The miracles of Jesus: Meditations and prayers for Lent

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What do the miracles of Jesus have to do with our lives today?

Wessel Bentley describes Jesus’ miracles as complex events. Not only did they transform people through healing, multiplication, or resurrection, but they also challenged attitudes and beliefs. This is what makes Jesus’ miracles timeless: they can still touch our lives today just as they did the lives of people 2,000 years ago.

Each daily reading in this Lenten book begins with a scripture reading, followed by the author’s reflections on that passage. Rather than being a scholarly verse-by-verse dissection of the text, Bentley’s meditations invite you to listen to what God may be saying to you through the Bible passage.

The daily meditations include thoughtful reflection questions, a prayer, and a prayer focus that lifts up persons or situations needing the touch of Jesus. To make each day’s reading further relevant to your life, Bentley challenges you to remember at least one aspect of the meditation as you go through your day.

This unique Lenten study helps you identify with the characters in the Bible stories. You will see yourself and others as persons who need grace and have the potential to be transformed by Jesus’ love.

An excellent study for Lent, but this book can also be used anytime by individuals or groups wanting a deeper understanding of Jesus’ miracles.

Between Capital and Cathedral: Essays on Church State relationships

Cost: R120
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South Africa has a rich and complex history of Church-State relations. It is diverse, telling a story of how the Church was used as an instrument of colonisation, how sections of the Church endorsed policies of segregation, but also how other parts of the Church fought a long and brave battle to see the Apartheid regime toppled. It has been almost two decades since the end of Apartheid and as change is ringing in the social, political and ecclesiastical spheres of South Africa, it is necessary to revisit the notion of Church-State relations in this country. Coming from a past where the Church held a dominant position in society - both in the promotion of, and in the resistance to, the Apartheid system - the Church now finds itself in a new context; namely a Constitutional Democracy. In this setting its voice has to compete with other voices, its power is limited since it is merely one role-player in a society which is trying to find its feet. What does this mean for the identity, place and role of the Christian Church? What is the responsibility of the State to the society which it serves? This collection of essays seeks to address these questions. It does so by listening to prominent voices which have spoken, and still speak boldly on this topic, voices reflecting how Church- State relationships have influenced the social structures and systems across the globe. It offers some suggestions for a prudent Church-State relationship in South Africa, which will enable the formation of a society which can enjoy its freedoms in the context of justice, selflessness and hope. In these pages the reader will discover that the State has a greater responsibility than simply overseeing the implementation of government policies. Moreover, the Church has a greater role to play than merely being concerned with spiritual matters. It is argued that the Church and State cannot be the same entity, nor should
the lines between Church and State be blurred, for this will lead to the distortion of both the Church and State thereby diminishing their primary functions. At the same time, social justice, the dignity of all
people and the moral formation of a nation depend on a Church-State relationship that is critical, honest, transparent and which will not shy away from collaborating when such work is clearly for the benefit of society as a whole. This book is not the final word on Church- State relationships, but aims to encourage
n ew d i s cove r i e s a n d co n t i n u e d conversations on what it means for the Church and the State to be effective and relevant in the South African context. The essays offer a diverse range of perspectives, and although these are not the only voices to be heard, they will stimulate conversation, benefitting society at large.

Praying through a child's illness: 28 days of prayer

Cost: $10 (US)
R80 (RSA)

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This book of prayer, insight, and support is written by a parent. He experienced shock,doubt, and helplessness when he discovered that his child was seriously ill. Here he does not offer simplistic answers but invites the reader to draw on the strength, love, presence, and wisdom of God. Wessel Bentley offers emotional and relational insights to assist those living with the daily pain of a sick and vulnerable child.
—Louise Kretzschmar
Professor of theological ethics, University of South Africa

As much as Wessel Bentley is a deep theologian, he is a loving, devoted, and downto-
earth father. He shares the reality of huge concerns and worries about his son’s
condition. He then guides parents with a child who is ill through a simple yet
effective 28-day prayer process. Readers learn how to allow God’s powerful, healing
presence to restore peace, faith, hope, and love into every situation and concern.
—Renny Stoltz
Glen Methodist Church, Pretoria, South Africa

The heartfelt questions posed by Rev. Bentley will resonate with parents, grandparents, and family members. Having lived through the experience of having a child who is very ill, Rev. Bentley speaks with authentic feeling and sensitivity.
—Roland Rink
Director, Africa Upper Room Ministries

Facing Financial Struggle: 28 Days of Prayer

International version of "28 days of Prayer during Financial Crisis"
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About the book:

I’m fairly sure that there is hardly a person alive who hasn’t, at some time or another, experienced the fear and pressure of not making ends meet! When you have more commitments than money it can leave you feeling helpless, overcome with worry, and unsure of your ability to provide for yourself and your family.
‘The wonderful news is that there is a sure and certain hope to lift you above these circumstances! As a minister who works in the ‘marketplace’ I have long sought after theologically credible and spiritually uplifting material to help persons who find themselves in financial crisis. This book of prayers and meditations by Rev. Dr. Wessel Bentley is just such a resource. In its pages you will find a rich resource of scriptural wisdom, spiritual insight, and probing reflections.
‘It is my sincere conviction that any person who takes the time to prayerfully go through these meditations will find both the necessary support and inspiration to rise above their financial struggles. This volume comes with my wholehearted endorsement – I would recommend it as a necessary resource for all Christians who seek God’s guidance and care during difficult times.

