Deepening Discipleship Discount
Deepening Discipleship Discount - 25%
{"id":3178642997348,"title":"Get Messy! September-December 2019: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community","handle":"get-messy-september-december-2019-session-material-news-stories-and-inspiration-for-the-messy-church-community","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGet Messy!\u003c\/em\u003e is a four-monthly subscription resource for Messy Church leaders. Each issue contains four session outlines (one per month), including planning sheets and take-home handouts, together with information on the latest resources and events. It also seeks to encourage and refresh Messy Church leaders by providing monthly Bible studies, a column on taking time to recharge, and a problem page. Other features include a youth column, a day in the life of a Regional Coordinator and stories from Messy Churches around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this issue:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStories from Messy Churches far and wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church International Conference highlights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Messy Murder Mystery\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession Material\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeptember: God loves a cheerful giver (Malachi 3:1-10)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOctober: God's armour of light 9Ephesians 6:10-20)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNovember: Feast of faith (Luke 24:13-35)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecember: Small is mighty (Luke 2:4-20)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMuch, much more!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSingle-copy purchases of the \u003cem\u003eGet Messy!\u003c\/em\u003e magazine are intended for the sole use of the purchaser. If you would like to distribute digital copies to your Messy Church team, simply click the Buy now button on the product page and add the number of copies you need into the quantity box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following discounts will be applied for multiple copies:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1-2 copies: no discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3-4 copies: 10% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5-9 copies: 15% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10+ copies: 20% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor further information about purchasing digital copies and copyright information, see brfonline.org.uk\/terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:50+00:00","created_at":"2019-03-26T15:13:23+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Get Messy!","Jul-19"],"price":460,"price_min":460,"price_max":460,"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":26076726460516,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467843","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":11281701961828,"product_id":3178642997348,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-07-03T11:28:29+01:00","updated_at":"2019-07-03T11:28:55+01:00","alt":null,"width":2481,"height":3508,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467843.jpg?v=1562149735","variant_ids":[26076726460516]},"available":true,"name":"Get Messy! September-December 2019: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":460,"weight":114,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467843","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3280257908875,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":3508,"width":2481,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467843.jpg?v=1570106533"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":26076726558820,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"DOWNLOAD7843","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":11281711333476,"product_id":3178642997348,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-07-03T11:29:14+01:00","updated_at":"2019-07-03T11:29:14+01:00","alt":null,"width":1273,"height":1800,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD7843.jpg?v=1562149754","variant_ids":[26076726558820]},"available":true,"name":"Get Messy! September-December 2019: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":460,"weight":114,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":null,"barcode":"DOWNLOAD7843","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":3280257974411,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":1800,"width":1273,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD7843.jpg?v=1570106533"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467843.jpg?v=1562149735","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD7843.jpg?v=1562149754"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467843.jpg?v=1562149735","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3280257908875,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":3508,"width":2481,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467843.jpg?v=1570106533"},"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":3508,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467843.jpg?v=1570106533","width":2481},{"alt":null,"id":3280257974411,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":1800,"width":1273,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD7843.jpg?v=1570106533"},"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":1800,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/DOWNLOAD7843.jpg?v=1570106533","width":1273}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGet Messy!\u003c\/em\u003e is a four-monthly subscription resource for Messy Church leaders. Each issue contains four session outlines (one per month), including planning sheets and take-home handouts, together with information on the latest resources and events. It also seeks to encourage and refresh Messy Church leaders by providing monthly Bible studies, a column on taking time to recharge, and a problem page. Other features include a youth column, a day in the life of a Regional Coordinator and stories from Messy Churches around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this issue:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStories from Messy Churches far and wide\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMessy Church International Conference highlights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Messy Murder Mystery\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSession Material\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeptember: God loves a cheerful giver (Malachi 3:1-10)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOctober: God's armour of light 9Ephesians 6:10-20)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNovember: Feast of faith (Luke 24:13-35)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDecember: Small is mighty (Luke 2:4-20)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMuch, much more!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSingle-copy purchases of the \u003cem\u003eGet Messy!\u003c\/em\u003e magazine are intended for the sole use of the purchaser. If you would like to distribute digital copies to your Messy Church team, simply click the Buy now button on the product page and add the number of copies you need into the quantity box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following discounts will be applied for multiple copies:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1-2 copies: no discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3-4 copies: 10% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5-9 copies: 15% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10+ copies: 20% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor further information about purchasing digital copies and copyright information, see brfonline.org.uk\/terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
You may also like:
Get Messy! September-December 2019: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community
£4.60
Get Messy! is a four-monthly subscription resource for Messy Church leaders. Each issue contains four session outlines (one per month),...
{"id":3272056569956,"title":"Get Messy! January-April 2020: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community","handle":"get-messy-january-april-2020-session-material-news-stories-and-inspiration-for-the-messy-church-community","description":"\u003cp\u003eSingle-copy purchases of the \u003cem\u003eGet Messy!\u003c\/em\u003e magazine are intended for the sole use of the purchaser. If you would like to distribute digital copies to your Messy Church team, simply click the Buy now button on the product page and add the number of copies you need into the quantity box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following discounts will be applied for multiple copies:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1-2 copies: no discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3-4 copies: 10% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5-9 copies: 15% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10+ copies: 20% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor further information about purchasing digital copies and copyright information, see brfonline.org.uk\/terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGet Messy!\u003c\/em\u003e is a four-monthly subscription resource for Messy Church leaders. Each issue contains four session outlines (one per month), including planning sheets and take-home handouts, together with information on the latest resources and events. It also seeks to encourage and refresh Messy Church leaders by providing monthly Bible studies, a column on taking time to recharge, and a problem page. Other features include a youth column, a day in the life of a Regional Coordinator and stories from Messy Churches around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2019-04-08T11:37:47+01:00","created_at":"2019-04-08T11:37:47+01:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Get Messy!","Nov-19"],"price":460,"price_min":460,"price_max":460,"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":26427974189156,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468659","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":13498990887051,"product_id":3272056569956,"position":1,"created_at":"2019-11-08T15:43:48+00:00","updated_at":"2019-11-08T15:43:48+00:00","alt":null,"width":1000,"height":1415,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469175_15bfaa80-cb06-486d-84f9-90ac6a9b495b.jpg?v=1573227828","variant_ids":[26427974189156]},"available":true,"name":"Get Messy! January-April 2020: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":460,"weight":114,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468659","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":5675122032779,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":1415,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469175_15bfaa80-cb06-486d-84f9-90ac6a9b495b.jpg?v=1573227828"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":26427974221924,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469175","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":13551541289099,"product_id":3272056569956,"position":2,"created_at":"2019-11-18T12:16:02+00:00","updated_at":"2019-11-18T12:16:02+00:00","alt":null,"width":459,"height":650,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469182.jpg?v=1574079362","variant_ids":[26427974221924]},"available":true,"name":"Get Messy! January-April 2020: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":460,"weight":114,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469175","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":5724464087179,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.706,"height":650,"width":459,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469182.jpg?v=1574079362"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469175_15bfaa80-cb06-486d-84f9-90ac6a9b495b.jpg?v=1573227828","\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469182.jpg?v=1574079362"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469175_15bfaa80-cb06-486d-84f9-90ac6a9b495b.jpg?v=1573227828","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":5675122032779,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":1415,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469175_15bfaa80-cb06-486d-84f9-90ac6a9b495b.jpg?v=1573227828"},"aspect_ratio":0.707,"height":1415,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469175_15bfaa80-cb06-486d-84f9-90ac6a9b495b.jpg?v=1573227828","width":1000},{"alt":null,"id":5724464087179,"position":2,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.706,"height":650,"width":459,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469182.jpg?v=1574079362"},"aspect_ratio":0.706,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469182.jpg?v=1574079362","width":459}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eSingle-copy purchases of the \u003cem\u003eGet Messy!\u003c\/em\u003e magazine are intended for the sole use of the purchaser. If you would like to distribute digital copies to your Messy Church team, simply click the Buy now button on the product page and add the number of copies you need into the quantity box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe following discounts will be applied for multiple copies:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1-2 copies: no discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3-4 copies: 10% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e5-9 copies: 15% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e10+ copies: 20% discount\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor further information about purchasing digital copies and copyright information, see brfonline.org.uk\/terms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGet Messy!\u003c\/em\u003e is a four-monthly subscription resource for Messy Church leaders. Each issue contains four session outlines (one per month), including planning sheets and take-home handouts, together with information on the latest resources and events. It also seeks to encourage and refresh Messy Church leaders by providing monthly Bible studies, a column on taking time to recharge, and a problem page. Other features include a youth column, a day in the life of a Regional Coordinator and stories from Messy Churches around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e"}
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Get Messy! January-April 2020: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community
£4.60
Single-copy purchases of the Get Messy! magazine are intended for the sole use of the purchaser. If you would like...
{"id":4853328380043,"title":"At Home in Advent: A domestic journey from Advent to Epiphany","handle":"at-home-in-advent-a-domestic-journey-from-advent-to-epiphany","description":"\u003cp\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\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":"2020-05-01T16:32:57+01:00","created_at":"2020-05-01T16:53:59+01:00","vendor":"Gordon Giles","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","Group reading","Kindle","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":33574915735691,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469809","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"At Home in Advent: A domestic journey from Advent to Epiphany","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":219,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469809","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469809.jpg?v=1588348441"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469809.jpg?v=1588348441","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":7669920694411,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469809.jpg?v=1588348441"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469809.jpg?v=1588348441","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\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\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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{"id":2440661991524,"title":"Get Messy! May - August 2019: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community","handle":"get-messy-may-august-2019-session-material-news-stories-and-inspiration-for-the-messy-church-community","description":"\u003cp\u003eGet Messy! is a four-monthly subscription resource for Messy Church leaders. Each issue contains four-session outlines (one per month), including planning sheets and take-home handouts, together with information on the latest resources and events. It also seeks to encourage and refresh Messy Church leaders by providing monthly Bible studies, a column on taking time to recharge, and a problem page. Other features include a youth column, a day in the life of a Regional Coordinator and stories from Messy Churches around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T16:16:52+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T16:20:32+00:00","vendor":"Lucy Moore","type":"Paperback","tags":["Get Messy!","Mar-19"],"price":460,"price_min":460,"price_max":460,"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":23715181592676,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467751","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Get Messy! May - August 2019: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":460,"weight":116,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467751","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":26933064499300,"title":"PDF Download","option1":"PDF Download","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"Download7751","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Get Messy! May - August 2019: Session material, news, stories and inspiration for the Messy Church community - PDF Download","public_title":"PDF Download","options":["PDF Download"],"price":460,"weight":116,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"Download7751","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467751-l.jpg?v=1551193180"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467751-l.jpg?v=1551193180","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3260401680523,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":650,"width":460,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467751-l.jpg?v=1570102388"},"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467751-l.jpg?v=1570102388","width":460}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eGet Messy! is a four-monthly subscription resource for Messy Church leaders. Each issue contains four-session outlines (one per month), including planning sheets and take-home handouts, together with information on the latest resources and events. It also seeks to encourage and refresh Messy Church leaders by providing monthly Bible studies, a column on taking time to recharge, and a problem page. Other features include a youth column, a day in the life of a Regional Coordinator and stories from Messy Churches around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e"}
