each chapter gently and compassionately brings the reader to God Himself through the faith journey of Habakkuk. Mags has not avoided the problems that suffering brings, nor has she offered trite answers where there are none. Rather she helps us learn to walk with the questions as we move towards God. The practical reflections suggested at the end of each chapter are so helpful for readers wanting to apply the truths they are encountering. So helpful. So good.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Valerie Murphy, Coordinator of Women's Bible Teaching Ministry, Crescent Church Belfast, Retreat Leader, Bible Teacher \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncisively yet simply written, there are lessons for us all, not just those who have suffered grief or earthquake.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Revd Canon Dr Steve Davie, Principal of the Bradford Hub of the Leeds School of Ministry \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg height=\"384\" width=\"288\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/MagsinFergusFalls_480x480.jpg?v=1676493905\" alt=\"\" style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags Duggan has worked with the Navigators for 35 years, many of these as a cross-cultural missionary in East Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. More recently, she was on the faculty of Redcliffe College, Gloucester, where she lectured in two areas she is passionate about: Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. Currently, she is engaged in providing spiritual nurture and pastoral care to a diverse group of cross-cultural missionaries and ministry leaders, both here in the UK and around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Winter 2018. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an honest and moving book, with a message for everyone who has struggled or suffered. It is based on the book of Habakkuk, whose short prophecy tells of the prophet's despair, questioning and wrestling with God, and emergence as a wiser, more peaceful person. Duggan tells her own story of despair, questioning, wrestling and her emergence as a wiser, more peaceful person. God Among the Ruins is honest and gently emotive. It is not intended to be a happy story, but it is a tremendously encouraging one. Duggan's chapter on 'Walking with the wounded' is particularly moving. The writing is warm and compelling. It could suit a home group as well as an individual. Each chapter contains simple but practical suggestions to help the reader put the message into practice. It is a book of hope, which nearly everyone would benefit from. I recommend it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e_____________________________________________________________________\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Baptist Times, August 2018. Reviewed by David Stuckey\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen I was a lot younger my mum gave me her copy of God in The Slums written by Hugh Redwood in the 1930s. It was not an easy read for a young lad but I have revisited it several times in the intervening years and have come to appreciate its sincerity and its poignancy. It told of finding God's presence in unlikely places, in the midst of trial and tribulation, and at times it could be an achingly poignant read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have come across few accounts of loss and despair over the years to come close to Redwood's image of abiding faith - until now. Mags Duggan has similarly identified God's goodness and guidance in times of trial and torment. 'Trust and transformation in difficult times,' she suggests, as her opening reflection in God Among the Ruins repeats familiar words from Habakkuk: 'Even though ... even here ... Emmanuel'. At times when God seemed distant, when crops failed, when death and devastation abounded, Habakkuk was able to declare 'Yet I will rejoice'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags gives her readers an achingly personal reflection of coming to terms with the death of her young niece from cancer, and those words she found which resonated with her in these circumstances came from another who clung to his faith in God in harrowing circumstances. The words of Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner and missionary who died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp came to her, 'sparking the hope of healing and new life,' she writes. Liddell had declared 'Circumstances may appear to wreck our lives and God's plans, but God is not helpless among the ruins.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book to savour, to dip into for comfort and support, to reflect on personal circumstances and to appreciate the rewards of faith and Christian support. And having unwrapped and dissected Habakkuk in many helpful and meaningful ways, the author then reveals that she too was diagnosed with breast cancer on the day she submitted the manuscript for publication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book to make you weep and wonder, as it gives the reader fresh insight not only into living with cancer but also submitting one's life into the caring arms of the Almighty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDavid Stuckey is a journalist and member of Maghull Baptist Church, Merseyside\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Mike Treneer, International President Emeritus, The Navigators (8 March 2018)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many reasons to commend Mags Duggan's beautifully written book 'God Among the Ruins'! I will mention just three:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis meditation on the Old Testament book of Habakkuk in the light of Mags' own experience of grief for her niece, powerfully brings Bible and life together in ways that help us to understand both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMags combines profound insights into some of life's most challenging questions with simple practical suggestions for growing in our relationship with God through them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Mags opens up her own process of grief, she helpfully illustrates and guides us in how we too can 'comfort others with the comfort we too have received from God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Mike Treneer, International President Emeritus, The Navigators.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_____________________________________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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God among the Ruins: Trust and transformation in difficult times
£8.99
Digital eBook Only - Where do we turn when our world is falling apart?It takes courage to hope; to stand...
{"id":14685695017340,"title":"Bible Reflections for Older People September-December 2024","handle":"bible-reflections-for-older-people-september-december-2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eWritten by older people for older people, these reflections are designed to bring hope, assurance and sustenance, reminding the reader of the presence and love of God. Each issue contains 40 Bible reflections and prayer suggestions to use and revisit as often as is needed. In the central section, Debbie Thrower of BRF’s The Gift of Years ministry offers interviews and ideas to encourage and inspire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese Bible reading notes have 32 Bible reflections with prayer suggestions on the theme of hope and loss. Also included is a feature section with news and stories from The Gift of Years ministry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEditor Info\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEley McAinsh is a freelance writer, editor and communications consultant with a background in religious broadcasting and research into contemporary spirituality. She has a long-standing interest in retreats and spiritual direction and a particular concern for the spiritual care of those living with dementia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-22T09:55:15+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-22T09:52:30+01:00","vendor":"Eley McAinsh","type":"eBook","tags":["2024","Ageing and spiritual care","anna chaplaincy","Anna Chaplaincy books","Bible reading notes","Bible Reflections for Older People","Biblical engagement","BRN eBook","Glassboxx","Pastoral care","Recommended for Anna Chaplaincy","Retired and inspired"],"price":555,"price_min":555,"price_max":555,"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":53598458020220,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800393110","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Bible Reflections for Older People September-December 2024 - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":555,"weight":93,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800393110","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/99.png?v=1729888079","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/100.png?v=1729888072"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/99.png?v=1729888079","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62919845478780,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/99.png?v=1729888079"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/99.png?v=1729888079","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62919845380476,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/100.png?v=1729888072"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/100.png?v=1729888072","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eWritten by older people for older people, these reflections are designed to bring hope, assurance and sustenance, reminding the reader of the presence and love of God. Each issue contains 40 Bible reflections and prayer suggestions to use and revisit as often as is needed. In the central section, Debbie Thrower of BRF’s The Gift of Years ministry offers interviews and ideas to encourage and inspire.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese Bible reading notes have 32 Bible reflections with prayer suggestions on the theme of hope and loss. Also included is a feature section with news and stories from The Gift of Years ministry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEditor Info\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEley McAinsh is a freelance writer, editor and communications consultant with a background in religious broadcasting and research into contemporary spirituality. She has a long-standing interest in retreats and spiritual direction and a particular concern for the spiritual care of those living with dementia.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e"}
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Bible Reflections for Older People September-December 2024
£5.55
Digital eBook Only - Written by older people for older people, these reflections are designed to bring hope, assurance and...
{"id":14685708157308,"title":"New Daylight September-December 2024: Sustaining your daily journey with the Bible","handle":"new-daylight-september-december-2024-sustaining-your-daily-journey-with-the-bible-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eEach issue of New Daylight provides four months of daily Bible readings and comment, with a regular team of contributors drawn from a range of church backgrounds. New Daylight covers a varied selection of Old and New Testament passages, biblical themes, characters and seasonal readings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis issue includes: Harvest - Stephen Rand, The Holy Spirit - Barbara Mosse, Philippians: Letter of Joy - Tim Heaton\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-22T10:00:32+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-22T09:59:07+01:00","vendor":"Gordon Giles","type":"eBook","tags":["2024","Bible reading notes","Biblical engagement","BRN ebook","Devotional","Discipleship","Glassboxx","New Daylight","Sept-24"],"price":499,"price_min":499,"price_max":499,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53598467424636,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800393202","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"New Daylight September-December 2024: Sustaining your daily journey with the Bible - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":499,"weight":120,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800393202","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/101.png?v=1729888083","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/102.png?v=1729888087"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/101.png?v=1729888083","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62919845511548,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/101.png?v=1729888083"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/101.png?v=1729888083","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62919845544316,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/102.png?v=1729888087"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/102.png?v=1729888087","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eEach issue of New Daylight provides four months of daily Bible readings and comment, with a regular team of contributors drawn from a range of church backgrounds. New Daylight covers a varied selection of Old and New Testament passages, biblical themes, characters and seasonal readings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis issue includes: Harvest - Stephen Rand, The Holy Spirit - Barbara Mosse, Philippians: Letter of Joy - Tim Heaton\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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New Daylight September-December 2024: Sustaining your daily journey with the Bible
£4.99
Digital eBook Only - Each issue of New Daylight provides four months of daily Bible readings and comment, with a...
{"id":14685713596796,"title":"Day by Day with God September-December 2024: Rooting women's lives in the Bible","handle":"day-by-day-with-god-september-december-2024-rooting-womens-lives-in-the-bible-1","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDay by Day with God is a collection of Bible reading notes specifically written for women by women. The entries for each day contain a suggested Bible reading, with the key verse written out in full, a helpful comment that engages heart and mind and a short reflection or prayer. Whatever your situation, you will be inspired and encouraged by these notes.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn this issue: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003eJames: journey into life - Jen Baker\u003cbr\u003eMaking the familiar unfamiliar - Hannah Fytche \u003cbr\u003eThe rise and fall of Solomon - Anne Le Tissier\u003cbr\u003eWhat the Bible says about family - Christine Platt\u003cbr\u003eJoel: hope for troubled times - Amy Boucher Pye \u003cbr\u003eA psalm for every season - Tracy Williamson \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003eGod at home - Rachel Turner \u003cbr\u003eJohn, the patron saint of Advent! - Emma Scrivener\u003cbr\u003eIntimacy with God - Sheila Jacobs \u003cbr\u003eAsking questions of the Christmas story - Michele D. Morrison\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003eEditor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJackie Harris is married to Ray and lives in Worthing. A freelance editor, Jackie was previously editor of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eWoman Alive\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the magazine for today's Christian woman, and also edited \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eWomen of the Word\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (BRF), a collection of Bible studies written by a team of writers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-22T10:03:18+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-22T10:02:16+01:00","vendor":"Jackie Harris","type":"eBook","tags":["2024","Bible reading notes","BRN ebook","Day by Day with God","Devotional","Discipleship","Glassboxx"],"price":499,"price_min":499,"price_max":499,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53598468047228,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800393141","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Day by Day with God September-December 2024: Rooting women's lives in the Bible - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":499,"weight":110,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800393141","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/103.png?v=1729888089","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/104.png?v=1729888077"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/103.png?v=1729888089","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62919845642620,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/103.png?v=1729888089"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/103.png?v=1729888089","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62919845446012,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/104.png?v=1729888077"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/104.png?v=1729888077","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eDay by Day with God is a collection of Bible reading notes specifically written for women by women. The entries for each day contain a suggested Bible reading, with the key verse written out in full, a helpful comment that engages heart and mind and a short reflection or prayer. Whatever your situation, you will be inspired and encouraged by these notes.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn this issue: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003eJames: journey into life - Jen Baker\u003cbr\u003eMaking the familiar unfamiliar - Hannah Fytche \u003cbr\u003eThe rise and fall of Solomon - Anne Le Tissier\u003cbr\u003eWhat the Bible says about family - Christine Platt\u003cbr\u003eJoel: hope for troubled times - Amy Boucher Pye \u003cbr\u003eA psalm for every season - Tracy Williamson \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003eGod at home - Rachel Turner \u003cbr\u003eJohn, the patron saint of Advent! - Emma Scrivener\u003cbr\u003eIntimacy with God - Sheila Jacobs \u003cbr\u003eAsking questions of the Christmas story - Michele D. Morrison\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003eEditor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJackie Harris is married to Ray and lives in Worthing. A freelance editor, Jackie was previously editor of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eWoman Alive\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the magazine for today's Christian woman, and also edited \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eWomen of the Word\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (BRF), a collection of Bible studies written by a team of writers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Day by Day with God September-December 2024: Rooting women's lives in the Bible
£4.99
Digital eBook Only - Day by Day with God is a collection of Bible reading notes specifically written for women by...
{"id":14685719167356,"title":"Guidelines September-December 2024: Bible study for today's ministry and mission","handle":"guidelines-september-december-2024-bible-study-for-todays-ministry-and-mission","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eGuidelines is a unique Bible reading resource that offers four months of in-depth study, drawing on insights of current scholarship. Its intention is to enable all its readers to interpret and apply biblical text with confidence in today's world. Instead of dated daily readings, Guidelines provides weekly units, broken into six sections, plus an introduction and a final section of points for thought and prayer.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncluded in this issue: \u003cbr\u003eFinding Jesus in the World - Cally Hammond, Joshua - Leone Martin, Esther - Helen Paynter, Forgiveness - David Spriggs, Luke (part II) - Isabelle Hamley and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlivia Warburton\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is co-editor of \u003ci\u003eGuidelines\u003c\/i\u003e. Most recently Head of Content Creation and Living Faith Ministry Lead for BRF Ministries, she has worked in a number of editorial roles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRachel Tranter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is Content Creation Team Lead at BRF Ministries, as well as being co-editor of \u003ci\u003eGuidelines\u003c\/i\u003e. She has a certificate in mission from Cliff College, and lives in Oxfordshire with her twin sister.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-22T10:06:35+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-22T10:05:22+01:00","vendor":"BRF Ministries","type":"eBook","tags":["2024","Bible reading notes","Biblical engagement","BRN eBook","Glassboxx","Guidelines"],"price":499,"price_min":499,"price_max":499,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53598470766972,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800393172","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Guidelines September-December 2024: Bible study for today's ministry and mission - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":499,"weight":125,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800393172","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/104_988d85ed-4e92-4e3c-b998-b2609cf722d9.png?v=1729928860","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/105.png?v=1729928860"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/104_988d85ed-4e92-4e3c-b998-b2609cf722d9.png?v=1729928860","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62920175649148,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/104_988d85ed-4e92-4e3c-b998-b2609cf722d9.png?v=1729928860"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/104_988d85ed-4e92-4e3c-b998-b2609cf722d9.png?v=1729928860","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62920175681916,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/105.png?v=1729928860"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/105.png?v=1729928860","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eGuidelines is a unique Bible reading resource that offers four months of in-depth study, drawing on insights of current scholarship. Its intention is to enable all its readers to interpret and apply biblical text with confidence in today's world. Instead of dated daily readings, Guidelines provides weekly units, broken into six sections, plus an introduction and a final section of points for thought and prayer.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncluded in this issue: \u003cbr\u003eFinding Jesus in the World - Cally Hammond, Joshua - Leone Martin, Esther - Helen Paynter, Forgiveness - David Spriggs, Luke (part II) - Isabelle Hamley and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlivia Warburton\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is co-editor of \u003ci\u003eGuidelines\u003c\/i\u003e. Most recently Head of Content Creation and Living Faith Ministry Lead for BRF Ministries, she has worked in a number of editorial roles.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRachel Tranter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is Content Creation Team Lead at BRF Ministries, as well as being co-editor of \u003ci\u003eGuidelines\u003c\/i\u003e. She has a certificate in mission from Cliff College, and lives in Oxfordshire with her twin sister.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Guidelines September-December 2024: Bible study for today's ministry and mission
£4.99
Digital eBook Only - Guidelines is a unique Bible reading resource that offers four months of in-depth study, drawing on insights...
{"id":14688139018620,"title":"Celtic Rhythms of Life: Daily prayer from the Community of Aidan and Hilda","handle":"celtic-rhythms-of-life-daily-prayer-from-the-community-of-aidan-and-hilda-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFrom the Community of Aidan and Hilda, here is a resource to create a daily rhythm of prayer, inspired by historic and contemporary Celtic Christian spirituality and earthed in the activities of everyday living. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCeltic Rhythms of Life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e contains ready-to-use forms of prayer for morning, midday, evening and night, seven days a week. Morning and evening prayer have a choice of four psalms and scripture readings from the Old and New Testaments. Midday and night prayer have short scripture readings printed in the text. Each day also has its own theme, from resurrection on Sundays to the kingdom on Saturdays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthors\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGraham Booth\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGraham Booth is a Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, speaker and retreat leader. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Cole\u003c\/strong\u003e David Cole is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader, the Deputy Guardian for the Community of Aidan and Hilda, and the founder of Waymark Ministries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRay Simpson\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is a founder and principal tutor of the Community of Aidan and Hilda. A widely published author on spirituality, he also leads retreats on several continents. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePenny Warren\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePenny Warren is a Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, speaker and retreat leader. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEdited by Simon Reed \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Reed is an Anglican minister with two churches in Ealing, London, and a Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Praying daily alongside Ray Simpson at Berwick Parish Church, I know how devoutly committed Ray is to daily prayer. He and his colleagues in the Community of Aidan and Hilda have produced a rich diet of Celtic prayer to enrich our daily cycle of prayer.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBishop Stephen Platten\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\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTransforming Ministry Summer 2024. Review by Betty Taylor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eSubtitled ‘Daily Prayer from the Community of Aidan and Hild’, this delightful little book fits into a bag or pocket to be easily accessible on a journey or having lunch in the park. It falls in line with the monastic rhythm of praying at regular intervals of the day but draws on the Celtic tradition. It can be used individually or in a group situation. There are prayers for morning, midday, evening and night, seven days a week. Morning and Evening prayer provide a choice of four psalms and readings from the Old and New Testaments. Midday and night prayer have shorter scripture readings printed in the text. Each day has its own theme. Those of us wishing to engage in worship with the Celtic saints, though not indifferent to contemporary issues, will find this to be a valuable resource. Thank you to the Community of Aidan and Hilda for providing us with a book of such rich blessings, and for sharing a rhythm of prayer which has become special for you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Betty Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Richard Frost\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many different ways to pray. Whether our own extemporary prayers and the personal quiet time or the structured approach of liturgy. We can use books, apps, audio, video, websites to help us. We can pray with words and in silence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book of daily prayers drawn from the Community of Aidan and Hilda. It provides a rich resource based in the Celtic tradition and the liturgical structure of pausing from the busyness of everyday life to spend time with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe psalmist said ‘Seven times a day have I praised you’ (Psalm 119: 164) which is an approach used in many communities. Here in \u003cem\u003eCeltic Rhythms of Life\u003c\/em\u003e we are encouraged and equipped to pray and praise God four times a day – morning, midday, evening and night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach occasion (one might call it an Office) follows a simple structure using suggestions for psalms, prayers, Bible readings and songs. There is a flexibility within the format suggested by the authors and the material can be used in a group or individually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach day of the week is based around a theme: resurrection, creation, incarnation, the Holy Spirit, unity and community, the Cross and the Kingdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book’s small size also enables it to be carried in a pocket or kept close at hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors have drawn from a well of tradition and wisdom, and the resulting water quenches our thirst for a deeper experience of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA former mental health and employment specialist, Richard 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. He is also the author of \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\"\u003efour other books\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-23T09:59:12+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-23T09:57:24+01:00","vendor":"Graham Booth, David Cole, Simon Reed, Ray Simpson and Penny Warren","type":"eBook","tags":["Celtic Christianity","Devotional","Discipleship","For individuals","Glassboxx","Prayer","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":53599302975868,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392342","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Celtic Rhythms of Life: Daily prayer from the Community of Aidan and Hilda - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":799,"weight":118,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392342","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/55.png?v=1729786130","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/56.png?v=1729786130"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/55.png?v=1729786130","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917484904828,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/55.png?v=1729786130"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/55.png?v=1729786130","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917484872060,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/56.png?v=1729786130"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/56.png?v=1729786130","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFrom the Community of Aidan and Hilda, here is a resource to create a daily rhythm of prayer, inspired by historic and contemporary Celtic Christian spirituality and earthed in the activities of everyday living. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCeltic Rhythms of Life\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e contains ready-to-use forms of prayer for morning, midday, evening and night, seven days a week. Morning and evening prayer have a choice of four psalms and scripture readings from the Old and New Testaments. Midday and night prayer have short scripture readings printed in the text. Each day also has its own theme, from resurrection on Sundays to the kingdom on Saturdays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAuthors\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGraham Booth\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGraham Booth is a Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, speaker and retreat leader. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDavid Cole\u003c\/strong\u003e David Cole is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader, the Deputy Guardian for the Community of Aidan and Hilda, and the founder of Waymark Ministries. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRay Simpson\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRay Simpson is a founder and principal tutor of the Community of Aidan and Hilda. A widely published author on spirituality, he also leads retreats on several continents. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePenny Warren\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePenny Warren is a Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, speaker and retreat leader. \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEdited by Simon Reed \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSimon Reed is an Anglican minister with two churches in Ealing, London, and a Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Praying daily alongside Ray Simpson at Berwick Parish Church, I know how devoutly committed Ray is to daily prayer. He and his colleagues in the Community of Aidan and Hilda have produced a rich diet of Celtic prayer to enrich our daily cycle of prayer.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBishop Stephen Platten\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\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTransforming Ministry Summer 2024. Review by Betty Taylor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003eSubtitled ‘Daily Prayer from the Community of Aidan and Hild’, this delightful little book fits into a bag or pocket to be easily accessible on a journey or having lunch in the park. It falls in line with the monastic rhythm of praying at regular intervals of the day but draws on the Celtic tradition. It can be used individually or in a group situation. There are prayers for morning, midday, evening and night, seven days a week. Morning and Evening prayer provide a choice of four psalms and readings from the Old and New Testaments. Midday and night prayer have shorter scripture readings printed in the text. Each day has its own theme. Those of us wishing to engage in worship with the Celtic saints, though not indifferent to contemporary issues, will find this to be a valuable resource. Thank you to the Community of Aidan and Hilda for providing us with a book of such rich blessings, and for sharing a rhythm of prayer which has become special for you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Betty Taylor\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNoSpacing\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Richard Frost\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many different ways to pray. Whether our own extemporary prayers and the personal quiet time or the structured approach of liturgy. We can use books, apps, audio, video, websites to help us. We can pray with words and in silence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book of daily prayers drawn from the Community of Aidan and Hilda. It provides a rich resource based in the Celtic tradition and the liturgical structure of pausing from the busyness of everyday life to spend time with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe psalmist said ‘Seven times a day have I praised you’ (Psalm 119: 164) which is an approach used in many communities. Here in \u003cem\u003eCeltic Rhythms of Life\u003c\/em\u003e we are encouraged and equipped to pray and praise God four times a day – morning, midday, evening and night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach occasion (one might call it an Office) follows a simple structure using suggestions for psalms, prayers, Bible readings and songs. There is a flexibility within the format suggested by the authors and the material can be used in a group or individually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach day of the week is based around a theme: resurrection, creation, incarnation, the Holy Spirit, unity and community, the Cross and the Kingdom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book’s small size also enables it to be carried in a pocket or kept close at hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors have drawn from a well of tradition and wisdom, and the resulting water quenches our thirst for a deeper experience of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA former mental health and employment specialist, Richard 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. He is also the author of \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/richardfrostauthor.com\/\"\u003efour other books\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Celtic Rhythms of Life: Daily prayer from the Community of Aidan and Hilda
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Digital eBook Only - From the Community of Aidan and Hilda, here is a resource to create a daily rhythm...
