Christian life and practice Books

Book SynopsisA study Bible with thousands of verse commentary notes designed by women specifically for women to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation.The Woman’s Study Bible poignantly reveals the Word of God to women, inviting them to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation. Special features designed to speak to a woman’s heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman’s identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the kingdom.Now with a beautiful full-color redesign, The Woman’s Study Bible reflects the contributions of over 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds.Trusted by women worldwide, The Woman’s Study Bible has been recognized with the ECPA Platinum Award for selling over 4

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Book SynopsisIn his newly redesigned book Veith unpacks the Bible's teaching about the doctrine of vocation. Veith guides readers in discovering God's purpose and calling in those seemingly ordinary areas of life.

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Book SynopsisTimothy Radcliffe considers the strength of the Christian imagination in its ability inspire others. How can Christianity touch the imagination of our contemporaries when ever fewer people in the West identify as religious? Timothy Radcliffe argues we must show how everything we believe is an invitation to live fully. God says: I put before you life and death: choose life.Anyone who understands the beauty and messiness of human life--novelists, poets, filmmakers and so on--can be our allies, whether they believe or not. The challenge is not today''s secularism but its banality.We accompany the disciples as they struggle to understand this strange man who heals, casts out demons and offers endless forgiveness. In the face of death, he teaches them what it means to be alive in God. Then he embraces all that afflicts and crushes humanity. Finally, Radcliffe explores what it means for us to be alive spiritually, physically, sacramentally, justly and prayerfullTrade ReviewThis is a book that contains all the wonder, beauty, mess and agony of being alive today. * SLG Press *Table of ContentsIMAGINATION 1 Wingless and Three-Legged Chickens 2 Choose Life JOURNEYING 3 The Transcendent Adventure 4 A God for Our Aches and Pains 5 Initial Skirmishes 6 Growing Up 7 Skin and Forgiveness TEACHING 8 Teaching: The Dogmatic Imagination 9 Impossible Friendships 10 The Non-Violent Imagination 11 At Home 12 The Ecology of Faith 13 Affliction THE RISEN LIFE Introduction 14 The Spiritual Life: Fresh Air 15 The Bodily Life: Hallowing the Senses 16 The Sacramental versus the Technocratic Imagination 17 The Liturgical Imagination: God's Providence 18 The Life of Prayer: The Poetry of Hope Conclusion Notes Acknowledgements Bibliography

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Book SynopsisMirror, Mirror on the wallMost of us have a complicated relationship with what we see in the mirror. Julie Lowe's short, helpful guide encourages us to look to Scripture to find out where our true value and worth lie. She shows how we were created in God's image, designed to worship Him. This truth transforms our primary concern and directs us to a better question: how can we best use our bodies to honour Him? Contents:Our Battle with the MirrorDoes Scripture Speak to This?It Touches Us AllMirrors Lie and Mirrors IsolateThe IllusionIs the Answer More SelfEsteem?Where Does Real Beauty Come From?How Do We Change?Is it Wrong to Care About Appearance?This Also Changes our RelationshipsAppendix A: Next StepsAppendix B: Further ReadingTrack is a series of books designed to disciple the next generation in the areas of culture, doctrine, and the Christian life. While the topics addressed aren't always simple, they are communicated in a manner that is. With the intention of the content being

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Book Synopsis'This journey, of course, is not without its challenges . . . And yet facing those challenges also lends enchantment to the journey.' Join Professor Roderick Strange as he presents the core doctrine of the Catholic faith in a warm and accessible way. Using the liturgical calendar as a roadmap for the journey, Roderick invites us to follow Jesus of Nazareth from Advent through the Church's festivals to Pentecost. Through meditative reflection and powerful personal anecdotes, Journey into Light is the perfect introduction for those new to the Catholic faith.Trade ReviewRoderick Strange invites us to join him in the adventure of the liturgical year. He faces the challenges to belief with anengaging honesty and a wisdom enriched by his love of the gospel, his knowledge of the human heart and his gift of friendship. -- Timothy Radcliffe, OPThe author shows a respectful attentiveness to the text of the Scriptures, and to the Catholic tradition; Strange faces, with immense honesty, all the difficulties and problems that people have with Catholic Christianity. This may be his best book yet -- Nicholas King, SJRoderick Strange brings together, in an elegant and engaging way, the experiences and treasures of a lifetime. With warmth and sensitivity, he offers to our contemporaries an exploration of Christian faith and hope which brings light to our troubled world. This is a delightful and rewarding book: an eloquent Catholic apologia. -- Cardinal Vincent NicholsThere is a rare clarity to Roderick Strange's thought about his faith, and an ever rarer clarity in the everyday language he uses to convey it. Together in Journey into Light they carry his readers through the Church's year and through the ups and downs of their lives with insight, wisdom and above all hope -- Peter Stanford'Confident Catholicism sets out its stall... an attractive apologetic... Part of the didactic skill of this wise teacher is that he understands how the experience of liturgy communicates a truth beyond itself... In an age when so much has been forgotten about our Christian inheritance of faith, Strange introduces saints and theologians of the past as though they were old friends.' * Church Times *