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{"id":3271915962468,"title":"Image of the Invisible: Daily Bible readings from Advent to Epiphany","handle":"image-of-the-invisible-daily-bible-readings-from-advent-to-epiphany","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen you hear the name ‘God’, does an image come into your head? Do you think of him as a shining light, or with a human shape, or as an anchor in the storm, a rock, a fortress?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs we look towards celebrating the incarnation at Christmas, we consider how God chose to express himself, in a moment in history, as a tiny baby. But what other images describe God in the Bible, and what can we learn about his character through them? How does an invisible God reveal himself to us in scripture and in Jesus? Amy Scott Robinson, a poet and storyteller, answers this question with imagination and a close reading of the text.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmy Scott Robinson is an author and performance storyteller. After studying English at Christ's College, Cambridge, she trained as a teacher and began writing for charities and providers of liturgical resources, before publishing her own works on puppetry and story. She is married to the rector of four rural parishes in Suffolk, where she is also the benefice children’s worker. She lives in the Rectory and has two children, two guinea pigs, and at any given moment, a half-finished cup of cold tea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo read Amy's lockdown blog click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/amy-scott-robinson-wrote-brfs-advent-book-for-2019-image-of-the-invisible-in-this-lockdown-blog-she-thinks-about-why-she-misses-being-in-church\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmy Scott Robinson’s selection of daily readings and commentary makes for a powerful and transformative Advent journey. Taking the hardest little word of all, that word 'God', a word that can be everything or nothing, a word that seems to carry no image with it and evades our understanding at every turn, Amy takes us on a journey through scripture in which she makes biblical image after image richly available to our imaginations so that we can come closer to God as he comes closer to us in Advent. I am particularly impressed by the way she thinks about the arts and engages the artistic imagination without ever losing the common touch or the simple but illuminating turn of phrase. Strongly recommended.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMalcolm Guite, priest and poet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Amy is an expert storyteller, a well of emotion and reflection, and a follower of Jesus with a deep, genuine hunger for the reality of God. This fine book, helping us reach out to the Father, is filled with who she is.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAdrian Plass, author and speaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Sometimes we need a poet’s eye to see the God of the Bible afresh. Poet, storyteller and theologian Amy Scott Robinson uses the Bible’s own metaphors of God as artisan, metalworker, consuming fire and others to lead us more deeply into our understanding of God. If you like C.S. Lewis, Malcolm Guite or Lauren Winner, you will love this outstanding book of thought-provoking, gasp-inducing, beautiful devotions to enrich your vision of God. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTanya Marlow, author of \u003cem\u003eThose Who Wait: Finding God in disappointment, doubt and delay\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e What a stunning gift this book is! Open it day by day as you ponder the God who reveals himself as a burning bush, weaver, gardener, shepherd, king, and, of course, baby. Amy Robinson helps us to unwrap the images of the invisible, the God who became flesh. Her book is a masterpiece of metaphor, a creative unlocking of what we might have missed. Through her creative, thought-provoking, deep and winsome writing, she leads us to the God who makes himself known.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAmy Boucher Pye, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Living Cross\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/transformingministrymagazine.co.uk\/image-of-the-invisible\/%20\"\u003eonline\u003c\/a\u003e November 2020\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescribed as one of ‘four outstanding books from Advent 2019 which you may have missed and are still in print', this book '\u003cspan\u003eProvides daily readings helping us to find God using beautifully wrought scriptural metaphor.'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader online 21.11.19. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an amazing book, subtitled ‘Finding God in scriptural metaphor’. After a few introductory biblical verses, Robinson transforms mundane observations from daily life into mesmerising accounts of God in action and potentially at work in our lives. The inventiveness and creativity of Robinson’s storytelling skill makes for a scintillating read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe writes – ‘the Bible is full of metaphors for God, images that help us to experience a little of his character’. Various metaphors are explored and how they take us into a deeper understanding of God’s nature and our relationship with Him. The influence of the early church’s ‘O Antiphons’ is acknowledged in Robinson’s personal selection of metaphors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer eye for the telling detail in her observations, coupled with the directness of her narrative style, make this an excellent guide for both individuals and small groups wanting a guide on the well-trodden path from Advent to Epiphany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe five weeks are explored under individual themes: ‘When God appears’, ‘God the Creator’, ‘God the Owner’, ‘Veiled in flesh’ and finally ‘Visible in Creation’. Each day has a few biblical verses relating to the particular theme. There are twenty Old Testament and seventeen New Testament verse selections. The daily comments are followed by a question to ponder, a suggestion to consider and a brief closing prayer. At the end of each week there are a couple of general questions on the theme considered. The final pages include brief suggestions and guidelines for five weekly group Bible studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this an exciting book with unexpected links amidst the twists and turns in the narrative. Robinson comments ‘God does not give us what we’re looking for – He gives us what we need’. If you are searching for an Advent book this year, this is what you need!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.10.19 Advent Books Round Up by David Wilbourne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn her \u003cem\u003eImage of the Invisible\u003c\/em\u003e, Amy Scott Robinson explores 37 metaphors for God-in-Christ. She crafts a prose poem, ‘the best words in the best order’, from Advent Sunday to Epiphany, imaginatively putting flesh on her chosen biblical passage. Eschatology is realised when the Mayor of Coventry, after the devastating Luftwaffe raid, is surprised by King George VI, knocking on his back door: ‘Heavens above, it’s the King. We’d better look sharp.’ Scott Robinson’s God graciously ‘reads our poetry before it deserves to be seen’, greeting us, his brides, with a tearful ‘You look amazing!’ Elijah’s God of consuming fire graciously makes a little fire on Galilee’s beach to cook his friends breakfast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis excellent book provides a very valuable companion for the forthcoming seasons of Advent and Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing a theme of metaphors and images, Amy Scott Robinson provides many valuable insights into different facets of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginning with an exploration of Old Testament figures, Amy explores how the metaphors involved reveal something about God – be that through a burning bush, a pillar of cloud and even a guinea pig. We are also introduced to the creative sides of God – not just the familiar ones of potter and inspirer of poetry but also of weaver and architect. A trip through the parables not only shows God as master, landowner and king but also explores a range of challenges about day to day living. The week which includes Christmas takes a slightly different approach, considering God in comparison to the characters of the nativity. The final period to Epiphany considers images of God as bread, water, door, rock and the gifts of the Magi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach reflection – one for every day of December and then up to Epiphany – also contains a suggestion for further reflection and a prayer. There are also other points at which to review our thinking and suggestions for group discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many authors who write about themselves but seem to do so just for the sake of it, Amy Scott Robinson knows when and how to include such examples. She writes of normal day to day life and, crucially, keeps them totally relevant to the topic. Just don’t buy her a house plant, that’s all. As the reviewer, reading a book of daily reflections one after the other without the benefit of 24 hours in-between, I look forward to re-reading it as my part of my own journey through the coming season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you enjoy and relate well to the use of metaphors and images, you will enjoy and relate well to this excellent book. If you’re one who finds using your imagination more difficult, then this book will open up that aspect of your mind to great effect. Whatever makes you you, \u003cem\u003eImage of the Invisible\u003c\/em\u003e will provide a very valuable and helpful way to deepen your faith and knowledge of God this Advent and Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRichard Frost is the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/a\u003e and writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-04-08T11:13:43+01:00","created_at":"2019-04-08T11:15:02+01:00","vendor":"Amy Scott Robinson","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","Kindle","Sep-19"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":26427520057444,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467898","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Image of the Invisible: Daily Bible readings from Advent to Epiphany","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467898","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467898-l.jpg?v=1554718505"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467898-l.jpg?v=1554718505","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3264872480907,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467898-l.jpg?v=1570103263"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467898-l.jpg?v=1570103263","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen you hear the name ‘God’, does an image come into your head? Do you think of him as a shining light, or with a human shape, or as an anchor in the storm, a rock, a fortress?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAs we look towards celebrating the incarnation at Christmas, we consider how God chose to express himself, in a moment in history, as a tiny baby. But what other images describe God in the Bible, and what can we learn about his character through them? How does an invisible God reveal himself to us in scripture and in Jesus? Amy Scott Robinson, a poet and storyteller, answers this question with imagination and a close reading of the text.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmy Scott Robinson is an author and performance storyteller. After studying English at Christ's College, Cambridge, she trained as a teacher and began writing for charities and providers of liturgical resources, before publishing her own works on puppetry and story. She is married to the rector of four rural parishes in Suffolk, where she is also the benefice children’s worker. She lives in the Rectory and has two children, two guinea pigs, and at any given moment, a half-finished cup of cold tea.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo read Amy's lockdown blog click \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/blogs\/collections\/amy-scott-robinson-wrote-brfs-advent-book-for-2019-image-of-the-invisible-in-this-lockdown-blog-she-thinks-about-why-she-misses-being-in-church\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmy Scott Robinson’s selection of daily readings and commentary makes for a powerful and transformative Advent journey. Taking the hardest little word of all, that word 'God', a word that can be everything or nothing, a word that seems to carry no image with it and evades our understanding at every turn, Amy takes us on a journey through scripture in which she makes biblical image after image richly available to our imaginations so that we can come closer to God as he comes closer to us in Advent. I am particularly impressed by the way she thinks about the arts and engages the artistic imagination without ever losing the common touch or the simple but illuminating turn of phrase. Strongly recommended.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMalcolm Guite, priest and poet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Amy is an expert storyteller, a well of emotion and reflection, and a follower of Jesus with a deep, genuine hunger for the reality of God. This fine book, helping us reach out to the Father, is filled with who she is.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAdrian Plass, author and speaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Sometimes we need a poet’s eye to see the God of the Bible afresh. Poet, storyteller and theologian Amy Scott Robinson uses the Bible’s own metaphors of God as artisan, metalworker, consuming fire and others to lead us more deeply into our understanding of God. If you like C.S. Lewis, Malcolm Guite or Lauren Winner, you will love this outstanding book of thought-provoking, gasp-inducing, beautiful devotions to enrich your vision of God. \u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eTanya Marlow, author of \u003cem\u003eThose Who Wait: Finding God in disappointment, doubt and delay\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e What a stunning gift this book is! Open it day by day as you ponder the God who reveals himself as a burning bush, weaver, gardener, shepherd, king, and, of course, baby. Amy Robinson helps us to unwrap the images of the invisible, the God who became flesh. Her book is a masterpiece of metaphor, a creative unlocking of what we might have missed. Through her creative, thought-provoking, deep and winsome writing, she leads us to the God who makes himself known.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eAmy Boucher Pye, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Living Cross\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/transformingministrymagazine.co.uk\/image-of-the-invisible\/%20\"\u003eonline\u003c\/a\u003e November 2020\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescribed as one of ‘four outstanding books from Advent 2019 which you may have missed and are still in print', this book '\u003cspan\u003eProvides daily readings helping us to find God using beautifully wrought scriptural metaphor.'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader online 21.11.19. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an amazing book, subtitled ‘Finding God in scriptural metaphor’. After a few introductory biblical verses, Robinson transforms mundane observations from daily life into mesmerising accounts of God in action and potentially at work in our lives. The inventiveness and creativity of Robinson’s storytelling skill makes for a scintillating read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShe writes – ‘the Bible is full of metaphors for God, images that help us to experience a little of his character’. Various metaphors are explored and how they take us into a deeper understanding of God’s nature and our relationship with Him. The influence of the early church’s ‘O Antiphons’ is acknowledged in Robinson’s personal selection of metaphors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHer eye for the telling detail in her observations, coupled with the directness of her narrative style, make this an excellent guide for both individuals and small groups wanting a guide on the well-trodden path from Advent to Epiphany.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe five weeks are explored under individual themes: ‘When God appears’, ‘God the Creator’, ‘God the Owner’, ‘Veiled in flesh’ and finally ‘Visible in Creation’. Each day has a few biblical verses relating to the particular theme. There are twenty Old Testament and seventeen New Testament verse selections. The daily comments are followed by a question to ponder, a suggestion to consider and a brief closing prayer. At the end of each week there are a couple of general questions on the theme considered. The final pages include brief suggestions and guidelines for five weekly group Bible studies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI found this an exciting book with unexpected links amidst the twists and turns in the narrative. Robinson comments ‘God does not give us what we’re looking for – He gives us what we need’. If you are searching for an Advent book this year, this is what you need!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003eRoger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 25.10.19 Advent Books Round Up by David Wilbourne\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn her \u003cem\u003eImage of the Invisible\u003c\/em\u003e, Amy Scott Robinson explores 37 metaphors for God-in-Christ. She crafts a prose poem, ‘the best words in the best order’, from Advent Sunday to Epiphany, imaginatively putting flesh on her chosen biblical passage. Eschatology is realised when the Mayor of Coventry, after the devastating Luftwaffe raid, is surprised by King George VI, knocking on his back door: ‘Heavens above, it’s the King. We’d better look sharp.’ Scott Robinson’s God graciously ‘reads our poetry before it deserves to be seen’, greeting us, his brides, with a tearful ‘You look amazing!’ Elijah’s God of consuming fire graciously makes a little fire on Galilee’s beach to cook his friends breakfast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis excellent book provides a very valuable companion for the forthcoming seasons of Advent and Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing a theme of metaphors and images, Amy Scott Robinson provides many valuable insights into different facets of God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeginning with an exploration of Old Testament figures, Amy explores how the metaphors involved reveal something about God – be that through a burning bush, a pillar of cloud and even a guinea pig. We are also introduced to the creative sides of God – not just the familiar ones of potter and inspirer of poetry but also of weaver and architect. A trip through the parables not only shows God as master, landowner and king but also explores a range of challenges about day to day living. The week which includes Christmas takes a slightly different approach, considering God in comparison to the characters of the nativity. The final period to Epiphany considers images of God as bread, water, door, rock and the gifts of the Magi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach reflection – one for every day of December and then up to Epiphany – also contains a suggestion for further reflection and a prayer. There are also other points at which to review our thinking and suggestions for group discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike many authors who write about themselves but seem to do so just for the sake of it, Amy Scott Robinson knows when and how to include such examples. She writes of normal day to day life and, crucially, keeps them totally relevant to the topic. Just don’t buy her a house plant, that’s all. As the reviewer, reading a book of daily reflections one after the other without the benefit of 24 hours in-between, I look forward to re-reading it as my part of my own journey through the coming season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you enjoy and relate well to the use of metaphors and images, you will enjoy and relate well to this excellent book. If you’re one who finds using your imagination more difficult, then this book will open up that aspect of your mind to great effect. Whatever makes you you, \u003cem\u003eImage of the Invisible\u003c\/em\u003e will provide a very valuable and helpful way to deepen your faith and knowledge of God this Advent and Christmas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eRichard Frost is the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/a\u003e and writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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When you hear the name ‘God’, does an image come into your head? Do you think of him as a...
