Book of the Month

How to Read the Bible.  Richard Holloway. 128pp Granta, UK. $27.00

The trouble with reading the Bible is that it claims to be God's autobiography, so the first thing readers must do is decide what they understand by God and how they are going to interpret his role in the rambling library of books that claim his authorship. Holloway's usefully dialectical approach to this central question will allow non-believers as well as believers to profit from a study of the most influential book in human history. The book discusses significant passages from both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures; and explores the evolution of the split between the two communities whose tragic consequences still reverberate powerfully today.

Other popular Holloway titles:

·         Looking in the Distance: the Human Search for Meaning, 225pp. Canongate, UK. $26.00

·         On Forgiveness: How can we Forgive the Unforgiveable. 98pp. Canongate, UK. $35.00

·         Doubts and Loves: What is Left of Christianity. 270pp Canongate, UK. $26.00

Other featured titles

40 Days with Jesus – Igniting Worship Series. Incl. video clips on DVD. Leith Anderson, Dan Collison. 112pp. Abingdon, US. $59.99

Seven unique & complete worship services for use during the Lenten season, using many different worship elements and media forms to engage the congregation through the retelling of the sacred story. DVD contains video clips, graphics, dramas and scripts.

Gathering: Resources for worship planners. Lent, Easter, Pentecost 2007 (covers 21 Feb to 27 May 2007). 88 copied A4 pages. $20 + $1p&p Annual Subscriptions: $55 incl p&p for three issues.

Ideas for time with children, sermon starters and music for each Sunday. Plus many calls to worship, prayers of confession, offering prayers. This issue has a focus on Celtic worship.

Choosing to Preach: A Comprehensive Introduction to Sermon Options and Structures. Kenton C. Anderson. Hbk 228pp. With CD Rom. Zondervan, US. $49.99

With the landscape of ministry changing, preachers need a variety of tools to effectively communicate God’s truth to today’s listeners. Beginning with a strong call to keep preaching, this practical book presents and describes five different models for doing so: Declarative, Pragmatic, Narrative, Visionary, Integrative. CD Rom has additional resources, discussion questions and practical exercises.

Worship Feast Prayer Stations CD Rom (Windows & Mac) Abingdon, US. $39.99

Engaging step-by-step video guides to help youth leaders and groups create prayer stations that will draw participants closer to God. Ideal for youth-led worship services as well, the CD-ROM includes slide shows of striking still photos set to original ambient music.

Other books in the Worship Feast series from Abingdon Press, US include:

·         Readings: 100 Readings, Rituals, Prayers and Guided Meditations. $29.99

·         Ideas: 100 Awesome Ideas for Postmodern Youth $29.99

·         Services: 50 Complete Multisensory Services for Youth $29.99

·         Drama: 15 Sketches for Youth Group, Worship & More. $29.95

Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief. Francis Collins. Hbk 294pp. Simon & Schuster, US. $54.99

“Francis' overview of evolutionary genetic processes provides an easily readable introduction to information that all Christians need if we are to integrate our Christianity with recent findings in biological science. Following an intelligent critique of atheism, agnosticism, creationism, and intelligent design, Francis provides a compelling case for theistic evolution which he refers to as ‘BioLogos’ where faith and science co-exist in harmony.” Rev Greg Hughson, Touchstone

The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter and Miracles. Bruce Lipton. 224pp. Mountain of Love, US. $53.99.

Dr Lipton’s experiments show that genes and DNA do not control our biology; that instead DNA is controlled by signals from outside the cell, including the energetic messages from our positive and negative thoughts. His hopeful synthesis of the latest and best research in cell biology and quantum physics is being hailed as a major breakthrough showing that our bodies can be changed as we retrain our thinking.

Talisman: Global Positioning for the Soul. Tom Bandy. Hbk 176pp Chalice, US. $55.00

Weaving theology and story together, Talisman takes you on a journey through kairos, logos and mythos to a deeper understanding of life in the spirit. Essential reading for those on a quest for a new sense of meaning, wholeness and holiness in their lives and for those guides helping them on their journey.

