News

The text below may be copied and reproduced in full or in part in your church magazine, newsletter or website but please acknowledge re:fresh books & christian resources.
Past news items may be viewed by clicking the subpages News 2009 etc above     (special offers will have expired)

 August 2011

June 2011 

Summer offers at re:fresh books

Synopsis:  Re:fresh books& christian resources has special offers on Bibles and books for adults and children, including up to £7.00 off NIV Bibles, a 3 for 2 offer on Lion and Candle Children’s books, a new range of Christian fiction at £6.00 and 15% off books from its Lifestyle and Science & Faith sections when you buy two or more books.  Meanwhile refresh is again encouraging customers to take part in its ‘Take it and leave it’ initiative during the holiday period – take a good Christian book on holiday, read it, and then leave it for somebody else to read.

Bibles
Re:fresh is offering huge savings on New International Version (NIV) Bibles including £7.00 off a brown bonded leather Bible with gilt page edges, centre column references and concordance or £7.00 off a black bonded leather zip-up NIV.  There is also £5.00 off a pocket NIV Bible with a black bonded leather zip-up binding and £3.00 off a zip-up NIV ‘Traveller’s Bible with soft-tone binding.   The new 2011 Edition of the NIV was launched in May, these offers all apply to the existing Edition, while stocks last.  (See www.refreshbooks.co.uk/bibles.htm)

Books on Christian Lifestyle and Science & Faith
Re:fresh books has carved out its own Summer Promotion on books in its ‘Lifestyle’ and ‘Science and Faith’ sections.   Buy two or more books from either section and receive a 15% discount off the total.  Titles in the Science and Faith section include Alister McGrath’s latest book, Surprised by Meaning, John Polkinghorne’s Belief in God in an Age of Science, John Lennox’ God and Stephen Hawking and Francis Collins’ The Language of God.  The Lifestyle section includes a wide range of books on living out the Christian life, including well-known authors such as Francis Chan, Bill Hybels, Max Lucado, John Ortberg and Philip Yancey. 

Christian Fiction
Re:fresh has a new selection of Christian Fiction for £6.00.  Fiction has an ability to address issues that people would not normally consider, including questions of God and faith.  Re:fresh always has a large selection of Christian fiction covering a variety of genres including historical drama, romance and thrillers.  Why not take some good Christian fiction on holiday with you this year? 

Children’s Books
In a fourth promotion, re:fresh books has a 3-for-2 offer on Lion and Candle books for children up to 7 years old.  Buy any three books and get the lowest priced free.  These are attractively-produced books from a leading Christian publisher.

Take it and Leave it
With the holiday season upon us, why not take some good Christian books on holiday and leave something behind for somebody else to read?  Many hotels and other holiday venues have a book exchange section where guests can leave books they have finished reading and pick up books left by other holidaymakers.  Choose something that people will want to read – a biography such as Taming the Tiger or The Vicar of Baghdad or fiction such as The Shack or Francine Rivers’ Her Mother’s Hope … or maybe some C.S. Lewis.

Staff at re:fresh books are always happy to help you make a selection.   And don’t forget – there is a free cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee, or a cold drink, available to customers.  There is also a garden at the rear of the shop where customers are welcome to rest and maybe browse one or two books in fine weather.

May 2011

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This year is the 400th Anniversary of the publication of the King James Version (Authorised Version) of the Bible.  The KJV has exerted more influence on the English-speaking world than any other document.  Its power to change lives, through the message it carries, is incalculable.

Re:fresh books & christian resources has a selection of books and DVDs about the making of the King James Bible.  A leaflet listing some of these resources is available from the shop or can be downloaded from the re:fresh website.  An even more detailed listing is available on the website at www.refreshbooks.co.uk/400yearsofthekjv.htm. 

A window on the Word
Re:fresh books, at 23 The Broadway, Tolworth, currently has a window display featuring the King James Bible anniversary.  Many people stop and read the window displays.  We hope that some will be inspired to read the Bible for themselves to find out what makes it so special and through this to encounter the Lord Jesus Christ. 
A second window display picks up on the recent Royal Wedding and features books on Christian marriage and relationships.