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Book Synopsis"Billups is a sharp critic of the evangelical church, and readers will be heartened by her thoughtful advice on how to chart a brighter future for the faith."--Publisher's Weekly In the wake of the culture wars of the 1980s and 1990s, many young evangelical Christians found themselves untethered, disillusioned, and--ultimately--orphaned as they grappled with the legalistic, politically co-opted churches of their youth. Perhaps you are one of them. Perhaps, like Sara Billups, you have felt alone, misunderstood, and maligned in the American church, longing for a more loving, more biblical expression of the faith and discipleship taught by Jesus. Part spiritual memoir of an apocalyptic childhood and part commentary on growing up as an evangelical kid during the culture wars, Orphaned Believers follows the journey of a generation of Christian exiles reckoning with the tradition that raised them and searching for a new way to participate in the story of God. Because for all the baggage, we still belong, and a bigger, more beautiful story awaits. "As American Christianity changes, and as we change along with it, we need guides to remind us who we are and who we're not. Sara has been one such guide for me. She's brutally honest and hilarious, and her heart is wide open to the radical possibility that belonging to Jesus is identity enough for Christians. I couldn't be more grateful for her."--Jon Guerra, singer-songwriter and producer "Billups reminds us that no matter who we are or where we come from, God can move us from a place on the margins to a community of faith."--Foxy Davison, educator and activist "Sara helped me feel more 'found' than I did before--orphaned but also anchored in a much better story than the one the world's been selling me over the past decades. I needed this book more than I knew."--Chuck DeGroat, author, therapist, and professor of pastoral care and Christian spirituality at Western Theological Seminary

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Book SynopsisExperience the Richer Spiritual Life You Long For In this world of frantic activity and constant entertainment, it can be hard to identify and embrace the rhythms that lead to true flourishing. Your spirit longs for a stronger connection to the divine, a clearer sense of personal spiritual growth, a closer relationship with your creator and redeemer. But how do you integrate this kind of inner growth into the realities of your outer life? If you long for a deeper experience of God as you journey through this life, Spiritual Practices for Soul Care offers 40 ways to help you put the spiritual disciplines into action each day. From prayer and meditation to serving and socializing to resting and healing, these simple, restorative practices will help you develop the kind of Christian walk you desire. If you have been frustrated by slow or stalled progress, or if you simply yearn to go deeper, now is the time to pause, take a breath, and awaken to your transformative soul care journey--starting today.

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Book SynopsisA Black Woman's Guide to Effective, Barrier-Breaking Leadership Black women in leadership positions often experience resistance, both from external forces and from within. If you are a leader in your profession, community, or church, you may have been made to feel like an outsider--someone who must prove herself again and again to be worthy of following. Maybe you're tired, resentful, or beaten-down by the sense that you'll just never be good enough for some people. Take heart and take a seat at the table with Jeanne Porter King. Drawing from the biblical account of the Samaritan woman at the well, King shows how this outsider and outcast has been reduced to a stereotype by the same racist and sexist forces that attempt to reduce you to a stereotype and hinder your God-given call to leadership. She then shows how God uniquely positioned and equipped her to lead her people to the truth despite attempts to keep her silent and small. If you long to lead from a strong spiritual core rather than a set of expectations you had no part in setting, this book offers you the inspiration, encouragement, and practical tools to make leading well a reality in your life.

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Book SynopsisMost typical youth ministries today produce nice, obedient kids who behave themselves--and then leave the church and the faith. Even those who remain struggle to extend their own faith beyond youth group. They seem like "good kids," but their lives and decisions outside youth group aren't oriented towards Jesus. Clearly that is not our goal. So what are we doing wrong? And how can we better serve the unique needs of the most anxious, adaptive, and diverse generation in history? If you're tired of youth ministry that fails to change lives, it's time to change youth ministry. Building on two decades of the Fuller Youth Institute's work and incorporating extensive new research and interviews, Faith Beyond Youth Group identifies the reasons youth ministry often fails both short-term and long-term, and offers five ways adult youth leaders can cultivate character for a lifetime of growing closer to Jesus rather than drifting away. It shows leaders how to cultivate trust, model growth, teach for transformation, practice together, and make meaning so that the teenagers can become adults who hold fast to the truth 24/7 and boldly live out a robust faith in a watching world.

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Book SynopsisThe devastating effects of toxic work environments are top news. Everyone seems to understand that healthy organizations nurture flourishing individuals and societies--flourishing that Jesus desires for all of us. How can Christian business and ministry leaders create a positive organizational culture and identity? Justin Irving has spent twenty years studying, teaching, and reflecting on organizational leadership. Drawing wisdom from the Bible, contemporary leadership theory, and the insights of over two hundred executive leaders, Irving provides a theological framework that makes human flourishing the driving motivation for leading organizations well. He helps readers invest in their own growth to become leaders who motivate, inspire, and nurture. But he broadens the view to help readers see how different levels of leadership--the dynamics and interdependence of teams and of the whole organization--work together. He then offers practical insights on building teams, culture, and effective communication and on navigating the storms of crisis and change.Table of ContentsList of IllustrationsPart 1: Wisdom for Organizational Leaders1. Defining Organizational Leadership2. A Vision for Human and Organizational FlourishingPart 2: The Leader and Thriving Organizations3. The Character of Healthy Organizational Leaders4. The Commitments of Healthy Organizational LeadersPart 3: The Role of People and Teams within Thriving Organizations5. The Care and Cultivation of Team Members6. Collaboration and Team AlignmentPart 4: Leadership Priorities for Thriving Organizations7. Communication, Clarity, and Conviction in the Thriving Organization8. Culture and Thriving Organizations9. Crisis Leadership and Facing Organizational Challenges and Threats10. Change Leadership and a Thriving Future for the OrganizationAppendix A: Overview of Codes, Categories, and Themes for the First Survey QuestionAppendix B: Priorities for Healthy LeadersIndexes

