Barton Books — Published Titles

It is fascinating to observe how we human beings come to very different conclusions about the same or similar experiences of every day life. Perhaps it has to do with personality; some see the world from the perspective of a glass that is half full, others from the perspective that it is half empty. For those of us who belong to a community of faith, we do have a particular world view: we start from the perspective that all of life is sacred, that all human beings have dignity and value because we are made in the image of God, that compassion for the other should be part of human DNA, that meaning and purpose is to be discovered through service and that our destiny is to celebrate the presence of God forever.

Archdeacon Anne Ranse’s daily reflections are an invaluable aid for many, especially the Deacons, as we all seek inspiration for the day ahead. Taking a piece of biblical text, Anne enables the text to be a channel through which we enter the mind of God so that God may truly be the main player in our world. We are all much healthier if our life is balanced and we can rely on a daily rhythm to nourish and sustain us. What better rhythm than to begin or end each day with a small reflection that enables you to see the events that have surrounded you, good and bad as part of the total fabric of life that God in Jesus redeems. I am delighted to commend this collection of reflections and to thank Archdeacon Anne for her remarkable leadership amongst many who are at the cutting edge of God’s activity in the world outside the Church.

The Right Reverend George Browning, Bishop of Canberra & Goulburn, August 2007