A recent venture by re:fresh books & christian resources over Easter was to offer free Bibles for the staff of other businesses in Tolworth Broadway.  Within minutes of the first batch of 50 letters being delivered, the Manager of one family business came in and said that all three members of the staff would like a copy.  Please pray that these Bibles will be used – they are attractively-produced New Living Translation Bibles in an imitation leather binding, with the words of Jesus in red, a Bible dictionary and other helps.  We also include our leaflet How to read the Holy Bible.

Re:fresh was also able to present a large print Bible to the library in a local home for elderly and disabled people when members of the re:fresh team were involved in an Easter service there.  Are there other individuals or local churches who have similar links and would be prepared to donate a Bible?

Celebrating the King James Bible
Are you wanting to wise up on the background to the King James Version of the Bible?  See the selection of books and DVDs at re:fresh books.

“Whoever you are in the English-speaking world, I hope to persuade you to consider that the King James Bible has driven the making of that world over the last 400 years, often in the most unanticipated ways.”  So says Melvyn Bragg, a man who admits that he lost his faith many years ago, in his latest book The Book of Books – The Radical Impact of the King James Bible 1611-2011 available from re:fresh books.

Two attractively-produced books about the Bible are the recently-published A Visual History of the King James Bible and A Visual History of the English Bible by Donald Brake.  The first of these concentrates on the KJV while the second looks more broadly at early English translations and recent versions, as well as the KJV.

An accessible and economically-priced resource for teachers, pastors and children’s leaders is The Story of the Bible in Candle’s Essential Bible Reference series.  This is a lavishly illustrated 32-page booklet priced at only £1.99 which traces the history of the Bible from the original manuscripts to the present day.

Other books about the King James Bible include Begat by David Crystal, which looks at the words and sayings from the KJV that have entered our everyday vocabulary; The People’s Bible by Derek Wilson, which looks at the background to the KJV and its impact; When God Spoke English by Adam Nicolson, which looks in detail at the translators; and The Legacy of the King James Bible by Leland Ryken.

A number of DVDs offer a more visual presentation of the background to our English Bible.  They include God’s Outlaw, a dramatised story of William Tyndale and the English Bible.  John Wycliffe The Morning Star tells the story of John Wycliffe and includes an additional study guide, notes and printable worksheets.  The Story of the English Bible discusses the work of Wycliffe, Tyndale, Huss, Erasmus and the KJV translators.   KJB-The Book that Changed the World focuses on the work of the King James translators and the impact of the KJB.

Magazines for modern men and women
Look out for a new Christian magazine for women.   Liberti, from the same stable as Sorted the successful men’s magazine, is launched this month.  Liberti is targeted specifically at 21st century Christian women and will have a mix of celebrity interviews, thought-provoking articles, book, film and music reviews, health and beauty features.

An inspiring story
A young man visited re:fresh books recently.  He described how he had recently become dissatisfied with his life.  He was encouraged to read the Bible and was challenged by Romans 12:2  “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” As a result he gave his life to Christ.  This is the power of God’s Word!

This passage in Romans, which was read so powerfully at the recent Royal Wedding, is currently displayed in the window of re:fresh books.

April 2011

To download this news as a 2-page PDF click HERE

Re:fresh books has many special offers on books and Bibles including a Spring biography promotion, reductions of up to 50% on Lion and Candle children’s books and Bibles, and an upcoming music promotion.

An ideal evangelistic gift

No Ordinary Man is a beautifully-produced 82-page book containing the complete text of Luke’s Gospel in the Contemporary English Version (CEV).  This is interspersed with modern-day testimonies and a wealth of material to help the reader.  It is illustrated with pictures from the JESUS film and photographs of Israel today from the DVD So who is this Jesus? At the end is a section on “Knowing God personally.”
No Ordinary Man is produced jointly by Agapé and Deo Gloria Trust.  Single copy price £1.50; quantities of 20 or more £1.00 each.
 
Spring promotion – Christian biography

Personal witness is one of the most effective ways to share the Christian message.  Re:fresh books & christian resources always has a wide range of Christian biographies in stock, but currently has a number of biographies on special offer.

John Stott – A portrait by his friends is a collection of reminiscences of the 90 year-old Christian Statesman by 35 of his friends.  It is a 217-page hardback book, normally priced £11.99 but reduced by £2.00.

