Religion

'It is an unexpected delight to read a book on preaching that makes you want to preach. Tim Keller has given us such a book... Here is an extremely readable book founded on sound scholarship... buy it. This is the most practical and inspirational book on preaching that I have read for years!' - The Methodist Recorder'In Preaching, Keller has made an invaluable contribution to the homiletic task. I would recommend that this book be placed in the hand of the preaching veteran and novice, and should be found in the homiletic section of all theological colleges.' - Christianity magazineNew York pastor and acclaimed author Timothy Keller is widely known and respected for his compelling preaching, described by The New York Times as what has 'helped turn Dr Keller... into the pastor many call Manhattan's leading evangelist'. In this book he shares his wisdom on communicating the Christian faith from the pulpit as well as from the coffee shop. Most Christians - including pastors - struggle to talk about their faith in a way that applies the power of the Christian gospel to change people's lives. Timothy Keller is known for his insightful, down-to-earth sermons and talks that help people understand themselves, encounter Jesus and apply the Bible to their lives. In this accessible guide for pastors and laypeople alike, Keller helps readers learn to present the Christian message of grace in a more engaging, passionate and compassionate way.

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Writer Tony Reinke identifies twelve potent ways our smartphones have changed our lives—for good and ill—and calls us to develop healthy habits for life in the digital age.

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The ESV Journaling Bible, Interleaved Edition includes a full, blank page beside every page of Bible text for Bible readers looking for as much space as possible for sermon notes, personal reflections, prayers, or artwork.

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Written by two seasoned pastors, this practical book is a comprehensive guide to nearly every facet of pastoral ministry, including pastoral counseling, hospital visitations, funerals, weddings, the sacraments, holiday services, and congregational music.

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Most parents have no trouble telling their children how to dress, drive, study, or shave, but struggle to talk with them about how best to live—about real love, faith, integrity, values, true enrichment, and success. In the tradition of Tuesdays With Morrie, Catholic philosopher Peter Kreeft shares with us the wisdom that he has compiled for his children as his best gift to them. Readable and browsable, these heart to heart chats present priceless truths to live by in a casual yet compelling way.

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You may never read the Bible the same way again.Angelic beings taking human wives. Ancient giants. God holding royal court among other gods. In Supernatural, Dr. Michael S. Heiser tackles these remarkable biblical themes and many more, based on his fifteen years of research into what the Bible really says about the unseen realm. Heiser shines a bright light on the supernatural world--not a new light, but rather the same light in which the original, ancient readers and writers of Scripture would have seen it.

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The eagerly awaited Complete Works of Sangharakshita begins with Volume 9 on Dr Ambedkar and the revival of Buddhism. One of the most far-reaching of Sangharakshita's contributions to modern Buddhism was giving shape to the Buddhist conversion movement begun by the great Indian statesman and reformer, Dr B.R. Ambedkar. In 1956, along with hundreds of thousands of his followers, Ambedkar renounced the Hindu caste system - according to which they were condemned to be 'untouchable' - and converted to Buddhism, thus beginning a new life.The first part of this volume tells the story of how Ambedkar overcame the suffering and struggle of his early years to become the shaper of the Indian constitution and the leader of his people to a new life; and how, following Ambedkar's untimely death, Sangharakshita took on the challenge of teaching Buddhism to the new community of Buddhists.The second part is a collection of 36 edited talks, many published here for the first time, from Sangharakshita's tour of the Buddhist communities in India in 1981-2. Wherever and in whatever circumstances you live, there is much here to bring new life and depth to your Buddhist practice.

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The world’s most famous hymn book has undergone a complete revision and now offers the broadest ever range of traditional hymns and the best from today’s composers and hymn/song writers. 150 years since its first publication and after sales of 170 million copies, this brand new edition contains over 840 items, ranging from the Psalms to John Bell, Bernadette Farrell and Stuart Townend. The guiding principles behind this collection are: • congregational singability • biblical and theological richness • musical excellence • liturgical versatility • relevance to today’s worship styles and to today’s concerns New features include added provision for all the seasons of the Church year, new items for carol services and other popular occasions where the repertoire is in need of refreshing, more choices for all-age worship, fresh translations of some ancient hymnody, beautiful new tunes, short songs and chants – alleluias, kyries, blessings etc. and music from the world church. A full range of indexes (including biblical and thematic) and a helpful guide to choosing hymns for every occasion will help to make Ancient & Modern the premier hymn collection of choice. This is the Melody edition.

