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Andrews UK - Patrick Coghlan

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86 pages

English

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Description

Just as You are is a Bible based personal resource which examines a selection of the parables of Jesus, from Luke's Gospel; looking at what it means to be loved unconditionally, valued for who we are, accepted and part of God's eternal plan. Just as You are is an interactive resource, encouraging personal involvement and a positive response to Bible study. In addition, suggestions are made for prayer.

Sujets

Spirit

Body

Mind

Informations

Publié par	Andrews UK
Date de parution	25 septembre 2014
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9781910265079
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0300€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

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Title Page
JUST AS YOU ARE
Patrick Coghlan

Publisher Information
First published in 2014 by
Matthew James Publishing Ltd
19 Wellington Close
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 2EE
www.matthewjamespublishing.com
Digital edition converted and distributed in 2014 by
Andrews UK Limited
www.andrewsuk.com
© 2014 Patrick Coghlan
The moral rights of the author have been asserted.
Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of research, or private study, or criticism or review as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, this publication may only be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form, or by any means, with the prior permission of the publisher, or in the case of reprographic reproduction, in accordance with the terms of licences issued by the Copyright Licensing Agency. Inquiries concerning reproduction outside those terms should be sent to the publisher.
Cover Image used with permission by June Coghlan

Acknowledgements
Scripture quotations taken from:
The Holy Bible, New International Version (Anglicised edition)
Copyright ©1979, 1984 by Biblica
(formerly international Bible Society).
Used by permission of Hodder&Stoughton Publishers,
an Hachette UK company
All rights reserved.
“NIV” is a registered trademark of Biblica.
UK trademark number 1448790.
Cover Photograph by June Coghlan

About the author
Patrick Coghlan is the minister at Worstead Baptist Church in Norfolk. He is also the chaplain for Aylsham and district Care Trust (ACT): a Christian, community care charity which works largely with older people. ACT is one partner of the St. Michael’s Care Complex in Aylsham. As a Baptist minister and chaplain, Patrick provides pastoral care and teaching, regularly takes school assemblies, and leads services for older people in residential care, sheltered housing and housing with care. Patrick is also a trained and practicing Christian counsellor. Overall, he has had considerable experience of working with all age groups, both in the Church and the community. Patrick is married to June. They have two grown up children: Rachel and Jonathan. His published books consist of Christian resource material for adults and young people, and several family novels.

Introduction
In my roles as a Baptist minister, chaplain of a community care charity and Christian counsellor, I was inspired by God to write this book for two reasons. As an encouragement to those who are ‘seeking’ but feel in some way unworthy, and as a challenge to those who have already entered into a relationship with Jesus: to live a lifestyle demonstrating Christ like love and witness to others.
We are all faced with the choice as to how we live our lives: God’s way or ours. Perhaps you are holding back from choosing the former, because you feel that you are not good enough to ever be acceptable to God. However we have all done things wrong and need forgiveness though a personal relationship with Jesus. The good news is that Jesus loves us just as we are, warts and all! Created in God’s image, we are valued by the Triune God (God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit), and God has a plan for each of our lives; a really good plan, leading to prosperity and blessing (Jeremiah 29:11). It’s that message of acceptance and unconditional love that I particularly want to convey; together with the Good News that Jesus proclaims in scripture. However, I also want there to be a note of challenge for those who are already on a spiritual journey with Jesus.
Just as You are examines a selection of the parables of Jesus, from Luke’s Gospel; looking at what it means to be loved unconditionally, valued for who we are, accepted and part of God’s eternal plan. They also have much to say about the Kingdom and kingdom living.
Just as You are is a Bible based personal resource that is easily accessible to the reader.
Just as You are points to words of affirmation, encouragement, justice and hope for those who find life a struggle; words of guidance describing the way to enter into an eternal relationship with the Triune God through Jesus; and words of challenge to those who are in a positive position to share the love of Jesus with others, in word and deed.
Just as You are is an interactive resource, encouraging personal involvement and a positive response to Bible study. In addition, suggestions are made for prayer.

