Many pastoral training programs have neglected four foundational ministry concepts--values, mission, vision, and strategy. Pastors and congregations often fail to agree upon a set of core values that provide unity. A lack of direction indicates a corresponding lack of mission. And a church without either core values or mission will lack both a vision and a strategy to minister to the surrounding culture. Veteran church planter, pastor, and seminary professor Aubrey Malphurs examines those four vital concepts and demonstrates how to implement them in local church ministry. - book blurb.
Prayer can be an intimate connection to God, and taking time to reflect on the character and nature of God is vital to our spiritual growth. Combining the two will open exciting new vistas of worship for every believer. In this unique book, Rosemary Jensen offers 31 prayer devotionals designed to direct thoughtful meditation on the attributes of God. Combining Bible study with focused prayer will enrich your personal devotional and worship time. Each devotional highlights one of God's attributes and structures prayer suggestions around the ACTS acrostic, representing the four different essentials of prayer-Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. Significant Scripture references are included to direct the reader's thoughts to focus on each attribute. Attributes studied include: Accessibility. Creator. Eternality. Justice. Personality. Sovereignty.
In this classic series from one of the most creative and articulate expositors of the twentieth century, each volume of the Ironside Expository Commentaries features clear, easily grasped outlines and a vivid writing style; and scholarship that has stood the test of time without losing its relevance.
"To be an effective Christian leader in a secular business, that leader must first be an effective disciple of Christ. Why? Because transformed lives transform cultures. To become the kinds of Christian leaders we need today, leaders need to become the kinds of disciples Christ has called all Christians to be-devoted to the fundamentals of Christian belief and practice. As a lifelong business leader who's experienced the highs and lows of management at multiple multimillion-dollar organizations, Preston Poore has decades of practicing what he's now preaching. Through the Discipled Leader, Poore desires to fan the flames of worn-out Christian leaders who need to be reminded of their first love and deepest calling"--
"She helps others manage their desperate lives--but who will help her? Clinical psychologist Camille Brooks isn't put off by the lifestyle of her hoarding clients. After all, she lost her mother to the crippling anxiety disorder. She'll go a long way to help others avoid the same pain and loss. Despite Camille's expertise, her growing audience for her Let in the Light podcast, and the national recognition she's gaining for her creative coaching methods, there are some things she isn't prepared for. A client who looks far too much like her mom catches her off guard. And the revelation that she's also hoarding something sends her spinning. Can she stand to let the light into her own life with the help of a friend who wants to stand by her for life and the God who created and loves her? Or will she find that defeating her demons proves too much to bear?"--
The relationship between Israel and the church is a long-standing debate in Christian theology, and Romans 9-11 are the most important chapters for understanding it. How one interprets these chapters determines how one understands biblical theology, how the New Testament uses the Old Testament, and how the old and new covenants are related. To help readers draw their own conclusion, four leading scholars on this issue present a case for their viewpoint, followed by a response and critique from the others. Michael Vlach argues for a future mass conversion and a role for ethnic Israel in the church. Fred Zaspel and Jim Hamilton present a case for a future mass conversion that does not include a role for ethnic Israel. And Benjamin Merkle contends that Romans 9-11 promises neither a future mass conversion nor a role for ethnic Israel. General editor Andrew David Naselli helpfully sets the debate in its larger biblical-theological context in the introduction, while Jared Compton provides a useful summary of the views and interactions at the end of the volume. --
Foundational volume on biblical literature and conservative doctrine for over 60 years. This is a reprint with new cover and ISBN.
Somewhere between "Jesus Loves Me" and high school cynicism, the childlike acceptance of pat answers about faith is lost--often forever. But while many parents find this transitional period daunting, they don't want their kids to leave the Christian faith just because they didn't get good answers to how prayer works or whether dinosaurs were on Noah's ark. Honest Answers is a discussion book to help parents tackle the God questions that make them sweat. This isn't the place to come for pat answers that will make their kids nod, smile, and disconnect. Janelle Alberts and Ingrid Faro know that when tweens start asking questions, they're already old enough to understand the answers. They're determined to equip parents with the language, theology, permission, and confidence to join in the discussion--and to learn how to offer deeply doctrinal answers in 140 characters or less. The tween years present an incredible opportunity to build trust with kids and to keep them coming back to their parents for answers rather than finding other sources. With the tools and conversational tips here, mom and dad can engage in a hopeful conversation and help their children build a Christian faith to hold them steady their whole lives.
"Combining a strong adherence to Scripture, vast academic and ministry experiences, and a commitment to Christ-honoring dialogue, 40 Questions About Women in Ministry is a valuable guide for pastors, ministry leaders, church groups, and seminarians."--Provided by publisher.
