Search results for ""spck publishing""

This shrink-wrapped pack of 10 copies of David and Goliath enables easy multiple-purchase of a key Bible story. This is one of 12 key Bible stories that have been made available as part of the Bible Story Time My Little Library. Each story is retold in about 500 words with bright and cheerful pictures.

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'In a strange, vast and wonderfully imagined museum, an apprentice sculptor and student scientist must solve a murder. Julia Golding has written a gripping helter-skelter story that will keep you guessing and start you thinking.' - Roger Wagner, artist and painter Is curiosity a crime? Ree discovers the unfairness of being a girl in a male-dominated scientific world, where alternative ideas are swiftly squashed. Enter a fantasy island where Phil the dodo and other unusual wild animals roam corridors, great halls and an underground network of passages of a magnificent museum and science academy. Prevented from following her creative passion as a stonemason, Ree is confined to cleaning the halls at night as a maid. But then the murders start happening... A determined scholar Henri and strong-willed Ree join forces to solve the mysteries and prove their innocence.

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A 10 copy pack of the My Very First Moses and His Sister mini paperback title

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Once, in Bethlehem, a special gift was given. Share the story at the heart of Christmas in this beautifully illustrated retelling - the story of Mary and Joseph, shepherds and angels, wise men following a star, a humble stable, and a special newborn baby cradled in a manger.

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Here is a wonderful and wittily written introduction to science as the art of asking open questions and not jumping to conclusions. It's also an amusing excursion through evolution and anthropology which packs in a lot of learning with the lightest of touches.' REVEREND DOCTOR MALCOLM GUITE Poet, singer-songwriter, priest, and academic Chaplain at Girton College Cambridge Join Harriet, Darwin's pet tortoise, and Milton, Schrodinger's indecisive cat on a time-travelling quest of discovery, unravelling scientific exploration and religious beliefs and how they fit together. Throughout the centuries humans have been looking for answers to BIG questions - how did the universe start? Is there a God behind it? Has science explained away the need for a God, or can faith enhance scientific discovery? Take to the skies in this adventure and zoom off into space , exploring the scientific discoveries of the technological age. Step into Harriet and Milton's time machine, bring some snacks, and enjoy this curious quest of discovery. Written by Julia Golding, winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2006, and the Nestle Smarties Book Prize 2006.

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The companion activity book to the fabulously fun picture puzzle book The Lion Picture Puzzle Bible. Colour in the black and white line drawings of enlarged sections from the original illustrations, and complete the puzzles on each page. Includes mazes, spot the difference, and search and find. Ingeniously detailed scenes can now be personalised with your own unique flair!

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Keep enquiring young minds busy with these detailed depictions of Bible history, and a glimpse behind the scenes - lift the flaps on every page to see what's happening! Brief text explains the setting and references events and stories from the Bible. A fascinating flap book full of bustling scenes and information. Scenes included are: Abraham in Canaan, The people of Israel in Egypt, Moses and the tabernacle, At home in Canaan, A kingdom and a city, The Assyrian attack, Babylon, Jerusalem in the time of Jesus

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The Bible has had a profound influence on the diverse cultures of Europe and the British Isles, the Americas, Australia and Africa, and has even left an imprint on Asia. It is a book that has inspired the whole range of human emotion and experience, including some of the finest art and literature. And even in this current age, which often considers itself secular and post-Christian, the Bible remains the biggest seller of all books. Explores the life, development and impact of the Bible, from Old Testament times through to the 21st century.

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A refreshing new way to explore the Bible, this time-travelling book is perfect for children who may never have heard God's word before. Like the best travel guides, this book shows you where to go, what to discover, what local life was like, and the important stories that happened there. Pack your walking sandals, your shekels, and your phrase book and take a step back in time! The year is 50 AD and Galilee is THE place to be. This handy guide will show you the must-sees, the history, the bargain buys, and more. Packed full of tips to keep your holiday to the land of Jesus mesmerising (but also safe!), you will never be at a loss for something to do with advice on tours, hiking routes, places to eat, and the best places to stay. Don't forget to leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs!

