Books
JJ and the Big Bend
Set in 70’s small town America, JJ & the Big Bend is the story of a ten-year-old boy called JJ, or to give him his full title, Josiah, James Maloney III. Bullied and misunderstood, life for JJ has become an emotional roller coaster.
Hating school and unhappy at home, things would be unbearable if it were not for Toby, a pet dog of questionable pedigree and Grandpa Joe, a grey-haired, kind-hearted gentleman who is JJ’s guiding light in a dark world.
Journey with JJ through the ups and downs of everyday life and share with him as he makes a life-changing discovery!
For those parents, grandparents and teachers wanting to kick-start a conversation around the issues like Bullying, Low Self-Esteem, Difference and Disability, there is a link to a free online learning resource.
ISBN: 978-1-912863-02-0
£8.00
Endorsements
“JJ and the Big Bend is such a cute chapter book, packed with inspiration and meaning... The author keeps things authentic, showing the problems of kids that are bullied, including the isolation, loneliness, and even temper issues... With charming hand-drawn illustrations and a cast of diverse characters, this is an entertaining, memorable, and meaningful tale.” C.E. Hart, Goodreads.com
“I have just finished reading this book. I wished the 10 year-old me could have read this inspiring and helpful book. I would highly recommend it.” Mark Jarvis, Parent & Grandparent
“Got to be one of the best books I have read and I’m 60 so I have read hundreds. A beautiful written book which captivated me.” Hazel Mainwearing, Parent
ISBN-10: 1-451553-30-7
£8.95
No Perfect Fathers Here
Although it might only take a moment to become a father, it takes a lifetime of commitment to be a father. Our children are perfect gifts that make us want to never mess up or miss out on the one chance that life gives us to be a father. So, when our poor choices produce a negative result in our kids, a lot of dads begin to battle frustration, fatigue, fear and failure.
Make no mistake about it; mistakes will be made, writes Chris Spicer. Yet, we can acquire knowledge and skills in the finer art of fatherhood and learn to handle our mistakes in a redemptive rather than adversarial way – which is the point of this book.
Written for imperfect dads with real struggles and failures as well as successes – No Perfect Fathers Here is a roadmap on how to capably handle the role of a father in a positive manner. Celebrating ten characteristics of highly effective parenting Chris shares some personal insight into improving ourselves as dads that comes from his forty years of fatherhood.
Perfect parents don’t exist, but you can break out of the cycle of unsuccessful, even disastrous parenting and have a favourable effect on your kinds that will last them a life time.
Endorsements
“This is a great read for anyone serious about the role and responsibility of fathering.”
Carey Casey, CEO National Centre for Fathering
“A masterful book from which even the best-placed or worst-qualified parent can draw wisdom.”
Leonard Sweet, Drew University, George Fox University, sermons.com
“A great read for all fathers who sometimes feel like a failure.”
Greg Vaughn, Author/Founder Letters from Dad
ISBN: 978-1-912863-48-8
£11.99
The Reel Story.
If you could choose ten movies to showcase your life and send a message to future generations, what would they be?
This is exactly what Chris Spicer has done in his latest book, The Reel Story. Using an eclectic mix of cinema classics, Chris writes about the lessons learnt from a lifetime spent in business, social enterprise, education and various streams of Christianity. Each movie is a metaphor used to pass on timeless truths. More than a rerun of golden oldies, this is a modern take on those people and events that have influenced one man’s life.
From middle England to Midwest America, from an English seaport to the coastline of Portland, Oregon, from British social housing to Brazilian shanty towns, this is the adventure of a lifetime.
While some readers may know the author as a father or grandfather, others will know him as a businessman, church leader, educator, author or public speaker. However, few will know the real person behind the persona. Refusing to photoshop the ugly or glamorise the mundane, Chris sees this book as an opportunity to tell his story and pass on lessons learnt in the university of life.
Endorsements
“A compelling, celluloid memoir that doesn’t try to hide the cellulite.”
Mark Stibbe, author of A Passion for the Movies
“The Language of Legacy.”
Roger Blackmore, Lead Pastor, Genesis Church, New York, USA
“As Unique in its concept, as it is in its content.”
Tim Jupp, Big Church Day Out
“Look and learn from this wonderful life story!”
Bishop Tony Miller, The Gate Church, Oklahoma, USA
“An important book for purpose and hope.”
Andrew Edmiston, Managing Director, I.M. Group Ltd. UK
ISBN: 978-1-912863-68-6
£10.99
Life on the Hill
Martin Luther King’s, “I have a dream,” and Winston Churchill’s, “We will fight them on the beaches,” were time-honoured speeches aimed at challenging peoples’ beliefs and behaviour. Yet these great addresses pale into insignificance when compared to the Sermon on the Mount delivered by Jesus two thousand years ago. His unparalleled message describes the attitudes that God wants us to embrace if we are to see His kingdom come.
Life on the Hill is a journey of discovery. Dynamic and practical, this book takes us on a journey deep into the heartland of Jesus’ eight beatitudes. If we want to live life at a different level, we are going to have to transform our thinking and start applying these Be-Attitudes to every area of our lives.
What we believe affects how we behave and ultimately what we become. The best place to build a new and godly set of beliefs is on the rock of these radical attitudes. Only when our thoughts are aligned with God’s thoughts will we soar to new heights where God’s dream for our lives becomes a reality.
Using amusing illustrations and pointed anecdotes, Chris Spicer shows us how we can change our angles of approach and start enjoying “life on the hill.”
Endorsements
“This book is rich tapestry; a work of art. Chris has transformed the timeless Sermon on the Mount into a handbook for today.”
Paul Manwaring, Bethel Church, Redding, California, USA
“Life on the Hill is a guidebook for all who are tired of mediocrity.”
Stephen Matthew – pastor, teacher, author, coach and committed church-builder
“Some books inform the mind, stir the emotions, feed the soul and fire the spirit – this book does it all.”
Steve Campbell – Senior Pastor, The C3 Church, Cambridge, UK
ISBN: 978-1-912863-82-2
£10.99
Making the Mummies Dance
21st Century preaching needs help. Much of what passes as modern preaching is often nothing more than the bland leading the bland with horrible snore-inducing sermons or tiresome imitation TEDTALKS.
-
How do we take that which has the potential to give life and make it live?
-
How do we do this thing called preaching better?
Believing the best preachers are yet to come, Chris Spicer kickstarts a lively and constructive conversation among would-be preachers.
Making the Mummies Dance is a manual for the kind of preaching that changes people's lives. The ten helpful tips in this book will prove invaluable for that great and epic task.
Coming soon
Living Life in the Last Lane
‘Growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.’ - Walt Disney
As the world’s population gets older, the so-called ‘Longevity Revolution’ is causing everyone to rethink life in the last lane. Older people are now seeing that they have a key role in the affairs of heaven on earth. This cultural and attitudinal shift means that while some retirees may prefer to spend their time relaxing at home pursuing their hobbies, others are looking for a more adventurous way of life.
In this ground-breaking new book, seasoned author Chris Spicer, with marginal comments by his wife Tina, propose a very different vision for an age traditionally associated with withdrawal and even passivity. Together, they challenge seniors like themselves to stop sitting on the side-lines and to start using their expertise, experience, wisdom, and networking ability. They also call on organisational leaders to stop sacrificing elders ability on the altar of agism and to excavate those nuggets of wisdom, knowledge and expertise laying dormmate in an ageing population.