Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they ll be able to discover God s revelation through readings and reflections."

Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they ll be able to discover God s revelation through readings and reflections."

This was the dignity and worth of man's soul by nature at his first creation, which thou hadst in Adam before the first sin. But when Adam sinned, choosing love and delight in himself and in the creatures, he lost all his excellency and dignity, and thou, also, in him, and fell from that Blessed Trinity into a foul, dark, wretched trinity; that is to say, into forgetting of God and ignorance of himself, and into a beastly love and liking of himself, and all this he did wittingly and willingly.

Journey inside the pages of Scripture to meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative work from the inside out. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersion encourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of the Word to become a new creation in Christ. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they ll be able to discover God s revelation through readings and reflections."

Here is Jim Moore at his best, telling the heart-warming stories as he teaches us about the Bible. In this 6-session, video-based study, Dr. Moore uses key Scriptures that distinctively shape us as United Methodists. There are two sessions from the Old Testament and four sessions from the New Testament. Each session also lifts up and uses core terms and life application topics taken from the Wesley Study Bible to help you grow as a faithful follower of Jesus as you practice your faith in everyday life.This study can be used with aDVD (sold separately), in which Dr. Moore introduces the Scripture and tells why it is important for you. A leader s guide and DVD are also available. "

The Birth of the Church is Volume 2 of a continuing curriculum series highlighting New Testament characters responsible for leading the early church in its formation. Already adopted for use on the mission fields of North India, The Birth of the Church has proven to be a valuable tool in equipping the emerging churches and the training of its leaders. This curriculum which offers several weeks of study, is designed to deepen one's understanding of the Biblical characters God used to impact His Kingdom and establish His church. This book will equip present day readers to become the servants of the Most High God in today's world. Mary Ann Bishop is a Bible teacher, recording artist and conference speaker. Because of her heart for the lost, in 2000 she and her husband, David, founded White Harvest Trading Company and White Harvest Foundation, (www.whiteharvesttradingco.com) a ministry bringing hope to the unreached people of Southeast Asia. Presently David and Mary Ann work in China, Vietnam and Turkey providing business platforms for their partners who target people groups in these areas. Products from these groups are imported and sold in their store located in Pawleys Island, South Carolina. David and Mary Ann reside in Pawleys Island and are the parents of two children, Wesley and Elizabeth. Bruce Chandler teaches art classes, paints commissions as well as local and historical landmarks for prints. Bruce also paints murals for residences, churches and businesses, the largest of which is 79 feet long and located in Douglas Airport, Charlotte, North Carolina. The highest paintings are located in numerous Super Wal-Mart stores, and the most humorous can be found in a Litchfield, SC beach house. Bruce has illustrated four books, been featured in Craft and Design Magazine, and designed a painting for the cover of Seabreeze Magazine.

It was the center of learning, commerce, wealth, and religion. Devoted to materialism, extravagance, luxury, and the pursuit of sensual pleasure, it was a privileged society. But, there was also injustice, poverty, andoppression. It was the great and ancient Babylon the center of the universe. And now wefind Babylon redux today in Western society. Consumer capitalism, a never-ending cycle of working and buying, a sea of choices produced with little regard to life or resources, societal violence, marginalized and excluded people, a world headed toward climactic calamity. Where are the prophets the Jeremiahs to lead the way out of the gated communities of overindulgence, the high rises of environmental disaster, and the darkness at the core of an apostate consumer society? Walter Brueggemann ascholar, a preacher, a prophetic voice in our own time challenges us again to examine our culture, turn from the idols of abundance and abuse, and turn to lives of meaning and substance."

This book is volume Two of a series of Bible commentaries. It is meant to be a catalyst of thought and meditation when reading your Bible, in this way the book will allow the Bible to come alive

