Religion

Heralded as the greatest living Arab poet, Syrian-born Adonis is also a staunch critic of violence and despotism in the Islamic world. In this book, he explores the nature of political power in Islam by focusing on the figure of the prophet Mohammed as both a political and a mythical leader. In conversation with Houria Abdelouahed, Adonis examines the Qur’anic intervention in establishing the prophet’s power, especially when the text is read based on faith and not reason. The authors discuss the historical developments before and after the prophet’s death, which established the power of the Caliph or the leader as absolute. The second part of the book examines the consequences of these developments in the Arab and Islamic world today, where this ‘tyrannical’ understanding of power continues to hold sway. The authors conclude with a call for secularism in the Arab world and a passionate plea for the separation of religion from the political, legal and social spheres.

Read more less

National BestsellerPublishers Weekly: #3, Trade Paperbacks ListUSA Today: #18 Overall A High-Stakes Battle for Every Christian Jesus warned that deception would grow worse as we draw nearer to the end times, saying, “Take heed that no one deceives you” (Matthew 24:4). Distinguishing truth from error has become an increasingly challenging task—even in the church. We live in a time when falsehoods assault us from every direction. Packaged with just enough truth to make them appear trustworthy, these counterfeits have grown more and more difficult to detect and avoid.Living in the Daze of Deception explores the many ways error is masquerading as truth—and how you can discern the difference. From pastor Jack Hibbs, you’ll learn the characteristics of deceivers and how they have brought harm to both secular culture and the church the many deceptions that are altering and replacing the truth, and how to recognize them the keys to standing strong as the spiritual battles surrounding us intensify The greatest antidote to deception is truth. Equip yourself now to grow in discernment so that you can protect yourself from error and remain steadfast in your faith!

Read more less

Even when you can’t find the words, the Prayer Bible guides you in praying the life-giving Word of God, offering prayer prompts for each of the Bible’s 1,189 chapters.The Prayer Bible guides you in praying the life-giving Word of God. This long-standing practice teaches you to engage the Scriptures in prayer, giving you the words to pray even when you don't know what to pray. Each of the Bible’s 1,189 chapters offer a prayer prompt, so you can engage the arc of Scripture through prayer. With a total of 1,200 prayer prompts, and as part of the Abide Bible editions, The Prayer Bible enables you to experience the depth and everyday meaning of every chapter of the Bible.Features include: Introduction on how to use The Prayer Bible Bible book introductions provide a concise overview of the background and historical context of the book about to be read 1,200 prayer prompts, at least one for each chapter of the Bible to strengthen your prayer life Words of Christ in red quickly identify Jesus’ teachings and statements Presentation page allows you to personalize this special gift by recording a memory or note Prayers of the Bible include nearly 100 prayers in the Bible, who prayed them, and what they prayed about Bible reading plan guiding you through the entire Bible in a year Articles with tips and insight to help you engage with Scripture Satin ribbon marker make it easy to navigate and keep track of where you were reading Clear and readable 8.5-point NKJV Comfort Print®

Read more less

What does the Bible tell us about our emotions?Does the Bible really tell us that our emotions are untrustworthy? God made us to feel our emotions, to examine and share them—not manage or suppress them. We can learn what it means to live emotionally-healthy lives from studying Jesus’ life and how He cared for and responded to the people around Him.Join Jennie Allen for the Untangle Your Emotions Bible Study as she helps you discover that emotions that are submitted to God and used for the purposes God intends connect us to each other and to Him.This six-session study will equip you to: Be encouraged through the examples of emotion in Scripture by God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Identify the unhealthy ways you might be coping with emotions. Learn a biblical step-by-step method to help you process, name, and notice what you are feeling. Move from apathetic to articulate when it comes to sharing what you feel. This study guide includes: Individual access to six streaming video sessions Personal study between sessions Leader’s Guide

Read more less

Why isn't the Book of Enoch in the Holy Bible, even though Enoch is referenced multiple times? Why were texts considered sacred by many, excluded by others? Who made the decisions and why? Ordained minister and theologian Jim Willis examines the historical, political, and social climates that influenced the redactors and editors of the Bible and other sacred texts in Censoring God: The History of the Lost Books (and other Excluded Scriptures).

