Search

'I can't imagine a college student--skeptic, doubter, Christian, struggler--who wouldn't benefit from this book.' --Kevin DeYoung For many young adults, the college years are an exciting period of selfdiscovery full of new relationships, new independence, and new experiences. Yet college can also be a time of personal testing and intense questioning-- especially for Christian students confronted with various challenges to Christianity and the Bible for the first time. Drawing on years of experience as a biblical scholar, Michael Kruger addresses common objections to the Christian faith--the exclusivity of Christianity, Christian intolerance, homosexuality, hell, the problem of evil, science, miracles, and the reliability of the Bible. If you're a student dealing with doubt or wrestling with objections to Christianity from fellow students and professors alike, this book will equip you to engage secular challenges with intellectual honesty, compassion, and confidence--and ultimately graduate college with your faith intact.

A beautifully illustrated devotional book that looks at what we can learn about God from tending our gardens. Richard Littledale invites you to push open the garden gate and join him as he discovers the joy of gardening. A reluctant gardener, Richard took up ‘project garden’ to help combat the loneliness of bereavement, only to find that the physical transformation of his garden mirrored a real change in himself too. Follow Richard’s journey through 52 tales and uncover what gardening can teach us about patience, humility, hope, fruitfulness and the abiding goodness of God. Beautifully illustrated throughout, each tale includes a gardening story, a biblical reflection and a prayer. Whether you are an enthusiastic beginner or naturally green-fingered, this gentle and encouraging book reveals inspirational thoughts about life and God from the perspective of the gardener. Content Benefits: This beautifully illustrated gift book, containing 52 devotions, explores truths that we can learn about life, ourselves and God from tending our gardens. Each tale has a gardening story, a Bible verse and reflection and a chance to pause and pray Each gardening tale is written in a conversational and accessible voice Beautiful line drawings appear throughout the book adding visual appeal Encourages even reluctant gardeners to see the joy gardening can bring Helps gardeners see the link between the natural world and God Enables keen gardeners to see God in their work Explores the link between gardens and faith Enables you to spend time listening to God in nature Ideal resource for quiet times or devotional times Encourages those who are bereaved to take up gardening as ‘ecotherapy’ to help deal with grief Ideal inspirational gift for any green-fingered gardener Suitable for those just starting out or seasoned gardeners Hardback cover and internal illustrations make this a perfect gift for anyone who loves gardening Perfect gift for birthdays, celebrations, and more Review The mental, physical and spiritual benefits of gardening are well known but often overlooked. This beautifully written and illustrated book of stories, prayers and reflections will entice its readers outside to dig, prune, weed and tend and above all to grow in love and knowledge of the Great Gardener himself. --Jo Swinney Author & Head of Communications, A Rocha International Richard Littledale's wonderful book is a pure gem. It is beautifully written and illustrated and it is as pungent and nutrient-packed as the soil from which it comes. Littledale's book is deep and yet also joyously catchy. It is about gardens and God, but also about grief and rediscovering hope and purpose when grief has brought us low. It is about God's great commission to us through the lens of gardening and gardens and it encourages us to see God as very close and very near, if only we noticed. Littledale writes with rare skill and subtlety and this book will become a modern-day quirky classic. I can kill a plant just by looking at it, but this book encouraged me to pick up the gardening gloves and get stuck in. --The Reverend Steven Morris

Listening is a valuable – and often neglected – tool for spiritual learning. Talking God invites you to reflect on the personal beliefs many of us hold towards God through listening in on a series of eleven inspiring interviews with people of Christian or ‘Jesus-connected’ faith. Each of these dedicated spiritual pilgrims give responses to fourteen searching questions about God, Jesus Christ, and Christianity, which offer a wide range of perspectives on issues of faith and spiritual truth. Finding ‘unity in diversity’ can be difficult. It is only by earnestly trying to hear each other that we can learn to celebrate our differences, while also looking for threads – in the worship of God’s love – that bind us together.

We learn from an early age how to navigate the difficult emotions of life. Fear. Sadness. Worry. Loneliness. Rejection. For some of us, we learn to avoid painful emotions. Others of us may “feed” our emotions through various temporary distractions. Still others may hide or cover them up. Yet the Bible teaches us to bring all our hurts to God. Tell God How You Feel is a discipleship tool for parents to use in engaging their children with their emotions. It is designed to help children learn to bring their emotions to God and tell him what hurts. It teaches them the process of Biblical lament. In Tell God How You Feel, Christina Fox uses warm encouraging story times to help children engage with the vivid, descriptive words of the Psalms of Lament, helping them develop the habit of turning to God during hard and difficult times. These read aloud stories are ideal for family times with thoughtful questions and discussion starters at the end of each story.

