Book of the Month

Living the Heart of Christianity: Guide to Putting your Faith into Action. Marcus Borg & Tim Scorer. 161pp HarperSanFrancisco, US. $34.99

This companion to The Heart of Christianity ($32.00) provides the tools to talk about Borg’s new vision for a life of Christian faith and how it can change our spiritual lives. Written for groups and individuals this 12 session guide/workbook includes reflection questions, discussion topics, exercises and selections from the book.

 NB This is a new US edition of Experiencing the Heart of Christianity, first published by Woodlake, Canada. It does not include a DVD, but is priced to allow all members of study groups to purchase a copy.

Other featured titles

Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary. Marcus Borg. 343pp Hbk. HarperSanFrancisco. $49.99.

In this new edition, leading Bible scholar Borg takes us on an incredible journey to discover who Jesus was, what he taught, and why he still matters today. You will be inspired.  

Also by Borg:

• The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions $34.95;

• Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time $29.95.

The Story of God: a personal journey into the world of science and religion. Robert Winston. Bantam, UK. $29.99 (Due early December)

While the modern world relies upon technology and scientific understanding, religious faith remains strong. Beginning with the primitive worship of our early ancestors, and ending with a vivid portrait of faith today, Winston offers a challenging, sometimes startling, personal discourse between science and religion.

Firstlight: the early inspirational writings of Sue Monk Kidd. 227pp Hbk. Guidepost, US. $41.99.

In every life there are defining moments when one’s heart begins to open, when the realisation of who one is begins to dawn. Monk Kidd reveals some of her ‘firsts’ which she hopes will lead readers to their own moments of awakening.

Also by Monk Kidd:

• When the Heart Waits (incl. reader’s guide) $29.99;

• Dance of the Dissident Daughter (incl. study guide - available early 2007) $29.99

Standing Still: Hearing the Call to a Spirit-Centered Life. Meredith Jordan. 327pp. Rogers MacKay, US. $40.99

Masterfully weaving spiritual wisdom into the stories of seekers in their everyday lives, Jordan teaches that the Source of All Life is continually generating new opportunities for us to expand and mature spiritually, if we only see that these opportunities most often arrive “disguised as our lives.”

Also by Jordan: Embracing the Mystery $38.99.

How Can I Let Go if I Don’t Know I’m Holding On?: Setting Our Souls Free. Linda Douty.180pp Morehouse, US. $34.99.

Douty offers specific strategies for letting go of all the things that keep us from a deeper relationship with God and with others. Readers will find in this book a rich resource for personal spiritual growth as well as for group study.

Misogyny: The World’s Oldest Prejudice. Jack Holland. 320pp Carroll & Graf, US. $32.99

An eye-opening journey through centuries, continents and civilizations that looks at both historical and contemporary attitudes to women. Encompasses the Church, witch hunts, sexual theory, Nazism, pro-life campaigners and today’s developing world, where women are at risk because of radicalised religious beliefs, famine, war, and disease. Highly readable and provocative.

Also on this topic: Beauty And Misogyny: Harmful Cultural Practices in the West. Sheila Jeffreys. Routledge, UK. $48.99

The Shark God: Encounters with Ghosts and Ancestors in the South Pacific. Charles Montgomery. HarperCollins, UK.  $36.99

Retracing a voyage made by his missionary great-grandfather, Montgomery seeks out remote Melanesian shores where gospel and empire never took  hold. By turns funny and deeply moving, this book blends travelogue with history rich in tales of magic, mischief and violence, as the author is drawn into a quest for the origins of myth and faith.

Ituku’s Christmas Journey. Elena Pasquali. 32pp colour. Lion, UK. $17.99

A little Inuit hunter travels from the frozen north in search of the newborn king. After many weeks, the hunter paddles wearily to shore. As he shares a meal of bread and fishes with a man, his wife, and their newborn son, he realises that he has found the king... and that he has bread and fish to share with all humankind as he tells his story.

Leah’s Christmas Story. Margaret Bateson-Hill. 32pp. Colour Hbk. Lion, UK. $29.99.

Little Leah is very concerned about the couple who come seeking a room at her father’s inn. The woman is about to have a baby and there is nowhere for them to stay except the stable. A heartwarming retelling of the traditional Nativity story through the eyes of a child. In a deft conclusion, the reader is drawn into Leah’s belief that the tiny baby in her arms is in fact holding her with unshakeable love.

Little Owl and the Star. Mary Murphy. 28pp Colour, Walker, UK. $16.95

A quirky re-telling of the nativity. Perfect for young readers.

Miracle of the First Poinsettia. Joan Oppenheim. 32pp Colour, Barefoot Books, UK. $19.95

A Mexican Christmas story about how a young girl’s trust leads to a miracle. Stunning pictures.

The Christmas Caravan. Jennifer Beck, Robyn Belton Scholastic NZ pbk 35pp $15.99

Simon sees a competition for the best-decorated Christmas house, but his mother says she can’t afford expensive  lights and decorations. So Simon decides to decorate their caravan in his own way...

Two Cans of Corned Beef and a Manulele in a Mango Tree: A Pacific Christmas. Sarona Aiono-Iosefa Illustrated by: Steven Dunn 32pp Reed, NZ. $14.99

Sarona has taken ‘A Partridge in a Pear Tree’ and replaced the English icons with those from the Pacific.

Wombat Divine Mem Fox. Illustrated by: Kerry Argent 32pp Scholastic, Aust. $13.99

Wombat loved Christmas, especially the nativity play. But what part should he be given? Read this beautifully illustrated book to find out!

Advent Calendars & Gift Calendars 2007

Family Advent Calendar. 240x400mm. Scripture Union, UK. $14.99

Easy-to-use advent calendar with unique peel away sticker windows. Can be used on many levels; a simple calendar or a way to draw families closer to God. Each day reveals part of a bigger picture, including the annunciation and the arrival of the wise men to the birth of Jesus. The back of the calendar has extra fun activities.

Very First Christmas Advent Calendar 305x305mm

Concordia, US. $9.99

Children open one window each day in December until Christmas day. The text and artwork behind the windows will lead the children from the Old Testament promise of the Saviour, through the story of Christ’s birth, to His death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins.

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Advent Calendar: Born on Christmas Morn. 305x305mm Concordia, US. $9.99

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

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. $17.99. Floral artwork, uplifting messages and scripture.

       The Lord is My Shepherd. $17.99. Moving pastoral scenes and scripture.

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

12 stunning colour photos of scenes from Iona, Scotland.

 Also from Island Blue:

    Celtic Inspirations 2007 wall calendar. $14.95.

     Colourful images from around rural Scotland.

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