{"id":14688189186428,"title":"Rhythms of Grace: Finding intimacy with God in a busy life","handle":"rhythms-of-grace-finding-intimacy-with-god-in-a-busy-life-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eRhythms of Grace emerges from a personal exploration of contemplative spirituality. Coming from an evangelical and charismatic background, Tony Horsfall felt an increasing desire to know God more deeply. At the same time, he felt an increasing dissatisfaction with his own spiritual life, as well as concern at the number of highly qualified and gifted people involved in Christian ministry who experience burn-out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book he shows how contemplative spirituality, with its emphasis on realising our identity as God's beloved children and on being rather than doing, has vital lessons for us about discovering intimacy with God. It also provides essential insights about building a ministry that is both enjoyable and sustainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncludes questions for reflection and action at the end of each chapter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe words of Jesus:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?\u003cbr\u003eCome to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.\u003cbr\u003eI'll show you how to take a real rest.\u003cbr\u003eWalk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.\u003cbr\u003eLearn the unforced rhythms of grace.\u003cbr\u003eI won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.\u003cbr\u003eKeep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.'\u003cbr\u003eMatthew 11:28 - 30 (The Message)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommendation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Tony Horsfall would be satisfied if we could all say, 'I've got rhythm,' because he believes that rhythm is the secret to Christian happiness and fruitfulness. It is a rhythm of advance and retreat, going out and going in, activity and time with God. Tony gives down-to-earth guidance on how we build that rhythm into our lives. Seldom do writers make these great lessons so easily available to the average reader, but Tony does it. This is a wonderful book.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMajor Peter Farthing, Salvation Army, Sydney\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eForeword\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou've placed a hunger in my heart...\u003cbr\u003eYou've caused a thirst that I cannot ignore;\u003cbr\u003eYou've stirred a passion that will drive me\u003cbr\u003einto Your presence\u003cbr\u003eAnd I won't rest until You've heard\u003cbr\u003eMy cry for more.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat verse from one of Stuart Townend's worship songs describes so accurately the hunger that is gnawing at many hearts in these days when the pace of life seems to accelerate year by year. I have heard that heart-hunger being expressed in many parts of the world, from Singapore and Malaysia to England and North America. I heard it being expressed some years ago by the author of this book when he first came to our home to make a retreat towards the end of his sabbatical leave.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring that retreat and since, Tony Horsfall has tasted and seen for himself that 'the Lord is good'. Many readers and would-be contemplatives will be grateful to him for the time he has spent sharing with us some of the fruit of his own exploration into a form of prayer that has set him free to enjoy an ever-deepening intimacy with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe way the contents of the book have been spread out reminds me of an appetising buffet. Every chapter spreads before us a variety of tempting titbits. Sample them and they simply whet your appetite so that you find yourself going back for more - and more, and more. Take Chapter 8, for example. Here we read, 'If we seek him, we shall find him; if we have a longing for him, it will eventually be satisfied.' Such sentences are to be savoured and reflected on. As we reflect, God's Spirit may well stir up in us a desire for more - more stillness, more sustenance, more of God's love, more of God himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author makes this claim: 'When we meet God in the person of Jesus, we experience beauty - sheer loveliness, tenderness, compassion, charm and grace' (p. 68). That has been my experience as I have read and prayed with the contents of this book. That is why it is a joy for me to recommend the following pages to those who can no longer ignore or push away the passion for God's presence that has been planted in their hearts by God's Spirit. In particular, I warmly recommend it to those who find their hearts echoing the kind of sentiments that are voiced in Stuart Townend's song but who come from a church background that has never taught or understood the value of a more still approach to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs I have read, reread and prayed with each chapter of this book, there have been occasions when I have sensed the anointing of God's Spirit on the insights shared. My prayer as this little gem goes to print again is that through its pages and by the grace of God, readers will find themselves enriched and enlightened and that they will be nourished as they feast from the banquet spread before them. Whenever this happens, the author will be rewarded for the hard work he has poured into this book and God will be glorified. For this I pray.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoyce Huggett\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on the insights and disciplines of contemplative spirituality, Tony writes without legalism to help us engage and encounter God through Christ in meaningful ways. This book will significantly widen our worship experience as we present our real selves to a real God.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Dave Bilbrough, international songwriter and worship leader \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReading this book was like drinking refreshing water. It satisfied a thirsty soul. It pointed me back to Jesus and his releasing rhythms of life. Too quickly we are working for him rather than walking with him. I believe this is one of the most important books written in recent years because it is about depth and intimacy. For over-busy Christians and leaders, this book is a must. It is about much more than pace in the race. It is about going deeper with Jesus.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e The Right Reverend Ken Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, Church of Ireland \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten in a readable style, this book has been a helpful introduction for me to contemplative spirituality and its practice. I have been challenged to live by it, and to please God by my being with him rather than my being busy for him. I commend this book to all who desire to be drawn closer to God because he is pleased with who we are more than what we do.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Paul Tan, Overseas Missionary Fellowship, Singapore \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of those books which has had a profound influence on my life. Tony not only reminds us of our need to slow down and simply 'be' with God, he also illustrates how we can do this, by providing practical guidelines on meditation and contemplative prayer. This book can enrich your walk with God.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Debbie Lovell-Hawker, Clinical Psychologist, Interhealth , London \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have read, and read, and read again this wise and gentle book, and each read has only increased my hunger to know and to love God and to walk the ancient pathways and embrace the age-old practices which Tony unwraps for us in its pages. This is a book for those of us who are weary of disappointing short-cuts to intimacy, and who long for a rich and deep and transformative relationship with God. In this book Tony reminds us of God's yearning for the love of our hearts, and shows us ways by which we can respond to that love. I cannot recommend it highly enough.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Mags Duggan, Redcliffe College, Gloucester \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall, a self-confessed activist, turns out to be perfect company for a busy Christian who wants to escape the destructive and depleting spiral of ever-increasing activity. Tony's book calls us to focus on the true Master of life - Jesus - who not only extends the invitation to this beautiful way of living, but has modelled it himself, and indeed offers to show us how on a daily basis. I hope this book finds its way into the hands of every active Christian, and in turn finds its way into their hearts and lives.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Erik Jespersen, Head of Social Transformation, Emmaus Road Church \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first edition of this book made me realise how hungry I was for God. I was a spiritual anorexic and I didn't even know how starved I was for something other than what I thought it meant to be a Christian. In England, at a retreat centre near Oxford, I absorbed the book walking fields, dangling hot feet in cold streams, sipping wine in pubs, and late at night huddled under warm blankets. Tony shares his experiences of becoming worn out following evangelical voices urging us to win the world for Christ and charismatic voices promising us to be able to do it faster and better. He found rest in the contemplative tradition. For the first time in many years I felt I could breathe and relax in God's company.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Fran Love, spiritual director and cross-cultural communicator, Arizona \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy reading this book in a little church group, we learned to practise God's contemplation rather than to do more and more. Taking time to hear and admire our God is the key to our development. As we studied we experienced the nearness of God and his love.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Genevieve Utermann, Switzerland \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRhythms of Grace met the thirst of my heart and the longing of my spirit for guidance and direction in pursuing Christ's presence as opposed to continually trying to please him through performance. Instead of having to constantly work harder - the only response to salvation I'd previously understood - Tony helped me realise my desperate need to rest, reflect and spend time alone with Jesus. This book is water on a faith gone dry. May it refresh and renew your faith as it has mine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Keith Dodson, Director of Human Resources, Missionary Maintenance Services Aviation, Ohio \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall would be satisfied if we could all say, 'I've got rhythm,' because he believes that rhythm is the secret to Christian happiness and fruitfulness. It is a rhythm of advance and retreat, going out and going in, activity and time with God. Tony gives down-to-earth guidance on how we build that rhythm into our lives. Seldom do writers make these great lessons so easily available to the average reader, but Tony does it. This is a wonderful book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Major Peter Farthing, Salvation Army, Sydney \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a freelance trainer and retreat leader, whose work regularly takes him around the world. He has written a number of books for BRF, including Mentoring for Spiritual Growth and Working from a Place of Rest, which has been reprinted twice since publication. He also contributes to New Daylight Bible reading notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview in the Julian Meetings Magazine, August 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFifteen years ago a book by John Main started me on the path of contemplative prayer and an exciting new journey in faith. I had already encountered Brother Lawrence and read \u003cem\u003eThe Cloud of Unknowing\u003c\/em\u003e. Later I read Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Margaret Silf and many more, who deepened my appreciation of the riches we have in our Christian tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fascinating book by an author new to me, whose experience echoes my own. I returned to living faith through the ministry of a charismatic church, so I appreciate the early chapters which highlight the strengths of the Evangelical and Charismatic strands Christianity in the UK. He alludes to the need for a growing maturity of faith, where we serve out of a place of rest in God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony outlines a journey that many will recognise and clarifies six great practices for setting out on, maintaining and deepening our relationship with God. He introduces us to spiritual explorers down the centuries, from the 4th century desert fathers and mothers, to those of the present day. He gives the scriptural grounding of their exploration in the practice and experience of Jesus and the early church. The joy too is that, in the final pages, Tony sets out how the reader or small groups of interested people, might explore together those inner disciplines which lead us into new life; a gift indeed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by Sue Cutts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLast year I read an article by Tony Horsfall in 'The Reader' magazine (I am a Reader in the Anglican Church) which was basically promoting his book Rhythms of Grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo years earlier, I had left a large evangelical, charismatic church in the city centre to work with a church in my local community on the edge of the city. I had already been challenged to consider my identity in Christ: that I am not defined by what I do but by who I am - a child of God. In my local church, my ideas of worship were broadened to include Celtic Daily Prayer. I learnt that silence in prayer meetings was not an awkward pause but a time to be valued. So when I realised that Tony's book was advocating Contemplative Spirituality and that the author came from my sort of background, I decided to buy it. I wanted to investigate further how I could have a deeper intimacy with God; to know Him better - not just theologically but in relationship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book lived up to my expectations. Because my background is similar to Tony Horsfall's, I could identify with the author. He's not criticising the evangelical\/charismatic church, just saying there is more! Worship is not all about words and doing; Jesus said 'Come' as well as 'Go'. In my mission-focussed city church, 'go' had prominently featured; 'come' in the sense of just spending time with Jesus to enjoy his presence had not been given the same import. We were too busy 'doing' and had little time for 'being' or 'resting', which consequently led to discouragement and feelings of guilt for not having done enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI had started to realise the importance of 'being' before reading Rhythms of Grace but this book has helped both in my thinking and in practice. It is very readable with concise chapters, yet it is full of helpful and practical advice. I have not only read it but studied it. I am learning more and more the value of times of silence and solitude away from the noise and busyness of life; that effective 'doing' comes from the strength of being with God, assured of his love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Sheila McKay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Christianity Magazine - June 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a charismatic evangelical who, in his quest to know God more deeply and to avoid burnout, felt God call him to journey into a contemplative form of spirituality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRhythms of Grace explains the basic tenets of this spirituality in a reflective and inspiring way. Each chapter involves a theme such as stillness, solitude or contemplation. Horsfall's material is well-researched, rooted in scripture and accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe also includes a useful six-session small group resource. Each session looks at the biblical foundations for a discipline such as silence or biblical meditation, and then offers ideas for the group to try this out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you long to find deeper intimacy with God, or you have never engaged with the contemplative tradition, this is the book for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Lucinda van der Hart\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTired and worn out? Burnt out on religion? If so, you may wish to read Tony Horsfall's book, \u003cem\u003eRhythms of Grace\u003c\/em\u003e, which is written out of a deep concern for the many activist Christians like himself who are caught up in a 'spiral of ever-increasing activity'. Not surprisingly, he notes that many qualified and gifted Christians in the evangelical\/charismatic section of the church are dissatisfied and suffering burn-out. Starting with a brief, yet clear and interesting description of evangelical and charismatic spiritualities, Horsfall suggests that a contemplative spirituality will bring the necessary balance to make ministry more enjoyable and sustainable. He writes: 'There seems to be something lacking in our spirituality, for the way many of us currently practise the Christian life leads us more to activity than to intimacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result, many of us seem to endure our faith rather than enjoy it, for it brings us increasingly into the busyness of the outer life and less and less into the vitality of the inner life.' Even though Horsfall specifically addresses the many activists in the evangelical\/charismatic tradition, I am sure his observation resonates with ministers and members in all sections of the church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter giving the example of the contemplative life practised and taught by Jesus and his disciples, Horsfall calls for lives centred on Jesus, and lives which embrace stillness, silence, solitude, reflection, Bible meditation and contemplation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the concluding chapters, practical suggestions are offered on how a contemplative spirituality can be integrated into our busy lives and how 'unforced rhythms of grace' can be practised in our daily living, allowing us to discover 'true intimacy with God'. I recommend the book as it is written in clear and practical terms, each chapter offering useful insights and deep wisdom, and as it concludes with helpful questions for reflection and action. Perhaps some of the chapters seem a bit repetitive, but this book would lend itself very well to being read in a church group, or to being used as a resource for a quiet day or retreat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Leonora Jagessar-Visser't Hooft - a United Reformed Church minister at Trinity (St Albans), Harpenden and Bricket Wood URCs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eThe Church Times\u003c\/em\u003e - 18 May 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI confess that I approached Tony Horsfall's book with a cautious heart, but came away from it with a glad one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe writer comes from an Evangelical background, which is not my own, and my prejudices got in the way. His aim is to widen the spirituality of the 'usual' Evangelical (if there is such a person), and introduce him or her to a kind of spirituality which for many good Christians would be entirely new. He does this with great sensitivity - and possibly a little deliberate cunning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first chapters describe issues that will be quite familiar to most Evangelical Christians, and probably form part of their daily devotions. But, slowly and gently, he leads his reader into what is probably, for most British Christians, new ground. He plays no tricks, but opens up radically different ways of prayer and listening to God. None of these is new to Christianity - indeed, many have ancient roots - but most have only relatively recently found their way into the daily devotions of today's Anglican (and probably Free Church) Christian lives. With Horsfall, prayer becomes listening and waiting rather than speaking and asking - as (he tells us) he has himself discovered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Canon John Armson, former Precentor of Rochester Cathedral\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom The Good Bookstall - 14 April 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorsfall's message here is a prophetic and timely one. Experiencing intimacy with God in a busy life is a perennial if not cosmic wrestle. The world, the flesh and the devil all collaborate with our busyness and vulnerabilities, to minimise the truthfulness that comes from silence and solitude with our Saviour. \u003cem\u003eRhythms of Grace\u003c\/em\u003e has a pulsing beat emanating from a personal exploration of contemplative spirituality. Evangelical and charismatic pathways fuse meaningfully in an experiential pursuit of God. This is full of insights, wisdom, reflection and signposts toward action and transformation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDense, definitive and delightful for the soul! This is a great title deserving of more than just shelf collection. Read and then re-read this gem of a book! This is a well-crafted and compelling invitation to walk in intimate grace with the risen Jesus Christ. This book in God's goodness could birth healing for many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Johnny Douglas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI greatly enjoyed reading Rhythms of Grace. Tony Horsfall's message to those of us who are so busy that we hardly ever have time to sit still and simply be is a timely one. It also helps us to realise just how precious we are to God, and that though we may feel we don't measure up as Christians, God accepts and loves us as we are, and longs to deepen our relationship with him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Hibbins, Editor of the UK edition of The Upper Room\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-23T10:24:01+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-23T10:22:50+01:00","vendor":"Tony Horsfall","type":"eBook","tags":["Feb-12","For individuals","Glassboxx","Leadership","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":53599314542972,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800393288","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Rhythms of Grace: Finding intimacy with God in a busy life - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":196,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800393288","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/61_847a9e3f-1a19-48df-a9ca-91a72029115a.png?v=1729787049","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/62.png?v=1729787048"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/61_847a9e3f-1a19-48df-a9ca-91a72029115a.png?v=1729787049","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917502140796,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/61_847a9e3f-1a19-48df-a9ca-91a72029115a.png?v=1729787049"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/61_847a9e3f-1a19-48df-a9ca-91a72029115a.png?v=1729787049","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917502108028,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/62.png?v=1729787048"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/62.png?v=1729787048","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eRhythms of Grace emerges from a personal exploration of contemplative spirituality. Coming from an evangelical and charismatic background, Tony Horsfall felt an increasing desire to know God more deeply. At the same time, he felt an increasing dissatisfaction with his own spiritual life, as well as concern at the number of highly qualified and gifted people involved in Christian ministry who experience burn-out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book he shows how contemplative spirituality, with its emphasis on realising our identity as God's beloved children and on being rather than doing, has vital lessons for us about discovering intimacy with God. It also provides essential insights about building a ministry that is both enjoyable and sustainable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncludes questions for reflection and action at the end of each chapter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe words of Jesus:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?\u003cbr\u003eCome to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life.\u003cbr\u003eI'll show you how to take a real rest.\u003cbr\u003eWalk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.\u003cbr\u003eLearn the unforced rhythms of grace.\u003cbr\u003eI won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.\u003cbr\u003eKeep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly.'\u003cbr\u003eMatthew 11:28 - 30 (The Message)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRecommendation\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Tony Horsfall would be satisfied if we could all say, 'I've got rhythm,' because he believes that rhythm is the secret to Christian happiness and fruitfulness. It is a rhythm of advance and retreat, going out and going in, activity and time with God. Tony gives down-to-earth guidance on how we build that rhythm into our lives. Seldom do writers make these great lessons so easily available to the average reader, but Tony does it. This is a wonderful book.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMajor Peter Farthing, Salvation Army, Sydney\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eForeword\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou've placed a hunger in my heart...\u003cbr\u003eYou've caused a thirst that I cannot ignore;\u003cbr\u003eYou've stirred a passion that will drive me\u003cbr\u003einto Your presence\u003cbr\u003eAnd I won't rest until You've heard\u003cbr\u003eMy cry for more.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat verse from one of Stuart Townend's worship songs describes so accurately the hunger that is gnawing at many hearts in these days when the pace of life seems to accelerate year by year. I have heard that heart-hunger being expressed in many parts of the world, from Singapore and Malaysia to England and North America. I heard it being expressed some years ago by the author of this book when he first came to our home to make a retreat towards the end of his sabbatical leave.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring that retreat and since, Tony Horsfall has tasted and seen for himself that 'the Lord is good'. Many readers and would-be contemplatives will be grateful to him for the time he has spent sharing with us some of the fruit of his own exploration into a form of prayer that has set him free to enjoy an ever-deepening intimacy with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe way the contents of the book have been spread out reminds me of an appetising buffet. Every chapter spreads before us a variety of tempting titbits. Sample them and they simply whet your appetite so that you find yourself going back for more - and more, and more. Take Chapter 8, for example. Here we read, 'If we seek him, we shall find him; if we have a longing for him, it will eventually be satisfied.' Such sentences are to be savoured and reflected on. As we reflect, God's Spirit may well stir up in us a desire for more - more stillness, more sustenance, more of God's love, more of God himself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author makes this claim: 'When we meet God in the person of Jesus, we experience beauty - sheer loveliness, tenderness, compassion, charm and grace' (p. 68). That has been my experience as I have read and prayed with the contents of this book. That is why it is a joy for me to recommend the following pages to those who can no longer ignore or push away the passion for God's presence that has been planted in their hearts by God's Spirit. In particular, I warmly recommend it to those who find their hearts echoing the kind of sentiments that are voiced in Stuart Townend's song but who come from a church background that has never taught or understood the value of a more still approach to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs I have read, reread and prayed with each chapter of this book, there have been occasions when I have sensed the anointing of God's Spirit on the insights shared. My prayer as this little gem goes to print again is that through its pages and by the grace of God, readers will find themselves enriched and enlightened and that they will be nourished as they feast from the banquet spread before them. Whenever this happens, the author will be rewarded for the hard work he has poured into this book and God will be glorified. For this I pray.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoyce Huggett\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on the insights and disciplines of contemplative spirituality, Tony writes without legalism to help us engage and encounter God through Christ in meaningful ways. This book will significantly widen our worship experience as we present our real selves to a real God.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Dave Bilbrough, international songwriter and worship leader \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReading this book was like drinking refreshing water. It satisfied a thirsty soul. It pointed me back to Jesus and his releasing rhythms of life. Too quickly we are working for him rather than walking with him. I believe this is one of the most important books written in recent years because it is about depth and intimacy. For over-busy Christians and leaders, this book is a must. It is about much more than pace in the race. It is about going deeper with Jesus.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e The Right Reverend Ken Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, Church of Ireland \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten in a readable style, this book has been a helpful introduction for me to contemplative spirituality and its practice. I have been challenged to live by it, and to please God by my being with him rather than my being busy for him. I commend this book to all who desire to be drawn closer to God because he is pleased with who we are more than what we do.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Paul Tan, Overseas Missionary Fellowship, Singapore \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of those books which has had a profound influence on my life. Tony not only reminds us of our need to slow down and simply 'be' with God, he also illustrates how we can do this, by providing practical guidelines on meditation and contemplative prayer. This book can enrich your walk with God.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Debbie Lovell-Hawker, Clinical Psychologist, Interhealth , London \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have read, and read, and read again this wise and gentle book, and each read has only increased my hunger to know and to love God and to walk the ancient pathways and embrace the age-old practices which Tony unwraps for us in its pages. This is a book for those of us who are weary of disappointing short-cuts to intimacy, and who long for a rich and deep and transformative relationship with God. In this book Tony reminds us of God's yearning for the love of our hearts, and shows us ways by which we can respond to that love. I cannot recommend it highly enough.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Mags Duggan, Redcliffe College, Gloucester \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall, a self-confessed activist, turns out to be perfect company for a busy Christian who wants to escape the destructive and depleting spiral of ever-increasing activity. Tony's book calls us to focus on the true Master of life - Jesus - who not only extends the invitation to this beautiful way of living, but has modelled it himself, and indeed offers to show us how on a daily basis. I hope this book finds its way into the hands of every active Christian, and in turn finds its way into their hearts and lives.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Erik Jespersen, Head of Social Transformation, Emmaus Road Church \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first edition of this book made me realise how hungry I was for God. I was a spiritual anorexic and I didn't even know how starved I was for something other than what I thought it meant to be a Christian. In England, at a retreat centre near Oxford, I absorbed the book walking fields, dangling hot feet in cold streams, sipping wine in pubs, and late at night huddled under warm blankets. Tony shares his experiences of becoming worn out following evangelical voices urging us to win the world for Christ and charismatic voices promising us to be able to do it faster and better. He found rest in the contemplative tradition. For the first time in many years I felt I could breathe and relax in God's company.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Fran Love, spiritual director and cross-cultural communicator, Arizona \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy reading this book in a little church group, we learned to practise God's contemplation rather than to do more and more. Taking time to hear and admire our God is the key to our development. As we studied we experienced the nearness of God and his love.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Genevieve Utermann, Switzerland \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRhythms of Grace met the thirst of my heart and the longing of my spirit for guidance and direction in pursuing Christ's presence as opposed to continually trying to please him through performance. Instead of having to constantly work harder - the only response to salvation I'd previously understood - Tony helped me realise my desperate need to rest, reflect and spend time alone with Jesus. This book is water on a faith gone dry. May it refresh and renew your faith as it has mine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Keith Dodson, Director of Human Resources, Missionary Maintenance Services Aviation, Ohio \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall would be satisfied if we could all say, 'I've got rhythm,' because he believes that rhythm is the secret to Christian happiness and fruitfulness. It is a rhythm of advance and retreat, going out and going in, activity and time with God. Tony gives down-to-earth guidance on how we build that rhythm into our lives. Seldom do writers make these great lessons so easily available to the average reader, but Tony does it. This is a wonderful book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Major Peter Farthing, Salvation Army, Sydney \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a freelance trainer and retreat leader, whose work regularly takes him around the world. He has written a number of books for BRF, including Mentoring for Spiritual Growth and Working from a Place of Rest, which has been reprinted twice since publication. He also contributes to New Daylight Bible reading notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview in the Julian Meetings Magazine, August 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFifteen years ago a book by John Main started me on the path of contemplative prayer and an exciting new journey in faith. I had already encountered Brother Lawrence and read \u003cem\u003eThe Cloud of Unknowing\u003c\/em\u003e. Later I read Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Margaret Silf and many more, who deepened my appreciation of the riches we have in our Christian tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fascinating book by an author new to me, whose experience echoes my own. I returned to living faith through the ministry of a charismatic church, so I appreciate the early chapters which highlight the strengths of the Evangelical and Charismatic strands Christianity in the UK. He alludes to the need for a growing maturity of faith, where we serve out of a place of rest in God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony outlines a journey that many will recognise and clarifies six great practices for setting out on, maintaining and deepening our relationship with God. He introduces us to spiritual explorers down the centuries, from the 4th century desert fathers and mothers, to those of the present day. He gives the scriptural grounding of their exploration in the practice and experience of Jesus and the early church. The joy too is that, in the final pages, Tony sets out how the reader or small groups of interested people, might explore together those inner disciplines which lead us into new life; a gift indeed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReview by Sue Cutts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLast year I read an article by Tony Horsfall in 'The Reader' magazine (I am a Reader in the Anglican Church) which was basically promoting his book Rhythms of Grace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo years earlier, I had left a large evangelical, charismatic church in the city centre to work with a church in my local community on the edge of the city. I had already been challenged to consider my identity in Christ: that I am not defined by what I do but by who I am - a child of God. In my local church, my ideas of worship were broadened to include Celtic Daily Prayer. I learnt that silence in prayer meetings was not an awkward pause but a time to be valued. So when I realised that Tony's book was advocating Contemplative Spirituality and that the author came from my sort of background, I decided to buy it. I wanted to investigate further how I could have a deeper intimacy with God; to know Him better - not just theologically but in relationship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book lived up to my expectations. Because my background is similar to Tony Horsfall's, I could identify with the author. He's not criticising the evangelical\/charismatic church, just saying there is more! Worship is not all about words and doing; Jesus said 'Come' as well as 'Go'. In my mission-focussed city church, 'go' had prominently featured; 'come' in the sense of just spending time with Jesus to enjoy his presence had not been given the same import. We were too busy 'doing' and had little time for 'being' or 'resting', which consequently led to discouragement and feelings of guilt for not having done enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI had started to realise the importance of 'being' before reading Rhythms of Grace but this book has helped both in my thinking and in practice. It is very readable with concise chapters, yet it is full of helpful and practical advice. I have not only read it but studied it. I am learning more and more the value of times of silence and solitude away from the noise and busyness of life; that effective 'doing' comes from the strength of being with God, assured of his love.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Sheila McKay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Christianity Magazine - June 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a charismatic evangelical who, in his quest to know God more deeply and to avoid burnout, felt God call him to journey into a contemplative form of spirituality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRhythms of Grace explains the basic tenets of this spirituality in a reflective and inspiring way. Each chapter involves a theme such as stillness, solitude or contemplation. Horsfall's material is well-researched, rooted in scripture and accessible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe also includes a useful six-session small group resource. Each session looks at the biblical foundations for a discipline such as silence or biblical meditation, and then offers ideas for the group to try this out.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you long to find deeper intimacy with God, or you have never engaged with the contemplative tradition, this is the book for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Lucinda van der Hart\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTired and worn out? Burnt out on religion? If so, you may wish to read Tony Horsfall's book, \u003cem\u003eRhythms of Grace\u003c\/em\u003e, which is written out of a deep concern for the many activist Christians like himself who are caught up in a 'spiral of ever-increasing activity'. Not surprisingly, he notes that many qualified and gifted Christians in the evangelical\/charismatic section of the church are dissatisfied and suffering burn-out. Starting with a brief, yet clear and interesting description of evangelical and charismatic spiritualities, Horsfall suggests that a contemplative spirituality will bring the necessary balance to make ministry more enjoyable and sustainable. He writes: 'There seems to be something lacking in our spirituality, for the way many of us currently practise the Christian life leads us more to activity than to intimacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a result, many of us seem to endure our faith rather than enjoy it, for it brings us increasingly into the busyness of the outer life and less and less into the vitality of the inner life.' Even though Horsfall specifically addresses the many activists in the evangelical\/charismatic tradition, I am sure his observation resonates with ministers and members in all sections of the church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter giving the example of the contemplative life practised and taught by Jesus and his disciples, Horsfall calls for lives centred on Jesus, and lives which embrace stillness, silence, solitude, reflection, Bible meditation and contemplation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the concluding chapters, practical suggestions are offered on how a contemplative spirituality can be integrated into our busy lives and how 'unforced rhythms of grace' can be practised in our daily living, allowing us to discover 'true intimacy with God'. I recommend the book as it is written in clear and practical terms, each chapter offering useful insights and deep wisdom, and as it concludes with helpful questions for reflection and action. Perhaps some of the chapters seem a bit repetitive, but this book would lend itself very well to being read in a church group, or to being used as a resource for a quiet day or retreat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Leonora Jagessar-Visser't Hooft - a United Reformed Church minister at Trinity (St Albans), Harpenden and Bricket Wood URCs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom \u003cem\u003eThe Church Times\u003c\/em\u003e - 18 May 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI confess that I approached Tony Horsfall's book with a cautious heart, but came away from it with a glad one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe writer comes from an Evangelical background, which is not my own, and my prejudices got in the way. His aim is to widen the spirituality of the 'usual' Evangelical (if there is such a person), and introduce him or her to a kind of spirituality which for many good Christians would be entirely new. He does this with great sensitivity - and possibly a little deliberate cunning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first chapters describe issues that will be quite familiar to most Evangelical Christians, and probably form part of their daily devotions. But, slowly and gently, he leads his reader into what is probably, for most British Christians, new ground. He plays no tricks, but opens up radically different ways of prayer and listening to God. None of these is new to Christianity - indeed, many have ancient roots - but most have only relatively recently found their way into the daily devotions of today's Anglican (and probably Free Church) Christian lives. With Horsfall, prayer becomes listening and waiting rather than speaking and asking - as (he tells us) he has himself discovered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Canon John Armson, former Precentor of Rochester Cathedral\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom The Good Bookstall - 14 April 2012\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHorsfall's message here is a prophetic and timely one. Experiencing intimacy with God in a busy life is a perennial if not cosmic wrestle. The world, the flesh and the devil all collaborate with our busyness and vulnerabilities, to minimise the truthfulness that comes from silence and solitude with our Saviour. \u003cem\u003eRhythms of Grace\u003c\/em\u003e has a pulsing beat emanating from a personal exploration of contemplative spirituality. Evangelical and charismatic pathways fuse meaningfully in an experiential pursuit of God. This is full of insights, wisdom, reflection and signposts toward action and transformation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDense, definitive and delightful for the soul! This is a great title deserving of more than just shelf collection. Read and then re-read this gem of a book! This is a well-crafted and compelling invitation to walk in intimate grace with the risen Jesus Christ. This book in God's goodness could birth healing for many.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Johnny Douglas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI greatly enjoyed reading Rhythms of Grace. Tony Horsfall's message to those of us who are so busy that we hardly ever have time to sit still and simply be is a timely one. It also helps us to realise just how precious we are to God, and that though we may feel we don't measure up as Christians, God accepts and loves us as we are, and longs to deepen our relationship with him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSusan Hibbins, Editor of the UK edition of The Upper Room\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Rhythms of Grace: Finding intimacy with God in a busy life
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Digital eBook Only - Rhythms of Grace emerges from a personal exploration of contemplative spirituality. Coming from an evangelical and...