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Book SynopsisLonging. Hope. Love. Fear. These are just some of the experiences embodied in the infinitely rich Christian life. In Under the Wings of God, seasoned author Cornelius Plantinga explores these facets and more, reflecting on the joys and challenges of a life following God. Rooted in Scripture, this book offers wisdom about topics including the problem of suffering, the nature of Christian virtue, love of God and our neighbor, longing for redemption and reconciliation, humility, and hospitality. Plantinga delves into hard questions with a calm and pastoral authority that offers the perfect antidote for the unrest in the world and the church right now. Each reflection is presented with a Bible text and a brief prayer, useful for personal devotions or small group discussions. Readers will emerge with a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the Christian life, equipped with timeless insights into the ups and downs of a life lived in the presence of God.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction1. Under the Wings of God2. God on the Loose3. With All Your Mind4. Are You the One?5. The Inescapable God6. Clothe Yourselves with Patience7. In the Interim8. God Just in Case9. Christ Lifted Up10. On the Receiving End11. The Mark of Cain12. Self-Deception13. Splendor in the Grass14. Afraid of Easter15. Neighbor Love16. Spiritual Momentum17. Clothe Yourselves with Humility18. For All Who Are Far Away19. Practice Hospitality20. If Only There Were Someone

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Book SynopsisThis beautifully bound compilation of the Old Testament poetical books, Psalms and Proverbs, includes new insights from Joyce Meyer and powerful commentary drawn from The Everyday Life Bible.A perfect gift for yourself or someone you love, this gorgeously packaged book includes the poetic wisdom of Proverbs and Psalms. It will offer comfort and peace through the power of Scripture, along with insights drawn from #1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer. Readers will be inspired and empowered to change their thoughts and their lives.In the decade since its original publication, The Everyday Life Bible has sold 1.1 million copies, taking its place as an invaluable resource on the Word of God. Simultaneously, Joyce Meyer's renown as one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers has grown, as she continues to study and teach daily. This new edition updates Joyce's notes and commentary to reflect the changes made in the revision of the Amplified Bible which refreshes the English and refines the amplification for relevance and clarity. The result is THE EVERYDAY LIFE PSALMS AND PROVERBS that is now easier to read and better than ever to study, understand, and apply to your everyday life.

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Book Synopsis2022 Word Guild Award, Culture and Life Stories categories Globe and Mail Bestseller List, November 2021 (Self-Improvement) Many of us have a complicated relationship with our body. Maybe you've been made to feel ashamed of your body or like it isn't good enough. Maybe your body is riddled with stress, pain, or the effects of trauma. Maybe you think of your body as an accessory to what you believe you really are--your mind. Maybe your experiences with racism, sexism, ableism, heterosexism, ageism, or sizeism have made you believe your body isn't the right kind of body. Whatever the reason, many of us don't feel at home in our bodies. But being disconnected from ourselves as bodies means being disconnected from truly living and from the interconnection that weaves us all together. Psychologist and award-winning researcher Hillary McBride explores the broken and unhealthy ideas we have inherited about our body. Embodiment is the way we are in the world, and our embodiment is heavily influenced by who we have been allowed to be. McBride shows that many of us feel disembodied due to colonization, racism, sexism, and patriarchy--destructive systems that rank certain bodies as less valuable, beautiful, or human than others. Embracing our embodiment can liberate us from these systems. As we come to understand the world around us and the stories we've been told, we see that our perspective of reality often limits how we see and experience ourselves, each other, and what we believe is Sacred. Instead of the body being a problem to overcome, our bodies can be the very place where we feel most alive, the seat of our spirituality and our wisdom. The Wisdom of Your Body offers a compassionate, healthy, and holistic perspective on embodied living. Weaving together illuminating research, stories from her work as a therapist, and deeply personal narratives of healing from a life-threatening eating disorder, a near-fatal car accident, and chronic pain, McBride invites us to reclaim the wisdom of the body and to experience the wholeness that has been there all along. End-of-chapter questions and practices are included.Table of ContentsContentsAn Invitation to Begin1. Fully Alive: Exploring and Understanding Embodiment2. How We Become Disembodied: Lies about Our Bodies and Finding Our Way Home3. The Body Overwhelmed: Healing the Body from Stress and Trauma4. Appearance and Image: How We See Our Body from the Outside5. Feeling Feelings: Getting to Know the Emotional Body6. You Are Not Broken: A New Perspective on Pain7. The Body and Oppression: When Bodies Are Political8. Pleasure and Enjoyment: The Sensual and Sexual Body9. Holy Flesh: Reconciling the Spirit-Body Divide10. Living as a Body: Embodiment Practices to Return to OurselvesEpilogue: A Letter to My Body

