Beloved by millions around the world, the English Standard Version of the Bible is ideal for anyone looking for a contemporary and readable translation that is also accurate and consistent in its rendering of key words and phrases. This edition of the ESV is completely Anglicized and features the full Apocrypha. Presented in a double-column format, with explanatory footnotes providing alternative renderings of particular words and phrases, the ESV Bible with Apocrypha offers a clear, easy-to-read text that is perfect for everyday use. The ESV Bible is an excellent version for detailed Bible study, but one that also possesses a beauty, clarity and dignity of style that makes it superbly suitable for private devotion or for reading aloud during public worship. This Deluxe edition is presented in a stunning midnight blue leatherette binding, inlaid with bronze foil, with two ribbon markers to bookmark your favourite verses and keep track of your Bible study. A premium quality Bible, it will be loved by collectors and first-time buyers alike, and is a Bible you will delight in for years. It also makes a truly special gift for loved ones that they will treasure. Other features include: 9.5 pt font size An award-winning typeface Inline chapter headings Inline chapter numbers 12 maps White paper from sustainable sources

This is a short book focussing on the relationship between theology and prayer, and their effects on a Christian's life. It sets the reader tasks of self-examination and reflection in the light of Christian teaching.

Meister Eckhart, the fourteenth-century German mystic and theologian, is one of the most enigmatic and controversial figures in the history of the Church, and few have played so diverse and fertile a role in the cultural imagination. He has been seen as both heretic and 'the man from whom God nothing hid'; Christian mystic and Buddhist sage; Catholic and Protestant; feminist and ecologist; he is both medieval schoolman and inspirer of contemporary philosophers such as Heidegger, Bloch and Derrida. Oliver Davies's masterly evaluation of Eckhart is based on an unrivalled knowledge of the original texts, their historical and theological context, and their place in the Christian mystical tradition. The portrait of St Dominic on the cover (of the book) illustrates one of Davies's main themes: Eckhart's position in the mainstream Dominican tradition of grounding theology in spiritual experience. Both a stimulating scholarly study and an ideal introduction for the non-specialist, Meister Eckhart: Mystical Theologian explores the enduring fascination of Meister Eckhart, 'a mystic for our age'.

With his usual consummate clarity of thought and style, Michael Ramsey sets out to establish what the Spirit meant in the experience and the language of the early Christians. 'There are none from whom we can learn more about a theme so intimately linked with the coming of Jesus Christ.'

There are a great many Christians involved in politics today, both in and around parliament and at a local level. This book offers some serious resources to help them understand what the role of government should be.

As a minister or pastoral worker it is highly likely that, at some stage in your ministry, you will find yourself caring for people with psychiatric problems and their families. "The Pastoral Care of People with Mental Health Problems" provides an invaluable resource to help you provide the best care for those suffering from the most common problems, such as: depression, Alzheimer's disease, anorexia, addiction to drugs or alcohol, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and anti-social personality disorder.As well as outlining the main psychiatric conditions and their treatments, the particular issues facing pastoral workers are examined and some of the ethical issues involved are discussed. Using a wealth of pastoral illustrations, the book offers practical advice and guidance for the care of individuals and families who find their lives turned upside down by psychiatric illness. It addresses questions such as: How can I help the family of a young girl who cuts herself? What is the difference between depression and an abnormal grief reaction? And how can I distinguish between a symptom of mental illness and genuine religious revelation? In cases of severe mental illness it will be necessary to work alongside medical, nursing and social work staff, and guidance on how to do this effectively is given.

John Eaton compares reading the Psalms to walking in the mountains: 'Time and time again you see a new crest to climb, but the summit remains beyond.' In "Psalms for Life", he explores the poetry as a never failing source of challenge, comfort and encouragement. Beginning with Psalm 1 and continuing through to Psalm 150, he provides a short reflection on each psalm, explaining the poet's essential message, and ending with a brief meditative prayer. Readers are helped to identify with the wide range of emotions expressed in the Psalms and to pray for God's loving guidance in dealing with them from day to day. As a distinguished biblical scholar who has studied the Psalms all of his life, John Eaton writes with warmth, clarity and authority. As a Christian, he sees the Psalms as prophetic of Christ, revealing vital and often little-known facts of his life and character. As a sensitive and skilful teacher, he draws out the full significance of these ancient songs as a source of wisdom and insight for all who live the Christian life today.

