Personal narratives are powerful instruments for teaching, both for conveying information and for forming character. The martyrdom accounts preserved in the literature of early Christianity are especially intense and dramatic. However, these narratives are not readily available and are often written in intimidating prose, making them largely inaccessible for the average reader. This introductory text brings together key early Christian martyrdom stories in a single volume, offering new, easy-to-read translations and expert commentary. An introduction and explanatory notes accompany each translation. The book not only provides a vivid window into the world of early Christianity but also offers spiritual encouragement and inspiration for Christian life today.

Challenge your brain with word puzzles A super-sized challenge for crossword lovers, selected by the Times2 Crossword Editor John Grimshaw. This Crossword appears weekly in the Saturday edition of The Times. The puzzles offer the same challenge as the times2 daily crossword but the larger grid packs an extra punch! The clues are also a little more testing than the daily times2 crossword, to stretch the crossword enthusiast just a bit further, and provide hours of entertainment.

HOW CAN WE KNOW WE'LL GO TO HEAVEN? A recent poll indicated that for every American who believes he or she is going to hell, there are 120 who believe they're going to heaven. This optimism stands in stark contrast to Jesus Christ's words written in the Bible: "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:13-14). The truth is that according to the Bible we don't automatically go to heaven. In fact, hell--not heaven--is our default destination. Unless our sin problem is solved once and for all, we can't enter heaven. That's the bad news. But once that's straight in our minds we're ready to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus took upon himself, on the cross, the hell we deserve so that we could experience for eternity the heaven we don't deserve! THE ONLY TWO OPTIONS There are two possible destinations when we die: heaven or hell. Can we really know in advance where we'll go? John, one of the writers of the Bible, said this: "I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life" (1 John 5:13). We can know for sure that we'll go to heaven when we die. Do you? To sin means to fall short of God's holy standards. Sin is what ended paradise in the Garden of Eden. And all of us, like Adam and Eve, are sinners. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from a relationship with God (Isaiah 59:2) and it deceives us and makes us think that wrong is right and right is wrong (Proverbs 14:12). Sin has terrible consequences, but God has provided a solution: "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, loved us so much that he left the riches of heaven to become a man and deliver us from our sin. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). He came to identify with us in our humanity and our weakness, but he did so without being tainted by our sin, self-deception, and moral failings (Hebrews 4:15-16). Jesus died on the cross as the only one worthy to pay the penalty for our sins demanded by the holiness of God: "For our sake he [God] made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). But in victory over death, God raised Jesus from the grave, defeating the consequences of sin (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 54-57). When Christ died on the cross for us, he said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). In those times "It is finished" was commonly written across certificates of debt when they were canceled. It meant "Paid in full." Christ died so that the certificate of debt consisting of all our sins could once and for all be marked "Paid in full." THE CRITICAL DECISION Only when our sins are dealt with in Christ can we enter heaven. We cannot pay our own way. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). Because of Jesus Christ's sacrificial death on the cross on our behalf, God freely offers us forgiveness. To be forgiven, we must recognize and repent of our sins. Forgiveness is not automatic. It's conditioned upon confession: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Christ offers to everyone the gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. "Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price" (Revelation 22:17). There's no righteous deed we can do that will earn us a place in heaven (Titus 3:5). We come to Christ empty-handed. We can take no credit for salvation. "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). This gift cannot be worked for, earned, or achieved. It's dependent solely on Christ's generous sacrifice on our behalf. Now is the time to make things right with God. Confess your sinfulness and accept the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on your behalf. You are made for a person and a place. Jesus is the person, and heaven is the place. They are a package-- they come together. You cannot get heaven without Jesus or Jesus without heaven. "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near" (Isaiah 55:6). For all eternity you'll be glad you did. If you understand what God has done to make forgiveness and eternal life possible for you, you may want to express it in words like these: "Dear Lord, I confess that I do not measure up to your perfect standard. Thank you for sending Jesus to die for my sins. I now place my trust in him as my Savior. Thank you for your forgiveness and the gift of eternal life."

