Worship, rites, ceremonies and rituals Books

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Book SynopsisFrom the all-star cast that brought you The Seven Deadly Virtues and The Dadly Virtues comes the ultimate Christmas survival guide: The Christmas Virtues. The Christmas season is a minefield of terrors: The family get-togethers with weird uncles, the sloppy office parties, the annoying 10-page Look-at-Us holiday letters—and we haven’t even mentioned the Black Friday mobs and that wretched Alvin and the Chipmunks song that plays every 90 minutes on Pandora, whether you like it or not. Rum-pah-pah-pum. And don’t forget the PC police lurking around every corner looking to beat the last bits of joy and comradery out of our society. Merry Christmas? Really? But it doesn’t have to be this way. 'Tis the season to recapture the wonder of Christmas, in our hearts and in our homes and even out in the public square. The Christmas Virtues is a humorous companion for, and guide to, navigating the trials and tribulations of the holiday season. It’s a reminder of how we can embrace the joy, hope, and love of Christmas—of the real Christmas. And a call for us to stand up for Christmas because America needs it now, more than ever. So sit back and enjoy the following tales by your favorite authors: Rob Long’s "The Christmas Spirit: In Defense of Ebenezer Scrooge.” P. J. O’Rourke’s “The Commercialization of Christmas: God Moves (The Merchandise) in a Mysterious Way.” Andrew Ferguson’s “Jingle Bell Rock: Taking the Christ Out of Christmas Songs” Matt Labash’s “Home for the Holidays: The Trials and Tribulations of Family.” Stephen F. Hayes’ "here Comes Santa Claus: The Wonder of Christmas Morning." Toby Young’s “The ghosts of Christmas: Holidays Past and Present” Jonah Goldberg’s “The War on Christmas: It’s Real, and It’s Spectacular.” Christopher Buckley’s “Saint Joseph: The Forgotten ‘Father Christmas.’” Kirsten Powers’ “The first Noel: Christmas with Jesus.” James Lileks' "Boxing Day and the Christmas Hangover." And More Trade ReviewJonathan Last has provided an entertaining break to the holiday season in The Christmas Virtues: A Treasury of Conservative Tales for the Holidays… . The virtues part of The Christmas Virtues is often subtle, but through the stories and the prose, the reader can find a reminder of what really matters during the holiday season and what kinds of things we should just look past. Fighting the creeping commercialization and secularization of Christmas is the underlying theme of all of the essays, along with the need to come back to the basics of love, charity and the message of the Prince of Peace. We could all do a little better to not take ourselves so seriously during the holidays and focus more on the important parts.” —Wayne Parker, About Parenting“Here’s the thing. Not everything about the holiday season is wonderful and filled with cheer. We all know that. So, why sugarcoat it all? This all-star cast of writers got together, and rather than a Chicken Soup for the Soul type of book, has put together a compilation that truly hits the nail on the head about the holiday season.”“P.J. O’Rourke talks about the commercialization of Christmas, Joe Quennan shares his take on the artful tradition of Christmas cards. Matt Labash makes light of the antics of holiday family gatherings. But, don’t expect a bunch of funny, lighthearted stories that will keep you laughing, as some are serious and other will share a perspective you probably have never looked at Christmas from.”“I highly, highly recommend! 5 stars!”—Mommy Rantings Blog“This book is sure to be loved by anyone who embodies the season of Christmas – you undoubtedly know a few of these people. These friends and family members can be hard to gift-shop for, but consider this book your solution. Not only will you be giving them a humorous, enjoyable read, but you will be giving them memories and stories to keep them warm for many Christmas seasons to come.” —Jacqueline Isaacs, Conservative Book ClubTable of ContentsIntroduction The Miracle of Christmas / 3Jonathan V. Last Chapter 1: The Christmas Spirit In Defense of Ebenezer Scrooge / 15Rob LongChapter 2: The Commercialization of Christmas God Moves (the Merchandise) in a Mysterious Way / 23P. J. O’RourkeChapter 3: Season’s Greetings! Ten Simple Rules for Sending Christmas Cards / 33Joe QueenanChapter 4: Jingle Bell Rock Taking the Christ Out of Christmas Songs / 45Andrew FergusonChapter 5: Oh, Tannenbaum A Tradition Unlike Any Other / 54Christopher CaldwellChapter 6: The Nativity Stories The Best (and Worst) Christmas Movies Ever / 62Sonny BunchChapter 7: Home for the Holidays The Trials and Tribulations of Family / 70Matt LabashChapter 8: Saint Nicholas: Friend or Foe? A Document Dump from Santa’s Secret Email Server / 83David “Iowahawk” BurgeChapter 9: All Good Gifts Tickle Me Elmo and the Madness of Christmas Toys / 99Heather WilhelmChapter 10: Here Comes Santa Claus The Wonder of Christmas Morning / 108Stephen F. HayesChapter 11: The Ghosts of Christmas Holidays Past and Present / 117Toby YoungChapter 12: The War on Christmas It’s Real, and It’s Spectacular / 125Jonah GoldbergChapter 13: Jews Who Love Christmas We All Love Christmas Magic / 135Larry MillerChapter 14: I’m Dreaming of a Jewish Christmas Celebrating a Day You Don’t Really Share / 146Joseph EpsteinChapter 15: The Greatest of These Is Hope The Impossible Promises of Christmas / 155Michael GrahamChapter 16: Saint Joseph The Forgotten “Father Christmas” / 163Christopher BuckleyChapter 17: Mary, Mother of All The Real Miracles of the Virgin Birth Aren’t What You Think / 171Mollie HemingwayChapter 18: The First Noel Christmas with Jesus / 180Kirsten PowersChapter 19: The Day After The Illusion of Returning to Normal / 189James LileksAbout the Contributors / 199