Also by Tom Bandy:

·         Introducing the Uncommon Lectionary: Opening the Bible to Seekers and Disciples. Abingdon, US. $27.99

·         Moving Off the Map: Field Guide to Changing the Congregation. Abingdon, US. $39.95

·         Kicking Habits: Welcome Relief for Addicted Churches. Abingdon, US. $39.99

·         Christian Optimystics: Running the Rapids of the Spirit, with Dwayne Ratzlaff. Chalice, US. $47.00

·         And on special while stocks last: Mission Mover: Beyond Education for Church Leadership. Abingdon, US. was $36.95, now $15.00

Island Ministers: Indigenous Leadership in 19th Century Pacific Islands Christianity. Raeburn Lange. 436pp. Pandanus, NZ & Aust. $54.95.

Foreign missionaries brought Christianity to the Pacific Islands, but in the 19th century hundreds of indigenous Christian teachers, evangelists, pastors and priests helped to spread the new religion across the ocean and consolidate the church on every island. Moving across the Pacific from east to west, these are the stories of indigenous men and women who worked in Pacific communities as missionaries or pastoral carers.

Don't Step on the Rope!: Reflections on Leadership, Relationships, and Teamwork. Walter C Wright. 154pp Authentic, UK. $24.99

What makes a good team and team leader? You'll find the answers in this book. Through 30 years of climbing expeditions Wright has learned a lot about working on and leading a team.

“The rope is a wonderful metaphor for helping us to learn about shared vision, shared leadership, and serving one another.” David Mitchell, Computer Human Interaction, Seattle. 

Also by Wright:

·         Mentoring: Promise of Relational Leadership Authentic, UK. $29.99 

·         Relational Leadership: A Biblical Model for Influence. Paternoster, UK. $26.99

Breaking the Chains of Abuse. Sue Atkinson. 223pp. Lion, UK. $24.99

Sue Atkinson, author of the highly acclaimed Climbing out of Depression $24.99 and Building Self-Esteem $7.99, turns her attention to the subject of sexual abuse.  Writing from her own experience as a survivor of abuse, she gets alongside men & women to offer hope and guidance. Written in practical style with concrete advice and excellent pointers.

Finding Sanctuary: Monastic Steps for Everyday Life. Abbot Christopher Jamison. Hbk 182pp. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, UK. $37.99

No matter how hard you work, being too busy is not inevitable. Silence and contemplation are not just for monks and nuns, they are natural parts of life. Father Jamison, offers practical wisdom from the monastic tradition on how to build sanctuary into your life. Based on his BBC series.

Quiet Spaces Journal: The City. Prayer and spirituality journal. Naomi Starkey ed. 64pp. BRF, UK. $14.99

In Christian thought and spirituality, the city can be a place to encounter God through other people.

This issue considers this idea through articles, prayers and reflections, and also has many ideas on living out our faith. This journal is for all who are looking for ways to deepen and enrich their faith and for all who are seeking replenishment.

Also available in the Quiet Spaces series at $14.99: The Wilderness; Creation; The Journey; The Feast; The Garden.

Join our Book of the Month Club

Sit back and let us take the hard work out of book selection. A year of stimulating reading is guaranteed.

We will send you our Book of the Month from February to November. Purchase 10 books from us during the year and we will send you the December book of the month free.

Please contact us for more information about joining the Club.

Half Price  Gift Calendars 2007

These 2007 calendars are now at half price – only while stocks last

For God So Loved The World. Wall calendar, 300 x 300mm, printed on museum quality linen texture paper. Dayspring, US. Was $19.99, Now $10.00

This calendar, featuring devotional thoughts by Roy Lessin and artwork by Brian Jekel, will enable you to journey through the events in the life of Christ. The eloquent words of Scripture (from the King James Version), meaningful devotionals and beautiful artwork will encourage your heart as you reflect on what God has done for us through Christ.

Order these other Dayspring 2007 calendars:

      Just Think. Was $17.99, now $9.00. Floral artwork, uplifting messages and scripture.

       The Lord is My Shepherd. Was $17.99, now $9.00. Moving pastoral scenes and scripture.

 Iona 2007. Wall calendar. 148 x 210mm Island Blue, UK. Was $14.95, now $7.50.

12 stunning colour photos of scenes from Iona, Scotland.

 Also from Island Blue:

    Celtic Inspirations 2007 wall calendar. Was $14.95, now $7.50.

     Colourful images from around rural Scotland.

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