Saying "I love you" is great, but what your honey really craves is details, and plenty of 'em! This little "I love you" book makes it virtually effortless to express your adoration in deliciously specific ways. With all-unique prompts, a fresh design, and slightly larger size, it makes a swell companion to the original love book, Knock Knock What I Love about You! A super-meaningful gift book for husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, and anniversaries! Make it as funny, sappy, or sexy as you like Because ... Love! Hardcover: 5.75 x 5 inches; 64 pages; clear acetate, removable jacket

A new coloring book featuring 30 drawings of beautiful Pueblo pottery designs for you to complete Pueblo pottery is renowned for its extraordinary beauty and craftsmanship. Pueblo is a Spanish wording meaning 'town' or 'village'. When the Spanish arrived in 1540 in what is now known as the American Southwest, they referred to the Indigenous communities and their settlements as Pueblos. The Pueblos are among the oldest settlements in North America, and their pottery-making tradition is as old as the ancient Pueblos themselves. Pottery is used throughout the life of a Pueblo person, and various forms are made for cooking, gathering water, food storage, and ceremonial use. The Coloring Book of Pueblo Pottery features more than 30 drawings for you to complete, whether by reproducing the traditional palettes or by finding inspiration in the swirling or geometric patterns and stylized motifs for a unique design of your own. Made predominantly by women, the pots are created from natural clay using a coil method; they are hand-painted and then fired outdoors. Designs vary from one Pueblo to another, but symbols and motifs relating to the natural world - birds, deer, plants, and water - are common. Today, such pottery is highly collectible and is found in museums and private collections around the world. This delightful coloring book allows you to create your very own masterpieces of this celebrated and cherished art form.

Go beyond the French capital's famous landmarks and discover the hidden gems. From secluded mews and undiscovered cafes to flower markets and tree-lined streets, prettycityparis champions the quiet, gentle moments that allow you to escape in a huge capital city like Paris. If you know where to look, you will find that traditional shopfronts, vintage transport, artisan bakeries, whimsical florists and timeless bookstores are but a hop, skip and a jump from the centre. Some are right in the middle. Full of the unexplored and less-appreciated areas of Paris, this stunning guide also includes tips on how to plan and photograph your own prettycityparis experience, whether on foot or dreaming from afar.

Through beautiful line-art illustrations, Where Love Blooms will help believers relax and unwind while meditating on God’s love. The illustrations and Scripture promises center around the theme of God’s love and our love for each other and are a gentle reminder of God’s infinite love for us.

Small Knock Knock sticky notes are great for brief missives, but sometimes you've got a little (or a lot) more to say. Enter the newest addition to our sticky family. They're kind of a great big deal. When your need to get shit done combines with your desire to purchase funny sticky notes Hit the Knock Knock stationery shop for all your writing needs 4 x 6 inches, 60 sheets

This large hardback Cameron of Erracht genuine tartan cloth notebook has 192pp of 80gsm cream paper, with left page plain, right page ruled. With a ribbon marker, an expandable inner note pocket, elastic enclosure, a leaflet about the history of tartan, and a colourful bookmark with a brief history of the Cameron of Erracht tartan. Comes in a light plastic wrapper bag. Scientists, thinkers and writers in the Scottish Enlightenment used 'commonplace notebooks' to record thoughts and ideas. Many British writers such as Virginia Woolf and Arthur Conan Doyle continued to use them. Tartan belongs to Scottish heritage and culture, and thrives today both at home and overseas. There are now over 7,000 tartans officially recorded in the Scottish Register of Tartans located within the National Archive of Scotland. Waverley Books (Waverley Scotland) are delighted to innovate on the commonplace notebook idea with the Waverley tartan notebooks bound in genuine tartan cloth supplied by Kinloch Anderson, Edinburgh, sourced from weavers in Scotland, and the Borders.

A beautiful coloured fabric and gold foil blocked gift journal for your brother to capture and share his wonderful memories and stories. Designed to make it easy for every brother to capture his life story and aspirations, each journal includes 60 thoughtful questions to inspire your brother to enjoy telling his story by describing the past, the present and thinking about the future. With space for accompanying photos and memorabilia alongside his handwritten memories these classic, yet contemporary books, are covered in soft fabric making these tactile editions truly timeless keepsakes. Finished with gold foil and gold ribbons they make fabulous gifts for any brother on his birthday, at Christmas, or simply to show him you care. The Timeless Collection is available in 9 titles: Mum, Dad, Grandma, Grandad, Daughter, Son, Sister, Brother & Friend.

