Rob Parsons

Communications technology is advancing at such speed, heralding a world of choice and opportunity, that we sometimes struggle to navigate each new turn. And yet, with technology, as with life, we need to equip our children to make good choices and to deal with all the hidden dangers, as well as to take hold of the positive opportunities. Fully revised and updated to keep pace with this quickly changing digital world, Katharine Hill's clear, informative book explores the impact of the digital world on teenagers and younger children. Offering encouragement, wisdom and practical advice on topics such as screen time, social media and consumer culture, as well as how to tackle some of the more serious issues of online bullying, grooming and pornography, this book is a lifeline for parents, carers and teachers in an age of digital confusion. Whether you are a new parent or living with teenagers, a stranger to Snapchat or have 500 followers on Twitter, this book is for mums and dads who want to confidently parent in a world of screens.

From the Heart brings together a rich selection of articles by Rob Parsons, one the UK's best-loved Christian authors. Most of these were written for his monthly column in Premier Christianity magazine where he shared his thoughts about some of the things that matter to him most. As far as possible, they have been kept exactly as they were when he wrote them.Rob's reflections on the joys, challenges, doubts and fears of everyday Christian life are layered with warmth, humour and messages of hope and encouragement. But it's not all sweetness and light: there are some things that not only make him sad, but angry.Topics include:- Nasty Christians- Dare to be Vulnerable- Deal or No Deal?- Disappointment with God- God's Will According to Cyril- Worry Wars- The Strugglers' Group'From the Heart is searingly honest and wonderfully encouraging. I absolutely loved it!' - Cathy Madavan, author of Irrepressible

‘An incredible read. I laughed, I cried and my heart was truly touched by this beautifully written true story of hope and humanity at its best.’ Rosemary Conley CBE 'An extraordinary story. Truly Inspirational' Tim Vine An astonishing story of kindness, self-learning, pain, unbelievable hope and the sheer power of love to change a life. Christmas 1975 and Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is riding high in the charts. In a residential street just outside Cardiff, a persistent knocking breaks the stillness of the evening … When Rob Parsons, a young lawyer, opens his door he finds a man standing before him clutching a bag of belongings and a frozen chicken. Rob and his wife, Dianne, invite him into their home, cook his chicken and offer him shelter for the night. What happens next is an astonishing story of human kindness, self-learning, incredible pain, unbelievable hope and the sheer power of love to change a life. A Knock at the Door is the true story of Ronnie Lockwood, a homeless man who entered the home of a young couple, became a dustman and lived as part of their family for over 45 years until his death. But this is not just Ronnie’s story – it is also that of Rob and his family. Outwardly the two men’s lives were worlds apart – as Ronnie emptied rubbish bins, Rob flew on Concorde – and yet, they discovered they had similar struggles. Then the day came, at the lowest moment of the couple’s lives, when they turned to the homeless man for help. But there were also remarkable turnarounds. Ronnie spent much of his spare time volunteering, including at a homeless centre, and ended up having a £1.6 million well-being centre named after him. Rob left his law practice and he and Dianne began a charity that touches the lives of millions of people. You will have never read a story like this before, but at its heart is a simple message: whether we are a lawyer or a dustman – tomorrow doesn’t always have to be like yesterday.

Communications technology is advancing at such speed, heralding a world of choice and opportunity, that we sometimes struggle to navigate each new turn. And yet, with technology, as with life, we need to equip our children to make good choices and to deal with all the hidden dangers, as well as to take hold of the positive opportunities. Fully revised and updated to keep pace with this quickly changing digital world, Katharine Hill's clear, informative book explores the impact of the digital world on teenagers and younger children. Offering encouragement, wisdom and practical advice on topics such as screen time, social media and consumer culture, as well as how to tackle some of the more serious issues of online bullying, grooming and pornography, this book is a lifeline for parents, carers and teachers in an age of digital confusion. Whether you are a new parent or living with teenagers, a stranger to Snapchat or have 500 followers on Twitter, this book is for mums and dads who want to confidently parent in a world of screens.