{"id":5424661790872,"title":"Anna Chaplaincy Carer's Guides pack","handle":"anna-chaplaincy-carers-guides-pack","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of each of our Anna Chaplaincy Carer's Guides, details below.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow do we look after ourselves and others better in the wake of a health crisis such as Covid-19? This Carer’s Guide series offers practical help and guidance to carers who find themselves needing to provide spiritual support to older people or others in residential care. The aim of these guides is to give you the confidence and skills to enable those in your care not only to cope emotionally and spiritually but even to thrive, despite challenging circumstances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDebbie Thrower, Founder and Pioneer of Anna Chaplaincy for Older People, says: ‘Some of the lessons learned by Anna Chaplains are shared here so that spiritual care – along with medical, practical and emotional care – becomes accessible to all.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePack contents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-carers-guide-how-to-have-a-memorial-service-at-home-when-you-are-unable-to-attend-the-funeral\"\u003eA Carer's Guide: How to have a memorial service at home when you are unable to attend the funeral\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere you’ll find ideas for how to mark the passing of someone you cared for by taking some time to reflect on their memory and say goodbye. It’s something you may wish to do yourself at home, or with residents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-carers-guide-how-to-help-someone-spiritually-towards-the-end-of-life\"\u003eA Carer's Guide: How to help someone spiritually towards the end of life\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide offers advice on how you can be a reassuring presence, to give a dying person confidence that they will not suffer undue pain, and that ‘everything is going to be all right’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-carers-guide-how-to-take-care-of-yourself-in-stressful-times\"\u003eA Carer's Guide: How to take care of yourself in stressful times\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide explores how stress can affect our body, mind, emotions and spirit, offering ways to combat fatigue and increase resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-carers-guide-how-to-worship-with-a-group-of-residents\"\u003eA Carer's Guide: How to worship with a group of residents\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide shows how even if you’ve never been to church you could still help people to worship and hold your own mini church service with a group of residents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-carers-guide-how-to-worship-with-individuals-in-your-care\"\u003eA Carer's Guide: How to worship with individuals in your care\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide helps you to listen carefully to someone, and honour that individual, and so make them feel special, unique – that’s spiritual care in a nutshell. Much of this you may already be doing instinctively, but it will help you to reflect on your own life as well.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-07-02T09:47:55+01:00","created_at":"2020-07-02T09:48:52+01:00","vendor":"BRF","type":"Pack","tags":["Anna Chaplaincy books","Anna Chaplaincy Carer's Guides","Jul-20","Pastoral care"],"price":1000,"price_min":1000,"price_max":1000,"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":35051676663960,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"CGPACK","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Anna Chaplaincy Carer's Guides pack","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":1000,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/AnnaChaplaincyCarersGuidespack.png?v=1594307183"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/AnnaChaplaincyCarersGuidespack.png?v=1594307183","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":10061392445592,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2048,"width":2048,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/AnnaChaplaincyCarersGuidespack.png?v=1594307183"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":2048,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/AnnaChaplaincyCarersGuidespack.png?v=1594307183","width":2048}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eOne of each of our Anna Chaplaincy Carer's Guides, details below.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHow do we look after ourselves and others better in the wake of a health crisis such as Covid-19? This Carer’s Guide series offers practical help and guidance to carers who find themselves needing to provide spiritual support to older people or others in residential care. The aim of these guides is to give you the confidence and skills to enable those in your care not only to cope emotionally and spiritually but even to thrive, despite challenging circumstances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDebbie Thrower, Founder and Pioneer of Anna Chaplaincy for Older People, says: ‘Some of the lessons learned by Anna Chaplains are shared here so that spiritual care – along with medical, practical and emotional care – becomes accessible to all.’\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003ePack contents\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-carers-guide-how-to-have-a-memorial-service-at-home-when-you-are-unable-to-attend-the-funeral\"\u003eA Carer's Guide: How to have a memorial service at home when you are unable to attend the funeral\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere you’ll find ideas for how to mark the passing of someone you cared for by taking some time to reflect on their memory and say goodbye. It’s something you may wish to do yourself at home, or with residents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-carers-guide-how-to-help-someone-spiritually-towards-the-end-of-life\"\u003eA Carer's Guide: How to help someone spiritually towards the end of life\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide offers advice on how you can be a reassuring presence, to give a dying person confidence that they will not suffer undue pain, and that ‘everything is going to be all right’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-carers-guide-how-to-take-care-of-yourself-in-stressful-times\"\u003eA Carer's Guide: How to take care of yourself in stressful times\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide explores how stress can affect our body, mind, emotions and spirit, offering ways to combat fatigue and increase resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-carers-guide-how-to-worship-with-a-group-of-residents\"\u003eA Carer's Guide: How to worship with a group of residents\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide shows how even if you’ve never been to church you could still help people to worship and hold your own mini church service with a group of residents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1 x \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/a-carers-guide-how-to-worship-with-individuals-in-your-care\"\u003eA Carer's Guide: How to worship with individuals in your care\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide helps you to listen carefully to someone, and honour that individual, and so make them feel special, unique – that’s spiritual care in a nutshell. Much of this you may already be doing instinctively, but it will help you to reflect on your own life as well.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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{"id":4853345976459,"title":"The Celtic Year: A rhythm of prayer and meditation for the eight points of the Celtic year","handle":"the-celtic-year-a-rhythm-of-prayer-and-meditation-for-the-eight-points-of-the-celtic-year","description":"\u003cp\u003e‘David Cole is a careful, wise and skilful writer and guide.’\u003cbr\u003eThe Revd Canon Professor James Woodward, Principal, Sarum College, Salisbury\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing the ancient rhythm of the Celtic year, these prayers, meditations and liturgies will help you focus on the natural flow of life as it changes around you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the eight points of the Celtic year – the four season changes, and the four midpoints of each season – and moving from winter to spring, summer and harvest, each of the eight sections includes a liturgy for a full service, a week of daily readings, guided contemplations and a selection of prayers and blessings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePreviously a full-time church minister, David Cole is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader, an award-winning author and the Deputy Guardian for the Community of Aidan and Hilda. He is also the founder of Waymark Ministries, which creates opportunities for people to engage with the Christian message.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the Celtic year and reconnecting with the cycles of the earth’s turning in relation to the sun, moon and seasons, David Cole provides a rich diet of biblically based daily devotions which will sustain, challenge and comfort all who follow them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProfessor Ian Bradley, emeritus professor of cultural and spiritual history, University of St Andrews, and author of Following the Celtic Way\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCountless people have long been crying out for a book such as this. It is well researched, beautifully crafted, and will, I think, become a classic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRay Simpson, founding guardian of the International Community of Aidan and Hilda (aidanandhilda.org)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid has provided us with a beautifully crafted, richly resourced and easy-to-use worship book that will enable us to worship our God in tune with the seasons. I felt my heart lifted by the compelling blend of ancient stories of faith, enlivening scriptures, thoughtful reflections and earthy, yet heaven-touching, prayers and blessings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichael Mitton, leader of international Celtic pilgrimages and author of Restoring the Woven Cord\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Celtic Year: A rhythm of prayer and meditation for the eight points of the Celtic year, \u003c\/em\u003eDavid Cole, Abingdon: 2020, 160 pp, £8.99, 9780857469687\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/transformingministrymagazine.co.uk\/the-celtic-year\/\"\u003eonline\u003c\/a\u003e November 2020. Review by Margaret Tinsley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole is well known and respected for the books he has already produced on Celtic Advent, Celtic Saints and Celtic Lent. This new work focuses on the eight points of the Celtic year: the four seasons, and the midpoints of each season. Each of these sections contains an introduction, a liturgy, daily devotions and prayers and blessings. Perhaps, in these uncertain days, like our Celtic forebears, we need to connect more to the cycles of the year and appreciate the flow from samhain, or winter, to imbolc (spring) then to beltane or summer and, finally, lughnasa or lammas, which is autumn. Reading this book is an ideal way to do so, with meaningful and moving liturgies and daily devotions covering a theme for each day of the week, starting with creation on Mondays and leading us through incarnation, the Holy Spirit, community, the cross, the saints to the resurrection or new life. While this carefully researched book is of interest to all readers it is a wonderful resource for those taking services, like Forest Church, which reflect the Celtic tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Margaret Tinsley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrish Methodist Newsletter, autumn 2020. Review by Stephen Skuce.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are people who pray, and one of our ongoing challenges is to find the ways and approaches to prayer that are most helpful to us to both meet with God and hear from God. Many find versions of how our Celtic forebears prayed to be increasingly helpful today, and this is where David Cole’s book comes in. It is an attempt to lay out a pattern or rhythm of prayer to assist us, using the Celtic year as the framework.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celtic year isn’t really that much different to how we understand seasons today. It has a spring, summer, autumn and winter but with one increased emphasis. There are a further four points to the year that relate to the movement of the sun - the two solstices and two equinoxes. On each side of each of these four points there is either a waxing or waning. And so the Celtic year maps a little more overtly onto our usual understanding of the passage of time, which is of course focused on the movement of the earth around the sun in any case. An interesting little quirk is that the Celtic day started at dusk. We might find that strange, but it is the way our Jewish friends still orientate their sabbath and was the way of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is split into 8 chapters with a chapter covering winter, a second chapter the winter solstice and so on through the seasons. Within each chapter there is a liturgy which could be used or adapted for a church service, a seven day rhythm of scripture, reflection and prayer with a short final section of appropriate prayers and blessings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Celtic Christianity the seven days of the week each had a focus. Monday is creation, Tuesday is incarnation, Wednesday is the Holy Spirit, Thursday is community, Friday is the cross, Saturday is the saints and Sunday is the resurrection and new life. Occasionally we misunderstand today what we mean regarding the saints. Today we see those who have gone before us as examples of faith and witness. We mine the life of the Wesley’s and so many others for examples to help us. We do the same with the Celtic heroes and heroines of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winter of 2020 into 2021 is one that will live long with us for the ongoing awfulness of the global pandemic. So I turn to a prayer for springtime to finish and like most Celtic prayers it is natural, realistic and observational. ‘God bless the earth that is beneath us, the growth that is around us, the spring that is before us, your image deep within us’ (p80).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, District Superintendent, the North Western district, the Methodist Church in Ireland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-05-01T16:32:57+01:00","created_at":"2020-05-01T17:00:14+01:00","vendor":"David Cole","type":"Paperback","tags":["Devotional","For individuals","Kindle","Prayer","Sep-20","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":33574966067339,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469687","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"The Celtic Year: A rhythm of prayer and meditation for the eight points of the Celtic year","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":165,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469687","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469687.jpg?v=1597143907"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469687.jpg?v=1597143907","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":10849066942616,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469687.jpg?v=1597143907"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469687.jpg?v=1597143907","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e‘David Cole is a careful, wise and skilful writer and guide.’\u003cbr\u003eThe Revd Canon Professor James Woodward, Principal, Sarum College, Salisbury\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFollowing the ancient rhythm of the Celtic year, these prayers, meditations and liturgies will help you focus on the natural flow of life as it changes around you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the eight points of the Celtic year – the four season changes, and the four midpoints of each season – and moving from winter to spring, summer and harvest, each of the eight sections includes a liturgy for a full service, a week of daily readings, guided contemplations and a selection of prayers and blessings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePreviously a full-time church minister, David Cole is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader, an award-winning author and the Deputy Guardian for the Community of Aidan and Hilda. He is also the founder of Waymark Ministries, which creates opportunities for people to engage with the Christian message.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the Celtic year and reconnecting with the cycles of the earth’s turning in relation to the sun, moon and seasons, David Cole provides a rich diet of biblically based daily devotions which will sustain, challenge and comfort all who follow them.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProfessor Ian Bradley, emeritus professor of cultural and spiritual history, University of St Andrews, and author of Following the Celtic Way\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCountless people have long been crying out for a book such as this. It is well researched, beautifully crafted, and will, I think, become a classic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRay Simpson, founding guardian of the International Community of Aidan and Hilda (aidanandhilda.org)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid has provided us with a beautifully crafted, richly resourced and easy-to-use worship book that will enable us to worship our God in tune with the seasons. I felt my heart lifted by the compelling blend of ancient stories of faith, enlivening scriptures, thoughtful reflections and earthy, yet heaven-touching, prayers and blessings.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichael Mitton, leader of international Celtic pilgrimages and author of Restoring the Woven Cord\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Celtic Year: A rhythm of prayer and meditation for the eight points of the Celtic year, \u003c\/em\u003eDavid Cole, Abingdon: 2020, 160 pp, £8.99, 9780857469687\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/transformingministrymagazine.co.uk\/the-celtic-year\/\"\u003eonline\u003c\/a\u003e November 2020. Review by Margaret Tinsley\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole is well known and respected for the books he has already produced on Celtic Advent, Celtic Saints and Celtic Lent. This new work focuses on the eight points of the Celtic year: the four seasons, and the midpoints of each season. Each of these sections contains an introduction, a liturgy, daily devotions and prayers and blessings. Perhaps, in these uncertain days, like our Celtic forebears, we need to connect more to the cycles of the year and appreciate the flow from samhain, or winter, to imbolc (spring) then to beltane or summer and, finally, lughnasa or lammas, which is autumn. Reading this book is an ideal way to do so, with meaningful and moving liturgies and daily devotions covering a theme for each day of the week, starting with creation on Mondays and leading us through incarnation, the Holy Spirit, community, the cross, the saints to the resurrection or new life. While this carefully researched book is of interest to all readers it is a wonderful resource for those taking services, like Forest Church, which reflect the Celtic tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Margaret Tinsley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrish Methodist Newsletter, autumn 2020. Review by Stephen Skuce.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe are people who pray, and one of our ongoing challenges is to find the ways and approaches to prayer that are most helpful to us to both meet with God and hear from God. Many find versions of how our Celtic forebears prayed to be increasingly helpful today, and this is where David Cole’s book comes in. It is an attempt to lay out a pattern or rhythm of prayer to assist us, using the Celtic year as the framework.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Celtic year isn’t really that much different to how we understand seasons today. It has a spring, summer, autumn and winter but with one increased emphasis. There are a further four points to the year that relate to the movement of the sun - the two solstices and two equinoxes. On each side of each of these four points there is either a waxing or waning. And so the Celtic year maps a little more overtly onto our usual understanding of the passage of time, which is of course focused on the movement of the earth around the sun in any case. An interesting little quirk is that the Celtic day started at dusk. We might find that strange, but it is the way our Jewish friends still orientate their sabbath and was the way of Jesus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is split into 8 chapters with a chapter covering winter, a second chapter the winter solstice and so on through the seasons. Within each chapter there is a liturgy which could be used or adapted for a church service, a seven day rhythm of scripture, reflection and prayer with a short final section of appropriate prayers and blessings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Celtic Christianity the seven days of the week each had a focus. Monday is creation, Tuesday is incarnation, Wednesday is the Holy Spirit, Thursday is community, Friday is the cross, Saturday is the saints and Sunday is the resurrection and new life. Occasionally we misunderstand today what we mean regarding the saints. Today we see those who have gone before us as examples of faith and witness. We mine the life of the Wesley’s and so many others for examples to help us. We do the same with the Celtic heroes and heroines of faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe winter of 2020 into 2021 is one that will live long with us for the ongoing awfulness of the global pandemic. So I turn to a prayer for springtime to finish and like most Celtic prayers it is natural, realistic and observational. ‘God bless the earth that is beneath us, the growth that is around us, the spring that is before us, your image deep within us’ (p80).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Revd Dr Stephen Skuce, District Superintendent, the North Western district, the Methodist Church in Ireland\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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The Celtic Year: A rhythm of prayer and meditation for the eight points of the Celtic year
£8.99
‘David Cole is a careful, wise and skilful writer and guide.’The Revd Canon Professor James Woodward, Principal, Sarum College, SalisburyFollowing...
