Books We Love

Priorities from Paul and his prayers.

God doesn’t demand hectic church programs and frenetic schedules: he only wants his people to know him more intimately,’ says D. A. Carson. ‘If we are to make any headway in reforming our personal and corporate praying, then we shall have to begin by listening afresh to Scripture and seeking God’s help in understanding how to apply Scripture to our lives, our homes and our churches.’

In this widely appreciated exposition, Carson works through several of the apostle Paul’s prayers in such a way that we hear God speak to us today, and find strength and direction to improve our praying, both for God’s glory and for our good.

Many of us know and love the stories and characters of the Old Testament such as Joseph, Moses and Jonah. But how do we view its importance in relation to New Testament teaching and our 21st century experiences? This accessible yet powerful addition to the Pocket Guide series draw together the threads of Scripture to help us understand the power of God’s word when viewed in its completeness.

An A to Z of Loving and Following the Lord Jesus in Later Years.

Old age often gets a bad press. Associated with grumpiness, aches and pains, loneliness, and isolation it’s not something we particularly look forward to or relish when we’re there.

Pastor and Bible teacher, Derek Prime, himself in his 80s, shows us that there is another way to view old age. He guides us through 26 Christian priorities that we should hold to in later life. With biblical wisdom and practical advice, he helps us to navigate the unique challenges and joys that old age can bring. This is a book to dip into, meditate on and read prayerfully as you let the truths it contains gently transform the way you live your old age.

A True Story of Courage in Congo.

'I was aware of a slight unease. In all my years at the hospital, I had never had a hoax call. Suddenly out of the darkness ran two masked figures in camouflage clothing pointing something shaped like a gun, covered in leaves. "You won’t scare me. You won’t get the better of me." flashed through my mind as I reached out to grab the weapon …'

When twenty-five-year-old Maud Kells gave up her home in Ireland to replace martyred missionaries in Congo she was acutely aware of the risk she was taking. Despite the state of the war-torn country, her own reserved nature and the objections of her family, she chose to follow the God who promised, ‘I am with you. That is all you need.’ This is the remarkable story of an ordinary woman who decided to walk through the door God opened for her, whatever the cost.

Who was Jesus? Why was he crucified? Did he really rise from the dead? Is it plausible that he was truly divine?

Whether you are seeking to understand the Christian faith for the first time, or looking to be reminded of the basics, John Stott offers a clear and full explanation of the Gospel.

With over 2.5 million copies sold, this classic introduction is as clear and relevant on the centenary of Stott's birth as when it was first published in 1958.

12 Hard Questions for the World's Largest Religion.

Contrary to popular belief, Christianity is not declining in the modern world. It has long been the world's most popular belief system, and looks set to remain so. Rather than dismissing Christianity, therefore, we must wrestle with its claims.

This book explores 12 hard questions that seem to undermine the Christian faith: the existence of suffering, the Bible’s teaching on gender and sexuality, the reality of judgment, the authority of Scripture, the success of science, and more. Drawing on state-of-the-art academic research, personal stories, and deep scriptural excavation, this book argues that—when looked at more closely—what first seemed like roadblocks to faith actually become signposts.

Tools to unearth the Bible's treasure.

This is a toolbox. Sorry if this conjures up painful memories of failed DIY projects, hours spent waiting for the emergency services on the hard shoulder of the motorway, or rusty, forgotten implements decked with cobwebs at the back of your garden shed. But there are no spanners or trowels here. These tools are rather a means of getting to the bottom of any Bible passage and discovering its true meaning.

We believe in God, we serve God, we love God – but do we ENJOY God as much as we can? Does our head knowledge translate into affection of the heart? Do we have a meaningful relationship with someone we can’t see? Do we feel excited about God everyday, in every context?

Tim Chester shows us how to relate to each of the three persons of the Trinity, and what this looks like in practice. Readers will discover that as we engage more with God, and understand how awesome he is, we can enjoy him more.

This isn’t a book about the Trinity. It’s a “how to” book exploring how we relate to God (for which we need a true understanding of the Trinity). In day-to-day life, how do the three persons of the Trinity relate to us, and how do we respond?

It’s never too early to introduce the next generation to some of the heroes of faith. In this book children will meet 52 christian men and women (one for each week of the year) from all walks of life who wanted to live for their friend Jesus. There are missionaries, martyrs, writers, reformers, politicians and poets. Their stories are exciting and inspiring and will show children that any of Jesus’ friends can do remarkable things for him – even them!

Encourage your little ones to learn and grow with God with Everything a Child Should Know About God from bestselling author Kenneth N. Taylor. Designed for parents to read aloud to children, this book features whimsical illustrations throughout, each chapter has a brief explanation and a related question to pose to children. Dr. Taylor explains in child-friendly language the essential Bible truths you want your child to know.

This revised edition has a Bible reference on each page to help you show your children where these doctrines can be found in the Bible.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re the only person who’s thought that prayer is a bit strange, then this is the book for you. It can feel wrong to admit that having a conversation with someone we can’t see can feel rather unusual. Prayer is one of those disciplines that we all know we should be doing more regularly and perhaps enjoying more than we are, but the reality is that it can be something even mature Christians find a struggle. Prayer doesn’t come naturally to most of us which can leave us feeling guilty, stuck in a rut, or far away from God.

Julian Hardyman tackles head-on those questions we all have about prayer, but feel we can’t ask. He gives us permission to be honest about how our prayer lives are going and he provides fresh, practical ideas to help us to enjoy talking to our heavenly Father.

Reissued as part of the Hodder Contemporary Classics collection, John Stott’s personal message on the importance of preaching is as relevant and challenging today.

Is preaching dead – or at least dying?