‘An incredible read. I laughed, I cried and my heart was truly touched by this beautifully written true story of hope and humanity at its best.’ Rosemary Conley CBE 'An extraordinary story. Truly Inspirational' Tim Vine An astonishing story of kindness, self-learning, pain, unbelievable hope and the sheer power of love to change a life. Christmas 1975 and Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ is riding high in the charts. In a residential street just outside Cardiff, a persistent knocking breaks the stillness of the evening … When Rob Parsons, a young lawyer, opens his door he finds a man standing before him clutching a bag of belongings and a frozen chicken. Rob and his wife, Dianne, invite him into their home, cook his chicken and offer him shelter for the night. What happens next is an astonishing story of human kindness, self-learning, incredible pain, unbelievable hope and the sheer power of love to change a life. A Knock at the Door is the true story of Ronnie Lockwood, a homeless man who entered the home of a young couple, became a dustman and lived as part of their family for over 45 years until his death. But this is not just Ronnie’s story – it is also that of Rob and his family. Outwardly the two men’s lives were worlds apart – as Ronnie emptied rubbish bins, Rob flew on Concorde – and yet, they discovered they had similar struggles. Then the day came, at the lowest moment of the couple’s lives, when they turned to the homeless man for help. But there were also remarkable turnarounds. Ronnie spent much of his spare time volunteering, including at a homeless centre, and ended up having a £1.6 million well-being centre named after him. Rob left his law practice and he and Dianne began a charity that touches the lives of millions of people. You will have never read a story like this before, but at its heart is a simple message: whether we are a lawyer or a dustman – tomorrow doesn’t always have to be like yesterday.

'SUCH AN IMPORTANT BOOK... ESSENTIAL READING FOR PARENTS' Gabby Logan'INCREDIBLY POWERFUL... A MUST-READ' Victoria DerbyshireWhen Dan died, I realised many things. I realised drugs were closer to our door than I'd thought. I realised drugs have become normalised for young people. I realised drugs are more affordable, accessible and available than ever before. And I realised I didn't know enough, and nor did Dan, to navigate the choices and come back alive. When Daniel Spargo-Mabbs was 16, he went to a party and never came home. The party was an illegal rave and Daniel - bright, popular, big-hearted prom king Dan - died from a fatally strong overdose of MDMA.In the seven years since, the range of substances has become wider, the levels of exposure higher, and the threat to young people's physical and mental health from drugs greater than ever before. Despite this, there is almost no guidance for parents to help their children navigate this perilous landscape and to stay safe. To come home at night. To grow up.This book is everything Fiona Spargo-Mabbs wishes she'd known, everything she wishes she'd done, before she lost her son. Because however you parent, and whatever you do, at some point your child is likely to be in a situation where they have to make a decision about drugs. What if that decision is 'yes'? Do they know what the risks are? Do they have strategies they can bring to bear if things go wrong? I Wish I'd Known interweaves the story of one family's terrible loss with calm, measured and practical advice for parents. It explores the risks posed by illegal drugs, and explains the way the adolescent brain makes decisions. There is practical advice for saying safe, information on reducing harm, and 'talking points' for parents and their children to do, talk about, look at, look up or consider.A life lost to drugs is a loss like no other. Throughout the book, Daniel's story - his life, his death and what happened afterwards - not only provides a compelling reminder of the importance of those conversations, but also serves as an unforgettable eulogy to a son, brother, boyfriend and friend whose legacy continues to touch, and perhaps even save, the lives of other young people.

From the Heart brings together a rich selection of articles by Rob Parsons, one the UK's best-loved Christian authors. Most of these were written for his monthly column in Premier Christianity magazine where he shared his thoughts about some of the things that matter to him most. As far as possible, they have been kept exactly as they were when he wrote them.Rob's reflections on the joys, challenges, doubts and fears of everyday Christian life are layered with warmth, humour and messages of hope and encouragement. But it's not all sweetness and light: there are some things that not only make him sad, but angry.Topics include:- Nasty Christians- Dare to be Vulnerable- Deal or No Deal?- Disappointment with God- God's Will According to Cyril- Worry Wars- The Strugglers' Group'From the Heart is searingly honest and wonderfully encouraging. I absolutely loved it!' - Cathy Madavan, author of Irrepressible