Rev. Dr. Dion Forster, Chaplain to the Power Group of Companies and the Global Day of Prayer

The notion of mission in Karl Barth's ecclesiology

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Cost: 39.99 GBP

About the book:

As the church moves towards its 21st century of existence, it is confronted by challenges it has never known before. Globalization, the rise of different socio-political orders and a growing tendency towards a post-modern understanding of the world are but some of the issues. This changing world demands self-reflection from the church. It has to consider its place, identity and function, thereby giving rise to the exploration of its mission.

In this book, the ecclesiology of Karl Barth is explored. By considering Barth’s understanding of the church’s relationship with different parties such as God, other religions, those outside the Christian faith, the State and its own inner dynamics, the church will be reminded of its missionary function in the world. The church’s relationships are important for they direct the way in which it fits into the world. When it considers that it exists purely because of God’s self-revelation, and that its own existence is an act of faith in response to this divine self-disclosure, it becomes aware of defined parameters within which the church can operate under the banner of mission.

What is a good life?: An introduction to Christian Ethics in 21st century Africa

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Cost: R200 + postage

About the book:

What is a good life is a question asked by many people. Why can’t the pursuit of money, power or status provide us with a good life? Why is it that who we are as persons and how we relate to others and our environment is important? Why are a spiritual life and a close relationship with God essential? Why are the lives of some of those who claim to be Christians immoral and unappealing?

To become a person of integrity one has to learn how to differentiate between good and right conduct and senseless and damaging actions. This book does not provide all the answers, but it introduces various ethical problems and suggests how to deal with them.

The book offers a model of moral decision-making based on various ethical theories. The model is applied to contemporary ethical problems facing the world, particularly Africa. The issues of leadership, land, the marginalisation of women and children, HIV/AIDS, the environment, the economic problem of debt and the ethical role of the Church in Africa today are discussed.

Authors from various backgrounds who investigated current ethical issues suggest the way forward: how one can make thoughtful and practical ethical decisions; how individuals and communities could be morally formed. They challenge, inspire, motivate and equip the reader to become a moral agent in their community and help to build a better life for all.

28 Days of Prayer during Financial crisis

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Cost: R80 + postage (R20)

About the book:

I’m fairly sure that there is hardly a person alive who hasn’t, at some time or another, experienced the fear and pressure of not making ends meet! When you have more commitments than money it can leave you feeling helpless, overcome with worry, and unsure of your ability to provide for yourself and your family.
‘The wonderful news is that there is a sure and certain hope to lift you above these circumstances! As a minister who works in the ‘marketplace’ I have long sought after theologically credible and spiritually uplifting material to help persons who find themselves in financial crisis. This book of prayers and meditations by Rev. Dr. Wessel Bentley is just such a resource. In its pages you will find a rich resource of scriptural wisdom, spiritual insight, and probing reflections.
‘It is my sincere conviction that any person who takes the time to prayerfully go through these meditations will find both the necessary support and inspiration to rise above their financial struggles. This volume comes with my wholehearted endorsement – I would recommend it as a necessary resource for all Christians who seek God’s guidance and care during difficult times.

Rev. Dr. Dion Forster, Chaplain to the Power Group of Companies and the Global Day of Prayer

What are we thinking? Reflections on Church and Society by Southern African Methodists

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Edited by Drs. Dion Forster and Wessel Bentley

Cost: R165 + postage (R15)

About the book:

My enthusiasm for this book is fired by a number of factors. First, there is the variety of authors and topics. Second, the variety of topics reflects key points in our social, cultural, economic and political context. Third, there is a crying need to up-to-date books that relate the whole gospel to the whole world. Fourth, the book does not aim to indoctrinate us, but rather to challenge us to become thinking Christians in our own contexts. And while Christian readers of all denominations will be challenged and enriched by this book, a fifth reason for my enthusiasm is that it gives contemporary expression to the spirit of John Wesley. Not only were his interests wide ranging, as are the topics in this book, but he managed to develop that rate and precious mix of a theology that is simultaneously passionate and reasonable, both deeply spiritual and socially engaged. That is the excellent mix that this book also offers

- Rev Prof Dr Neville Richardson

Methodism in Southern Africa: A celebration of Wesleyan mission.

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Edited by Drs. Dion Forster and Wessel Bentley

Cost: R140 + postage (R40)

One cannot be a faithful Christian without being in mission! The question is, however, what is true mission? And more specifically what mission does God want you to do in your context? This book is a rich resource that will aid you to work out the answers to these critical questions. In its pages you will find challenging insights from our past, helping you to understand the unique and special mission focus that God has given to Southern African Methodists.