Read more less

A beautiful NASB Bible ideal for journaling with an exquisite floral cover. Exquisite from the inside out, the NASB Artisan Collection Bible invites you to journal alongside Scripture while delighting in the beauty of the floral cover, designed to reflect the beauty of the world around us. The carefully composed interior features the exclusive Zondervan NASB Comfort Print® typeface in a double-column typesetting, allowing you to carry this Bible wherever you go. Universally recognized as the gold standard among word-for-word translations, the beloved New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition, is now easier to read with Zondervan’s exclusive NASB Comfort Print® typeface.Features: The full text of the New American Standard Bible, 1995 Edition Stunning, floral cover design and interior page design Lined, wide margins for journaling, notes, and art Double-column format Thick cream paper for enduring note-taking and art Words of Jesus in red Two satin ribbon markers Exclusive Zondervan NASB Comfort Print typeface 8-point print size

Read more less

Jung's Red Book, finally published only in 2009, is a highly ambiguous text describing a succession of extraordinary visions, together with Jung's interpretation of them. Red Book, Middle Way offers a new interpretation of Jung's Red Book, in terms of the Middle Way, as a universal principle and embodied ethic, paralleled both in the Buddha's teachings and elsewhere. Jung explicitly discusses the Middle Way in the Red Book (although this has been largely ignored by scholars so far) as well as offering lots of material that can be understood in its terms. This book interprets the Red Book in relation to the archetypes met in its visions - the hero, the feminine, the Shadow, God and Christ, and follows Jung's process of integrating these different internal figures. To do this Jung needs to find the Middle Way between absolutes at every point, in a way similar to the Buddha.

Read more less

These are tough times. Amid global isolation, economic downturn, and social unrest, could you use a dose of happy right about now? Learn the secret to lasting joy that will endure through any season of life.In How Happiness Happens, Max Lucado shares the unexpected path to a lasting happiness, one that produces reliable joy amidst any life circumstance. Based on the teachings of Jesus and backed by modern research, this book presents a surprising but practical way of living that will change you from the inside out. In this book, Max will help you discover: Happiness is not selfish People are a joy There is strength in choice Happiness happens when you give it away What are you waiting for? Open the unexpected door to joy and walk in. There’s no better day than today to start your happiest life yet.How Happiness Happens is also available in Spanish.

Read more less

God's faithfulness is on display throughout Scripture but is especially evident in the books of Jonah, Amos, and Hosea. Through the lives, examples, and messages of these three prophets, we see God’s constant love and forgiveness for Jews and Gentiles alike in spite of blatant disobedience, spiritual adultery, inappropriate worship, and a lack of justice. In the twelve studies within, join John MacArthur to focus on these “Minor Prophets”—so called for their brevity rather than their importance. By working through this study, you will learn that in your life, just as in the lives of the people of Israel, God’s faithfulness is unending—even when our faithlessness is constant.—ABOUT THE SERIES—The MacArthur Bible Study series is designed to help you study the Word of God with guidance from widely respected pastor and author John MacArthur. Each guide provides intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture by examining its parts and incorporates: Extensive, but straight-forward commentary on the text. Detailed observations on overriding themes, timelines, history, and context. Word and phrase studies to help you unlock the broader meaning and apply it to your life. Probing, interactive questions with plenty of space to write down your response and thoughts.

Read more less

Do you feel guilt and shame about negative thoughts and emotions and your inability to overcome them? Bestselling author and pastor Chris Hodges helps those struggling with depression find liberating solutions by drawing from the life of the prophet Elijah.You might be asking, Should a Christian even be having these struggles?Depression is the number one health issue in the world today, yet those who suffer are still sometimes stigmatized—especially followers of Jesus. Many assume God's peace, power, and protection should prevent us from ever feeling anxious, depressed, and afraid. But the Bible teaches otherwise, particularly in its depiction of the life of the Old Testament prophet Elijah.In Out of the Cave, Chris Hodges uses Elijah's life to show us that everyone is susceptible to depression. Even when we're walking closely with God, we can still stumble and get lost in the wilderness of tangled emotions. But we don't have to stay there, because we serve a God who meets us in the darkness. Out of the Cave helps us remove the stigma of depression and realize we're not alone; understand the ways our temperament and view of God affect the way we handle depression; and learn a comprehensive approach to wellness—mind, body, and soul—from Elijah's journey. With his trademark blend of Bible-based wisdom, practical application, and vulnerability in sharing his personal struggles, Hodges explores the causes of depression we can't change, the contributors we can conquer, and offers transformative hope and spiritual power to help us win the battle.