Bob Hartman's bumper collection of Bible stories is drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. There are stories for individual and group performances, stories for the major Christian festivals, stories for a variety of age groups. Each story is followed by discussion questions to encourage the audience to delve deeper into each tale. Incorporating Bob's three books - Telling the Bible, Telling the Gospel and Anyone Can Tell a Bible Story - this extensive resource includes extensive notes on story-telling, essential for any performer. Discover why Bob is in such demand in this entertaining and insightful collection

Christianity isn't about following rules, it's about a relationship. The rise in popularity of this phrase coincides with a growing disinterest and misunderstanding regarding the role of God's life-giving, perfect law in the Christian life. Rather than the source of joy it was intended to be, the law is viewed as an angry god's restrictions for a rebellious people. In Ten Words to Live By, Jen Wilkin presents a fresh biblical look at the Ten Commandments, showing how they come to bear on our lives today as we seek to love God and others, to live in joyful freedom, and to long for that future day when God will be rightly worshiped for eternity. Learn to see the law of God as a feast for your famished soul, open to anyone who calls on the name of the Lord.

A thundering from the skies? Or an inner knowing, a quiet certainty? Perhaps a verse seems to jump out as we're reading the Bible. Is it too much to secretly hope for an audible whisper? What is 'God's voice' actually like? And can we hope to 'hear' him today? Yes, we can, argues Bill Cahusac, and not only in church. We can encounter him in the most ordinary circumstances – in a supermarket queue, a football match or walking on the downs. This beautiful book explores, in the simplest and most practical of ways, the question of how we can get to know and to recognize God's voice, and his presence in the most humble and ordinary of circumstances.

Brimming with Sister Wendy Beckett's irrepressible wisdom and enthusiasm, The Art of Holy Week and Easter is a beautiful Lent book for 2021 exploring the spiritual riches of some of the world's greatest paintings of the Passion and Resurrection of Jesus. Illustrated in stunning full colour with thirty famous and lesser-known Western masterpieces and presented in a small, easily portable format, this little book is ideal Lent reading for all art lovers. The Art of Holy Week and Easter offers a chance to hear again the voice of Sister Wendy as she gently leads you into a deeper appreciation of all that these paintings convey to the discerning eye. You'll gain a fuller and more spiritual understanding of Christian art, and see Holy Week and Easter as never before.

'My dearest brother Henry, Cassandra and I upheld the honour of the Austen name at the ball, dancing until our slippers wore out. But little did I expect the day to end with the theft of diamonds from a girl's chamber!' 1789. A young Jane Austen turns detective as she seeks to solve the mysterious happenings at her old boarding school. Invited to the end-of-term prom, the two Austen sisters are plunged into the feverish preparations, but why all the fuss? When a diamond necklace is stolen, there is a race to uncover the burglar and save a former slave from gaol. With the ever-present Austen spirit, Jane, with notebook in hand, boldly overcomes the obstacles to exposing the secrets and finding out the truth. Inspired by Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen's second novel.

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.

Tom Nettles examines the life of one of the world’s most famous preachers. He isolates key convictions that appear in Spurgeon’s life either before or immediately after his conversion, and traces them through his life as he develops into the charming, interesting, confident, humble, spiritual–minded man and pastor whose work and witness dominated evangelicalism in the last half of the nineteenth century.

A beautiful Christmas story for 3 to 5s The Christmas Star tells the Nativity story in a new way This story of one little star brings the Christmas story to life It's a very special night for the angels of heaven. An incredibly important baby has been born, and they need to find the best and brightest star to lead travellers to him. So what will they do when very smallest star in the sky asks to play the part? This delightful full-colour picture book for children from award-winning author Hilary Robinson is a wonderful new retelling of the first Christmas story. A heart-warming tale of creating space for even the smallest and most humble of characters to shine, children and adults alike will be enchanted by the story of The Christmas Star. The characters and story are brought to life in stunning illustrations by Ciara Ni Dhuinn, and the clear, simple text is perfect for 3-5 year olds just starting to read and for adults to read aloud. The Christmas Star is an ideal book for family story-time, but is also useful for KS1 teachers looking for a fresh, original way to introduce children to the story of Christmas in the Bible. Children will love the story of the small, plucky star that becomes the Christmas star, and will learn that everyone can play a part in God’s story, no matter how small they are, and that everyone should be given a chance to shine.

