Books by "John Gilbert Shaw"
6 books found
In the Footsteps of the Lord: The Teaching of Abba Isaiah of Scetis
by John Chryssavgis, Luke Penkett
2023 · SLG Press
Fairacres Publications 139 The Discourses of Abba Isaiah of Scetis, a classical text of fifth-century desert literature, are grounded in Scripture and the teaching of the earliest Christian monks. The authors of this book present Abba Isaiah as one of the first of the Desert Fathers to examine the relationship between abba and disciple, the monastery and the outside world.
Fairacres Publications 145 Translated into English for the first time by John Chryssavgis, these Reflections present, with great simplicity, the day-to-day teaching and example of one of the great sixth-century eremitical Fathers of the Palestinian desert. For Abba Zosimas, obedience to the gospel implies a radical disposition of love for the neighbour in every thought, word and action. This is the key to freedom and joy.
This book is about finding our spiritual home in God and how that helps us to lead a life of honesty and genuine love towards the rest of humanity and the planet that sustains our physical lives. A person comes home to God by learning how to walk by faith instead of being driven by fear; by finding freedom of spirit through accepting whatever yoke of discipline fits their situation. In this way a person comes not only to themselves, but to God: to a living knowledge of God. Through this understanding we reach the realization of God as our true home; someone who is always there when we turn to Him, who welcomes us back no matter how far we stray, or for how long. Our true home, our safe haven, the place where we are fully loved, is in God. Drawing on Townroe’s retreat talks, these essays span many decades, but the universal truths on which they are founded resonate through time and through the shifts and changes of our increasingly complex society.
Prayer and the Struggle Against Evil
by Alexander Ryrie, Daniel Lloyd, James Ramsay, John Barton
2021 · SLG Press
Fairacres Publications 190 None of us need reminding that terrible situations exist and horrific events happen in the world around us. We need only to open our newspapers or turn on our televisions to hear of war and violence, or situations of injustice and oppression, or acts of crime or terrorism. When we are confronted by such things, the word ‘evil’ comes readily to our lips. We sense that events and situations of this kind are not just unfortunate and regrettable: they have a different character which we can only describe as evil. Such evil deeds and situations have been a part of human life throughout history, and we seem to be unable to do anything about them. We can, and indeed should act, however, and we can pray. This book asks us to confront the reality of evil in the world and use our ability to change the world around us with the power of prayer.
Fairacres Publication 192 The Eastern Orthodox description of Jesus as ‘the undistorted image of God’ is based on texts such as ‘the Gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God’ (2 Corinthians 4:4). This is the author’s favourite statement of belief about Jesus in relation to God and of the mysterious attractiveness of Jesus who draws everyone without distinction to God. Christ’s image is inescapable, even when rejected. There seems to be no way of avoiding this person who puzzles, yet attracts, the world. Based on a series of retreat talks, this book may be used for personal private reflection, as material for a group or as a foundation for leading a retreat for others. Each chapter discusses a particular aspect of the personhood of Jesus: His attractiveness, energy, gentleness, fierceness, confidence and steadfastness, and concludes with suggestions for applying the theme to our daily lives.
Fairacres Publications 133 Amidst the trials and uncertainties of individual human lives, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus can sometimes seem like a great play written by God, where the actors are assigned fixed parts. Yet this is to make a travesty out of these great events. In entering our world and sharing its suffering in Jesus, God accepts the uncertainty and unpredictability which are part of the human lot. The resurrection of Jesus is a sign of unexpected hope beyond final despair.