Read more less

In The Coloniality of the Secular, An Yountae investigates the collusive ties between the modern concepts of the secular, religion, race, and coloniality in the Americas. Drawing on the work of Édouard Glissant, Frantz Fanon, Aimé Césaire, Sylvia Wynter, and Enrique Dussel, An maps the intersections of revolutionary non-Western thought with religious ideas to show how decoloniality redefines the sacred as an integral part of its liberation vision. He examines these thinkers’ rejection of colonial religions and interrogates the narrow conception of religion that confines it within colonial power structures. An explores decoloniality’s conception of the sacred in relation to revolutionary violence, gender, creolization, and racial phenomenology, demonstrating its potential for reshaping religious paradigms. Pointing out that the secular has been pivotal to regulating racial hierarchies under colonialism, he advocates for a broader understanding of religion that captures the fundamental ideas that drive decolonial thinking. By examining how decolonial theory incorporates the sacred into its vision of liberation, An invites readers to rethink the transformative power of decoloniality and religion to build a hopeful future.

Read more less

This celebration of some of the greatest art, architecture and furniture to be found in English churches offers a fascinating account of centuries of accumulated wealth, and is set off by a selection of breathtaking photographs by Matthew Byrne. It covers changing architectural styles across the centuries, and prominent examples of artistic work, including stained glass, rood screens, church monuments and curious carvings. This book is published in association with The National Churches Trust, a national, independent charity dedicated to supporting church buildings across the UK.

Read more less

A PUBLISHER'S WEEKLY BESTSELLERMama of ten Abbie Halberstadt helps women humbly and gracefully rise to the high calling of motherhood without settling for mediocrity or losing their minds in the process. Motherhood is a challenge. Unfortunately, our worldly culture offers moms little in the way of real help. Mamas only connect to celebrate surviving another day and to share in their misery rather than rejoice in what God has done and to build each other up in hard times. There has a be a better way, a biblical way, for mamas to grow and thrive. As a daughter of Christ, you have been called to be more than an average mama. Attaining excellence doesn’t have to be unsettling but it will take committed focus and a desire to parent well according to God’s grace and for His glory. M is for Mama offers advice, encouragement, and scripturally sound strategies seasoned with a little bit of humor to help you embrace the challenge of biblical motherhood and raise your children with love and wisdom. Mama, you are worthy of the awesome responsibility God has given you. Now it’s time to start believing you can live up to it.

Read more less

Now in paperback, from the New York Times best-selling author of Sacred Contracts and Anatomy of the Spirit, a timely guide with 100 prayers for entering into a personal relationship with the Divine."I've loved so many of Caroline Myss's books, but maybe none so much as Intimate Conversations with the Divine. Has there ever been a more urgent need for her unique and profound (and sometimes wonderfully cranky) take on our spiritual reality, healing, and the language of holiness?"-- Anne Lamott, author of Traveling Mercies and Help, Thanks, WowIn her most personal book to date--now available in paperback for the first time--beloved teacher and best-selling author Caroline Myss draws on her own practice to help us regain our fluency in the language of prayer and renew our connection to the sacred.Intimate Conversations with the Divine offers 100 of Myss's personal prayers as a resource and inspiration to start a prayer practice of your own. Each prayer illustrates a different type of grace that feeds the human soul, from awakening, endurance, and healing, to silence, surrender, and trust."We are one holy system of life and great cosmic truth, which is that all life--including all of us--breathes together," Myss writes. "I hope this book, these prayers, will bring you comfort and grace, and help you through the difficult times ahead. And I hope they will inspire you to believe that with God, all things are possible."