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Magnus is a BIG dog. In fact, he is a VERY BIG dog. Magnus is SO BIG that no one wants to play with him, and there's no room for him at home. But when Magnus spots danger, he knows just what to do to save the day. And because he is so very BIG, his simple plan works. Is Magnus a BIG hero now? This book, with its sweet and appealing illustrations and loveable 'outsider' main character, will help young readers to understand the importance of determination and that everyone has their own exceptional qualities, no matter their differences.

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God bless my comfy pyjamas. God bless this starry night! An adorable first prayer book with cute and cuddly pictures that follows baby as he gets ready for bed. Illustrations by the wonderful Rebecca Elliott (Missing Jack, Mr Super Poopy Pants) make this sturdy little board book a delight - snuggle down and read along before peacefully snoozing through the night under the starry sky. Also available: Noah's Noisy Animals, Not So Silent Night, God Loves Little Me.

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A fabulously fun picture puzzle book with ingeniously detailed scenes from favourite Bible stories. There is a huge amount to look at, but there are also special items and events picked out in the margin of the page - and it's your job to find them in the picture! Watch out for funny little extras on every page, but the tableau overall tells the main points of each Bible story. Illustrator Len Epstein has brought this book to life with his own unique style.

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Grandmother Bear has gone for ever, and Little Bear is feeling sad. His mother wisely suggests that perhaps asking his woodland companions what saying goodbye means to them will help him understand his loss. Little Bear's day of exploring and asking questions brings him comfort and hope. For the swallows, saying goodbye means flying to warmer lands; for the leaves of the trees it is a chance to be free, leaving the tree at her most beautiful; for the moon it is to return to be with the Sun; and for the Sun it is to rise in another sky and just because Little Bear can't see him doesn't mean he isn't there. This charmingly illustrated picture book will help young children in times of bereavement, loss or change, gently exploring the reasons for saying goodbye and giving reassurance that goodbye doesn't mean the end of things.

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Bible Detective is the Bible puzzle book all 'Where's Wally?' fans will love. So grab your magnifying glass and become a 'Bible Detectives'. This picture-search puzzle book will captivate young children and turn them into Bible detectives with 17 creatively illustrated scenes based on events in the Bible. Some scenes give a portrait of everyday life and others highlight key Bible stories, events, themes and personalities. Children who might struggle with words will find it easy to learn Bible history, events and people with this visually exciting and memorable book that engages and educates all at the same time. Just like 'Where's Wally?', 'Bible Detectives' is the cure for reluctant readers. Using very few words but rich with elaborate illustrations, this book is the perfect solution to the problem of how to teach your children about the Bible. With its highly detailed find-the-picture puzzles, this is Bible learning with extreme fun. Searching for something to keep your children occupied in Church? 'Bible Detective' will not only entertain, it will educate your hard to satisfy 7s to 11s and keep them quiet too! Warning: this book is highly addictive, for children and parents.

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Popular storyteller Bob Hartman is renowned for his fresh take on often-told stories, bringing them to life with vibrant characters and a lively twist in the tale. Bob now launches a new series of stories " The Unauthorized Versions " which are packed full of humour, mischief, silliness, and fun - but which all have a good-hearted and memorable conclusion. These easy-to-read Old Testament stories are inspired by the Bible - but given a completely original slant. Retold at a cracking pace, this black and white line illustrated book (in a style perfectly matched to Bob's mischievous storytelling) makes an ideal read for those who prefer something a little more wayward on their bookshelves, particularly boys aged 7-9.

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Prayers for a Baby's Christening is a beautiful treasury of favourite prayers, making an ideal gift for an infant's christening. This cherished collection of simple prayers and reflections can be shared with young children as they grow. The prayers capture the promises that parents and grown ups made at their infant's christening to help raise their children in the Christian faith. The prayers have been chosen and presented to be age-appropriate and appealing to young children and adults alike. This book includes some of the favourite childhood prayers that older generations will remember as favourites to know by heart. This cherished keepsake with its captivating illustrations that accompany the prayers is ideal to have to hand at the bedside of a young child.

