How can we maintain an intimate relationship with God in a busy world? How do we read the Bible to feed our souls, rather than "professionally", looking for the next talk we have to deliver? How do we care for ourselves and avoid either burn-out or rust-out? Paul Mallard has written Staying Fresh for everyone involved in ministry, at whatever level that may be. While he acknowledges the importance of conviction and competence, his primary emphasis here is on character. He is passionate about the importance of integrity, of persevering in prayer and discipleship, of never giving up in our battle with sin and our service for Christ. "But even if you are not a leader and never aspire to be one,' he says, 'I hope that what you learn here will help you to maintain the freshness of young love."

Let me be honest, there have been times when my faith has seemed fragile... I have struggled with seeing my wife stripped of her dignity and reduced by her agony. I have doubted all kinds of things. I have exploded and lashed out. I do not like what is happening to my sweetheart one little bit. Chronic illness never goes away. Come on, realistically, how much more can we take?' 'But one thing I have never doubted is that, in the darkest circumstances, we were only ever in the hands of God. That has been the ultimate source of comfort and hope.' As Paul Mallard knows only too well, the crucible of suffering is a ghastly place to be. But lessons learned there can be powerful and memorable. And it was there that Paul and Edrie experienced 'unexpected intimacy with a loving God' who himself is no stranger to suffering. They want to use their experience and insights to help fellow sufferers too, and journey with you in your pain. Suffering can be invested well, for a higher, better purpose.

Follow-up to the bestselling Invest Your Suffering (sales over 6,000 in 3 years), building on that brand; Author a very popular conference speaker all over the UK: at Keswick, EMA, Word Alive, Faith Mission events, UCCF, FIEC, Bible by the Beach, Living Leadership, training events and church weekends; ALL Christians face disappointment, but it's what do we do with it that counts; Especially relevant in situations of grief, illness, infertility, unemployment, violence, exploitation and betrayal, or with difficult children and dysfunctional families; Speaks with grace from the author's own experience (miscarriage, spouse's disability, etc) into life's raw and messy reality; Offers sure-footed theology and pastoral wisdom for the layperson, without being at all glib or trite; Shows how disappointment can lead to personal growth and maturity; God's sovereignty and certain control are ultimately our deep security and solid confidence; Excellent question sections underpin key points

Making big decisions can be desperately difficult. Often we end up paralysed with indecision, afraid that making the wrong choice - whether it's going to the wrong university, applying for the wrong job, or moving to the wrong place - will ruin our lives. So how do we make good decisions? When does the Bible guide us, and when should we just use our common sense or talk things through with friends and family? Using his huge experience and pastoral heart, Paul Mallard comes right alongside us in Invest Your Future to help us practice spiritual discernment. He shows us where to find wisdom and how it works in God's economy. He helps us find the balance in what is, for many of us, a constant challenge. He teaches us how to understand God's purpose, so we can see what are the truly important factors in making our decisions. You don't have to spend your life in indecision, confusion, guilt or regret. Drawing on examples from Scripture as well as from life, Invest Your Future shows how you can cultivate spiritual discernment in order to grow in maturity and wisdom, and know where to turn for guidance when making decisions. If you have ever questioned how to make good decisions, or find yourself worrying and second-guessing your choices, this is the book for you. Compassionate and grounded, Invest Your Future will leave you more confident in your own and in God's wisdom, so that you can make sure-footed, stress-free choices in the future.

Most of us get hope all wrong. We hope for better health, a generous pay rise or good grades for our children. Our wishful thinking may or may not have a good outcome, but when it does, it never leaves us satisfied. This 30-day devotional in the Food for the Journey series shows us that Christian hope, by contrast, is guaranteed and eternal, dealing with certainties: Christ's death for us, his forgiveness of sin and our hope of heaven when we die. Covering passages from Matthew, 1 Peter, Romans, 2 Corinthians, 1 Thessalonians and Revelation, in this devotional some of the Keswick Convention's most beloved preachers - including Don Carson, Ray Ortlund and Jonathan Lamb - unpack the Bible's teaching on hope. In self-contained daily devotions they show us how we can enjoy the pleasures of earth knowing that they point to the far greater delights we'll experience one day in God's presence. In a small, easily portable format, Hope is perfect for carrying around with you on the go. Like all the Food for the Journey books, its undated format means you can start and finish at any time of the year, and work through it at your own pace. Whether you are looking to renew your own sense of hope and wonder at God's goodness, or want to dig more deeply into what the Bible teaches us about hope, this little devotional is packed full of wisdom that will help strengthen your faith in your walk with Christ. 'The hope set before us' is far greater than we can ever imagine. This devotional shows the glorious contours of our inexhaustible hope, offering encouragement and reassurance, whatever our present circumstances may be.