Read more less

'Christmas carols are sung in church, therefore Christmas carols have always been sung in church.Christmas carols have these words and this tune, therefore Christmas carols have always had these words and this tune.Well, not really.Our carol tradition, like us, is a rich and dynamic mixture. An ecosystem, not a still life.' Written with effervescent charm and professional knowledge, composer and conductor Andrew Gant reveals the fascinating musical and social history behind our favourite Christmas carols.From the Annunciation to Epiphany, the episodes of the Christmas story link the tales and anecdotes behind twenty-seven carols from a variety of traditions and places of origin: those that come from folk song; those we owe to Victorian moralists, and those that are, in fact, French. As Andrew says, 'Some carols were born to Christmas, some have achieved Christmas, and some have had Christmas thrust upon them.'This wonderful, rich musical treat gives us a unique insight into our Yuletide traditions and customs. A delightful gift for anyone who loves to sing, or who just loves Christmas trivia, this is the ideal companion with which to while away those lazy days between Christmas and New Year. 'Ding dong! This is my kind of Christmas present. A musical Christmas cracker - fascinating and full of interesting surprises.' Gyles Brandreth 'Enlightening and entertaining. You'll never hear or sing these carols in the same way again.' Anne-Marie Minhall 'And I thought I knew about Christmas carols.' John Rutter'An unexpected romp through a festive slice of musical history, with Gant our thoroughly entertaining guide.'BBC Music magazine'Profound and light-hearted by turns ... this will make an ideal Christmas present. But equally it is a book worth getting in advance to serve as Advent spiritual reading.' The Tablet'This is an excellent book. Its author not only clearly enjoys writing about the topic, but enjoys life itself.'Church Times'The depth of research in the book is impressive ... rich background material for Christmas sermons.' Preach Magazine'Can satisfy the most ardent music buff and still be entertaining to the reader who knows nothing about music but likes a good tune.' Reform Magazine

Read more less

Whether by choice or circumstances out of our control, we will have moments where we feel like we've been punched out, dragged down, or knocked out. What do we do in those situations? You must learn to persevere.Perseverance requires a deep sense of hope, and thought leader, pastor, and podcaster, Bianca Juárez Olthoff, knows that personally. But it's not just any hope. It's a hope firmly rooted in something other than mere wishes and finger-crossing. This is a hope we have in our future that is rooted in the One who can go beyond our wildest dream to accomplish more than we could ever imagine. However, we must be willing to do the work of cultivating grit throughout every circumstance.Using the life of Paul the Apostle as a case study, Bianca shows how grit was the genesis of his transformation from a judgmental Pharisee to a world-changing follower of Jesus. In Grit Don't Quit, Bianca will help you: Identify how to cultivate perseverance Discover the cost and benefit of resilience Develop a theological framework for rebounding from loss Understand how grit can change your life Apply practical principles to increase emotional, mental, and spiritual strength If we can prove to ourselves that the true power is getting back up, we can prove to others that success isn't only for the smart, talented, or well-connected. No matter how many times we fall, our real power comes from when we get back up. Get up, live full, and die empty.

Read more less

A warmly funny, intensely moving and startlingly personal account of the lives of an urban parish priest and his parishioners. Father Alex Frost was not always a man of the cloth. He found his calling while running an Argos store in his native Burnley, moonlighting as a stand-up comedian and die-hard fan of The Clarets and Depeche Mode. But having achieved his profession, Fr Alex quickly recognised the 17,000 inhabitants of his new parish were in dire need of help. Burnley is typical of many towns across Britain: a place of run-down council estates, severe poverty litter, crime and drugs, but also a place where the sacred sits alongside the secular in an intimate and personal way. And so it was that he found himself running a food bank from a car park, helping the desperate amid his flock as the pandemic raged. Fr Alex’s down-to-earth style of ministry struck a chord with people of all faiths, cultures and class at a time when the divide between rich and poor is widening cataclysmically. But amid the tragedy, addiction, appalling loss, illness and neglect, there also lies hope, joy and moments of comedy. Our Daily Bread is as much the story of the rich cast of characters that cross the threshold of any church as it is our vicar’s. Through them it shows the continued relevance of the church for those in peril: the poor and the marginalised. This heartfelt and moving book seeks to give a voice to the voiceless, charting the tragedy and pain, humour and hope which are ever-present in his community. It is ultimately about modern poverty – and how we all can, and should, espouse Christian virtues of love, kindness, tolerance.