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Christians, Muslims and Jews all stem from one man, Abraham, and yet relations between them are so often strained. Three men of faith - one Jew, one Muslim and one Christian - debate the differences between them. The result is a compelling discussion: What do their faiths teach on the big issues of life? What can be done to make for better relationships in the future? What can be done on the big global areas of conflict and tension? How can they get along? For hundreds of years, many of the biggest global conflicts have been fuelled by religious hatred and prejudice. It is evident, in the early part of the 21st century that not much has changed. Whether it is fundamentalist Muslims waging jihad in Afghanistan and Pakistan, or the perpetual low scale hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians, to the man in the street, religion seems to make people more likely to fight each other, not less. Why is this? Why Can't They Get Along? is a powerful and much needed account. Current, passionate and compelling it is essential reading.

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This book is a compilation of prayers, poems, and reflections on grief and grieving, to help the grieving person to put his or her feelings into words. With classic texts from the Bible and other prayers and poems from around the world, this book makes the perfect gift for a bereaved person and will be an indispensable resource for those working with the bereaved (e.g. pastors, funeral directors, chaplains, etc.). The content is organised thematically with chapters on, for example: - 'Give Sorrow Words' - Love Immortal - 'Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep' - Comfort and Consolation

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A new range of thematically arranged collections of some of master storyteller Bob Hartman's best-loved folk and traditional tales. The contents are derived from the best-selling The Lion Storyteller Christmas Book. This volume contains six Bible stories about the first Christmas retold with freshness, verve and humour. It has a cover in series style - including the cute Storyteller Tales logo - and line illustrations accompany the text throughout. Other titles in this range: Why Dogs Chase Cats and other animal stories The Generous Rabbit and other animal stories The Crocodile Brother and other folk tales Polly and the Frog and other folk tales The Littlest Camel and other Christmas stories

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All the significant stories of the Old and New Testaments from Genesis to the book of Acts are retold in clear, simple language which children understand. The stories may be read as individual stories, yet they form a continuous narrative which closely follows the 'one story' of God and God's people contained in the whole Bible. The Lion Children's Bible is also available in a gift edition and in paperback. Translated into 38 languages, this is the top children's Bible for both home and school.

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This is the official workbook for Spring Harvest 2024, encouraging readers to look at the One who's immovable hope we can rely on and urging them reflect the glory of God to the world around them.

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Distilled from key passages in the immensely popular For Everyone series, these daily reflections and prayers guide you through all the books of the Bible in one year.

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A beautiful through-the-year devotional for young women full of encouragements

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A humorous, heartfelt self-help book exploring life's big questions with a side of even bigger laughs.

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Prepare your heart for the joy of Christmas in the company of one of the best-loved poets in the English language

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It's taken 27 years for Sophie Lee to feel comfortable in her skin. This the real-life story of one woman's courage in rising from the ashes as she learns to discover that true beauty is more than skin deep in a society that so often tells us otherwise.

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When he talked about the Kingdom of God, Jesus was speaking about an utterly different way of relating to human society as we know it. He lays out a blueprint for this new life in his best-known teaching, the Sermon on the Mount. From the Beatitudes onward, the Sermon on the Mount overturns conventional wisdom and traditional power structures, offering a plan for an alternative way of being. Richard Rohr explores the implications of this vision in Jesus’ Alternative Plan. Going through the teachings of the sermon, he explains the historical and cultural context of each verse, and offers guidance for what the sermon means for Christians today. The result is a clear, yet challenging look at the alternative plan laid out by Jesus for all to see. This updated edition of Jesus’ Plan for a New World will inspire Christians who long for a transformative understanding of Jesus’ teachings as they seek the true heart of their faith.