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Book SynopsisThere's no escaping it: everyone experiences seasons of pain and despair. In 2019, when Amber Haines resigned from her position as church curate and walked out the church doors for the last time, she entered her own season of pain and despair. That season taught her--and her husband, Seth Haines--that the journey toward hope starts with recognizing "the deep down things." In The Deep Down Things, Amber and Seth point to a simple truth: even in the darkest times, there are tangible signs of hope all around us. The authors demonstrate how tasting, touching, feeling, holding, and participating in these tangible acts of hope picks us up, builds our strength, and moves us into beauty, even in times of despair. They invite readers to participate with those signs of hope and thereby experience the divine love of God, even in the struggle of their everyday lives. A lifeline for those who desperately need it, this book helps readers overcome despair, find hope, and spread that hope to an aching world.Table of ContentsContentsA Letter to the Reader1. Know the Hope of SaintsSeth: Eat the FlowersAmber: The Gothic MiddlePractice: Pick a Patron Saint2. Tell the StorySeth: Choose Your AttachmentsAmber: Body TalkPractice: Create a Lifeline3. Find God in the Stuff of EarthSeth: Go to the River, the Trail, the ChapelAmber: Eat the CrackersPractice: Receive Communion4. Create SignsSeth: Cairnal PeopleAmber: Memorials Everywhere in EveryonePractice: Build a Cairn5. Practice SilenceSeth: Flee the WorldAmber: Unresisting the QuietPractice: Engage Active Silence6. Name the KnotsSeth: The Knots of a FatherAmber: On Practicing Holy ApathyPractice: Name the Knots7. Make AmendsSeth: The Thing about ReconciliationAmber: Holy ShitPractice: Repair What's Broken8. Search for EpiphaniesSeth: Go to the Sacred SpacesAmber: Under the Art of MonasteriesPractice: Visit a Sacred Space9. Flip the ScriptSeth: How Joy Subverts the War MachineAmber: In Spite, Take HeartPractice: Hold a Feast

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Book SynopsisLife has its ups and downs, and it can feel like we're always in the middle of a transition. Whether it's a painful end or a joyful beginning--or even an uncertain middle--theologian and minister Amy Davis Abdallah has found something that helps: rituals. In Meaning in the Moment, she shows why we need rituals to help survive and even thrive through various seasons of life. Starting with the foundation that rituals are a core, and underexplored, part of Christian practice, Davis Abdallah draws from theology, psychology, and personal experiences in creating rituals for herself and others. She offers practical guidance for readers to create their own meaningful rituals, including three types requiring varying levels of planning and participation: right now, with friends, and at church. Readers will emerge with fresh ways to bring their faith to life for themselves, their families, and their church communities--and ready to experience the transformative power of rituals. The book includes a foreword by W. David O. Taylor.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction: Ritual MattersPart 1: Why Do We Ritualize?1. Ritual Transforms and Embodies2. You Already Ritualize (You Just Don't Call It That)3. How Rituals Help and Unite UsPart 2: How Do We Ritualize?4. Avoiding Powerless Rituals: Ritual "Don'ts"5. Pursuing Powerful RitualsPart 3: What Do We Ritualize?6. Ends7. Middles8. BeginningsConclusion: Making Ritual MatterAppendix: Exploring Our Sources

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Book SynopsisDoes a preacher from the previous century have anything to say to this generation? Yes! His clarion call to justice and loving community was shaped by his friendship with Mahatma Gandhi and influenced the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In one of his famous appeals, Jones wrote: "Let us go out to stimulate everybody and throw open the doors of equal opportunity to every single person. We must galvanize beaten down people with a faith in God, in themselves and in the future. ... And this faith in humanity would apply to people outside our own borders."In his day, E. Stanley Jones (1884-1973) was described as the "greatest missionary since Saint Paul." More than an evangelist, he was the author of 27 books that sold millions of copies. He also was a statesman, the founder of Christian ashrams, an interfaith leader as well as a spokesman for peace, racial inclusion and social justice. He was a confidant of presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman. Twice nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, his ministry in India brought him into close contact with that country''s leaders including Jawaharlal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore, and Mahatma Gandhi. His writings from India influenced Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.''s own nonviolent approach to injustice.The crystal clarity and the warm hospitality of Jones'' Christian message formed working relationships with leaders of other world religions and often startled his own American evangelical colleagues, especially when he prophetically condemned racism as "spiritual treason against God."As challenging as his preaching sometimes was in confronting injustice, Jones was best known for inspirational Christian messages of hope and refreshment for the millions of people from every walk of life who he addressed either in person or through his writings.Now, a widespread movement is reviving Jones'' spiritual wisdom in the midst of global tensions over faith, ethnicity and race. The Rev. Dr. John E. Harnish, himself a noted Christian educator, writer and pastor, has written 30 short, inspiring true stories from Jones'' life and the people that he touched, that illustrate the timeless, loving wisdom that he believed lay at the core of Christianity.The stories can be read as daily devotionals or could be discussed with friends or within small groups, Sunday schools and congregations. The book includes a complete discussion guide as well as links to introductory videos by Harnish that can be used to spark discussion in your group.In his introduction to these 30 stories, Harnish writes, "From Jones'' life and work, we can hear a word which is as relevant today as it was 75 years ago. In a day when tensions between races and religions are on the rise globally and the message of the Christian faith seems to be either weak or aligned with a political agenda, the voice of a true World Christian needs to be heard once again."