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This book is intended as a supplement to Common Worship Pastoral Services which provides liturgies for use in ministry to the sick – distribution of communion, emergency baptism, laying on of hands and anointing. Many hospital chaplains find their services are needed in other acute situations and often by people who have no church connection or knowledge of religious language. Here chaplains need to improvise. This practical volume draws on the experience of numerous clergy and chaplains and provides tried and tested liturgies in accessible language for a wider range of occasions. Prayers are included for - occasions surrounding birth: thanksgiving, baby blessing and naming, emergency baptism, prayers for a stillborn child - healing rites: communion, anointing, laying on of hands, confession and reconciliation - marriage in hospital, blessing of a civil union, affirmation of a relationship - prayers for every stage of a hospital stay – on receiving a diagnosis, before an operation, when life support is withdrawn - occasions surrounding the death of infants, children and adults

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This volume tells the story of Christianity through the individual men and women who shaped it. It is a story of colossal undertakings and spectacular successes as well as ferocious intolerance, greed and bloodshed. Bamber Gascoigne traces a clear path through a complicated history, exploring the motives, the passions, the fears and the achievements of the Christians. His approach is objective and he writes in a conversational style, focusing on moments of significant detail and a vast and varied cast of characters.

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In this beautifully written book, Buddhist monk and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh explains how to acquire the skills of mindfulness. Once we have these skills, we can slow our lives down and discover how to live in the moment - even simple acts like washing the dishes or drinking a cup of tea may be transformed into acts of meditation.Thich Nhat Hanh's gentle anecdotes and practical exercises help us to arrive at greater self-understanding and peacefulness, whether we are beginners or advanced students. Irrespective of our particular religious beliefs, we can begin to reap the immense benefits that meditation has been scientifically proven to offer. We can all learn how to be mindful and experience the miracle of mindfulness for ourselves.

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WITH A NEW FOREWORD BY PROFESSOR MARK WILLIAMS, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORDThe Miracle of Mindfulness is a modern classic. In this life-changing book, Buddhist monk and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh explains how to practise mindfulness. Once we know how to be mindful, we can slow ourselves down and start living in the moment. Even simple acts such as washing the dishes or drinking a cup of tea can be transformed into acts of meditation. Whatever our beliefs, we can begin to reap the immense benefits that meditation has been scientifically proven to offer.Thich Nhat Hanh's unique calligraphy, especially created for this beautiful new edition, accompanies his words of wisdom. A chronology details the important moments in his life, and rare photographs illustrate key moments.This is a book to treasure and the perfect gift for those you love and care for.

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A short reading for every day. Spurgeon wrote this selection of readings to encourage believers to enter into the full provision that their relationship to Jesus entitled them to realise, on a daily basis. He explains we have to present the promises of Scripture to God in prayer and faith, anticipating that he will honour what he has said. Beautiful volume in tan and burgundy.

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Dr Deepak Chopra, the world-famous pioneer in the field of mind-body medicine, addresses one of the fundamental questions of existence: what happens when we die?. Drawing upon personal experience, the wisdom of ancient Vedic philosophy and state-of-the-art particle physics, Chopra helps us to overcome our fears about dying and to consider the fantastic possibilities that may await us in the afterlife.This is the book that Dr Chopra has been preparing to write his entire life. In it, he considers the theory that death is an illusion of the senses and that the soul survives in an ongoing spiral of refinement, ending in enlightenment. Thought-provoking exercises offer a first-hand experience of these and other ideas, helping you to make sense of your own spirituality whatever path you choose to follow, and offering you your very own map of eternity.

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Translated with Notes by Arthur Waley. With an Introduction by Robert Wilkinson. Dating from around 300BC, Tao Te Ching is the first great classic of the Chinese school of philosophy called Taoism. Within its pages is summed up a complete view of the cosmos and how human beings should respond to it. A profound mystical insight into the nature of things forms the basis for a humane morality and vision of political utopia. The ideas in this work constitute one of the main shaping forces behind Chinese spirituality, art and science, so much so that no understanding of Chinese civilisation is possible without a grasp of Taoism. This edition presents the authoritative translation by Arthur Waley, with a new Introduction reflecting recent developments in the interpretation of the work.

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This introduction to the field of practical theology reclaims a theological vision for the life and work of the church. Pete Ward dispels the myth that practical theology is a distraction from the "real" tasks of ministry or from serious academic theological work. He argues that practical theology is part of the everyday life of the church and that there are a variety of possible approaches, helping readers evaluate the approach that is most appropriate to their ministerial context and theological tradition. This reliable, accessible resource will work well for those in training or in ministry.

