Kirjahaku

Michael Penny addresses his poems directly to the reader, challenging you to satisfy your need to investigate and understand the sensory and intellectual assumptions we use to make sense of our world. Balanced between abstract metaphysical challenges and the concrete and commonplace, Penny's poetry considers a range of topics, including cars, bruises, lotteries, pine needles, and dogs, infusing each with strangeness and unexpected intrigue. A lively and surprising collection, Particles joins together inner and outer space and suggests that you might not know what you think you know.

"My best actions are a parrot's / bright feathers in the dark jungle / trying to catch your eye / with the colour and flight / which says, I am here / and trying to do what's right." Do we make the universe, or does it make us? In Outside, Inside, Michael Penny positions each of us at the centre of this mystery, but lightens this presumption with irony and word-play that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. The three hundred short, linked poems in this collection begin with a complaint about the unknowability of what's outside and what's inside, but then shift to an engagement with the very nature of this outside/inside dichotomy. Penny then explores the many ways the question arises for us: through travel, wind, rain, signs, ladders, landscape, the sun, the moon, even parrot feathers, and, of course, in how we use words and find meaning in them. Ultimately, the poems ask whether we construct what's outside, or whether what's outside constructs us.

ApostlesThe Apostle Paul has often been considered a controversial character. Some writers have suggested that on certain doctrine she changed his mind. Others have claimed that as Paul grew older, he developed his theology and changed his some of his teachings. In this publication Michael Penny shows that it was God who gave him different things to say and who changed Paul's ministry. For example, God told Ananias that Paul would have two very different and distinct ministries. He said ... "This man is my chosen vessel to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel." (Acts 9:19) This publication considers the similarities and differences between those two ministries, and explains why they differed. It also compares those earlier two ministries with a third, a later one which God gave him; one in which distinctions between Jews and Gentiles were abolished.

Varying interpretations of Acts 2 have been the cause of many rifts in Christendom. However, few have taken the trouble to study the prophet from whom Peter quoted. Many know the five verses he quoted on the Day of Pentecost but ...- What was the whole of Joel's message?- What was the context of the words Peter quoted?- What did Joel mean by them?- What did Peter understand by them?- Are they still unfulfilled?This book does an excellent job of presenting the reader with an easy to read exposition of Joel's Prophecy before going on and looking at Peter's use of it.

What is the Bible? Where did it come from? Is it am collection of ancient myths and stories? Or a mixture of fact and fiction? Is it unique? It is reliable? Is it inspired? Does it contain a message for mankind? If so ... from whom? Man or God? In answering these questions, Michael Penny communicates hisenthusiasm through the liveliness of his writings. He quotes theevidence of the Bible itself as well as the findings of respectedscholars-and he has assembled a fascinating array of facts andfigures to demonstrate that the Bible is ...- a unique book which ought to be read: - that it is a reliable book which should be studied; and- that it is a divinely inspired message to mankind, which must be believed.

Deuteronomy 28 is a chapter which is seldom referred to in commentaries and Christian literature, and probably never preached upon from the pulpit. Yet it is a key to understanding how God dealt with Israel in the Old Testament. Not only that, it is essential to a right understanding of some of the things Christ said to the Jews when He was upon this earth, and to appreciating why certain events happened to that nation in the first century AD.

What does the Bible have to say about "immortality"? The answer is, "Surprisingly little" One would have thought that such a subject as this would have been on nearly every page, but that is not the case.The English word occurs only six or eight times, depending upon which translation one considers. And the Greek words which are rendered either "immortal" or "immortality" occur only eighteen times, and seven of these are in one passage, in 1 Corinthians 15. Thus it does not take long to consider all that the Bible has to say on this subject, one which has always been of great interest to mortal man.However, some of what the Bible has to say on this subject may come as something of a surprise to some Christians.

Over thirty comments and queries about Christianity are discussed in a thought provoking manner. However, the aim of the author is to encourage people to 'think' about what they hear and read, and about what they believe. This book is arranged in five handy sections with comments and queries about ... 1) The Gospels2) The Acts of the Apostles3) The Jewish Letters4) Paul's Earlier Letters5) Paul's Later Letters This is an excellent book for private study and a very good resource for home group discussions.

This is a series of five detailed studies based on Ephesians exploring the blessings Christians have in Christ and explaining the practical Christian life which should follow. Its format is interactive with many questions and tasks, which the reader is asked to answer and consider, before moving on to consider the author's answer. This makes this book ideal for a series of Lent Studies. This is an excellent introduction to Ephesians, one of Paul's greatest letters.

This popular and helpful book was first published in 1975 and was reprinted just three years later. A revised second edition was brought out in 1987 and this current edition has been revised especially for eBook format. Over the years it has had some excellent reviews, including the following: "This work takes the student through the Gospel with questions and answers and exercises as well as comments by the author. A useful way of getting to know the Gospel of John."(Reviewed by Dr. F. Tatford, Prophetic Witness, GB) "This most useful volume has been re-issued because it was thought desirable that it should be based on the New International Version. It is pointed out that the book is not intended to be an exhaustive commentary on the fourth Gospel, but was written primarily for teenagers. As such it is wholly admirable and should be eagerly sought after. The treatment consists very largely of questions and answers. It is the first time we have seen the Gospel of John presented in this way. This means that it will be equally welcome to those who can no longer claim to be teenagers, but who are devoted to the Lord Jesus, and the Gospel which reveals Him in all His glory. This is an ideal present."(Reviewed by Marcus Beverly in The Christian Herald, GB) "Michael Penny has produced a Manual on the Gospel of John in a revised edition to coincide with the NIV. It is a very workable manual produced with teenagers for teenagers. The wealth of material is clearly presented. It's ideal for the person wanting to come to grips with the gospel."(Reviewed by Bob Moffatt, Buzz, GB) "When I first received a copy of Michael Penny's excellent work, I was at a loss as to how to use comment on it. But I have been able to experience it by using it with house groups. The Manual was produced with the aid of a number of younger people, and is designed for young people. However, I found in my own group, it is really ideal for any age range from teenagers upwards. If you are stuck for ideas with your Youth Fellowship, try the Manual.(Reviewed by Eric Thorn, The Connexion, GB)