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Book SynopsisA window into sixty years of evangelical political engagement American evangelicals are often assumed to be a monolithic political force absolutely unified in their priorities. This collection of articles from Christianity Today originally published between 1956 and 2016 tells a different story. Evangelical engagement with politics has been more complex than is often remembered. Dual Citizens reveals a variety of evangelical thought towards political developments over the past few decades. In Dual Citizens, Timothy D. Padgett has collected a number of articles that traces a variety of perspectives in evangelical political thought, giving a more nuanced understanding of how American evangelicals have acted politically over the past decades. These essential articles provide insight into our current situation and preserve the wrestling and wisdom of the past for the benefit of the future.

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Book SynopsisNo Tears in Heaven speaks of the great joy of the Christian Faith – Heaven. This book brings together, in a new way, a number of Charles Haddon Spurgeon’s exhilarating teachings on Heaven. The writings of Spurgeon, in his typically beautiful and penetrating style, will deepen our anticipation of Heaven and challenge us to a closer walk with God.

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Book SynopsisWhat is our motivation for serving Jesus? Is it so that we might have good health and be wealthy? Galatians 1 tells us that the wealth and health prosperity gospel is no gospel at all! However what we can find is fullness in Christ and in him we find that indeed God is enough for us! This easy to read book addresses key themes that span global cultures. It counters the view that material abundance is the sign of God’s blessing and that poverty is a sign of God’s curse. It teaches that contentment cannot be found in earthly possession, achievement or position, outside of God but can only be found in the fullness of Christ for every believer. We find in Christ that we have fullness and purpose.

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Book SynopsisThere is no denying the importance of Jesus in the history of humankind. For over two thousand years empires, governments and philosophies have come and gone but the presence of Jesus has remained: mysterious, dominant and utterly challenging. An uncommon blend - a serious book for popular use and a popular book for serious reading.

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Book SynopsisGod revealed the framework for life as it should be - simple statements for life that provide the foundations of our values and principles called THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. How can we reclaim these timeless truths and apply them in our world today?

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Book SynopsisFirst published in 1998, The Divine Conspiracy captured the attention of Christians across the world, by offering a timely and challenging call back to the true meaning of Christian discipleship.Gracefully weaving biblical teaching, popular culture, science and scholarship together, Dallas Willard refuted the view that Christianity is solely about gaining admittance to heaven when we die, and taught that, as disciples, we have access now to the life of the kingdom.Equally relevant today as it was on publication, The Divine Conspiracy challenges us to step aside from the pieties of contemporary Christian practice and offers instead a practical plan by which we can become Christ-like. Truly, it has earned its reputation as a modern Christian classic.Trade Review‘I am struck by the comprehensive nature of this book… It provides me with a conceptual philosophy for understanding the meaning and purpose of human existence…’ - Richard Foster, theologian, author, and founder of Renovaré

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Book SynopsisIn this six-session video Bible study (video streaming code included), bestselling author and pastor Louie Giglio unpacks Psalm 23 to offer insight into how to overcome the enemy''s lies and find peace and spiritual security in any circumstance or situation.This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself—with video notes, personal study and group discussion sections, and a guide to best practices for leading a group. An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online (you don''t need to buy a DVD!).  God has prepared a table for you. It''s set with a banquet of peace, clarity, and purpose. But Satan is constantly looking for an invitation, seeking to fill your mind with distractions, fear, worry, insecurity, anxiety, temptation, doubt... It''s an ongoing battle. But you can learn how to protect your mind from unhe

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Book SynopsisJoyce Meyer takes the principles that have made THE BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND a 3-million copy bestseller and takes them to a new level in her latest book.

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Book SynopsisA study Bible with thousands of verse commentary notes designed by women specifically for women to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation.The Woman’s Study Bible poignantly reveals the Word of God to women, inviting them to receive God’s truth for balance, hope, and transformation. Special features designed to speak to a woman’s heart appear throughout the Bible text, revealing Scripture-based insights about how godly womanhood grows from a woman’s identity as a Christ-follower and a child of the kingdom.Now with a beautiful full-color redesign, The Woman’s Study Bible reflects the contributions of over 80 women from a wide variety of ethnic, denominational, educational, and occupational backgrounds.Trusted by women worldwide, The Woman’s Study Bible has been recognized with the ECPA Platinum Award for selling over 4

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Book SynopsisNATIONAL BESTSELLER ? Warm and witty blessings found within the struggles of our shared humanity, from the New York Times bestselling authors of Good EnoughBlessed are you, the strange duck.You with the very intense hobbies.Or the collection of movies or mugs or sneakers.You with the hometown or home team that makes you very, very proud.You, my dear, in all your intricacies . . . are a marvel.We live in a world that demands relentless perfection. Happy marriages and easy friendships. Bucket list?level adventures and matching family photos. But what if our actual lives don?t feel very #blessed? Might our everyday existence be worthy of a blessing too? Even an average Tuesday?Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie offer creative, faith-based blessings that center gratitude and hope while acknowledging our real, messy lives. Formatted like a prayer book, The Lives We Actually Have is an oasis and a landing spot for weary souls, with blessings that focus on the full range of human moments: garbage days, lovely days, grief-stricken days, and even (especially) completely ordinary days. These heartfelt blessings are a chance to exhale when we feel everything from careworn to restless, devastated to bored. Let?s have a reminder that we don?t need to wait for perfect lives when we can bless the lives weactuallyhave.