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Book SynopsisA guided journal that provides writing techniques and exercises that are matched with Buddhist meditation instructions and teachings.This guided journal uniquely combines personal writing and meditation, two of the most beneficial self-help processes available. The two practices augment each other naturally, and many Buddhist teachers recommend a practice journal, but many people don''t know how to approach structuring a practice that draws from the benefits of both. In this book, Beth Jacobs--who has taught and written extensively on both Buddhist psychology and therapeutic writing--provides a variety of writing techniques and exercises that are matched with specific Buddhist meditation instructions and teachings. She describes meditation practices and Buddhist concepts along with writing exercises that bring the material to life. Writers will find exercises that deepen their experiences in general and writing in particular. Meditators will find Buddhist concepts clarified and techniques expanded. All readers will discover a laboratory of writing as experimentation, with structures that open ideas, break habits, and combine experience in novel ways.

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Book SynopsisDudjom Rinpoche was one of the seminal figures in Tibetan Buddhism in the twentieth century, yet very few of his religious writings have been translated into English. This volume contains a generous selection of his inspiring teachings and writings, the core of which is a lengthy discussion of the entire path of Dzogchen, including key instructions on view, meditation, and conduct, along with direct advice on how to bring one''s experiences onto the path. Also included in this book in their entirety are the oral instructions, tantric songs, and songs of realization from His Holiness''s Collected Works, along with a generous selection of the aspiration and supplication prayers.

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Book SynopsisIn this cookbook, readers will find all the recipes they need to make Ramadan meals family-friendly and fuss-free. For Anisa Karolia—who is known for sharing her family’s traditional Indian and Malawi recipes—Ramadan, the month of fasting to celebrate the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is about self-reflection, becoming closer to her religion, and sharing the holiday with loved ones. Of course, at Suhoor and Iftar, the pre-dawn and fast-breaking meals of Ramadan respectively, this sharing means dining together. From comforting classics like Masala Roast Chicken to fusion favorites like Cauliflower Manchurian, the recipes in The Ramadan Cookbook make it possible for readers to share simple, delicious recipes with family and friends. Beautifully photographed and featuring recipes for sides, chutneys, flatbreads, refreshments, and sweets, this book ensures that readers will eat well before and after fasting, as well as throughout the year.

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Book SynopsisCelebrate the holiday season with over twenty tales-true and make-believe-of Atlantic Canadian Christmases, past and present. Edited by Dan Soucoup (A Short History of Halifax), The Finest Tree showcases memories, traditions, and stories from all four Atlantic provinces. PEI's L. M. Montgomery brings Christmas to a group of train-bound strangers, while Gary L. Saunders turns to Christmastime to escape September writers' block in Newfoundland; Beatrice MacNeil details her magical journey to Christmas Mass in Cape Breton, while in rural New Brunswick Michael O. Nowlan and his father take their annual trip to town. Featuring these stories of homespun Christmas tradition and cheer from Atlantic Canada's finest authors, and plenty more, The Finest Tree will warm your heart on the coldest winter nights.

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Book SynopsisPraise is not just confined to worshipping in song in church. In fact as humans we are created to praise! This book covers praise in prayer, trials, everyday life, death and heaven in a chapter dedicated to each subject. Derek Prime writes in a straightforward, heart-warming way, including anecdotes and also quotes from other authors. Each chapter ends with a prayer, giving praise.

