Search results for ""SPCK Publishing""

'It's impossible to visit Church on the Street and not be deeply moved by the work the organisation does for those in need. It is an extraordinary place ... 'HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES, from the Foreword 'There are so few people like Pastor Mick that this book deserves a shelf all to itself.' JEREMY VINE, BROADCASTER AND JOURNALIST An autobiography that is fast-paced, stirring and a powerful testament to the love of God, Blown Away tells the story of Pastor Mick Fleming. No conventional clergyman, Pastor Mick led a life of crime and addiction before being called by God to become a Christian minister. Brutally raped as a child, he was about to confide in his parents when the dreadful news came that his sister had died of a sudden heart-attack. Mick didn't cry again for 30 years, masking his pain with drink and drugs and working as notorious underworld fixer - until the day a revelation of faith unravelled his world, and he found himself utterly 'blown away'. Here he relates his incredible journey from hardened criminal to discovering who he truly is in Christ; from helping to destroy lives through drug dealing, to helping others and saving lives through selflessly serving those in poverty. Laying bare his struggles in full for the first time, including a failed attempt at suicide, Pastor Mick tells how sharing his pain has helped others who are suffering. Since that first call that set him on the road to becoming a Christian minister he has seen miracles happen - including being able not only to forgive, but to help, the man who ruined his life. Blown Away is a thought-provoking and inspiring Christian autobiography that offers insight into the violent underworld of crime, addiction and substance abuse in the UK and reveals the extraordinary power of faith, forgiveness and redemption. Pastor Mick's story will move and inspire you on your own faith journey, and offer hope to those struggling with addiction, grief and suffering. Told with raw honesty and full of warmth and humanity, Blown Away is an amazing example of how God can help those even in the darkest places.

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'Katie radiates positivity! A book for those who need daily uplifting affirmations from one of the most inspiring women I know. A must read to brighten up your days.' -- Laura Whitmore ‘Katie Piper is such an empowering person. Anyone who has struggled with adversity and fought their way out of tough situations can take comfort and inspiration from her approach to life.’ -- Matt Haig ‘Katie personifies both heart, courage, endurance and hope as the extraordinary woman she is. It is beautifully expressed in this gift of a book that everyone of us can learn and grow from.’ -- Julia Samuel A Little Bit of Faith is the perfect daily devotional for anyone trying to fill their days with hope, faith and positivity. Providing 365 bite-sized affirmations, Katie Piper encourages us to see that heartbreak and hardship can become fuel for your fight. Whatever life has thrown at you lately, you can fall countless times and still get back up again – all you need is a little bit of faith. Full of hope and warmth, this lovely daily devotional draws on Katie’s own faith to show how spirituality has brought greater confidence and meaning to her life. Katie invites you to journey with her through the year, with seasonal thoughts for every day that break down the things we all struggle with and show how, with faith and positivity, we can face and overcome them. Beautifully designed and wonderfully uplifting, this 365-day devotional is easy to dip in and out of. It will help you find strength and confidence when you need it most, and also makes a delightful gift. Packed with hard-won words of wisdom and practical advice, A Little Bit of Faith is the companion every reader needs to grow and glow right where you are.

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From Yehuda Amichai and W. H. Auden to Phyllis Wheatley and Walt Whitman, Hearing God in Poetry invites you to take a closer look at fifty great poems by some of the finest poets in the English language. Some are well known, some deserve to be better known, but all say something distinctive that will lift your spirit. This beautiful Lent book for 2022 offers six poems for every week from Ash Wednesday, leading up to Holy Week, with ten poems specially chosen for Easter. A short reflection from Richard Harries accompanies each poet and the poem, drawing out their spiritual insights and how they communicate God’s presence. Hearing God in Poetry is an ideal Lent book for 2022 for poetry lovers and anyone interested in how some of the world’s finest poets have expressed faith in their work. This book of daily readings will introduce you to some wonderful poetry for Lent and Easter, and give you a deeper understanding and appreciation of these brilliant works of literature. It will also help expand your spirituality to see God’s presence in the world around you as you prepare for Easter. Full of riches, Hearing God in Poetry is a book that you will want to turn to time and time again – whether during Lent or in any other season of the year.

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'As we contemplate the coming months, not knowing when we can breathe again, it's worth thinking about how already the foundations have been laid for whatever new opportunities God has for us on the far side of this crisis.' Rowan Williams offers these words of wisdom and many more in Candles in the Dark. This powerful and timely book brings together the 26 weekly Christian meditations originally posted online from March to September 2020, during lockdown in the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, for the congregation of his local parish church. Candles in the Dark is a lovely Christian book of comfort for anyone looking for the light in these dark times. Written with warmth and compassion, these meditations offer us hope and encouragement as we continue to endure the most devastating and disturbing world crisis for over a generation. They will leave you spiritually uplifted and with a strengthened faith to guide you through whatever may come.