In marked contrast, Scars and Stilettos is the story of an exotic dancer, who found love and worth in Jesus.  My Donkey Body is the honest and heart-wrenching story of Michael Wenham as he charts his struggle with motor neurone disease.  Andrew White’s The Vicar of Baghdad is another powerful story of the battle for peace in the Middle East. Baroness Cox – Eyewitness to a broken world is not only the story of a remarkable Christian woman but of the forgotten and persecuted people she seeks to represent. 

Each of these books is reduced by £2.00. See www.refreshbooks.co.uk

Spring music promotion at re:fresh

Re:fresh books has special offers on new CDs soon to be released from top Christian artists, plus a buy-one-get-one-free offer on popular artists.

The Journey, from Stuart Townend, composer of How Deep the Father’s Love and In Christ Alone, is a new album with 12 tracks addressing themes like generosity and the need for Christians to realign their concept of what is “ours”.  Meanwhile from Graham Kendrick comes Banquet, a feast of new worship songs about loving one-another, serving, forgiving and blessing.  A third new album, Fresh Mercy, comes from four young Elim worship leaders, representing the full flavour of Elim worship music today.  There is an introductory offer of £2.00 off each of these albums at re:fresh books.

Meanwhile, the Discover the Sound of Worship, promotion offers a free album when you buy any one of 48 selected Kingsway CDs by top artists.  The free CD has 13 tracks by a variety of artists including Lou Fellingham, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick and Stuart Townend.

Another Spring promo – Children’s Bibles

Superbly produced children’s Bibles and Bible storybooks from the Lion and Candle ranges are reduced by up to 50% in the latest promotion at re:fresh books & christian resources.  Many of these make ideal gifts for a Christening, Dedication or First Communion.

They include Candle Bible stories for every day, half price at £6.50, the popular Lion Bible for Children reduced by £5.00, 50 Favourite Bible Stories selected and read by Cliff Richard (book and CD) reduced by £5.00 and The Lion Storyteller Bible (book and CD) by Rob Hartman.  See www.refreshbooks.co.uk/currentpromotions.htm  

New NIV due out in May

In the year that we celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, a new Edition of the New International Version (NIV) is due to be launched next month.

Since it first appeared in 1979, the NIV has become firmly established as the most popular Bible version worldwide.  But language is constantly evolving and the rate of change has become even more pronounced in recent years.  At the same time, scholarship throws new light on the original text. The New International Version was never intended to be a static translation but one that was regularly updated.  The new NIV will have ‘anglicised’ spelling.  The use of gender-inclusive language, which sparked controversy when the TNIV was launched in 2005, has been revaluated.

March 2011

To download this news as a PDF click HERE

The Christian community has produced more than its fair share of daring adventurers, heroes and martyrs, not least in our own generation.  Three recent books from Monarch describe not only the adventures of three such characters but also the many unspoken heroes who they have encountered – faithful followers of Jesus who have suffered, and in some cases died, for their faith.

Faith under Fire is a new book by Andrew White, “The Vicar of Baghdad” in which he reflects on what the conflict in the Middle East has taught him about God.
God’s Adventurer retells the experiences of Stuart Windsor, National Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Dangerously Alive by Simon Guillebaud relates and reflects on experiences over ten years in an African war zone.
All three books are available from re:fresh books and christian resources, 23 The Broadway, Tolworth KT6 7DJ.

Stuart Windsor to sign books at re:fresh
Stuart Windsor has been described by Baroness Cox as “larger than life in every respect.” He is a former Barnardo’s boy, intelligence officer and Assemblies of God Pastor.  Today he is the National Director of New Malden-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

Stuart will be signing copies of his book God’s Adventurer at re:fresh books & christian resources on Saturday April 9 between 10.00am and 12.00 noon.  In his book he describes his experiences as a champion of persecuted Christians worldwide, from delivering aid under shellfire in Nagorno Karabakh to redeeming slaves in Sudan.

VeggieTales are back
The popular Children’s DVD series is back with new titles and some repackaged products.  They include:-  
     An Easter Carol
     'Twas the Night before Easter
     Sweetpea Beauty
     Pistachio the Little Boy That Woodn't
     Silly little thing called LOVE
For more information see www.refreshbooks.co.uk/veggietales.htm

Special offers on children's books
Re:fresh books has special offers on children’s books from Candle and Lion throughout March and April while stocks last.  These beautifully-produced books are always good value but with reductions ranging from £1.00 to £5.00 they represent especially good value.  For further information see www.refreshbooks.co.uk/newyearpromotions.htm.