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Book SynopsisDo we think about worship? In the ‘emerging’ generation ‘worship’ is something to do with style, rather than substance. A matter of live–and–let–live choice. But pure worship is declaring with our words and lives that God is more important to us than anything else – that he is our deepest desire and that he is worth more than anything else we hold dear. God alone is worthy of worship because he alone is righteous. Louie Giglio points out that worship is simply about value. Our worship is a response to what we value most. If we consider that a person, a thing, or an experience is what matters most then we are willing to sacrifice in order to get it. Worship is coming before the ‘throne’ of what is of ultimate value to us. In the Old Testament the priests would build an altar on which to offer the sacrifices to the One whom they worshipped. In order to find your altar of worship just follow the trail of how you use your time, energy, money and affections. The more time you spend before that throne, the more your life will reflect what or whom you worship. It is time to re–engineer what we value most so that worship is something that truly honors God. Some values we hold dear will have to be cast aside, some new ideas adopted, still others will need to be strengthened.Trade Review"To contextualize God's Word lovingly without compromising its truth requires great skill and a gospel heart. Dr. Oliver Claassen has both. Dr. Claassen helps a much larger audience understand the difference between worshipping worship and worshipping God. Both the style and content of this book reflect the heart of a man passionate about God's glory, and pastorally committed to leading God's people into a more faithful and engaging experience of God's worship in line with the truth of the gospel." -- Scotty Smith, Founding Pastor, Christ Community Church, Franklin, Tennessee (Founding Pastor, Christ Community Church, Franklin, Tennessee )The great value of this work on worship is its rooting in Scripture, its powerful and sustained focus on the glorious person and work of Christ, and the demonstration of the relevance of worship to all of life... May the Lord be pleased to use this book in His worldwide church to recapture the heart and dynamic of a God-centered worship where God's redeemed creatures glory in His worthship and every sphere of life pulsates with worship. -- Vernon Light (Principal, The Bible Institute of the Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.)Outstanding! Oliver brings clarity to one of the most misunderstood subjects of my 20 years in student ministry. He looks at what the Bible actually says about God's desire for and from His worshippers. This is written for those of us who want more than a superficial discussion of what worship is and is not; but without the lingo only theologians can understand. All over the country I am asked about worship, now I will point them to this book. Thanks Oliver. -- David McNeely, Speaker, Senior High Campus, Director at Perimeter Church in Atlanta, Georgia"A very thorough study, well backed up by Scripture, it looks at what worship is." -- Christian Marketplace (Resourcing retailers and suppliers)"This is not just a ‘how to' book on worship for today's generation. Dr. Claassen draws on his considerable knowledge of the issues surrounding biblical worship today and combines this with an obvious love and concern for God's glory to inspire the reader to worship in a way that is Gospel-powered, Christ-centered, God-honoring and life-transforming. The author reveals his pastoral heart and cross-cultural missions' background by writing in a style that is accessible to ‘the emerging generation' and applicable to the reader's situation, wherever that may be. The reader will be convicted of the importance of worship, educated in the biblical principles of worship and challenged by the all-embracing nature of biblical worship." -- Dr. Peter W. Smuts, Vice-Principal of Academic Affairs and Director of Graduate Studies at the Bible Institute of South Africa in Cape Town

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Book Synopsis Pink is acknowledged as one of the deeper thinkers of his era on subjects of doctrine and Christian living. He felt only able to write this book after studying the subject for over 25 years; previous to this he felt he was too immature and unscriptural. Questions answered in this book include – Is sanctification something believers have, or something they experience? How is it obtained – is it done for us, by us, or both? How may you be assured that you have been sanctified? Is there any difference between sanctification by the Father, Son, Spirit, faith and the Word? Is there any difference between sanctification and holiness? Does sanctification relate to the soul, or the body, or both? What is the connection between regeneration and sanctification? What is the relationship between justification and sanctification? Does sanctification precede or follow salvation, or is it an integral part of it? Why are the above important and why do so many people disagree on the subject? The Doctrine of Sanctification is a dividing line between Roman Catholic and Celtic notions of holiness on the one hand, and the reformed evangelical view on the other. Clear and incisive, Pink is not sidetracked by the post–modern interpretations of holiness invading the Christian church. Trade Review"A superficial examination of the scriptures will reveal that holiness is the opposite of sin, yet the realisation of this at once conducts us into the realm of mystery, for how can persons be sinful and holy at one and the same time? It is this difficulty that so deeply exercises the true saints ..." -- Arthur W. Pink ((1886–1952), Pastor, Conference speaker & writer.)