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‘Joshua’s tone and message communicates a wisdom that can only come from first-hand experience. The grace and poetic writing within this book will stay with you for ever’ - Propaganda, Author, Poet, Political Activist ‘Joshua Luke Smith has given us a beautiful book. With the skill of an artist, the heart of a disciple, and the vision of prophet, he invites us to encounter the grace of God in a way that stokes the deeper fire our hearts are aching for in these broken time. What a gift.’ - Jon Tyson. Author and Pastor The culture today tells us we can be whoever we want to be. So, why do so many of us feel stuck? Throughout this book, pastor and poet Joshua Luke Smith invites you into a ‘selah’ moment – an opportunity to quieten the noise – and to see that the clarity you are longing for may be closer than you think. Something You Once Knew will remind you of what you always hoped to be true and rekindle the wonder you lost along the way. With thoughtful reflections on following curiosity, building true community and reclaiming your creativity, this book will help you to rediscover the vision and vibrancy installed in you from the very beginning.' ‘Joshua Luke Smith writes with an electric heart-on-sleeve honesty that makes me feel like I’m reconnecting with a long-lost friend. Page after page I feel the stirring of a mysterious wonder that I’m afraid I’d long forgotten.’ - John Mark Mcmillan ‘Every human should read this masterpiece (and I don't call it that lightly) as I honestly think it has the ability to make us all better people.’ - Zoe Clark-Coates MBE

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'My favourite thing about this book is the different perspectives on one main thing... Worship! Reading it provided much clarity on a word that is often misunderstood.' Guvna B, Rapper, Author & Broadcaster What does it mean to be a worshipper? Together, Tim Hughes and Nick Drake explore who, where, why and how Christians worship, what happens when we do and where the future of worship may take us. With contributions from Graham Kendrick, Lou Fellingham, Kees Kraayenoord, Dr Helen Morris and many more, this book offers a fresh reminder that worship isn’t just music and the songs we sing, it is so much more. The Spring Harvest 2021 theme book, Why Worship? will help you reconnect to the purpose and meaning of worship, so that you can grow closer to God individually and as a church community and get the most out of worship. Contributors Tim Hughes, Nick Drake, Dr John Andrews, Dr Helen Morris, Graham Kendrick, Lou Fellingham, Lyn Weston, Kees Kraayenoord, Noel Robinson, Doug Williams, Dr Darell Johnson.

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In a life full of highs and lows, choice and challenges, the words 'and yet' can change everything. We are surrounded by darkness and yet there is light. We feel we are lacking and yet God provides. We are broken and bruised and yet there is hope. In the depths of depression and plagued with suicidal thoughts, Rachael Newham never thought she'd find herself writing a book on joy. And yet, if her journey with mental health illness has taught her anything it is that true, deep, lasting joy can only be experienced when we allow ourselves to enter into lament and be honest about our pain before God. With warm understanding, in this lovely Lent book for 2022 Rachael traces how Biblical writers used 'and yet' to bring together joy and lament and invites us to see them not as opposites, but two sides of the same coin. Drawing on her experiences with mental illness, she shows us how we can build a rhythm of both joy and lament into our lives both through the season of Lent and the rest of the church's year. With reflections split over six sections And Yet is the perfect daily Lent devotional for 2022, but its undated readings can be used for periods of prayerful reflection throughout the year. This is a beautiful Christian book on lament ideal for anyone looking for to better understand how the tradition of lament and joy work together, and how they can make them a part of their everyday spiritual formation. We may be living in dark circumstances - and yet with a few simple practices we can experience joy in every season.

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Highly readable and filled with dynamic illustrations, The Bible in a Flash is the perfect children's Bible to introduce young readers aged 8-10 to God's Word. This abridged version of the NLT Children's Bible will take children on an expedition through the most famous Bible stories from Genesis to Revelation, so they can see how the story of the Bible fits together. The clear, easy-to-read New Living Translation text is ideal for primary school aged children beginning to read by themselves, or for families to read together with younger children at bedtime or story-time. The Bible in a Flash is composed entirely from the words of the Bible itself, and also features biblical poems, prayers and teachings. Children will gain new insight into how many familiar Bible stories make up one seamless tale from creation to the end of time, enabling them to engage with faith and church in a fresh way. With fun, energetic illustrations from Becka Moor bringing to life beloved Bible characters and scenes on every page, this is a children's Bible that will captivate a new generation of readers as they discover the amazing Bible stories that can be read a bit at a time - or all the way through in a flash!