{"id":3272119222372,"title":"You Are Mine: Daily Bible readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day","handle":"you-are-mine-daily-bible-readings-from-ash-wednesday-to-easter-day","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'Again and again, as I have sought to look into both the scriptures and my own life, I have heard in the silence the one who assures me, ever more strongly, 'You are mine'. My hope and prayer is that you who read it will hear something of the same.'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt this time of Lent, David Walker explores different aspects of human belonging through the medium of scripture and story in order to help us recognise the different ways in which we are God’s beloved. And as we recognise ourselves and our own lives in the narrative of God’s engagement with humanity and his creation, he gently challenges us to engage for God’s sake with God’s world.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDavid Walker is Bishop of Manchester. He is a regular broadcaster on BBC radio, including the Daily Service and Sunday Programme. His interest in Christian belonging has grown from his involvement in the Housing Association movement and his membership of the Franciscan Third Order. He is also the author of God’s Belongers (BRF, 2017).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘This is a wonderful companion for Lent by David Walker. It is short but deep, and engages the reader in both prayer and reflection. A perfect way to explore what it means for all of us to belong to Christ in a challenging world.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJustin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery day during Lent Bishop David Walker invites us to look afresh at a Biblical character or saint. We gain new insights into their lives. He helps us journey through Lent with a deeper knowledge of how much God loves and treasures us. God reminds us ‘You are mine.’ David draws on his experience as an ordinary member of a family and a friend, a theologian and a Bishop. God’s desire is for us to belong to Jesus and to each other.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘I have a great admiration and respect for David Walker. It was so good to read these revealing reflections on the scriptures which he offers in the light of his experience. They are highly accessible while being theologically profound. I hope others will find them as illuminating and inspiring as I did.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Inge, Bishop of Worcester\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘Using Lenten scriptural readings and rooted in his own personal journey, David Walker helps us to recognise the presence and activity of God in our own life, and as a consequence our connectedness and belonging to all God’s creation. This is down-to-earth, sound biblical and pastoral theology, as you would expect from Bishop David.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrother Benedict, Provincial Minister, The Society of St Francis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘In these thoughtful, touching and often candid reflections, David Walker reveals how he learned that we belong to God through other people. In his father, teachers, therapist, wife, parishioners, children and grandchildren, God becomes vividly present to him through fierce love, inspiring intellect, warm hospitality, quiet wisdom – and even the hatred of a suicide bomber’s attack on the city where Walker is much-loved bishop.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Vallely, author of \u003cem\u003ePope Francis: Untying the knots – the struggle for the soul of Catholicism\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘In this remarkable collection of devotions, David Walker combines deeply personal reflections with refreshingly practical observations on the Christian life. The message is humble and clear: in our Lenten battles for our better selves, we belong to God and to one another. This is writing as liberating as it is demanding – full of challenge, comfort and quiet joy.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLoretta Minghella, First Church Estates Commissioner\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online, February 2020. Review by Sue Piper\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis treasure of a Lent book has moved me deeply. David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, has given us a very personal insight into his own journey of faith as well as encouraging us to understand the meaning of scripture as it may relate our own lives. It has been very helpful to link directly with the God we worship and how He makes His presence felt to us, as individuals, each day, in all of our relationships with one another. The language is honest and straightforward, and the Lenten season will be greatly enhanced by our understanding of belonging to God and belonging to one another as family and as community, both locally and globally. There is much material for personal reflection and this book may well lend itself for study group sessions set over a period of time, not necessarily restricted to Lent. The author offers us wisdom, honesty, joy, and understanding. It teaches us to open our hearts with love for not only the chosen scriptures but will encourage us to use Bishop David’s wisdom in our everyday encounters with one another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Sue Piper\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform, February 2020. Review by Jenny Mills\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[In \u003cem\u003eYou Are Mine \u003c\/em\u003eby David Walker] each day there is a Bible text related to the theme of Christian belonging, and a reflection that is both personal and challenging, and both informative and engaging. Walker uses his wealth of faith experience. He opens with: ‘How do we belong with God and with Jesus? And how do our human lives help or hinder us along the way?’ Each day is no more than three pages. This book is relevant for the times in which we live, and addresses current topics as well as reflecting on biblical texts.\u003cem\u003eYou are Mine\u003c\/em\u003e requires setting aside a little more time [than normal Bible reading notes] in order to benefit from its content. I particularly valued the depth of [this book].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eJenny Mills is Minister of Newport Pagnell United Reformed Church and West End United Church, Wolverton, Buckinghamshire\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 17.01.20. Philip Welsh's Lent book roundup 2020 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eYou Are Mine\u003c\/em\u003e, David Walker invites his readers to join him at a popular level in the investigation of Christian belonging which has preoccupied him academically over a number of years. His daily reflections are loosely grouped into belonging with God, and belonging ‘with the people who are closest to us; with the great figures of the Bible and Christian faith; with the wider community and its special places; and with the big celebrations and events of the Christian cycle and human life’ — concluding with the events of Holy Week. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach day starts with a short Bible passage, which acts as a springboard for the notably personal reflections by the author — among other things, drawing on the experiences of his upbringing, of therapy, and of his life as parish priest, as bishop, and as grandfather. The daily prayer highlights the general theme within the individual story. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat emerges is a wise, humane, and generous spirituality. At times, it is a bit more affective than some of us feel comfortable with — producing these reflections is ‘like writing a series of love letters to God’; ‘I can feel the warmth of his smile’ – but there is also a strong and sharp commitment to social issues. He does not seek to shock, but quite often is pleasingly heterodox: he applauds Sunday-afternoon christenings; respects the faith of occasional churchgoers; hates changing the words of hymns; finds his faith encouraged by adherents of other faiths; and is ‘convinced that most politicians go into that work out of a deep and genuine desire to serve their community’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a Lent book for developing daily Bible-reading. It will appeal to those looking for a \u003cem\u003eThought for the Day\u003c\/em\u003e-style piece, linked to scripture, that builds into an attractive picture of Christian life as lived by an engaging representative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Philip Welsh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilding on his previous book, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/gods-belongers-how-people-engage-with-god-today-and-how-the-church-can-help?_pos=3\u0026amp;_sid=3076f9f36\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eGod’s Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, Bishop David Walker takes explores how activities, events, places and people enable us to know that we belong with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book explores what it means to belong with God – note, not belong \u003cem\u003eto\u003c\/em\u003e God but \u003cem\u003ewith\u003c\/em\u003e God. Using daily reflections, the Bishop of Manchester takes us through Lent and in to Holy Week. These weekly themes are interspersed, on Sundays, with thoughts on the Lectionary Gospel reading for the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of the weekday readings follows a particular theme within the overall topic of belonging. Bishop David considers how we belong to the Father and the Son, in relationships with others, and with the saints (primarily figures in the Old and New Testament but also Francis of Assisi and Ignatius Loyola). He also turns his attention to complex issues in the society in which we belong and the importance of celebrations and festivals such as Christmas and christenings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author acknowledges early on that he reveals more about his own faith and challenges than in anything else he has written and indeed there is a significant degree of autobiography contained in the book’s pages. Reading \u003cem\u003eYou Are Mine\u003c\/em\u003e with that context in mind will enable individual readers to do so in a way they find personally helpful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this reviewer, this is a book which clergy and those in paid ministry would find especially helpful. It offers some of David Walker’s own experience of the joys, frustrations and practicalities of ‘parish life’ as well as thought-provoking ideas about how churches can enable people, whether inside or outside their walls, to feel they belong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Holy Week, Bishop David takes what might be called a more ‘traditional’ Lent book approach. Following the events of the most important week in the year, he offers valuable comments and interpretations, old and new. In doing so, the book concludes on the strongest of notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost is the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-03-16T16:01:44+00:00","created_at":"2019-04-08T11:49:34+01:00","vendor":"David Walker","type":"Paperback","tags":["Lent","Nov-19"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":26428169683044,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467584","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"You Are Mine: Daily Bible readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467584","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467584-l.jpg?v=1554720628"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467584-l.jpg?v=1554720628","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3264873332875,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467584-l.jpg?v=1570103263"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467584-l.jpg?v=1570103263","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e'Again and again, as I have sought to look into both the scriptures and my own life, I have heard in the silence the one who assures me, ever more strongly, 'You are mine'. My hope and prayer is that you who read it will hear something of the same.'\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt this time of Lent, David Walker explores different aspects of human belonging through the medium of scripture and story in order to help us recognise the different ways in which we are God’s beloved. And as we recognise ourselves and our own lives in the narrative of God’s engagement with humanity and his creation, he gently challenges us to engage for God’s sake with God’s world.\u003c\/span\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor information\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDavid Walker is Bishop of Manchester. He is a regular broadcaster on BBC radio, including the Daily Service and Sunday Programme. His interest in Christian belonging has grown from his involvement in the Housing Association movement and his membership of the Franciscan Third Order. He is also the author of God’s Belongers (BRF, 2017).\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘This is a wonderful companion for Lent by David Walker. It is short but deep, and engages the reader in both prayer and reflection. A perfect way to explore what it means for all of us to belong to Christ in a challenging world.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJustin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery day during Lent Bishop David Walker invites us to look afresh at a Biblical character or saint. We gain new insights into their lives. He helps us journey through Lent with a deeper knowledge of how much God loves and treasures us. God reminds us ‘You are mine.’ David draws on his experience as an ordinary member of a family and a friend, a theologian and a Bishop. God’s desire is for us to belong to Jesus and to each other.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e‘I have a great admiration and respect for David Walker. It was so good to read these revealing reflections on the scriptures which he offers in the light of his experience. They are highly accessible while being theologically profound. I hope others will find them as illuminating and inspiring as I did.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Inge, Bishop of Worcester\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘Using Lenten scriptural readings and rooted in his own personal journey, David Walker helps us to recognise the presence and activity of God in our own life, and as a consequence our connectedness and belonging to all God’s creation. This is down-to-earth, sound biblical and pastoral theology, as you would expect from Bishop David.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrother Benedict, Provincial Minister, The Society of St Francis\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘In these thoughtful, touching and often candid reflections, David Walker reveals how he learned that we belong to God through other people. In his father, teachers, therapist, wife, parishioners, children and grandchildren, God becomes vividly present to him through fierce love, inspiring intellect, warm hospitality, quiet wisdom – and even the hatred of a suicide bomber’s attack on the city where Walker is much-loved bishop.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Vallely, author of \u003cem\u003ePope Francis: Untying the knots – the struggle for the soul of Catholicism\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e‘In this remarkable collection of devotions, David Walker combines deeply personal reflections with refreshingly practical observations on the Christian life. The message is humble and clear: in our Lenten battles for our better selves, we belong to God and to one another. This is writing as liberating as it is demanding – full of challenge, comfort and quiet joy.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLoretta Minghella, First Church Estates Commissioner\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTransforming Ministry online, February 2020. Review by Sue Piper\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis treasure of a Lent book has moved me deeply. David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, has given us a very personal insight into his own journey of faith as well as encouraging us to understand the meaning of scripture as it may relate our own lives. It has been very helpful to link directly with the God we worship and how He makes His presence felt to us, as individuals, each day, in all of our relationships with one another. The language is honest and straightforward, and the Lenten season will be greatly enhanced by our understanding of belonging to God and belonging to one another as family and as community, both locally and globally. There is much material for personal reflection and this book may well lend itself for study group sessions set over a period of time, not necessarily restricted to Lent. The author offers us wisdom, honesty, joy, and understanding. It teaches us to open our hearts with love for not only the chosen scriptures but will encourage us to use Bishop David’s wisdom in our everyday encounters with one another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Sue Piper\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReform, February 2020. Review by Jenny Mills\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[In \u003cem\u003eYou Are Mine \u003c\/em\u003eby David Walker] each day there is a Bible text related to the theme of Christian belonging, and a reflection that is both personal and challenging, and both informative and engaging. Walker uses his wealth of faith experience. He opens with: ‘How do we belong with God and with Jesus? And how do our human lives help or hinder us along the way?’ Each day is no more than three pages. This book is relevant for the times in which we live, and addresses current topics as well as reflecting on biblical texts.\u003cem\u003eYou are Mine\u003c\/em\u003e requires setting aside a little more time [than normal Bible reading notes] in order to benefit from its content. I particularly valued the depth of [this book].