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This one-of-a-kind resource in professional ethics helps today's Christian leaders maintain a high moral character and lifestyle and sharpen their personal and professional decision-making skills. Two experienced teachers and pastors address both current and perennial ethical issues and offer guidance for developing a personal code of ethics to maintain integrity in the work of ministry. The authors address the nature of ethical decision making as well as practical areas where integrity can be compromised, including issues raised by the use of smartphones and social media. Appendixes include codes of ethics from various denominations.

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This beautiful deluxe edition of #1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer's BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND BIBLE contains all the same spiritual truths in a pink Euroluxe binding.Connecting the principles of Joyce's all-time bestselling book, Battlefield of the Mind, to the Bible, BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND BIBLE enables readers to use the Word to overcome the battles within their minds. And now BATTLEFIELD OF THE MIND BIBLE is available in a special edition featuring a lovely, pink Euroluxe binding, gilded page edges, ribbon marker, and foil-stamped spine. Including 150 contemplative articles on "Winning the Battles of the Mind," 500 scripture-based articles called "Keys to a Victorious Life," and so much more, Joyce helps empower readers with God's strength through hundreds of prayers, thought-provoking questions, and thorough introductions to each book of the Bible. Readers will feel as though they have Joyce as their own personal study partner.

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To find out why Pope Francis is making Oscar Romero a saint, read the words that cost him his life.”A church that does not provoke crisis, a gospel that does not disturb, a word of God that does not touch the concrete sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed – what kind of gospel is that?”Three short years transformed El Salvador’s Archbishop Oscar Romero from a defender of the status quo into one of the most outspoken voices of the oppressed. An assassin’s bullet ended his life, but his message lives on. In March 2018 Pope Francis announced that the Catholic Church would canonize Oscar Romero, acknowledging that he is indeed a saint who was martyred for proclaiming the gospel, and that the political and social implications of that message, which so scandalized the powerful, flowed directly from Romero’s faithfulness to the teachings of Jesus.These selections from Romero’s diaries and radio broadcasts invite each of us to align our own lives with the way of Jesus that lifts up the poor, welcomes the broken, wins over enemies, and transforms the history of entire nations.

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Looking deeply into biblical stories of female friendships in order to extract greater truths, this compelling work explores the sacred dimension of friendship through the lenses of faith, tradition, and scripture, revealing the often overlooked voices and experiences of women in the Old and New Testaments. Recovering and reclaiming the witness and wisdom of such women as Lydia, Prisca, Phoebe, Martha, Deborah, Esther, Rachel, Ruth, Veronica, Elizabeth, Anne, and Mary Magdalene, and drawing a highly inspiring message from each of these women's lives, the book embraces friendship as it is embodied by women, between God and all of creation, and between all human beings.

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If you find it hard to sleep, are anxious about tomorrow, are paralysed by fear of failure, then you are not alone. Anxiety disorders are the main mental health problem in the Western world. We are suffering a 'blues' epidemic. Neil Anderson and Rich Miller contend that the only satisfactory long-term solution is a knowledge of God, and a right relationship with him. The fear of God overcomes all other fears. The authors identify how mental strongholds of fear and anxiety develop, then reveal powerful biblical strategies for defeating them in Christ and finding home for tomorrow. This careful, well-researched book is rooted in pastoral experience over many years.

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'I invite you to travel with me along the spiral of the yearly festivals, to share what I have discovered there in the 40 years I have been exploring this path. I hope you will find a fuller feeling for your own festivals and a latent creative talent for them within your domestic or working situation. I also hope your festivals become a real link between your own spirit and the spirit that weaves through the year.' - from the Introduction The esoteric path of development described in this book is suitable for anyone, regardless of religious persuasion. It offers ways - through meditative and contemplative work - in which each of us can participate in the yearly festive and seasonal cycle. Festivals of the Year takes as its premise that the Earth is a living being. In earlier ages, she existed through her inherent vitality, but now the Earth needs us to help nourish and sustain her. Basing his work on the research of Rudolf Steiner, the author indicates how we can participate in festivals through our inner, spiritual self. The human 'I' or ego can be enhanced by accessing forces from beyond Nature, which in turn can re-enliven the Earth. Engaging with festivals through meditative effort, we become creators ourselves, transcending the purely commemorative, and entering a living, creative dynamic. The practical exercises in this book enable an experience of this, allowing for a perception of the true power of Christianity.

