CONTENTS

Cover stories

NEWS & VIEWS

8    Your letters on what you’ve found helpful in recent issues
33    Seeing women’s lives transformed – How a charity is changing lives in one of the poorest communities in Egypt
47    Next month – What’s inside our September issue
48    Book club – Recommended reads and an interview with Katherine Reay

REFLECTIONS

7    An opportunity to pause – Our prayer for the month, by Pam Pointer
17    Joni Eareckson Tada – on trusting God’s purposes, even in difficult times
22    Bible study – The prostitute and traitor who became a role model for us all
24    Penelope Wilcock – The three ways we can respond to our circumstances
38    A Word for troubled times – If you’re worried by current news headlines, Psalm 33 gives us confidence says Jo Swinney

REAL LIVES

10    Making formal vows to remain single and celibate was right for me – Rev Kate Wharton on finding God’s purpose and living life to the full
18    How we learned to love our lives – Two women share their struggles to find fulfilment
26    Our place in the sun – One couple’s vision to provide a space for people to rest and take time out of their busy lives
30    What my daughter’s illness is teaching me about God’s care and purposes – A mother’s story
41    Caring for carers – The charity that began with a mother’s determination to find support for her daughter

GOOD COUNSEL

14    If only I could make a decision! – Emily P Freeman outlines three key steps to help you
21    How to love the life you have – Follow the Five-Minute Rule and keep your thoughts in order, says Joyce Meyer
29    ‘Our friend is sleepwalking into another unhappy marriage’ – Hopeful Girl shares her dilemma
50    Man Alive – Paul Kerensa recommends finding a church to visit on holiday

IDEAS AND INSPIRATION

34    Our new programme for our children’s work is inspiring the whole church community – How one church’s youth team revitalised their work
36    Our Testimony Sundays are helping us to get to know one another – One church’s story of bringing people together
39    Why I love using the Daily Office – How one woman’s discovery has transformed her prayer times and brought her closer to her husband
40    Good Works – New resources and ideas to help you make a difference
42    Good Times – Great ways to spend your days