\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eJenny Mills is Minister of Newport Pagnell United Reformed Church and West End United Church, Wolverton, Buckinghamshire\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch Times 17.01.20. Philip Welsh's Lent book roundup 2020 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003cem\u003eYou Are Mine\u003c\/em\u003e, David Walker invites his readers to join him at a popular level in the investigation of Christian belonging which has preoccupied him academically over a number of years. His daily reflections are loosely grouped into belonging with God, and belonging ‘with the people who are closest to us; with the great figures of the Bible and Christian faith; with the wider community and its special places; and with the big celebrations and events of the Christian cycle and human life’ — concluding with the events of Holy Week. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach day starts with a short Bible passage, which acts as a springboard for the notably personal reflections by the author — among other things, drawing on the experiences of his upbringing, of therapy, and of his life as parish priest, as bishop, and as grandfather. The daily prayer highlights the general theme within the individual story. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat emerges is a wise, humane, and generous spirituality. At times, it is a bit more affective than some of us feel comfortable with — producing these reflections is ‘like writing a series of love letters to God’; ‘I can feel the warmth of his smile’ – but there is also a strong and sharp commitment to social issues. He does not seek to shock, but quite often is pleasingly heterodox: he applauds Sunday-afternoon christenings; respects the faith of occasional churchgoers; hates changing the words of hymns; finds his faith encouraged by adherents of other faiths; and is ‘convinced that most politicians go into that work out of a deep and genuine desire to serve their community’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not a Lent book for developing daily Bible-reading. It will appeal to those looking for a \u003cem\u003eThought for the Day\u003c\/em\u003e-style piece, linked to scripture, that builds into an attractive picture of Christian life as lived by an engaging representative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Philip Welsh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReviewed by Richard Frost\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuilding on his previous book, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/gods-belongers-how-people-engage-with-god-today-and-how-the-church-can-help?_pos=3\u0026amp;_sid=3076f9f36\u0026amp;_ss=r\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eGod’s Belongers\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, Bishop David Walker takes explores how activities, events, places and people enable us to know that we belong with God.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book explores what it means to belong with God – note, not belong \u003cem\u003eto\u003c\/em\u003e God but \u003cem\u003ewith\u003c\/em\u003e God. Using daily reflections, the Bishop of Manchester takes us through Lent and in to Holy Week. These weekly themes are interspersed, on Sundays, with thoughts on the Lectionary Gospel reading for the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of the weekday readings follows a particular theme within the overall topic of belonging. Bishop David considers how we belong to the Father and the Son, in relationships with others, and with the saints (primarily figures in the Old and New Testament but also Francis of Assisi and Ignatius Loyola). He also turns his attention to complex issues in the society in which we belong and the importance of celebrations and festivals such as Christmas and christenings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe author acknowledges early on that he reveals more about his own faith and challenges than in anything else he has written and indeed there is a significant degree of autobiography contained in the book’s pages. Reading \u003cem\u003eYou Are Mine\u003c\/em\u003e with that context in mind will enable individual readers to do so in a way they find personally helpful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor this reviewer, this is a book which clergy and those in paid ministry would find especially helpful. It offers some of David Walker’s own experience of the joys, frustrations and practicalities of ‘parish life’ as well as thought-provoking ideas about how churches can enable people, whether inside or outside their walls, to feel they belong.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor Holy Week, Bishop David takes what might be called a more ‘traditional’ Lent book approach. Following the events of the most important week in the year, he offers valuable comments and interpretations, old and new. In doing so, the book concludes on the strongest of notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRichard Frost is the author of \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.brfonline.org.uk\/products\/life-with-st-benedict-the-rule-re-imagined-for-everyday-living\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eLife with St Benedict\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e and writes a blog at \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/workrestpray.com\/\"\u003eworkrestpray.com\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e"}
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You Are Mine: Daily Bible readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day
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{"id":2852730175588,"title":"Celtic Advent: 40 days of devotions to Christmas","handle":"celtic-advent-40-days-of-devotions-to-christmas","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis inspirational book takes the reader through Advent to the celebration of Christmas through the eyes and beliefs of Celtic Christianity. Starting in November and reflecting on Jesus' coming at his birth as well as into our lives by the Holy Spirit and at the world's end, the author offers a unique approach to the season to help you gain a new sense of wonder in the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your pre-Christmas season has become too hectic (and whose isn't?), this book is a must. A brilliant tool to help us rediscover Advent, to reflect daily, personally, spiritually, and to learn abundantly from a truly inspired and dedicated author. Whether you're familiar with Celtic Christianity or it's never crossed your path, if you're a seeker of wisdom, peace and a fresh approach to seasonal contemplation, this book will be your constant companion through Advent. An inspirational read. Buy it, read it, and I'm sure you'll have a more peaceful Christmas.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Paul Kerensa, writer and comedian \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful book is clear. It is holy. It begins with the concept of Advent and ends with the celebration of Christmas. In between it spends three ten day periods exploring Christ's first coming, his present coming into our lives and his future coming. If you pay attention to each day's reflections you will become part of a life-changing Advent adventure and Christmas will become part of you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Ray Simpson, Founding Guardian of the international Community of Aidan and Hilda \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole has provided us with a thoughtful and enlivening guide book as we make our way through the season of Advent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Michael Mitton, author of 'Restoring the Woven Cord' and 'Seasoned by Seasons'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePreviously a full-time church minister, David Cole is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader, an award-winning author and the Deputy Guardian for the Community of Aidan and Hilda. He is also the founder of Waymark Ministries, which creates opportunities for people to engage with the Christian message. He has written \u003ca href=\"\/products\/40-days-with-the-celtic-saints-devotional-readings-for-a-time-of-preparation\" title=\"40 Day with the Celtic Saints\"\u003e40 Days with the Celtic Saints\u003c\/a\u003e (BRF, 2017).\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2019-02-20T10:50:38+00:00","created_at":"2019-02-20T10:51:42+00:00","vendor":"David Cole","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","Kindle","Torch Trust"],"price":899,"price_min":899,"price_max":899,"available":false,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":24422212665444,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467447","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":false,"name":"Celtic Advent: 40 days of devotions to Christmas - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":167,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467447","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467447-l.jpg?v=1550659913"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467447-l.jpg?v=1550659913","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3259438858379,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"width":426,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467447-l.jpg?v=1570102191"},"aspect_ratio":0.655,"height":650,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467447-l.jpg?v=1570102191","width":426}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eThis inspirational book takes the reader through Advent to the celebration of Christmas through the eyes and beliefs of Celtic Christianity. Starting in November and reflecting on Jesus' coming at his birth as well as into our lives by the Holy Spirit and at the world's end, the author offers a unique approach to the season to help you gain a new sense of wonder in the birth of Jesus, the Saviour of the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your pre-Christmas season has become too hectic (and whose isn't?), this book is a must. A brilliant tool to help us rediscover Advent, to reflect daily, personally, spiritually, and to learn abundantly from a truly inspired and dedicated author. Whether you're familiar with Celtic Christianity or it's never crossed your path, if you're a seeker of wisdom, peace and a fresh approach to seasonal contemplation, this book will be your constant companion through Advent. An inspirational read. Buy it, read it, and I'm sure you'll have a more peaceful Christmas.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Paul Kerensa, writer and comedian \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis beautiful book is clear. It is holy. It begins with the concept of Advent and ends with the celebration of Christmas. In between it spends three ten day periods exploring Christ's first coming, his present coming into our lives and his future coming. If you pay attention to each day's reflections you will become part of a life-changing Advent adventure and Christmas will become part of you.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Ray Simpson, Founding Guardian of the international Community of Aidan and Hilda \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDavid Cole has provided us with a thoughtful and enlivening guide book as we make our way through the season of Advent.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e Michael Mitton, author of 'Restoring the Woven Cord' and 'Seasoned by Seasons'\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePreviously a full-time church minister, David Cole is an international spiritual teacher and retreat leader, an award-winning author and the Deputy Guardian for the Community of Aidan and Hilda. He is also the founder of Waymark Ministries, which creates opportunities for people to engage with the Christian message. He has written \u003ca href=\"\/products\/40-days-with-the-celtic-saints-devotional-readings-for-a-time-of-preparation\" title=\"40 Day with the Celtic Saints\"\u003e40 Days with the Celtic Saints\u003c\/a\u003e (BRF, 2017).\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Celtic Advent: 40 days of devotions to Christmas
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This inspirational book takes the reader through Advent to the celebration of Christmas through the eyes and beliefs of Celtic...
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{"id":3945914892382,"title":"New Daylight May-August 2020: Sustaining your daily journey with the Bible","handle":"new-daylight-may-august-2020-sustaining-your-daily-journey-with-the-bible","description":"\u003cp\u003eNew Daylight offers four months of daily Bible reading and reflection for everybody who wants to go deeper with God. It is ideal for those looking for a fresh approach to regular Bible study, and offers a talented team of contributors who present a Bible passage (text included), helpful comment and a prayer or thought for the day ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e","published_at":"2019-08-14T10:57:24+01:00","created_at":"2019-08-14T10:57:24+01:00","vendor":"Sally Welch","type":"Paperback","tags":["Bible reading notes","Mar-20","New Daylight","Prints"],"price":470,"price_min":470,"price_max":470,"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":29436601106526,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469014","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"New Daylight May-August 2020: Sustaining your daily journey with the Bible - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":470,"weight":107,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469014","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469014_1169097d-61c9-4f9e-a07b-9c8a7535ad6e.jpg?v=1569234863"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469014_1169097d-61c9-4f9e-a07b-9c8a7535ad6e.jpg?v=1569234863","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":1514675273867,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.718,"height":1392,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469014_1169097d-61c9-4f9e-a07b-9c8a7535ad6e.jpg?v=1569234863"},"aspect_ratio":0.718,"height":1392,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469014_1169097d-61c9-4f9e-a07b-9c8a7535ad6e.jpg?v=1569234863","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eNew Daylight offers four months of daily Bible reading and reflection for everybody who wants to go deeper with God. It is ideal for those looking for a fresh approach to regular Bible study, and offers a talented team of contributors who present a Bible passage (text included), helpful comment and a prayer or thought for the day ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e"}
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{"id":4853391294603,"title":"Journeying through Advent with New Daylight: Daily Bible readings and group study material","handle":"journeying-through-advent-with-new-daylight-daily-bible-readings-and-group-study-material","description":"\u003cp\u003eFive weeks of Advent material for church groups and individuals, offering themed reflections by well-loved contributors from the New Daylight archive alongside specially written questions for group discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeek 1: The Advent antiphons – David Winter\u003cbr\u003eWeek 2: 2 and 3 John – Steve Aisthorpe\u003cbr\u003eWeek 3: Light in the darkness – Amy Boucher Pye\u003cbr\u003eWeek 4: Word incarnate: John 1:1–18 – Andy John\u003cbr\u003eWeek 5: Psalms of hope – Margaret Cundiff\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith an introduction by New Daylight editor Sally Welch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSally Welch is the editor of BRF's New Daylight Bible reading notes. She is Vicar of Charlbury with Shorthampton and Area Dean of Chipping Norton in the Diocese of Oxford. A writer and lecturer on spirituality, she is particularly interested in pilgrimage and labyrinth and has made many pilgrimages both in England and Europe.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-05-04T14:33:40+01:00","created_at":"2020-05-01T17:13:21+01:00","vendor":"Sally Welch","type":"Paperback","tags":["Advent","Group reading","New Daylight","Sep-20"],"price":299,"price_min":299,"price_max":299,"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":33575118340235,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469670","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Journeying through Advent with New Daylight: Daily Bible readings and group study material","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":299,"weight":90,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469670","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469670.jpg?v=1588600163"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469670.jpg?v=1588600163","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":7711886114955,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.718,"height":1392,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469670.jpg?v=1588600163"},"aspect_ratio":0.718,"height":1392,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469670.jpg?v=1588600163","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eFive weeks of Advent material for church groups and individuals, offering themed reflections by well-loved contributors from the New Daylight archive alongside specially written questions for group discussion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWeek 1: The Advent antiphons – David Winter\u003cbr\u003eWeek 2: 2 and 3 John – Steve Aisthorpe\u003cbr\u003eWeek 3: Light in the darkness – Amy Boucher Pye\u003cbr\u003eWeek 4: Word incarnate: John 1:1–18 – Andy John\u003cbr\u003eWeek 5: Psalms of hope – Margaret Cundiff\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith an introduction by New Daylight editor Sally Welch.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSally Welch is the editor of BRF's New Daylight Bible reading notes. She is Vicar of Charlbury with Shorthampton and Area Dean of Chipping Norton in the Diocese of Oxford. A writer and lecturer on spirituality, she is particularly interested in pilgrimage and labyrinth and has made many pilgrimages both in England and Europe.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Five weeks of Advent material for church groups and individuals, offering themed reflections by well-loved contributors from the New Daylight...