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Without Buddha I Could not be a Christian narrates how esteemed theologian, Paul F. Knitter, overcame a crisis of faith by looking to Buddhism for inspiration. From prayer to how Christianity views life after death, Knitter argues that a Buddhist standpoint can encourage a more person-centred conception of Christianity where individual religious experience comes first, and liturgy and tradition second. Moving and revolutionary, this edition comes with a new conclusion – ‘Jesus and Buddha Both Come First!’ ‘A compelling example of religious inquiry.’ New York Times ‘One of the finest contemporary books on the encounter between religions in the heart and soul of a single thoughtful person.’ Library Journal

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The classic text on examining the evidence for the Resurrection. Convinced that the story wasn't true, Frank Morison started to write about Jesus' last days. However, as he studied this crucial period something happened... First published in 1930, this is an in-depth exploration of what happened between the death of Jesus and the resurrection as recorded in the Bible. Using many information sources, this is crammed with vital detail that every Christian should know and is also a powerful tool for persuasion of those questioning Christianity. Writing this book changed Morison's life. Will you let it change yours?

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Sayings of the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH) is a selection of 365 profound and pithy observations made by the Prophet's illustrious Companions. The sayings supplement and complement the life-giving message of the Qur'an and Sunnah that these Companions experienced first-hand by being in close companionship with the Prophet.

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What are the hidden Qur'anic gems that lead to optimal faith, success, taqwa and overall health?Allah has given us the answers. He has taught us how we eat, drink, sleep, behave and live--all to maintain perfect balance and harmony. And yet, when we disrupt Allah's balance, we contribute to the global epidemic of lifestyle-based chronic diseases affecting our mind, body, spirit and even the planet.The latest evidence-based research shows that when we live according to Qur'an and Sunnah, we can optimize our brain and body function, unlocking the secrets to optimal physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health.

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Christianity Today 2023 Award of Merit (Apologetics & Evangelism) Critics outside the church often accuse the Old Testament God of genocide, racism, ethnic cleansing, and violence. But a rising tide of critics within the church claim that Moses and other "primitive," violence-prone prophets were mistaken about God's commands and character. Both sets of critics dismiss this allegedly harsh, flawed, "textual" Old Testament God in favor of the kind, compassionate, "actual" God revealed by Jesus. Are they right to do so? Following his popular book Is God a Moral Monster?, noted apologist Paul Copan confronts false, imbalanced teaching that is confusing and misleading many Christians. Copan takes on some of the most difficult Old Testament challenges and places them in their larger historical and theological contexts. He explores the kindness, patience, and compassion of God in the Old Testament and shows how Jesus in the New Testament reveals not only divine kindness but also divine severity. The book includes a detailed Scripture index of difficult and controversial passages and is helpful for anyone interested in understanding the flaws in these emerging claims that are creating a destructive gap between the Testaments.

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Love should draw us together, not tear us apart. Is it unloving or selfish to set a boundary? And what does the Bible instruct us to do when a relationship is no longer safe or sustainable? Lysa TerKeurst has asked these hard questions in the midst of her own relational struggles.But after thousands of hours of counseling intensives and theological research, Lysa has discovered that good boundaries pave the road for the truest version of love to emerge within the relationships that make up so much of who we are and what we want the most.Building upon and further unpacking the scriptural concepts in Good Boundaries and Goodbyes, this six-session video Bible study (streaming code included) with Lysa will equip you to: Determine the appropriate amount of personal and emotional access someone has to you. Stop being misled and emotionally paralyzed by wrongly interpreted or weaponized Scriptures. Overcome the frustrating cycle of ineffective boundary-setting with biblical principles and practical strategies to help you communicate, keep, and implement healthier patterns. Be equipped to say goodbye when a relationship has shifted from difficult to destructive by studying three types of goodbyes found in God’s Word. Receive therapeutic and theological wisdom you can trust directly from Lysa’s Christian counselor, Jim Cress, and Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Director of Theology, Dr. Joel Muddamalle. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself—with a comprehensive structure for group discussion time, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all six video sessions online. (DVD also available separately) Sessions and video run times: Boundaries Aren’t Just a Good Idea, They’re a God Idea (22:00) A Relationship Can Only Be as Healthy as the People in It (28:00) Maybe We’ve Been Looking at Walls All Wrong (20:30) Old Patterns, New Practices (21:30) People in the Bible Who Had to Say Hard Goodbyes (30:30) You’re Going to Make It (26:00) Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

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