1 Thessalonians is one of Paul's earliest letters, written to the saint sin Thessalonica just a month or so after he had been forced to leave them after just a few weeks with them. His care and concern for them is very evident in this letter. Like many of Paul's letters, 1 Thessalonians is a beautiful blend of doctrine and practice, with many exhortations and much encouragement. This publication begins by giving the historical setting, in a helpful and informative manner, which does much to bring the letter alive for the Christian of today.

So why did Christ start teaching in Parables? He had not done so for the first part of his ministry ... so why did He start? That is what the disciples wanted to know and His answer was ... "Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." So who were the 'you' and who were the 'them'?And how do parables reveal the secrets to the 'you' but conceal the meaning from the 'them'? These are the questions this book seeks to answer. It is set out as six studies, which first ask questions before giving answers. As such it is ideal for personal study and also for group discussions,

The introduction deals with three important questions: To whom did Peter write?When did he write?Why did he write? The answers to these set the tone for the exposition of this short letter, much of which is clear teaching and encouragement. However, there are some difficult passages which include Peter's use of the word 'tartarus' and his statement about 'angels held in dungeons for judgment'. Additional clarifying comments on these are given in an appendix.

Paul's second letter to Timothy was the last one he wrote. Paul was back in prison and about to be executed. What was on his mind? What was important? What did he want to tell Timothy, the young man who had been with him for many years and who had proved so useful? This letter contains words of advice and encouragement for Timothy but much of it is so applicable to today. Our society is not so different from the educated, yet barbaric, athletic, yet permissive, Greco-Roman world of the first century. The problems, difficulties and temptations which beset Timothy and others, plague many people today, especially new and young Christians. The teaching in this letter, together with the other two pastoral Epistles - 1 Timothy and Titus - contain wisdom and advice which are so relevant, and so needed, for Christian leaders and for Christendom today, yet all too often this lovely letter is ignored in Christian circles. This is such a shame for this is not a weighty theological epistle. Rather it is a lovely letter from an older, mature Christian to a younger one; one whom he dearly loved and cared for.

Studies in Philemon: Historically; Theologically; Practically Paul's little letter to his friend Philemon, concerning Philemon's runaway slave Onesimus, may, at first glance, have little to do with modern man in the twenty-first century. However, nothing could be further from the truth. - This publication first sets the scene historically, enabling the reader to more fully understand the background which caused Paul to write this letter.- Next the author gives a theological exposition of these twenty five verses, ensuring the reader understands what Paul has written.- Lastly, this letter is reviewed with present-day applications in mine and six important lessons are drawn from its pages, lessons from which all Christians can benefit and learn.

This book takes people through the Mark's Gospel with a series of guided questions. In all there are over 780 questions: that is 45 to 50 on each chapter. These questions first appeared in a series published in Search magazine some time ago, and they were so well received that it has been decided to publish them so that other may benefit from them. Individual readers can ponder these questions, meditate upon them, and consider an answer. These question can also stimulate groups to deliberate upon them and discuss them, and so come to a joint response with respect to the answers. This is an ideal study guide to the second Gospel as these questions bring out a wealth of information and teaching.

This book takes people through the Luke's Gospel with a series of guided questions. In all there are over 700 questions: that is about30 questions on each chapter. These questions first appeared in a series published in Search magazine, and they were so well received that it has been decided to publish them so that other may benefit from them. Individual readers can ponder these questions, meditate upon them, and consider an answer. These question can also stimulate groups to deliberate upon them and discuss them, and so come to a joint response with respect to the answers. This is an ideal study guide to the Gospel of Luke as these questions bring out a wealth of information and teaching.

Michael Penny has compilled and edited over 40 short articles by a variety of authors on some of the 'Wonderful Words' in Scripture including ... Accepted, Approved, Bless, Blessed, But.Choose, Compare, Compared, Contentment.Depend, Epignosis, Faith, Fruit, Good works.Have, Head, Hope, Hidden, Image.Love, Peace, Redeemed, Rise Above, Saints.Search, Sealed, Sincere, Suffering, Through. An excellent book for private devotions or daily readings.

Michael Penny has compiled and edited a selection of over 20 longer articles by a variety of authors on some of the passages in the Bible which for them are 'powerful'.They include: Genesis 1Psalm 22 His sufferings and gloryPsalm 22:22-31Psalm 33:1-12 Rejoice in the LordIsaiah 40:31Matthew 27:27-44Mark 13:32John 9:25 'Whereas I was blind, now I see 'John 11 and 12 The Raising of LazarusActs 5:17-42Romans 8:28 All things work together for good to them who love God1 Corinthians 15 The ResurrectionEphesians 6:10-18 How strong are we?Ephesians 3:20-21 He is able Colossians 3:172 Timothy 3:16-171 Peter 1:3-51 John 5:20 Eternal life's reality A good book for daily readings.