{"id":4163033366667,"title":"Franciscan Footprints: Following Christ in the ways of Francis and Clare","handle":"franciscan-footprints-following-christ-in-the-ways-of-francis-and-clare","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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 is an Anglican Franciscan sister and a priest, currently serving her community as Minister General. She has written three books for BRF and is 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\u003eTo 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\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":"2019-09-25T12:16:12+01:00","created_at":"2019-09-25T12:16:12+01:00","vendor":"Helen Julian","type":"Paperback","tags":["Apr-20","For individuals","Kindle","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":30263391060107,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468116","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Franciscan Footprints: Following Christ in the ways of Francis and Clare","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":899,"weight":200,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468116","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468116.jpg?v=1569410256"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468116.jpg?v=1569410256","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":2274533965963,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468116.jpg?v=1569410256"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468116.jpg?v=1569410256","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\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 is an Anglican Franciscan sister and a priest, currently serving her community as Minister General. She has written three books for BRF and is 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\u003eTo 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\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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There are many ways of following Christ – each footprint is unique. One of these, the Franciscan spiritual journey, has...
{"id":4853409153163,"title":"Seven Sacred Spaces: Portals to deeper community life in Christ","handle":"seven-sacred-spaces-portals-to-deeper-community-life-in-christ","description":"\u003cp\u003eToo often people’s understanding of and engagement with ‘church’ is reduced to corporate worship, when it is so much more. George Lings identifies seven characteristic elements in Christian communities through the ages, which when held in balance enable a richer expression of discipleship, mission and community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the monastic tradition these elements have distinctive locations: cell (being alone with God), chapel (corporate public worship), chapter (making decisions), cloister (planned and surprising meetings), garden (the place of work), refectory (food and hospitality) and scriptorium (study and passing on knowledge). Through this lens George Lings explores how these seven elements relate to our individual and communal walk with God, hold good for church and family life, and appear in wider society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHear more from George Lings in an interview with Fresh Expressions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe style=\"border: none; overflow: hidden;\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffreshexpression%2Fvideos%2F980536085782965%2F\u0026amp;show_text=0\u0026amp;width=560\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowtransparency=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCanon Dr George Lings has been a banker, student, vicar, writer, mentor and researcher. From 1997 to 2017 he led Church Army’s Research Unit specialising in fresh expressions of church and gaining a PhD. In 2017 he was awarded the Canterbury Cross for outstanding service to the Church of England. He now serves as a companion of Northumbria Community, vice-president of The Bible Reading Fellowship and consultant to a number of individuals and dioceses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn weaving together ancient monastic wisdom, fresh insights from contemporary developments and the author’s rich experiences of the adventure of faith, Seven Sacred Spaces provides a valuable, timely and practical resource for all on the Jesus Way.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve Aisthorpe, author of The Invisible Church and mission development worker for the Church of Scotland\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book is knowledgeable, quirky and inspirational. The seven sacred spaces are drawn from their monastic roots to provide a framework for discipleship, Christian community and wider human well-being. As someone who has long inhabited the seven sacred spaces in his own discipleship, George Lings enthuses about their potential, illustrating it from the experience of a variety of contemporary expressions of church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSally Gaze, archdeacon for rural mission and leader of the Lightwave Community, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeorge Lings is a radical, one who believes that we should explore the deep roots of faith if we are to live well. Seven Sacred Spaces distils the wisdom of decades of looking, listening, reflecting. Read it if you want to be a deep-rooted Christian today. I recommend it very, very highly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere we are presented with the challenging proposal that the rhythm of monastic life with its seven sacred spaces – refectory, cell, scriptorium, chapel, garden, cloister and chapter – does not need to be confined to the monastery. Rather it can shape and enrich the lives of men and women of all ages and in all states of life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSister Frances Dominica OBE, DL, founder of the first children’s hospice, Helen House\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book drew me into a world of monastic spaces and monastic practices. Exploring these seven spaces, with current and historic examples, helped me to reflect on the value of these distinctive modes and ways of being church. I highly recommend Seven Sacred Spaces to those who are interested in finding out more about monasticism and those imagining how church can develop alongside and beyond the Sunday service. It has certainly helped me to imagine how these spaces and practices could enhance discipleship, community and mission within my own context of a suburban parish church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Beth Keith, Associate Vicar, All Saints Ecclesall Sheffield\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeorge Lings is as perceptive and prophetic as ever, as he explores what the ancient idea of the seven sacred spaces means for us today. Much of this exploration comes out of George’s own experience and is all the richer for this. Whether you are thinking about your own life or your church community, this book is worth reading. There is a wealth of practical experience in this book which can bring change and transformation for you and your church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dave Male, director of evangelism and discipleship, Church of England\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn his typical thorough, imaginative and fair way, George Lings explores some essential disciplines from the ancient life and witness of the monastery, and he demonstrates how a grasp of these can radically affect how we live and witness for Christ in today’s culture. Anyone reading this will be inspired and challenged by reading George’s fascinating study of each of these sacred spaces.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanon Michael Mitton, writer, speaker, spiritual director, and canon emeritus at Derby Cathedral\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur church and other ecclesial physical spaces are a crucial resource that we are once again beginning to value in our increasingly post-secular, post-Christendom context. I unreservedly recommend this book that draws on the story and purposes of Christians committed to radical community and Christian discipleship to reimagine church and church buildings for the reality of mission and ministry for today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIan Mobsby, assistant dean for fresh expressions in the Diocese of Southwark, guardian of the New Monastic Society of the Holy Trinity, and interim pioneer rector at Christ Church Southwark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-05-01T16:32:57+01:00","created_at":"2020-05-01T17:19:13+01:00","vendor":"George Lings","type":"Paperback","tags":["Group reading","Kindle","Leadership","Sep-20","Spirituality"],"price":1099,"price_min":1099,"price_max":1099,"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":33575180533899,"title":"Default Title","option1":"Default Title","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469342","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Seven Sacred Spaces: Portals to deeper community life in Christ","public_title":null,"options":["Default Title"],"price":1099,"weight":260,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469342","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469342.jpg?v=1588349955"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469342.jpg?v=1588349955","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":7670218981515,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469342.jpg?v=1588349955"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469342.jpg?v=1588349955","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eToo often people’s understanding of and engagement with ‘church’ is reduced to corporate worship, when it is so much more. George Lings identifies seven characteristic elements in Christian communities through the ages, which when held in balance enable a richer expression of discipleship, mission and community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the monastic tradition these elements have distinctive locations: cell (being alone with God), chapel (corporate public worship), chapter (making decisions), cloister (planned and surprising meetings), garden (the place of work), refectory (food and hospitality) and scriptorium (study and passing on knowledge). Through this lens George Lings explores how these seven elements relate to our individual and communal walk with God, hold good for church and family life, and appear in wider society.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHear more from George Lings in an interview with Fresh Expressions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ciframe style=\"border: none; overflow: hidden;\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Ffreshexpression%2Fvideos%2F980536085782965%2F\u0026amp;show_text=0\u0026amp;width=560\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowtransparency=\"true\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCanon Dr George Lings has been a banker, student, vicar, writer, mentor and researcher. From 1997 to 2017 he led Church Army’s Research Unit specialising in fresh expressions of church and gaining a PhD. In 2017 he was awarded the Canterbury Cross for outstanding service to the Church of England. He now serves as a companion of Northumbria Community, vice-president of The Bible Reading Fellowship and consultant to a number of individuals and dioceses.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn weaving together ancient monastic wisdom, fresh insights from contemporary developments and the author’s rich experiences of the adventure of faith, Seven Sacred Spaces provides a valuable, timely and practical resource for all on the Jesus Way.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteve Aisthorpe, author of The Invisible Church and mission development worker for the Church of Scotland\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book is knowledgeable, quirky and inspirational. The seven sacred spaces are drawn from their monastic roots to provide a framework for discipleship, Christian community and wider human well-being. As someone who has long inhabited the seven sacred spaces in his own discipleship, George Lings enthuses about their potential, illustrating it from the experience of a variety of contemporary expressions of church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSally Gaze, archdeacon for rural mission and leader of the Lightwave Community, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeorge Lings is a radical, one who believes that we should explore the deep roots of faith if we are to live well. Seven Sacred Spaces distils the wisdom of decades of looking, listening, reflecting. Read it if you want to be a deep-rooted Christian today. I recommend it very, very highly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHere we are presented with the challenging proposal that the rhythm of monastic life with its seven sacred spaces – refectory, cell, scriptorium, chapel, garden, cloister and chapter – does not need to be confined to the monastery. Rather it can shape and enrich the lives of men and women of all ages and in all states of life.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSister Frances Dominica OBE, DL, founder of the first children’s hospice, Helen House\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis book drew me into a world of monastic spaces and monastic practices. Exploring these seven spaces, with current and historic examples, helped me to reflect on the value of these distinctive modes and ways of being church. I highly recommend Seven Sacred Spaces to those who are interested in finding out more about monasticism and those imagining how church can develop alongside and beyond the Sunday service. It has certainly helped me to imagine how these spaces and practices could enhance discipleship, community and mission within my own context of a suburban parish church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dr Beth Keith, Associate Vicar, All Saints Ecclesall Sheffield\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGeorge Lings is as perceptive and prophetic as ever, as he explores what the ancient idea of the seven sacred spaces means for us today. Much of this exploration comes out of George’s own experience and is all the richer for this. Whether you are thinking about your own life or your church community, this book is worth reading. There is a wealth of practical experience in this book which can bring change and transformation for you and your church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRevd Dave Male, director of evangelism and discipleship, Church of England\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn his typical thorough, imaginative and fair way, George Lings explores some essential disciplines from the ancient life and witness of the monastery, and he demonstrates how a grasp of these can radically affect how we live and witness for Christ in today’s culture. Anyone reading this will be inspired and challenged by reading George’s fascinating study of each of these sacred spaces.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCanon Michael Mitton, writer, speaker, spiritual director, and canon emeritus at Derby Cathedral\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOur church and other ecclesial physical spaces are a crucial resource that we are once again beginning to value in our increasingly post-secular, post-Christendom context. I unreservedly recommend this book that draws on the story and purposes of Christians committed to radical community and Christian discipleship to reimagine church and church buildings for the reality of mission and ministry for today.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIan Mobsby, assistant dean for fresh expressions in the Diocese of Southwark, guardian of the New Monastic Society of the Holy Trinity, and interim pioneer rector at Christ Church Southwark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Seven Sacred Spaces: Portals to deeper community life in Christ
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Too often people’s understanding of and engagement with ‘church’ is reduced to corporate worship, when it is so much more....