{"id":14688200458620,"title":"80 Creative Prayer Ideas: A resource for church and group use","handle":"80-creative-prayer-ideas-a-resource-for-church-and-group-use-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ePrayer is a vital part of the Christian life but people often struggle with actually getting on and doing it. This book offers 80 imaginative and creative ideas for setting up 'prayer stations', practical ways of praying that involve the senses - touching, tasting, smelling, seeing, and hearing, rather than simply reflecting, as we bring our hopes, fears, dreams and doubts to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeveloped from material tried and tested with small groups, the ideas here provide activities ranging from bubble prayers to clay pot prayers (via just about everything else in between), and have been designed to be used with grown-ups - of all ages!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForeword\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book that is so needed in our word filled world! It is wonderfully creative, helping us to engage with all of our being in the whole business of listening to, walking with, waiting for and talking with God. It provides biblically based ideas to make prayer accessible to an individual, small group or church congregation in ways that are engaging, stimulating and fun!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo many people find getting down to pray and praying hard, whether they try on their own or with others in a small group or in a church setting. Often this is because we rely solely on using verbal tools to 'pray'. And while that does work for some of us, others need to engage more actively in the doing and so be able to connect with the Bible passage, themes or issues in more interactive ways which enable our praying to flow for ourselves and for others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI hope this book will spur on leaders who want to include creative praying in church services and home groups as well as individuals who want to explore new ways of encountering God in the place of prayer. Jesus clearly showed us what our responsibilities are as his followers: to pray for his kingdom to come and for his will to be done in and for our families and our neighbours; in our communities , our nation and our world. Let's use these creative methods of prayer and see where God leads us as we sense our own prayer journey developing and reaching up to God and out to those he puts on our heart to pray for and about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Holloway, World Prayer Centre, Birmingham\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaire Daniels' book not only offers us a wide variety of ways to engage with God, but opens up experiences that ignite our senses and help us step right into an enhanced understanding of God and of our journey with him. This is a book that is so needed in our word filled world!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Holloway, World Prayer Centre, Birmingham \u003c\/strong\u003e\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\/ClaireDaniel2_480x480.jpg?v=1676493596\" width=\"133\" height=\"127\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eClaire Daniel has led creative prayer sessions for a variety of age groups at Aldridge Parish Church, near Birmingham and also for The Hothouse, a fresh expression of church and growing worshipping community in the West Midlands. She is passionate about encouraging others to explore different ways of praying and supporting groups and churches to use creative prayer ideas in ministry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the Diocese of Lichfield Magazine July\/August 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreative Prayer 'it enables you to respond to God in practical and very personal ways. When the words won't come - because you feel inadequate or don't know what to say, you can do something and physically give it to God.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaire Daniel wrote her new book, 80 Creative Prayer Ideas, either side of the birth of her son. The book features prayer ideas and approaches that involve all the senses. Each prayer idea is built around a bible reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'The thing with creative prayer is it gives the chance to spend time with God. It is not just about a list of requests, thanks or things you've done wrong, it is listening to God.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'People can develop through creative prayer because it gives you the time and space to listen and let God work. There is a place for liturgical prayer, but also something significant in doing things a different way.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaire leads prayer sessions at Aldridge Parish Church and also at The Hothouse, a fresh expression of church and growing worship community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'We do creative prayer as part of the Hothouse services once a fortnight. Prayer stations are firmly something for adults, not just children. When I personally started creative prayer, I found it brilliant, and powerful - especially where you can take something away as a keep sake of faith and return to it again.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'People are really excited, and raring to use it. Our youth fellowship can't wait to get their hands on it. I would love to speak or lead workshops for churches that are passionate about different ways of praying, bringing alive their prayer life.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a youth and children's worker I am always looking out for ideas for creative ways to encourage people to pray, so I have seen many resource books on how to engage people in prayer. I came to this book wondering what could be said that has not already been said and what new ideas might be included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. The book is divided into various sections looking at different areas of walking with God - walking with the Bible, walking in our world, walking as a church, walking together with God and our personal walk with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder each of these headings are a series of chapters looking at prayer for different people and different seasons. Each idea is then divided into a prayer focus, Bible reflection and personal reflection. There is also a section highlighting what materials you would need to have ready in order to make your prayer session interactive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout the book are ideas using all our senses and having already used several of the ideas I can testify to the fact that they work well with different age groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo I would highly recommend this book for people who lead prayers in their church, house groups, schools or in youth and children's ministry. There is a wealth of different ideas here and for GBP8.99 it is excellent value for money.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Sharon Prior. Co-founder and Chair of the Sophia Network.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-23T10:29:23+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-23T10:28:00+01:00","vendor":"Claire Daniel","type":"eBook","tags":["For churches","Glassboxx","Group reading","Jun-14","Prayer"],"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":53599322440060,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857463210","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"80 Creative Prayer Ideas: A resource for church and group use - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":254,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857463210","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/63.png?v=1729786063","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/64.png?v=1729786061"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/63.png?v=1729786063","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917484085628,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/63.png?v=1729786063"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/63.png?v=1729786063","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917484052860,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/64.png?v=1729786061"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/64.png?v=1729786061","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ePrayer is a vital part of the Christian life but people often struggle with actually getting on and doing it. This book offers 80 imaginative and creative ideas for setting up 'prayer stations', practical ways of praying that involve the senses - touching, tasting, smelling, seeing, and hearing, rather than simply reflecting, as we bring our hopes, fears, dreams and doubts to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeveloped from material tried and tested with small groups, the ideas here provide activities ranging from bubble prayers to clay pot prayers (via just about everything else in between), and have been designed to be used with grown-ups - of all ages!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForeword\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book that is so needed in our word filled world! It is wonderfully creative, helping us to engage with all of our being in the whole business of listening to, walking with, waiting for and talking with God. It provides biblically based ideas to make prayer accessible to an individual, small group or church congregation in ways that are engaging, stimulating and fun!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo many people find getting down to pray and praying hard, whether they try on their own or with others in a small group or in a church setting. Often this is because we rely solely on using verbal tools to 'pray'. And while that does work for some of us, others need to engage more actively in the doing and so be able to connect with the Bible passage, themes or issues in more interactive ways which enable our praying to flow for ourselves and for others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI hope this book will spur on leaders who want to include creative praying in church services and home groups as well as individuals who want to explore new ways of encountering God in the place of prayer. Jesus clearly showed us what our responsibilities are as his followers: to pray for his kingdom to come and for his will to be done in and for our families and our neighbours; in our communities , our nation and our world. Let's use these creative methods of prayer and see where God leads us as we sense our own prayer journey developing and reaching up to God and out to those he puts on our heart to pray for and about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Holloway, World Prayer Centre, Birmingham\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaire Daniels' book not only offers us a wide variety of ways to engage with God, but opens up experiences that ignite our senses and help us step right into an enhanced understanding of God and of our journey with him. This is a book that is so needed in our word filled world!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJane Holloway, World Prayer Centre, Birmingham \u003c\/strong\u003e\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\/ClaireDaniel2_480x480.jpg?v=1676493596\" width=\"133\" height=\"127\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003eClaire Daniel has led creative prayer sessions for a variety of age groups at Aldridge Parish Church, near Birmingham and also for The Hothouse, a fresh expression of church and growing worshipping community in the West Midlands. She is passionate about encouraging others to explore different ways of praying and supporting groups and churches to use creative prayer ideas in ministry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom the Diocese of Lichfield Magazine July\/August 2014\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCreative Prayer 'it enables you to respond to God in practical and very personal ways. When the words won't come - because you feel inadequate or don't know what to say, you can do something and physically give it to God.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaire Daniel wrote her new book, 80 Creative Prayer Ideas, either side of the birth of her son. The book features prayer ideas and approaches that involve all the senses. Each prayer idea is built around a bible reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'The thing with creative prayer is it gives the chance to spend time with God. It is not just about a list of requests, thanks or things you've done wrong, it is listening to God.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'People can develop through creative prayer because it gives you the time and space to listen and let God work. There is a place for liturgical prayer, but also something significant in doing things a different way.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaire leads prayer sessions at Aldridge Parish Church and also at The Hothouse, a fresh expression of church and growing worship community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'We do creative prayer as part of the Hothouse services once a fortnight. Prayer stations are firmly something for adults, not just children. When I personally started creative prayer, I found it brilliant, and powerful - especially where you can take something away as a keep sake of faith and return to it again.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'People are really excited, and raring to use it. Our youth fellowship can't wait to get their hands on it. I would love to speak or lead workshops for churches that are passionate about different ways of praying, bringing alive their prayer life.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a youth and children's worker I am always looking out for ideas for creative ways to encourage people to pray, so I have seen many resource books on how to engage people in prayer. I came to this book wondering what could be said that has not already been said and what new ideas might be included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. The book is divided into various sections looking at different areas of walking with God - walking with the Bible, walking in our world, walking as a church, walking together with God and our personal walk with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder each of these headings are a series of chapters looking at prayer for different people and different seasons. Each idea is then divided into a prayer focus, Bible reflection and personal reflection. There is also a section highlighting what materials you would need to have ready in order to make your prayer session interactive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThroughout the book are ideas using all our senses and having already used several of the ideas I can testify to the fact that they work well with different age groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo I would highly recommend this book for people who lead prayers in their church, house groups, schools or in youth and children's ministry. There is a wealth of different ideas here and for GBP8.99 it is excellent value for money.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Sharon Prior. Co-founder and Chair of the Sophia Network.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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80 Creative Prayer Ideas: A resource for church and group use
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{"id":14688337658236,"title":"A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues","handle":"a-christian-guide-to-environmental-issues-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eEnvironmental sustainability is a major issue for us all. In this extensively updated edition, Martin and Margot Hodson consider eight of the key current environmental problems, giving the biblical basis for looking after the environment and helping to integrate environmental thinking into the reader’s understanding of Christian faith. This accessible guide includes ethical reflections, Bible studies focusing on a different biblical doctrine for each chapter, and eco-tips to enable practical response. Among the issues covered are climate change, food, biodiversity, and population, together with the relationship between environmental problems and issues relating to world development.\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\/MartinandMargotHodsonlatestApril2021_480x480.jpg?v=1676493999\" width=\"186\" height=\"149\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRev. Margot Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is Theology and Education Director for the John Ray Initiative (JRI), an organisation connecting Environment, Science, and Christianity. She is also a Vicar in the Oxford Diocese. The Hodsons have published widely together on Christianity and the environment, and have several books including A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues (BRF, second edition).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Martin Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is a plant scientist and environmental biologist and has over 100 publications mostly in international science journals. He teaches at both of the universities in Oxford and is the Principal Tutor for the distance learning course, Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePraise for A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin and Margot Hodson’s deep commitment to the critical issues that their timely book addresses shines through each chapter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Harris, Founder of A Rocha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book looks straight in the eye of the most serious set of environmental challenges humanity faces. Drawing together in accessible ways scientific evidence, biblical reflection and practical ideas, it will provoke you to better think, act and pray for the renewal of creation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScience and Christian Belief. Review by Robert Sluka\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSluka R. 2022 Review of \"Hodson \u0026amp; Hodson - A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues 2nd Edn, BRF\", Science \u0026amp; Christian Belief vol.34(2):145-146. Review reprinted with kind permission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI first read Martin and Margot’s books while in a youth hostel in Tasmania. Not exactly or even close to being a youth at the time, their writing helped to shape my thoughts on how to integrate Christian faith and conservation. The strength of their work is a deep theological reflection rooted both in practice and academic rigour combined with a commitment to and skill at summarizing and communicating the latest peer-review science and conservation policy. This is the second edition of A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues, which they have fully updated and revised to respond hopefully to our current conservation crises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany Christians are more environmentally aware and active in recent times. There are now over 4000 Eco churches in the UK, for example. Yet if you were to ask the average person in the pew about the environment, they would likely struggle to articulate how their faith is relevant to it. Margot and Martin argue that the environment is central to the Christian faith, not peripheral to it. This book also provides a helpful correction to the overwhelming focus, when there is one, of the Christian community on one environmental issue – climate change. Martin and Margot show clearly that there are many threats that while often augmented by climate change, are not currently addressed by most agencies, churches, or individuals and which would not be reduced could we solve our climate issues immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent resource for those who want to better understand both the science and the theology surrounding environmental issues. The book could be approached as a relatively quick read to gain insight into major environmental topics such as biodiversity, climate change, water, energy, soil, and food. Each chapter starts with helpful stories to contextualise and put a personal flavour to the issues from Spain or Portugal where much of this book was written during a sabbatical, giving a common thread throughout. The science is detailed up with more study, but clear and concise enough for a lay person to understand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Biblical reflection follows which provides insights into key passages that apply to the topic. I will also use this as a resource book when called upon to speak on or address topics covered in the book. A focused bibliography of key creation care books is given in the back. Key websites are listed with summaries, indexes of topics and bible verses increase its utility. A short bible study allows the reader to reflect and develop their own thoughts – with bible study leader’s notes for small groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, Martin and Margot produced a series of videos that accompany this book as a series of 10 study sessions or easily cut down to fit a Lent course:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental-%20issues-2\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental- issues-2\/\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter on soil serves as a good example of the value and diversity of this book – not the least that there are so few creation care books that even address soil as an issue. The chapter starts with a personal story from Martin reflecting on his teaching on soils in Oxford. This proceeds to a helpful discourse of what soil is, then adds a global perspective on threats such as erosion, compaction and pollution. An outside perspective is written by a colleague along with another personal story from Martin’s and Margot’s sabbatical in Spain. Margot then provides a reflection on the biblical themes of exile and return and of course, the parable of the sower and the soils. A Rocha UK head of Conservation, Andy Lester, comments on their Partner in Action Programme and Margot and Martin reflect on their experience at one of these partners, Hilfield Friary, showing how the topic of soil is being addressed on the ground with respect to creation care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter has an eco-tip for the reader to implement – this one focused on gardening and soil as you would expect. A bible study with discussion questions takes readers to Isaiah and Luke and then helpful references are given to pursue deeper knowledge of soils. This chapter caused me to think about the soil in my own garden here in Florida and specifically, how the way I treat it impacts the ecology of this area and my own spiritual life as I interact with it through gardening activities. Each chapter is likewise diverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is necessarily a summary and thus can’t go into a deep treatment of each topic. The bouncing around of different voices, locations, and switching between faith and science topics might not be palatable for some. The format is set up so that a small group could use it for discussion with or without the accompanying videos. It is a useful resource for church leaders who want to speak on these issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This is an important book to continue the hopeful conversation of how we can love God and neighbour (including our non-human neighbours) through caring for God’s world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRobert Sluka leads A Rocha’s Marine Conservation Programme, working to glorify God through caring for the 71% of the planet that is ocean (www. arocha.org\/marine).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrish Methodist Newsletter. Review by Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e A standing item on our church council agendas is environmental matters. We know it's part of our Christian responsibility, as individuals and as churches, to care for the environment. We know we are stewards and custodians, not the owners. And we know that in most cases we aren’t doing much more than recycling and trying our best. It's unlikely to happen, but if Greta Thunberg or David Attenborough were to sit in on our council meeting, I doubt if they would be impressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, to avoid the avoid the wrath of David and Greta, Martin and Margot Hodson have revised and updated this book to help us better recognise areas of concern and ways in which we can be part of the answer. Ten chapters cover areas such as soil, water, energy, biodiversity, climate change and food, and each chapter concludes with a short Bible study. Therefore, this is an ideal book to use in a home group or church Bible study to help us think through these issues as Christians. And to make it even easier there are supplementary notes at the back for those leading the Bible study, as well as good end notes to each chapter to source the material and point to ways to think even deeper on the issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we think about water we know that we aren’t short of the stuff in Ireland, but are at increasing risk of getting too much rain in concentrated bursts while other parts of the world are experiencing longer periods of drought. Fires in California and Australia bring this home to us, as does the burning tundra above the artic circle. I’m writing this in April and Slieve Donard ‘is on fire’. Rather than a moralising tone, the authors share up to date thinking alongside practical Christian responses around the world and bring us hope that we can be part of the renewing of creation. We have a problem but it's also our opportunity to act, and our World Development and Relief colleagues are in partnership with many groups to assist us such as Dabane Water Workshops in Zimbabwe. This is part but not all of our response. ‘The images of water in the Bible remind us of our dependence on the earth and how deeply we are bound together. We understand our place in creation as one of awesome responsibility to lead wisely. One day, that role will be fulfilled. When we lead a redeemed creation as a redeemed people of God’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is an ideal study guide into the issues, helps us wrestle with Scripture and the key issue of our generation. The Hodsons have also published this year \u003cem\u003eGreen Reflections: Biblical Inspiration for Sustainable Living. \u003c\/em\u003eWe are late to recognise our requirement to act. This text will help us and others not be too late, God willing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, District Superintendent, the North Western District\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kate Lemon, One25\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe environment and climate change has been one of the central debates for many years. Many of us are seeking hope for the future and joining those who are trying to reduce waste, act more responsibly towards the environments and show they care for the living world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 2nd edition combined practical theology with the latest science. it is a useful resource for church leaders and group leaders ( e.g. Sunday schools) it covers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiodiversity\u003cbr\u003eClimate change\u003cbr\u003eHuman population and consumption\u003cbr\u003eWater\/ food\u003cbr\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003eEnergy \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter offers a bible study section at the end and often an eco-tip as well as biblical reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-23T11:38:00+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-23T11:37:01+01:00","vendor":"Martin Hodson and Margot Hodson","type":"eBook","tags":["Apr-21","Environmental issues","Glassboxx","Group reading","Mission"],"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":53599379161468,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390065","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":190,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390065","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/67.png?v=1729786089","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/68.png?v=1729786089"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/67.png?v=1729786089","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917484413308,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/67.png?v=1729786089"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/67.png?v=1729786089","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917484380540,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/68.png?v=1729786089"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/68.png?v=1729786089","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eEnvironmental sustainability is a major issue for us all. In this extensively updated edition, Martin and Margot Hodson consider eight of the key current environmental problems, giving the biblical basis for looking after the environment and helping to integrate environmental thinking into the reader’s understanding of Christian faith. This accessible guide includes ethical reflections, Bible studies focusing on a different biblical doctrine for each chapter, and eco-tips to enable practical response. Among the issues covered are climate change, food, biodiversity, and population, together with the relationship between environmental problems and issues relating to world development.\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\/MartinandMargotHodsonlatestApril2021_480x480.jpg?v=1676493999\" width=\"186\" height=\"149\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRev. Margot Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is Theology and Education Director for the John Ray Initiative (JRI), an organisation connecting Environment, Science, and Christianity. She is also a Vicar in the Oxford Diocese. The Hodsons have published widely together on Christianity and the environment, and have several books including A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues (BRF, second edition).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr. Martin Hodson\u003c\/strong\u003e is a plant scientist and environmental biologist and has over 100 publications mostly in international science journals. He teaches at both of the universities in Oxford and is the Principal Tutor for the distance learning course, Christian Rural and Environmental Studies (CRES).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePraise for A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMartin and Margot Hodson’s deep commitment to the critical issues that their timely book addresses shines through each chapter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeter Harris, Founder of A Rocha\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book looks straight in the eye of the most serious set of environmental challenges humanity faces. Drawing together in accessible ways scientific evidence, biblical reflection and practical ideas, it will provoke you to better think, act and pray for the renewal of creation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScience and Christian Belief. Review by Robert Sluka\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSluka R. 2022 Review of \"Hodson \u0026amp; Hodson - A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues 2nd Edn, BRF\", Science \u0026amp; Christian Belief vol.34(2):145-146. Review reprinted with kind permission.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI first read Martin and Margot’s books while in a youth hostel in Tasmania. Not exactly or even close to being a youth at the time, their writing helped to shape my thoughts on how to integrate Christian faith and conservation. The strength of their work is a deep theological reflection rooted both in practice and academic rigour combined with a commitment to and skill at summarizing and communicating the latest peer-review science and conservation policy. This is the second edition of A Christian Guide to Environmental Issues, which they have fully updated and revised to respond hopefully to our current conservation crises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany Christians are more environmentally aware and active in recent times. There are now over 4000 Eco churches in the UK, for example. Yet if you were to ask the average person in the pew about the environment, they would likely struggle to articulate how their faith is relevant to it. Margot and Martin argue that the environment is central to the Christian faith, not peripheral to it. This book also provides a helpful correction to the overwhelming focus, when there is one, of the Christian community on one environmental issue – climate change. Martin and Margot show clearly that there are many threats that while often augmented by climate change, are not currently addressed by most agencies, churches, or individuals and which would not be reduced could we solve our climate issues immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an excellent resource for those who want to better understand both the science and the theology surrounding environmental issues. The book could be approached as a relatively quick read to gain insight into major environmental topics such as biodiversity, climate change, water, energy, soil, and food. Each chapter starts with helpful stories to contextualise and put a personal flavour to the issues from Spain or Portugal where much of this book was written during a sabbatical, giving a common thread throughout. The science is detailed up with more study, but clear and concise enough for a lay person to understand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Biblical reflection follows which provides insights into key passages that apply to the topic. I will also use this as a resource book when called upon to speak on or address topics covered in the book. A focused bibliography of key creation care books is given in the back. Key websites are listed with summaries, indexes of topics and bible verses increase its utility. A short bible study allows the reader to reflect and develop their own thoughts – with bible study leader’s notes for small groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, Martin and Margot produced a series of videos that accompany this book as a series of 10 study sessions or easily cut down to fit a Lent course:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental-%20issues-2\/\"\u003ehttps:\/\/thebigchurchread.co.uk\/a-christian-guide-to-environmental- issues-2\/\u003c\/a\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapter on soil serves as a good example of the value and diversity of this book – not the least that there are so few creation care books that even address soil as an issue. The chapter starts with a personal story from Martin reflecting on his teaching on soils in Oxford. This proceeds to a helpful discourse of what soil is, then adds a global perspective on threats such as erosion, compaction and pollution. An outside perspective is written by a colleague along with another personal story from Martin’s and Margot’s sabbatical in Spain. Margot then provides a reflection on the biblical themes of exile and return and of course, the parable of the sower and the soils. A Rocha UK head of Conservation, Andy Lester, comments on their Partner in Action Programme and Margot and Martin reflect on their experience at one of these partners, Hilfield Friary, showing how the topic of soil is being addressed on the ground with respect to creation care.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter has an eco-tip for the reader to implement – this one focused on gardening and soil as you would expect. A bible study with discussion questions takes readers to Isaiah and Luke and then helpful references are given to pursue deeper knowledge of soils. This chapter caused me to think about the soil in my own garden here in Florida and specifically, how the way I treat it impacts the ecology of this area and my own spiritual life as I interact with it through gardening activities. Each chapter is likewise diverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is necessarily a summary and thus can’t go into a deep treatment of each topic. The bouncing around of different voices, locations, and switching between faith and science topics might not be palatable for some. The format is set up so that a small group could use it for discussion with or without the accompanying videos. It is a useful resource for church leaders who want to speak on these issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e This is an important book to continue the hopeful conversation of how we can love God and neighbour (including our non-human neighbours) through caring for God’s world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRobert Sluka leads A Rocha’s Marine Conservation Programme, working to glorify God through caring for the 71% of the planet that is ocean (www. arocha.org\/marine).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrish Methodist Newsletter. Review by Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e A standing item on our church council agendas is environmental matters. We know it's part of our Christian responsibility, as individuals and as churches, to care for the environment. We know we are stewards and custodians, not the owners. And we know that in most cases we aren’t doing much more than recycling and trying our best. It's unlikely to happen, but if Greta Thunberg or David Attenborough were to sit in on our council meeting, I doubt if they would be impressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, to avoid the avoid the wrath of David and Greta, Martin and Margot Hodson have revised and updated this book to help us better recognise areas of concern and ways in which we can be part of the answer. Ten chapters cover areas such as soil, water, energy, biodiversity, climate change and food, and each chapter concludes with a short Bible study. Therefore, this is an ideal book to use in a home group or church Bible study to help us think through these issues as Christians. And to make it even easier there are supplementary notes at the back for those leading the Bible study, as well as good end notes to each chapter to source the material and point to ways to think even deeper on the issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen we think about water we know that we aren’t short of the stuff in Ireland, but are at increasing risk of getting too much rain in concentrated bursts while other parts of the world are experiencing longer periods of drought. Fires in California and Australia bring this home to us, as does the burning tundra above the artic circle. I’m writing this in April and Slieve Donard ‘is on fire’. Rather than a moralising tone, the authors share up to date thinking alongside practical Christian responses around the world and bring us hope that we can be part of the renewing of creation. We have a problem but it's also our opportunity to act, and our World Development and Relief colleagues are in partnership with many groups to assist us such as Dabane Water Workshops in Zimbabwe. This is part but not all of our response. ‘The images of water in the Bible remind us of our dependence on the earth and how deeply we are bound together. We understand our place in creation as one of awesome responsibility to lead wisely. One day, that role will be fulfilled. When we lead a redeemed creation as a redeemed people of God’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is an ideal study guide into the issues, helps us wrestle with Scripture and the key issue of our generation. The Hodsons have also published this year \u003cem\u003eGreen Reflections: Biblical Inspiration for Sustainable Living. \u003c\/em\u003eWe are late to recognise our requirement to act. This text will help us and others not be too late, God willing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, District Superintendent, the North Western District\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kate Lemon, One25\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe environment and climate change has been one of the central debates for many years. Many of us are seeking hope for the future and joining those who are trying to reduce waste, act more responsibly towards the environments and show they care for the living world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 2nd edition combined practical theology with the latest science. it is a useful resource for church leaders and group leaders ( e.g. Sunday schools) it covers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBiodiversity\u003cbr\u003eClimate change\u003cbr\u003eHuman population and consumption\u003cbr\u003eWater\/ food\u003cbr\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003eEnergy \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter offers a bible study section at the end and often an eco-tip as well as biblical reflection.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":14688659898748,"title":"Life with St Benedict: The Rule reimagined for everyday living","handle":"life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-reimagined-for-everyday-living","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eTo discover the \u003cem\u003eRule of St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e is to encounter something that is at once inspiring, supporting, reassuring, challenging. Let this book be an introduction to the writing of a man who will change your life.