words2encourage

Beyond Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury
This novel is a follow-up to One Tuesday Morning and continues the story of Jamie Bryan as she tries to pick up the pieces of her life.... More

Challenging Lifestyle by Nicky Gumbel
This book is written by the man who pioneered the Alpha course. The book is an official follow up to the popular Alpha Course....More

Heartbreak & Triumph - The Shawn Michaels Story by Shawn Michaels
Shawn Michael is a American wrestler who works for the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment)....More

Light in My Darkest Night by Catherine Marshall
The back cover describes this book as “an intimate glimpse into Catherine Marshall’s dark night of the soul”.  As such it is not always an easy read....More

Nobody's Child by John Robinson
This true story provides very powerful testimony of how God changes lives.  It tells the story of John Robinson whose early life moves from foster homes....More

One Tuesday Morning by Karen Kingsbury
This is a novel set against the backdrop of events in New York’s World Trade Centre on September 11....More

Soul Obsession by Nicky Cruz
Written by the author of “Run Baby Run” (and numerous other books) this book provides the reader with an update on Nicky’s life and ministry....More

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia) by C.S. Lewis
This enchanting book is a delight for readers of all ages.  It is in fact the second (and best known) of seven books in C.S. Lewis' Narnia series....More

The Shack by William P Young
This highly original novel deals with the biblical themes of forgiveness and the age-old question of why does God allow suffering and in particular....More.

The 100 Minute Bible by Michael Hinton
This book gives an overview of the main events and characters in the Bible in 50 brief chapters....More.

Walk on: The Spiritual Journey of U2 by Steve Stockman
Arguably the biggest band in the world U2 have been at the top of their profession for many years now. Their early albums....More

  

This novel is a follow-up to One Tuesday Morning and is, in my opinion, equally as good.  It continues the story of Jamie Bryan as she tries to pick up the pieces of her life following the disaster of September 11.  It is a message of hope and the power of God’s love to sustain us throughout the good times and the bad.  This is a fitting and very satisfying conclusion to Jamie Bryan’s journey to faith.  It is a life-affirming story of one woman’s decision to choose to live and love again in the aftermath of such a dreadful tragedy.  I would encourage you to read this book, particularly if you enjoyed One Tuesday Morning – you will not be disappointed.

This book is written by the man who pioneered the Alpha course. The book is described on it's front cover as an official follow up to the popular Alpha Course.  It's based on the sermon on the mount (Matthew  chapters 5 to 7) and is split into 19 short chapters. Each chapter is based on a short passage of scripture from Jesus' teaching from the Sermon on the Mount and then Nicky Gumbel's comments on the passage explaining its meaning and its relevance for today. At the back of the book there is a set of 6 or 7 questions for each chapter which were written by David Stone. These questions can then form the basis of a group discussion. The book can be studied individually but I would suggest it is better when used in a group setting. I would personally recommend it as a good source of material for a housegroup to study. However be prepared to be challenged as per the title!

Shawn Michael is a American wrestler who works for the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). For two or three years in the mid to late 1990's Shawn was regarded as the most entertaining wrestler in the business. However, although he was at the top of his profession Shawn's personal life was not in a good way. He battled against drugs and severe back problems which he got from wrestling. In addition to this he was not always the best employee. Eventually in the late 1990's he had to retire due to his back problems.

In retirement he still struggled with his personal demons. However, change was on the horizon. His wife Rebecca recommitted her life to Christ and then Shawn also met with Him too. God gave him the power to kick his habit and healed his back so that Shawn was able to return to wrestling. The Shawn that returned to wrestling was a different one to the one who retired injured. God was and is changing him.

Although this book is mainly written for wrestling fans it's great to see the way that God has intervened and dramatically changed Shawn Michaels life.

The back cover describes this book as “an intimate glimpse into Catherine Marshall’s dark night of the soul”.  As such it is not always an “easy read”.  It dares to confront emotions felt by all of us at times – even Christians!  It raises questions about why God allows suffering and why our prayers are not always answered in the way we would hope.  No-one knows why God does not always choose to heal in answer to heartfelt prayer but we trust that “His ways are greater than ours”.  Above all this book is a very personal testimony to God’s faithfulness and how, particularly through the inevitable difficult times, we can grow and develop in our faith.