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In this delightfully witty and uplifting book, thirty-something Lauren Windle shines a light on the trials and tribulations – and sometimes also the triumphs – of the world of Christian dating. This is not a how-to guide. Like having a coffee with your mates while you pore over your profile matches, heartbreaks and hilarious mishaps, Notes on Love draws on Lauren's own experiences of being single and dating in the Church to offer a funny, insightful and open-hearted collection of musings on the absurdity, messiness, pain and joy of it all. With notes on ‘How to first date’ and ‘A million ways to meet people’ to ‘Disappointment’ and ‘Schrodinger’s boyfriend’, as well as looking at how you can find true love with yourself, your friends and family and above all in Christ, Notes on Love is a thought-provoking exploration of Christian relationships in the Church today. This is a book for anyone who has struggled with dating in Church, or who has asked themselves how to be single as a Christian only to discover there’s no right answer. Warm, generous and honest, Notes on Love is an invitation to laugh, cry and know that whether you are male or female, single, coupled up or somewhere in between, you are not alone.

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Jam-packed with interesting facts, Christian theology and practical tips, Planet Protectors is an informative and empowering guide for children on helping the environment by living sustainably! In a lively, entertaining style Ruth Valerio and Paul Kerensa offer 52 fantastic ideas for looking after the world – from cycling more and choosing fair-trade, to taking shorter showers and recycling. Children will love taking up a different challenge each week and be inspired to join the fight for the planet’s future as they learn about why it is so important to care for the environment and God’s creation. With quirky illustrations perfect for colouring in throughout, Planet Protectors is an ideal book for 7- to 9-year-old children beginning to read independently. It is also a brilliant resource for parents and guardians to open up conversations with children about environmental sustainability, and for primary schools, Sunday schools and youth workers teaching about the environment. Encourage and empower your children to see how they can make a difference and look after the world by becoming Planet Protectors.

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In this small but masterly-crafted book, Richard Rohr addresses what Christianity views as the three traditional sources of evil – the world, the flesh and the devil – to encourage us to look beyond our personal moral failings and give us principles for resisting evil on a wider scale. Exploring how Christianity has focused almost exclusively on individual evil, or the sins of the flesh, he offers a gripping interpretation of Jesus’ teachings and the writings of Paul the Apostle to show how vital it is that we also understand the often subtle and well-disguised evil of the world and the devil. This book offers no easy solutions. Yet, skilfully distilling half a century of teaching and preaching, The World, the Flesh and the Devil will leave you with a greater understanding of evil and its role in the social issues of our time, and better equipped to recognise and fight it. With his characteristic wisdom and compassion, Rohr offers us principles for resisting the social evils pervading our lives, in which we are all complicit, through Christian contemplation and by reaching out to one another in love.

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Two busy builders have been hard at work building their homes, but when the storms come, will their houses stay standing or will they fall into a pile of rubble? The Busy Builders is a fun retelling in rhyme of a classic Bible parable for kids, showing the importance of following Jesus’ teachings, from award-winning author Bob Hartman. The story of the Wise and the Foolish Builders is vibrantly retold in this entertaining picture book for 3-5 year olds. With Bob Hartman’s beloved entertaining wit, The Busy Builders is the perfect way to introduce this classic Bible story to kids in a way that’s accessible and easily understood. Bright, quirky illustrations from Mark Beech bring this Bible story book to life, and kids will love joining in with the fun and memorable rhymes as they read along. The clear, simple text is ideal for young children just starting to read and for adults to read aloud. The Busy Builders is a picture book that children and parents alike will adore and is the perfect follow on from Bob Hartman’s Rhyming Bible. It is also a brilliant story time resource for KS1 teachers, Sunday School teachers and those involved in children’s ministry. Kids will learn about the parables in a memorable, engaging way, and gain a new understanding of why it is important to follow Jesus’ teachings.

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‘An incredible resource, earthed in academic rigour but packed to the gills with useful exercises that have been honed by reality and experience.’ Black Theology Commended as essential reading by reviewers, this insightful guide shows how Black theology makes a difference to Christian thought and practice. Full of Bible studies and practical exercises, here is a stimulating resource that encourages a new awareness of ourselves and others. This timely new edition includes a new afterword on the Black Lives Matter movement, and the difference it is making in the struggle for a society where we are all equally accepted and respected as God's children. ‘Forges the wisdom of Black theology into a powerful tool for change – not just to the way we think but to how we live.’ Elaine Graham, Research Professor of Practical Theology, University of Chester ‘Theological institutions, ordinary people, preachers, worship leaders and house group facilitators should wrestle with this little volume.’ Methodist Recorder

