Circle of Peace

This book is about Peace for those who are experience some of the every day niggling distress than many of us encounter as we live our lives. It does this by the use of stories that reflect the everyday experiences of Christians' lives, and invites them to experiment with ways of thinking and living that can bring about change. Woven through it all is an offer to the reader of an understanding of God as a loving friend and companion.

The book's objective is to help Christians give themselves not only permission to love themselves, but ways and means of doing so. By loving themselves they will become better at loving their neighbours. People with a sense of wellbeing are more comfortable and effective in loving others. Not for nothing did Jesus place such emphasis on the Jewish commandment, 'Love your neighbour as yourself'. Loving yourself is not selfish and self-centered, as sometimes it is presented, but an enabler of enacting love.

There are chapters dealing with depression, anxiety, worry, and self-esteem, and all of them deal with matters of faith and what the Bible has to say, while suggesting tried and tested ways of coping better, practical steps which readers can take which will get them closer to life in all its abundance, the life that God wants for us all.

The book is unusual in that the authors come from different backgrounds and have brought together and integrated contrasting perspectives on the lives of Christians. One of them, Trevor Dennis, is a biblical scholar, prolific author, and past Vice Dean of Chester Cathedral, the other, Ken Lewis, is a Chartered Counselling and Occupational Psychologist and Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist. As far as the authors are aware, the book is the first to offer theological and biblical comment on some of the out workings of the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.

The authors have learned a great deal from each other while writing this book, and hope it will be of help to a great many people.