Books published by publisher Christian Focus

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

Why would a crippled old man wait by the side of the road every day for twenty years? Why would a slave and a witch doctor walk for three days to find a man called Jesus? Why would a lame man purposely walk to a tribe where he knew he could be killed? Sixteen captivating true episodes from the ministry of missionary Dick McLellan in Ethiopia, as well as many national missionaries, show the power of God in the midst of darkness. One by one the people declared, "With this hand I renounce the devil and all his works! With this hand I embrace my Savior Jesus Christ! All I am and all I have! Two hands!" First in the Hidden Heroes series of true missionary stories for children.Inspirational stories for preteen (ages 9-12) and suitable for read-alouds for younger children. Evangelical Protestant Christian missionaries take the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who then take it to their own people. Biographical true accounts bring the miraculous work of the gospel to life through personal testimonies of historical figures.

Ecclesiastes is for people who have their doubts about God, but can't stop thinking about him. The author of Ecclesiastes had his doubts, too, and these have enabled him to speak to skeptics as well as believers down through the centuries.Ecclesiastes is a book rich in literary artistry and multi-layered depths of spiritual meaning. Philip G. Ryken explores this wonderful Old Testament book, and reminds us again of the need to trust God with the questions, even when we do not have all the answers.

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.

'Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.' New England Primer, 1737. According to the pollsters, a belief in Heaven is actually on the increase. Although the thought of Heaven may be popular, probably less thought is given as to how to get there than your annual holiday. It is only when events rudely awaken us that we are pressed into asking some of the serious questions about the place where most people expect to go. Sometimes the prompt is our children with a plaintive "Where is Grandma now?" Mostly, though, thoughts of heaven, and more particularly the death that precedes going there, are pushed out by the hedonistic lifestyle that most of us live. If the purpose of life is simply to enjoy it: then an absence of life (i.e. death) is a recipe for no fun at all! But still we believe in Heaven.In this contemporary classic Scott and Sinclair discuss why no one really dies of 'natural causes', give true/false answers to the reasons people think will get them to heaven, explain what the Bible has to say about the future, what Heaven is like and how to be ready for death.Facing death enables us to face life - knowing more about your future makes an enormous difference to the present. It's time you looked your future square in the face and thought 'What does it hold for me?'

A true account from the dying days of the Soviet Union that puts life’s choices in perspective. When he was sixteen Dumitru decided he didn’t want his parents’ way of life. He wanted to be free to live like his friends. But when he found himself in trouble with the police, he realised that his parents had been his true friends all along. And he remembered a story they had told him as a child, the story of The Lost Son. As he replayed it from memory, alone in his prison cell, something happened. The story changed Dumitru for good. It’s a story that will change you, too!

This is the incredible true story of a little Welsh girl named Mary Jones. So inspired was she by the Bible that she makes up her mind to get a copy, whatever it takes! After six years of saving money, Mary embarks on a long journey over the Welsh mountains to the town of Bala in search of a Bible. To her dismay, she hears that there aren’t any for sale! As Mary’s adventure unfolds, you will see how a girl, a preacher, a schoolmaster and other people are drawn together to start something that can’t be stopped. Mary Jones and Her Bible is just the beginning of a story that is still going on today! The most popular book of the Children’s Victorian Classics, Mary Jones and Her Bible is a timeless story that is sure to inspire many more generations of children all over the world!

Welcome to A.S.K – Ask. Seek. Knock. ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.’ (Matthew 7:7–8).We all have questions about Jesus, the Bible, the Christian faith and our culture today. The great news is that Jesus gives answers. These questions were gathered from teenagers in fifteen countries in five different continents. All of them are real questions from real teenagers. 52 short chapters. Each contains a question, a Bible passage, a Bible verse, a discussion, something to consider, recommended further reading and a prayer. These answers may lead to more questions which is fine – but the main aim of this book is that you the reader comes to see and know better the One who is the Answer, Jesus Christ.

The mountains are dark and looming as the lightening splits across the sky. The forest offers shelter and in the distance the traveller spots a lamp. Rushing towards the door he doesn't realise that someone has planned this journey - there is a woman in the house who needs to hear about her loving Savior, Jesus Christ. God has sent the traveller to tell her about himself. There are lots of stories in this book. Read about the thunderstorm, some hidden treasure and a Bible in a suitcase as well as many other stories about how we should live for God and read his word.

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.

Here are twelve real–life heroes whose stories demonstrate the truth and relevance of the Christian faith. Their stories give answers to three questions many ask about Christianity:Is it true?Does it work?Is it worth it?The lives of Columba of Iona, John Knox, John Bunyan, William Wilberforce, David Livingstone, Fanny Crosby, Mary Slessor, Corrie ten Boom, CS Lewis, Eric Liddell, Jim Elliot and Joni Eareckson Tada can inspire us because they did great things through faith.

George Muller was a thief when he was younger and spent time in jail for his crimes. Brother Andrew grew up in Holland during the second World War and played tricks on German soldiers. Nicky Cruz grew up in a family where spirit worship was a regular occurrence. He became a very angry young man, out to cause trouble.John Newton was captured at a young age and forced to join Her Majesty's Navy, leaving his friends and family behind. What happened to these young boys and how did God make them into men who changed their world? Read how George Muller was finally trusted with millions of pounds. Discover how Brother Andrew grew up to be a smuggler of Bibles. Read how Nicky Cruz was rescued from self-destruction and eventually went on to begin one of the largest youth organisations reaching out to hurt and confused young people throughout the world.David Livingstone (Missionary in Africa)Nicky Cruz (Evangelist)Brother Andrew (Smuggler for God in Communist Countries)George Muller (Founder of Children's Homes)William Carey (Missionary in India)John Newton (Minister and reformer)Adoniram Judson (Missionary in Burma)Billy Graham (Evangelist)Luis Palau (Evangelist)Eric Liddell (Athlete and Missionary in China)"This is a wonderful book - in fact it's a wonderful series. Irene Howat writes with a real warmth and insight. People that you have never met come alive on the page. Christian legends and unsung heroes all become friends you can understand and look up to. In a world where role models of real integrity are few and far between the Lightkeeper's series fills the gap!"Catherine MacKenzie ~ Author and CF4K Editor