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For Christians, prayer is the main way we communicate with God - but what can we do when we struggle with the question of how to pray or feel our prayer lives are lacking? Seven Ways to Pray explores how by looking to ancient prayer practices of Christianity, we can find fresh ways to relate to God today. Discovering these tried and tested tools will not only strengthen our relationship with him but will bring us joy, contentment, growth and transformation. With warmth and encouragement, Amy Boucher Pye takes us through seven ways to pray to God: praying with the Bible, receiving and extending forgiveness, practicing God's presence, listening prayer, the prayer of lament, praying with the gospels imaginatively and the prayer of examen. Guiding us through their history, she shows us how easily we can make these prayer practices part of our lives and use them to grow closer to God. Along with prayer exercises to help us engage directly with God, there are questions for individual reflection or small-group discussion, making Seven Ways to Pray perfect to use as a family, in churches or with friends. This is a book for anyone who has ever wondered how to pray or is looking for ways to revitalise their prayer lives. It will give you an understanding of some of the oldest prayer practices of Christianity, and equip you with the tools you need to renew and refresh your relationship with God. Come along, and discover Seven Ways to Pray.

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Claud was just six years old when he first held a gun in his hands. Now, over twenty years later, he is returning to communities just like the one he grew up in, this time holding a Bible. Guns to God is the incredible autobiography of Claud Jackson, a young boy who became a drug dealer and professional criminal before giving his life to God through the Alpha Course and later being called to become a Christian minister. Though exceptional in parts, Claud's journey is remarkably relatable: it is one of being shaped by circumstance and formed through faith, of losing yourself only to be found. Guns to God is an inspiring and thought-provoking Christian autobiography for anyone wanting a stronger understanding of and insight into the struggle against drugs and drug dealing in urban communities in the UK, and the role that the Christian faith has to play. The story of one man’s search for belonging, this an incredible and moving testament to the life-changing power of God.

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Who is the Christ we serve? What does it mean to be part of the body of Christ? How can we live more Christ-centred lives? Introduced and edited by Bishop Sarah Mullally, here are forty reflections that lead us deeper into the meaning and practice of life in Christ today. Drawing on the collective wisdom of all the area bishops in the Diocese of London. each reflection includes a Bible reading, a prayer and a suggestion for action based on the reading. The result is an exceptionally helpful Lent book, offering a rich array of biblical insight and spiritual guidance that Christians of all traditions will warmly welcome and appreciate.

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‘An invaluable resource for both students and teachers.’ Dr Lucy Peppiatt Tried, tested and trusted by students and teachers across the world, this widely respected study guide enables the reader to engage with an array of essential topics, including: · the Greco-Roman background to ancient letter writing · the content and major themes of Paul's life, mission and theology · issues of authorship, date and setting · well established and newer methods of study · the intersection of New Testament studies with contemporary issues of faith and culture Now in its third edition, this popular textbook has been fully revised and updated, and includes new sections on: · the theological links between Jesus and Paul · major recent discussions on Pauline theology · developments in scholarship of the New Testament · updated bibliographies, highlighting the most important and influential works published in the past decade Drawing on the authors’ decades of experience in teaching these topics, this comprehensive textbook gives students a strong understanding and a solid foundation for further study.

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Does the Bible really condemn same-sex relationships? Many Christians wrestle with this question. Here, in his compassionate, cogent book, David Runcorn outlines how someone can support same-sex relationships on the basis of the Bible, not in spite of it. The Church, in every time and place, finds itself working out the shock and surprise of God’s unfolding ways – often scandalized by where holiness, goodness and the life of God are to be found. Runcorn’s insightful and moving reflections show how speaking in gospel friendship will help to dispel the anxiety and division that have tended to mark the Church’s response to homosexuality. Covering sexual abstinence and celibacy, sexuality and the sacred, he leads us to one powerful conclusion: love means love. ‘Brim-full of gentle and clear wisdom. Highly recommended!’ PAUL BAYES, Bishop of Liverpool ‘Joyful, truthful, scandalously inclusive . . . This book will literally save lives. It opens the door of grace and beckons you in.’ NICK BUNDOCK, Rector of St James and Emmanuel, Didsbury ‘Liberates us to read our beloved Bible with faithfulness, both to the text and to the fruit of Christ we often see in LGBT+ lives. For a good number of us, it will be met with a cry of “at last!”’. JODY STOWELL, Vicar of St Michael’s Harrow and Chair of London Clergy

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There are many situations we find ourselves in as Christians that are difficult to handle. In this warm and compassionate handbook John Pritchard offers an easy-to-navigate source of advice on how to respond to the needs of others. It draws on his extensive experience, and his companion volume The Life and Work of a Priest, which has become a classic. Laid out in an accessible A-Z format, the Handbook for Christian Ministry is for both lay and ordained Christians wanting to make the most of the ministries God has called them into. With 'tail pieces' and 'quick ideas' featured throughout, readers will learn of real-life examples and be able to put their understanding into practise. With activities such as creating a visual map of The Holy Land, setting up a pastoral visiting team or running a storytelling workshop, this handbook will equip Christians with a variety of skills to help them make the most of their calling.