Since its first appearance in 1960 and revision in 1970, Documents of the Baptismal Liturgy has been widely praised both for its value as a source book and for the light it sheds on contemporary discussion of Christian initiation. The texts are in English, and a glossary of technical terms and a brief introduction to each document help to make them accessible to both the general and the specialist reader. This revised and expanded edition: retains all the sources previously included, many of which have been corrected and replaced with newer translations; incorporates Eastern Christian texts from the great East Syrian Church Fathers, Aphrahat and Ephrem, as well as selections from The Rite of the Assyrian Church of the East and the Maronite Rite; includes additional Western texts such as the famous Pentecost Homily attributed to Faustus of Riez, Letter 26 to Januarius from Pope Gregory 1, and the Rite of Confirmation from the Pontifical of William Durandus; Places individual councils in their respective geographic locales; lists sources and related publications in a variety of languages for each document studied or for each locale. "This is a most useful addition to liturgical study." Journal of Ecclesiastical History

Approved by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, and Scotland, as the basis for the new Lectionary (2022) and all future liturgical texts used by Catholics.

Denise Inge introduces a selection from Thomas Traherne's writing in this, the third volume in this series on seventeenth century spiritual writers. This volume will contain some biographical detail and historical context, the story of the discovery of his work as well as a discussion of its literary and spiritual power. The main body of the anthology will cover both well known works such as a selection from the Centuries and also excerpts from newer discoveries, including a recent find from Lambeth Palace Library. Thomas Traherne 1636?-1674 was schooled at Brasenose College, Oxford, was ordainded and served in the village of Credenhill, Herefordshire.

Each word and phrase in the ESV has been carefully weighed against the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, to ensure the fullest accuracy and clarity

Approved by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, and Scotland, as the basis for the new Lectionary (2022) and all future liturgical texts used by Catholics.

The Church Pocket Book and Diary 2024 is the perfect church diary for anyone looking for a compact sized diary that follows the Common Worship calendar and includes lectionary readings. This 14 month diary has a clear, spacious week to view layout, beginning with Sunday, that offers plenty of room for keeping track of appointments while still being a convenient pocket size that’s easy to carry around. It also features two ribbon markers to keep your place throughout the year. Beginning in December 2023 and running to January 2025, it covers the entirety of the approaching Advent season. It also has all of the titles for the Sundays throughout the church calendar and the dates of festivals to correspond with the Common Worship calendar and lectionary and the Book of Common Prayer, making it an essential purchase for clergy and churchgoers wanting a Christian diary. Your important contact details and to-do lists will be at your fingertips as well with this little pocket diary – it includes pages at the back for personal memos, addresses and telephone numbers alongside the complete Common Worship Calendar and Lectionary readings for Advent 2023 - Advent 2024 and includes the BCP scheme. With information on every UK Anglican Diocese and those in the Republic of Ireland plus the names and addresses of all major Christian societies, charities and organisations covering all mainstream denominations, the Church Pocket Book and Diary 2024 is ideal for ministers and congregations needing to stay organised on to go. This edition of the Church Pocket Book and Diary 2024 features a durable hardcover that will last you all year, and a matching ribbon marker.

Approved by the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, and Scotland, as the basis for the new Lectionary (2022) and all future liturgical texts used by Catholics.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE Are you struggling with feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, or worthlessness? Are you feeling depressed and overwhelmed with financial problems, relationship difficulties, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one? Are you questioning whether life is even worth living anymore? Almost any unfortunate experience can make someone consider a drastic solution. Would it surprise you to learn that by this time tomorrow, an average of 117 people will have died from suicide? Beyond the deaths that are recorded as completed suicides, an estimated 2,900 people will have attempted to end their lives. In the United States, more than 42,000 people die each year by suicide*. Suicide is a whispered word--a taboo subject. Yet this may be what you are contemplating. If that's the case, the most important thing you can do is tell someone about how you're feeling. Don't become another statistic. People with failed suicide attempts relate that they tried to take their own lives because they couldn't get away from themselves and their disturbing thoughts. They weren't choosing death as much as choosing an end to their seemingly unbearable pain. The first thing you need to know is that you can't solve your problems on your own. GOD UNDERSTANDS He knows when we are losing our grip and on the brink of disaster. He is offering his hand to you this very moment. He will do for you what you cannot do for yourself. GOD LISTENS He wants you to pour out your innermost feelings to him. You think life has given you a raw deal? Tell God. You can't endure the grinding poverty, the painful illness, the distressing loneliness, the awfulness of whatever it is that has you so down? God's invitation is: "Come to me . . . and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). THE BIBLE SAYS "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31) GOD SPEAKS The Bible is the sourcebook for help and hope. When we ignore what God wants us to hear, we deprive ourselves of that which can enable us to hang on when the going gets tough. "Fear not, for I am with you," God says. "Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10). GOD SAVES The Bible assures us that God will not ignore a broken, humble heart (Psalm 41:17). If you truly want to be helped, confess to God that you've wandered from him, and acknowledge that Jesus is the only way back. Jesus died on the cross to forgive your sins, and he rose again to offer you new life. Perhaps you've never accepted the truth about Jesus, but you can trust him now. Ask him to come into your life and give you guidance, strength, wisdom, and right thinking. Turn your life over to Jesus--he will save you, forgive you, and empower you with a new and eternal life. GOD HEALS God changes people and changes situations. When you trust him as your Savior, you can become a truly new person. God keeps his promises. You'll find that the Bible is a magnificent story full of promises that God has made and fulfilled. PROMISE OF PSALM 40 "I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord." (Psalm 40:1-3) GOD LOVES YOU God's love is best demonstrated through his Son, Jesus Christ. When Jesus was born to Mary, he was human in every form but without sin. By the sacrifice of Jesus's death, we are able to have a relationship with our Heavenly Father. God's love is also visible in his people. Seek the help and friendship of other Christians. If you don't know any Christians, find a local Christian church--God will help to place the right people in your path. When you are suicidal, your perspective freezes and logic becomes confused. Many underlying tensions have pulled you down. But the good news is that you don't have to stay that way! Whatever has brought you this low will NOT remain forever. By placing yourself in God's care--you have nothing to lose and everything to gain, including a present, a future, and an eternity that will be better because God, and you, are in it. God can change your life if you let him. Call out to God in a prayer such as this: Dear God, I have come to the end of myself.I have nothing left, and I want to turn to you to save me. I believe your only Son, Jesus, died and rose again to pay for my sins. I receive your love and forgiveness based on what he did for me. Help me, God, to become whole, so that I may have a relationship with you and become a new person for eternity. Amen. * Suicide statistics taken from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, 2016: www.afsp.org.