Sutton Christian bookshop closes
Living Oasis Sutton, closed on March 5.  Sutton was one of 19 former Wesley Owen bookshops that were ‘rescued’ by Nationwide Christian Trust a year ago after Wesley Owen went into Administration.  Four more Living Oasis shops (in Aberdeen, Bedford, Belfast and Inverness) have also closed.  The reasons given by Nationwide Christian Trust are that “recent trading has not been easy” and this year got off to a bad start with poor sales.   
Every such closure represents a loss of a Christian presence on the streets of our towns and cities.  We are grateful to God, and to our customers, for their continued support that has enabled re:fresh to stay in business.  We do not look to local churches to subsidise us – we just ask for your business. Christian bookshops are an extension to the mission of local churches - open when many churches are closed and presenting a familiar retail environment to people who would find church an alien environment.   A leaflet spelling out reasons why people should support Christian bookshops is available free from re:fresh or can be downloaded at www.refreshbooks.co.uk/downloads.htm  

Local schools buy Bibles in bulk
Every year a number of local schools place bulk orders for Bibles to give to pupils. What better legacy could they pass on than God’s word?
Re:fresh can normally negotiate special prices with the publishers and will deliver within a 10-mile radius of Tolworth.  Most popular are the Good News Sunrise and Rainbow Bibles but there are many other options including the NLT (New Living Translation) Gift and Award Bible at only £5.00 and the NIV Schools Bible.  An InfoFile giving details of different Bibles is available at re:fresh books or can be downloaded from the website at www.refreshbooks.co.uk/downloads.htm
Why not bless your local school with a gift of Bibles in the year that celebrates the 400^th Anniversary of the King James Bible?

February 2011

To download this news as a PDF click HERE

Quality greeting cards for all occasions 
Many of us have struggled to find a good greeting card, as we sifted through the smut and innuendo in secular card shops.  But you can buy cards with confidence at re:fresh books & christian resources.

Re:fresh offers a wide range of cards, from humorous to reflective.   They include cards for baptism, christening, confirmation, dedication, first communion, ordination and other church events as well as conventional birthday cards, wedding cards, ‘in sympathy’ cards etc.   Many include appropriate Scripture texts; others have no text.

Easter & First Communion.  Easter will soon be upon us.  Re:fresh has stocks of cards for both Easter and First Communion.

Lindisfarne Scriptorium.  A recent addition to the re:fresh range are cards, posters and books, inspired by Celtic styles of calligraphy, illustration and illumination.  Lindisfarne Scriptorium cards have remarkably fine detail.  The artform is designed to draw the viewer into an attitude of prayer and meditation.  The range also includes the Multicoloured reflections colouring book; a colouring book for people of all ages which provides a mixture of simple and more complex outlines, again following the Celtic style.

Joe Cornish cards.  Last year re:fresh introduced a range of cards by the celebrated photographer, Joe Cornish.  These are attractively produced cards which carry no message so that they can be used for any occasion, with the sender writing their own greeting.  The range has recently been expanded with even more stunning photography.  At the same time the price has been reduced.   The cards generally have a large format, but within the dimensions required for letter post.

Special promotion - Children's books
Reductions on children’s books from Lion and Candle mean that these beautifully-presented books are available at even lower prices than normal during re:fresh books’ February promotion.

The offers include The Lion Book of Day-by-Day prayers and The Lion book of Best-loved prayers, each reduced from £9.99 to £7.99.  These are large-format hardback books of prayers for different occasions, with beautiful and sensitive colour illustrations.  My Very own Prayers is a collection of over 100 prayers for special occasions reduced from £4.99 to £3.99.  Me too – Bible and Prayers is a combination of Bible stories interwoven with prayers in a padded hardcover gift edition, reduced from £5.99 to only £3.99. 