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‘This immersive, persuasive and triumphant celebration of women is smart, bold and brave, cheering us on and challenging us to live lives of liberation. Faith and ethics dance effortlessly together, as biblical women look us firmly in the eye.’ Rachie Ross, eco-theologian The Bible includes many stories about women: some well-known, others lesser known; some named, others whose names are not given. In some of these stories, men are depicted negatively by the storyteller; in others men barely feature at all, except in the background or as powerful outsiders. All the compilers of these narratives were probably men, and all of them are set within an ancient world of patriarchal norms and conditions. And yet many of these narratives express the authentic voices of women, and in some cases the original sources will have been the women themselves. In Women in a Patriarchal World Elaine Storkey focuses on the stories of women who faced a range of challenges and life-changing decisions. Her investigations will lead you to fully appreciate the authenticity of these accounts. They will prompt you to see the connections with our own lives and times. And above all they will empower you to respond more faithfully and intelligently to the many challenges that women are still confronted with today. ‘This book combines rigour with deep humanity and faith.’ Christina Rees CBE, writer, broadcaster and preacher ‘Each page left me feeling more empowered than the last.’ Ruth Akinradewo, Press Red Ambassador

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The SPCK Lectionary provides a clearly laid-out presentation of the Common Worship calendar and lectionary, with BCP readings on the same page. Sundays and major festivals are covered, as well as weekday services. An essential purchase for any church using the Common Worship or Book of Common Prayer services.

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The work book will follow the structure of the textbook, as follows: 1. Reading the New Testament 2. The World of Jesus and the Early Church 3. Jesus and the Victory of God 4. The Resurrection of the Son of God 5. Paul and the Faithfulness of God 6. The Gospels and the Story of God 7. The Early Christians and the Mission of God 8. The Making of the New Testament 9. Living the Story of the New Testament

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In May 1931, Alan Don travelled from Dundee to Lambeth Palace to become Chaplain to Archbishop Cosmo Lang. During that journey he began a diary. He kept it faithfully for the next fifteen years, during which he also became Chaplain to the King and to the Speaker of the House of Commons. These positions afforded him a ringside view of some of the most momentous events in both British and world history - including the abdication of Edward VIII, the coronation of George VI, the rise of Hitler and the trauma of the Second World War. Now, for the first time, these fascinating diaries are laid open. They offer a wealth of detailed insight into the ecclesiastical, royal and parliamentary affairs of Britain and her elite during two historically significant decades. They also open a window on the history of the Church of England and its role in the social, political and military upheavals of the 1930s and 40s. Anyone who wants to know more about how Great Britain survived those turbulent times, will be amply rewarded by this engaging, perceptive and revealing eye-witness account.

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‘I was amazed and intrigued by the way Leroy had stood his ground and progressed within the Metropolitan Police against so many obstacles: hostility, outright racism and being repeatedly overlooked for promotion.’ Steve McQueen, from the Foreword Discover the incredible true story behind Steve McQueen’s critically acclaimed film Small Axe: Red, White and Blue in Closing Ranks. Leroy Logan’s inspiring autobiography tells of an illustrious career and gives a fascinating behind the scenes look at the workings of the Metropolitan Police. One of the founder members of the Black Police Association Charitable Trust, Leroy relates with powerful honesty his first-hand experience of racism, and how his strong Christian faith helped him persevere in a frequently hostile work environment. Offering encouragement to other Black officers, Leroy’s passion for good policing shines through, as does his touching concern to guide and empower young people. Closing Ranks will motivate anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of race relations in Britain over the last thirty years. It’s a compelling autobiography from a successful Black man who has truly made a difference. ‘This is a story that needs telling.’ Patrick Regan OBE, Kintsugi Hope ‘Leroy Logan is a great example of achievement against all the odds.’ The Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover

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‘This is the hour of crisis: it is high time for you to wake out of sleep, for deliverance is nearer to us now than it was when first we believed.’ St Paul's encouraging words to the Christians in Rome are the springboard for the Archbishop of York's Advent book for 2019. With prayers and stimulating questions for reflection at the end of each daily meditation, here is fresh spiritual food for the Advent journey – pressed down, shaken together and running over. ‘Wake up! Clean up! Feed up! Grow up!’ Walk alongside Archbishop Sentamu this Advent, as he discusses the meaning and influence of those four gospel imperatives in this lively and invigorating book.