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Bread of Life is a major new multi-media resource that aims to meet the needs of communities in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England. It consists of six modules which broadly follow the structure of the Eucharist. The modules have been designed with flexibility in mind: they can be delivered in any order; each can stand alone; and a module may be followed over one or several sessions, depending on what would best suit the community involved. Written by leading thinkers in the Catholic tradition of the Church of England, Bread of Life is ideal as preparation for confirmation and first communion, as a refresher course in the Christian faith, or as a course for Lent or Advent. It is expected that further modules will be commissioned over time, but the initial six are: 1 I am the bread of life 2 He has reconciled us to God 3 The word of the Lord 4 Hear our prayer 5 The body of Christ 6 Go in peace to love and serve the Lord Each teaching session follows the structure of Gathering (welcome and optional opening liturgy), Word (teaching supported by video, audio, slides and writing), Communion (discussion among the group) and Sending out (practical applications and optional closing liturgy). Videos, podcasts, PowerPoint slides and theological background material for each module can be downloaded from breadoflifecourse.co.uk. The course has received considerable investment from CBS (The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament) and across the Church. This is reflected in the quality of the videos – which have been specially commissioned and filmed in biblical locations such as Jerusalem and across the UK – and in the attractive course book, designed to accompany participants through their involvement with Bread of Life and on their ongoing faith journey.

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This comprehensive chapter-by-chapter study guide to Professor John C. Lennox's richly detailed study of Daniel adds life and depth to our understanding of both the man and the book named after him, while drawing out the parallels between the spiritual and intellectual challenges he faced and those faced by Christians today.

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One HUMP, two HUMPS, lumpety-lump, The star-watchers went with BUMP and a THUMP. One HUMP, two HUMPS, lumpety-lump, The star-watchers followed the star. Discover the angel Gabriel, Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, the three kings and the baby Jesus as you’ve never seen them before in Bob Hartman’s Rhyming Christmas. A delightfully funny and vibrant retelling in rhyme of the story of Christmas, this is a poem that children and grown-ups will love to read and perform – whether at home, in church or in school. The Nativity story is wonderfully retold by master storyteller Bob Hartman in this entertaining picture book for 3-5 year olds. With memorable rhymes that young children will eagerly be joining in with, Bob Hartman’s Rhyming Christmas is the perfect way to introduce this most beloved Bible story to kids in a way that’s accessible and easily understood. Mark Beech’s bright, colourful illustrations bring this Bible story book to life, and there are pages for children to colour in themselves. The clear, simple text is ideal for young children just starting to read and for adults to read aloud, and is perfect for performing all together. Bob Hartman’s Rhyming Christmas is a picture book that will enchant children and parents alike, and is ideal for reading alongside Bob Hartman’s Rhyming Bible and the Rhyming Parable series. It is also a brilliant story time resource for KS1 teachers, Sunday School teachers and those involved in children’s ministry looking for fresh ways of staging the Nativity. Kids will learn about the Biblical story of Christmas in an entertaining and engaging way, and gain a new understanding of the heart of the Christian faith.

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Looking for a special card to give to your loved ones this Christmas? Complete with Bible verse, these sustainably sourced Christmas cards are the perfect choice. Printed on 300gsm uncoated white stock and with an accompanying recycled Kraft envelope, these cards come in packs of ten, featuring two beautiful designs. Each card contains a 'Happy Christmas' greeting, along with the following Bible verse: 'So the Word became human and made his home among us' - John 1.14 All profits from the purchase of these cards will support SPCK's charitable work.