Re:fresh books has books of prayers and children’s Bibles from the cuddly Tiny Bear’s Bible for babies to complete Bibles in modern translations for children and teenagers.  The NLT Gift and Award Bible is particularly good value at £5.99 (Less for bulk quantities).  Available with a blue, burgundy or black imitation leather binding, it is a respected modern translation and includes full-colour presentation pages, maps and a comprehensive dictionary/concordance.

On-line resources
One of the most-visited sections of re:fresh books’ website, www.refreshbooks.co.uk is the Directory of local churches.  This lists local churches, with contact details, times of services and a brief description of the church.   This section has recently been updated and expanded to cover nearly 50 churches in Kingston, Surbiton, New Malden and district.

People looking for Alpha, Christianity Explored and similar courses can find a listing on the Courses exploring Christianity section of the website, while a new section listing local Christian agencies was added during 2010 in response to an expressed need.  This includes a list of qualified Christian Counsellors in Kingston and district.

Details of the latest books, CDs and DVDs available at re:fresh books, can be found on the website together with reviews of selected books.  There are also downloadable details of resources such as Bibles for Schools, Small Group resources, Daily Bible reading notes, and resources for the 400^th Anniversary of the King James Bible.  These can also be picked up as free InfoFiles in the shop.

Easter
Please remember to pray about the ministry of re:fresh books & christian resources over the Easter period.  With the increasing secularisation of Christmas and Easter, often in the interests of ‘political correctness’, we seek to use opportunities to present the true significance of the season.  We take the opportunity to feature the Easter story in our window displays and include an offer of a free copy of Luke’s Gospel.

And remember to buy your Easter cards, palm crosses and other seasonal resources at re:fresh books & christian resources.

January 2011

To download this News as a PDF click HERE

“I woke up and decided to buy a Bible”
These were the words of a young man who came into re:fresh books & christian resources early one recent snowy morning.   He had been thinking for some time that he should find out for himself what the Bible says, and that morning woke up and decided to buy a Bible.  He remembered seeing re:fresh and so visited the shop where he was shown different types of Bible and given guidance on how and where to start reading.  He went away with a New Living Translation Bible and a free leaflet produced by re:fresh to help people who are starting to read the Bible for the first time.

This is the sort of visit that is welcomed by staff at re:fresh, who are all passionate about their faith.  It came on a day when they had considered remaining closed because of the snow.  This incident also underlines the value of Christian bookshops in our cities and towns – where else would members of the public be able to get this quality of help when selecting Bibles and Christian books?

Lent study materials 2011
Lent starts on March 9.   Re:fresh books and christian resources has a range of study materials for individual or group use during Lent.  Some of these are simple study guides while others include a short DVD presentation with associated study guide.  They include the popular York Course for 2011, The Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book 2011, and a variety of Lent studies by CWR and BRF.  These are described in detail on the re:fresh website at www.refreshbooks.co.uk/lent2011.htm  

Helps to start reading the Bible
Re:fresh books & christian resources has many resources to help people who want to start reading the Bible systematically, whether they are familiar with the Bible or not. 

At a very basic level we have a free leaflet which we have produced ourselves for anybody setting out to read the Bible for themselves for the first time.  It gives basic information on the how to read and a suggested plan which the user can follow at their own pace.  You can download a copy from www.refreshbooks.co.uk/downloads.htm

The E100 Challenge is a plan to model systematic Bible study with 100 daily readings – 50 in the Old Testament and 50 in the New Testament – selected to cover all the major themes in the Bible.  The Essential 100 book includes notes, prayers and application for each day’s reading while the E100 leaflet lists the readings, gives recommendations on how to approach Bible reading and has a calendar for users to tick off the days.  Single copies of the book cost £6.99 but we can supply in packs of five for £5.00 a copy.

One year Bibles are produced by a number of publishers.  These are designed to help users read through the entire Bible in one year – typically three chapters a day.   They include CWR’s Cover to Cover Complete (currently available at a £3.00 reduction), the NIV Bible in One Year, The New Living Translation (NLT) One Year Bible, The One Year Chronological Bible (NLT) and the Soul Survivor NIV One Year Bible (which follows the academic year, Starting September 1st).
For more information see www.refreshbooks.co.uk/bibles.htm

National Book Tokens Electronic Gift Card
Re:fresh books & christian resources is now able to sell and redeem National Book Tokens’ new electronic Gift Cards.