\u003cbr\u003eEsther de Waal, author of \u003cem\u003eSeeking God: The way of St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eRule of St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e has much to say about faith, work and daily living. In a time when many are seeking space, silence and spiritual depth, the \u003cem\u003eRule\u003c\/em\u003e retains relevance in a world where change is often feared, stability can be elusive and busyness interferes with listening to God. \u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e provides daily reflections on the \u003cem\u003eRule\u003c\/em\u003e as an aid to enabling personal spiritual growth and prayer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBenedictine communities use a well-established pattern of daily readings to enable the entire \u003cem\u003eRule\u003c\/em\u003e to be considered over a four-month period. \u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e follows this pattern. Each four-month-long period begins on 1 January, 2 May and 1 September and each entry shows three dates on which it can be read. There are 122 readings and reflections in each period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost is a Reader in the Church of England and an Oblate of the Anglican Benedictine Community at Alton Abbey in Hampshire. Formerly an Employment Specialist helping people with mental health conditions, he writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.workrestpray.com\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo read Richard's lockdown blog click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/richard-frost-author-of-life-with-st-benedict-reflects-on-new-beginnings\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOremus (Westminster Cathedral Magazine) December 2020. Review by Donato Tallo\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a Benedictine Oblate, spiritual reading is extremely important to me and so I recently purchased a copy of Richard Frost’s recent book on St Benedict’s Rule. As an addition to my daily prayer, the book is extremely helpful and a real tool to aid silence, reflection and stillness in a challenging, busy and often stressful world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rule has much to teach us all today and while it is not particularly long, reflection on the text is essential to gain real insight and appreciation of its spiritual content. That there are many wide and varied commentaries on the Rule exemplifies just how much it has to teach us, for throughout the centuries many Christian people, both monastic and non-monastic, people of varying faiths and indeed people of no faith, have all gained inspiration from St Benedict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost has prepared this book for anyone, whether monastic, oblate or neither, who wants to immerse themselves in spiritual reflection on the Rule and link it to everyday living. Benedictine communities generally have a structured manner for reading – often by hearing – the Rule and this is quite often undertaken at mealtimes. When read over a four-month period, this means that in its entirety it is read communally three times each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, for each day of the year there is a section of the Rule and a short reflection afterwards It is a simple yet powerful way for the Rule to be read and then for the text to be pondered on. The beauty of these short reflections is that they are linked to everyday life and situations and can really help the reader to consider how the meaning and context of the Rule can be applied in our own day. The pointers given for prayer are helpful and are a real treasure in aiding our turning to the Lord. For those who would seek some new inspiration on the journey of life in a simple yet powerful manner, this book will do just that. Whether the reader is new to St Benedict or not, this book can help us become closer to Christ through the Rule in a practical and accessible manner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Donato Tallo\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, April 2020. Review by Marie Paterson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a handbook for those who would like to incorporate the discipline of the Rule of St Benedict into their lives. These teachings are divided into ‘everyday reflections’ with each one beginning with Benedict’s instructions for those living in monastic communities, followed by a reflection for ‘ordinary, everyday Christians’. Emphasising the importance of the reading and recitation of the psalms for the Benedictines, each day ends with a psalm to read, followed by a suggestion for reflection and prayer. Readers may find some of Benedict’s instructions to those living in community rather harsh; for instance, those making mistakes in a psalm ‘must make satisfaction there before all’, and likewise if arriving late for meals or prayers. The author does not always address these issues but rather modifies them to suit modern life. Nevertheless there is much to learn here about how we should live a balanced and disciplined Christian life, which is exemplified with the helpful checklist of the five areas of life in which we can find that balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e Reviewed by Marie Paterson \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach, Spring 2020. Review by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author is a Reader in the Church of England and an oblate (a lay or ordained person formally associated to a particular monastic community) connected to the Anglican Benedictine Community. Therefore he is well-placed to share the practical application of St Benedict’s Rule of Life with people who are not members of a monastic community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict \u003c\/em\u003eintroduces us to the writings of a man who was inspirational 1500 years ago and who continues to invoke changes in lives today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rule of Life is a personal rule that can be tailored to Christians, whatever their circumstances, who witness to the Gospel through their relationships with those with whom they live and work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rules may include praying daily, attending church, almsgiving, as well as making provision for study, recreation, and family. The vows of St Benedict of stability, conversatio morum (fidelity to the monastic life) and obedience to the heads of the community relate specifically to life in a Benedictine community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book provides daily study in the form of 73 short chapters that look at aspects such as ‘The tools for good works’ (Ch 4) and ‘Restraint of speech’ (Ch 6). The study is repeated on a four-monthly cycle as ‘reinforcement of the Rules for the lives of the student’. It includes study and reflections and the Psalms and (very) short prayers. The pertinent questions in the reflections could provide a useful basis for Bible study, meditation or contemplation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLanguage and culture have certainly changed over 1500 years. The reader (and UK legislation) may not necessarily agree with corporal punishment or enforced fasting for the misdeeds of children (Ch 30)!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict \u003c\/em\u003euses a translation of more inclusive language and is written with ordinary Christians in mind to assist in our faith, work and daily living. It retains a relevance where change is often feared, stability is elusive, and the hectic nature of our lives interferes with listening to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many similar books, but this one is well written and makes the Rule of St Benedict accessible to all, regardless of the stage of your journey of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(As a bonus, this book explains some of the actions of Father Cadfael played by Derek Jacobi in the TV series).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.10.19. R\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eeview by John-Francis Friendship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenedict’s Rule, written in the sixth century and called by Arnold Toynbee the ‘mustard seed from which the great tree of Western civilisation has sprung’, had an enormous impact on the development of the Church of England and continues to be a source of inspired wisdom for people in our own times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, Richard Frost, a Reader, retreat-giver, and (Anglican) Benedictine Oblate of Alton Abbey, provides short, simple reflections on each of its 73 chapters, which, he says, provide a ‘whole-life balance’. The Rule is formulated so that a portion is read daily over a four-month period, repeated three times during the year, and the version that he uses is an inclusive-language translation by the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. Each reflection is followed by a suggested psalm and ejaculatory prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rule is an extended commentary on how Benedict’s monks are to live in this ‘school for God’s service’ (Prologue) in which they are to ‘prefer nothing whatever to Christ’. Its observance ‘can show that we have some degree of virtue and the beginnings of monastic life . . . which will lead . . . to the very heights of perfection’. The author compares it to a ‘toolbox’ from which we chose the tool, taking up one and then another, practising our skills with them, and not worrying if we make mistakes, provided we confess our faults: ‘It is love that impels them to pursue everlasting life.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis thoughtful reflections on each chapter, concluding with a suggested framework to develop a personal Rule of Life, will help anyone who wants help on the journey of faith. Although there are a couple of spelling mistakes and a somewhat contentious reference to James as being the ‘son’ of Mary and Joseph, Frost’s style is direct and simple, inviting his readers to consider how Benedict’s words address their condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd John-Francis Friendship, a senior team member at the London Centre for Spiritual Direction. He is the author of Enfolded in Christ (Canterbury Press, 2018).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUK Benedictine Oblates Team, October 2019. Review by Neil Zoladkiewicz \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost is a Reader in the Church of England and an oblate of the Benedictine community at Alton Abbey in Hampshire. His recent book provides reflections on the daily readings from the Holy Rule and is prefaced by an excellent short introduction to Benedictine Spirituality and a useful glossary. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subtitle to this volume is ‘The Rule re-imagined for everyday living’ and that is exactly what the author has achieved in his reflections on each daily reading from the Holy Rule, which explore relationships, the workplace, our own church and our attitudes and actions towards others in a modern context. The reflections also include searching questions for the reader to think about and there is also a short prayer at the end of each section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe also provides an opportunity for the reader to work through the 150 psalms in order over the four months of reading the Holy Rule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall this is an excellent introduction to the Holy Rule and the author bridges the gap between a 1,500 years old spiritual document and modern lives. It helps the reader to get into the habit of trying to apply St Benedict’s teaching to their own life, that process of daily reflection which is so essential to our progress on the Benedictine way. It is therefore an ideal volume for the novice oblate and all who are beginning the Oblate life. I certainly wish Richard Frost’s book was available when I took my own first steps towards becoming an oblate. It is also an ideal volume for the busy oblate of whatever experience! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Neil Zoladkiewicz of Ealing Abbey \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.benedictine-oblates.net\/news-2\/\"\u003ehttp:\/\/www.benedictine-oblates.net\/news-2\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-23T14:17:10+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-23T14:15:54+01:00","vendor":"Richard Frost","type":"eBook","tags":["Devotional","For individuals","Glassboxx","Sep-19","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":53599639241084,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468147","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Life with St Benedict: The Rule reimagined for everyday living - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468147","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/69.png?v=1729786629","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/70.png?v=1729786628"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/69.png?v=1729786629","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917496734076,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/69.png?v=1729786629"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/69.png?v=1729786629","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917496701308,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/70.png?v=1729786628"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/70.png?v=1729786628","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eTo discover the \u003cem\u003eRule of St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e is to encounter something that is at once inspiring, supporting, reassuring, challenging. Let this book be an introduction to the writing of a man who will change your life.\u003cbr\u003eEsther de Waal, author of \u003cem\u003eSeeking God: The way of St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eRule of St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e has much to say about faith, work and daily living. In a time when many are seeking space, silence and spiritual depth, the \u003cem\u003eRule\u003c\/em\u003e retains relevance in a world where change is often feared, stability can be elusive and busyness interferes with listening to God. \u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e provides daily reflections on the \u003cem\u003eRule\u003c\/em\u003e as an aid to enabling personal spiritual growth and prayer.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBenedictine communities use a well-established pattern of daily readings to enable the entire \u003cem\u003eRule\u003c\/em\u003e to be considered over a four-month period. \u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e follows this pattern. Each four-month-long period begins on 1 January, 2 May and 1 September and each entry shows three dates on which it can be read. There are 122 readings and reflections in each period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost is a Reader in the Church of England and an Oblate of the Anglican Benedictine Community at Alton Abbey in Hampshire. Formerly an Employment Specialist helping people with mental health conditions, he writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.workrestpray.com\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo read Richard's lockdown blog click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/richard-frost-author-of-life-with-st-benedict-reflects-on-new-beginnings\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOremus (Westminster Cathedral Magazine) December 2020. Review by Donato Tallo\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a Benedictine Oblate, spiritual reading is extremely important to me and so I recently purchased a copy of Richard Frost’s recent book on St Benedict’s Rule. As an addition to my daily prayer, the book is extremely helpful and a real tool to aid silence, reflection and stillness in a challenging, busy and often stressful world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rule has much to teach us all today and while it is not particularly long, reflection on the text is essential to gain real insight and appreciation of its spiritual content. That there are many wide and varied commentaries on the Rule exemplifies just how much it has to teach us, for throughout the centuries many Christian people, both monastic and non-monastic, people of varying faiths and indeed people of no faith, have all gained inspiration from St Benedict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost has prepared this book for anyone, whether monastic, oblate or neither, who wants to immerse themselves in spiritual reflection on the Rule and link it to everyday living. Benedictine communities generally have a structured manner for reading – often by hearing – the Rule and this is quite often undertaken at mealtimes. When read over a four-month period, this means that in its entirety it is read communally three times each year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, for each day of the year there is a section of the Rule and a short reflection afterwards It is a simple yet powerful way for the Rule to be read and then for the text to be pondered on. The beauty of these short reflections is that they are linked to everyday life and situations and can really help the reader to consider how the meaning and context of the Rule can be applied in our own day. The pointers given for prayer are helpful and are a real treasure in aiding our turning to the Lord. For those who would seek some new inspiration on the journey of life in a simple yet powerful manner, this book will do just that. Whether the reader is new to St Benedict or not, this book can help us become closer to Christ through the Rule in a practical and accessible manner.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Donato Tallo\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, April 2020. Review by Marie Paterson\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a handbook for those who would like to incorporate the discipline of the Rule of St Benedict into their lives. These teachings are divided into ‘everyday reflections’ with each one beginning with Benedict’s instructions for those living in monastic communities, followed by a reflection for ‘ordinary, everyday Christians’. Emphasising the importance of the reading and recitation of the psalms for the Benedictines, each day ends with a psalm to read, followed by a suggestion for reflection and prayer. Readers may find some of Benedict’s instructions to those living in community rather harsh; for instance, those making mistakes in a psalm ‘must make satisfaction there before all’, and likewise if arriving late for meals or prayers. The author does not always address these issues but rather modifies them to suit modern life. Nevertheless there is much to learn here about how we should live a balanced and disciplined Christian life, which is exemplified with the helpful checklist of the five areas of life in which we can find that balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e Reviewed by Marie Paterson \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach, Spring 2020. Review by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author is a Reader in the Church of England and an oblate (a lay or ordained person formally associated to a particular monastic community) connected to the Anglican Benedictine Community. Therefore he is well-placed to share the practical application of St Benedict’s Rule of Life with people who are not members of a monastic community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict \u003c\/em\u003eintroduces us to the writings of a man who was inspirational 1500 years ago and who continues to invoke changes in lives today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rule of Life is a personal rule that can be tailored to Christians, whatever their circumstances, who witness to the Gospel through their relationships with those with whom they live and work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rules may include praying daily, attending church, almsgiving, as well as making provision for study, recreation, and family. The vows of St Benedict of stability, conversatio morum (fidelity to the monastic life) and obedience to the heads of the community relate specifically to life in a Benedictine community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book provides daily study in the form of 73 short chapters that look at aspects such as ‘The tools for good works’ (Ch 4) and ‘Restraint of speech’ (Ch 6). The study is repeated on a four-monthly cycle as ‘reinforcement of the Rules for the lives of the student’. It includes study and reflections and the Psalms and (very) short prayers. The pertinent questions in the reflections could provide a useful basis for Bible study, meditation or contemplation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLanguage and culture have certainly changed over 1500 years. The reader (and UK legislation) may not necessarily agree with corporal punishment or enforced fasting for the misdeeds of children (Ch 30)!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict \u003c\/em\u003euses a translation of more inclusive language and is written with ordinary Christians in mind to assist in our faith, work and daily living. It retains a relevance where change is often feared, stability is elusive, and the hectic nature of our lives interferes with listening to God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are many similar books, but this one is well written and makes the Rule of St Benedict accessible to all, regardless of the stage of your journey of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(As a bonus, this book explains some of the actions of Father Cadfael played by Derek Jacobi in the TV series).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Alan Rashleigh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.10.19. R\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eeview by John-Francis Friendship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBenedict’s Rule, written in the sixth century and called by Arnold Toynbee the ‘mustard seed from which the great tree of Western civilisation has sprung’, had an enormous impact on the development of the Church of England and continues to be a source of inspired wisdom for people in our own times.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, Richard Frost, a Reader, retreat-giver, and (Anglican) Benedictine Oblate of Alton Abbey, provides short, simple reflections on each of its 73 chapters, which, he says, provide a ‘whole-life balance’. The Rule is formulated so that a portion is read daily over a four-month period, repeated three times during the year, and the version that he uses is an inclusive-language translation by the Benedictine Sisters of Erie. Each reflection is followed by a suggested psalm and ejaculatory prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Rule is an extended commentary on how Benedict’s monks are to live in this ‘school for God’s service’ (Prologue) in which they are to ‘prefer nothing whatever to Christ’. Its observance ‘can show that we have some degree of virtue and the beginnings of monastic life . . . which will lead . . . to the very heights of perfection’. The author compares it to a ‘toolbox’ from which we chose the tool, taking up one and then another, practising our skills with them, and not worrying if we make mistakes, provided we confess our faults: ‘It is love that impels them to pursue everlasting life.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis thoughtful reflections on each chapter, concluding with a suggested framework to develop a personal Rule of Life, will help anyone who wants help on the journey of faith. Although there are a couple of spelling mistakes and a somewhat contentious reference to James as being the ‘son’ of Mary and Joseph, Frost’s style is direct and simple, inviting his readers to consider how Benedict’s words address their condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by the Revd John-Francis Friendship, a senior team member at the London Centre for Spiritual Direction. He is the author of Enfolded in Christ (Canterbury Press, 2018).\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUK Benedictine Oblates Team, October 2019. Review by Neil Zoladkiewicz \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost is a Reader in the Church of England and an oblate of the Benedictine community at Alton Abbey in Hampshire. His recent book provides reflections on the daily readings from the Holy Rule and is prefaced by an excellent short introduction to Benedictine Spirituality and a useful glossary. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe subtitle to this volume is ‘The Rule re-imagined for everyday living’ and that is exactly what the author has achieved in his reflections on each daily reading from the Holy Rule, which explore relationships, the workplace, our own church and our attitudes and actions towards others in a modern context. The reflections also include searching questions for the reader to think about and there is also a short prayer at the end of each section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe also provides an opportunity for the reader to work through the 150 psalms in order over the four months of reading the Holy Rule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall this is an excellent introduction to the Holy Rule and the author bridges the gap between a 1,500 years old spiritual document and modern lives. It helps the reader to get into the habit of trying to apply St Benedict’s teaching to their own life, that process of daily reflection which is so essential to our progress on the Benedictine way. It is therefore an ideal volume for the novice oblate and all who are beginning the Oblate life. I certainly wish Richard Frost’s book was available when I took my own first steps towards becoming an oblate. It is also an ideal volume for the busy oblate of whatever experience! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Neil Zoladkiewicz of Ealing Abbey \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.benedictine-oblates.net\/news-2\/\"\u003ehttp:\/\/www.benedictine-oblates.net\/news-2\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Life with St Benedict: The Rule reimagined for everyday living
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Digital eBook Only - To discover the Rule of St Benedict is to encounter something that is at once inspiring,...
{"id":14688720191868,"title":"All Shall Be Well: Visions of salvation with Julian of Norwich","handle":"all-shall-be-well-visions-of-salvation-with-julian-of-norwich","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow can all be well in the world in which we live? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat does ‘All shall be well’ mean when all is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003enot\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e well? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrough revelations ten to sixteen of her \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevelations of Divine Love\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Julian of Norwich returns time and again to the idea that ‘all is well’. I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003en her latest book Emma Pennington examines this popular mantra and explores what Julian really means by it, bringing depth and relevance to these words for the reader who lives in an age of pandemic, war and climate crisis which closely echoes Julian’s own. Through deep engagement with Julian’s visions of salvation Emma encourages the reader to reflect in prayer and devotion on their own personal relationship with God.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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 and is the author of At the Foot of the Cross with Julian of Norwich (BRF Ministries, 2020).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘In this accessible exploration, Emma Pennington situates Julian’s fears, hopes and convictions within a rich spiritual landscape, drawing deeply from the wells of Christian devotion and practice, and making incisive connections between contemporary experience and the wisdom Julian offers us from her anchorhold, giving body and substance to a message of strength and reassurance too often dismissed as trite or divorced from reality.’ \u003cem\u003eThe Revd Richard Stanton, priest director of the Julian Shrine, Norwich\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘Like with the best of friends, Emma Pennington listens, cajoles, puzzles and rejoices with Mother Julian. We discover they both share in hope and yet both know about pain that will not go away. We learn that salvation in Christ is neither a sticking plaster nor an answer to a heavenly equation. Rather in Christ we find a revelation of one who truly salves both body and soul eternally. We learn this can genuinely sustain us in what too often or perhaps more often is a “troublous life”. This is a compelling invitation to move from the shallows to the depths.’\u003cem\u003e The Very Revd David Monteith, dean of Canterbury\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘Reading this book is an extraordinary encounter with a beautiful questioning holiness. Deep scholarship made elegantly accessible brings Mother Julian alive. The intensity of the experience of a mystic meets the questions of everyday life. The mystery of “all will be well” is integrated with a passion. It is a book that will help you grow in your faith and would be perfect for an Advent or Lent series in a church. Canon Pennington has written a scholarly devotional text that nestles right alongside the work of Henri Nouwen. Truly, read this book: you will find yourself on holy ground.’ \u003cem\u003eThe Very Revd Ian S. Markham PhD, dean and president of Virginia Theological Seminary and the president of The General Theological Seminary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘This is a beautifully written book which is both refreshing and original. In it, Julian’s writings are interwoven with scripture and set within the devotional literature and landscape of the time, giving both rootedness and context. It is a book which is the fruit not only of careful study, but also of prayerful pondering and reflection. Emma has known CSMV over a number of years, and I’m delighted to commend All Shall Be Well both to those who are new to Julian of Norwich and those who wish to go deeper.’ S\u003cem\u003eister Elizabeth Jane CSMV, Community of St Mary the Virgin, Wantage\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘A wonderful, carefully researched book, which combines an account of devotional practices current in medieval times with the relevance of Julian’s teaching for people of today. Proposed as a spiritual director, Emma Pennington’s Julian speaks straight to the heart as well as to the mind.’ \u003cem\u003eElizabeth Ruth Obbard ODC, Carmelite nun of Quidenham, and a writer and spiritual director\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘Emma Pennington is a wise and insightful guide to the writings of Julian of Norwich. She invites us to make Julian our own spiritual companion as we seek to draw closer to God ourselves. Placing Julian in her wider context, she also enables us to see how her work was part of a broader tapestry of spiritual wisdom, which this book presents in fresh and illuminating ways. Not least, like Julian herself, Emma helps us face the challenges of faith lived out in a broken world, while also encouraging us to be a people of joyous hope and generous humanity.’ \u003cem\u003eAndrew Braddock, dean of Norwich\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘Having used Emma’s last book so successfully as the Friends of Julian Lent Book, we’re delighted to see this sequel completing, as it does, consideration of the revelations after Julian’s striking change of focus in the middle of her account.’ \u003cem\u003eHoward Green, secretary of the Friends of Julian of Norwich\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 14.03.25. Review by Claire Herbert\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eEmma Pennington’s book is a joy to read, but it is not to be read quickly. It is a guide to some of the deepest insights that Julian of Norwich has offered in her immortal text Revelations of Divine Love, and would make an excellent accompaniment for any individual or group looking for a guide to prayer and reflection over a period of time. Having offered some authoritative historical and theological context, Pennington explores Julian’s text from the tenth revelation onwards. To offer a taste: ‘The wound of Christ’ has us entering, not just contemplating externally, Christ’s pierced side, and experiencing the outpouring of his love. ‘His dearest mother’ offers a way to understand that the love that Christ has for her is the same and as strong as the love that he has for us. In 'Christ our saviour', Julian has a revelation that cannot be known with words, but only with experience, and yet she still manages to find words to lead us into the experience, and Pennington facilitates this beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn ‘All shall be well’, a cloud comes over the mystical vision of the transcendent God, and Julian wrestles with the reality of sin, and demands to understand why God would declare ‘all shall be well’ when it really seems not to be. In ‘United to God through prayer’, Pennington gives a full and valuable account of different kinds of prayer. I am reminded of why I love contemplative prayer so much; for here we are freed from any notion of what God ‘ought’ to be to us. Pennington’s text is devotional, providing a practical application of Julian’s words to our spiritual lives and endeavours, and to our contemplation. Each chapter ends with reflections and questions, and, through these, Pennington makes the text of the Revelations participative, as the revelations themselves had invited Julian’s active participation. With Pennington’s guidance, we enter into Revelations of Divine Love fully. We cease to be critics and become disciples of the text. By this means, it gains the power to transform us, as Julian was herself transformed by her revelations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dr Claire Herbert\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-23T14:55:57+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-23T14:55:57+01:00","vendor":"Emma Pennington","type":"Paperback","tags":["Devotional","Discipleship","KCLC","New Titles","Prayer","Spirituality","Upcoming titles","Women"],"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":53599678103932,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392069","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"All Shall Be Well: Visions of salvation with Julian of Norwich","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":1299,"weight":195,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392069","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/AllShallbeWell.jpg?v=1729691788"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/AllShallbeWell.jpg?v=1729691788","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62714290143612,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"width":1535,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/AllShallbeWell.jpg?v=1729691788"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":2339,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/AllShallbeWell.jpg?v=1729691788","width":1535}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHow can all be well in the world in which we live? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat does ‘All shall be well’ mean when all is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003enot\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e well? \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThrough revelations ten to sixteen of her \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eRevelations of Divine Love\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, Julian of Norwich returns time and again to the idea that ‘all is well’. I\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003en her latest book Emma Pennington examines this popular mantra and explores what Julian really means by it, bringing depth and relevance to these words for the reader who lives in an age of pandemic, war and climate crisis which closely echoes Julian’s own. Through deep engagement with Julian’s visions of salvation Emma encourages the reader to reflect in prayer and devotion on their own personal relationship with God.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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 and is the author of At the Foot of the Cross with Julian of Norwich (BRF Ministries, 2020).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘In this accessible exploration, Emma Pennington situates Julian’s fears, hopes and convictions within a rich spiritual landscape, drawing deeply from the wells of Christian devotion and practice, and making incisive connections between contemporary experience and the wisdom Julian offers us from her anchorhold, giving body and substance to a message of strength and reassurance too often dismissed as trite or divorced from reality.’ \u003cem\u003eThe Revd Richard Stanton, priest director of the Julian Shrine, Norwich\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘Like with the best of friends, Emma Pennington listens, cajoles, puzzles and rejoices with Mother Julian. We discover they both share in hope and yet both know about pain that will not go away. We learn that salvation in Christ is neither a sticking plaster nor an answer to a heavenly equation. Rather in Christ we find a revelation of one who truly salves both body and soul eternally. We learn this can genuinely sustain us in what too often or perhaps more often is a “troublous life”. This is a compelling invitation to move from the shallows to the depths.’\u003cem\u003e The Very Revd David Monteith, dean of Canterbury\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘Reading this book is an extraordinary encounter with a beautiful questioning holiness. Deep scholarship made elegantly accessible brings Mother Julian alive. The intensity of the experience of a mystic meets the questions of everyday life. The mystery of “all will be well” is integrated with a passion. It is a book that will help you grow in your faith and would be perfect for an Advent or Lent series in a church. Canon Pennington has written a scholarly devotional text that nestles right alongside the work of Henri Nouwen. Truly, read this book: you will find yourself on holy ground.’ \u003cem\u003eThe Very Revd Ian S. Markham PhD, dean and president of Virginia Theological Seminary and the president of The General Theological Seminary\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘This is a beautifully written book which is both refreshing and original. In it, Julian’s writings are interwoven with scripture and set within the devotional literature and landscape of the time, giving both rootedness and context. It is a book which is the fruit not only of careful study, but also of prayerful pondering and reflection. Emma has known CSMV over a number of years, and I’m delighted to commend All Shall Be Well both to those who are new to Julian of Norwich and those who wish to go deeper.’ S\u003cem\u003eister Elizabeth Jane CSMV, Community of St Mary the Virgin, Wantage\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘A wonderful, carefully researched book, which combines an account of devotional practices current in medieval times with the relevance of Julian’s teaching for people of today. Proposed as a spiritual director, Emma Pennington’s Julian speaks straight to the heart as well as to the mind.’ \u003cem\u003eElizabeth Ruth Obbard ODC, Carmelite nun of Quidenham, and a writer and spiritual director\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘Emma Pennington is a wise and insightful guide to the writings of Julian of Norwich. She invites us to make Julian our own spiritual companion as we seek to draw closer to God ourselves. Placing Julian in her wider context, she also enables us to see how her work was part of a broader tapestry of spiritual wisdom, which this book presents in fresh and illuminating ways. Not least, like Julian herself, Emma helps us face the challenges of faith lived out in a broken world, while also encouraging us to be a people of joyous hope and generous humanity.’ \u003cem\u003eAndrew Braddock, dean of Norwich\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘Having used Emma’s last book so successfully as the Friends of Julian Lent Book, we’re delighted to see this sequel completing, as it does, consideration of the revelations after Julian’s striking change of focus in the middle of her account.’ \u003cem\u003eHoward Green, secretary of the Friends of Julian of Norwich\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 14.03.25. Review by Claire Herbert\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eEmma Pennington’s book is a joy to read, but it is not to be read quickly. It is a guide to some of the deepest insights that Julian of Norwich has offered in her immortal text Revelations of Divine Love, and would make an excellent accompaniment for any individual or group looking for a guide to prayer and reflection over a period of time. Having offered some authoritative historical and theological context, Pennington explores Julian’s text from the tenth revelation onwards. To offer a taste: ‘The wound of Christ’ has us entering, not just contemplating externally, Christ’s pierced side, and experiencing the outpouring of his love. ‘His dearest mother’ offers a way to understand that the love that Christ has for her is the same and as strong as the love that he has for us. In 'Christ our saviour', Julian has a revelation that cannot be known with words, but only with experience, and yet she still manages to find words to lead us into the experience, and Pennington facilitates this beautifully.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eIn ‘All shall be well’, a cloud comes over the mystical vision of the transcendent God, and Julian wrestles with the reality of sin, and demands to understand why God would declare ‘all shall be well’ when it really seems not to be. In ‘United to God through prayer’, Pennington gives a full and valuable account of different kinds of prayer. I am reminded of why I love contemplative prayer so much; for here we are freed from any notion of what God ‘ought’ to be to us. Pennington’s text is devotional, providing a practical application of Julian’s words to our spiritual lives and endeavours, and to our contemplation. Each chapter ends with reflections and questions, and, through these, Pennington makes the text of the Revelations participative, as the revelations themselves had invited Julian’s active participation. With Pennington’s guidance, we enter into Revelations of Divine Love fully. We cease to be critics and become disciples of the text. By this means, it gains the power to transform us, as Julian was herself transformed by her revelations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dr Claire Herbert\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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All Shall Be Well: Visions of salvation with Julian of Norwich
£12.99
How can all be well in the world in which we live? What does ‘All shall be well’ mean when...