Note
Each chapter consists of...
Verse of scripture: A verse of scripture appears before the relevant chapter, which relates to the theme of the chapter.
Chapter title: The title of the parable on which the chapter is based is given underneath the chapter number.
Chapter theme: Underneath the chapter title the theme is set.
In your Bible: The Bible reference is given for the parable on which the chapter is based (from Luke’s Gospel only).
What they might have said: Is a short meditation based on what one of the characters in the parable (or an observer) might have thought or said. Some are a little abstract, for the purpose of setting the theme, and, of course, remember that the individual characters and features of the parables have greater significance than in their literal state.
Just as you are: Examines the theme, with the possibility of pointing to additional passages of scripture.
Words of comfort and hope: Is aimed principally at those who are in need of words of comfort, encouragement and hope. Maybe those who are feeling broken and vulnerable in some way, or those who are searching.
Words of challenge: Is aimed principally at those who feel spiritually strong enough to face a challenge.
A chat with God: Is a guide prayer, taken from three different angles. (God) Giving thanks to God, and petitions about the Kingdom. (Others) Looking at the needs of others. (Me) Looks at personal needs and responses.
Precious thoughts: Encourages the reader to keep a journal, or to put it less formally, to have a notebook at hand to jot down any significant revelations from God; thoughts, prayer needs etc. which have arisen from your personal study as you use this resource.

Quote 1
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”
Jeremiah 29:11

Poem
Jesus loves you - just as you are
A love without condition that is absolutely free.
A forgiving and accepting love that values you and me.
Reliable and safe; love on which we can depend.
A love that’s here today and a love that will not end.
A love that’s showered upon us in every different way.
An amazing and a powerful love to savour day by day.
It’s valuable and true! It’s a love that’s made to share!
A love that we receive to be spilled out everywhere.
A love that should be spotted in our lifestyles every day;
when we’re witnessing about our faith, its vital role to play.
As hands and feet of Christ, love in action is the key;
a sign that points to Jesus, for everyone to see
A love that’s sacrificial demonstrated on the cross.
It’s a comforting and selfless love in sadness and in loss.
Compassionate to all: love which never counts the cost!
The love of Christ - God’s Son - Lord and Saviour to the lost.

Quote 2
“Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?”
James 2:5

Chapter 1
The Parable of the Great Feast
Feelings of being left out, not belonging, judged on outward appearances or told that we are too young or too old, are all too common in life experience. But the Kingdom that Jesus talks about is different:
It’s a Kingdom that is open to the poor, the vulnerable, those who are ostracised and rejected, and of course sinners! That includes all of us.
In your Bible: Luke 14:15-24
What they might have said
A guest who came to the Great Feast
It came as such a surprise: an invitation to the great feast; not just an ordinary one, but the feast of all feasts. I just hadn’t expected it. I’d done nothing to deserve it. I am not a celebrity and don’t consider myself to be anyone of particular importance or significance. I am sure that there must have been people more worthy than myself.
“Everything is ready, the meal is prepared. You must come.” He urged, “You’ll enjoy it; you look as if you might benefit from a good meal. There’s nothing to pay, just come!”
I tried to cover up a variety of stains on my jumper, embarrassed and self-conscious.
I smiled sheepishly. “Look at me! I can’t come like this, What would people think? What would they say?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He encouraged.
“But I’m not presentable.” I persisted.
His reply was gentle, but firm. “The master said, ‘Come just as you are.’”
I arrived to the warmest of welcomes! So here I am: at the great feast.
Just as you are
What does sharing a meal together say?
For the courting couple, a romantic dinner for two says, “I love you.” It is about building up relationship and being together.
For the family, sitting around the table having a meal, it says, “We belong together and are important to each other.” It’s about commitment.
For friends who have fallen out, meeting for a bite of lunch says, “I’m sorry.” It’s about reconciliation and joining together.
For new neighbours, hospitality says, “Welcome to your new home.” It’s about welcome.
A full stomach is about being nourished and satisfied.
Jesus’ me