This true story provides very powerful testimony of how God changes lives.  It tells the story of John Robinson whose early life moves from foster homes, to a detention centre, onto borstal and a life on the streets before ending up in a psychiatric hospital.  God calls him from this seemingly hopeless situation and starts to rebuild his life.  His past makes it easy for John to relate to disadvantaged young people in some of the toughest areas of Manchester.  Thus begins the Eden bus ministry with John and his team offering young people friendship, support and a chance to hang out safely together - truly demonstrating the love of  God by their actions and care of these youngsters.  Above all this is a book which is full of hope as it describes how God's love can transform any life and make it into something beautiful and glorifying.

This is a novel set against the backdrop of events in New York’s World Trade Centre on September 11.  In essence this book is about the choices that we all make as human beings and how those choices affect those closest to us.  It is a message of hope and the power of God’s love to sustain and help us to “love one another as I first loved you”. It affirms that no-one is beyond the reach of God’s love and shows very vividly how an individual can be changed beyond recognition when they experience first hand the love of God.

Written by the author of “Run Baby Run” (and numerous other books) this book provides the reader with an update on Nicky’s life and ministry since his dramatic conversion from feared gang leader to an extraordinarily effective evangelist for God.  The book contains many personal references to Nicky’s family and friends, including a moving description of his mother’s healing and conversion.  Ultimately this book challenges the reader to develop a “soul obsession” to want to see people saved for God.  “Soul Obsession” is both challenging and encouraging which makes it a worthwhile read for any Christian seeking to develop their faith and discover God’s unique plan for their life.

This enchanting book is a delight for readers of all ages.  It is in fact the second (and best known) of seven books in C.S. Lewis' Narnia series.  It tells the story of four siblings (Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy) who are evacuated from London during the war to stay with an old Professor and his housekeeper in the heart of the country.  Bored and unable to play outside due to heavy rain, they decide to play hide and seek.  Lucy - the youngest - goes and hides in the back of a wardrobe in an otherwise deserted room.  From there she enters into the magical world of Narnia.  There is much biblical imagery in this book. In particular Aslan, the Great Lion, is felt by many to be a symbolic representation of Jesus.

This book, which retails at little more than the cost of a sandwich is, I think, a real gem!  In summary it gives an overview of the main events and characters in the Bible.  It is divided into 50 brief chapters, 17 from the Old Testament and the remainder taken from the New Testament.  Most chapters include direct quotes from the Bible with well known passages, such as the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23, being reprinted in full.  As a committed Christian who has read the Bible in its entirety on more than one occasion, I had my doubts about this mini version but I have to say I am impressed.  Obviously constraints of time and space mean much is left out but what the publisher has chosen to include provides an excellent overview of the Bible and, quite rightly concentrates on Jesus’ life and his impact on ordinary people then, now and for all time to come.

I would certainly recommend this book to Christians and non-Christians alike.  Indeed if any of your non-Christian family or friends have ever expressed an interest in reading the Bible but “haven’t got the time”, suggest they read this instead.  In no way could it ever take the place of the Bible – the inspired word of God – and all that represents but it is an excellent place for them to start and hopefully they will be encouraged to go on and study a good version of the Bible for themselves.  

Arguably the biggest band in the world U2 have been at the top of their profession for many years now. Their early albums contained tracks which had an obvious Christian message, but as they grew this seemed to change as they turned their focus onto social issues. In his excellent book Steve Stockman traces the group from their beginnings and analyses their albums and brings to light Christian content in much of their music that will surprise the reader. He discusses the bands ups and downs and shows how their Christian faith underpins all they do. I can guarantee that you will not agree with everything written, but for all fans of U2 and Christian music it’s essential reading.

I was very much looking forward to receiving this book as a requested Christmas present and was not disappointed, finishing it within a couple of days! This highly original novel deals with the biblical themes of forgiveness and the age-old question of why does God allow suffering and in particular why does God permit bad things to happen to "good" people? The Shack will challenge any preconceived ideas you may have regarding how we as human beings seek to relate to God and indeed to one another. This is undoubtedly a controversial book and some will no doubt be put off by Young's portrayal of the Trinity.  

However I would encourage anyone (Christian and non-Christian alike) to read this book and make up their own mind. I am delighted to see that The Shack is now widely available in the high street having made it into the top 40 best selling lists in some of the UK's most well known stores. It is rumoured that The Shack may also be made into a film allowing even more people to be blessed and encouraged by this most inspirational tale.