A lively Christmas comic for ages 5 and up This Christmas story is filled with puzzles, activities and comic-book fun Ideal for schools, Sunday schools, children's groups, outreach events or a fun stocking filler Comics and graphic novels have rocketed in popularity in recent years and no wonder – they’re easily accessible, full of life and colour and a really engaging way to draw readers into a compelling story. So this year CPO is delighted to bring you a great resource for your church customers: The Christmas Story. Written and illustrated by artist Flix Gillett, this 12-page A4 activity magazine is modern, bright and cheerful, and aimed at 5-11s. There’s a Christmas Story comic strip, clearly telling the amazing good news of Jesus’ birth in a way that’s faithful to the biblical text but lots of fun as well. Add to that puzzles, games, pictures to colour in and more, and it all adds up to being an ideal giveaway.

Science Can-and Should-Support Your Faith Science and Christianity are often presented as mutually exclusive to each other, when in fact the ordered nature of the universe serves as powerful evidence for the mind and majesty of its Creator. With this comprehensive resource that includes the very latest research, you'll witness how the findings of scientists provide compelling reasons to give glory to God. Featuring more than 40 entries authored by more than 30 qualified experts, you'll better understand... how the concepts of intelligent design and creationism can fit into a scientific worldview the scientific findings that support the history and accounts found in the Bible the biases that lead to scientific information being presented as a challenge to Christianity-rather than a compliment Whether you're looking for answers to your own questions or seeking to explain the scientific evidence for your faith to others, The Popular Handbook of Science and Faith is an invaluable apologetic tool that will help you explore and analyze scientific findings in light of the truths found in the Bible. Review "The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith is an essential reference for your personal library. The most valuable sections are those dealing with intelligent design, with contributions by the stellar specialists in this area--William A. Dembski and Stephen C. Meyer at the head of the list. The issues discussed cover a very wide range and the scholarship is impeccable." --John Warwick Montgomery, PhD (Chicago), DThéol (Strasbourg, France), LLD (Cardiff, Wales, UK); Professor Emeritus of Law and Humanities, University of Bedfordshire, England; Director, International Academy of Apologetics, Evangelism and Human Rights (Strasbourg, France) "Anyone who desires to make sense of the world around them should read this book and follow the reasoning of these serious thinkers who have grappled with major questions about meaning and life. The existence of objective truth demands that there will be a coherence between the empirical and the theoretical, between facts and meaning. This compilation of essays provides an opportunity to view the world from a Judeo-Christian viewpoint that is both rational and empirically coherent." --Donald Ewert, who received his PhD in microbiology at the University of Georgia "This book is a wonderful guide to the range of important issues at the heart of the intersection of science and faith. From artificial intelligence to theistic evolution, the editors have put together a top-rate team who explore the biggest issues being discussed today. If you're looking for an introductory book that also has some depth, then The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith is for you." --Sean McDowell, PhD, professor of apologetics, at Biola University; author, coauthor, or editor of 20+ books, including Understanding Intelligent Design "This is a fascinating book. Christians who read it--or even a few chapters--will find themselves rejoicing in the amazing consistency between God's words in the Bible and the most recent scientific discoveries. And any non-Christians who read it will likely be surprised to learn of the remarkable congruence between the Christian faith and numerous scientific findings. I am glad to recommend this book to Christians and non-Christians alike." --Wayne Grudem, PhD, Distinguished Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, Phoenix Seminary "This is a heroic encyclopedic work by some of the world's top thinkers on the topics of science, faith, and the cosmos, and the God who created them all. If anyone thinks that the study of science and faith should be disparate disciplines, here are more than 656 reasons why they're wrong. What is clear from this massive volume is that the alignment of science and faith is far closer to parallel than orthogonal, and it spans as far as from east to west across the tangents of science, life, and eternity." --James Tour, Professor of Chemistry, Computer Science, Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Rice University

The Emperor’s New Clothes and Other Stories brings together more of Geoffrey Thomas’s short stories, each brimming with the bigheartedness, warmth and homespun humour that he is known for. From historic Europe to the Asian continent, Geoffrey Thomas introduces a series of curious characters in his mesmerising collection based on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales: a golden swan flies around the world; an old poet has a mysterious visitor; an Emperor is fooled by his ambition. Perfect for Middle Grade (9–12 year-old) readers and teeming with gospel truth and encouragement, Thomas’s stories are a delight.