Read more less

Explores the gem archetype of the Chintamani, the wish-fulfilling jewel known in legends around the world, and how to access it energetically• Examines myths of the chintamani from East and West, including from China, India, and South America; in legends of the Holy Grail and Atlantis; and in Nicholas Roerich’s real-life quest for Shambhala • Explains the chintamani matrix--the multidimensional field of light, energy, and consciousness that forms networks of gems on the etheric and physical levels • Provides simple and advanced practices with crystal grids and meditation to help you access the chintamani matrix and realize your innermost heart’s desires Space, time, intention, matter, and consciousness all entangle in crystals. Nowhere is this more evident than in the ancient gem archetype of the chintamani, the wish-fulfilling jewel known in legends around the world as the stone that grants your heart’s desires. As authors Johndennis Govert and Hapi Hara reveal, the chintamani’s “tachyolithic” technology of wish-granting and spiritual enlightenment creates a vehicle for positive transformation. They show how the chintamani energy matrix can be accessed using tangible crystals and gemstones, meditation, yoga, and the powerful science of intention. Exploring the many chintamani myths and legends from East and West, the authors explain how there are three types of chintamani: the mythical gemstone; the power crystals of history, such as the Koh-i-Noor diamond; and the multidimensional field of light, energy, and consciousness that forms a network of all gems in what is known as “the jewel net of Indra” in Hinduism and Buddhism. Activating this crystal energy matrix provides a way to manifest your intentions and help you create the subtle diamond body. The authors detail specific gems and crystal spiritual technology that can affect material reality and trigger profound spiritual growth. They provide a number of simple practices with crystal grids and meditation to help you access the chintamani matrix and become aware of the interconnected jewel net of consciousness. They examine the science of intention, which provides a basis for connecting to gemstones and crystals, and share advanced meditations to realize and activate your innermost heart’s desires.

Read more less

This study guide by Dane Ortlund helps readers reflect further on the biblical truths found in Gentle and Lowly through discussion questions organized into 10 helpful lessons. Designed for individual and small-group use.

Read more less

Now available in trade paper!New York Times Bestseller! Kathie Lee Gifford and Rabbi Jason Sobel the authors of the New York Times best seller The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi bring you an exciting new life-changing message that will help you read the Bible with new eyes and take you into the heart of God's people in Scripture – from Abraham to Ruth to Jesus and His early followers.In The God of the Way, Rabbi Jason shares wisdom from his Jewish heritage and helps us read Scripture in the cultural context of biblical times. Kathie Lee adds personal stories and reflections from her spiritual journey and studies, serving as a companion as you go deeper in your own relationship with God.You will experience: The God of the How and When: When you don't know the details…God does. The God of His Word: When you can't see God…trust His heart and the promises in His Word. The God Who Sees: When you feel abandoned and forgotten…God knows and cares about you. The God of the Other Side: When you feel overwhelmed and unworthy…God never passes by but crosses over and brings freedom. Journey into God's word, from the creation of the world through the desert and empty places, the Hebrew nation, and meet Jesus, the disciples, and his followers. As you do, you will see how you are part of God's epic story of redemption – a radiant testimony to the truth that belief in God's promises is never wasted.

Read more less

Now available in trade paper!Are you interested in the Enneagram, but want to explore your personality more fully than a single number result? Discover how the Enneagram can be paired with the power of the gospel in this revolutionary and transformative guide for Enneagram beginners and experts alike.We are all made up of parts. Have you ever said, “Part of me wants to go to the party, but part of me wants to stay home”? We already speak in these terms without realizing it. More Than Your Number takes a deeper dive into the world of the Enneagram by moving past the quickly assigned and sometimes stereotypical Enneagram Types to consider and engage your unique, multidimensional personality. After discovering your Enneagram Internal Profile (EIP), you’ll be able to not only name what has affected you your entire life, whether positively or negatively, but also understand and apply the truth of how God intends to redeem and use all of you—not just parts of you.Through the EIP, Enneagram coaches Beth and Jeff McCord provide a simple, tested, personal strategy to understand and welcome these parts through God’s grace, equipping you to better lead and shepherd your internal interests. Filled with charts, diagrams, and unique insights, you will: Explore the driving force behind your unhealthy thoughts, feelings, and behaviors Learn how to lead yourself out of unhealthy patterns and get real help Experience deeper understanding, confidence, and peace in your relationships with God, yourself, and others Discover why the Enneagram on its own is not enough and how the gospel changes everything Discover your real identity in Christ, readjusting your internal world toward a healthier path for your unique personality type.