'SUCH AN IMPORTANT BOOK... ESSENTIAL READING FOR PARENTS' Gabby Logan'INCREDIBLY POWERFUL... A MUST-READ' Victoria DerbyshireWhen Dan died, I realised many things. I realised drugs were closer to our door than I'd thought. I realised drugs have become normalised for young people. I realised drugs are more affordable, accessible and available than ever before. And I realised I didn't know enough, and nor did Dan, to navigate the choices and come back alive. When Daniel Spargo-Mabbs was 16, he went to a party and never came home. The party was an illegal rave and Daniel - bright, popular, big-hearted prom king Dan - died from a fatally strong overdose of MDMA.In the seven years since, the range of substances has become wider, the levels of exposure higher, and the threat to young people's physical and mental health from drugs greater than ever before. Despite this, there is almost no guidance for parents to help their children navigate this perilous landscape and to stay safe. To come home at night. To grow up.This book is everything Fiona Spargo-Mabbs wishes she'd known, everything she wishes she'd done, before she lost her son. Because however you parent, and whatever you do, at some point your child is likely to be in a situation where they have to make a decision about drugs. What if that decision is 'yes'? Do they know what the risks are? Do they have strategies they can bring to bear if things go wrong? I Wish I'd Known interweaves the story of one family's terrible loss with calm, measured and practical advice for parents. It explores the risks posed by illegal drugs, and explains the way the adolescent brain makes decisions. There is practical advice for saying safe, information on reducing harm, and 'talking points' for parents and their children to do, talk about, look at, look up or consider.A life lost to drugs is a loss like no other. Throughout the book, Daniel's story - his life, his death and what happened afterwards - not only provides a compelling reminder of the importance of those conversations, but also serves as an unforgettable eulogy to a son, brother, boyfriend and friend whose legacy continues to touch, and perhaps even save, the lives of other young people.

The ability to connect with an audience is an essential element of public speaking. While an effective presentation can have all the elements of good pace, pitch and body language, it can still leave an audience unaffected or unmoved. Rob Parson believes even the most proficient speakers can enhance their public speaking by focusing on the heart of communication: connection.For the first time, Rob Parsons shares his insights from over fifty years of experience. He unpacks methods that will help any public speaker - from how to prepare well and utilise the power of story, to giving top tips on avoiding common distractions. Readers will come away with a better grasp on public speaking - not only how to speak to the head, but to the heart.Having spoken to over a million people around the world, from multinational organisations to church congregations, Rob has fine-tuned approaches that can help anyone wanting to grow in this area.

Rob Parsons is a bestselling author who has travelled widely across the UK and around the world, sharing his own stories of the ups and downs of life and faith with over a million people at live events over the past 30 years.Let Me Tell You A Story brings together some of the very the best of these stories - heartwarming and challenging tales that make up a compendium of insights on faith and family, love and loss, money and priorities, dreams and goals.Pull up a chair and settle in to enjoy as the storyteller weaves his spell...

Rob Parsons is a bestselling author who has travelled widely across the UK and around the world, sharing his own stories of the ups and downs of life and faith with over a million people at live events over the past 30 years.Let Me Tell You A Story brings together some of the very the best of these stories - heartwarming and challenging tales that make up a compendium of insights on faith and family, love and loss, money and priorities, dreams and goals.Pull up a chair and settle in to enjoy as the storyteller weaves his spell...

'...for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health ...' Maybe those vows are fresh off our lips; maybe they're a rosy memory. Maybe we're still creating a life together - unpacking wedding gifts, decorating a home, savouring candlelit dinners - and we are giving that one special person the very best of us. Or maybe life has taken over - that challenging job, the struggle to pay the mortgage, a long-term illness - and more often our loved one seems to be getting the worst of us. Here is a gift to celebrate the joys and bring encouragement in that shared journey, with wise and witty insights and thoughtful reminders to help couples thrive. Amusing and touching, with laugh-out-loud cartoons which so accurately capture the highs and lows of domestic trials and bliss. A beautiful book to remind us to make the very most of the time we have with the most important person in the world.