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'Some books have to be written . . . Defying the Holocaust will make your heart pound.' - Steve Chalke MBE During the Second World War, Christians from many nations and denominations stepped forward with courage, ingenuity and determination to protect and rescue Jews from the Holocaust. In Defying the Holocaust, Tim Dowley shares the stories of ten of these extraordinary women and men. From the Most Unorthodox Nun: Mother Maria of Paris to Committed Swedes: Pastors Erik Perwe and Erik Myrgren, Tim Dowley introduces an array of brave Christians, and tells the reader about the incredible lengths they went to in order to help rescue the Jews. In Defying the Holocaust each of their stories is accompanied by photos of the individuals themselves and further photos to add context to their stories. Christians and those fascinated by stories about the Holocaust will find Tim Dowley's book to be incredibly inspiring, a reminder that these ten brave men women and men stood up to the cruelty of the times.

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‘God’s purpose for us is to show, as we get older, that he gives us his strength and, through our experiences of him, his wisdom,’ says Ian Knox. ‘God is not finished with us. In our later years we are not only to be blessed, but to be a blessing and bring a blessing.’ As we get older, some of us grow more frenetic in our anxiety to demonstrate that the force is still with us. Others withdraw, often quite abruptly. What is God’s view of ageing? The Bible has much to say, and many stories to tell, about those who did great things, those who did ordinary things well, those who prayed, those who used their gifts, those who suffered, those who went right to the end – and those who, in later years, got it absolutely wrong. How are we going to face the prospect of ageing? Will we subside, give up? Or shall we view retirement as a gift from God, an opportunity to reach out to others? Our older years are full of possibilities, not least of which is that of helping others find Christ.

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Are you in 'The Comparison Trap'? Too often, women hold each other back, bad mouthing and making unflattering comparisons. Social media gives extra opportunities for negative comment. What would happen, asks Helen Roberts, if women ceased to compete and compare? What if we settled our conflicts and resolved instead to champion one another? To celebrate each other’s victories? In The Comparison Trap Helen explores the complexities of female relationships in workplaces, families and friendship circles, using contemporary, historical, personal and biblical examples. This book is for women who want to establish healthy habits, enabling their relationships to thrive. This will help them to live more confidently as the daughters the Father intends us to be, free from envy or comparison.

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Questions about a woman's place are being asked in all areas of society. Cathy Madavan aims to cheer women on, to give them courage, to create awareness about their potential and to challenge them to keep `lifting the lid'. We are surrounded by women who make a difference. Some thrive in a board room, some in a pulpit, some in a nursery. Some are wired for deadlines, others for creativity. But every woman will influence those around her. How do we learn from others without simply aping or imitating those we admire? Do we have the emotional intelligence and self-awareness to know that the very people who frustrate us are often the ones we need most? However, most women also wrestle with confidence, knowing their identity and place, juggling their lives and managing expectations. This book equips and empowers women. It encourages them to be an irrepressible positive influence and a voice for others. It is a resource and treasury, with principles, stories and insights. Cathy addresses her topic through a series of penetrating questions. What are your personal values and vision? What is your true character? Are you a thermometer, measuring the climate, or a thermostat, setting the temperature? Where does self-assurance come from, and how does it differ from arrogance? Who are your role models? How do you counteract stereotypes and sticky labels? Are you investing in self-leadership, in personal development? How do you build your core relationships, and widen your circle? Do you have healthy boundaries, and the ability to say no? How can you develop resilience? How can you create balance between work and life, exterior and interior?

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In the hugely popular ‘Q & A’ style, this devotional journal enables you to reflect on your spiritual journey over a period of five years. Approachable and encouraging, it offers a brief Scripture reading and a question for each day. There are verses from every book of the Bible, and questions on topics such as praise, faith, prayer, worry, creation and forgiveness. As you record your responses over the years, you’ll discover how circumstances change, how difficult things can be used by God in ways we cannot foresee and how hints of future decisions may be perceived in earlier entries. Most valuable of all, the journal helps you to find time to be with God for a few minutes each evening as you contemplate the events of the day.

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I thought having a baby would complete me. I was wrong. I believed I’d be a great parent and a natural 'mum’. I wasn't. I thought I’d know what to do. I didn’t. What happens when two become three? When sleep is a myth? When friends used to see you – but now see your baby? Is your identity lost in motherhood? Does your brain still work? ‘In those early years I could barely follow an episode of Peppa Pig,’ says Anne, ‘let alone pick up a Bible.’ This book helps you make wise decisions over your children. It addresses the challenges of parenthood – for instance, should you return to work? Anne uses examples from her own struggle, together with biblical insights and other people’s experiences, to help you know you are not alone. A droll and insightful companion for all who wrestle with parenthood. Anne Calver is a Baptist minister.