Read more less

What does it mean to love your neighbor in today's fraught, divided world?Join Dr. Emily Smith, global health expert and creator of the popular Facebook page Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist, as she dives into what loving your neighbor--as illustrated in the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan--truly means. Combining Dr. Smith's expertise as a scientist with her deep Christian faith while drawing from her journey from small-town Texas to a prestigious university, The Science of the Good Samaritan shares fascinating stories from Dr. Smith's life and the lives of other inspiring people around the world to show us how to: Find shared values with people from different backgrounds, faiths, and cultures than our own Reach outside our immediate circles to bring in those on the margins Redefine our concept of "neighbor" and love our neighbors in more practical and global ways Bridge the gaps of society's disparities and inequities You can help reimagine and create a better world--and it all starts with authentically loving your neighbor.

Read more less

This book provides a well-researched biblical and scientific overview of abuse. A broad overview, it deals with the various types of abuse, the various effects of abuse, and the means of healing. Abuse can be sexual, physical, neglect, spiritual, and verbal. The chief arguments pursued throughout the book are:(1) abuse is far more rampant than most Christians realize, but due to human depravity and satanic influence, widespread abuse is predicable.(2) All types of abuse create profound, long-term soul damage due to the way abuse perverts various aspects of the image of God.(3) God is the healing redeemer. Human salvation came through horrible physical abuse.(4) Healing must take place in the context of relationships.Humans are deeply impacted by others due to being made in the image of God. Just as surely as abusive relationships have tremendous power to wound the soul, so healthy relationships have tremendous power to nurture and heal the soul. Questions answered in the book include: How can a genuine believer abuse a child? Why would someone abuse a child? How can parents and children's workers identify abusers? How can abuse victims heal? What does genuine healing look like? Is anger appropriate or hurtful for abuse victims? Where does forgiveness fit in? This second edition has been updated to reflect research conducted and published in the past 15 years on abuse and trauma. It accounts for the significant social changes and increased mental health struggles in our culture, including dramatic escalation in rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, and isolation, which exacerbate the effects of abuse and complicate the healing process. Based on their now-extensive trauma care experience, this new edition helps readers how to minister to new domestic and global victims such as sex trafficking survivors, foster children, refugees, and survivors of genocide. Examples and illustrations are updated with more recent ones from high-profile abuse cases and the aftermath of the #MeToo movement. The appendixes include lists of helpful resources for child protection policies, worker/parent child abuse education, warning signs of potential abusers, and general abuse resources (books, internet sites, and organizations) to equip ministry leaders are provided in appendices. Illustrations, case studies, and art therapy drawings.

Read more less

We all experience times of sadness, trial, and pain. But what happens when grief and depression seem so overwhelming that we feel like simply giving up? This encouraging book from bestselling author and longtime pastor David Wilkerson shows you how to trust God to bring you through hard times, wait on God's answers to prayer, lay down your guilt, and much more. Only God can heal your wounds. With powerful true stories and wisdom drawn from a lifetime of ministering to hurting people, Wilkerson gently guides you in giving your troubles over to God, believing that he will work miracles in your life.

Read more less

Discover a Lifetime of Deeper Sleep and Dreams Naturopathic doctor Laura Harris Smith offers practical guidance to help you increase in prayer, bolster faith and sleep better. She explains the harmful effects--spiritual, emotional and physical--of what keeps you awake. Then she leads you to a place of peace where you will learn to hear God speak to you as you rest, and discover how to speak back through various avenues of prayer. The entire book takes place in your bedroom, with chapters like · The Treasures in Your Bedroom (rest, dreams) · The Monsters in Your Closet (familiar spirits) · The Weapons under Your Pillow (prayer, sleep) · The Junk under Your Bed (fear, unforgiveness) · The Morning After (interpreting your dreams) Where there is no sleep, there are no dreams; where there is fear, there is no faith; and where there is stress, there is no peace. It's time for you to Give It to God and Go to Bed! Contains Laura's "10 Days to Deeper Sleep and Dreams" program with links to 10 good-night videos where you'll receive nightly prayer and impartation. "Laura Harris Smith absolutely hits the nail on the head to render powerless the killers of anxiety, worry and lack of peace."--DR MARK SHERWOOD, co-CEO, Functional Medical Institute