I HAVE A FRIEND who is always faithful; who can meet all your needs; who will never leave you. This friend is Jesus Christ. Since I have known him, he has been faithful in all his promises. He is " . . . the same yesterday and today and forever"(Hebrews 13:8). Through my joys and sorrows he has been a "friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). I first met him when I read his invitation in the Bible: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). I came to him, and he freed me from my burden of sin and guilt and gave me hope for living. Daily he meets my needs. He promises, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. . . . Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27). When I am lonely and worried, I remember his words: "I will not leave you or forsake you" (Joshua 1:5). I know that even at the hour of death he will remain with me, and one day he will take me to heaven to live with him. How can you and I be sure of Christ's love? The Bible says, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). We can be assured of his love because he, the sinless Son of God, suffered for our sins on the Cross of Calvary. We can know that Christ's love is everlasting. Because he rose from the grave and returned to the Father in heaven, he can say, "I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore" (Revelation 1:17-18). Yes, we can trust the Lord Jesus as our eternal friend. He invites us: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). If you have never trusted Jesus as your Savior, invite him into your life today. Follow him and he will never fail you. "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life" (John 5:24).

Looking for a special card to give to your loved ones this Christmas? These cards are crafted with you in mind. Simple, special, personal and plainspoken - with their beautiful designs, these cards do all the talking. Sustainably sourced, the cards come in packs of 10 with envelopes included. Comes in two typographic designs, one featuring the word 'Silent Night' and the other containing 'Joy to the World' in tan text.

With soft-touch covers, gold foil, rounded corners and ribbon marker, these hardback notebooks are ready to be filled with your creative ideas. Further features include: Graduated colour cover 90 gsm white paper Open-flat binding Lined pages Coloured endpapers Sustainably sourced

Bringing together over 1,200 prayers, both classic and contemporary, The SPCK Book of Christian Prayer is an inspiring and practical resource for Christians of all denominations. This prestigious collection encompasses a wide and varied range of Christian prayers, making it an essential handbook for all who want to deepen and enhance their prayer life, as well as for those involved in leading others in worship - whether in church, in school or in the home. The prayers are helpfully arranged under practical subject headings, and there is a comprehensive index of subjects, with cross references throughout.

Looking for a special card to give to your loved ones this Christmas? These cards are crafted with you in mind. Simple, special, personal and plainspoken - with their beautiful designs, these cards do all the talking. In packs of 10, sustainably sourced. Comes in 2 floral designs, one featuring the festive text 'Tidings of Comfort and Joy' against a solid eggshell blue background, and another containing 'Joy to the World' against a white foliage over-layer.

Looking for a special card to give to your loved ones this Christmas? These cards are crafted with you in mind. Simple, special, personal and plainspoken - with their beautiful designs, these cards do all the talking. Sustainably sourced, the cards come in packs of 10 with envelopes included. Comes in two typographic designs, one featuring the word 'Holy Night' in large, blue text with the other containing 'Joy to the World' in red over red. The interior message reads Happy Christmas.