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Meet Tommy Twitchnose, who lives with his wife and two children in a cosy little house under the floorboards in a converted barnhouse. Tommy and his family have a happy life, foraging for scraps of food and doing up their home with bits and pieces dropped by the humans who live above them. But then, one day, their peaceful life is rudely interrupted. A large family of town mice suddenly appears on their doorstep, led by a daring and determined mouse called Danny, who announces that they're moving in... The adventures that follow will charm, amuse and amaze all who read them - children and grown-ups alike! Contents 1. The surprise visitors Tommy Twitchnose and his family receive an unwelcome surprise when some unexpected visitors arrrive, led by the daring Danny Dockmouse (Tommy’s long-forgotten cousin), who has led his large family all the way from London to seek a better life in the country. 2. A happy Harvest Festival Tommy and his family join the church mice, who live nearby, to celebrate the Harvest Festival. The joyful service is conducted by a mouse by the name of the Reverend Albert Pew, who leads them in singing some funny animal versions of well-known harvest songs, and tells them about his new plan to make sure the church mice (who are very poor) will have enough food to last them another year. 3. Fun and games at a party All the mice are invited to the annual garden party held in the grounds of the stately home of Lord Whiskers of Whiskerton. They travel there on the Moles' Underground Express and when they arrive are amazed by a series of daring circus acts performed by a group of acrobatic frogs, two squirrels and the brave contestants in the annual Grand International Vole Swimming Race. 4. A visit to the Houses of Parliament Lord Whiskers is an honourable member of the House of Mice, which has its premises under the Houses of Parliament in Westminster. He invites his new friends Tommy and Danny to join him on one of his visits, but trouble follows when Danny decides to explore the House upstairs and ends up trapped in a Big Red Box used by the Prime Minister. 5. The Small Animal Rescue Service The Reverend Albert Pew asks Tommy to take charge of a new venture called the Small Animal Rescue Service, which is designed to transport sick animals quickly to the Small Animal Hospital. It is the day of the parish picnic at the seaside, and Tommy flies there on the back of a friendly seagull; but before they get there they notice an animal in distress on the rocks below, and swoop down to the rescue. 6. The very naughty squirrel Tommy's wife, Tiggy, helps to run the new village shop, but is alarmed when she discovers that someone is helping themselves to things without paying. PC Charles Catchem takes charge of the operation to find out who's behind crime, and with the help of Barney the Barn Owl he devises a clever trap to catch the thief red-handed.

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The Link-it-Up Bible is a highly visual and interactive illustrated children's Bible, through which bestselling author and storyteller, Bob Hartman introduces children to the links between their favourite bible stories, drawing attention to wider Bible themes. Containing over 60 stories, the Link It Up Children's Bible is perfect for families to read to younger children at bedtime or story-time, for schools and Sunday School teaching and for primary school age children beginning to read independently. The children will love the arrows zipping across the pages, the call out text boxes asking them questions and the line drawn illustrations just begging to be coloured in. Each element brings the story of the Bible to life and shows how everything is connected and reveals God as the author behind it all. Children will gain new insight into many of the familiar Bible stories enabling them to explore faith in a fresh way and providing new topics to discuss with their close and wider church family and friends.

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Imagine yourself as a house under construction. What does it mean to develop as a follower of Jesus? Jesus wants to remake us, from the ground up, to reconstruct us so that we become the people he had in mind. Christians are built on his firm foundation. But if we barely allow Jesus through the front door, it is no surprise that we are left wondering whether this really is as good as it gets. Neil O'Boyle shows us what it means to open ourselves up, so that the light of Christ shines into the dark nooks and exposes the sagging rafters. In the living room, what are we watching? In the bathroom, do we take care of ourselves? In the privacy of our bedroom, what are we like? In the dining room, what are our guests doing? In the garden, will there be fruit? In the garden shed, what tools has Jesus given us? Neil is National Director for British Youth for Christ. He has served as a missionary in Cyprus, the Arabian Gulf, Thailand and America. He is passionate about evangelism and has a wealth of experience as a leader and team builder. He and his wife Joy have four children.

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From his time as Captain of England's cricket team to his pioneering work as Bishop of Liverpool, David Sheppard led a remarkable life. Now his story is told in full for the first time in this fascinating and insightful biography. Batting for the Poor draws on the papers left by Sheppard in the Liverpool Central Library as well as other archival material and more than 150 interviews conducted by Andrew Bradstock, all brought together to create a picture of a diligent and passionate man who helped break down divisions and turn Liverpool's fortunes around. Batting for the Poor is a vivid, entertaining biography that will be enjoyed by cricket fans, those interested in twentieth century history or the history of Liverpool and those interested in man that inspired so many as the Bishop of Liverpool. You will discover the story of an exceptional leader, and learn about the history of some of the divisions and struggles in the second half of the twentieth century that still impact society and culture in England today.