{"id":2439828045924,"title":"Resilience in Life and Faith: Finding your strength in God","handle":"resilience-in-life-and-faith-finding-your-strength-in-god","description":"\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker encourage us to develop our resilience and to prepare ourselves for the challenges that life throws at us in an increasingly difficult world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough biblical wisdom and psychological insight, they show us how to understand ourselves better, appreciate our areas of strength and strengthen our areas of weakness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead this book if you want a faith that persists to the finishing line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a freelance trainer and associate trainer with EQUIP, a missions programme based near Doncaster. He is an elder of his local church in West Yorkshire and regularly travels abroad leading retreats and Quiet Days. His other books include Spiritual Growth in a Time of Change (BRF, 2016). He also contributes to BRF's New Daylight Bible reading notes. Dr Debbie Hawker is a psychologist based in Nottingham with a global reputation as a specialist in debriefing and trauma counselling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Dr. Laura Mae Gardner,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e f\u003c\/span\u003eormer International Vice President for Personnel for Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. Author of \u003cem\u003eHealthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry. \u003c\/em\u003eMay 2020\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI just finished reading this wonderful book and am strongly impacted by it. It gives sound practical concepts by two very qualified and experienced mission workers who have worldwide awareness. I know these authors and highly respect them. They have given us an immensely useful tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book includes spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive, social and systemic aspects of resilience. Resilience is illustrated by the lives of Biblical characters—Nehemiah, Elijah, David, Joseph, Paul, Jesus and women as well as men.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strengths of the book are its Biblical anchoring and its practicality. It is comprehensive and clear. It will be a great resource for pastors, church and organisational leaders as well as individuals in the work force. The book will be a guide for all who have personnel and administrative oversight of workers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Resilience Scale at the end of the book is an excellent self evaluation instrument. It is followed by a faith-based creed, a simple but powerful personal commitment. This book will have a ministry-wide impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dr. Laura Mae Gardner, Former International Vice President for Personnel for Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. Author of 'Healthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry'.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Autumn 2019. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe assertion on the back of this book - ‘Read this if you want a faith that persists to the finishing line – develop resilience and prepare for the challenges life throws at us’ sums up the authors’ intention. Does it do what it says on the cover? Debbie Hawker, a clinical psychologist, introduces the subject and contributes chapters on the psychological aspects of resilience using a model of resilience under the following domains: spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive and creative, and finally social and systemic. Tony Horsfall, a trainer and retreat leader, provides studies of biblical characters illustrating each aspect considered. Each of the 15 short chapters concludes with some questions. Finally there are two appendices – a self-assessment ‘Resilience Rating Scale’ using their model, and then a ‘Resilience Creed’, using scriptural truths to strengthen faith during times of hardship. For those of an investigative nature, 145 annotated references are cited. It is a readable book; I found several nuggets amidst the many referenced opinions and conclusions. In summary, the book should interest Readers keen to investigate and develop the psychological aspects of their faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch of England Newspaper, July 2019. Review by Carol Turner\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn today’s world where so much is ‘instant’ and it is easy to give up and move onto the next thing, resilience seems to be in short supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Christians, Tony Horsfall says, we should fix our eyes on Jesus and keep going. Resilience is what this short paperback is all about and I was amazed at how much is contained in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two authors have collaborated well and the chapters really flow together to form one whole. The combination of the authors’ experience in pastoral work, psychology and mission serve to give the book’s content a real depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book focuses on the spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive \u0026amp; creative and social \u0026amp; systemic aspects of resilience. Of them all as is stated (p167) spiritual resilience is the key and all aspects return to that; the spiritual is not able to be divorced from the rest of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe format of the book is excellent; the components of resilience are outlined and then applied to the lives of Biblical characters, and for us as Christians today. Practical suggestions are given as to how we can apply the teaching in today’s world. Of further benefit are the questions at the end of each chapter: these are challenging but do not result in readers being ‘put down, there are no wrong answers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is well written and easy to read and understand, and will benefit the lay reader and those with more theological knowledge. I fully intend to re read this book, there is so much to recommend and it gives much food for thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Carol Turner, midwife with 20 years' experience in Morocco, Sudan, Afghanistan \u0026amp; Burkina Faso. Member of church leadership team in UK.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Tim Herbert, Director, SYZYGY Missions Support Network\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker have combined their unique talents to produce this new resource. As one would expect from two authors with excellent track records, it does not disappoint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDefining resilience not as merely 'bouncing back' (as I so often have done!) but helpfully quoting a variety of authors to demonstrate that the status quo in our lives may not be restored after a trauma, though what we learned in the process changes us for the better, they have come up with their own model for understanding the different facets of life which impact upon our ability. They call it 'SPECS' and I will not explain that here so that I don't have a negative impact on their book sales! Suffice to say it considers all aspects of our human being to ensure we have a complete awareness of how to balance our lives well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters explore each of these facets in turn, first the psychology (Debbie) and then a character study from the Bible (Tony). This useful pairing means that the theory, presented simply enough for the amateur to understand but deeply enough to be helpful and authoritative, is balanced with lived-out practice, which is thoughtfully and interestingly brought to us. Each chapter closes with helpful questions for reflection, which gives the book the feel more of a devotional rather than a textbook, usefully bringing together two genres. At the end is a quick but effective self-assessment to highlight the reader's current life practice and how it affects each facet of their resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReading this book I felt better informed about resilience, and inspired to maintain it. I commend this resource to practitioners of pastoral care for whom it is an invaluable addition to the bookshelf, and to all Christians who will find information to help them thrive in their daily lives'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Tim Herbert, Director, SYZYGY Missions Support Network\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Phil Jolley of ECMI\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a practical and helpful book dealing with different aspects to help develop resilience alongside snapshots of characters from the Bible that illustrates those aspects at work. The material that is presented covers building resilience in the areas of the spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive and creative, social and systemic (SPECS) parts of our lives and then illustrates those through the biblical record of characters like Nehemiah, Elijah, David, Joseph, the early disciples and Jesus himself. A whole chapter is devoted to resilient women in the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rev_body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuestions at the end of each chapter help to move it on from merely information transfer to active engagement and application for one’s own life and at the end there is a personal resilience rating scale to help the reader assess their own level of resilience, as well as a resilience “creed” that is both challenging and inspirational and could be used in a church or group setting. Overall, the book is pitched at a level that any reader looking for help in dealing with life’s normal as well as extreme challenges will be able to respond to with gratitude for the insights and practical counsel given.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI could do worse than sum up the central message of the book through a quotation that the authors have added from Tim Herbert: “How do we develop these deep roots? To use a sapling as an analogy, trees develop deep roots by going through hardship… We know that we need to stake a young tree to stop it blowing over in the first place, but… if we stake it too tightly, it… will not develop deep roots. Only if it is allowed to wave in the wind will its roots go deeper in the ground to provide more stability. The more it shakes, the further the roots will go seeking rocks to hang on to. For us, those rocks are God and the great truths of our salvation.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"blogpost_authorbio\" class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Phil Jolley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003ePhil Jolley works for European Christian Mission International. Previously based in Spain, he now works in the International office as Director of Finance and Administration\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA very personal reader review. Name supplied.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a book suitable for all different types of people: professionals, people with health issues or challenges in any sphere of their lives, and useful to people of other faiths or none. For an understanding of the psychology of resilience beyond its use as a ‘buzzword’ see the first chapter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCo-written in alternate chapters by a Christian clinical psychologist and a prolific Christian writer and theologian, it is based on a Biblical perspective of resilience, seeking to show that being resilient in the Bible sense does not mean being unflawed, just being willing to persevere and learn lessons from great hardship instead of becoming ‘hardened’ and not giving up!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing as an approach a model called ‘SPECS’ (standing for Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Cognitive \u0026amp; Creative and Social \u0026amp; Systemic) the book helps identify key areas in each of these fields in which to grow in resilience and give oneself ‘margin’ and time to enable the change to take place and ‘take root’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow to become more personally specific. I was feeling quite low and not at all ‘bouncy’ when I did the questionnaire at the back of the book and to my surprise, given that I was coping with a very recent Autistic Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, I found that in the sphere of spiritual resilience my ‘score’ was surprisingly high. This is down to a very good family, friends and faith (i.e. Church) support network. It cheered me up just to realise I was not at the ‘bottom of the chart’ when taking all five areas into consideration, but ‘fair to middling’. It helped me differentiate between the physical side and the emotional, social etc. and gave me a greater understanding of areas I could work on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is almost like a devotional at times, with in-depth study of the Bible characters. For me, the ‘Resilient Women of the Bible’ chapter was outstanding. I thoroughly recommend it and I will be giving it to friends – Christians and others –- as I have already seen how it could be of help to people who are family\/carers of people on the Spectrum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also usable as a manual to help with daily life. Debbie Hawker has incorporated a great deal of resilience into her own life through her faith. This for me is the ultimate test of a self-help ‘system’: it works in daily living. Thanks to both authors, great! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThis is a really useful book - readable, practical and with sufficient supportive evidence and further reading to be authoritative and engaging. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIan Orton\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","published_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:37+00:00","created_at":"2019-01-18T15:25:38+00:00","vendor":"Tony Horsfall","type":"Paperback","tags":["For individuals","Kindle","Leadership","Mar-19","Pastoral care","PDF","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":21770222338148,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857467348","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Resilience in Life and Faith: Finding your strength in God - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":999,"weight":213,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857467348","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":34809602965656,"title":"PDF","option1":"PDF","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9781800390706","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Resilience in Life and Faith: Finding your strength in God - PDF","public_title":"PDF","options":["PDF"],"price":999,"weight":600,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1563183998"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1563183998","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":3266376990859,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":600,"width":425,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1570103552"},"aspect_ratio":0.708,"height":600,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857467348-l_grande_3a84b95e-4be3-4914-9be2-cf0d5eaf8695.jpg?v=1570103552","width":425}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker encourage us to develop our resilience and to prepare ourselves for the challenges that life throws at us in an increasingly difficult world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThrough biblical wisdom and psychological insight, they show us how to understand ourselves better, appreciate our areas of strength and strengthen our areas of weakness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRead this book if you want a faith that persists to the finishing line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall is a freelance trainer and associate trainer with EQUIP, a missions programme based near Doncaster. He is an elder of his local church in West Yorkshire and regularly travels abroad leading retreats and Quiet Days. His other books include Spiritual Growth in a Time of Change (BRF, 2016). He also contributes to BRF's New Daylight Bible reading notes. Dr Debbie Hawker is a psychologist based in Nottingham with a global reputation as a specialist in debriefing and trauma counselling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Dr. Laura Mae Gardner,\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e f\u003c\/span\u003eormer International Vice President for Personnel for Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. Author of \u003cem\u003eHealthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry. \u003c\/em\u003eMay 2020\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI just finished reading this wonderful book and am strongly impacted by it. It gives sound practical concepts by two very qualified and experienced mission workers who have worldwide awareness. I know these authors and highly respect them. They have given us an immensely useful tool.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book includes spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive, social and systemic aspects of resilience. Resilience is illustrated by the lives of Biblical characters—Nehemiah, Elijah, David, Joseph, Paul, Jesus and women as well as men.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe strengths of the book are its Biblical anchoring and its practicality. It is comprehensive and clear. It will be a great resource for pastors, church and organisational leaders as well as individuals in the work force. The book will be a guide for all who have personnel and administrative oversight of workers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Resilience Scale at the end of the book is an excellent self evaluation instrument. It is followed by a faith-based creed, a simple but powerful personal commitment. This book will have a ministry-wide impact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Dr. Laura Mae Gardner, Former International Vice President for Personnel for Wycliffe Bible Translators and SIL International. Author of 'Healthy, Resilient and Effective in Cross-Cultural Ministry'.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Reader, Autumn 2019. Review by Roger Thornington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe assertion on the back of this book - ‘Read this if you want a faith that persists to the finishing line – develop resilience and prepare for the challenges life throws at us’ sums up the authors’ intention. Does it do what it says on the cover? Debbie Hawker, a clinical psychologist, introduces the subject and contributes chapters on the psychological aspects of resilience using a model of resilience under the following domains: spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive and creative, and finally social and systemic. Tony Horsfall, a trainer and retreat leader, provides studies of biblical characters illustrating each aspect considered. Each of the 15 short chapters concludes with some questions. Finally there are two appendices – a self-assessment ‘Resilience Rating Scale’ using their model, and then a ‘Resilience Creed’, using scriptural truths to strengthen faith during times of hardship. For those of an investigative nature, 145 annotated references are cited. It is a readable book; I found several nuggets amidst the many referenced opinions and conclusions. In summary, the book should interest Readers keen to investigate and develop the psychological aspects of their faith.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Roger Thornington\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChurch of England Newspaper, July 2019. Review by Carol Turner\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn today’s world where so much is ‘instant’ and it is easy to give up and move onto the next thing, resilience seems to be in short supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Christians, Tony Horsfall says, we should fix our eyes on Jesus and keep going. Resilience is what this short paperback is all about and I was amazed at how much is contained in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two authors have collaborated well and the chapters really flow together to form one whole. The combination of the authors’ experience in pastoral work, psychology and mission serve to give the book’s content a real depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book focuses on the spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive \u0026amp; creative and social \u0026amp; systemic aspects of resilience. Of them all as is stated (p167) spiritual resilience is the key and all aspects return to that; the spiritual is not able to be divorced from the rest of our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe format of the book is excellent; the components of resilience are outlined and then applied to the lives of Biblical characters, and for us as Christians today. Practical suggestions are given as to how we can apply the teaching in today’s world. Of further benefit are the questions at the end of each chapter: these are challenging but do not result in readers being ‘put down, there are no wrong answers!