National Book Tokens Ltd. is phasing out the traditional paper Book Tokens in favour of the new Gift Cards.  These are plastic cards which can be purchased, given away, and redeemed like the old paper Book Tokens.  When the card is purchased, the retailer will “load” the card with the appropriate amount.  The person who receives the card can then use all or part of the value as full or part-payment for books; the retailer will process the card so that the appropriate amount is deducted.  The user can go on-line at any time to check the balance on their card and can top-up the value at a participating retailer.

Of course re:fresh also offers its own Gift Vouchers.  These can only be redeemed at re:fresh but can be used to purchase any goods at the shop (Book Tokens can only be used to purchase books, but can be used at any participating retailer.)

Re:fresh Charity of the Year 2011
Wycliffe Bible Translators is re:fresh books’ Charity of the Year 2011. Customers can slip their loose change (or larger sums of course!) into a collecting box available at the counter.  Founded nearly 100 years ago, Wycliffe Bible Translators works to see the Bible translated and used by communities that do not have it in their mother-tongue.  

Re:fresh has selected Bible Translation as an appropriate work to support in 2011, the year in which we celebrate the publication of the King James Bible, 400 years ago.

Proceeds from the re:fresh collecting box will be used to support Bible translation work in the Guera Region of Chad, North Africa.  For more information go to www.refreshbooks.co.uk/refreshcharityof.htm.

400 years of the King James Bible
As we start 2011 the media has already run articles and programmes on the 400th Anniversary of the King James Bible.  The Royal Mint has produced a £2.00 coin to mark the occasion, and the Post Office will be featuring it on the 2011 Christmas stamps.  The 2011 Theatre Season will open with the words of the King James Bible recited from the stage of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre by leading actors, commencing on Palm Sunday.  On May 11, Lord Melvyn Bragg will deliver a major lecture on the King James Bible from the Great Hall of Hampton Court.

Re:fresh books & christian resources has a special section in the shop devoted to resources for anybody wanting to learn more about the background to the English Bible, whether it be to understand more about its rich legacy for themselves or to plan special projects in school or church.  It includes books about the making of the Bible; DVD’s about Wycliffe, Tyndale and the history of the King James Bible; study materials to help people start reading the Bible for themselves, and much more.  The re:fresh website has a section specially devoted to the subject (see www.refreshbooks.co.uk/400yearsofthekjv.htm) and has produced an InfoFile listing resources, this can be downloaded at www.refreshbooks.co.uk/downloads.htm.

The latest addition to these resources is a DVD, KJB – The Book That Changed the World.  It is a 90-minute drama-documentary produced and directed by Norman Stone (Producer of the original version of Shadowlands) and presented by actor John Rhys-Davies.  It looks at the publication of the King James Bible in the context of the reign of James 1 and the political and religious turmoil of the time. 

An inexpensive but helpful resource for teachers and ministers is the colourful 32-page booklet The Story of the Bible in Candle’s Essential Bible Reference series.  This is packed with information presented in a concise, readable form, from the writing of the Scriptures through the story of the early documents, printing and translation to the worldwide spread of the Scriptures.  It is lavishly illustrated with colour pictures, charts and timelines.   Price is only £1.99.

A novel resource is a replica 1611 King James Bible.  It is a word-for-word, page-for-page copy, with the original spelling and illuminated initials but clearer type.  This would make an ideal gift or keepsake by which to remember the year 1611, or an exhibit for use by teachers to demonstrate the language and grammar of 17th Century England.

New year offers at re:fresh books
There are still some bargains to be snapped up in the re:fresh books & christian resources winter sale as well as special offers on Bibles, devotional books and Christian fiction.

CWR’s Cover to Cover Complete is available at a reduction of £3.00.  This is a complete Bible arranged to be read in a year.  It follows a chronological reading plan with the days numbered 1 to 366, rather than dated.  This means that the user can start reading at any time and does not have to do a double reading if a day is missed.  There is a devotional thought for each day, charts, maps and explanatory notes.

A new range of Christian fiction at only £6.00 a book has recently been introduced.  It includes a significant proportion of books written by and for men – an area that has previously been weak.  Details are available at www.refreshbooks.co.uk/newfiction.htm.