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Call the Midwife' compellingly transposed from the East End of London to the Borneo jungle! Newcastle 1959. Wendy Grey, a young district nurse, responds to a call for aid from Christians in one of the remotest corners of the world. Officially, she is employed as a health worker running a dispensary as part of the Anglican mission in Tongud, North East Borneo. However, as the only medical practitioner in the region - apart from local witchdoctors - she is obliged to carry out every procedure her patients require, or watch people die. And so Wendy finds herself diagnosing diseases, performing operations (acting as both anaesthetist and surgeon) delivering babies and extracting teeth. When news reaches her of patients too sick to come to the dispensary, she undergoes long and arduous journeys, often travelling for hundreds of miles through the jungle in a dug-out canoe to reach them. Back home, supporters are uplifted by Wendy's selfless, cheerful ministry, horrified by her accounts of close encounters with snakes and crocodiles, and stirred by her courage in the face of hitherto unimaginable challenges. The young woman in Borneo is on the prayer list of every church in North East England.

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In exploring Christian discipleship, Alister McGrath encourages us to move beyond a superficial grasp of our faith to discover its depth and riches. He sees discipleship as a process of growth in wisdom, through which we absorb a Christian vision of reality, and allow it to percolate our minds and inform the way in which we think, imagine and act. Helpfully drawing on the insights of Dorothy L Sayers, C S Lewis, John Stott and J I Packer, whom he finds both astute and illuminating, the author offers counsel on holding on to hope while journeying through darkness, and how to live meaningfully in a world in which things don't always seem to make sense.

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Your life tells a story. From beginning to end, your life creates a unique narrative, shaped by the wider stories you find yourself in. For many in the West, the stories that dominate our experience are those of happiness (`just do what makes you happy’), safety (`it’s not worth the risk’) and significance (`I want to be remembered’). But what if these stories are too small to really matter? Exploring the importance such stories play in our lives, Andy Frost, Director of Share Jesus International, presents an alternative narrative – the God Story. Long Story Short invites readers to find their place in the only story big enough to live for.

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What should Christ’s injunction to ‘love your neighbour’ mean in practice today? A team of leading theologians and practitioners explores this question and considers its bearing on the politics of poverty, discrimination, immigration, ecology and the fallout from recent political upheavals in Europe and America.

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Compelled by the belief that a large number of Christians want to come to God with others’ needs, John Pritchard has created this follow-up to his hugely successful volumes, The Intercessions Handbook and The Second Intercessions Handbook. In a gentle, accessible, style he offers ‘starter’ ideas and introductory material to help those who lead intercessions in public worship and small groups, and aims to open the reader’s imagination to enrich their own style of praying. Everyday language, images and experiences are used in each of the three main sections. The first, looking at intercessions in mainstream worship, offers prayers · for each of the 12 months · for major festivals and their seasons · for special days like Mothering Sunday · on themes such as light, storms and fear The second section provides intercessions for use in informal worship and small groups, while the third, focusing on personal payers, includes a section for extroverts. Praise for The Intercessions Handbook: ‘A wake-up call to all those who . . . need to find encouragement, freshness, balance and perseverance in this work of grace.’ Methodist Recorder

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One for Sorrow relates the story of the loss of 21-year-old Tom to cancer, and how his family lived through the aftermath. When Alan began writing the memoir, he believed it would be about his son’s illness and death. He soon realized, however, that he was recording his own painful journey through the ‘valley of the shadow’, as a father and as someone responsible for ministering to others in similar situations. His core beliefs were challenged and his perspective on life changed. Now retired, Alan is passionate about the capacity we all have to grow through adversity and, like our crucified God, rise up from pain and death to live and love and laugh again. Praise for the author’s Living Well: ‘Quick! Go out and buy this book! If you are a vicar, buy a dozen, and give them away. If the Church were served by more books like this, we would all be the better.’ Church Times and An Almighty Passion: ‘With strong echoes of the BBC2 series Rev, this work too demonstrates in equal measure the struggles and rewards of faith . . . incredibly moving and authentic.’ Life + Work