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Book SynopsisThe Marriage Gift will inspire and equip you to pray boldly and specifically every day of the year to grow in confidence and intimacy with both your spouse and the Lord.Prayer is one of the greatest assets to your marriage. Whether you already feel comfortable praying together or need help kickstarting your prayer life, The Marriage Gift is your go-to guide for bold, powerful prayers for your marriage.Filled with practical, real-world topics such as health and healing, finances, trust, technology issues, anxiety, temptation, self-control, life transitions, supporting each other''s goals, and more, this book will open your eyes and your heart to new ways of loving your partner. As you pray together, you will: Learn to trust God more as you see him move in mighty ways in every area of your life and marriage Experience growth and change in the areas of your marriage that need work Create a lifeTrade ReviewThe Marriage Gift felt like a guide to meaningful time with God and my husband. Often we end up praying for even longer as the Holy Spirit highlights more we can come together on. I believe couples who set out to make prayer together a first response will see radical shifts in all areas of their lives! Chelsea Hurst, coauthor of Marriage MindedAaron and Jennifer Smith have written a powerful and simple guide for a daily prayer practice. If you're not sure where to start or are wondering, Where is God? The Marriage Gift will help you rediscover the power of prayer and strengthen your marriage through the peaceful presence of God. Jeremy and Audrey Roloff, New York Times bestselling authors of A Love Letter LifeBooks about marriage are like books about prayer: the best ones are super practical and come with the power to make a difference. In The Marriage Gift, Aaron and Jennifer Smith tap the timeless wisdom of Scripture to reveal how we can confidently talk to God about our most important relationship--every single day! Grab a copy of this one for yourself and another for a friend; there is no better gift than prayer! Jodie Berndt, bestselling author of Praying the Scriptures for Your MarriageThe Smiths are a testimony to the power of our loving God to work through the prayers of his people. Our marriage is better because we know Aaron and Jen, and your marriage is bound to grow as they guide you into the depths of God's goodness and truth through praying intentionally for your marriage. Ryan and Selena Frederick, founders of Fierce Marriage and Fierce FamiliesThis beautiful book is invitational and easy to approach yet filled with deep truths. Each day offers Scripture-based opportunities to engage in meaningful prayer for your marriage that will sincerely bless and refresh your connection. Francie Winslow, host of the Heaven in Your Home podcastWe are so thankful for Aaron and Jennifer's powerful ministry to marriages. They have equipped and encouraged countless couples (including us)! The Marriage Gift is a beautiful culmination of their years of marriage ministry and practical wisdom. Everyone could benefit from this book! Dave and Ashley Willis, authors; hosts of The Naked Marriage podcast

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Book SynopsisThe Tortoise Usually Wins is a delightful exploration of the theory of quiet leadership. Written for reluctant leaders, it interacts with three key biblical images of leadership - the leader as servant, shepherd and steward - and links them with some of the key virtues of quiet leadership - modesty, restraint, tenacity, interdependence and other-centeredness. Exploding the myth that the good is the enemy of the best, it argues that the reverse is more often true, with images of unattainable perfection crippling competent people from getting on with the task of doing genuinely good things. The book strips leadership of some of its mystique, arguing that the bulk of leadership is about helping groups decide the right things to do and then getting on and doing them in an atmosphere that brings the best out of others. Brian Harris is the principal of a highly regarded theological seminary and also pastors a thriving local church, so the book carries the wisdom of both professor and pastor, satisfying the reader both intellectually and practically. These insights are supplemented by interviews with significant quiet leaders from around the world, ensuring a rich feast for prospective and current reluctant leaders. 'Books on leadership are today two a penny. Just occasionally, however, one of these books might stand head and shoulders above most of the others, and to my delight The Tortoise Usually Wins falls into that category. Furthermore, so many books on leadership are written for natural leaders; whereas, as the author makes clear, most churches are led by "quiet leaders" who know they are not great, but nonetheless, are "tenacious and committed to the task and willing to work co-operatively with others to achieve it". I can see many church leaders benefitting from this book. I warmly commend this unusual book.' Paul Beasley-Murray, Senior Minister, Central Baptist Church, Chelmsford; Chair of Ministry Today UK