Read more less

God is still writing your story What happens when life doesn't turn out the way you always imagined? How do you stay hopeful when disappointments, unfulfilled longings, and frustrating detours come knocking on your door? Kristen Clark and Bethany Beal have asked these same questions themselves. In Not Part of the Plan, they open up their lives in the most raw and relatable way, sharing their own journeys through unexpected seasons of infertility, singleness, loss, and heartbreak. But in the midst of it all, they've learned that true hope doesn't come from getting the life you always dreamed of but from trusting God with the life He has for you and believing that His plans truly are good. Sister, wherever you are on your journey, your life has purpose and meaning in Christ, and thriving is possible--right now. "If life has thrown you a curveball and your future feels hard and scary, Not Part of the Plan is the book for you. You'll laugh. You'll cry. But most of all, you'll appreciate the advice of these wise friends as they teach you how to walk through pain and uncertainty and lead you toward a hope-filled tomorrow."--Mary A. Kassian, author of Girls Gone Wise in a World Gone Wild "Bethany and Kristen address the struggles we face when life takes unwanted detours and show us through Scripture and experience that our ultimate hope is found in Christ. Even in life's disappointments, we can be completely confident in God's greater plan that is for our good and for His glory."--Gretchen Saffles, author of The Well-Watered Woman, founder of Well-Watered Women

Read more less

This book offers a contemporary philosophy of life drawing upon Buddhist resources from the Vimalakirti Sutra. Among the major themes in this Mahayana Buddhist scripture is the "skillful means" required to live a healthy and undeluded life. The book adopts that theme as a means of developing a practical approach to contemporary Buddhist life. Following many of the brilliant stories in the sutra, this book attempts to provide clear explanations for the primary Buddhist teachings and the relationships that bind them all together into an inspiring way of living. Among the questions addressed are: who is the Buddha, how is a worldview of change and contingency applicable to current life, what does it mean to claim that there is no permanent self, what are the primary characteristics of an admirable Buddhist life, how is freedom conceived in Buddhism, and how do all of these themes help us address issues that are pressing for us today. Although historical questions do arise in the book, its primary purpose is contemporary and practical, an effort to say clearly how this text helps us stake out a way of living for contemporary, global citizens.

Read more less

In Wild Experiment, Donovan O. Schaefer challenges the conventional wisdom that feeling and thinking are separate. Drawing on science studies, philosophy, affect theory, secularism studies, psychology, and contemporary literary criticism, Schaefer reconceptualizes rationality as defined by affective processes at every level. He introduces the model of “cogency theory” to reconsider the relationship between evolutionary biology and secularism, examining mid-nineteenth-century Darwinian controversies, the 1925 Scopes Trial, and the New Atheist movement of the 2000s. Along the way, Schaefer reappraises a range of related issues, from secular architecture at Oxford to American eugenics to contemporary climate denialism. These case studies locate the intersection of thinking and feeling in the way scientific rationality balances excited discovery with anxious scrutiny, in the fascination of conspiracy theories, and in how racist feelings assume the mantle of rational objectivity. The fact that cognition is felt, Schaefer demonstrates, is both why science succeeds and why it fails. He concludes that science, secularism, atheism, and reason itself are not separate from feeling but comprehensively defined by it.

Read more less

Could you use rest and a reset? Are you ready to find the peace and connection your soul is craving? Join New York Times bestselling author John Eldredge as he helps you change the course of your life through the simple practice of reflection and relaxation.We live in a world filled with endless distractions, a news cycle that never takes a break, and the constant demands of daily life from work, family, friends, and community. Most of us feel like there's no margin--no time to sit and reflect on what matters most or connect with God. Even though we desperately crave a few minutes of peace, we don't know how to slow down or change course.John Eldredge has seen and felt the toll of constant busyness, and he created the wildly successful One Minute Pause app that hundreds of thousands of users have described as a rescue during difficult times. Now, in The One Minute Pause Journal, he goes a step further to help you begin a daily habit of intentionally stopping and reflecting.This ninety-day guided journal includes an extended introduction that will help explain the practice of pausing, both theologically and practically. Each entry features a regular set of morning and evening prompts, scripture, prayers, and journaling space that will: Encourage you to release everything to God and restore your relationship with him Teach you how to invite God more fully into your life Help you prioritize what matters most If you're ready to start fresh, let The One Minute Pause Journal be your guide along the way.