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Diddy Disciples is a creative and playful new worship and Bible storytelling resource for those who work with babies, toddlers and young children. This inspiring book aims to encourage participation, discipleship and leadership from children’s earliest years, using storytelling, singing, colour, repetition, art and lots and lots of movement! Leaders can use the material to create a service that follows the pattern of their church’s Sunday worship, a simple mid-week baby and toddler singing session or anything in between! Book 2 includes: · 36 weeks’ worth of fully worked-out sessions for key festivals and seasons of the church year · plenty of opportunities to tailor the material to your own context · all sorts of creative ‘starter ideas’ for using everyday art and play resources to spark children’s imaginations The units are: - Jesus, Light of the World! (Epiphany) - John the Baptist (the weeks before Lent) - The Journey to the Cross (Lent) - Jesus Is Alive! Alleluia! (Easter) - Let Your Kingdom Come (Green Time) - God’s Best Friend, Moses (Green Time) ‘This is a book for those who take children seriously. A wonderful, practical resource for those who want to nurture children to be disciples in their own right: to pray, to engage with Scripture, to contribute to worship, to play their part as children of God. A must-read for those who work and volunteer with very young children.’ The Most Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury ‘An exceptional and inspiring resource.’ Dr Rebecca Nye, Godly play expert and researcher in children’s spirituality ‘Sharon Moughtin-Mumby brings the wisdom of a professional biblical scholar to the task of communicating the essence of the Bible to very young children . . . Very user-friendly material from which adults can learn too.’ The Revd John Barton, Emeritus Professor, University of Oxford

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Many biblical texts seem almost impossible to preach. They may be violent or terrifying or strange or abrasive. They may deal with matters simply beyond human experience. The preacher could well be tempted to choose an easier text on offer! But leaving taxing passages untouched means the Bible is effectively silenced. In Wrestling with the Word, well-known and accomplished preachers grapple with a range of notoriously difficult biblical Old and New Testament texts. As well as providing sample sermons – in an exhilarating variety of structural styles and voices – they offer ideas to help in the planning process of interpreting and applying such passages. 'A well-constructed and delivered sermon has the potential to inspire people as few other experiences can.' The Rt Revd John Pritchard, from the Foreword

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According to the doctrine of original sin, all humans are born bad and only God’s grace can bring salvation. James Boyce shows how these ideas have shaped the Western view of human nature, and how the belief that we are all innately sinful retains a firm grip on Western consciousness and culture – even in the writings of avowed atheists such as Marx and Freud. Born Bad traces a fascinating journey from Adam and Eve all the way to Adam Smith and Richard Dawkins in this sweeping story of a controversial idea and its remarkable influence.

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In Search of Japan's Hidden Christians is a remarkable story of suppression, secrecy and survival in the face of human cruelty and God’s apparent silence. Part history, part travelogue, it explores and seeks to explain a clash of civilizations—of East and West—that resonates to this day. For seven generations, Japan’s ‘Hidden Christians’ preserved a faith that was forbidden on pain of death. Just as remarkably, descendants of the Hidden Christians continue to practise their beliefs today, refusing to rejoin the Catholic Church. Why? And what is it about Japanese culture that makes it so resistant to Western Christianity?

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Useful and beautiful.' Sara Maitland, author of A Book of Silence For Carmelites, prayer is friendship with God in a silent communion of love. By fixing our eyes on the vulnerability of Jesus and on his unrequited love for us, we are transformed. For a life permeated by closeness to him, contemplation becomes the source of action. This beautifully written book, replete with reflections on the Bible, is a spiritual companion and guide for Lent – and the rest of the year – that will introduce readers to the riches of the Carmelite tradition. It also includes questions at the end of each chapter that enable us to follow the profound and practical way of the Carmelites.

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Written for general readers of all religious backgrounds, Reason and Wonder introduces some of the most fruitful discussions now taking place between leading thinkers in science and theology. As Professor Priest writes in his Preface: ‘In this integrated approach, the notion of science as a monolithic concept is shattered. Instead, the sciences and humanities represent a rainbow tapestry, linked by a common search for understanding, using reason and imagination.’ This fascinating book includes accounts of key points of convergence in areas such as astrophysics, biology, mathematics, neuroscience and psychology, and ends with a stimulating set of questions for group discussion or personal reflection.

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