{"id":14688765116796,"title":"The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So: Why you don’t have to submit to domestic abuse and coercive control","handle":"the-bible-doesn-t-tell-me-so-why-you-don-t-have-to-submit-to-domestic-abuse-and-coercive-control-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThis book is addressed directly to women experiencing domestic abuse, and to those who seek to support them, including pastoral leaders, friends and support organisations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt debunks the myths – perpetuated by some abusers and, unwittingly, by many churches – which prevent women from getting out of harm’s way. It helps them realise that the Bible does not belong to their abuser but is a text of liberation. Written with careful attention to pastoral issues, it closely examines and clearly explains the relevant scriptural texts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlso available from the Centre for the Study of Bible \u0026amp; Violence, a six-week video course for use by church small groups \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.csbvbristol.org.uk\/study-videos\/\" title=\"The Bible Doesn't Tell Me So\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.csbvbristol.org.uk\/study-videos\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iRWOUDQBFXc\" 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\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter is Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. A Baptist minister and biblical specialist, she has published at popular and scholarly levels, including \u003cem\u003eGod of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today?\u003c\/em\u003e (2019) for BRF. She speaks nationally and internationally about the interpretation of biblical violence and the abuse of the Bible to promote violence.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is important. Helen Paynter’s expertise with scripture, her approachability and her engagement with the reality of abuse ensure The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So is extremely helpful, both for Christians who have been subjected to abuse and for those wanting a strong biblical approach to addressing domestic abuse issues. It is both theological and practical and offers an authoritative and ultimately healing approach to scripture for women who have been abused. I know it will make a positive difference to women’s lives!’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatalie Collins, author of Out of Control: Couples, conflict and the capacity for change\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘I have all too often seen the Bible I love weaponised by men to control and subordinate their wives. The sad truth is that domestic abuse is as prevalent in the church as it is in the world outside. I am deeply grateful for this book and Helen’s detailed study and balanced explanation of the texts that have been used throughout the centuries to “bash” women. It is an academically excellent book, which sheds light on the complex scriptures it covers, yet remains immensely readable. It is thorough and profound and enables the reader to not just wrestle with these verses, but also to consider God's original plan for the relationship between men and women. This book shows the Bible is liberating for women and challenging for some men, and I pray The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So will become a core text for leaders as they learn to recognise and respond to domestic abuse within their churches.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBekah Legg, director of Restored\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach magazine, Autumn 2023. Review by Charmaine Yip\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eWe don’t talk about domestic abuse: we close our eyes and pretend it’s not happening. The shocking truth is that in the UK, a woman is killed by a current or previous partner every four days, and domestic abuse is as prevalent in the church as in wider society. Worse, the Bible is deliberately ‘weaponised’ to facilitate this abuse. The main aim of this book is to show that nowhere does the Bible license abuse and violation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAddressed primarily to women experiencing domestic abuse but also to churches seeking to support them, this book is written from a pastoral perspective and with a cogency befitting its subject. Paynter explores the whole biblical narrative as well as specific texts to build a watertight case that abuse is never permitted by scripture. She shows, for example, that Paul’s exhortation to women to submit to their husbands applies only in a loving supportive marriage, and does not authorise men to force their wives into submission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis applies even if we consider the doctrine of male headship and female submission to be timeless. While not convinced by the so-called ‘trajectory hermeneutic’, I found the chapter highlighting the less obvious misuses of scripture, such as passages around forgiveness, suffering and divorce, which can trap women in toxic marriages, incredibly insightful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter does not shy away from calling out abuse committed by pastors. One of the chief obstacles to bringing accusations is the fallacy that the ‘Lord’s anointed’ is above censure, but Paynter goes to great lengths to establish that it is our God-given duty to call out abusive pastors. A minister herself, Paynter argues for robust accountability structures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a must-read for church leaders. The chapter outlining how churches might collude in the abuse by closing ranks and keeping silent is a real eye-opener. There is another chapter addressed directly to church leaders warning against potential pitfalls, such as misdiagnosing abuse. Leaders are instead encouraged to believe the woman, exercise church discipline and cultivate a culture in which all may flourish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo explore this issue as a whole church, there is a six-session video resource, ideal for small groups. The interview format video resource, ideal for small groups. The interview format of these videos is compelling and the final session, focusing on next steps, pastoral care and preaching insights, particularly healing. This is a high-quality resource, offering lots of thought-provoking material as well as sensitive pauses. It is available at www.csbvbristol.org.uk\/study-videos\/ for a small donation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Charmaine Yip, who writes for Preach magazine, occasionally preaches short \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003esermons for Premier Radio, and is the 2022 winner of Sermon of the Year.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInspire magazine, New Zealand Spring 2021. Review by John Meredith\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is addressed to women experiencing domestic abuse or coercive control within a church setting and people, including church leaders, supporting women who are being abused. Why is such a book needed? Abuse by clergy has been well publicised but domestic abuse and coercive control within church families is wider than is often recognised. I have painful memories of three daughters asking me not to refer to their father as a loving husband at his funeral. They claimed that their mother, who had suffered from his behaviour, had remained within the marriage only because she felt trapped financially. They said their father, who considered himself a man of Christian virtue, emphasised repeatedly it was a wife’s duty to obey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is estimated that around 80% of domestic abuse is never reported. As well as physical or sexual violence, abusive relationships may include various forms of personal or social control, threats, accusations and intimidation. Overwhelmingly abusers are male. Domestic abuse and coercive control will often be denied by men and accepted by their female partners as just the way things are. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter’s book is arranged in three parts. Part 1 deals with what she terms the weaponization of scripture. Passages in Ephesians 5, 1 Corinthians 11 and 1 Peter 3 have been used as weapons against women. Using scholarly exegesis Paynter shows how even if one believes that a wife should submit to her husband as head of the household this is intended to be within a mutually loving, supportive and affirming relationship. It is argued that to use biblical texts to discourage a woman from divorcing an abusive husband is to contravene biblical teaching about respect for human dignity. And it is a misuse of scripture to argue that Christian faith requires a wife to keep on forgiving an abusive husband, or that pastoral care for a parishioner can be expressed through a sexual relationship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart 2 is titled ‘The truth will set you free.’ Abusive husbands strip their wives of power, but Paynter shows how throughout scripture God is for the powerless and oppressed. Scripture affirms that all people have a God-given dignity. In the gospels women’s dignity is affirmed by Jesus. There is nothing in scripture that justifies the subordination of wives or women.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor too long women have not been believed or have been hushed up. But scripture affirms that God is neither indifferent nor concerned to help anyone exercise power over another. In the light of God’s word injustice will always be revealed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart 3 includes three personal addresses: to those trapped by an abuser, to church leaders and to the perpetrator. Abused women are urged to have a safety plan and a helpful list is provided. Church leaders are encouraged to listen, to name what is wrong and never to promote gender roles or a theology that creates a sense of male entitlement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDomestic abuse and coercion are a travesty of relationships and the subordination of women is a biblical distortion. As stated on the cover this book debunks myths that prevent women from getting out of harm’s way. By helping clarify how church leaders need to act to protect women from abuse and free them from guilt and fear the book is a valuable pastoral resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by John Meredith\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.baptist.org.uk\/Articles\/592122\/The_Bible_Doesn.aspx\"\u003eBaptist Times 18.11.20\u003c\/a\u003e. Review by Jenni Entrican\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important book, and even more so during this time of COVID pandemic when levels of domestic abuse have significantly increased. As the title suggests, it is clear that specific interpretations of the Bible are used to validate totally unacceptable violations against women by their partners. Helen names this as ‘scripture being weaponised against women’, and her aim is to show that the Bible does not support the abuse of anyone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is an important book too because of the hidden nature of domestic abuse, particularly within Christian communities who believe that ‘it doesn’t happen here’, or that it is simply a relationship issue where counselling can help, or that it is the fault of the person being abused who needs to deal with low self esteem, or forgive the abuser. If this sounds simplistic, the reality is that these reactions are not uncommon, and thus perpetuate behaviour that is so contrary to God’s intention for humankind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThus, Helen’s book, addressed primarily to those suffering abuse, but also to those who support them and church leaders, does an excellent job of unpacking, both the whole sweep of the Biblical narrative, as well as specific scripture passages which are used to validate abusive behaviour. She addresses the Genesis account of the creation of men and women and their relationship; Paul’s exhortation to submit to one another, alongside the revolutionary injunction for men to love their wives as Christ loves the church; truths about what forgiveness looks like; how Jesus viewed and treated women and what God’s heart is for those who are abused.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe finishes briefly by addressing those trapped by an abuser, church leaders on how they can support such, and lastly, she addresses someone who is an abuser.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book, standing alongside other important books, has an important place in recognising and helping us to deal with what is a hugely important Kingdom and justice issue. It is time for us to grapple with the reality of violence and coercion of women within society as a whole, and particularly within the Christian church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn one way it is not an easy read as Helen draws on the lived experiences of women who have been in contact with her and we should weep at their stories. However it is carefully crafted to be both deeply theological, yet simple to read. I highly recommend reading this book and offering it to others, as a resource, but also to bind up some very real wounds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs I have travelled through the UK and Europe these past five years as Baptists Together and European Baptist Federation Presidents, I have met many fascinating and wonderful women, but I have also been aware of how often women are not given the opportunities to use their gifts freely. The more I hear and read of the way the female gender is treated worldwide, the more my heart cries out for more books like these, and for more people to engage with issues of gender justice. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJenni Entrican was European Baptist Federation President 2017-19, and is a member of the Baptist World Alliance Commission on Racial, Gender and Economic Justice 2020 -2025\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kate Lemon, Services Manager One 25: a Bristol based charity supporting women who have experience trauma, helping them to 'heal and thrive'.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is crucial in opening up conversations about domestic abuse within the church. For a long time domestic abuse has not been recognised and this has left women who were being abused isolated and totally unsupported. Moreover this system protected perpetrators of abuse. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter’s book plays a vital role in demonstrating that abuse happens everywhere, including within Christianity, that it is not acceptable and crucially that the bible does not advocate abuse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI also support the audiences that the author has targeted: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Women who are experiencing domestic abuse and coercive control: this is so important. They need to know that their voices are heard and their experiences recognised as part of the church community. They need to see evidence that the bible does not advocate the abuse they are experiencing. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Others in the Christian community who accept, allow or ignore instances of domestic abuse, and particularly church leaders. They are the people in power who need to listen to women and acknowledge what is happening in their church, community and the wider world. They are the people who must put in systems to challenge and stop domestic abuse at a local, national and international level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen’s detailed explanation of what the bible states and what this means is essential in challenging the discourse around women’s place and safety in society. Her position as a knowledgeable minister and biblical specialist gives clear authority to this element of the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs well as victims of domestic abuse and church leaders, there are other target audiences for this book: the Christian community as a whole, including volunteers, pastoral assistants and lay leaders. I would also add academics who train ministers and Christian workers, to ensure that this topic is covered in training and staff development. And finally, academics and researchers who study gender politics, women’s rights, sexual violence and abuse, and coercive control. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy key takeaways from this book are these:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst, the overriding message that God is for all who are oppressed and that includes women experiencing domestic abuse: God is for them and supports them. God does not advocate their abuse nor condone it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd second, the safety plan: practical list of what women should do if they are planning to leave their abusers in order to keep themselves as safe as possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Kate Lemon, Services Manager, One25 \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-23T15:27:20+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-23T15:25:39+01:00","vendor":"Helen Paynter","type":"eBook","tags":["Glassboxx","Oct-20","Pastoral care","Women"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53599716901244,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469908","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":71596266258812,"product_id":14688765116796,"position":1,"created_at":"2024-10-24T17:26:06+01:00","updated_at":"2024-10-24T17:26:07+01:00","alt":null,"width":1303,"height":2000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/77.png?v=1729787167","variant_ids":[53599716901244]},"available":true,"name":"The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So: Why you don’t have to submit to domestic abuse and coercive control - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":203,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469908","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":62917503189372,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/77.png?v=1729787167"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/77.png?v=1729787167","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/78.png?v=1729787167"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/77.png?v=1729787167","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62917503189372,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/77.png?v=1729787167"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/77.png?v=1729787167","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62917503222140,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/78.png?v=1729787167"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/78.png?v=1729787167","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThis book is addressed directly to women experiencing domestic abuse, and to those who seek to support them, including pastoral leaders, friends and support organisations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt debunks the myths – perpetuated by some abusers and, unwittingly, by many churches – which prevent women from getting out of harm’s way. It helps them realise that the Bible does not belong to their abuser but is a text of liberation. Written with careful attention to pastoral issues, it closely examines and clearly explains the relevant scriptural texts.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlso available from the Centre for the Study of Bible \u0026amp; Violence, a six-week video course for use by church small groups \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.csbvbristol.org.uk\/study-videos\/\" title=\"The Bible Doesn't Tell Me So\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/www.csbvbristol.org.uk\/study-videos\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iRWOUDQBFXc\" 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\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter is Director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence. A Baptist minister and biblical specialist, she has published at popular and scholarly levels, including \u003cem\u003eGod of Violence Yesterday, God of Love Today?\u003c\/em\u003e (2019) for BRF. She speaks nationally and internationally about the interpretation of biblical violence and the abuse of the Bible to promote violence.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘This book is important. Helen Paynter’s expertise with scripture, her approachability and her engagement with the reality of abuse ensure The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So is extremely helpful, both for Christians who have been subjected to abuse and for those wanting a strong biblical approach to addressing domestic abuse issues. It is both theological and practical and offers an authoritative and ultimately healing approach to scripture for women who have been abused. I know it will make a positive difference to women’s lives!’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatalie Collins, author of Out of Control: Couples, conflict and the capacity for change\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘I have all too often seen the Bible I love weaponised by men to control and subordinate their wives. The sad truth is that domestic abuse is as prevalent in the church as it is in the world outside. I am deeply grateful for this book and Helen’s detailed study and balanced explanation of the texts that have been used throughout the centuries to “bash” women. It is an academically excellent book, which sheds light on the complex scriptures it covers, yet remains immensely readable. It is thorough and profound and enables the reader to not just wrestle with these verses, but also to consider God's original plan for the relationship between men and women. This book shows the Bible is liberating for women and challenging for some men, and I pray The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So will become a core text for leaders as they learn to recognise and respond to domestic abuse within their churches.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBekah Legg, director of Restored\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach magazine, Autumn 2023. Review by Charmaine Yip\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003eWe don’t talk about domestic abuse: we close our eyes and pretend it’s not happening. The shocking truth is that in the UK, a woman is killed by a current or previous partner every four days, and domestic abuse is as prevalent in the church as in wider society. Worse, the Bible is deliberately ‘weaponised’ to facilitate this abuse. The main aim of this book is to show that nowhere does the Bible license abuse and violation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAddressed primarily to women experiencing domestic abuse but also to churches seeking to support them, this book is written from a pastoral perspective and with a cogency befitting its subject. Paynter explores the whole biblical narrative as well as specific texts to build a watertight case that abuse is never permitted by scripture. She shows, for example, that Paul’s exhortation to women to submit to their husbands applies only in a loving supportive marriage, and does not authorise men to force their wives into submission.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis applies even if we consider the doctrine of male headship and female submission to be timeless. While not convinced by the so-called ‘trajectory hermeneutic’, I found the chapter highlighting the less obvious misuses of scripture, such as passages around forgiveness, suffering and divorce, which can trap women in toxic marriages, incredibly insightful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter does not shy away from calling out abuse committed by pastors. One of the chief obstacles to bringing accusations is the fallacy that the ‘Lord’s anointed’ is above censure, but Paynter goes to great lengths to establish that it is our God-given duty to call out abusive pastors. A minister herself, Paynter argues for robust accountability structures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is a must-read for church leaders. The chapter outlining how churches might collude in the abuse by closing ranks and keeping silent is a real eye-opener. There is another chapter addressed directly to church leaders warning against potential pitfalls, such as misdiagnosing abuse. Leaders are instead encouraged to believe the woman, exercise church discipline and cultivate a culture in which all may flourish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo explore this issue as a whole church, there is a six-session video resource, ideal for small groups. The interview format video resource, ideal for small groups. The interview format of these videos is compelling and the final session, focusing on next steps, pastoral care and preaching insights, particularly healing. This is a high-quality resource, offering lots of thought-provoking material as well as sensitive pauses. It is available at www.csbvbristol.org.uk\/study-videos\/ for a small donation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Charmaine Yip, who writes for Preach magazine, occasionally preaches short \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003esermons for Premier Radio, and is the 2022 winner of Sermon of the Year.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInspire magazine, New Zealand Spring 2021. Review by John Meredith\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is addressed to women experiencing domestic abuse or coercive control within a church setting and people, including church leaders, supporting women who are being abused. Why is such a book needed? Abuse by clergy has been well publicised but domestic abuse and coercive control within church families is wider than is often recognised. I have painful memories of three daughters asking me not to refer to their father as a loving husband at his funeral. They claimed that their mother, who had suffered from his behaviour, had remained within the marriage only because she felt trapped financially. They said their father, who considered himself a man of Christian virtue, emphasised repeatedly it was a wife’s duty to obey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is estimated that around 80% of domestic abuse is never reported. As well as physical or sexual violence, abusive relationships may include various forms of personal or social control, threats, accusations and intimidation. Overwhelmingly abusers are male. Domestic abuse and coercive control will often be denied by men and accepted by their female partners as just the way things are. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaynter’s book is arranged in three parts. Part 1 deals with what she terms the weaponization of scripture. Passages in Ephesians 5, 1 Corinthians 11 and 1 Peter 3 have been used as weapons against women. Using scholarly exegesis Paynter shows how even if one believes that a wife should submit to her husband as head of the household this is intended to be within a mutually loving, supportive and affirming relationship. It is argued that to use biblical texts to discourage a woman from divorcing an abusive husband is to contravene biblical teaching about respect for human dignity. And it is a misuse of scripture to argue that Christian faith requires a wife to keep on forgiving an abusive husband, or that pastoral care for a parishioner can be expressed through a sexual relationship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart 2 is titled ‘The truth will set you free.’ Abusive husbands strip their wives of power, but Paynter shows how throughout scripture God is for the powerless and oppressed. Scripture affirms that all people have a God-given dignity. In the gospels women’s dignity is affirmed by Jesus. There is nothing in scripture that justifies the subordination of wives or women.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor too long women have not been believed or have been hushed up. But scripture affirms that God is neither indifferent nor concerned to help anyone exercise power over another. In the light of God’s word injustice will always be revealed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePart 3 includes three personal addresses: to those trapped by an abuser, to church leaders and to the perpetrator. Abused women are urged to have a safety plan and a helpful list is provided. Church leaders are encouraged to listen, to name what is wrong and never to promote gender roles or a theology that creates a sense of male entitlement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDomestic abuse and coercion are a travesty of relationships and the subordination of women is a biblical distortion. As stated on the cover this book debunks myths that prevent women from getting out of harm’s way. By helping clarify how church leaders need to act to protect women from abuse and free them from guilt and fear the book is a valuable pastoral resource.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by John Meredith\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.baptist.org.uk\/Articles\/592122\/The_Bible_Doesn.aspx\"\u003eBaptist Times 18.11.20\u003c\/a\u003e. Review by Jenni Entrican\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an important book, and even more so during this time of COVID pandemic when levels of domestic abuse have significantly increased. As the title suggests, it is clear that specific interpretations of the Bible are used to validate totally unacceptable violations against women by their partners. Helen names this as ‘scripture being weaponised against women’, and her aim is to show that the Bible does not support the abuse of anyone.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is an important book too because of the hidden nature of domestic abuse, particularly within Christian communities who believe that ‘it doesn’t happen here’, or that it is simply a relationship issue where counselling can help, or that it is the fault of the person being abused who needs to deal with low self esteem, or forgive the abuser. If this sounds simplistic, the reality is that these reactions are not uncommon, and thus perpetuate behaviour that is so contrary to God’s intention for humankind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThus, Helen’s book, addressed primarily to those suffering abuse, but also to those who support them and church leaders, does an excellent job of unpacking, both the whole sweep of the Biblical narrative, as well as specific scripture passages which are used to validate abusive behaviour. She addresses the Genesis account of the creation of men and women and their relationship; Paul’s exhortation to submit to one another, alongside the revolutionary injunction for men to love their wives as Christ loves the church; truths about what forgiveness looks like; how Jesus viewed and treated women and what God’s heart is for those who are abused.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe finishes briefly by addressing those trapped by an abuser, church leaders on how they can support such, and lastly, she addresses someone who is an abuser.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book, standing alongside other important books, has an important place in recognising and helping us to deal with what is a hugely important Kingdom and justice issue. It is time for us to grapple with the reality of violence and coercion of women within society as a whole, and particularly within the Christian church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn one way it is not an easy read as Helen draws on the lived experiences of women who have been in contact with her and we should weep at their stories. However it is carefully crafted to be both deeply theological, yet simple to read. I highly recommend reading this book and offering it to others, as a resource, but also to bind up some very real wounds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs I have travelled through the UK and Europe these past five years as Baptists Together and European Baptist Federation Presidents, I have met many fascinating and wonderful women, but I have also been aware of how often women are not given the opportunities to use their gifts freely. The more I hear and read of the way the female gender is treated worldwide, the more my heart cries out for more books like these, and for more people to engage with issues of gender justice. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eJenni Entrican was European Baptist Federation President 2017-19, and is a member of the Baptist World Alliance Commission on Racial, Gender and Economic Justice 2020 -2025\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Kate Lemon, Services Manager One 25: a Bristol based charity supporting women who have experience trauma, helping them to 'heal and thrive'.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is crucial in opening up conversations about domestic abuse within the church. For a long time domestic abuse has not been recognised and this has left women who were being abused isolated and totally unsupported. Moreover this system protected perpetrators of abuse. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen Paynter’s book plays a vital role in demonstrating that abuse happens everywhere, including within Christianity, that it is not acceptable and crucially that the bible does not advocate abuse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI also support the audiences that the author has targeted: \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Women who are experiencing domestic abuse and coercive control: this is so important. They need to know that their voices are heard and their experiences recognised as part of the church community. They need to see evidence that the bible does not advocate the abuse they are experiencing. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Others in the Christian community who accept, allow or ignore instances of domestic abuse, and particularly church leaders. They are the people in power who need to listen to women and acknowledge what is happening in their church, community and the wider world. They are the people who must put in systems to challenge and stop domestic abuse at a local, national and international level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHelen’s detailed explanation of what the bible states and what this means is essential in challenging the discourse around women’s place and safety in society. Her position as a knowledgeable minister and biblical specialist gives clear authority to this element of the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs well as victims of domestic abuse and church leaders, there are other target audiences for this book: the Christian community as a whole, including volunteers, pastoral assistants and lay leaders. I would also add academics who train ministers and Christian workers, to ensure that this topic is covered in training and staff development. And finally, academics and researchers who study gender politics, women’s rights, sexual violence and abuse, and coercive control. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy key takeaways from this book are these:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst, the overriding message that God is for all who are oppressed and that includes women experiencing domestic abuse: God is for them and supports them. God does not advocate their abuse nor condone it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd second, the safety plan: practical list of what women should do if they are planning to leave their abusers in order to keep themselves as safe as possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Kate Lemon, Services Manager, One25 \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So: Why you don’t have to submit to domestic abuse and coercive control
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{"id":14688768426364,"title":"The Works of the Lord: 52 biblical reflections on science, technology and creation","handle":"the-works-of-the-lord-52-biblical-reflections-on-science-technology-and-creation","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e‘Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them,’ says Psalm 111:2. We all benefit from science, and we all make choices about how to use its fruits. This series of reflections lets scientific discoveries fuel your worship and helps you to consider how we can move forward wisely in a scientific society. Written by a diverse group of scientists and theologians associated with the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge, UK, you are invited into the conversation whether you are a scientist or not, and you are given the opportunity to respond in both praise and practical action.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDr Ruth Bancewicz is Church Engagement Director at the Faraday Institute, where she equips and encourages churches to include engagement with science as part of their regular ministry and mission. She studied Genetics at Aberdeen and Edinburgh Universities, and is now studying with Highland Theological College. She a member of Christians in Science, and belongs to City Church Cambridge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘This insightful collection of 52 biblical reflections, expertly edited by Ruth, is helpful in exploring the connections between science and faith. As a pastor, It’s a wonderful tool for understanding and sharing how science and creation harmonise with God’s Word in meaningful ways.’ \u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBen Norris, Pastor, GodCentral Church.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘The passages and reflections were just the right length…often the topic lent a fresh perspective on the passage used… I can easily see the book being a useful tool from which to start thinking about a particular topic… I found myself pondering on what I had read at the start of the day during the day and on occasion it informed conversations had.’ \u003ci\u003eRuth Chamberlain, ordained priest and teacher of Biology and Science\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘For the scientist who is a Christian, the exploration of the natural world is not just the joy of intellectual curiosity but is an act of worship enhancing prayer and the reading of the Bible. In this book we get an insight into that worship which is both inspiring and challenging for our own relationship with Jesus.’ \u003ci\u003eThe Revd Professor David Wilkinson, Project Director, Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science, St John’s College, Durham University\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘This book fills a crucial gap by encouraging us to use all that science tells us about our world and universe to help us to worship and pray in a deeper and more informed way. It will be a great help in engaging with the many major developments of our time, such as climate change and AI, in a more reflective and rounded way. It will appeal to a broad range of church traditions and I hope it will be very widely used in private devotions and corporate worship.’ \u003ci\u003eBishop Richard Cheetham, Member of the Anglican Communion Science Commission, Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-23T15:28:05+01:00","created_at":"2024-10-23T15:28:06+01:00","vendor":"Ruth Bancewicz","type":"Paperback","tags":["Caring for creation","Devotional","Environmental issues","For individuals","KCLC","New Titles","Prayer","Torch Trust","Upcoming titles","Worship"],"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":53599719719292,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800392854","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Works of the Lord: 52 biblical reflections on science, technology and creation","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":1299,"weight":230,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800392854","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/9781800392854.jpg?v=1737147317"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/9781800392854.jpg?v=1737147317","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":63731917947260,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.064,"height":1000,"width":1064,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/9781800392854.jpg?v=1737147317"},"aspect_ratio":1.064,"height":1000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/9781800392854.jpg?v=1737147317","width":1064}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e‘Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them,’ says Psalm 111:2. We all benefit from science, and we all make choices about how to use its fruits. This series of reflections lets scientific discoveries fuel your worship and helps you to consider how we can move forward wisely in a scientific society. Written by a diverse group of scientists and theologians associated with the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge, UK, you are invited into the conversation whether you are a scientist or not, and you are given the opportunity to respond in both praise and practical action.\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"preserve-white-space\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDr Ruth Bancewicz is Church Engagement Director at the Faraday Institute, where she equips and encourages churches to include engagement with science as part of their regular ministry and mission. She studied Genetics at Aberdeen and Edinburgh Universities, and is now studying with Highland Theological College. She a member of Christians in Science, and belongs to City Church Cambridge.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘This insightful collection of 52 biblical reflections, expertly edited by Ruth, is helpful in exploring the connections between science and faith. As a pastor, It’s a wonderful tool for understanding and sharing how science and creation harmonise with God’s Word in meaningful ways.’ \u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003eBen Norris, Pastor, GodCentral Church.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘The passages and reflections were just the right length…often the topic lent a fresh perspective on the passage used… I can easily see the book being a useful tool from which to start thinking about a particular topic… I found myself pondering on what I had read at the start of the day during the day and on occasion it informed conversations had.’ \u003ci\u003eRuth Chamberlain, ordained priest and teacher of Biology and Science\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘For the scientist who is a Christian, the exploration of the natural world is not just the joy of intellectual curiosity but is an act of worship enhancing prayer and the reading of the Bible. In this book we get an insight into that worship which is both inspiring and challenging for our own relationship with Jesus.’ \u003ci\u003eThe Revd Professor David Wilkinson, Project Director, Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science, St John’s College, Durham University\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘This book fills a crucial gap by encouraging us to use all that science tells us about our world and universe to help us to worship and pray in a deeper and more informed way. It will be a great help in engaging with the many major developments of our time, such as climate change and AI, in a more reflective and rounded way. It will appeal to a broad range of church traditions and I hope it will be very widely used in private devotions and corporate worship.’ \u003ci\u003eBishop Richard Cheetham, Member of the Anglican Communion Science Commission, Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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The Works of the Lord: 52 biblical reflections on science, technology and creation
£12.99
‘Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them,’ says Psalm 111:2. We all benefit...
{"id":14698147152252,"title":"Babies and Toddlers: Nurturing your child’s spiritual life","handle":"babies-and-toddlers-nurturing-your-child-s-spiritual-life","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\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?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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\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\/RachelTurner_480x480.jpg?v=1676495221\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachel Turner is an author, speaker and the Parenting for Faith Pioneer for The Bible Reading Fellowship. She presents the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for church groups and individuals.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/best-christian-books-for-moms\/\"\u003eThe Hope Filled Family \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI read this book in less than an hour: it’s that short! I love this, because how many parents of babies and toddlers have great swathes of time in which to read?? However, don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s lightweight or shallow. I don’t know what kind of magic Rachel Turner has, but she’s managed to condense her deepest wisdom into short, accessible chapters which even the busiest parent will be able to dip into and take something from. Great for seasoned Christians, but also highly accessible for those new to church or the Christian faith. Give it to your baptism families!\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-28T08:17:40+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-28T08:15:44+00:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"eBook","tags":["Feb-21","Glassboxx","Parenting","Parenting for Faith books"],"price":499,"price_min":499,"price_max":499,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":53602637676924,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390010","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Babies and Toddlers: Nurturing your child’s spiritual life - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":499,"weight":150,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390010","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390003.jpg?v=1609858016","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390003-bc.jpg?v=1609858016"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390003.jpg?v=1609858016","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":15530956521663,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390003.jpg?v=1609858016"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390003.jpg?v=1609858016","width":1000},{"alt":null,"id":11680640598168,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"width":1000,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390003-bc.jpg?v=1609858016"},"aspect_ratio":0.705,"height":1419,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/products\/9781800390003-bc.jpg?v=1609858016","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\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?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 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\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\/RachelTurner_480x480.jpg?v=1676495221\" width=\"180\" height=\"180\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachel Turner is an author, speaker and the Parenting for Faith Pioneer for The Bible Reading Fellowship. She presents the Parenting for Faith course, a video-based resource for church groups and individuals.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/best-christian-books-for-moms\/\"\u003eThe Hope Filled Family \u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI read this book in less than an hour: it’s that short! I love this, because how many parents of babies and toddlers have great swathes of time in which to read?? However, don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s lightweight or shallow. I don’t know what kind of magic Rachel Turner has, but she’s managed to condense her deepest wisdom into short, accessible chapters which even the busiest parent will be able to dip into and take something from. Great for seasoned Christians, but also highly accessible for those new to church or the Christian faith. Give it to your baptism families!\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Babies and Toddlers: Nurturing your child’s spiritual life
£4.99
Digital eBook Only - Our children's early years are incredibly significant in shaping their mental, emotional and spiritual lives for...
