Page 4 - November-December Together

TOGETHER NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2021

FROM THE PUBLISHER Celebrating Success May Mandy and I take this opportunity

Volumes went to Julie Carvill of Christianbooks.ie
who has placed Christian books in every prison in to once again extend our personal
congratulations in what has been a difficult
the Republic of Ireland (see page 35).
and challenging eighteen months. We
Bookshop of the Year went to St Andrews,
also need to put our hands together and
Gt. Missenden who during lockdown pioneered
trade who day by day, week by week make it
The Big Church Read, a scheme to encourage
churches and small groups to read a book
happen – our authors, editors, proofreaders,
together. Already well over 3,000 different places acknowledge those within the Christian book
cover designers, illustrators, sales staff, the
across the UK are now participating (see page 8). pickers and packers of the books, gifts and
cards. Our retailers, both bricks and mortar
A new award for 2021 was Online Retailer of the and online who have particularly faced new
Year which went to Eden.co.uk. Ben and Hannah challenges throughout lockdown. Apologies
Dunnett won the Gift / Card Supplier of the Year, to anyone I have left out, you are equally
and the Sales Representative of the Year went to as important.
Mike Levy.
Steve Briars
Let us together look forward to 2022 with
Publisher of the Year went to the SPCK Group optimism and be a trade that truly believes
It was our privilege at this year’s CRE in acknowledgement of their wide spectrum of that our glasses are half full rather than
Exhibition at Sandown Park to present the publishing which includes, SPCK, IVP, Form, half empty!
annual CRT Awards for the best in Christian Marlborough House and the newly acquired
publishing, gifts, greeting cards, music and publishing business of Lion Hudson. On behalf of the Together magazine team,
DVDs, eleven awards in total. The full list can we hope you enjoy reading this issue. Please
be seen on page 12. The Lifetime Achievement Award for 2021 went remember your feedback, suggestions and
to Tim and Kathy Thornborough who founded comments are always welcome.
Seven other awards were presented for The Good Book Company in 1991, which today
commitment and service to the Christian has become a recognised publisher of accessible Stephen J Briars
supply and retail trade. The Community Christian books in the UK and the USA (see Publisher & Managing Editor,
Impact Award sponsored by Speaking page 46). Together Magazine

REFLECTIONS What’s in a Name? deliverance from the occupying Roman army.

Methuselah’s name meant ‘his death shall
’What’s its name?’ our three-year-old son
But this time God didn’t send another general.
bring’, and indeed the very year the oldest man
asked excitedly when he first met his new
They needed more than a temporary military
baby sister. Following my response, he
in the Bible died the Flood came (Genesis 7:6).
looked adoringly at her and tried it out for
Elijah – ‘Jehovah is my God’ – was announced
himself: ‘Hello Joy. I’m your big brother.
promised Messiah: the One who would ‘save
His people from their sins’ (Matthew 1:21
I bought you a pair of pink socks with my Then imagine the look on Ahab’s face when fix. They needed, as do we, Yeshua – the
in open court. This name alone was enough
very own money!’ The memory still makes to challenge Israel’s Baal-worshipping king, NKJV). The One Isaiah said would ‘be called
me smile. but Elijah followed on with Jehovah’s message Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting
of judgement to His wayward people Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).
What Paul didn’t know was that Joy’s name (1 Kings 17:1).
was in response to God giving us a healthy What’s in a name – this name? Everything we
daughter. However, the reality was different, Moses wisely changed the name of a naturally need – both to navigate the now, and to inherit
but we learned to experience joy in a talented leader from Hoshea – ‘salvation’, to eternity. That’s certainly enough to cause me
different way. Joshua – ‘Yahweh saves’. Moses wanted the to worship!
future leader of Israel to depend on God’s
While working on the other side of the strength, and not his own. Consequently, every ‘Therefore God has highly exalted Him and
birthing business – as a midwife – baby time the name Joshua was used there would given Him the name which is above every
names ranged from the ‘called-after’ family be no doubt in either the man, or the nation, name, that at the
variety to the father’s favourite footballer where the power came from. name of Jesus every
or the mother’s favourite celebrity. Just knee should bow… ’
occasionally I thought ‘that’s going to cause Joshua is the English translation of Yeshua, (Philippians 2:9,
problems in the school playground’. which is Hebrew for Jesus. Joshua; Yeshua; 10 NKJV).
Jesus – ‘Yahweh saves’ – one and the same
Bible names in particular are rich with name. In the Old Testament, Israel knew Catherine Campbell,
meaning as to the spiritual, social military victory through Joshua. In the New author and speaker
or historical happenings of the time. Testament era they were waiting for God’s
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