"Chaotic. Angry. Helpless. How often do we encounter these emotions when we look at the state of the world around us? It's tempting to despair. What kind of future can we look forward to when the world is so full of turmoil and division? Can the next world be any better? Instead of turning to the world's answers to these questions, Sue Edwards invites us to look to Scripture. Though brief, Paul's letters to the Thessalonians are packed with nuggets of information to help us grasp what life after death will look like for followers of Christ. And it isn't sitting on clouds playing harps. Rather, it's dazzling, action-packed, relational, and free from pain and darkness. By focusing on the truths these short letters reveal, we are able to fill our spirits with real anticipation and courage"--
"Vivid style and keen insights make this book a delight and a genuine educational experience."--Moody Magazine In this richly illustrated volume--formerly titled In the Fullness of Time--Paul Maier visits the origins of Christianity, taking the reader back to the first Christmas, the first Easter, and the first Christians. His impressive research and brilliant insights correlate history, archaeology, and the New Testament to bring alive the true drama of earliest Christianity. This skillful narrative sheds a brilliant new light on the life of Jesus and the adventures of the courageous men and women who carried His message throughout a hostile empire. A host of magnificent color and black-and-white photographs recreate the world, the mood, the people, and the events with an immediacy that sweeps readers into the exciting first years of Christianity. "The author is at home in the vast literature of his subject."--The New York Times Book Review "For the supremely pivotal event of the Resurrections, Paul Maier's book lends fresh and scholarly support.">"Fascinating. . . . Brings a new perspective to a story we have known all our lives."--Redbook "Fact-filled, interesting, and successful . . . splendid research. This is a beautiful book."--Christian Century
"Praying is often the most common yet least understood practice of Christian spirituality. In 40 Questions About Prayer, scholar and teacher Joseph C. Harrod shares thoroughly biblical insight on the nature and practice of Christian prayer. Harrod's emphasis on searching the Scriptures results in a trustworthy, practical guide to a vital aspect of Christian belief and behavior, equally appropriate for seminary courses, Bible studies, and personal understanding."--Back cover.
Discover the true love story of the world-famous theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer . . . and the incredible woman who changed his life Maria von Wedemeyer knows the realities of war. Her beloved father and brother have both been killed on the battlefield. The last thing this spirited young woman needs is to fall for a man under constant surveillance by the Gestapo. Dietrich himself has determined to keep his distance from romantic attachments. There is too much work to be done for God, and Dietrich's involvement in the conspiracy is far too important. But when these two brave, intelligent people encounter each other, they discover that deep love can happen unexpectedly--and, despite the danger, may be worth the risk after all. Based on detailed historical research of both Maria's and Dietrich's lives, this true love story is at once beautiful and heartrending. "Barratt humanizes eminent German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer in this gripping historical romance. . . both dramatic and tragic. . . . [This] moving romance will appeal to readers of Bonhoeffer as well as fans of WWII espionage thrillers." --Publishers Weekly "As beautiful as it is brave. . . . This is a multifaceted story of the highest stakes and the deepest loves." --Jocelyn Green, award-winning author of A House Between Two Shores
"Being the youngest of three sisters isn't always easy for Britt Chandler, especially when her older sisters have successful lives and hers is still on hold. She put everything aside to care for her dying mother, but now their mother is gone. Just as her life finally has a chance to blossom, her sister is ordered on bed rest during a difficult pregnancy, and it looks like God is again calling Britt to be a family caregiver-and nothing more. Rafe Stuart is unable to forgive himself for a childhood mistake that had grave repercussions. No matter how many lives he saves now as a first responder, he can't ever seem to do enough penance to free his soul from that decades-old tragedy. There definitely isn't room in his wounded heart for love; it's much too dangerous. When these two struggling souls encounter each other, sparks fly. But they're both scared the fire that might result could destroy them-and the others around them. How can they begin to trust God to have the best for them and real purpose for their lives beyond what they've dreamed . . . or feared?"--
"Literary Americana fiction filled with humor and heart. When his wife, Angel, is killed in a head-on collision, Gomez Gomez feels he can't go on--so he doesn't. He spends his days in the bushes next to the crash site drinking Thunderbird wine, and his nights cradling a coffee can full of Angel's ashes. Slow, sure suicide, with no one for company but the snakes, Elvis's ghost, and a strange kid named Bones. Across town, Father Jake Morales plays it safe, haunted by memories of the woman he left behind, hiding his guilt, loss, and love behind a thick wall of cassock and ritual. Then a shady business deal threatens the town--and his good friend Gomez Gomez--and Father Jake can't just stand by and watch. But what happens when the rescuer is the one in need of saving? The Beautiful Ashes of Gomez Gomez is quirky, heartfelt, and deeply human. Lives and hopes collide in the town of Paradise, stretching across decades and continents in this epic story of forgiveness, redemption, and love"--
I know God loves me but I want to experience His love. There are moments in every Christian's life when we hit a "spiritual glass ceiling." In those frustrating moments, we wonder, why do others experience love and intimacy with God but not me? The remedy is not a checklist of actions but a personal, powerful call to come home, to come out of the cold, to forsake the false self--our old identity--driven by pursuit of security, esteem, and power. Transformed into Fire explores the profound spiritual depths found within the routine of daily life through the discovery of our true selves in Christ. You are invited to journey toward the warm embrace of the Father where being and doing, prayer and action--all of life--become a fiery response to His intimate love. "In our fast-paced and hectic world, we can often miss what it really means to love God. [Transformed into Fire is] a treasure of a book, thoughtful and . . . meaty." --Nancie Carmichael author and founding co-publisher Virtue Magazine Judith Hougen (M.F.A. Creative Writing, University of Montana) lives in St. Paul where she is a professor of English. She is an award-winning writer who has published a collection of poetry and has had work featured in numerous literary anthologies, journals, and popular magazines.