365 readings, each accompanied by a thought or question to help children (and adults!) engage with the message of the Bible and how we might use it in our day-to-day Christian lives. A book for families to share A reading, thought and prayer for everyday Helps to apply faith to our daily lives and answer some of the big questions The Family Bible brings together episodes that tell the story of particular people or events in sequence, interspersed with passages from the wisdom literature or with psalms or early church teaching which illustrate or amplify themes from the stories. The book also contains suggestions for passages to be read at special times of the year such as Christmas, Lent and Easter and for particular occasions such as the birth of a baby, illness or a bereavement in the family. Complete with a section to record special milestones and events in the life of a family.

The Five Phases of Leadership is a book written by a practitioner for practitioners. Organized around five stages of leadership – establishing trust, cultivating leaders, discerning vision, implementing plans and transitioning out – this book offers an overview of the leadership life cycle from a distinctively Christian perspective. Dr. Justyn Terry draws on over twenty years of leadership experience in seminaries and churches, to offer practical insight into a leader’s role. Rather than focusing primarily on leadership styles or skills, this book demonstrates why those skills matter in context. By focusing on a leader’s overall task, Dr. Terry offers a vision of leadership that draws together its disparate elements into a unified whole. Review This book is an excellent, essential reference for all Christian leaders. It is not a book that can be read just once, but it is one that needs to be read again and again as it helps leaders to evaluate themselves continuously. I highly recommend this book as a companion for every person in a leadership position. The Most Rev. Dr. Mouneer Hanna Anis Archbishop, Episcopal Anglican Diocese of Egypt I cannot recommend this book highly enough for anyone in leadership. In an age which idolizes leadership and leadership books and formulae, this is refreshingly authentic. Terry is an insightful teacher and practitioner, rooted in Scripture and the need for the fruit of the Spirit and Christ-like character formation. Rt. Revd. Jill Duff, DPhil Anglican Bishop of Lancaster, UK With the skilled hindsight of a seasoned pastor, Terry draws on examples from his own ministry to illuminate the challenges leaders face, and he practically offers guidance which translates well across geographical and denominational divides. This is a book to which readers can return time and time again as they seek to discern God's vision and leading in their own context. Rev. Tracey Henry Presbyterian Church (USA) Drawing on his leadership experience, Terry has woven into this book biblical values that are core to any biblical leader. The "life cycle of a leader" locus makes it a global resource - an essential and relevant read for all pastors and leaders around the world! Finny Philip, PhD Principal, Filadelfia Bible College, Udaipur, India Entire libraries exist devoted to leadership, yet people who are successful at it can boil it down to a handful of fundamental behaviors. Terry has masterfully done this. Both a successful scholar and practitioner, Terry has reduced leadership to five essential practices. Modern society, as well as the church, is desperately clamoring for good leadership. This book will help. Richard Blackaby President of Blackaby Ministries International It is good to be reminded that being called to leadership is a responsibility which we are given only for a season - and that that season, if we are to be faithful stewards, calls for different approaches over its lifespan. Terry's book contains much biblical and practical wisdom for how we can start and end well in each responsibility that comes to us, growing and being prepared for the next season. Paul Harcourt National Leader, New Wine England Leadership is complex. Anyone who suggests otherwise has never led anything significant. This guide takes us through the process of leading well from arriving to leaving in five overlapping phases. Woven through with personal stories from his leadership in a church and seminary, reflection on biblical themes, and insights from contemporary authors, Terry acts as a wise companion on the journey. James Lawrence Leadership Principal, Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) I am very grateful to have gotten to know Justyn Terry while attending a program at Oxford several years back. One who honours both people and results, Terry has led with integrity of heart and skilful hands. He is a safe leader who is competent, reliable and relational - a very rare combination! Rachel Ong CEO, ROHEI Corporation Justyn Terry's generous spirit and infectious confidence in God's power and equipping have led him to produce a book which will inspire faith and hope both in those who are setting out on the journey of leadership and those more experienced practitioners who want to see their own leadership sharpened and refreshed. Ian Parkinson Associate Archdeacon, Transition Enabler, Diocese of Sheffield, UK