Did you know that today is a special day? It may be an occasion you've been waiting for all year. Or it may seem like just another ordinary day. But whatever is on your schedule, this is God's gift to you--a 24-hour present from your Creator filled with his divine opportunities. Today, God has opened a new chapter in your life. Yesterday is history. Today is yours now. So let's celebrate! Let's start enjoying God's goodness now. He delights in showering us with his blessings: "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights" (James 1:17). Isn't it wonderful that God freely offers us his best gifts to enjoy? Did you know that Jesus is God's ultimate gift to humankind? Without the life, death, and resurrection of God's only Son, we would remain in our sin with no way of escape. God gives us a beautiful creation and the promise of spending eternity with him. But, his richest gift to us is the salvation and grace through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus said, "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Through Jesus, God freely gives us his peace, happiness, and hope both now and forever. If you haven't yet confessed your sin and placed your belief and trust in Jesus for forgiveness, there is no better time than the present. Seek to grow your faith with help from a local Christian church or from a friend who will pray and read the Bible with you. This could be the start of a wonderful new life as a child of God!

Perhaps one of the most commonly referenced verses in the Bible is John 3:16, in which Jesus says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." Even though you may recognize John 3:16 when it shows up on posters at sporting events, do you really know what it means? And who is this John person anyway? By way of introduction, John was one of the twelve disciples that followed Jesus during his ministry, and he is also the author of the books of the Bible called First, Second, and Third John, as well as Revelation. He wrote the Gospel of John, including the verses that are referenced in this pamphlet, sometime between A.D. 70 and A.D. 100 from a city in Asia Minor (modern- day Turkey). John's Gospel is crucial to learning more about Jesus and discovering what it means to become a Christian. His purpose in writing this book of the Bible is to evidence that Jesus is the Son of God and our Savior. By believing in Jesus and trusting in the salvation from our sin that he offers, people can gain eternal life. WHY DO WE NEED TO BE SAVED? Jesus said, "Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin" (John 8:34). If we are honest with ourselves, we cannot deny that from the moment of our birth we have done wrong things--things that make us guilty before God and deserving of his judgment. The Bible calls these wrong things sin, and sin separates us from God. And because we are separated from God, we face the awful prospect of his eternal wrath (John 3:36). JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY Can anyone save us from God's wrath and assure us of heaven? Some people believe that they can get into heaven by doing good works, or by following the teachings of a religion, or even by giving money to churches or charities. But Jesus clearly said that none of these things would save us: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). No human effort can give us eternal life. In fact, the only "work" that can save us is the "work" of believing in what Jesus has done to accomplish our salvation: "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent" (John 6:29). And to those who so believe, the promise of God stands firm: "To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12). HOW DOES JESUS SAVE US? John the Baptist, a biblical prophet, calls Jesus the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Jesus explains that our salvation comes through his death on the cross as the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for our sin (John 3:14-15). When reading the Gospel of John, for example, you'll notice that chapters 18-19 describe Jesus' death and then chapter 20 tells of his glorious triumph over death as he rose from the dead. Jesus' resurrection means that he can give eternal life to all who believe in him: "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die . . ." (John 11:25-26). DO YOU BELIEVE? John 11:26 ends with Jesus asking, "Do you believe this?" It is a question that every person must answer: Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? Do you believe that he died on the cross to free you from guilt and judgment of sin? Do you believe that he rose from the grave, breaking the power of death and making a way for you to have eternal life in heaven? If you believe that these things are true, then you may want to express your faith in him by praying this prayer: Heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son, and that he died on the cross to save me from my sin. I believe that he rose again to life, and that he invites me to live forever with him in heaven as part of your family. Because of what Jesus has done, I ask you to forgive me of my sin and give me eternal life. Help me to live in a way that pleases and honors you. Amen. GROWING IN CHRIST Once you have received the gift of eternal life, you will want to grow in your knowledge of Christ and your obedience to him. Jesus' teaching about how to live for God can be summed up in three simple instructions: Read the Bible. Jesus said, "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me" (John 14:21). One way to show our love for God is to read and live out the commands set forth in the Bible, God's holy Word. Read the Bible daily to learn how to live a life that honors God and gives testimony to others that Jesus has made a difference in your life. Pray. Communication with God through prayer keeps your focus on eternal things. If you are truly following Jesus, your desires will be for God's glory and for his kingdom, the church. Jesus promised, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7). Seek Christian fellowship. Meeting regularly with Christian brothers and sisters allows you to follow Jesus' example of love and to fulfill his command to "love one another . . . just as I have loved you" (John 13:34). Just as Jesus surrounded himself daily with his disciples and followers, find a Bible believing church where you can meet with other Christians. There you will find joy and encouragement in the fellowship of God's people.