As parents we live each day at such a pace. One minute we are juggling the dawn scramble for p.e. kit, packing lunchboxes and dealing with toddler tantrums in the supermarket queue and then before we know it, they are filling in job applications. Did we do it right? Did we do it well? There is no one way to be the perfect parent. But there are a hundred ways to be a great parent. This hilarious, engaging little book is packed full with great ideas to help any really really busy parent find that extra minute, to enjoy their kids and to make the very most of every precious moment. Within these few pages are ideas strategies and principles that can revolutionise not only the way we parent, but also the way we feel about our parenting.

You don't always have to learn the hard way.On the spur of the moment, the morning after the birth of one of his grandchildren, Rob Parsons wrote the baby a letter.And then Rob began to think about how he hoped he'd have the chance to talk with all his grandchildren as they grew. He imagined them coming into his study, settling into one of the two comfy armchairs in front of the fire and opening up about the challenges they were facing.Perhaps it would be when they were beginning their first job, buying their first house, getting married or starting a family. Or perhaps they'd talk long into the night, when their hearts were broken or friends had betrayed them. Perhaps he would have the chance to help them rebuild the dream that somebody had trodden on.'Come on in, take a seat - tell me what's been going on...'Rob knew he wouldn't have all the answers. But maybe he could help - just a little.

'If you have children, buy this book for your parents now. If you are a grandparent, don't go near your grandchildren until you have read it!' Rosemary ConleyThere are many different kinds of grandparents - tired-out or over-eager, super-involved or unsure how to help, unwilling or ever-ready. In this simple book Rob Parsons will help you reach the common aspiration: to be the best grandparent that you can possibly be.- The baby stage: helping out without interfering - How to help your own children find their way as parents- Loving your grandchildren without spoiling them- When to intervene, and when to keep out of it- Finding your place within a blended family- Becoming invaluable (rather than insufferable) to your daughter-in-law

Rob Parsons introduces the classic How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong? by Lewis B. Smedes and explains how it helped him at a particularly difficult time when he felt separated from God. In How Can It Be All Right When Everything Is All Wrong? Lewis B. Smedes offers a voice of hope for hard times that provides faith-filled consolation for troubled souls. This classic is introduced to us by Rob Parsons who gives his own heart-felt account of a time when 'everything was all wrong' and he felt separated from God - until someone lent him this book. It deals with the question 'Can we love God when life does not seem to be going well for us?' It does not offer quick-fire solutions, it is not about us trying harder, Smedes shows it is all about grace.

It is every Christian parent's fear: what if my child falls away because of something I did, or said, or was? Rob is extremely reassuring. His pragmatic, candid approach provides both parenting advice and guidance for parents about their own spiritual development. Rob identifies five traits which can quench faith in your child: busyness, cynicism, hypocrisy, judgementalism and over-familiarity (your children never know when they should take off their shoes). He teaches that disappointment is an inevitable part of growing up. There will come a time when they are disappointed with Christians, the Church, themselves and even God. We should teach our children how to love God even when things fall apart. Do not hide your children from the world: instead, help them to discriminate. Above all, provide them with a vision or what they can be and can achieve. Peter became a fisher of men.

Here is a book for all couples - those with strong marriages who want to protect their relationship, those going through difficult times, and those considering marriage.With humour and honesty it deals with issues that are relevant to every marriage, including; communicating more effectively, over coming financial pressure, why interest in sex sometimes dies, the affair, and dealing with conflict.

In THE SIXTY MINUTE MOTHER Rob Parsons turns his warm wisdom and wit to the subject of motherhood. Talking to a variety of mothers, including Dianne Parsons, from all backgrounds and situations (working, lone, home-based, mothers of babies, teenagers, adopted kids and so on) he has compiled a wonderfully inspirational book on the highs and lows of being a mother, with lots of fresh insights. In his usual style, and never forgetting the essential truth that men need to nurture their maternal instincts too, he has written another winner.