In a digital age, where congregations have unprecedented access to resources, do we still need sermons?

John Stott’s I believe in Preaching has been essential reading for ministers, students and lay preachers for over three decades. Its message is as relevant today as ever.

‘I do believe in preaching. . . I believe that nothing is better calculated to restore health and vitality to the Church or to lead its members into maturity in Christ than a recovery of true, biblical, contemporary preaching.’ – John Stott.

Connecting your faith with what you watch, read and play.

Whether it's TV boxsets, Instagram stories or historical novels, we all consume culture. So it’s important that we are neither bewitched by it—buying into everything it tells us—or bewildered by it—lashing out in judgment or retreating into a Christian bubble.

Dan Strange encourages Christians to engage with everything they watch, read and play in a positive and discerning way. He also teaches Christians how to think and speak about culture in a way that plugs in to a bigger and better reality—the story of King Jesus, and his cosmic plan for the world.

It’s possible to watch TV and read novels and play video games in a way that actually feeds our faith, rather than withers it. It’s even possible for you—yes, you—to be that person who starts off talking to a mate about last night’s football and ends up talking about Jesus.

So be equipped to engage with culture and use it for God.

Kids know the value of a promise. Our good and all-powerful God always keeps his word, and the way he fulfils his promises is better than anyone could have imagined! The Beginner's Gospel Story Bible traces God's perfect promises for toddlers and preschoolers through fifty-two Old and New Testament stories. Even the youngest kids will come to know that God's promises are especially for them and that all of them are Yes and Amen in Jesus.

The true story of why Jesus died and rose again.

Using simple sentences and stunning illustrations, this 16-page board book takes the truths of The Garden, the Curtain and the Cross and makes them accessible for very young children.

Journeying from the Garden of Eden to God's future new creation, kids will learn why Jesus died and rose again—and be invited to say, "Thank you, King Jesus. You're amazing!"

Daily reflections from Genesis to Revelation.

Using the church as a framework, Through the Year with John Stott explores in 365 days the whole biblical story from creation to the end times.

One of the most highly respected Bible teachers of our times, John Stott gets to the heart of each of the 365 carefully selected passages, covering every essential Christian teaching in a single volume. The readings are broken up into weekly themes.

Each devotion is based on a key passage of Scripture, and includes biblical references for further exploration.

34 undated Psalm devotions for weary souls.

What others are saying about Tumbling Sky :

"I warmly commend these golden nuggets of spiritual wisdom from the Psalms. Whether you are walking beside quiet waters or through the darkest valley you will find nourishment for your soul." — Vaughan Roberts , Rector of St Ebbe's Church, Oxford

"Gentle and wise, this outstanding devotional is balm for bruised souls. It will slake your thirst, comfort your despair, and enable you to see the love of God afresh." — Tanya Marlow , Author of Coming Back to God When You Feel Empty

"As you read through Matt Searles’ Tumbling Sky Psalms Devotions you’ll be filled with a fresh appreciation for how well God knows your weaknesses, challenges, and trials. He isn’t absent, distant, or unaware. At the same time, you’ll be reminded that in our darkest moments, Jesus himself is reason enough to trust God’s nearness, care, and faithfulness. Even though these Psalms were familiar to me, I greatly benefited from Matt's pastoral and insightful commentary. I have no doubt you will too." — Bob Kauflin , Director of Sovereign Grace Music

"Insightful, honest and wholly Christ-centred, these Psalm devotions shine the light of God's truth and grace into some of the darkest corners of our emotions. They help us to see the joy we can have even in the midst of pain, giving rich comfort, refreshment and hope to the suffering believer." — Sarah Collins , Author of Dealing with Depression: Trusting God Through the Dark Times

Short biographies from the second world war.

Don Stephens has collected moving stories from the Second World War that will enthral and move his readers. As Brigadier Ian Dobbie, OBE says in the Foreword, Don “has the gift of telling a story in a way which grips the reader, and yet he is not guilty of writing in a sensational manner, nor does he fail to remind his reader that war is always a terrible event, and that the God of the Bible remains sovereign.”

The stories range from the South African Air Force war hero who became a vital missionary pilot, to the Scottish lady from quiet Dumfriesshire who was a martyr at Auschwitz, to the German Prisoner of War who found a strong spiritual link with the Wirral.

The eight stories combine to remind readers dramatically that our God is able to use even the dire circumstances for his glory.

Best-selling author Nancy Guthrie and much loved illustrator Jenny Brake team up on this biblical theology of prayer for children.

Nancy explains in child-friendly language what prayer is, how and why we should pray, and the things we can pray about. There is a Bible verse for each topic, and a prayer for children to make their own.

This book will introduce children to the gift of prayer and will encourage them to enjoy speaking to their father God.

If you’re easily distracted when praying, you’re not alone. In fact, if you struggle to pray in the first place, that’s not unusual either. Tim Chester tells us how we can be great pray–ers. And he admits that that’s a really bold claim.

‘The secret of great praying has nothing to do with human effort or skill,’ he explains. ‘Lots of people would like to think that it does because they want to make prayer an achievement.’ But the secret of great praying is … Knowing three things about God:

– That God the Father loves to hear us pray

– That God the Son makes every prayer pleasing to God

– That God the Holy Spirit helps us as we pray

Tim looks at: why prayer is easy (how we pray), why prayer is difficult (why we pray) and the arguments and priorities of prayer (what we pray). Prayer is a child asking her father for help. And that’s not beyond any one of us.

Originally published in 1988, this is a clear and brilliant examination of the evidence for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Val Grieve was a lawyer and so the evidence is presented with care and due regard for proper procedure. The text has been updated where necessary, making this is a fine book to give to anyone asking questions about the core doctrine of the Christian faith.