The Fruit of the Spirit Chart is a wonderful explanation of the nine Fruit of the Spirit mentioned in the Bible. This full-color Bible Study on The Fruit of the Spirit includes a chart that helps Christians understand the nine fruit of the Spirit. These 9 traits are developed over a lifetime with the help of the Holy Spirit. The 9 Fruit of the Spirit and their Definitions Love - Seeks the highest good of others Joy - Gladness not based on circumstances Peace - Contentment, unity between people Patience - Slow to speak and slow to anger Kindness - Merciful, sweet, and tender Goodness - Generous and open hearted Faithfulness - Dependable, loyal, and full of trustworthiness Gentleness - Humble, calm, non-threatening Self-control - Behaving well The Fruit of the Spirit Chart Includes Definition of each trait of the Fruit of the Spirit Biblical examples of the trait in action How Jesus is our example in showing this trait The Greek word and how to pronounce it. Comparison of the Good Fruit (Galatians 5) vs. the Bad Fruit (listed in Galatians 5:19-21 and Colossians 3:5-9) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22, 23, The Holy Bible The Fruit of the Spirit is an excellent topic for personal use or as a Bible study tool for small group Bible studies and Sunday school classes. 12 panels, fits inside most Bibles, 8.5 x 5.5 inches, unfolds to 33 inches long The Importance of Bearing Fruit in the Life of the Christian Scripture in both the Old and New Testaments refers to bearing fruit. For believers today, the fruit of the Spirit represents the outward or visible growth believers experience in Christ through the Holy Spirit. That’s why this teaching is so important. The Fruit of the Spirit pamphlet is an excellent tool for teaching students of all ages how the Spirit works in and through believers to achieve true change in behaviors and actions. It also makes an outstanding devotional or reference guide.

When Carolyn's husband Ralph was diagnosed with mixed dementia in spring 2017, she knew life for them would never be the same. As she chronicles their first year living with this giant, Carolyn shares how her faith and their relationship were tested to the limit by loneliness and loss as she took on the role of Ralph's carer. Yet we also see how God's gracious promises gave her courage to confront the giant at their back, and even find joy and growth amidst both challenges faced and unexpected blessings received. While everyone's dementia journey is unique, this honest and poignant love story will resonate with many travelling the same path and help others to understand and offer support. Review An honest and moving account of a devoted carer coming to terms with her husband’s dementia. Carolyn shares her journey with us through the lens of her strong Christian faith. Using anecdotes drawn from her time as a missionary and her career in healthcare the author sheds light and even humour on the roller coaster of emotions she experiences. Throughout the journey she offers some profound reflections on the nature of life, marriage and faith. This heart-warming book will surely resonate with and encourage many in similar situations. It is an affirmation of marriage and of faith in the most difficult of circumstances. --Liz Nicholls, Lay Canon in the Diocese of Blackburn" While no two journeys are the same, anyone facing the challenge of caring for a loved one with dementia can’t fail to be moved by this story. It’s honest, passionate and revealing. It will enable many to face the giant at their own backs. --Judith Wigley, former middle school teacher, author, children's advisor and Christian bookseller. It was the smile that lingered most in our memory, following each visit with Ralph. A smile the reader will encounter often in this honest book. Your heart will be moved by the author’s description of her husband slipping into a world that was closed to her. Carolyn’s bold truthfulness in confessing her struggles in accepting Ralph’s diagnosis and all that followed will cause the reader to pause and ponder. Yet her devotion to Ralph never wavered, and her confidence in God remained steadfast. This is a book for all to read. I recommend it wholeheartedly. --Kenneth Martin. Church Deacon

s the gift of tongues for today? Does God want me to have the gift of tongues? Should I ask for the gift of tongues? Believers have asked these questions and many others about this debated and mysterious spiritual gift. Offering fresh biblical insight, Robert Henderson has written an essential guide that helps readers understand and discover the power of tongues to remove limits and establish a renewed relationship with God transcending the natural realm. In these pages, you will · gain biblical understanding of the mystery of tongues · learn how to empower your prayer life · defeat discouragement, depression, and disillusionment · receive an impartation for this spiritual gift to become a reality in your own life · enter a new realm of personal power, hope, and faith in the Lord Let go of powerless Christianity and ready yourself for the supernatural, in which the Bible declares that every believer can operate! "Robert Henderson offers a sound biblical perspective and fresh insight on the call for Christians today to practice the gift of tongues."--Dr. Ché Ahn, founder and president, Harvest International Ministry