Study and meditate on the Book of Proverbs as you settle in and enjoy the calming nature of coloring when you color the pictures in the A Garland of Grace Coloring Book.

The cover of the A Garland of Grace Coloring Book features a lovely garland of pink roses and green leaves. Two small birds are cheerily perched atop the wreath. The title is artfully scripted in the middle of the garland.

Inside the beautifully bound inspirational coloring book for adults you will find 128 illustrated pages, each with stylized text and images from Proverbs. In addition to the full-size coloring pages, there are 4 pages of inspiring cards, gift cards and bookmarks to color and share.

Not only does the coloring book provide creative expression to your devotions, it's a pastime to share with your friends and family. Share the A Garland of Grace Coloring Book with a mother, grandmother or sister this Christmas or Easter season.

• Inspirational Coloring Book for Adults
• Images are Based on Scripture from Proverbs
• Printed on High-Quality Heavy Stock Paper
• 128 Perforated Pages
• Pages Printed on One Side
• 62 Images to Color
• Includes Gift Tags, Bookmarks, and Cards to Color, Cut Out and Share
• Presentation Page for Gift-giving

Finally, a beautiful AND fun coloring book that you and your child can do together! With one page for you and one page for your child, you can sit side-by-side and create magic together. Stacie Bloomfield, illustrator behind the popular children's brand Gingiber, brings her adorable animal illustrations to the world of coloring! These illustrations are sweet enough for children but smart enough for adults, with a coloring page for kids to accompany each coloring page for adults! Go on an adventure right in your living room! Dive into the ocean with charming whales and adorable narwhals! Explore the outdoors with lovable foxes, deer, and bears! Hit the safari with enchanting giraffes and elephants and so many more adorable creatures. Together includes 26 illustrations for moms and 26 illustrations for kids, printed on high- quality, premium paper. Every 8x10 page is perforated and removable, making coloring together easy, and your finished creations easy to frame! This is a book that you and your child will love. Together.

With today's hectic pace, it can feel absurdly difficult to plan and pull off household meals. Keep it simple with Knock Knock's classic meal-planning pad-in a deliciously fresh pastel design! If you schedule the food you eat with a menu planner, you'll always know what's for dinner. * Magnetic calendar for refrigerators and other metal surfaces! * 6 x 9 inches, 60 sheets; magnet on back

Jam out with the help of man's best friend -- the Mini SubWOOFer!

Enjoy your favorite tunes at work, home, or on-the-go with this quirky, dachshundshaped wireless speaker that brings the beats wherever it goes. This mini kit includes:

• 3" dog-shaped wireless speaker
• Miniature USB cord
• 32-page illustrated mini book

"If you really want to get under the skin of a city, the 500 Hidden Secrets series, which covers a number of cities from Havana to Ghent, all written by people who know the cities inside out, is ideal. It's an innovative and refreshing take on the traditional travel guide." - The Independent Where are the 5 best places to eat like a Portuguese? Which are the 5 best restaurants for Petiscos? Where can you find the nicest salons and barber shops? Which are the 5 best places to see Azulejos? Where will you find the most unique lifts and elevators? The best Lisbon area beaches? The 500 Hidden Secrets of Lisbon reveals these good-to-know places and many more. An affectionate and informed guide to Lisbon, written by a true local. This is a book for visitors who want to avoid the usual tourist spots and for residents who are keen to track down the city's best-kept secrets.

Take a stroll down memory lane with this collection of photographs of Britain in the 1960s, a revolutionary decade when the consumer society arrived on every family's doorstep and swinging London briefly came to be the centre of the world.

