AN INTERACTIVE GUIDE AND INTRODUCTION TO THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - WARTS AND ALL! The First Steps series provides an innovative and engaging guide to the Christian Life for people who are just starting out on it, perhaps with no Church background or previous information whatsoever. Possibly excited and nervous at the same time. Each of the ten titles uses everyday language to clearly explain some of the key areas people need to grasp, but commonly struggle with. A unique feature is that you are introduced to a person in each book, who we see trying this out in real life situations. You can almost imagine being there with them. These ten titles can be followed step-by-step as a path, or in the order that seems most relevant to where you are right now. God - Is He Out There? War - Why Did Life Just Get Harder? Voices - Who Am I Listening To? Bible - Can We Trust It? Believe - What Should I Know? Character - How Do I Change? Training - How Do I Grow As A Christian? Church - Do I Have To Go? Relationships - How Do I Make Things Right? Service - How Do I Give Back? Each book will grab your attention using six symbols that run throughout each one. A person experiencing what's in the book, before you have to. Illustrations that really bring it to life. Stop signs to ensure you've grasped it. Key Bible verses to give you confidence in what you've read. One significant and relevant Bible verse to easily remember and hold onto. A brief summary of what you've just covered, before going any further. Let's jump in and take a look at what's instore for us. GOD - IS HE OUT THERE? Probably the best title to start with as we need to be sure that God exists in the first place, discover who He is and what He's like, and how this affects me, my life and my world. WAR - WHY DID LIFE JUST GET HARDER? As with anything that is new, we may come up against unexpected problems that risk throwing us off course. Being aware of this is key, and also knowing that anything this amazing is worth fighting for, combined with the surprising news is we're not left to do this on our own! VOICES - WHO AM I LISTENING TO? We're bombarded with messages demanding our attention and it can be difficult to know who to listen to, or what is the best decision to make. God is well aware of this and has provided loads of clarity. BIBLE - CAN WE TRUST IT? The Bible may have all the answers we're looking for, but if we don't trust it, we're not going to believe it. How can we be sure it's true and trustworthy? BELIEVE - WHAT SHOULD I KNOW? Nobody understands the whole Bible right away - so what are some of the key truths we need to grasp, to get started? CHARACTER - HOW DO I CHANGE? None of us wants to be a hypocrite, so how can my character match who I say I am? TRAINING - HOW DO I GROW AS A CHRISTIAN? This looks at the wonderful opportunities we get, to grow and mature as a Christian, at just the right time and pace. CHURCH - DO I HAVE TO GO? Here comes a trick issue! Love it or dread it, it is home for the Christian on this planet. Let's blow away some myths and false expectations, so we can really feel at home there. RELATIONSHIPS - HOW DO I MAKE THINGS RIGHT? How do we deal, as different people now, with all the various relationships we have? How can we heal broken ones, protect all the ones that are good, and accept that some will always be difficult? SERVICE - HOW DO I GIVE BACK? We're told its good to give back, but what does that actually mean and how do we do it? Especially when we have to serve people we have a problem with. SUITABLE FOR: People Exploring For Themselves One-To-One Mentoring Small Group Discussions Training Courses

All too often, our heads can feel like they are caught in a dark, lonely battle between what we want to do and what we know we should do. God feels distant and we feel dirty. The second book in the First Steps series tackles the fundamental, day-to-day difficulties experienced by every Christian, and looks at the question Why Did Life Just Get Harder?

Since the publication of 'A child called "it"' by Dave Pelzer there hasn't been a story like this. But this is not just another harrowing story about an excruciating childhood and the ravages on a life it produces. The difference is that Mez not only escaped from his 'trial by parent' but he discovered a hope that has transformed his life. He in turn has helped others find hope in their lives. Mez's story is told with a frankness and wit that hides much of the pain and despair that was his everyday experience. Do you like happy endings? Mez still suffers from his experiences but you'll be amazed at how far you can be restored from such a beginning.

I think there is real hope to be found, in the middle of our deepest traumas, in the good news about Jesus Christ. I also think that there is a place for us to find hope and community within the church. Because of these two beliefs, I truly think, distant though it may be, that we may even get to a place of peace within our souls and a place of forgiveness for those who hurt us so much. This is a book that has no easy answers and will offer none. This is a book that tries to get behind the tough questions of why God permits such abuses to occur in this world. Using his own story of childhood abuse, Mez McConnell tells us about a God who is just, sovereign and loving. A good father who knows the pain of rejection and abuse, who hates evil, who can bring hope even in the darkest place. 'It's not a pagan rags to Christian riches story. It's real, raw and radical. I suspect that there will be as many people shocked by the Bible teaching that Mez wrestles with, as there will be those shocked by the abuse he suffered. With chapters like 'The glorious, wonderful reality of Hell' and 'The terrible reality of Heaven', there is no chance of this book being perceived as comfortable.' - David Robertson, Christian Today https://christiantoday.com/article/my-favourite-christian-book-of-2019/133774.htm