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"A brilliant, paradoxical figure….In an age of ‘inspirational’ books without inspiration, her writing is unmatched for surprising, sometimes shocking, spiritual insight." —New York Times"The only great spirit of our time." —Albert Camus"The most truly spiritual writer of this century." —André Gide"This beguiling book is a fine introduction to Weil’s work." —Publisher’s Weekly"An excellent introduction to Weil’s writings and also a valuable guide and stimulus for cultivating a life in which intellectual and spiritual honesty are inseparable, and in which the difficulty of attaining them is seriously confronted. It is ideal for classroom use, for introducing a friend to Weil, or for revisiting her long after an earlier encounter to be reminded why she is such a compelling and challenging interlocutor."—Mark Shiffman, Front Porch Republic"Love in the Void is a reminder to neophytes and the experienced alike that Weil’s writing is meant to be concrete, accessible, and useful – more than simply ideas to ponder, but an invitation to change our lives. Plough has done an admirable job in assembling a condensed version of Weil’s most pertinent writing. This is Weil burned down to her essentials." —Scott Beauchamp"An exciting encounter with an extraordinary mind."—Booklist

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Book SynopsisIn How (Not) to Read the Bible, pastor and bestselling author Dan Kimball tackles one of the most pressing apologetic challenges of the twenty-first-century church--how do we read and interpret the Bible? He looks at five of the most common challenges, including questions about science, violence, and the treatment of women.Trade ReviewHow (Not) To Read The Bible is a 'right now message.' This book will help a generation see how beautiful Jesus truly is. * Dr. Derwin L. Gray, Lead Pastor Transformation Church Author of The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches About Finding True Happiness *Dan Kimball gracefully shows that those who mock and dismiss the Bible don't know too much, they know too little. Along the way he helps us to read the Bible-- especially the parts that seem crazy to modern ears-- as it was meant to be read. This is an extremely valuable book for this culture. Mom's and Dad's, get a copy for yourself and your teenager and study it together. The issues Dan addresses here are the ones that needlessly tear kids away from the faith. I can't recommend this book more! * Frank Turek, CrossExamined.org, author of I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist *Dan Kimball's How (Not) To Read The Bible is a brilliant book that delivers evidence for the skeptic and provides confidence for the saint. Kimball has given us a go-to scholarly reference that offers thoughtful explanations to the most controversial and troubling topics in all of Scripture. How (Not) To Read The Bible is a rare book that requires having two copies -- one for you and another to give away. * Dave Ferguson, Lead Pastor - Community Christian Church, Author - B.L.E.S.S. 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World *I can't count the number of times I've rolled my eyes and groaned when confronted with yet another online meme bashing the Bible and thought, 'If only I could recommend a book on how to read those passages of scripture intelligently'. Well, now I can! Dan's book is a superbly accessible resource for skeptics, seekers and Christians who want to understand the Bible better, especially the embarrassing bits we often skip over in church and our daily devotionals. The good news is that you'll not only be able to respond to those eye-rolling memes, but you'll end up appreciating again the strange, wild and ultimately beautiful picture the Bible gives us of the God who is made known in Jesus Christ. * Justin Brierley, UK radio host, author of Unbelievable? *I use color coded markers to underline particular passages when I read the Bible. Yellow means - 'pay attention!', blue means - 'very poetic', green means - 'super weird or hilarious.' There is a lot of green in my Bible! Dan helps make sense of the more bizarre and demonstrates why we can have confidence that the Bible is a trustworthy and God-inspired. * David Crowder, Grammy-nominated artist, musician, and author *In a world of quick and instant information accessible online, there are many criticisms being raised about the Bible's credibility. For that reason I'm so grateful that Dan Kimball helps us sort thru the puzzling messages emerging in this generation. In How (Not) To Read the Bible, Dan addresses how to make sense of the confusing parts of the Bible and provides us the confidence needed to embrace God's word. I'm very excited see this message get into the hearts and minds of the younger generation. * Doug Fields, pastor, author, founder of Downloadyouthministry.com *In our culture the Bible has, for many people, become an obstacle in their journey of faith. Biblical stories about sex, slavery, and divine violence are often too bizarre and disturbing for most modern readers. Dan Kimball understands this from personal and pastoral experience, and he's given us a thoughtful guide for reading these problematic parts of the Bible. If you're struggling to make moral sense of the Bible, or know someone who is, this book is for you! * Tim Mackie, The Bible Project *In our internet-driven culture, some of the more strange and uncomfortable Bible verses have been creatively crafted into social media ammunition against the Bible itself. These passages, to contemporary readers, can range from a light-hearted weirdness to the seemingly shocking and offensive and disillusioning to Christians reading them. Dan Kimball's book 'How Not to Read the Bible' helps us to make sense of the more frequently tossed around passages by uncovering the culture and context of these strange findings. He further invites us into some best practices when reading the Scriptures that seem to have gotten lost in all our digital noise. And he does all of this with a unique mix of depth, whimsy, and humility that is truly a rare find! * Mary Jo Sharp, author of Why I Still Believe and Assistant Professor at Houston Baptist University *There is no one in the world better to write this book than Dan Kimball, and here's why: the Bible presents many problems to many readers, and they can be forceful and fearless in their questioning traditional beliefs in the Bible. They are not looking for pablum or authoritarian decrees, which is what most offer them. They are looking for 'professionals' who see what they see, who feel what they feel, and offer responses that have integrity. It's because the pastoral heart of Dan Kimball has heard people ask these questions and because he has worked through their issues that this book is designed for Dan to write it. A book full of theological wisdom and pastoral care for honest Bible readers who have genuine and difficult questions about the Bible. * Scot McKnight Professor of New Testament Northern Seminary *We need this book. Dan Kimball has long been a guide for a generation trying to find their footing in a post-Christian world. For those of us who want to believe, yet struggle to make sense of the Bible in our age. Yet again, he steps in to offer kind, intelligent, wise, and, as you'd expect from Dan, funny guidance; this time around, on how (not) to read the Bible. * John Mark Comer, pastor of vision and teaching at Bridgetown Church and author of The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry *Table of ContentsIntroduction: The Dilemma of Liking Jesus but not the Church 1. Is the Church supposed to be Judgmental and Negative? 2. Judging the way Jesus told us to Judge 3. Is the Church supposed to be an Organized Religion? 4. Organized Religion as the Hope Of The Masses 5. Is the Church supposed to be Male-dominated and Chauvinistic? 6. Blowing Up the Boys Club for Adults 7. Is the Church Supposed to be Anti-Gay? 8. Love is an Orientation 9. Is the Church Supposed to be the Only Ones Right and All Other Religions Wrong? 10. Love is the Way and the Truth 11. Is the Church Supposed to be Teaching that the Bible is to all be taken Literally? 12. Fundamentalism isn’t Fun or Funny Conclusion: Being a Christian without being “Christian” Appendix A – The wonderful story of the “gospel” Appendix B- Suggested Resources for further reading

