Loneliness versus Being Alone, the Journey from Isolation to Beautiful Solitude by Julie Porter explores in the Bible, what it says about the topic and how it can help you overcome loneliness and be content in solitude.

Split in two parts, the book helpfully dissects:

Part One – Loneliness: What is its definition? Why do people succumb to it? How do we overcome it?

Part Two – Being Alone: What does ‘being alone’ mean? Is there really any good reason for choosing solitude?

Here is an extract from the book by Julie Porter:

CHAPTER TWO – BEING ALONE: Why?

Whatever the opportunity taken, eventually we have to be alone – what happens if we don’t find some ‘me’ time? We become stressed, overworked, pushed to the very limits of our human capabilities of trying to be ‘patient’ and ‘kind’; and like an overstretched rubber band we can snap with dire consequences not only for ourselves but for all others around us.

As it is a choice we make – then we are in a position to recognise that we need to make this decision now before we do ‘snap’.

On many occasions Jesus knew when he needed to be alone. He knew when he needed to re-connect with the Father and just take time out of his heavy schedule to re-energise himself. In Matthew 14 he tried to do this but met with opposition as the people still followed him, he had to forcibly send the disciples off so that he could go and pray.

So if Jesus took this method then I have to pose the question what are the benefits of being alone? I can only conclude that it has its joys – in setting yourself apart from others you can find respite from the crowds and from the noise. When we are alone we can make time to do what we want to do rather than what others want us to do.

You see, when Jesus prayed he always prayed alone – to get his focus on God to be away from the needy crowd and from teaching and leading his disciples. In fact when the disciples ask Him to teach them to pray he encourages them:

…when you pray go to your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 6:6

Jesus encourages them to go to their room, to their own personal space where they are comfortable and at ease. Then his next instruction is to close the door, i.e. to shut everything out – it’s you and God alone in prayer.  Then, finally pray to your Father who is unseen – not to an idol made of earthly materials and placed in front of you so you can look at it and focus on it, but to the Father who is unseen, i.e. you need faith and belief to pray.

Written by Julie Porter

Loneliness Versus Alone is available to buy now!

Ann Nunn’s book (assisted by Liz Leach Murphy), The Gift, takes a refreshing approach to painting an honest picture of the raw realities of being a Family Carer based on my first-hand experience, and explores how my Christian faith has been my lifeline and supported me through challenging times, whilst featuring practical teaching methods that can unlock the potential of a child living with learning difficulties. We have researched the market and have not found any other publication that features the range of issues that we overcame as a family; a son with a rare disability, a husband with significant mental health issues, home teaching, poverty and homelessness.

Here is an extract from her book:

A Threefold Cord: A story of faith and triumph

I have faced many challenges in my life with surprising twists and turns, always with interesting outcomes. My faith is really important to me and my family, and God has been the provider of the strength I have needed at difficult times. The Lord has always been there for me. I know that Simon’s future is in His safe hands. This is not easy, but I know (beyond all doubt) that GOD IS FAITHFUL.

Support

I attend a church fellowship on Tuesday evenings (bible class) and we are “family”. We pray for each other and our concerns. This mutual support means a great deal to me.

I have also found great strength in loud singing, “songs of deliverance”. These provide comfort and reassurance during difficult times.

In my times of desperation, I discovered for real that ‘God is my refuge, strength and a very present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1), a constant support and companion. I am repeatedly helped, strengthened and comforted when I call on the name of the Lord to help.

Through believing in the Lord and believing in His promises I have felt comforted about Simon, what he can achieve and his future.

The hymn “What a Friend we have in Jesus” states: ‘Take it to the Lord in prayer.’ (Hymnal.net, 2019a) and that is the best thing to do because we cannot cope on our own – but ‘What a privilege’! (Hymnal.net, 2019a).

This has given me a strength that has been invaluable, especially during times that have been very challenging when I have not been able to take the sorrows and burdens of the world upon me, but I have known who can.

By Ann Nunn

Available to purchase now!

Just published! Ahab, The Real Authority Behind Jezebel by Sandi Niven.

Fake news has become the order of the day as newscasters and journalists lie with impunity! I liken them to the false prophets of Baal who ‘divined’ during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel.

It is time for the Church to wake up to the fact that she is intended to affect the world positively around her. Once she does, only then will things begin to change.

Sadly, we are the reason for the season!

Excerpt from Ahab, The Real Authority Behind Jezebel

Never has it been more important to expose the Ahab spirit than at ‘such a time as this’. Whilst Ahab gives Jezebel authority, she will continue to hold open the door to Divination and every other demonic force the enemy can throw at us.

When the Lord recently spoke these words, “Divination is rife in the world today”, I realised that writing this book was all the more urgent!

Divination is rife in the church and therefore rife in the world around us. Just watch the ‘fake’ news in all forms of the media.

Not only is the Church playing Ahab to that Jezebel spirit but so is the world and while we sit in ignorance the enemy gains ground.

The false prophets are fomenting violence and, while the church allows them the platform by playing Ahab to that spirit, it will only get worse! – by Sandi Niven

Available to order now!

Just published! A Curious Collection of Christian Poems by Joanna Yusuf.

A Curious Collection of Christian Poems is an assembly of 34 unique and quirky poems that have been inspired by Almighty God, to glorify Him, and to bless us. The one common theme running throughout every poem is the fact that they all point to God. This book can be devotional, and indeed it can be recited time and time again to bless others or to bless oneself. It will make an excellent gift for loved ones who know the Lord, or for those who are seeking him during these unsettled and unprecedented times. This diverse collection of uplifting poems will surely put a smile on your face, and a warm glow in your heart.

About the author

As a child, Joanna and her sister would sit down on rare and special occasions with their mother, to listen as she narrated the most hilarious, intriguing, mysterious, stories ever, leaving the sisters in ‘stiches’ and begging for more. It was a real treat!

It can be said that these experiences first sparked off Joanna’s love of ‘storytelling’ and ‘writing’. and although she wrote a couple of short stories early on, nothing more really became of her passion at that time. Instead, Joanna moved on the her life, later receiving a BA Degree in Industrial Design from Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria. It was while she was there that the gospel was shared with her, and Joanna later felt God inspiring her to write Christian material, and hence began the start of her poetry journey.

Joanna would later regularly share her poems with her church and her local community and today she is thankful to God for making it possible for her to share them with an even wider audience. Joanna is currently medically retired, having worked in the Criminal Justice System for more than 30 years. She currently lives in Surrey with Costa (her little dog).

This diverse collection of uplifting poems will surely put a smile on your face, and a warm glow in your heart.

Available to buy now !