The popular and reliable New King James Version, now with the enhanced readability of Thomas Nelson's custom NKJV font, is the perfect gift. The NKJV Deluxe Gift Bible is a great way to celebrate graduations, baptisms, birthdays, or special achievements. This beautifully crafted Bible comes in a variety of Leathersoft (TM) covers and includes gilded page edges, a ribbon marker, a presentation page, the words of Christ in red, full-color maps, charts, and a dictionary-concordance. Features Include:Improved readability of the Thomas Nelson NKJV FontWords of Christ in redEasy-to-use dictionary-concordanceMiracles and parables of JesusRibbon markerGilded page edgesPresentation pageFull-color maps8.1-point print size

A new baby is a very special gift, and this keepsake baby book is the perfect way to record their precious first moments, and remember the day of their baptism. Add in photographs of baby, the family, their friends, happy days, first Christmas, birthday and more. Include a hand print, messages and prayers from loved ones. As you look back through your treasured memories there are prayers and Bible verses throughout the book to read with your child. Padded covers in blue and a ribbon tie give this book an extra special finish. A perfect gift for new parents.

Bestselling product line! Your dreams are within reach. Spark success in all your pursuits with these 50 faux matchsticks featuring prompts to help you dream big, aim high, and accomplish your goals, whatever they may be.

* Slide open the shimmering foil box to reveal faux decorative matchsticks. The eye-catching packaging makes this a beautiful, unique gift for recent grads, people in job transitions, entrepreneurial spirits, or creative types.

* Everyone's version of success will be different. Whether it's advancing in your career, attaining a big life goal, or starting fresh in a new endeavor, the prompts inside the box offer easy ways to find your own personal success-anytime and anywhere.

*Sample prompts: When have you felt most successful? Recreate those conditions. Be brave: Ask for something, even if you think you won't get it. Create a vision board that depicts the life of your dreams. Try doing the most challenging thing first rather than the easy one.

* Contents: Foil-stamped box tray with sleeve, 50 kraft-paper faux matchsticks, shrink-wrapped tray

A brighter future awaits--if she can escape the shadows of the past Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the new schoolteacher and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boardinghouse, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town. Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father's death--and to aid Craig Ferguson, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. Together they must work to unmask a killer and escape the shadows of their own pasts in order to forge a brighter future. Bestselling author Amanda Cabot transports you to 1880s Texas Hill Country for a brand-new series that will have you flipping pages to solve the mystery and get to the happily-ever-after you long for.

An engaging and interactive Downton Abbey-themed journal that encourages readers to record their own favorite recipes and notes alongside Downton-style quotes and tips. Following the worldwide success of NBC Carnival's Downton Abbey series, Mrs. Patmore's Recipe Journal gives fans and cooks alike the experience of recording their favorite meals in this beautiful themed journal. With dedicated lines for yield, ingredients, and method, plus ample space for additional notes, the journal provides ample opportunity to build a recipe book tailored to individual palate, diet, and cooking style and interests. With fan-favorite quotes from the hit series and classic cooking tips from Mrs. Patmore's kitchen featured throughout the pages, Mrs. Patmore's Recipe Journal creates an engaging experience for fans of the show and those looking to create a personalized recipe book.

Celebrate the holidays with Harry, Ron, and Hermione with this magical advent calendar book filled with more than twenty-five Wizarding World surprises. Harry Potter: Holiday Magic: The Official Advent Calendar Book takes readers into the Wizarding World and shows iconic moments from the beloved Harry Potter films. With twenty-five days of surprises, unique keepsakes, and collectibles ranging from festive paper ornaments to Harry Potter-inspired recipe cards and more, this advent calendar book is a must-have for Harry Potter fans of all ages. Magical, fun, and unique, Harry Potter: Holiday Magic: The Official Advent Calendar Book is the perfect way to capture the holiday memories from the Wizarding World, and to create your own. DISCOVER MORE THAN 25 HARRY POTTER SURPRISES: Discover a new holiday surprise every day! Buttons, recipe cards, and many other holiday surprises are just some of the memorable gifts waiting behind each of the 25 doors. COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: With 25 days of removable collectibles themed to the Harry Potter films, countdown to Christmas by opening the door to a surprise each day from December 1st through 25th. THE PERFECT HARRY POTTER STOCKING STUFFER: This 25-day advent calendar book will add a dash of Wizarding World magic to the holiday season for every Harry Potter fan. COMPLETE YOUR HARRY POTTER CHRISTMAS COLLECTION: Pair with Harry Potter: Christmas at Hogwarts and Harry Potter: Christmas Sweater Blank Boxed Note Cards.