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Book SynopsisManga Messengers is a biblically accurate retelling of the prophetsthe life of King David to the end of Malachi. These stories from the Bible are presented in the authentic Japanese Manga style. This 5th book of the series to release combines cutting-edge illustration with fast-paced storytelling to deliver biblical truths in a compelling package to an ever-changing, postmodern culture. Over 200,000 books sold in the series!

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Book Synopsis''If you''re new to the faith and seeking a good orientation, here you''ll find the introduction I wish I had been given. If you''re a long-term Christian whose current form of Christianity has stopped working, here you''ll find a reorientation from a fresh and healthy perspective. If your faith seems to be a lot of talk without much practice, I hope this book will help you translate your faith to action. And if you''re a parent trying to figure out what you should teach your kids and grandkids, I hope this book will fit the need.'' We Make the Road by Walking is a year''s worth of reflections on the Bible, each one easily read aloud in ten to twelve minutes. Working with the framework of the church year, they provide a Genesis-to-Revelation overview of the Bible that can be used in a variety of ways: a year of church services, a year of weekly dinner-dialogue gatherings, a year ofTrade ReviewA new book by Brian McLaren is never dull or predictable; he is a creative and imaginative wordsmith, who likes to stay close to the edge ... Overall the journey through the year with McLaren is a stimulating ride. * Inspire Magazine *

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Book SynopsisC. S. Lewis was their mentor and friend. When tragedy struck, he became their guide and a comforter of piercing insight and compassion. His letters are carefully preserved and reproduced in this moving account of the extraordinary love between Sheldon Vanauken and Jean Davis. This beautiful tale bears witness not only to the relationship between Van and Davy, but to the understanding which grew between two men who both had to suffer the severe pain of loss.Trade ReviewOne of the most remarkable books I've ever read. It belongs in the genre of St Augustine's Confessions. * Dom Julian OSB *Very, very good ... I don't think I could ever forget it. * The Rev. Walter Hooper *

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Book SynopsisOne of the most popular devotionals since the 1800s, here is a redesigned collection of Scripture verses centered on a theme for each of two daily readings, now in hardcover or TruTone formats.

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Book Synopsis'Seldom will you encounter such a fine combination of historical scholarship, interesting reading, and clever humour in one Biblical study. And then filled with faith and hope besides! Peter Enns does it again!' Richard Rohr, author of Falling UpwardFor many Christians, the Bible is a how-to manual filled with literal truths about belief that must be strictly followed. But the Bible is not an instruction manual or rule book but a powerful learning tool that nurtures our spiritual growth, argues Bible scholar Peter Enns. It does not hold easy answers to the perplexing questions and issues that confront us in our daily lives. Rather, the Bible is a dynamic instrument for study that not only offers an abundance of insights but provokes us to find our own answers to spiritual questions, cultivating God's wisdom within us.'The Bible becomes a confusing mess when we expect it to function as a rulebook for faith. But when we allow the Bible to determine our expectations, we see that Wisdom, not answers, is the Bible's true subject matter', writes Enns. This distinction, he points out, is important because when we come to the Bible expecting it to be a textbook intended by God to give us unwavering certainty about our faith, we are actually creating problems for ourselves. The Bible, in other words, really isn't the problem; having the wrong expectation is what interferes with our reading.Rather than considering the Bible as an ancient book weighed down with problems, flaws, and contradictions that must be defended by modern readers, Enns offers a vision of the holy scriptures as an inspired and empowering resource to help us better understand how to live as a person of faith today.How the Bible Actually Works makes clear that there is no one right way to read the Bible. Moving us beyond the damaging idea that 'being right' is the most important measure of faith, Enns's freeing approach to Bible study helps us to instead focus on pursuing enlightenment and building our relationship with God - which is exactly what the Bible was designed to do.

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Book Synopsis

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Book Synopsis

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