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Book SynopsisWe all long for revival, but we tend to pray for it to come without being completely sure what precisely revival is. This book will be a revitalising aid to those of us who desire revived spiritual life for our churches. T. M. Moore offer practical advice on steps, each with secure scriptural foundations, that we can take to prepare our churches for the sovereign work that is revival. This book is clear that there is no conflict between revival being a work of God and the continued and urgent need for God’s people to earnestly pray for its appearance. With practical guides to prayer for revival T. M. Moore realises the need for balance and succeeds in providing a book that will help us to refocus on revival, and will prepare our souls and our churches for the mighty work of a Sovereign and loving God. Trade Review"Think of T. M. Moore's work as high-octane fuel, written by a man who loves the church of Jesus Christ and longs to see her full of his glory once again. I pray his ‘fuel' will ignite churches with longing for a true visitation of God in our time." -- John Armstrong, President, Reformation & Revival Ministries, Illinois (Director of Renew and formerly a Pastor for twenty years)

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Book SynopsisWeaving together traditional stories, personal experiences, and a deep understanding of the Buddha's way of mindful living, Thich Nhat Hanh provides step-by-step practices that foster understanding and intimacy in any relationship and extend our love even to those that cause us pain. Teachings on Love is a treasure-trove of guidance for couples, co-workers, or friends who wish to nourish the gift and strength of their relationships and deal creatively with their weaknesses and difficulties. We all yearn to experience a love that is deeper and more joyful. Teachings on Love provides a time-tested path that anyone can follow to nurture the deepest love in ourselves and others.With a new introductory chapter by Thich Nhat Hanh

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Book SynopsisExamines worship and preaching from a number of theological perspectives; Catholic, Baptist, Anglican, UnitingChurch and Greek Orthodox. It draws on the tradition of each of these denominations to examine the diversity of the liturgical worship and preaching in each tradition as each church addresses the needs and concerns of a complex world of technology and diversity. Each tradition tried in its own ways to address the concerns of the day but within its own theological perspective and traditions that have developed over time. Includes two key papers by Timothy Radcliffe OP, former Master General of the Dominican Order, an Englishman, writer, popular theologian and Catholic Priest. Vivian Boland OP, the editor, is an Irish Dominican Priest and thologian who teaches theology at Blackfriars, Oxford and St Mary's College in London.

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Book SynopsisThis book details the goddess Kali and the culture of devotion to her in West Bengal and South Asia. The term Adya means primal, original or archean. Adya Kali is the primordial energy, the shakti, that creates, preserves, and transforms/dissolves all existence. She is the womb that births all, and the tomb that swallows all.In Praise of Adya Kali is different from most contemporary books about Kali because it offers a liturgy of worship, a type of spiritual practice (sadhana) that the reader (both male and female) can use over the course of days, weeks, or months, to cultivate a direct devotional relationship to Kali. But, beyond that, In Praise of Adya Kali is a context-setting guide. Rather than simply recommending that we recite these sacred names, each one a prayer, the author establishes this practice as a general orientation to life. Furthermore, and most compelling, the text and Commentaries on this liturgy contain an intimate revelation of how the goddess establishes herself in her devotees'' bodies and thus intervenes, by unconditional love and acceptance, in their lives. A lengthy Introduction, both scholarly and personal, describes the goddess and the possibilities that these prayers will offer. Aditi Devi guides us in how to build a shrine to Kali, various types of offerings to make to her, and suggests a schedule for how to use this liturgy with a long-term commitment over the course of 108 nights. This book presents a serious practice, not for the faint-hearted. It requires courage, strength and joy to permit the goddess''s energy to slowly, sensuously and irrevocably be invoked-conceived, allowed to gestate, birthed according to her will. And while the orientation here is toward realizing her sacred presence in the womb of the devotee, the practice can be undertaken by anyone. The physical form of the body is not a limitation, as the author notes: In this lineage we practice into the depths of whatever form we have, & arise from within that, knowing that we are her, male or female. This Song of the Hundred Names is a powerful teaching that all forms are her forms. Male, female or other gendered, we are presented with the possibility to experience the depths of our own internal feminine energies & thereby come into greater healing & wholeness, more readily able to express this often neglected part of ourselves. Aditi Devi''s long study & spiritual practice within living tantric lineages in South Asia has made this book possible.

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