{"id":14698153378172,"title":"Parenting Children for a Life of Faith omnibus: Helping children meet and know God","handle":"parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-omnibus-helping-children-meet-and-know-god-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eEquipping parents to raise God-connected children and teens. Collecting all the wisdom of titles previously published as \u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith, Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose,\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Confidence\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book brings together three of Rachel Turner's books in one place. Full of nuggets and practical insights it will help your children to connect with God as an overflow of a growing relationship with Him. It should be found on every Christian parent's bookshelf.\u003cbr\u003eOlly Goldenberg, Children Can\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRachel Turner is an author, speaker and the Parenting for Faith Pioneer for The Bible Reading Fellowship. She presents the Parenting for Faith course, a free video-based resource for church groups and individuals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/best-christian-books-for-moms\/\"\u003eThe Hope Filled Family\u003c\/a\u003e December 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis is THE handbook of nurturing your children’s faith. (For my full review of it, check out \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\/\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\/\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e.) Every parent should read it! However…it’s quite long. The new version is an omnibus, featuring three books in one, so you don’t need to read all three, but even one might be a challenge for many of us. So – promise me that if you don’t have time for the book, you’ll watch the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/course\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/course\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eParenting for Faith videos (free)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, listen to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/podcast\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/podcast\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eawesome podcast\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, tune in for Rachel’s regular \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/parentingforfaithBRF\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/parentingforfaithBRF\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFacebook Lives\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/parents\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/parents\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eread their blog\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e? At the very least, the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/parentingforfaithbrf\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/parentingforfaithbrf\/\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eParenting for Faith Instagram account\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e gives lots of quick pointers, ideas and starter questions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExtract from review by Lucy Rycroft in her blog: 'Desertmum - Pursuing discipleship through the haze of early parenting', 30.11.18\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have been reading an excellent book ... which I'm delighted to share with you today. 'Parenting Children for a Life of Faith', by Rachel Turner, has been around for a few years, along with its sequels 'Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose' and 'Parenting Children for a Life of Confidence'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut in October, BRF brought out 'Parenting Children for a Life of Faith (Omnibus Edition)' which comprises all three books, and it is this book which I've had the pleasure to read and now share with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a pretty hefty tome, containing three books, but there's no need to be daunted. All the chapters are short and extremely readable. Rachel Turner has a very accessible style, with plenty of stories and examples to bring her points to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's also very possible to dip into different chapters (as I've been doing for this review). I would recommend reading it from start to finish (as I intend to in more depth, over the coming months), because Rachel introduces frameworks and patterns which she then refers to in subsequent chapters - but you can find plenty to inspire you if you only have time to dip into a chapter now and then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat struck me about this book was just how much I need it. After nine years of parenting, I feel I am only just scratching the surface in terms of understanding how my kids respond to events, and how I respond to them, and how that may or may not be affecting them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, I'd go as far as to say that just when I think I've got parenting all wrapped up, at least one of my kids moves into a new 'phase', and the whole thing needs rethinking again. I'll be honest and say that, just right now, I'm feeling pretty negative about my ability to nurture the four precious souls God has given me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo I need this book. And maybe you do too. As intentional as I am about my parenting, this book opened my mind to so much that I'd never even considered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, I'd never thought before about the wrong views of God that my children might have picked up, and how to re-align them. I'd kind of assumed, rather arrogantly, that we were teaching them all the Right Stuff. But we're sinful - they hear our words, and they see our actions, and these don't always match up. And then there's all the stuff they're hearing from school and church and the media. All in all, that can make for a pretty confusing idea of who God is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother idea that I picked up, and started to put into practice immediately, is encouraging our kids to 'chat' to God, rather than follow the rather formulaic (and, if you think about it, non-relational) 'thank you - please - sorry' model. As Rachel points out, these are all essential words to use too. Any strong marriage features them in its communication: but if that was all I said to my husband, we wouldn't have a very close relationship at all! Likewise, our relationship with God can be more 'chatty', and maybe this starts more of a genuine and personal connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese ideas came from the first of the trilogy of books contained in this omnibus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut the second book, 'Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose', offers great brain fodder too - specifically on the idea of nurturing our children into using the gifts God has given them - both practical and spiritual, so that they are aware from an early age of their place in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third book, 'Parenting Children for a Life of Confidence', might sound a little 'self-help' in theme, but the very first chapter reveals that it's anything but.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContrary to the world's idea that we should be confident because we are awesomely wonderful - or the incorrect 'Christian' theology that we should be confident because God made us and we're awesomely wonderful - Rachel outlines that we should be confident because we trust in God - in other words, our confidence is in Him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rest of the book goes into more detail, and no tricky area is avoided: peer pressure, bullying, body image, competition. All the areas which might shake a child's confidence, Rachel calls out with truth and boldness, giving us helpful and practical ideas on how to handle these situations with grace and Biblical promises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne thing I particularly appreciated about all three titles was the helpful way Rachel reduces concepts to simple frameworks which are easy to remember. That's not all there is - Rachel expands on these throughout each book - but for a tired and busy parent, it's good to have short, memorable phrases to pull out when we need them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the book there's an extensive collection of FAQs, including how to disciple a child if your partner is not a believer, how to nurture the faith of a child who doesn't like to read, and how to encourage children to exercise spiritual gifts. No stone has been left unturned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, just to recap, this is THREE BOOKS IN ONE. Don't be put off by the size: it can easily be read one book at a time, or even one or two chapters at a time. Rachel Turner's style is endearing, easy-to-read, challenging and helpful. She is a parent and children's worker of many years' experience, so she sees the full picture of kids and their developing faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith would make a fabulous Christmas present for a Christian mum or dad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/lucyrycroft.com\/2018\/11\/29\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e for full blog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, April 2020. Review by Veronica Bright\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachel Turner sets out to empower, inspire and assist Christian parents to guide and help their children develop a lasting and vibrant two-way relationship with God. The book consists of three sections. [nb: this is an omnibus edition of three previous titles]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the first, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of faith\u003c\/em\u003e, Turner says, ‘What gets missed out most often in our retelling of Bible stories is God’s relationship with people within the story.’ She stresses the importance of relationships, and suggests ways parents can help children to ‘chat’ to God and ‘catch’ his messages. The second section, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003epurpose\u003c\/em\u003e, explores how Christian parents can equip their children with confidence, helping them live compassionately and courageously, understanding the power of love. The third section, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of confidence\u003c\/em\u003e, helps the reader to understand and shape their children’s attitude to life. There are ‘evangelical’ clichés in the text, and there is a tendency to take all Bible stories literally, which would not suit everybody. However, this book could be a great help to people where the whole family is Christian. The book is part of a Bible Reading Fellowship initiative, and links with a free video course \u003cem\u003eParenting for Faith\u003c\/em\u003e, found at www.parentingforfaith.org.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Veronica Bright \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-28T08:21:11+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-28T08:19:25+00:00","vendor":"Rachel Turner","type":"eBook","tags":["Glassboxx","Oct-18","Parenting","Parenting for Faith books"],"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":53602638299516,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466952","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Parenting Children for a Life of Faith omnibus: Helping children meet and know God - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":1299,"weight":396,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466952","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/106.png?v=1730134933","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/e_book_covers_1_3d41441c-895a-4a3b-aff6-3ede426bcdf3.png?v=1730136741"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/106.png?v=1730134933","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62923499340156,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/106.png?v=1730134933"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/106.png?v=1730134933","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62923546362236,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/e_book_covers_1_3d41441c-895a-4a3b-aff6-3ede426bcdf3.png?v=1730136741"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/e_book_covers_1_3d41441c-895a-4a3b-aff6-3ede426bcdf3.png?v=1730136741","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eEquipping parents to raise God-connected children and teens. Collecting all the wisdom of titles previously published as \u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith, Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose,\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Confidence\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book brings together three of Rachel Turner's books in one place. Full of nuggets and practical insights it will help your children to connect with God as an overflow of a growing relationship with Him. It should be found on every Christian parent's bookshelf.\u003cbr\u003eOlly Goldenberg, Children Can\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRachel Turner is an author, speaker and the Parenting for Faith Pioneer for The Bible Reading Fellowship. She presents the Parenting for Faith course, a free video-based resource for church groups and individuals.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLucy Rycroft: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/best-christian-books-for-moms\/\"\u003eThe Hope Filled Family\u003c\/a\u003e December 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThis is THE handbook of nurturing your children’s faith. (For my full review of it, check out \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\/\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/thehopefilledfamily.com\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\/\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e.) Every parent should read it! However…it’s quite long. The new version is an omnibus, featuring three books in one, so you don’t need to read all three, but even one might be a challenge for many of us. So – promise me that if you don’t have time for the book, you’ll watch the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/course\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/course\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eParenting for Faith videos (free)\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, listen to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/podcast\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/podcast\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eawesome podcast\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, tune in for Rachel’s regular \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/parentingforfaithBRF\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/parentingforfaithBRF\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFacebook Lives\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/parents\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/parentingforfaith.org\/parents\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eread their blog\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e? At the very least, the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/parentingforfaithbrf\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-mce-href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/parentingforfaithbrf\/\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eParenting for Faith Instagram account\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e gives lots of quick pointers, ideas and starter questions.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExtract from review by Lucy Rycroft in her blog: 'Desertmum - Pursuing discipleship through the haze of early parenting', 30.11.18\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI have been reading an excellent book ... which I'm delighted to share with you today. 'Parenting Children for a Life of Faith', by Rachel Turner, has been around for a few years, along with its sequels 'Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose' and 'Parenting Children for a Life of Confidence'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut in October, BRF brought out 'Parenting Children for a Life of Faith (Omnibus Edition)' which comprises all three books, and it is this book which I've had the pleasure to read and now share with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's a pretty hefty tome, containing three books, but there's no need to be daunted. All the chapters are short and extremely readable. Rachel Turner has a very accessible style, with plenty of stories and examples to bring her points to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt's also very possible to dip into different chapters (as I've been doing for this review). I would recommend reading it from start to finish (as I intend to in more depth, over the coming months), because Rachel introduces frameworks and patterns which she then refers to in subsequent chapters - but you can find plenty to inspire you if you only have time to dip into a chapter now and then.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat struck me about this book was just how much I need it. After nine years of parenting, I feel I am only just scratching the surface in terms of understanding how my kids respond to events, and how I respond to them, and how that may or may not be affecting them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn fact, I'd go as far as to say that just when I think I've got parenting all wrapped up, at least one of my kids moves into a new 'phase', and the whole thing needs rethinking again. I'll be honest and say that, just right now, I'm feeling pretty negative about my ability to nurture the four precious souls God has given me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo I need this book. And maybe you do too. As intentional as I am about my parenting, this book opened my mind to so much that I'd never even considered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, I'd never thought before about the wrong views of God that my children might have picked up, and how to re-align them. I'd kind of assumed, rather arrogantly, that we were teaching them all the Right Stuff. But we're sinful - they hear our words, and they see our actions, and these don't always match up. And then there's all the stuff they're hearing from school and church and the media. All in all, that can make for a pretty confusing idea of who God is.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother idea that I picked up, and started to put into practice immediately, is encouraging our kids to 'chat' to God, rather than follow the rather formulaic (and, if you think about it, non-relational) 'thank you - please - sorry' model. As Rachel points out, these are all essential words to use too. Any strong marriage features them in its communication: but if that was all I said to my husband, we wouldn't have a very close relationship at all! Likewise, our relationship with God can be more 'chatty', and maybe this starts more of a genuine and personal connection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese ideas came from the first of the trilogy of books contained in this omnibus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut the second book, 'Parenting Children for a Life of Purpose', offers great brain fodder too - specifically on the idea of nurturing our children into using the gifts God has given them - both practical and spiritual, so that they are aware from an early age of their place in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe third book, 'Parenting Children for a Life of Confidence', might sound a little 'self-help' in theme, but the very first chapter reveals that it's anything but.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eContrary to the world's idea that we should be confident because we are awesomely wonderful - or the incorrect 'Christian' theology that we should be confident because God made us and we're awesomely wonderful - Rachel outlines that we should be confident because we trust in God - in other words, our confidence is in Him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rest of the book goes into more detail, and no tricky area is avoided: peer pressure, bullying, body image, competition. All the areas which might shake a child's confidence, Rachel calls out with truth and boldness, giving us helpful and practical ideas on how to handle these situations with grace and Biblical promises.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne thing I particularly appreciated about all three titles was the helpful way Rachel reduces concepts to simple frameworks which are easy to remember. That's not all there is - Rachel expands on these throughout each book - but for a tired and busy parent, it's good to have short, memorable phrases to pull out when we need them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the book there's an extensive collection of FAQs, including how to disciple a child if your partner is not a believer, how to nurture the faith of a child who doesn't like to read, and how to encourage children to exercise spiritual gifts. No stone has been left unturned.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo, just to recap, this is THREE BOOKS IN ONE. Don't be put off by the size: it can easily be read one book at a time, or even one or two chapters at a time. Rachel Turner's style is endearing, easy-to-read, challenging and helpful. She is a parent and children's worker of many years' experience, so she sees the full picture of kids and their developing faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParenting Children for a Life of Faith would make a fabulous Christmas present for a Christian mum or dad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClick \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/lucyrycroft.com\/2018\/11\/29\/parenting-children-for-a-life-of-faith-review-and-giveaway\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e for full blog.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, April 2020. Review by Veronica Bright\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRachel Turner sets out to empower, inspire and assist Christian parents to guide and help their children develop a lasting and vibrant two-way relationship with God. The book consists of three sections. [nb: this is an omnibus edition of three previous titles]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the first, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of faith\u003c\/em\u003e, Turner says, ‘What gets missed out most often in our retelling of Bible stories is God’s relationship with people within the story.’ She stresses the importance of relationships, and suggests ways parents can help children to ‘chat’ to God and ‘catch’ his messages. The second section, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003epurpose\u003c\/em\u003e, explores how Christian parents can equip their children with confidence, helping them live compassionately and courageously, understanding the power of love. The third section, \u003cem\u003eParenting children for a life of confidence\u003c\/em\u003e, helps the reader to understand and shape their children’s attitude to life. There are ‘evangelical’ clichés in the text, and there is a tendency to take all Bible stories literally, which would not suit everybody. However, this book could be a great help to people where the whole family is Christian. The book is part of a Bible Reading Fellowship initiative, and links with a free video course \u003cem\u003eParenting for Faith\u003c\/em\u003e, found at www.parentingforfaith.org.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Veronica Bright \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Parenting Children for a Life of Faith omnibus: Helping children meet and know God
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Digital eBook Only - Equipping parents to raise God-connected children and teens. Collecting all the wisdom of titles previously published as...
{"id":14698168091004,"title":"World Turned Upside Down","handle":"world-turned-upside-down-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\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":"2024-10-28T08:29:23+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-28T08:28:11+00:00","vendor":"Alison Morgan","type":"eBook","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":53602640658812,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800391673","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"World Turned Upside Down - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":1299,"weight":286,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800391673","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/118.png?v=1730134967","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/119.png?v=1730134944"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/118.png?v=1730134967","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62923503436156,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/118.png?v=1730134967"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/118.png?v=1730134967","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62923500945788,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/119.png?v=1730134944"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/119.png?v=1730134944","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\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":14698171007356,"title":"The Space Between: The disruptive seasons we want to hide from, and why we need them","handle":"the-space-between-the-disruptive-seasons-we-want-to-hide-from-and-why-we-need-them","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe disruptive seasons of life – those transition times in which we have left one season of stability but not yet arrived at the next – can be times of great disorientation. Yet, for good or for ill, they are also the most transformative. In \u003cem\u003eThe Space Between\u003c\/em\u003e, Mark Bradford provides the reader with a biblical and theological understanding of such seasons of life, connects them with the resources to live faithfully through them, and offers strength and hope for the journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark Bradford is the vicar of St Cuthbert’s, Fulwood. Previously he taught history and politics and has worked for the Oasis Trust in Leeds training and discipling 18–25-year-olds. He is married with three young children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘A timely book for the pandemic age… A wise companion for the tough seasons of life.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Lawrence, CPAS leadership principal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘This is not a book to read all in one go! Gems keep tumbling out of the cupboard and they need to be picked up one at a time before moving to the next… This is hard to beat!’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulian Henderson, bishop of Blackburn\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘A wonderfully honest and human book that enables readers to find God in the disturbing experiences of change and disruption… The rich wisdom of this book will offer both a healing balm and a source of courage to all who engage with it.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhilip North, bishop of Burnley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘This book is important… It tackles difficult times in our lives with honesty and clarity – which will be a relief to those who read it.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanon Dr Christina Baxter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘This book draws on the Bible, on the lives of saints old and new, and on the author’s deep experience to invite us afresh to engage in the precious things God is doing when the temptation is to focus elsewhere. This is encouraging, wise, and helpful.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark Tanner, bishop of Chester\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘In a highly engaging way, Mark extends our awareness and draws our attention to God’s work of grace in the whole of life – not only the highs and lows, but the rest of life, where we are on a journey, waiting, confused or disoriented. This is a guide for a truly whole-life discipleship.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Harcourt, New Wine national leader and vicar of All Saints Woodford Wells\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘An apt resource and encouragement that we are not alone in experiencing these seasons.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJo McKee, CPAS director of the Arrow Programme and archbishops’ evangelist, vicar of St Andrew’s Radcliffe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Winter 2021. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubtitled, ‘The disruptive seasons we want to hide from and why we need them’, Bradford has produced a thoughtful book designed to help us deal with life’s difficulties, including the times we have to wait, those when we feel in exile, the sensation of being in the wilderness as well as when we are in a pit or facing a storm. These metaphors for human experience are often drawn from the Bible, so he is great at drawing together biblical stories and teachings to help us face these moments of confusion or challenge. The author draws upon the writings of Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann and the insights that he has made by his lifelong study of the psalms. We are further helped by the links to the liturgical year as well as being supplied with prayers to help us. There are questions at the end of each chapter which can guide both personal reflection and a home group wishing to study together. A terrific read which will transform your spiritual life!\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\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Matthew Porter, Vicar of The Belfrey in York. 12.10.21\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRich and reflective, thoughtful and thorough, this well-written and well-researched book by pastor and teacher Mark Bradford is a great aid to help followers of Jesus navigate the disruptive seasons of life. Most chapters begin by describing two particular \u003cem\u003ehuman emotions\u003c\/em\u003e, followed by careful guidance through \u003cem\u003esacred scripture, sacred time, a sacred practice, \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003esacred stories, \u003c\/em\u003eending with \u003cem\u003eprayer\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003equestions for reflection\u003c\/em\u003e. I commend it, and its lovely illustrations by Karen Fowler, to all seeking fresh perspective and renewed hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMatthew Porter, Vicar of The Belfrey in York, and author of books including '\u003c\/em\u003eA-Z of Prayer'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 27.08.21. Review by David Wilbourne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA former physiologist, John Habgood maintained that creation invariably happened at the interface between order and chaos. Something as messy as creation is strictly verboten in an over-regimented system; something as fragile as creation would soon be stamped on by anarchy. In \u003cem\u003eThe Space Between\u003c\/em\u003e, Mark Bradford explores such liminal zones, the heady pauses between one order passing and another emerging — cue Covid-19.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the lenses of waiting (likened to weaving a web to eventually catch God), exile (being where we don’t want to be with people we don’t want to be with), the wildernesses, storm, and pit, he focuses on biblical episodes featuring significant change and concomitant lament. John Holdsworth in his magisterial \u003cem\u003eHonest Sadness\u003c\/em\u003e (Church Times, Books, 30 April 2021) laments lament’s current low profile. So does Bradford, homing in on the seasons of Advent, Epiphany, and Lent, and Good Friday and Holy Saturday, to champion lament as railing against our losses and failures, in order to save us from apathy and despair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnfettered by slavish obedience to excessive biblical criticism, Bradford skilfully re-enacts stories of disturbance, featuring Jacob, Abraham, Jonah, Job, and John the Baptist, juxtaposing them with the Passover, the Exile, the Revelation of St John, and, supremely, Christ. Along the way, he gives a scholarly verse-by-verse commentary on the psalms of lament, 29, 42, 43, 63, 66, 130, and 137, illustrated with vignettes of historical and modern saints, including contemporaries’ life-changing stories, anonymised and somewhat contrived. But when Bradford draws, self-deprecatingly, from his own life, he does so with authenticity, insight, and humour: ‘there is no evidence to suggest anyone asked a prophet home for supper more than once.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe quotes extensively, and I was particularly struck by Walter Wink’s ‘Biblical prayer is impertinent, persistent, shameless, indecorous. It is more like haggling in an outdoor bazaar than the polite monologues of the church.’ Bradford walks Wink’s talk, wrestling with God and ending each chapter with a selection of arresting prayers. It all makes for an engaging book, rooted in everyday parish ministry and a dynamic rather than static personal faith, proving a worthy prequel to his \u003cem\u003eEncountering the Risen Christ\u003c\/em\u003e (Church Times, Books, 24 March 2016).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd David Wilbourne is an hon. assistant bishop in York diocese.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices, issue 38, September 2021. Review by Christine King.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are few of us who have not, albeit to varying degrees, experienced what Mark Bradford describes as ‘the space between’. It can describe those times of transition, when we have left a time of peace and order and we are waiting ‘in the wilderness’ for a new phase, whatever it might bring, to begin. The book takes us through such times, which can feel like exile, like being at the heart of a storm or being in what might be described as ‘the pit’; a time of bereavement, loss or despair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe space between is often a place of pain and disorientation but the experience, the author argues, provides a unique opportunity to reimagine our lives. He writes as a committed Christian and aims to explore ways in which God works in and through the lows and the times of change and uncertainty as much as when life goes at a steady or joyful pace. Throughout the thoughtful text exploring the theme, Mark includes a number of prayers, poems, exposition of biblical messages, especially the Psalms and the Gospels, as well as stories from the lives of saints and ‘contemporary saints’ - people of courage and growth. One of his many secular saints is Nelson Mandela whose transformation took place during his own personal ‘space between’ in prison.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese stories add force to his argument that, in his view, God works uniquely in and through these disturbing experiences to bring about transformation. Each chapter ends with a number of questions for reflection which makes this an excellent tool for a study group. The book throughout is a rich resource of Christian thinking and teaching as well as a thoughtful and often moving, journey through difficult terrains for any reader.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Christine King\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCPAS Lead On e-news June 2021. Review by Jo McKee\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowing up near London, and having spent a good amount of time travelling on the London Underground, I am very familiar with the tannoyed phrase 'mind the gap'. It's a warning to travellers who are journeying from one place to another as they embark and disembark off the train. Much of the time these journeys are straightforward, but there are occasions when the train comes to a standstill: it is delayed, there is an incident on the line, or an onward station is closed. At this point we find ourselves sitting on the train not knowing what's happening and neither being at the beginning or the end of our journey, but a space between the two.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book honestly explores the various 'between' spaces we can find ourselves in: the waiting, exile, wilderness, the storm and the pit. Within each chapter the different types of spaces are explored through scripture, the experience of individuals and how we can intentionally embrace the space at different times of the year.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll of us are living through this COVID season and at some point many of us will have felt like we're in the wilderness and that we've been through a violent storm. The positive invitation to reflect on these spaces is not there for us to endure the pain and anguish that we've been through again, but a challenge to honestly dialogue with God about them. In being completely open with God our eyes can be opened to the healing that still needs to take place, but also we can start to recognise the spiritual growth that has comes from these times. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn a year that will be full of these 'space between' times, this book is an apt resource and encouragement that we are not alone in experiencing these seasons. Jesus, the one who has experienced all these spaces, is constantly faithful and present in those times with us. In the knowledge of this we should not live in fear, but hope. In this journey of life we are not able to 'mind the gap', but with God's help we can step into each day knowing that he is there in the midst of them and will lead us on.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Jo McKee\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Richard Frost, May 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiminal places: the place on the threshold of what comes next and, in this book, Mark Bradford claims that most of life is lived in this ‘space between’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark Bradford explains this space as being one which carries grief, consolation, ambiguity and loss of control, to name but a few common characteristics. ‘It’s a hard place to be in,’ he writes, ‘because we each arrange our lives of the sake of predictability and control, comfort and security – and the ‘space between’ offers none of those.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut, fear not, this is not a depressing book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy describing experiences from the life of Jacob and many others in the Bible, interspersed with examples from his own life and people known to him who have made specific contributions, Mark Bradford explores this important but complex area in a readable and accessible way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe explores what he calls the ‘disruptive seasons’ of waiting, exile, wilderness, storm and the pit. This exploration draws on a wide range of other writers (notably Walter Brueggemann and Richard Rohr) and also links in with examples from sacred scriptures, such as the Psalms, and sacred stories of saints, old and modern from St John of the Cross to Terry Waite. The practical suggestions he makes are helpful: especially those in the closing chapter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA worthwhile read for anyone stuck in the current space between what was pre-pandemic normality and what is still too come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRichard Frost is the author of\u003c\/em\u003e \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 \u003cem\u003eand writes a blog at\u003c\/em\u003e \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-28T08:31:21+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-28T08:30:19+00:00","vendor":"Mark Bradford","type":"eBook","tags":["Apr-21","Glassboxx","Pastoral care","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":53602640855420,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468260","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Space Between: The disruptive seasons we want to hide from, and why we need them - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":131,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468260","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/116.png?v=1730134950","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/117.png?v=1730134919"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/116.png?v=1730134950","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62923501764988,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/116.png?v=1730134950"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/116.png?v=1730134950","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62923497570684,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/117.png?v=1730134919"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/117.png?v=1730134919","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe disruptive seasons of life – those transition times in which we have left one season of stability but not yet arrived at the next – can be times of great disorientation. Yet, for good or for ill, they are also the most transformative. In \u003cem\u003eThe Space Between\u003c\/em\u003e, Mark Bradford provides the reader with a biblical and theological understanding of such seasons of life, connects them with the resources to live faithfully through them, and offers strength and hope for the journey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark Bradford is the vicar of St Cuthbert’s, Fulwood. Previously he taught history and politics and has worked for the Oasis Trust in Leeds training and discipling 18–25-year-olds. He is married with three young children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘A timely book for the pandemic age… A wise companion for the tough seasons of life.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Lawrence, CPAS leadership principal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘This is not a book to read all in one go! Gems keep tumbling out of the cupboard and they need to be picked up one at a time before moving to the next… This is hard to beat!’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJulian Henderson, bishop of Blackburn\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘A wonderfully honest and human book that enables readers to find God in the disturbing experiences of change and disruption… The rich wisdom of this book will offer both a healing balm and a source of courage to all who engage with it.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhilip North, bishop of Burnley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘This book is important… It tackles difficult times in our lives with honesty and clarity – which will be a relief to those who read it.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanon Dr Christina Baxter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘This book draws on the Bible, on the lives of saints old and new, and on the author’s deep experience to invite us afresh to engage in the precious things God is doing when the temptation is to focus elsewhere. This is encouraging, wise, and helpful.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMark Tanner, bishop of Chester\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘In a highly engaging way, Mark extends our awareness and draws our attention to God’s work of grace in the whole of life – not only the highs and lows, but the rest of life, where we are on a journey, waiting, confused or disoriented. This is a guide for a truly whole-life discipleship.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Harcourt, New Wine national leader and vicar of All Saints Woodford Wells\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘An apt resource and encouragement that we are not alone in experiencing these seasons.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJo McKee, CPAS director of the Arrow Programme and archbishops’ evangelist, vicar of St Andrew’s Radcliffe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Winter 2021. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubtitled, ‘The disruptive seasons we want to hide from and why we need them’, Bradford has produced a thoughtful book designed to help us deal with life’s difficulties, including the times we have to wait, those when we feel in exile, the sensation of being in the wilderness as well as when we are in a pit or facing a storm. These metaphors for human experience are often drawn from the Bible, so he is great at drawing together biblical stories and teachings to help us face these moments of confusion or challenge. The author draws upon the writings of Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann and the insights that he has made by his lifelong study of the psalms. We are further helped by the links to the liturgical year as well as being supplied with prayers to help us. There are questions at the end of each chapter which can guide both personal reflection and a home group wishing to study together. A terrific read which will transform your spiritual life!\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\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Matthew Porter, Vicar of The Belfrey in York. 12.10.21\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRich and reflective, thoughtful and thorough, this well-written and well-researched book by pastor and teacher Mark Bradford is a great aid to help followers of Jesus navigate the disruptive seasons of life. Most chapters begin by describing two particular \u003cem\u003ehuman emotions\u003c\/em\u003e, followed by careful guidance through \u003cem\u003esacred scripture, sacred time, a sacred practice, \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003esacred stories, \u003c\/em\u003eending with \u003cem\u003eprayer\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003equestions for reflection\u003c\/em\u003e. I commend it, and its lovely illustrations by Karen Fowler, to all seeking fresh perspective and renewed hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMatthew Porter, Vicar of The Belfrey in York, and author of books including '\u003c\/em\u003eA-Z of Prayer'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 27.08.21. Review by David Wilbourne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA former physiologist, John Habgood maintained that creation invariably happened at the interface between order and chaos. Something as messy as creation is strictly verboten in an over-regimented system; something as fragile as creation would soon be stamped on by anarchy. In \u003cem\u003eThe Space Between\u003c\/em\u003e, Mark Bradford explores such liminal zones, the heady pauses between one order passing and another emerging — cue Covid-19.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough the lenses of waiting (likened to weaving a web to eventually catch God), exile (being where we don’t want to be with people we don’t want to be with), the wildernesses, storm, and pit, he focuses on biblical episodes featuring significant change and concomitant lament. John Holdsworth in his magisterial \u003cem\u003eHonest Sadness\u003c\/em\u003e (Church Times, Books, 30 April 2021) laments lament’s current low profile. So does Bradford, homing in on the seasons of Advent, Epiphany, and Lent, and Good Friday and Holy Saturday, to champion lament as railing against our losses and failures, in order to save us from apathy and despair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnfettered by slavish obedience to excessive biblical criticism, Bradford skilfully re-enacts stories of disturbance, featuring Jacob, Abraham, Jonah, Job, and John the Baptist, juxtaposing them with the Passover, the Exile, the Revelation of St John, and, supremely, Christ. Along the way, he gives a scholarly verse-by-verse commentary on the psalms of lament, 29, 42, 43, 63, 66, 130, and 137, illustrated with vignettes of historical and modern saints, including contemporaries’ life-changing stories, anonymised and somewhat contrived. But when Bradford draws, self-deprecatingly, from his own life, he does so with authenticity, insight, and humour: ‘there is no evidence to suggest anyone asked a prophet home for supper more than once.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe quotes extensively, and I was particularly struck by Walter Wink’s ‘Biblical prayer is impertinent, persistent, shameless, indecorous. It is more like haggling in an outdoor bazaar than the polite monologues of the church.’ Bradford walks Wink’s talk, wrestling with God and ending each chapter with a selection of arresting prayers. It all makes for an engaging book, rooted in everyday parish ministry and a dynamic rather than static personal faith, proving a worthy prequel to his \u003cem\u003eEncountering the Risen Christ\u003c\/em\u003e (Church Times, Books, 24 March 2016).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Rt Revd David Wilbourne is an hon. assistant bishop in York diocese.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProgressive Voices, issue 38, September 2021. Review by Christine King.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are few of us who have not, albeit to varying degrees, experienced what Mark Bradford describes as ‘the space between’. It can describe those times of transition, when we have left a time of peace and order and we are waiting ‘in the wilderness’ for a new phase, whatever it might bring, to begin. The book takes us through such times, which can feel like exile, like being at the heart of a storm or being in what might be described as ‘the pit’; a time of bereavement, loss or despair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe space between is often a place of pain and disorientation but the experience, the author argues, provides a unique opportunity to reimagine our lives. He writes as a committed Christian and aims to explore ways in which God works in and through the lows and the times of change and uncertainty as much as when life goes at a steady or joyful pace. Throughout the thoughtful text exploring the theme, Mark includes a number of prayers, poems, exposition of biblical messages, especially the Psalms and the Gospels, as well as stories from the lives of saints and ‘contemporary saints’ - people of courage and growth. One of his many secular saints is Nelson Mandela whose transformation took place during his own personal ‘space between’ in prison.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese stories add force to his argument that, in his view, God works uniquely in and through these disturbing experiences to bring about transformation. Each chapter ends with a number of questions for reflection which makes this an excellent tool for a study group. The book throughout is a rich resource of Christian thinking and teaching as well as a thoughtful and often moving, journey through difficult terrains for any reader.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Christine King\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCPAS Lead On e-news June 2021. Review by Jo McKee\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrowing up near London, and having spent a good amount of time travelling on the London Underground, I am very familiar with the tannoyed phrase 'mind the gap'. It's a warning to travellers who are journeying from one place to another as they embark and disembark off the train. Much of the time these journeys are straightforward, but there are occasions when the train comes to a standstill: it is delayed, there is an incident on the line, or an onward station is closed. At this point we find ourselves sitting on the train not knowing what's happening and neither being at the beginning or the end of our journey, but a space between the two.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book honestly explores the various 'between' spaces we can find ourselves in: the waiting, exile, wilderness, the storm and the pit. Within each chapter the different types of spaces are explored through scripture, the experience of individuals and how we can intentionally embrace the space at different times of the year.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll of us are living through this COVID season and at some point many of us will have felt like we're in the wilderness and that we've been through a violent storm. The positive invitation to reflect on these spaces is not there for us to endure the pain and anguish that we've been through again, but a challenge to honestly dialogue with God about them. In being completely open with God our eyes can be opened to the healing that still needs to take place, but also we can start to recognise the spiritual growth that has comes from these times. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn a year that will be full of these 'space between' times, this book is an apt resource and encouragement that we are not alone in experiencing these seasons. Jesus, the one who has experienced all these spaces, is constantly faithful and present in those times with us. In the knowledge of this we should not live in fear, but hope. In this journey of life we are not able to 'mind the gap', but with God's help we can step into each day knowing that he is there in the midst of them and will lead us on.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Jo McKee\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Richard Frost, May 2021\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLiminal places: the place on the threshold of what comes next and, in this book, Mark Bradford claims that most of life is lived in this ‘space between’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMark Bradford explains this space as being one which carries grief, consolation, ambiguity and loss of control, to name but a few common characteristics. ‘It’s a hard place to be in,’ he writes, ‘because we each arrange our lives of the sake of predictability and control, comfort and security – and the ‘space between’ offers none of those.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut, fear not, this is not a depressing book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy describing experiences from the life of Jacob and many others in the Bible, interspersed with examples from his own life and people known to him who have made specific contributions, Mark Bradford explores this important but complex area in a readable and accessible way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe explores what he calls the ‘disruptive seasons’ of waiting, exile, wilderness, storm and the pit. This exploration draws on a wide range of other writers (notably Walter Brueggemann and Richard Rohr) and also links in with examples from sacred scriptures, such as the Psalms, and sacred stories of saints, old and modern from St John of the Cross to Terry Waite. The practical suggestions he makes are helpful: especially those in the closing chapter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA worthwhile read for anyone stuck in the current space between what was pre-pandemic normality and what is still too come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRichard Frost is the author of\u003c\/em\u003e \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 \u003cem\u003eand writes a blog at\u003c\/em\u003e \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e"}
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The Space Between: The disruptive seasons we want to hide from, and why we need them
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Digital eBook Only - The disruptive seasons of life – those transition times in which we have left one season of...