In recent years, America has plunged headlong into legalized gambling in every form. Gambling is seen by many as a means to quick financial solutions--for individuals, governments, charities, and church groups alike. Its grip is so pervasive throughout our culture that it goes largely unnoticed and unquestioned. In this newly revised and updated book, Rex M. Rogers, a recognized expert on this subject, examines the hold gambling has on our culture and how we must free ourselves from its damaging effects, both as individuals and as a society. Along with presenting a clear and biblical analysis of gambling, Rogers also discusses moral and economic arguments, charity gambling, and gambling addictions. "Rex Rogers will open your eyes to a demonic force that is destroying lives and is eating away at the value system of the nation. His book is more than a survey of sociohistorical material on the subject of gambling--it is a call to action." --Tony Campolo Rex M. Rogers (Ph.D., University of Cincinnati) has been the president of Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, Mich. since 1991. He is also the author and voice of the daily radio program and nationally syndicated newspaper column "Making a Difference." Rex writes and speaks on Christian higher education, politics, leadership, and sociocultural trends.
When a professor at the local university dies, Ruby Taylor is hired to fill his shoes. Along with a frozen corpse and midnight intruders, this sassy Cinderella also has to deal with lost love and a family that defines the word dysfunctional. Deadly university politics turn personal as Ruby works to straighten out a mystery that has more twists than a silly straw. Praise for the Ruby Taylor Mysteries: [Ruby Taylor's] gutsy stubbornness and humorous one-liners make this mystery a fun and interesting read! The story lives up to the unique title. Well done." --Rene Gutteridge author of Boo "Readers who enjoy [Janet Evanovich and Sue Grafton] . . . will become fans of Sharon Dunn." --Christian Retailing "Ruby, a gawky six-footer, is endearing as she primes her tired old psyche for one last go at love." --John Mort American Library Association "Interwoven in this adventuresome tale are the author's wit and humor . . . a fun and enjoyable read. Highly recommended." --CBA Marketplace Sharon Dunn is an instructor and tutor at Montana State University. Even though she is an award-winning short-story writer, and playwright and the author of Romance Rustlers and Thunderbird Thieves, her cats and her kids pretty much run her life.
One of the best ways to perfect any skill is to learn from a master, and prayer is no different. But where do you find skilled believers who will take you under their wings and mentor you? They Knew How to Pray invites you to study with masters of prayer from the Bible. These biblical heroes--including Joshua, Hannah, and Paul--will counsel you with their cries to God, ignite your faith with their spiritual passion, and mold your heart to God's. Come, learn the power of prayer from those who knew how to pray. "There is an old saying, 'Prayer is more caught than taught.' In They Knew How to Pray, Tom Carter gives us . . . sound teaching that catches the wisdom and insight of those who call upon God in the Bible. There is much to gain here for small groups, Bible classes, or personal study." --Dana Olson Director, Prayer First, Baptist General Conference "This book is solidly biblical, inspiring, . . . very easy to read, and loaded with relevant examples from history and contemporary life. Read this, and learn to do the most important thing you will do: pray!" --Ajith Fernando National Director, Youth for Christ/Sri Lanka Author and Bible Teacher Tom Carter (M.Div., Fuller Theological Seminary; D.Min., Westminster Theological Seminary, California) is the Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Dinuba, California. He is the author of 13 Crucial Questions Jesus Wants to Ask You and the editor of Spurgeon's Commentary on Great Chapters of the Bible.
An exciting collection of twenty-one church-tested dramatic sketches that require only two to four characters, simple sets, and everyday costumes. Built-in performance and copying permission.
No one makes a fool of Ruby Taylor--or her friends. This tough cookie of a detective winds up in a tangled mystery. Follow the fiery redhead through a harrowing adventure to right the wrongs of love--with helicopters, flying buffalo, and a heart-pounding chase scene for throw in for good measure. "Romance Rustlers and Thunderbird Thieves is wry and witty. Genuine, self-deprecating and very funny. Ruby Taylor is a character whose adventures I'll look forward to following. I hope to see more from Sharon Dunn." --Kathy Tyers Author of the Firebird Trilogy "In a literary world of detectives, this book offers a fresh approach to the genre. I look forward to watching Ruby grow . . . as she encounters, and solves, mysteries even more tangled than her personal life." --Carolyn R. Scheidies Author of To Keep Faith "Reads like a Sue Grafton novel." --Janet Chester Bly Author of Hope Lives Here Sharon Dunn holds a B.A. in film and television production and an M.A. in history from Montana State University, where she currently works as an instructor/tutor. She has been published in a variety of regional and national magazines and is an award-winning short story writer and playwright.
Now in paperback! The splendor and pagan excesses of Roman society are confronted by the life-changing faith of Christianity.
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