Who am I and do I really matter? This is a heartfelt cry today, articulated in different ways, often even among those who claim to be Christians. Paul Mallard shows us what the Bible teaches us about our identity as human beings and, more specifically, as Christians. We look at our relationship with God, with the church, with our family and in the workplace. The starting point is the NT book of Ephesians, which is far more relevant today than we might think. The author brings us right into the heart of his family, explaining how Abe, his young grandson, in spite of severe disability from birth, was made by a loving and kind Creator, with unique value and immeasurable dignity. In fact, our dignity as humans stems from the fact that God has created us in his image - how amazing is that! This is a book which will orientate and reassure us, offering genuine confidence. But it will also move our hearts to praise God for investing such value in human beings like us, and for sending his Son, Jesus, so that we could have freedom from sin and enjoy the status of sons and daughters. Preface 1 Who am I? 2 Unbelievably blessed 3 Undeservedly rescued 4 Unimaginably transformed 5 Every barrier is down 6 Every person is needed 7 Everyone worships something 8 Against the flow 9 The home - men and women 10 Fight for who you are 11 People of hope 12 More loved than you can imagine

Does the church have a future? Across the generations troubled Christians have often asked this question. Even as early as the end of the first century the future of the church hung in the balance. False teaching, internal division and persecution were rife. Emperor Domitian had exiled the apostle John, probably in his 90s, on the island of Patmos. You can imagine John, pacing up and down the island at night, looking across the sea to the cities on the shore, wondering, `Does the church have a future?' Into this situation the Lord comes and makes these glorious revelations. He gives John this vision and tells him to write to the seven churches of Asia Minor, in the eastern part of the Roman Empire, in what is now called Turkey. To each of these churches Jesus says, `I know... I know your hopes and dreams, your faults and failings, your joys and sorrows, your temptations and frustrations.' Jesus knew each church, and so he could speak wisely and truthfully into each circumstance. He said some hard things to shake the believers out of their apathy. He also spoke words of comfort. The letter ends by pointing the believers to heaven, a reminder that despite their present struggles, ultimately they are on the victory side. Today the church still faces internal division, opposition and persecution. It is understandable that some believers ask, `Does the church have a future?' The answer is the same as it always has been. Absolutely.

We all want joy for ourselves and for those we love - naturally. But often it eludes us. Joy in the Bible if far greater, more robust, than happiness. It persists through the hard times. We're even encouraged to rejoice in God 'always'. Joni Eareckson Tada knows more than most what this joy looks and feels like. Severely disabled and confined to a wheelchair since a diving accident in her teens, she knows the defiant 'yet' of Habakkuk - in spite of everything life throws at her, she can rejoice! With trusted teachers Michael Baughen, Alistair Begg, Don Carson, Peter Maiden, Paul Mallard, Alec Motyer, John Risbridger, Derek Tidball and others by your side, discover how the Bible (Nehemiah, Habakkuk, John, Romans, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Peter and 1 John), not just the Psalms, can help us find joy, whatever life throws at us. An undated 30-day devotional with teaching and practical application for people like us in the real world today.

Prayer is hard. We'd rather be doing something else. Anything really. But God commands us to pray. And to do so continually. We see examples of people praying for a wide range of things in the Bible. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, and that model prayer can become the basis of our prayers too. We need to pray deeper, more fervent prayers. Or, as the Puritans used to say, we need to 'pray until we pray'. We should see prayer as a privilege, not a duty, and certainly not a burden. This 30-day undated devotional offers timeless wisdom and encouragement from Michael Baughen, Alistair Begg, Raymond Brown, David Coffey, Jonathan Lamb, Paul Mallard, Bruce Milne, Calisto Odede and Rico Tice. They focus on sections of Nehemiah, Habakkuk, the Psalms, Daniel, Like, John, Ephesians, Philippians, Thessalonians and James. You will be enthused as you receive fresh insights each day and allow your prayer life to be transformed.

Nearly 15,000 units sold of the Food for the Journey series since its launch