Read more less

Christianity Today 2023 Book Award (Popular Theology) 2023 Georgia Author of the Year Finalist (Inspirational) Southwestern Journal of Theology 2022 Book Award (Applied Theology/Ethics) Work. Family. Church. Exercise. Sleep. The list of demands on our time seems to be never ending. It can leave you feeling a little guilty--like you should always be doing one more thing. Rather than sharing better time-management tips to squeeze more hours out of the day, Kelly Kapic takes a different approach in You're Only Human. He offers a better way to make peace with the fact that God didn't create us to do it all. Kapic explores the theology behind seeing our human limitations as a gift rather than a deficiency. He lays out a path to holistic living with healthy self-understanding, life-giving relationships, and meaningful contributions to the world. He frees us from confusing our limitations with sin and instead invites us to rest in the joy and relief of knowing that God can use our limitations to foster freedom, joy, growth, and community. Readers will emerge better equipped to cultivate a life that fosters gratitude, rest, and faithful service to God.

Read more less

This volume brings together an ecumenical team of scholars to offer a historical overview of how worship developed. The book first orients readers to the common core elements the global church shares in the history and development of worship theology and historical practice. It then introduces the major streams of worship practice: Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant, including Reformation traditions, evangelicalism, and Pentecostalism. The book includes introductions by John Witvliet and Nicholas Wolterstorff. A previous volume addressed the theological foundations of worship.

Read more less

This substantially revised and updated edition of a widely used textbook covers the major approaches to counseling and psychotherapy from a Christian perspective, with hypothetical transcripts of interventions for each major approach and the latest empirical or research findings on their effectiveness. The second edition covers therapies and techniques that are increasing in use and includes a discussion of lay counseling. The book presents a Christian approach to counseling and psychotherapy that is Christ-centered, biblically based, and Spirit-filled.

Read more less

Today's man is in an identity crisis. With a never-ending barrage of confusing, condescending, and condemning voices telling him who he is and who he isn't, it can feel impossible to discover who he was made to be. Men were made to be kings, to protect the light, fight the darkness, and rule well the domain God has given them. But to be a good king, men must act in the likeness of the King. Drawing on the ancient tradition of an older and wiser ruler passing on his wisdom, like Solomon in the book of Proverbs, Nathan Clarkson offers young men 40 short and to-the-point letters for the journey. Packed with practical, biblically based advice on real-life issues, this book helps men base their identity not in who the world says they should be but in who their King says they can be. For the modern man looking to live out a greater story, The Way of Kings offers ancient wisdom rooted in sacred Scripture to help him discover who he was created to be.

Read more less

This introductory theology text helps students articulate basic Christian doctrines, think theologically so they can act Christianly in a diverse world, and connect Christian thought to their everyday lives of faith. Written from a solidly evangelical yet ecumenically aware perspective, this book models a way of doing theology that is generous and charitable. It attends to history and contemporary debates and features voices from the global church. Sidebars made up of illustrative quotations, key Scripture passages, classic hymn texts, and devotional poetry punctuate the chapters. The first edition of this book has been well received (over 25,000 copies sold). Updated and revised throughout, this second edition also includes a new section on gender and race as well as new end-of-chapter material connecting each doctrine to a spiritual discipline.

Read more less

In The Emotional Life of Our Lord, theologian B. B. Warfield explores Christ’s complex human emotions—such as anger, grief, and love—to help readers learn more about their compassionate Savior.

Read more less

Have you ever closed your Bible and thought, What did I just read? The Bible Recap is helping thousands understand and love reading Scripture. Whether you're brand-new to the Bible or you grew up in the second pew, reading Scripture can feel confusing or boring at times. Thankfully, The Bible Recap is here to help. Following a chronological Bible reading plan, it explains and connects the story of Scripture, section by section. And this deluxe edition--complete with a ribbon marker, two-color interior design, and soft, imitation leather cover--makes a great gift for yourself and others. You don't have to go to seminary. You don't need a special Bible. Just start reading this book alongside your Bible and see what God has to say about Himself in the story He's telling. You'll soon learn that He's where the joy is! Features & Benefits: • A 365-day Bible reading plan you can begin any time of the year and read at your own pace • Get closer to God by seeing how His character is revealed throughout Scripture • Each recap is simple and short yet deep enough to help you understand difficult passages of the Bible

Read more less