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is well written and easy to read and understand, and will benefit the lay reader and those with more theological knowledge. I fully intend to re read this book, there is so much to recommend and it gives much food for thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Carol Turner, midwife with 20 years' experience in Morocco, Sudan, Afghanistan \u0026amp; Burkina Faso. Member of church leadership team in UK.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Tim Herbert, Director, SYZYGY Missions Support Network\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker have combined their unique talents to produce this new resource. As one would expect from two authors with excellent track records, it does not disappoint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDefining resilience not as merely 'bouncing back' (as I so often have done!) but helpfully quoting a variety of authors to demonstrate that the status quo in our lives may not be restored after a trauma, though what we learned in the process changes us for the better, they have come up with their own model for understanding the different facets of life which impact upon our ability. They call it 'SPECS' and I will not explain that here so that I don't have a negative impact on their book sales! Suffice to say it considers all aspects of our human being to ensure we have a complete awareness of how to balance our lives well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe chapters explore each of these facets in turn, first the psychology (Debbie) and then a character study from the Bible (Tony). This useful pairing means that the theory, presented simply enough for the amateur to understand but deeply enough to be helpful and authoritative, is balanced with lived-out practice, which is thoughtfully and interestingly brought to us. Each chapter closes with helpful questions for reflection, which gives the book the feel more of a devotional rather than a textbook, usefully bringing together two genres. At the end is a quick but effective self-assessment to highlight the reader's current life practice and how it affects each facet of their resilience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReading this book I felt better informed about resilience, and inspired to maintain it. I commend this resource to practitioners of pastoral care for whom it is an invaluable addition to the bookshelf, and to all Christians who will find information to help them thrive in their daily lives'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eReview by Tim Herbert, Director, SYZYGY Missions Support Network\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReview by Phil Jolley of ECMI\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a practical and helpful book dealing with different aspects to help develop resilience alongside snapshots of characters from the Bible that illustrates those aspects at work. The material that is presented covers building resilience in the areas of the spiritual, physical, emotional, cognitive and creative, social and systemic (SPECS) parts of our lives and then illustrates those through the biblical record of characters like Nehemiah, Elijah, David, Joseph, the early disciples and Jesus himself. A whole chapter is devoted to resilient women in the Bible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rev_body\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eQuestions at the end of each chapter help to move it on from merely information transfer to active engagement and application for one’s own life and at the end there is a personal resilience rating scale to help the reader assess their own level of resilience, as well as a resilience “creed” that is both challenging and inspirational and could be used in a church or group setting. Overall, the book is pitched at a level that any reader looking for help in dealing with life’s normal as well as extreme challenges will be able to respond to with gratitude for the insights and practical counsel given.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI could do worse than sum up the central message of the book through a quotation that the authors have added from Tim Herbert: “How do we develop these deep roots? To use a sapling as an analogy, trees develop deep roots by going through hardship… We know that we need to stake a young tree to stop it blowing over in the first place, but… if we stake it too tightly, it… will not develop deep roots. Only if it is allowed to wave in the wind will its roots go deeper in the ground to provide more stability. The more it shakes, the further the roots will go seeking rocks to hang on to. For us, those rocks are God and the great truths of our salvation.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"blogpost_authorbio\" class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eReviewed by Phil Jolley\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003ePhil Jolley works for European Christian Mission International. Previously based in Spain, he now works in the International office as Director of Finance and Administration\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA very personal reader review. Name supplied.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a book suitable for all different types of people: professionals, people with health issues or challenges in any sphere of their lives, and useful to people of other faiths or none. For an understanding of the psychology of resilience beyond its use as a ‘buzzword’ see the first chapter\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCo-written in alternate chapters by a Christian clinical psychologist and a prolific Christian writer and theologian, it is based on a Biblical perspective of resilience, seeking to show that being resilient in the Bible sense does not mean being unflawed, just being willing to persevere and learn lessons from great hardship instead of becoming ‘hardened’ and not giving up!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing as an approach a model called ‘SPECS’ (standing for Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Cognitive \u0026amp; Creative and Social \u0026amp; Systemic) the book helps identify key areas in each of these fields in which to grow in resilience and give oneself ‘margin’ and time to enable the change to take place and ‘take root’.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow to become more personally specific. I was feeling quite low and not at all ‘bouncy’ when I did the questionnaire at the back of the book and to my surprise, given that I was coping with a very recent Autistic Spectrum Disorder diagnosis, I found that in the sphere of spiritual resilience my ‘score’ was surprisingly high. This is down to a very good family, friends and faith (i.e. Church) support network. It cheered me up just to realise I was not at the ‘bottom of the chart’ when taking all five areas into consideration, but ‘fair to middling’. It helped me differentiate between the physical side and the emotional, social etc. and gave me a greater understanding of areas I could work on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe book is almost like a devotional at times, with in-depth study of the Bible characters. For me, the ‘Resilient Women of the Bible’ chapter was outstanding. I thoroughly recommend it and I will be giving it to friends – Christians and others –- as I have already seen how it could be of help to people who are family\/carers of people on the Spectrum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is also usable as a manual to help with daily life. Debbie Hawker has incorporated a great deal of resilience into her own life through her faith. This for me is the ultimate test of a self-help ‘system’: it works in daily living. Thanks to both authors, great! \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"clearfix\"\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003c\/h5\u003e\nThis is a really useful book - readable, practical and with sufficient supportive evidence and further reading to be authoritative and engaging. \n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIan Orton\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e"}
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Resilience in Life and Faith: Finding your strength in God
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Tony Horsfall and Debbie Hawker encourage us to develop our resilience and to prepare ourselves for the challenges that life...
{"id":4848122626187,"title":"New Daylight September-December 2020: Sustaining your daily journey with the Bible","handle":"new-daylight-september-december-2020-sustaining-your-daily-journey-with-the-bible","description":"\u003cp\u003eNew Daylight offers four months of daily Bible reading and reflection for everybody who wants to go deeper with God. It is ideal for those looking for a fresh approach to regular Bible study, and offers a talented team of contributors who present a Bible passage (text included), helpful comment and a prayer or thought for the day ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncluded in this issue:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur creator God - Ruth Bancewiz et al\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHome - Tony Horsfall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Festival of Nine Lessons - Veronica Zundel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e","published_at":"2020-05-01T15:52:08+01:00","created_at":"2020-04-30T13:41:45+01:00","vendor":"Sally Welch","type":"Paperback","tags":["Bible reading notes","Jul-20","New Daylight","Prints"],"price":470,"price_min":470,"price_max":470,"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":33560018157707,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857469021","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"New Daylight September-December 2020: Sustaining your daily journey with the Bible - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":470,"weight":600,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857469021","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469021.jpg?v=1588250630"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469021.jpg?v=1588250630","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":7650284634251,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.718,"height":1392,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469021.jpg?v=1588250630"},"aspect_ratio":0.718,"height":1392,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857469021.jpg?v=1588250630","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eNew Daylight offers four months of daily Bible reading and reflection for everybody who wants to go deeper with God. It is ideal for those looking for a fresh approach to regular Bible study, and offers a talented team of contributors who present a Bible passage (text included), helpful comment and a prayer or thought for the day ahead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIncluded in this issue:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur creator God - Ruth Bancewiz et al\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHome - Tony Horsfall\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Festival of Nine Lessons - Veronica Zundel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e"}
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New Daylight September-December 2020: Sustaining your daily journey with the Bible
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{"id":4861586342027,"title":"Opening Our Lives: Devotional readings for Lent","handle":"opening-our-lives","description":"\u003cp\u003eLent is not about giving up or taking up, but a radical opening up: the opening up of our lives to God’s transformative kingdom.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is the challenge Trystan Owain Hughes sets in Opening Our Lives. Through practical daily devotions he calls on us to open our eyes to God’s presence, our ears to his call, our hearts to his love, our ways to his will, our actions to his compassion and our pain to his peace.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\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, \u003cem\u003eReal God in the Real World\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eLiving the Prayer\u003c\/em\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\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Trystan Owain Hughes offers material for each day of Lent through to Easter, drawing on literature, theology, scripture and easily appreciated events from his own daily life and the lives of others. The breadth of some of the sources upon which he draws is nor more evident than in the book’s bibliography. I thank him for the work which he has done to provide such an accessible, stimulating, and refreshing resource.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Davies, archbishop of Wales\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Using a rich blend of story, insight and commentary, Trystan guides us on a Lenten journey of grace. As he encourages us to open ourselves to God and his loving kingdom, he gently challenges us to yield to the One who loves us. Sign up to the journey – you won’t regret it!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmy Boucher Pye, author of The Living Cross\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘These rich, accessible reflections are full of stories, insight, humour and wisdom that will enable you to truly open your eyes and heart to what God is doing around you as you explore the strange gifts that the disciplines of Lent brings.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGraham Tomlin, bishop of Kensington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChurch Times 22.01.21 Lent book round up by Philip Welsh\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eOpening Our Lives\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is organised around the conviction that Lent is not just a time to give up or to take up, but to open up. Trystan Owain Hughes provides for each day a short Bible passage, a personal reflection and a simple suggestion for prayer or meditation. These form a weekly series illustrating different dimensions of opening our lives: to God’s presence, his call, his love, his will, his compassion, and his peace and hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRanging widely within his controlling metaphor, his commentary is highly anecdotal and largely personal, often drawing on his family life and upbringing in Wales, frequently introducing other Christian thinkers, but always linked to the Bible passage. This makes for easy, attractive, and thought-provoking reading, and it comes as no surprise that the author is a regular radio contributor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOpening Our Lives\u003c\/em\u003e is not for those looking for Bible study or theological exploration, or resistant to hearing about the author’s children or bad back. But if you want to spend a few minutes each day reading the Bible in company with a thoughtful, amiable, and mildly garrulous Welshman, this might be just the thing. There are well-judged questions for group use.\u003c\/p\u003e","published_at":"2020-05-04T14:33:40+01:00","created_at":"2020-05-04T14:39:58+01:00","vendor":"Trystan Owain Hughes","type":"Paperback","tags":["Devotional","Kindle","Lent","Nov-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":34889865920664,"title":"Paperback","option1":"Paperback","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468826","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":true,"name":"Opening Our Lives: Devotional readings for Lent - Paperback","public_title":"Paperback","options":["Paperback"],"price":899,"weight":217,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468826","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]},{"id":34889865953432,"title":"PDF","option1":"PDF","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"9780857468833","requires_shipping":false,"taxable":false,"featured_image":null,"available":false,"name":"Opening Our Lives: Devotional readings for Lent - PDF","public_title":"PDF","options":["PDF"],"price":899,"weight":0,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_management":"shopify","barcode":"9780857468833","requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468826.jpg?v=1588599599"],"featured_image":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468826.jpg?v=1588599599","options":["Format"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":7711791284363,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"width":1000,"src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468826.jpg?v=1588599599"},"aspect_ratio":0.656,"height":1524,"media_type":"image","src":"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0148\/6107\/4532\/products\/9780857468826.jpg?v=1588599599","width":1000}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003cp\u003eLent is not about giving up or taking up, but a radical opening up: the opening up of our lives to God’s transformative kingdom.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat is the challenge Trystan Owain Hughes sets in Opening Our Lives. Through practical daily devotions he calls on us to open our eyes to God’s presence, our ears to his call, our hearts to his love, our ways to his will, our actions to his compassion and our pain to his peace.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor info\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\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, \u003cem\u003eReal God in the Real World\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eLiving the Prayer\u003c\/em\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\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEndorsements\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Trystan Owain Hughes offers material for each day of Lent through to Easter, drawing on literature, theology, scripture and easily appreciated events from his own daily life and the lives of others. The breadth of some of the sources upon which he draws is nor more evident than in the book’s bibliography. I thank him for the work which he has done to provide such an accessible, stimulating, and refreshing resource.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJohn Davies, archbishop of Wales\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘Using a rich blend of story, insight and commentary, Trystan guides us on a Lenten journey of grace. As he encourages us to open ourselves to God and his loving kingdom, he gently challenges us to yield to the One who loves us. Sign up to the journey – you won’t regret it!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAmy Boucher Pye, author of The Living Cross\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e‘These rich, accessible reflections are full of stories, insight, humour and wisdom that will enable you to truly open your eyes and heart to what God is doing around you as you explore the strange gifts that the disciplines of Lent brings.’\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGraham Tomlin, bishop of Kensington\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eReviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChurch Times 22.01.21 Lent book round up by Philip Welsh\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eOpening Our Lives\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is organised around the conviction that Lent is not just a time to give up or to take up, but to open up. Trystan Owain Hughes provides for each day a short Bible passage, a personal reflection and a simple suggestion for prayer or meditation. These form a weekly series illustrating different dimensions of opening our lives: to God’s presence, his call, his love, his will, his compassion, and his peace and hope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRanging widely within his controlling metaphor, his commentary is highly anecdotal and largely personal, often drawing on his family life and upbringing in Wales, frequently introducing other Christian thinkers, but always linked to the Bible passage. This makes for easy, attractive, and thought-provoking reading, and it comes as no surprise that the author is a regular radio contributor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOpening Our Lives\u003c\/em\u003e is not for those looking for Bible study or theological exploration, or resistant to hearing about the author’s children or bad back. But if you want to spend a few minutes each day reading the Bible in company with a thoughtful, amiable, and mildly garrulous Welshman, this might be just the thing. There are well-judged questions for group use.\u003c\/p\u003e"}
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Opening Our Lives: Devotional readings for Lent
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Lent is not about giving up or taking up, but a radical opening up: the opening up of our lives...