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Aged eight, Thomas Graumann excitedly boarded a train in Prague, Czechoslovakia, to embark on what he believed was a three-month holiday. "Go to Britain, learn English, and when the Germans leave, you can come home again," his mother assured him. Thomas carried two suitcases and a bag of food. At the time he knew his country had been taken over by the Germans and now was under Nazi control. That was the last he would see of his mother and most of his Jewish family, who died in concentration camps. He had also never heard of Nicholas Winton, the hero who saved 669 children (Thomas was one of the last, #652), transporting them from Czechoslovakia to the UK to save their lives. This was Thomas' first rescue, aboard what became known as the Kindertransport. His second came a year later when an evangelist from the Scottish village he was taken to for safety shared the good news of Jesus Christ with him. Saying a prayer on bent knee, Thomas' soul was rescued, and he soon dedicated himself to missionary service, which he fulfilled as an adult in the Philippines, eventually moving to the U.S. But his missionary zeal returned after the fall of Communism-and the return of his grandmother's property to his family. Both actions ushered in a way for him to return to the Czech Republic. The former rescued child was now free to travel throughout his homeland, speaking in schools of how he was rescued ... not once, but twice.

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Looking for a special card to give to your loved ones this Christmas? These cards are crafted with you in mind. Simple, special, personal and plainspoken – with their beautiful designs, these cards do all the talking. In packs of 10, sustainably sourced. Comes in 2 equally celestial backgrounds, one containing ‘Peace on Earth’ against a snowy forest background in white text and another featuring a sparkling ‘Star of Wonder’ blue and pink over-layer.

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How best to get twelve brothers around the local neighbourhood? In a minibus of course! But when Joe is left behind, and his coloured coat ripped in the process, he ends up being passed through the neighbourhood from building to building, from fancy townhouse, to jail, to palace to grain store. Told in rhyme and full of Kerensa's wit and warmth, discover this fun and quirky retelling of Joseph's story, brought to life with beautiful illustrations from the Pope Twins.

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'Comfort, O comfort my people. . . In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord.' The second part of the book of Isaiah rings with proclamations and prophecies that find their fulfilment in the Gospels and are still being fulfilled by followers of Jesus today. In Freedom is Coming Nick Baines invites you to think about what it meant for people in Isaiah's day to be living in exile, and how the prophet encouraged them to keep their faith alive despite the apparent hopelessness of their situation. At the same time, this book helps you to see the connections between Isaiah's time and ours, and how his vision of God's truth and justice spreading throughout the world can comfort, challenge and inspire God's people now, just as it did back then. Read this book and find out how you too can become a 'light to the nations' as, once again, we approach the celebration of Christ's birth and the new world that God has promised to bring into being.

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Communication lies at the heart of every healthy community; the church is no exception. In Matthew 11:15, Jesus says, 'Whoever has ears, let them hear'. How do we make sure we are saying things in a way that invites all people - no matter their background - to engage with what it means to be church today? This colourful, engaging and practical book will help leaders and members alike be more mindful of how they ‘communicate church’ both inside and outside of it within our dynamic and ever-changing digital culture.

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Whether you are completely new to Matthew's Gospel or have read it many times before, Meeting God in Matthew will help you see the First Gospel with fresh eyes and better understand its essential meaning and purpose. Elaine Storkey, one of the world's most widely respected theologians and author of Women in a Patriarchal World and Scars Across Humanity, offers an accessible introduction to the main message of Matthew's Gospel. Powerful and absorbing, it is packed full of compelling observations about the personality and impact of Jesus, both in the first century and today. Meeting God in Matthew explores what the Gospel of Matthew teaches us about the revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. Essential reading for anyone wanting to understand the gospel message better, it will leave you with a new appreciation of and enthusiasm for the riches of Matthew's writing, and the desire to return to it over and over again. Its straightforward, enlightening approach also makes it eminently helpful for new Christians just starting out on their faith journey. Each chapter includes questions for discussion and reflection, making Meeting God in Matthew a perfect book for Bible study, both for individuals and small groups. With a focus on the Passion narrative, it is also ideal for use as a Lent devotional. Simple yet profound, Meeting God in Matthew is an invitation to anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of the Gospel of Matthew and through it to meet the God that is revealed in Jesus Christ.

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The SPCK Lectionary provides a clearly laid-out presentation of the Common Worship calendar and lectionary, with BCP readings on the same page. Sundays and major festivals are covered, as well as weekday services. An essential purchase for any church using the Common Worship or Book of Common Prayer services.