{"id":14698175398268,"title":"At Home in Advent: A domestic journey from Advent to Epiphany","handle":"at-home-in-advent-a-domestic-journey-from-advent-to-epiphany-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFollowing on from the success of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/at-home-in-lent-an-exploration-of-lent-through-46-objects\"\u003eAt Home in Lent\u003c\/a\u003e, Gordon Giles takes a journey through Advent to Christmas and beyond in the company of familiar seasonal and domestic objects and experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFocusing on the everyday stuff we typically associate with this time of year, including some things not so festive, he reflects on their spiritual significance, meaning and message in today’s world. Beginning with chapters on journeying and travel, the book moves through major Advent themes of expectation, waiting, mortality and hope to the joy of incarnation and salvation.\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\/GordonGiles1_480x480.jpg?v=1676494801\" width=\"117\" height=\"208\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGordon Giles is Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral. He is the author of several books, including \u003cem\u003eComings and Goings\u003c\/em\u003e (2015) and \u003cem\u003eAt Home in Lent\u003c\/em\u003e (2018).\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdvent 2020 may turn out to be a journey of watching and waiting in unexpected ways. Gordon Giles’ timely reflections help turn these unexpected times into renewed expectation of the living God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRt Revd James Langstaff, Lord Bishop of Rochester and Bishop to HM Prisons\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/transformingministrymagazine.co.uk\/at-home-in-advent\/\"\u003eonline\u003c\/a\u003e November 2020. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book invites us to take Advent and the Christmas seasons seriously. By using a number of meditations based on commonplace articles like traffic lights, burglar alarms and even Christmas jumpers, Gordon Giles unlocks the meanings of the story that shapes the time of year. This is a well-written book, which includes prayers and practical actions for the reader to undertake during the month it is based around. These are challenging and helpful. He provides questions that can be used by home or other study groups. The book has a definite context, having been written during the tight lockdown of early2020, which makes it even more relevant. We have all become far more acquainted with our own houses, the commonplace, and a book that seeks to see the spiritual significance of this is therefore most valuable. The author tackles issues of expectation, waiting, mortality and hope as well as celebrating the joy of the incarnation and the salvation that Jesus brought. This is a first class read and a valuable aid for the Advent and Christmas seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Cavan Wood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePraise for At Home in Lent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'It is a great idea and an easy read.' The Reader\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'Well written and thought provoking, this really is a book for personal devotion which will enable us to make an unusual, though worthwhile, journey.' The Methodist Recorder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'An amiable, slightly talkative companion.' Church Times\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-28T08:33:40+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-28T08:32:37+00:00","vendor":"Gordon Giles","type":"eBook","tags":["Advent","Glassboxx","Group reading","Sep-20"],"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":53602641609084,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469816","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"At Home in Advent: A domestic journey from Advent to Epiphany - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":219,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469816","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/112.png?v=1730134965","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/113.png?v=1730134932"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/112.png?v=1730134965","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62923503075708,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/112.png?v=1730134965"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/112.png?v=1730134965","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62923499241852,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/113.png?v=1730134932"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/113.png?v=1730134932","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eFollowing on from the success of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/at-home-in-lent-an-exploration-of-lent-through-46-objects\"\u003eAt Home in Lent\u003c\/a\u003e, Gordon Giles takes a journey through Advent to Christmas and beyond in the company of familiar seasonal and domestic objects and experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFocusing on the everyday stuff we typically associate with this time of year, including some things not so festive, he reflects on their spiritual significance, meaning and message in today’s world. Beginning with chapters on journeying and travel, the book moves through major Advent themes of expectation, waiting, mortality and hope to the joy of incarnation and salvation.\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\/GordonGiles1_480x480.jpg?v=1676494801\" width=\"117\" height=\"208\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGordon Giles is Canon Chancellor of Rochester Cathedral. He is the author of several books, including \u003cem\u003eComings and Goings\u003c\/em\u003e (2015) and \u003cem\u003eAt Home in Lent\u003c\/em\u003e (2018).\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdvent 2020 may turn out to be a journey of watching and waiting in unexpected ways. Gordon Giles’ timely reflections help turn these unexpected times into renewed expectation of the living God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRt Revd James Langstaff, Lord Bishop of Rochester and Bishop to HM Prisons\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReviews\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/transformingministrymagazine.co.uk\/at-home-in-advent\/\"\u003eonline\u003c\/a\u003e November 2020. Review by Cavan Wood\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book invites us to take Advent and the Christmas seasons seriously. By using a number of meditations based on commonplace articles like traffic lights, burglar alarms and even Christmas jumpers, Gordon Giles unlocks the meanings of the story that shapes the time of year. This is a well-written book, which includes prayers and practical actions for the reader to undertake during the month it is based around. These are challenging and helpful. He provides questions that can be used by home or other study groups. The book has a definite context, having been written during the tight lockdown of early2020, which makes it even more relevant. We have all become far more acquainted with our own houses, the commonplace, and a book that seeks to see the spiritual significance of this is therefore most valuable. The author tackles issues of expectation, waiting, mortality and hope as well as celebrating the joy of the incarnation and the salvation that Jesus brought. This is a first class read and a valuable aid for the Advent and Christmas seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Cavan Wood\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePraise for At Home in Lent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'It is a great idea and an easy read.' The Reader\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'Well written and thought provoking, this really is a book for personal devotion which will enable us to make an unusual, though worthwhile, journey.' The Methodist Recorder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'An amiable, slightly talkative companion.' Church Times\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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At Home in Advent: A domestic journey from Advent to Epiphany
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{"id":14698180346236,"title":"Living the Prayer: The Everyday Challenge of the Lord's Prayer","handle":"living-the-prayer-the-everyday-challenge-of-the-lords-prayer-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eWhat are we really saying when we say the Lord's Prayer? \u003c\/strong\u003eWhat are we expecting? Living the Prayer is a fresh perspective on the Lord's Prayer. Rooted in the Bible as well as in contemporary culture, it explores how this prayer can radically challenge and transform our daily lives. Contained in the prayer's seventy words is a fresh and innovative way of viewing, and acting in, the world that is as relevant now as it was 2000 years ago. The author shows that this revolutionary prayer demands that we don't remain on our knees, but, rather, that we work towards making God's topsy-turvy, downside-up kingdom an everyday reality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrologue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur Father, in heaven\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHallowed be your name\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour kingdom come, your wlil be done, on earth as in heaven\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive us today our daliy bread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEpliogue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBibliography\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead the author's lockdown blog \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/trystan-owain-hughes-appreciating-the-natural-world\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother great contribution from an author always rooted in the practicalities and compassion. Offering a resource on the most famous prayer in the world is a huge challenge but Hughes offers us something genuinely fresh and new. A reminder of the radical power of some life-changing words.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Keith Hebden, author and activist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe title of this book so aptly describes its contents. It is a not only a sensitive, thoughtful and painstaking exposition of the Lord's prayer, it is a call to put it in action in our lives and communities. In confronting us with the great gap which so often exists between what we pray and how we live, Trystan Hughes encourages us to face the challenges of living more fully before God. As each chapter carefully sifts the significance of every phrase of the Lord's prayer, we are offered wisdom from others and compelling insights from the author which take us into layers of new understanding. The result is a very fine contribution to a subject which can never be exhausted - and a contribution especially vital for today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr Elaine Storkey, author and broadcaster\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrystan Owain Hughes is Tutor in Applied Theology at St Padarn’s Institute, Cardiff and priest-in-charge of Christ Church, Roath Park, Cardiff. He is particularly interested in making theology and spirituality relevant and he has written, among other books, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eReal God in the Real World\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLiving the Prayer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e for BRF. Trystan has also been a regular contributor to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4, is an honorary senior lecturer at Cardiff University, and is Canon Theologian at Llandaff Cathedral.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIffley Church magazine. Review by Jan Spurlock Stockland\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eDon’t read this book unless you are open to change… or, more accurately, to \u003ci\u003ebe changed\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003ci\u003eThe Everyday God \u003c\/i\u003estarts from the premise that when Jesus told us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbours\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eas ourselves, he \u003ci\u003emeant\u003c\/i\u003e it. Most of us – especially as we grow older – don’t think we have much to offer and, anyway, believe that the world’s problems are too big for us to make a difference. (And even if we are still relatively young, we may mostly think that \u003ci\u003ewe\u003c\/i\u003e are the ones who need help!) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eThis engaging book asks us to think of our life experiences, our relationships, our work, and also the challenges we have faced, in the light of stories told in scripture and then to move from there to what we encounter in our ‘everyday lives’. In this book we find a wealth of contemporary, personal stories as well as stories and parables drawn from scripture. For example in Matthew 15 we see Jesus in a remote place surrounded by a crowd - some 5,000 + men (not counting the women and children); they had come to him for help and healing but were now hungry. Jesus turns to his disciples and asks them: ‘How many loaves do you have?’ Rather like we might feel today if Jesus were asking us to act, this was not a question the disciples might have anticipated. But Jesus, we are told, ‘had compassion for these people’. And that’s what we are called to consider in our own here and now. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eWhen Jonathan Arnold moved from Oxford to Canterbury in 2019 (having taught theology in Oxford for more than a decade and served as Chaplain at Worcester and then Dean of Magdalen College), he found himself suddenly plunged into the needs of a sea of people, the thousands of men, women and children arriving traumatised and desperate along Dover’s coast. Working as Director of Communities and Partnerships in the Canterbury Diocese, Arnold came to know personally both refugees and a great swathe of people who through Lockdown and the cost-of-living crisis were just about managing to subsist through the kindness of strangers volunteering in local food banks, offering help and friendship in local churches of a variety of denominations as well as through local Citizens Advice Bureaux. He also got to know others who were committed to visiting young offenders in crowded prisons or who regularly called on sick people at home or in hospital or who were willingly coming alongside those facing illness and death, individuals who, like many in prison, faced a future without friends or hope. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eIn contrast to the world of privilege we see in Oxford, Jonathan came to know by name refugees without proper accommodation, food, work or language skills, as well as many British citizens who through low income, poor mental health, or sheer poverty were among our country’s thousands marginalised and lonely people. But alongside those in desperate need, Jonathan also got to know many ordinary people from across his diocese who, like Jesus, found themselves moved with compassion by the suffering of these people, resonating with the stories of strangers, and then inspired to work together towards social justice for all while respecting the humanity of each. Those who saw these strangers as ‘neighbours’ (in Jesus’ sense) were from all sorts of backgrounds and of these many did not identify as Christians. They simply listened and resonated with the stories of those in need and chose to respond with the help they recognized they’d been gifted with in their own lives.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eAs the Bishop of Dover the Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin writes in the forward to \u003ci\u003eThe Everyday God\u003c\/i\u003e, when we meet the needs of others, ‘we are encountering Christ himself’. And the transformation is two-way: not only do we become conduits of the Lord’s love, we also become conduits for others. What has now become the Social Justice Network in the diocese of Canterbury (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thesocialusticenetwork.org\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003ewww.thesocialusticenetwork.org\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003e), with Jonathan as Executive director, is now enabling more and more people to be part of a vision which Hudson-Wilkin describes as ‘Changed Lives – Changing Lives.’ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eFind out more about the projects coordinated through the Social Justice Network by following the link to its website. site. All the projects are intensely, intrinsically collaborative, and the number of people and projects involved is growing. Through their work we realise that by working together people can make a real difference in the lives of others. For someone to recognise your face, know your name, or have the patience to listen and try to understand, allows strangers to find themselves more at home, more at peace with the place they now see is invested personally in them. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eOur society with its fervent individualism has grown very out of tune with the song of God’s kingdom. This book encourages us to look, listen and respond to others from within the heart of community. God has promised never to leave or forsake us; He has in Truth been alongside us all our lives. So it is instructive to accept the invitation offered in this short book to make time to pray as well as to reflect on its stories and on scripture and reconsider what skills, experience, challenges and wisdom we, each of us, have gained in living our lives thus far. In so doing we may discover compassion in our own hearts for the stranger and take some small (or large steps) towards those whose stories we don’t yet know. We have examples of just such risky relating in those who weekly go along to Community Cupboard with the Rose Hill Methodists or the volunteers with Living Stones who regularly welcome visitors into our church. Jonathan Arnold pulls no punches in this book about the risks of turning out towards others. Early on he tells us, '\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eIf we truly give the gift of ourselves, then we must be ready to be challenged and changed. Existing \u003ci\u003efor \u003c\/i\u003eothers involves duty and responsibility, but existing \u003ci\u003ewith \u003c\/i\u003eothers involves \u003ci\u003erelationship\u003c\/i\u003e. And so we come to the notion of “being with” as a model for living out lives of mercy and love.' (p. 50)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eSeveral millennia ago the Lord gave the ancient Israelites a very similar vision when through the prophet Micah (8\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century BCE) He said: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.”’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Jan Spurlock Stockland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview in The Church Times 19.1.18 by David Adam\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Living the Prayer' is a well-researched and thoughtful exposition of the Lord's Prayer. It offers new challenges and ideas for radical action in our use of the Lord's Prayer. There are within it some amazing suggestions of ways to transform our contemporary culture and our daily lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlacing the Lord's Prayer in its first-century context, the author shows us that the prayer is far more radical than being merely comforting words: it is a comprehensive call to action living out the words of this prayer. We are reminded that 'All prayer demands a vital relationship both with God and others,' and that 'The Lord's Prayer is communal at its core.' I felt that I wanted to extend the idea of 'vital relationships' to all of creation and not just humans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen, in noting that the plural form of the Greek word for 'heaven' is used, it is possible to say it as 'in the heavens, and, therefore, it may not be about God's distance from us, but in the atmosphere, in the very air that we breathe, implying God's closeness. I felt that if we read it this way, what a challenge it is to what we are doing to the air that we breathe by the emission of so much carbon dioxide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lord's Prayer is not just a mystic's prayer but a doer's prayer, an activist's prayer. In a nutshell, prayer is a relationship with God which inspires us to act, 'as we witness to a wild, radical, subversive, dynamic, and life-changing faith'. The Lord's Prayer demands nothing less than a revolution, as we move to view the world through the eyes of the one who gave us words.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI would recommend this book as one to be on the reading list of all who are concerned with prayer and the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanon David Adam is a former Vicar of Holy Island\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Presbyterian Herald\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by the Revd Dr Jim Campbell, Minister Emeritus Cooke Centenary Church, Belfast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 63 words of the Lord's Prayer have inspired thousands or books and millions of sermons through the centuries. It's a brave person who would offer yet another book on the topic. Consequently, I was rather sceptical when I was asked to review this book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmazingly, Trystan Hughes, examining each of the seven phrases in the prayer in turn, manages through his deep biblical understanding and his knowledge of contemporary literature and film to produce a commentary that is well illustrated, fresh and interesting and one which engages with the main issues raised by the words of the prayer. Overall, his message is that this revolutionary prayer demands that we don't remain on our knees, but rather that we rise 'to work towards making God's topsy-turvy, downside-up kingdom, an everyday reality.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Lord's Prayer and also let it fully permeate your life this could be the book for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Revd Dr Jim Campbell, Minister Emeritus Cooke Centenary Church, Belfast\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by blogger Thomas Creedy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI read [Living the Prayer] in one sitting - with what I would mostly call breathless enjoyment... This is an excellent book in the tradition of powerful, prophetic, prayerful writing on the Lord's Prayer. I hope it receives a wide readership... Trystan paints a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God, breaking in and just out of reach. He is particularly focused on the justice aspect of the Kingdom - the book is littered with calls to action and protest, against the way things are - but some of the most moving writing has to do with how we experience the Kingdom of God in brokenness and pain...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is one that would work well as a devotional to go deeper into the Lord's Prayer, or as a book to read about the Lord's Prayer and prayer in general, or as a very helpful bank of quotes and ideas to mine if preaching or writing about prayer...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn expert blend of what I would call a passion for the Lord's Prayer and an encouragement and celebration of prayer more generally. Throughout, as one might expect from someone who has both written about justice and marinated deeply in the Lord's Prayer, there is the throbbing beat of justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ehttp:\/\/www.thomascreedy.com\/book-review-living-the-prayer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-28T08:37:22+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-28T08:36:07+00:00","vendor":"Trystan Owain Hughes","type":"eBook","tags":["Biblical engagement","Festival of Prayer","For individuals","Glassboxx","Holy Habits: Prayer","Prayer","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":53602642657660,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466242","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Living the Prayer: The Everyday Challenge of the Lord's Prayer - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":799,"weight":151,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466242","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/108.png?v=1730134928","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/109.png?v=1730134953"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/108.png?v=1730134928","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62923498815868,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/108.png?v=1730134928"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/108.png?v=1730134928","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62923501928828,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/109.png?v=1730134953"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/109.png?v=1730134953","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eWhat are we really saying when we say the Lord's Prayer? \u003c\/strong\u003eWhat are we expecting? Living the Prayer is a fresh perspective on the Lord's Prayer. Rooted in the Bible as well as in contemporary culture, it explores how this prayer can radically challenge and transform our daily lives. Contained in the prayer's seventy words is a fresh and innovative way of viewing, and acting in, the world that is as relevant now as it was 2000 years ago. The author shows that this revolutionary prayer demands that we don't remain on our knees, but, rather, that we work towards making God's topsy-turvy, downside-up kingdom an everyday reality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eContents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrologue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur Father, in heaven\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHallowed be your name\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour kingdom come, your wlil be done, on earth as in heaven\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive us today our daliy bread\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eForgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEpliogue\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcknowledgements\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBibliography\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead the author's lockdown blog \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/trystan-owain-hughes-appreciating-the-natural-world\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnother great contribution from an author always rooted in the practicalities and compassion. Offering a resource on the most famous prayer in the world is a huge challenge but Hughes offers us something genuinely fresh and new. A reminder of the radical power of some life-changing words.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Keith Hebden, author and activist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe title of this book so aptly describes its contents. It is a not only a sensitive, thoughtful and painstaking exposition of the Lord's prayer, it is a call to put it in action in our lives and communities. In confronting us with the great gap which so often exists between what we pray and how we live, Trystan Hughes encourages us to face the challenges of living more fully before God. As each chapter carefully sifts the significance of every phrase of the Lord's prayer, we are offered wisdom from others and compelling insights from the author which take us into layers of new understanding. The result is a very fine contribution to a subject which can never be exhausted - and a contribution especially vital for today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDr Elaine Storkey, author and broadcaster\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTrystan Owain Hughes is Tutor in Applied Theology at St Padarn’s Institute, Cardiff and priest-in-charge of Christ Church, Roath Park, Cardiff. He is particularly interested in making theology and spirituality relevant and he has written, among other books, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eReal God in the Real World\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLiving the Prayer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e for BRF. Trystan has also been a regular contributor to BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4, is an honorary senior lecturer at Cardiff University, and is Canon Theologian at Llandaff Cathedral.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIffley Church magazine. Review by Jan Spurlock Stockland\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eDon’t read this book unless you are open to change… or, more accurately, to \u003ci\u003ebe changed\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003ci\u003eThe Everyday God \u003c\/i\u003estarts from the premise that when Jesus told us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbours\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eas ourselves, he \u003ci\u003emeant\u003c\/i\u003e it. Most of us – especially as we grow older – don’t think we have much to offer and, anyway, believe that the world’s problems are too big for us to make a difference. (And even if we are still relatively young, we may mostly think that \u003ci\u003ewe\u003c\/i\u003e are the ones who need help!) \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eThis engaging book asks us to think of our life experiences, our relationships, our work, and also the challenges we have faced, in the light of stories told in scripture and then to move from there to what we encounter in our ‘everyday lives’. In this book we find a wealth of contemporary, personal stories as well as stories and parables drawn from scripture. For example in Matthew 15 we see Jesus in a remote place surrounded by a crowd - some 5,000 + men (not counting the women and children); they had come to him for help and healing but were now hungry. Jesus turns to his disciples and asks them: ‘How many loaves do you have?’ Rather like we might feel today if Jesus were asking us to act, this was not a question the disciples might have anticipated. But Jesus, we are told, ‘had compassion for these people’. And that’s what we are called to consider in our own here and now. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eWhen Jonathan Arnold moved from Oxford to Canterbury in 2019 (having taught theology in Oxford for more than a decade and served as Chaplain at Worcester and then Dean of Magdalen College), he found himself suddenly plunged into the needs of a sea of people, the thousands of men, women and children arriving traumatised and desperate along Dover’s coast. Working as Director of Communities and Partnerships in the Canterbury Diocese, Arnold came to know personally both refugees and a great swathe of people who through Lockdown and the cost-of-living crisis were just about managing to subsist through the kindness of strangers volunteering in local food banks, offering help and friendship in local churches of a variety of denominations as well as through local Citizens Advice Bureaux. He also got to know others who were committed to visiting young offenders in crowded prisons or who regularly called on sick people at home or in hospital or who were willingly coming alongside those facing illness and death, individuals who, like many in prison, faced a future without friends or hope. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eIn contrast to the world of privilege we see in Oxford, Jonathan came to know by name refugees without proper accommodation, food, work or language skills, as well as many British citizens who through low income, poor mental health, or sheer poverty were among our country’s thousands marginalised and lonely people. But alongside those in desperate need, Jonathan also got to know many ordinary people from across his diocese who, like Jesus, found themselves moved with compassion by the suffering of these people, resonating with the stories of strangers, and then inspired to work together towards social justice for all while respecting the humanity of each. Those who saw these strangers as ‘neighbours’ (in Jesus’ sense) were from all sorts of backgrounds and of these many did not identify as Christians. They simply listened and resonated with the stories of those in need and chose to respond with the help they recognized they’d been gifted with in their own lives.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eAs the Bishop of Dover the Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin writes in the forward to \u003ci\u003eThe Everyday God\u003c\/i\u003e, when we meet the needs of others, ‘we are encountering Christ himself’. And the transformation is two-way: not only do we become conduits of the Lord’s love, we also become conduits for others. What has now become the Social Justice Network in the diocese of Canterbury (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thesocialusticenetwork.org\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003ewww.thesocialusticenetwork.org\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003e), with Jonathan as Executive director, is now enabling more and more people to be part of a vision which Hudson-Wilkin describes as ‘Changed Lives – Changing Lives.’ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eFind out more about the projects coordinated through the Social Justice Network by following the link to its website. site. All the projects are intensely, intrinsically collaborative, and the number of people and projects involved is growing. Through their work we realise that by working together people can make a real difference in the lives of others. For someone to recognise your face, know your name, or have the patience to listen and try to understand, allows strangers to find themselves more at home, more at peace with the place they now see is invested personally in them. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eOur society with its fervent individualism has grown very out of tune with the song of God’s kingdom. This book encourages us to look, listen and respond to others from within the heart of community. God has promised never to leave or forsake us; He has in Truth been alongside us all our lives. So it is instructive to accept the invitation offered in this short book to make time to pray as well as to reflect on its stories and on scripture and reconsider what skills, experience, challenges and wisdom we, each of us, have gained in living our lives thus far. In so doing we may discover compassion in our own hearts for the stranger and take some small (or large steps) towards those whose stories we don’t yet know. We have examples of just such risky relating in those who weekly go along to Community Cupboard with the Rose Hill Methodists or the volunteers with Living Stones who regularly welcome visitors into our church. Jonathan Arnold pulls no punches in this book about the risks of turning out towards others. Early on he tells us, '\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eIf we truly give the gift of ourselves, then we must be ready to be challenged and changed. Existing \u003ci\u003efor \u003c\/i\u003eothers involves duty and responsibility, but existing \u003ci\u003ewith \u003c\/i\u003eothers involves \u003ci\u003erelationship\u003c\/i\u003e. And so we come to the notion of “being with” as a model for living out lives of mercy and love.' (p. 50)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"mso-ansi-language: EN-US;\"\u003eSeveral millennia ago the Lord gave the ancient Israelites a very similar vision when through the prophet Micah (8\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century BCE) He said: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e‘The Lord God has told us what is right and what he demands: “See that justice is done, let mercy be your first concern, and humbly obey your God.”’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Jan Spurlock Stockland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview in The Church Times 19.1.18 by David Adam\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e'Living the Prayer' is a well-researched and thoughtful exposition of the Lord's Prayer. It offers new challenges and ideas for radical action in our use of the Lord's Prayer. There are within it some amazing suggestions of ways to transform our contemporary culture and our daily lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlacing the Lord's Prayer in its first-century context, the author shows us that the prayer is far more radical than being merely comforting words: it is a comprehensive call to action living out the words of this prayer. We are reminded that 'All prayer demands a vital relationship both with God and others,' and that 'The Lord's Prayer is communal at its core.' I felt that I wanted to extend the idea of 'vital relationships' to all of creation and not just humans.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThen, in noting that the plural form of the Greek word for 'heaven' is used, it is possible to say it as 'in the heavens, and, therefore, it may not be about God's distance from us, but in the atmosphere, in the very air that we breathe, implying God's closeness. I felt that if we read it this way, what a challenge it is to what we are doing to the air that we breathe by the emission of so much carbon dioxide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Lord's Prayer is not just a mystic's prayer but a doer's prayer, an activist's prayer. In a nutshell, prayer is a relationship with God which inspires us to act, 'as we witness to a wild, radical, subversive, dynamic, and life-changing faith'. The Lord's Prayer demands nothing less than a revolution, as we move to view the world through the eyes of the one who gave us words.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI would recommend this book as one to be on the reading list of all who are concerned with prayer and the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eCanon David Adam is a former Vicar of Holy Island\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Presbyterian Herald\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by the Revd Dr Jim Campbell, Minister Emeritus Cooke Centenary Church, Belfast\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 63 words of the Lord's Prayer have inspired thousands or books and millions of sermons through the centuries. It's a brave person who would offer yet another book on the topic. Consequently, I was rather sceptical when I was asked to review this book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmazingly, Trystan Hughes, examining each of the seven phrases in the prayer in turn, manages through his deep biblical understanding and his knowledge of contemporary literature and film to produce a commentary that is well illustrated, fresh and interesting and one which engages with the main issues raised by the words of the prayer. Overall, his message is that this revolutionary prayer demands that we don't remain on our knees, but rather that we rise 'to work towards making God's topsy-turvy, downside-up kingdom, an everyday reality.'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Lord's Prayer and also let it fully permeate your life this could be the book for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by the Revd Dr Jim Campbell, Minister Emeritus Cooke Centenary Church, Belfast\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by blogger Thomas Creedy\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI read [Living the Prayer] in one sitting - with what I would mostly call breathless enjoyment... This is an excellent book in the tradition of powerful, prophetic, prayerful writing on the Lord's Prayer. I hope it receives a wide readership... Trystan paints a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God, breaking in and just out of reach. He is particularly focused on the justice aspect of the Kingdom - the book is littered with calls to action and protest, against the way things are - but some of the most moving writing has to do with how we experience the Kingdom of God in brokenness and pain...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is one that would work well as a devotional to go deeper into the Lord's Prayer, or as a book to read about the Lord's Prayer and prayer in general, or as a very helpful bank of quotes and ideas to mine if preaching or writing about prayer...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn expert blend of what I would call a passion for the Lord's Prayer and an encouragement and celebration of prayer more generally. Throughout, as one might expect from someone who has both written about justice and marinated deeply in the Lord's Prayer, there is the throbbing beat of justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ehttp:\/\/www.thomascreedy.com\/book-review-living-the-prayer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":14698185228668,"title":"80 Reflective Prayer Ideas: A creative resource for church and group use","handle":"80-reflective-prayer-ideas-a-creative-resource-for-church-and-group-use-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ePrayer remains a vital part of Christian discipleship. Following the success of the author's 80 Creative Prayer Ideas, this ready-to-use resource book contains 80 further ideas on setting up reflective and creative prayer stations or responses. Claire Daniel shows us how to pray with our whole being - our senses as well as our voice, our hearts as much as our minds. Tried and tested, these ideas will enhance the praying of small groups, churches and individuals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaire Daniels' book not only offers us a wide variety of ways to engage with God, but opens up experiences that ignite our senses and help us step right into an enhanced understanding of God and of our journey with him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Rachel Turner, Parenting for Faith Pioneer \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book that is so needed in our word filled world!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Jane Holloway, World Prayer Centre, Birmingham\u003c\/strong\u003e\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\/ClaireDaniel2_480x480.jpg?v=1676493596\" width=\"103\" height=\"99\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaire Daniel is author of 80 Creative Prayer Ideas and Prayer Journey into Parenthood. She is passionate about encouraging others to use creative prayer methods and speaks at conferences and leads workshops on the subject of prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGodVenture blog: review by Victoria Beech, February 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat for: people organising prayer in any group setting, including those wanting to inspire family prayers at home\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest bit: Loads of simple, creative ideas for reflective prayer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorst bit: No pictures\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe instructions for the prayer activities are simple and easy to follow, and most activities need minimal resources, which is fab. If you're a church leader or childrens' worker or anyone who plans times of prayer for a group of people, the ideas in this book are simple and easy to do and, with a little preparation, you could create take-home versions to inspire family prayer at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI didn't feel the activities were age-limited, which is great, as it means they could be used in a toddler group or an all-age service, giving everyone a way of connecting with God in a creative way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe prayer ideas are grouped together so you could use a different one each week or create a variety of prayer stations with a similar theme. I particularly like that many of them use nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt first, I was disappointed the strapline didn't mention families, but the activities are all written for those organising prayer times for a group, and it's hard to make the text work for people doing things in a family and a group (I've tried!). If I was planning to make take-home packs, I'd be tempted to shorten the instruction text, maybe picking one or two of the suggestions for reflection to make it quicker to read and get on to actually praying. I find families tend to have less time to read instructions, and things which are 'good to go' are best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs I said above, it's a shame there's no pictures, especially as the author says she's used lots of the activities herself. It would be fab to have a colour photo of each activity, but that would be a pricey book I guess.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Victoria Beech in her blog GodVenture\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_____________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-28T08:39:35+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-28T08:38:30+00:00","vendor":"Claire Daniel","type":"eBook","tags":["For churches","Glassboxx","Group reading","Jan-19","Prayer"],"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":53602643935612,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857466747","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"80 Reflective Prayer Ideas: A creative resource for church and group use - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":999,"weight":254,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857466747","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/110.png?v=1730134962","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/111.png?v=1730134943"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/110.png?v=1730134962","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62923502715260,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/110.png?v=1730134962"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/110.png?v=1730134962","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62923500913020,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/111.png?v=1730134943"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/111.png?v=1730134943","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003ePrayer remains a vital part of Christian discipleship. Following the success of the author's 80 Creative Prayer Ideas, this ready-to-use resource book contains 80 further ideas on setting up reflective and creative prayer stations or responses. Claire Daniel shows us how to pray with our whole being - our senses as well as our voice, our hearts as much as our minds. Tried and tested, these ideas will enhance the praying of small groups, churches and individuals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaire Daniels' book not only offers us a wide variety of ways to engage with God, but opens up experiences that ignite our senses and help us step right into an enhanced understanding of God and of our journey with him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Rachel Turner, Parenting for Faith Pioneer \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a book that is so needed in our word filled world!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Jane Holloway, World Prayer Centre, Birmingham\u003c\/strong\u003e\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\/ClaireDaniel2_480x480.jpg?v=1676493596\" width=\"103\" height=\"99\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClaire Daniel is author of 80 Creative Prayer Ideas and Prayer Journey into Parenthood. She is passionate about encouraging others to use creative prayer methods and speaks at conferences and leads workshops on the subject of prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGodVenture blog: review by Victoria Beech, February 2019\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGreat for: people organising prayer in any group setting, including those wanting to inspire family prayers at home\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest bit: Loads of simple, creative ideas for reflective prayer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorst bit: No pictures\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe instructions for the prayer activities are simple and easy to follow, and most activities need minimal resources, which is fab. If you're a church leader or childrens' worker or anyone who plans times of prayer for a group of people, the ideas in this book are simple and easy to do and, with a little preparation, you could create take-home versions to inspire family prayer at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI didn't feel the activities were age-limited, which is great, as it means they could be used in a toddler group or an all-age service, giving everyone a way of connecting with God in a creative way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe prayer ideas are grouped together so you could use a different one each week or create a variety of prayer stations with a similar theme. I particularly like that many of them use nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt first, I was disappointed the strapline didn't mention families, but the activities are all written for those organising prayer times for a group, and it's hard to make the text work for people doing things in a family and a group (I've tried!). If I was planning to make take-home packs, I'd be tempted to shorten the instruction text, maybe picking one or two of the suggestions for reflection to make it quicker to read and get on to actually praying. I find families tend to have less time to read instructions, and things which are 'good to go' are best.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs I said above, it's a shame there's no pictures, especially as the author says she's used lots of the activities herself. It would be fab to have a colour photo of each activity, but that would be a pricey book I guess.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Victoria Beech in her blog GodVenture\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e_____________________________________________\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
80 Reflective Prayer Ideas: A creative resource for church and group use
£9.99
Digital eBook Only - Prayer remains a vital part of Christian discipleship. Following the success of the author's 80 Creative...