Re:fresh partners with IVP to grow Timothys
Re:fresh books & christian resources has entered into a Partnership agreement with IVP under which IVP will donate 20% of the retail value of any of books sold through re:fresh books to its Growing Timothys fund.  IVP will then give free books with a retail value of the fund donated, through partnering mission agencies, to ‘Timothys’ around the world.

The scheme applies to all IVP books and to books from Apollo, Good Book company, Harper Collins and Piquant.  It echoes the practice of the Apostle Paul who trained up a young man, Timothy, to continue his mission work.

“This is yet another reason for local Christians to buy their books through re:fresh” says Manager, Marguerite Williams.

December 2010

Make 2011 the Year of the Bible

Only 27% of churchgoers read the Bible at least once a week outside church according to the English Church Census 2005.  There is little reason to think that this pattern has changed dramatically in the last five years.   How can we relate to God if we do not let him speak to us through his Word and apply it to our lives?

Re:fresh Books & Christian Resources along with other Christian organisations, is making 2011 its ‘Year of the Bible’.  This year marks the 400th Anniversary of the King James (Authorised) Version of the Bible.   This offers an incentive to Christians to engage with God’s word in new and meaningful ways.  It also offers an ideal opportunity to give the Bible a higher profile in the community.

Until the late 14th Century there was no English Bible – the Latin Vulgate was the only recognised version of the Scriptures.  Translation of the Bible into English was banned. Men like William Tyndale paid with their lives to make the Bible available to ordinary citizens.  Publication of the King James Version fulfilled that vision and played a major role in shaping our culture – and even our language – in the centuries that followed.

Why not set yourself the challenge to read right through the Bible in 2011?  There are various resources to help you do this, including Bibles designed to be read in a year, separate Bible reading schemes to help you read through the Bible in one or three years and daily Bible reading notes published every two or three months. 

Why not start the year with a new Bible?  Re:fresh books believes it has the largest range of Bibles available locally.  These come in all popular versions, from the King James Version to The Message, and a wide range of bindings from low-priced paperbacks to elegant leather bound Bibles with thumb index and gilt page edges.  It includes Study Bibles with notes to help you understand what you are reading, or Life Application Bibles to help you apply what you are reading to everyday life.  There are now large print Bibles in many versions including the King James Version, New King James Version, New International Version and New Living Translation.

Bibles designed to be read in a year include The NIV Bible in One Year which gives an Old Testament Reading, New Testament Reading and a Reading from the Psalms or Proverbs for each day.   The readings are dated, starting at January 1.  A similar approach is used in the NLT (New Living Translation) One Year Bible.   Cover to Cover Complete, from CWR is a complete study Bible divided into 366 daily readings, following the normal order of the books of the Bible.  It is undated so you can start reading it at any time and do not have to “catch up” if you miss a day or two.  Other Bibles are listed on the re:fresh website at www.refreshbooks.co.uk/bibles.htm.

For those who are new to systematic Bible reading, the E100 Bible Reading Challenge is a scheme to read the Bible for 100 days.   Associated with this is The Essential 100, a book from Scripture Union which takes 50 key passages from the Old Testament and 50 from the New Testament.  It is designed to help the reader understand some of the key themes in the Bible whilst introducing him or her to Bible Study methods.  Each day’s study is covered in a single page, beginning with a short suggested prayer, then a reading (typically one or two chapters), a ‘reflection’, an application and a prayer.

Another approach is to use a separate Bible Reading scheme.  One long-established scheme is IVP’s Search the Scriptures, a devotional approach to reading the whole Bible in three years.  Each day has a suggested passage and a series of questions designed to draw out the meaning of the passage.

Bible reading notes from Scripture Union, Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF), CWR, The Good Book Company and other publishers can all be purchased from re:fresh books.  These are usually dated and published every two to four months, they suggest a passage to read each day and provide brief notes to help readers understand and apply the Bible’s message to their daily lives.

Meanwhile, re:fresh books has produced its own leaflet, Guide to Reading the Holy Bible, for people who want to start reading the Bible at their own pace; this is available free at the shop or on their website at www.refreshbooks.co.uk/downloads.htm.

There is no shortage of helps to Bible reading – pop down to re:fresh books at 23 The Broadway, Tolworth and make 2011 your ‘Year of the Bible’. 

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