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With soft-touch covers, rounded corners and a striped coloured design, these notebooks are ready to be filled with your creative ideas. Further features include: Gold foiling 90 gsm white paper Open-flat binding Lined pages Sustainably sourced

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With soft-touch covers, gold foil, rounded corners and a ribbon marker, these hardback notebooks are ready to be filled with your creative ideas. Further features include: Graduated colour cover 90 gsm white paper Open-flat binding Lined pages Coloured endpapers Sustainably sourced

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Part One: The History (What do we know?) This brief historical introduction to Bach explores the social, political and religious factors that formed the original context of his life and work, and considers how those factors affected the way he was initially received. What was his impact on the world at the time and what were the key ideas and values connected with him? Part Two: The Legacy (Why does it matter?) This second part explores the intellectual and cultural `afterlife’ of Bach, and considers the ways in which his impact has lasted and how his music has been interpreted by later generations. Why is he still considered important today? And what aspects of his legacy are likely to continue to influence the world in the future? The book has a brief chronology at the front plus a glossary of key terms and a list of further reading at the back.

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52 readings, each with a scripture passage and prayer, from one of our most loved and respected Christian leaders and speakers. Each reading contains a story, often startling and arresting, from Andrew’s astonishingly eventful ministry, blended with his reflections on life and faith.

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Zac’s Place is a church in Swansea. It is a small chaotic community of Jesus followers where the most fragile of life’s walking wounded try to work out their faith, because they quite simply wouldn’t fit anywhere else. It’s also the spiritual home for the local chapter of the motorcycle club God’s Squad. Zac’s Place was founded in 1998 and for nearly twenty years has been led by Sean Stillman – a “painfully shy, nervous preacher’s kid” – whose front-line ministry, at Zac’s Place and on the road, has cost him dearly, including physical beating. In Zac’s Place, chaos and disorder sit alongside community and grace in an environment that sometimes resembles an AA meeting mixed with a casualty department. This is Sean’s personal story of a transformed faith alongside the broken, the story of the church he started and the European-wide growth of an unlikely bunch of biker missionaries. The thread that will run through it is the `greater righteousness’ that Christ was looking for - what can happen when our concern for the perfect performance is stripped bare and replaced with poverty of spirit.

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The Tell-It-Together Gospel brings together a new translation of Mark’s Gospel by renowned biblical scholar Paula Gooder and interactive storytelling tips from bestselling author Bob Hartman. Remaining faithful to the Bible text itself, Paula and Bob combine Mark’s Gospel with fun and engaging actions to bring the text to life and make it memorable for all ages – even the very young. Clearly presented with easy-to-read text and accompanying directives for audience participation, this book is ideal for use in churches, children’s groups, at home and in many other settings.

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Though little can be known with certainty about the historical Jesus, the image of a heavenly figure – `Christ crucified and risen’ – was constructed out of his life and teachings. This vision of divine reality transcends traditional Hebrew poetic thought, retaining its ancient power in the context of our new understanding of a vast and evolving cosmos. In order to help us form a truly contemporary Christian spirituality, Keith Ward (writing in our own time and place rather than, for example, in the 4th century like St Augustine, the 14th like Julian of Norwich, the 16th like Ignatius of Loyola, or the 20th like Thomas Merton) offers a set of reflections on what he believes to be the unique and life-transforming revelation of God in the person of Jesus Christ. And as we explore the spiritual truths relating to this mystery as expressed in the Gospels, meditation leads naturally to prayer.

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Cardinals, directors, dissidents, dons, judges, novelists, philosophers, prime ministers, scientists, world statesmen. . . Throughout his long and distinguished career, Sir Anthony Kenny has encountered some of the most notable and influential leaders of the post-war world. In these brilliantly vivid vignettes Kenny offers telling and often unexpected insights into the achievements, flaws and foibles of sixty public figures - past and present - each of whom has contributed in decisive ways to our political, spiritual and cultural heritage.

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Many people assume that science `disproves’ the idea of God, and that we no longer need faith in order to understand the world or why we are in it. Roger Trigg examines these assumptions and considers whether recent developments in science may in fact support religious faith. He goes on to consider the increasing scientific evidence for the inherent orderliness and comprehensibility of the universe, which leads him to ask an even more radical question: Might there be aspects of religious belief that can help to support our science?

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Spend a month in the company of Julian of Norwich, with sixty-two reflections to enrich your mornings and evenings. ‘According to her vision of God, he . . . has always been imparting unconditional love.’ - Janina Ramirez, from Julian of Norwich: A very brief history Praise for the A Month with series: ‘This series helps us to be properly nurtured by the living, radical Christian tradition of faith.’ - Mark Oakley, author and Dean of St John's College, Cambridge Julian of Norwich was a fourteenth-century mystic whose writings vividly convey the love of God and his presence in suffering.

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