{"id":14698189160828,"title":"Deep Calls to Deep: Spiritual formation in the hard places of life","handle":"deep-calls-to-deep-spiritual-formation-in-the-hard-places-of-life-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe Psalms offer honest insights into the reality of life with God, reflecting every human emotion and situation. Through looking at some of the Psalms written 'from the depths' we can understand more fully the way God works to shape our characters and form the life of Christ within us during difficult times in life. This will enable us not only to make sense of our own history with God, but also help us to get to know God here and now, and prepare us for what may lie ahead.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpdated second edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/TonyHorsfall_2014_480x480.png?v=1676494125\" width=\"198\" height=\"297\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a freelance trainer and associate trainer with EQUIP, a missions programme based at Bawtry Hall near Doncaster, England. He is an elder of his local church in West Yorkshire, and , regularly travels abroad leading retreats and Quiet Days. He has written a number of other books for BRF, including \u003cem\u003eServant Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e (2013), \u003cem\u003eRhythms of Grace\u003c\/em\u003e (2012), \u003cem\u003eWorking from a Place of Rest\u003c\/em\u003e (2010) and \u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth\u003c\/em\u003e (2008). He also contributes to \u003cem\u003eNew Daylight\u003c\/em\u003e Bible reading notes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, winter 2022. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exploration of the Psalms feels fresh and current for today’s world. There is a mix of thoughtful information about background, authorship and history, helpful analysis of the different types of psalms in the Bible collection, and stories. As a Christian who has read the Psalms (and books on the Psalms) many times, I was pleased with the fresh insight this book offers. The author considers seven Psalms in some depth, in order to show the different types and spiritual significance. I found the study of Psalms 69 and 88, ‘from the depths’, particularly helpful to understanding how God still loves us when it feels he is absent. The chapters are interspersed with life-stories from real people which illustrate the message and ground the book in reality. Horsfall’s style is concise and intelligent without being academic. I read it as an inspirational book, but it would be a great resource for small group study for Lent over several weeks. Each chapter has well-thought ideas for discussion. I recommend it for individuals and groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooks for Today July 2021. Review by Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDeep Calls to Deep\u003c\/em\u003e by Tony Horsfall, a former OMF missionary who has developed a ministry of mentoring and leading retreats, looks at some of the psalms written ‘from the depths’ and reflects on how 'in the deep experiences of our lives, God invites us into a deeper relationship with himself'. The 1\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e edition drew particularly on the experiences of some of the author’s friends, but in the introduction to this 2\u003csup\u003end\u003c\/sup\u003e edition Tony Horsfall shares his own story of losing his wife of 46 years to breast cancer and of his own ending up in intensive care with coronavirus. He writes: 'These have been difficult days, some of the hardest of my life, and yet I know that God is at work in me, using my suffering to transform me and prepare me for what lies ahead.' It is this experience which makes this book all the more powerful. This thought-provoking study of some of the psalms of lament includes a series of questions for group discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-28T08:41:39+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-28T08:40:40+00:00","vendor":"Tony Horsfall","type":"eBook","tags":["Biblical engagement","Devotional","For individuals","Glassboxx","May-21","Spirituality","Tony Horsfall"],"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":53602644099452,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390676","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Deep Calls to Deep: Spiritual formation in the hard places of life - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":141,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9781800390676","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/deep_calls_to_deep.png?v=1730194578","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/121.png?v=1730134925"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/deep_calls_to_deep.png?v=1730194578","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62968657903996,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/deep_calls_to_deep.png?v=1730194578"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/deep_calls_to_deep.png?v=1730194578","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62923498422652,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/121.png?v=1730134925"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/121.png?v=1730134925","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eThe Psalms offer honest insights into the reality of life with God, reflecting every human emotion and situation. Through looking at some of the Psalms written 'from the depths' we can understand more fully the way God works to shape our characters and form the life of Christ within us during difficult times in life. This will enable us not only to make sense of our own history with God, but also help us to get to know God here and now, and prepare us for what may lie ahead.\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpdated second edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"margin-right: 10px; float: left;\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/files\/TonyHorsfall_2014_480x480.png?v=1676494125\" width=\"198\" height=\"297\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a freelance trainer and associate trainer with EQUIP, a missions programme based at Bawtry Hall near Doncaster, England. He is an elder of his local church in West Yorkshire, and , regularly travels abroad leading retreats and Quiet Days. He has written a number of other books for BRF, including \u003cem\u003eServant Ministry\u003c\/em\u003e (2013), \u003cem\u003eRhythms of Grace\u003c\/em\u003e (2012), \u003cem\u003eWorking from a Place of Rest\u003c\/em\u003e (2010) and \u003cem\u003eMentoring for Spiritual Growth\u003c\/em\u003e (2008). He also contributes to \u003cem\u003eNew Daylight\u003c\/em\u003e Bible reading notes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry, winter 2022. Review by Howard Rowe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exploration of the Psalms feels fresh and current for today’s world. There is a mix of thoughtful information about background, authorship and history, helpful analysis of the different types of psalms in the Bible collection, and stories. As a Christian who has read the Psalms (and books on the Psalms) many times, I was pleased with the fresh insight this book offers. The author considers seven Psalms in some depth, in order to show the different types and spiritual significance. I found the study of Psalms 69 and 88, ‘from the depths’, particularly helpful to understanding how God still loves us when it feels he is absent. The chapters are interspersed with life-stories from real people which illustrate the message and ground the book in reality. Horsfall’s style is concise and intelligent without being academic. I read it as an inspirational book, but it would be a great resource for small group study for Lent over several weeks. Each chapter has well-thought ideas for discussion. I recommend it for individuals and groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Howard Rowe\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooks for Today July 2021. Review by Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDeep Calls to Deep\u003c\/em\u003e by Tony Horsfall, a former OMF missionary who has developed a ministry of mentoring and leading retreats, looks at some of the psalms written ‘from the depths’ and reflects on how 'in the deep experiences of our lives, God invites us into a deeper relationship with himself'. The 1\u003csup\u003est\u003c\/sup\u003e edition drew particularly on the experiences of some of the author’s friends, but in the introduction to this 2\u003csup\u003end\u003c\/sup\u003e edition Tony Horsfall shares his own story of losing his wife of 46 years to breast cancer and of his own ending up in intensive care with coronavirus. He writes: 'These have been difficult days, some of the hardest of my life, and yet I know that God is at work in me, using my suffering to transform me and prepare me for what lies ahead.' It is this experience which makes this book all the more powerful. This thought-provoking study of some of the psalms of lament includes a series of questions for group discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e"}
You may also like:
Deep Calls to Deep: Spiritual formation in the hard places of life
£8.99
Digital eBook Only - The Psalms offer honest insights into the reality of life with God, reflecting every human emotion...
{"id":14698239328636,"title":"Messy Vintage: 52 sessions to share Christ-centred fun and fellowship with the older generation","handle":"messy-vintage-52-sessions-to-share-christ-centred-fun-and-fellowship-with-the-older-generation-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eBeing ‘church’ with older people in care homes, congregations and the community. Messy Vintage is Christ-centred and creative, full of celebration and hospitality and open to all, aspiring to include people of all ages while specifically reaching out to older people. A typical session involves hands-on creative activities to explore a Bible story, a short celebration with story, song and prayer, and refreshments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you’re just getting started with Messy Vintage or looking for new session material, this book offers practical advice and resources to help you reach out to the older people in your community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘The Messy Vintage team always make me feel welcome – they are worth their weight in gold.’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMessy Vintage participant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘We love Messy Vintage. It’s like a breath of fresh air!’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCare home social activities coordinator\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKatie Norman is the pioneer of Messy Vintage in Jersey, taking the approach into churches and care homes, as well as hospital units for people living with advanced dementia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJill Phipps is BRF’s National Coordinator for Messy Vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Vintage is a gem of a book and a must have resource for all those who have the privilege of sharing the Gospel with the older generation who are so easily forgotten, and whose capacity to play and have fun is often overlooked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKatie and Jill have produced a book that unites hearts and hands prayerfully and practically. Inspiring and celebrating the gifts of creativity and conversation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe prayers are simple but profound. Each of the 52 Scripture readings and reflections are a good length providing a structure that is helpful but not limiting. It has the potential to nurture, to comfort, to reassure and all through prayer, play and fun!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am sure this super book will touch all who use it as they journey together, reflecting on the love of God, the faithfulness of Christ and the creative energy of the Holy Spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLynne Chitty, writer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry (Autumn 2021). Review by Laura Hillier\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Autumn 2021. Review by Laura Hillier\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Vintage is an extension of the highly successful work of Messy Church for families. This formula has proved a great success both in care homes and in the community, catering for those for whom attendance at a church service may be difficult or inappropriate. The book consists of 52 chapters with outline plans for gatherings, each based on a short Bible passage. The final section has ideas for celebrating the main festivals of the church’s year. A preliminary conversation is followed by a creative activity and a time of celebration ending with a prayer and a hymn. There are detailed instructions for the craft activity backed up by a website which provides templates and photographs. The authors recommend that where possible refreshments are served, perhaps afternoon tea attractively presented with flowers, cake stands and china cups. This book will prove an invaluable resource to those with sufficient time and energy to devote to such a worthwhile cause. Advance preparation is crucial: a helpful appendix provides guidance for care homes and volunteers which can be downloaded from the website.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Laura Hillier\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach (issue 27 Summer 2021). Review by Sue Hamer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Vintage is a small book packed with enthusiasm and ideas. Written for those in churches who have a desire to befriend the older generation, it contains 52 detailed programmes of activities to share. The sessions are clearly explained and include a Bible passage, a creative activity, ideas for discussion and suggested hymns to sing before the tea and cakes are served. Each session is easy to follow, providing everything required for up to two hours of fellowship and enjoyment. They can be used as a set programme to follow or as a starting point for developing your own creative ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying website is clearly organised and easy to navigate, it contains the downloadable materials required for the creative activities and additional ideas for special events (not covered in the book). There are also useful admin documents to print and advice on how to run an event.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Vintage groups are being run successfully in the community and in care homes. The authors have shared some lovely insights into the responses of a few of the participants at some of these events. It is encouraging to read of how Messy Church and subsequently Messy Vintage grew out of a church that needed a new lease of life and became a place where people ‘can celebrate in comfort, with Christ-centred fun, fellowship and food’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have a heart to share the love of God and have some fun with older folk and if you have a team of like-minded people to work with you, then Messy Vintage will be a true source of inspiration and support to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Sue Hamer\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Dawn Saunders, Chair of the Channel Islands Methodist District\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Vintage is a resource churches should invest in. The Messy Vintage sessions are written in a way that helps to creates a warm and fun environment designed for the older generation, although they are suitable for all ages. They begin with a bible story and a theme. The sessions are so clearly laid out and user friendly, you won’t need an expert team to run them. There is also a really comprehensive introduction to share the ethos of Messy Vintage and instructions on how best to run the sessions in different contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is just the right number of varied activities on the menu, with ample material for all, whether you are used to church activities or have never been. Through the well thought out programme of fifty-two sessions everyone can enjoy the fellowship and be fed through the experience. All the seasons of the year are catered for and details could be adapted if necessary, to fit the context. You don’t have to have cake stands, china tea sets and embroidered tablecloths, but if you have someone who would just love to provide those things, then hand the job over! There’s a chance for everyone to shine!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who would love to share the word of God alongside activities in any setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eDawn Saunders \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eChair of The Channel Islands\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eMethodist District \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Irish Methodist Newsletter February 2021. Review by Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of us will be aware of the craft led approach of Messy Church, and the numerous directions this can be taken. \u003cem\u003eMessy Vintage\u003c\/em\u003e is another of these that promotes the approach among an older generation, both within church contexts and also in care homes and other settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are two things that drew my attention here. Firstly, it’s always good to see Methodism leading the way. The author Katie Norman pioneered Messy Vintage in the Methodist Church in Jersey and in this book we get a Messy Vintage activity for each week of the year. Everything needed for the event is here, and in one small volume we get 52 excellent and proven sessions that are straightforward to use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second detail that struck me was the argument that in some places we shouldn’t put on a Messy Church or Messy Vintage, we should become a Messy Vintage Church. It’s a change of emphasis. Katie Norman points to the Messy Vintage community being the church, and the activities that support it being done excellently to honour all participating. ‘Creativity, for the predominantly older generation for whom Messy Vintage is aimed, can seem daunting, with such a vast array of abilities to cater for. However, it has been our experience over the past 10 years that it is not so much the craft itself that is important but the time spent creating it together and the conversations that ensue’ (p16).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an example of an activity, week 32 considers Jesus saying ‘I am the gate’ (John 10:9). In addition to prayer and worship ideas, there is a suggested conversation about playing ‘hide and seek’ and what might have been discovered behind curtains and in wardrobes. We are shown where to find the video clip where Lucy steps through the wardrobe in the film of CS Lewis’ classic \u003cem\u003eThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe \u003c\/em\u003eand the craft activity uses a gate template and getting people to paint the most beautiful scene they have ever seen or imagined around it. Then follows a show and tell where participants talk about their images. This is all concluded by some reflection that Lucy entered into a wonderful new world, but one with lots of problems. In that world good ultimately overcomes evil, but only after Aslan has sacrificed his life for others. The aim of this session is to share the good news of salvation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrying a Messy Vintage approach is well within the abilities of all of us and our churches. I wonder if any of us will seriously contemplate what it might mean to be a Messy Church, rather than just do Messy Church activities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, District Superintendent, the North Western district, the Methodist Church in Ireland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Matters. Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis will meet a real need – although as I know from my mother’s experience there is also a real need for older mature Christians to go ‘deeper’.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-28T09:12:36+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-28T09:11:14+00:00","vendor":"Katie Norman","type":"eBook","tags":["Church life","Glassboxx","Jan-21","Recommended for Anna Chaplaincy","Retired and inspired"],"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":53602649735548,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469762","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Messy Vintage: 52 sessions to share Christ-centred fun and fellowship with the older generation - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":899,"weight":244,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469762","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/128.png?v=1730134936","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/129.png?v=1730134952"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/128.png?v=1730134936","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62923499635068,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/128.png?v=1730134936"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/128.png?v=1730134936","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62923501830524,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/129.png?v=1730134952"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/129.png?v=1730134952","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eBeing ‘church’ with older people in care homes, congregations and the community. Messy Vintage is Christ-centred and creative, full of celebration and hospitality and open to all, aspiring to include people of all ages while specifically reaching out to older people. A typical session involves hands-on creative activities to explore a Bible story, a short celebration with story, song and prayer, and refreshments.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you’re just getting started with Messy Vintage or looking for new session material, this book offers practical advice and resources to help you reach out to the older people in your community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘The Messy Vintage team always make me feel welcome – they are worth their weight in gold.’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMessy Vintage participant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘We love Messy Vintage. It’s like a breath of fresh air!’\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eCare home social activities coordinator\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKatie Norman is the pioneer of Messy Vintage in Jersey, taking the approach into churches and care homes, as well as hospital units for people living with advanced dementia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJill Phipps is BRF’s National Coordinator for Messy Vintage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Vintage is a gem of a book and a must have resource for all those who have the privilege of sharing the Gospel with the older generation who are so easily forgotten, and whose capacity to play and have fun is often overlooked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKatie and Jill have produced a book that unites hearts and hands prayerfully and practically. Inspiring and celebrating the gifts of creativity and conversation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe prayers are simple but profound. Each of the 52 Scripture readings and reflections are a good length providing a structure that is helpful but not limiting. It has the potential to nurture, to comfort, to reassure and all through prayer, play and fun!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am sure this super book will touch all who use it as they journey together, reflecting on the love of God, the faithfulness of Christ and the creative energy of the Holy Spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eLynne Chitty, writer\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry (Autumn 2021). Review by Laura Hillier\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry Autumn 2021. Review by Laura Hillier\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Vintage is an extension of the highly successful work of Messy Church for families. This formula has proved a great success both in care homes and in the community, catering for those for whom attendance at a church service may be difficult or inappropriate. The book consists of 52 chapters with outline plans for gatherings, each based on a short Bible passage. The final section has ideas for celebrating the main festivals of the church’s year. A preliminary conversation is followed by a creative activity and a time of celebration ending with a prayer and a hymn. There are detailed instructions for the craft activity backed up by a website which provides templates and photographs. The authors recommend that where possible refreshments are served, perhaps afternoon tea attractively presented with flowers, cake stands and china cups. This book will prove an invaluable resource to those with sufficient time and energy to devote to such a worthwhile cause. Advance preparation is crucial: a helpful appendix provides guidance for care homes and volunteers which can be downloaded from the website.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Laura Hillier\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePreach (issue 27 Summer 2021). Review by Sue Hamer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Vintage is a small book packed with enthusiasm and ideas. Written for those in churches who have a desire to befriend the older generation, it contains 52 detailed programmes of activities to share. The sessions are clearly explained and include a Bible passage, a creative activity, ideas for discussion and suggested hymns to sing before the tea and cakes are served. Each session is easy to follow, providing everything required for up to two hours of fellowship and enjoyment. They can be used as a set programme to follow or as a starting point for developing your own creative ideas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe accompanying website is clearly organised and easy to navigate, it contains the downloadable materials required for the creative activities and additional ideas for special events (not covered in the book). There are also useful admin documents to print and advice on how to run an event.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Vintage groups are being run successfully in the community and in care homes. The authors have shared some lovely insights into the responses of a few of the participants at some of these events. It is encouraging to read of how Messy Church and subsequently Messy Vintage grew out of a church that needed a new lease of life and became a place where people ‘can celebrate in comfort, with Christ-centred fun, fellowship and food’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have a heart to share the love of God and have some fun with older folk and if you have a team of like-minded people to work with you, then Messy Vintage will be a true source of inspiration and support to you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Sue Hamer\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Dawn Saunders, Chair of the Channel Islands Methodist District\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMessy Vintage is a resource churches should invest in. The Messy Vintage sessions are written in a way that helps to creates a warm and fun environment designed for the older generation, although they are suitable for all ages. They begin with a bible story and a theme. The sessions are so clearly laid out and user friendly, you won’t need an expert team to run them. There is also a really comprehensive introduction to share the ethos of Messy Vintage and instructions on how best to run the sessions in different contexts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is just the right number of varied activities on the menu, with ample material for all, whether you are used to church activities or have never been. Through the well thought out programme of fifty-two sessions everyone can enjoy the fellowship and be fed through the experience. All the seasons of the year are catered for and details could be adapted if necessary, to fit the context. You don’t have to have cake stands, china tea sets and embroidered tablecloths, but if you have someone who would just love to provide those things, then hand the job over! There’s a chance for everyone to shine!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI thoroughly recommend this book to anyone who would love to share the word of God alongside activities in any setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eDawn Saunders \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eChair of The Channel Islands\u003c\/em\u003e \u003cem\u003eMethodist District \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Irish Methodist Newsletter February 2021. Review by Stephen Skuce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany of us will be aware of the craft led approach of Messy Church, and the numerous directions this can be taken. \u003cem\u003eMessy Vintage\u003c\/em\u003e is another of these that promotes the approach among an older generation, both within church contexts and also in care homes and other settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are two things that drew my attention here. Firstly, it’s always good to see Methodism leading the way. The author Katie Norman pioneered Messy Vintage in the Methodist Church in Jersey and in this book we get a Messy Vintage activity for each week of the year. Everything needed for the event is here, and in one small volume we get 52 excellent and proven sessions that are straightforward to use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second detail that struck me was the argument that in some places we shouldn’t put on a Messy Church or Messy Vintage, we should become a Messy Vintage Church. It’s a change of emphasis. Katie Norman points to the Messy Vintage community being the church, and the activities that support it being done excellently to honour all participating. ‘Creativity, for the predominantly older generation for whom Messy Vintage is aimed, can seem daunting, with such a vast array of abilities to cater for. However, it has been our experience over the past 10 years that it is not so much the craft itself that is important but the time spent creating it together and the conversations that ensue’ (p16).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an example of an activity, week 32 considers Jesus saying ‘I am the gate’ (John 10:9). In addition to prayer and worship ideas, there is a suggested conversation about playing ‘hide and seek’ and what might have been discovered behind curtains and in wardrobes. We are shown where to find the video clip where Lucy steps through the wardrobe in the film of CS Lewis’ classic \u003cem\u003eThe Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe \u003c\/em\u003eand the craft activity uses a gate template and getting people to paint the most beautiful scene they have ever seen or imagined around it. Then follows a show and tell where participants talk about their images. This is all concluded by some reflection that Lucy entered into a wonderful new world, but one with lots of problems. In that world good ultimately overcomes evil, but only after Aslan has sacrificed his life for others. The aim of this session is to share the good news of salvation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTrying a Messy Vintage approach is well within the abilities of all of us and our churches. I wonder if any of us will seriously contemplate what it might mean to be a Messy Church, rather than just do Messy Church activities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, District Superintendent, the North Western district, the Methodist Church in Ireland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Matters. Paul Beasley-Murray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis will meet a real need – although as I know from my mother’s experience there is also a real need for older mature Christians to go ‘deeper’.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Messy Vintage: 52 sessions to share Christ-centred fun and fellowship with the older generation
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Digital eBook Only - Being ‘church’ with older people in care homes, congregations and the community. Messy Vintage is Christ-centred and...
{"id":14698257580412,"title":"Walking with Gospel Women: Interactive Bible meditations","handle":"walking-with-gospel-women-interactive-bible-meditations-1","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eImaginative meditation can be a powerful way of attuning ourselves to God's presence, involving as it does the emotions as well as the mind. This book offers a refreshing and inspiring way into Bible study, using meditative monologues based around many of the women of the gospels. Through a time of guided reflection, we identify with the woman concerned and see what lessons emerge for today as we ponder her story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter consists of a monologue, linked Bible passage and discussion material designed to draw out deep communication and group fellowship, as well as transformational learning. While designed primarily for small groups meeting to grow their relationships with God and with each other, the monologues can also be used as a way into silent reflection either for individuals or with larger groups (for example, the monologues could be adapted to use in Sunday worship - for intercession, a time of reflection or as part of a sermon).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead Fiona's introduction to the book:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are involved in a women's Bible study group, particularly in leading it, the big question at the start of each term is likely to be what to study. There are a lot of resources available, so where do you begin? In my book I wanted to offer something different... a new way of making familiar Bible stories personal, walking alongside the women involved, exploring their emotions and feeling their heartbeat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWalking with Gospel Women: Interactive Bible meditations \u003c\/strong\u003eis a series of 26 meditative monologues based on biblical passages in which each character tells the story of her encounter with Jesus. As we enter her story through the imagination, we discover what issues were touched in her life and how she responded. Our minds and emotions are engaged as we listen and are then guided through group discussion and individual reflection to consider these issues further. The questions encourage deep communication and are designed to stimulate conversation that leads to personal and spiritual growth as well as developing friendships and community. Transformational learning takes place. What can we learn from Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the wedding of Cana about letting go, about joy and celebration? How does Jesus' encounter with Martha teach us to deal with resentment, inner restlessness and how to balance the demands in our lives? Our spiritual journey is fostered as we are, and we are then led to consider what each episode teaches us about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWomen with much experience of Bible study in groups will find this innovative approach refreshing. Creative women will be drawn to exploring biblical passages through the imagination. Newcomers to the Bible will find this resource approachable and will gain cultural insights from the monologues. \u003cstrong\u003eWalking with Gospel Women\u003c\/strong\u003e could also be used by reading groups and for individual reflection. The monologues could be used without the studies in many contexts: as part of a church's Christmas or Easter programme; for storytelling; as a stimulus for a sermon or guided meditation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImagination is a pathway for the spirit. In her book of meditations, Fiona leads us along this path to fresh encounters with God. Ann Persson\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA qualified speech and language therapist, Fiona Stratta has worked with adults and children and is also a member of the Association of Teachers of Speech and Drama. The idea for this book first emerged when she endured a prolonged period of ill-health which led her to engage with meditative approaches to Bible reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2024-10-28T09:23:33+00:00","created_at":"2024-10-28T09:21:34+00:00","vendor":"Fiona Stratta","type":"eBook","tags":["Devotional","Glassboxx","Jul-12","Women"],"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":53602653077884,"title":"eBook","option1":"eBook","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857461902","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Walking with Gospel Women: Interactive Bible meditations - eBook","public_title":"eBook","options":["eBook"],"price":799,"weight":205,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857461902","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/132.png?v=1730134931","\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/133.png?v=1730134949"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/132.png?v=1730134931","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":62923499110780,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/132.png?v=1730134931"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/132.png?v=1730134931","width":1303},{"alt":null,"id":62923501568380,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"width":1303,"src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/133.png?v=1730134949"},"aspect_ratio":0.652,"height":2000,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/cdn\/shop\/files\/133.png?v=1730134949","width":1303}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDigital eBook Only - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003eImaginative meditation can be a powerful way of attuning ourselves to God's presence, involving as it does the emotions as well as the mind. This book offers a refreshing and inspiring way into Bible study, using meditative monologues based around many of the women of the gospels. Through a time of guided reflection, we identify with the woman concerned and see what lessons emerge for today as we ponder her story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach chapter consists of a monologue, linked Bible passage and discussion material designed to draw out deep communication and group fellowship, as well as transformational learning. While designed primarily for small groups meeting to grow their relationships with God and with each other, the monologues can also be used as a way into silent reflection either for individuals or with larger groups (for example, the monologues could be adapted to use in Sunday worship - for intercession, a time of reflection or as part of a sermon).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRead Fiona's introduction to the book:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you are involved in a women's Bible study group, particularly in leading it, the big question at the start of each term is likely to be what to study. There are a lot of resources available, so where do you begin? In my book I wanted to offer something different... a new way of making familiar Bible stories personal, walking alongside the women involved, exploring their emotions and feeling their heartbeat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWalking with Gospel Women: Interactive Bible meditations \u003c\/strong\u003eis a series of 26 meditative monologues based on biblical passages in which each character tells the story of her encounter with Jesus. As we enter her story through the imagination, we discover what issues were touched in her life and how she responded. Our minds and emotions are engaged as we listen and are then guided through group discussion and individual reflection to consider these issues further. The questions encourage deep communication and are designed to stimulate conversation that leads to personal and spiritual growth as well as developing friendships and community. Transformational learning takes place. What can we learn from Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the wedding of Cana about letting go, about joy and celebration? How does Jesus' encounter with Martha teach us to deal with resentment, inner restlessness and how to balance the demands in our lives? Our spiritual journey is fostered as we are, and we are then led to consider what each episode teaches us about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWomen with much experience of Bible study in groups will find this innovative approach refreshing. Creative women will be drawn to exploring biblical passages through the imagination. Newcomers to the Bible will find this resource approachable and will gain cultural insights from the monologues. \u003cstrong\u003eWalking with Gospel Women\u003c\/strong\u003e could also be used by reading groups and for individual reflection. The monologues could be used without the studies in many contexts: as part of a church's Christmas or Easter programme; for storytelling; as a stimulus for a sermon or guided meditation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eImagination is a pathway for the spirit. In her book of meditations, Fiona leads us along this path to fresh encounters with God. Ann Persson\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA qualified speech and language therapist, Fiona Stratta has worked with adults and children and is also a member of the Association of Teachers of Speech and Drama. The idea for this book first emerged when she endured a prolonged period of ill-health which led her to engage with meditative approaches to Bible reading.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eMedia reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e"}
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Walking with Gospel Women: Interactive Bible meditations
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Digital eBook Only - Imaginative meditation can be a powerful way of attuning ourselves to God's presence, involving as it...