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

Description: The Ten Commandments belong to the ""classics"" of Western culture. They are an authoritative part of the Hebrew and the Christian Scriptures. Since they come to us from an ancient past, it is both necessary and worthwhile to inquire what they may mean for us today. Thorwald Lorenzen contends it is important to hear God's invitation to an alternative lifestyle: ""you shall not kill,"" ""you shall not commit adultery,"" ""you shall not covet."" His thoughtful reflections on the commandments for today's tumultuous world begin with the God who ""speaks"" ten word to liberate God's people from oppression. Grounded in God's liberating ""yes,"" the ""ten words"" are neither laws nor rules. They are elements for a culture of freedom in which people are invited to celebrate life. Endorsements: ""Thorwald Lorenzen presents an inspiring call to embrace freedom as a matter of spiritual inheritance and destiny. Pastors and prophets alike will use this text to sharpen their vision, and every reader will find in it a guide to break free from those chains that bind them."" --David Batstone, author, Professor of Ethics, University of San Francisco, and President, NOT For Sale ""Combining exegetical acumen with sharp theological insight, Lorenzen has produced a fresh and deeply profound meditation on the Ten Words of the Torah. Filled with historical and contemporary illustrations, Lorenzen proves that the Decalogue is as relevant, practical, challenging, and disturbing today as ever. Highly readable yet informed by a lifetime of scholarly study, Lorenzen's book will be immensely valuable to both pastors and laypersons and would make an excellent supplemental classroom text. The appendices on interpreting the Ten Commandments and on making ethical decisions make a book that is already well worth the price a bargain indeed."" --Kent Blevins, Professor, Department of Religious Studies and Philosophy, Gardner-Webb University ""Here is the most careful and relevant study of the Ten Commandments now available. Biblically grounded, theologically astute, Lorenzen's penetrating treatment of each of the commandments results in constructing a mature, global ethic for Christians. Far from a legalistic list of commands, Lorenzen shows how 'the Ten Words' function as a blueprint for connecting the dots between a private and social ethic in a pluralistic world."" --D. Dixon Sutherland, Professor of Religious Studies, Director, Christian Ethics Institute, Stetson University ""Toward a Culture of Freedom is a superb ethical treatise based on the Ten Commandments. Deeply grounded in scriptures and equipped with an expansive and compassionate experience of today's world, Professor Lorenzen will help you to discern some solid rocks to stand on in an era when all human foundations seem to be quivering. Though writing from a Christian perspective, he speaks to persons of all faiths and even no faith. Would that every American, nay, every human being, would glean the wisdom she or he will find here."" --E. Glenn Hinson, Professor Emeritus, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond About the Contributor(s): Thorwald Lorenzen is Professor of Theology at Charles Sturt University; a guest lecturer at St. Mark's Theological Center and Whitley College, University of Melbourne; and a Principal Researcher within the Public and Contextual Theology Strategic Research Centre (PACT), Charles Sturt University, in Canberra, Australia. He is author of Resurrection and Discipleship: Interpretive Models, Biblical Reflections, Theological Consequences (1995 and 2003) and Resurrection--Discipleship--Justice: Affirming the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Today (2003).

Do you sometimes feel like an untouchable ? Have you ever been ashamed to say, You don t know what I ve done, how unethical I ve been, how many bad decisions I ve made, how many times I ve shaken my fist at God ? If so, you re not alone. Thankfully, author Gary M. Burge has a message for you, and others like you: Jesus wants to encounter you, just as you are. When Burge re-examined Jesus biblical encounters with people being careful to view them in their unique historical context he emerged with fresh, powerful insights about how Jesus interacted with people then, and still does today One of the more surprising features of Jesus ministry was his willingness to have personal encounters with people, he writes. In fact, what is unique about the gospels are the unexpected stories that detailed Jesus regular interruptions. These interruptions came in the form of people from all walks of life young, old, rich, poor, sick, healthy, riddled with sin, or saddled by self-righteousness. No situation or condition will impede Jesus approach, Burge writes. All are welcome. Encounters With Jesus is a book that will be read, re-read, and recommended to friends and family alike because its message is sorely needed today: Jesus took time for people who thought they were invisible...this is a relief to those of us who are imperfect. "

Jeremiah Part 1- "Return to Me" - Precepts for Life Study Guide for the Radio/TV broadcast series by Kay Arthur.
In the days of Jeremiah, Israel's spiritual condition was much like our nation's today. God chose Jeremiah to call people to turn from sin and idolatry and return to Him. Facing unbelievable opposition, Jeremiah warned the people that God's holy wrath that would soon be poured out.

In this follow-up to his popular book What Are We Hoping For? New Testament Images, Daniel J. Harrington extends his reflections on hope in the Scriptures. He draws us into the striking images of the psalms--the mountain, the sun, refuge, the kingdom, sheltering wings, the olive tree, and the shepherd--to lead us to the discovery that hope is the predominant image of the book of Psalms. Even in their darkest laments, the psalmists remind us that God hears us and will never abandon us. In these brief essays, Harrington opens up the language of forty psalms, explores their literary and historical context, and then ties the psalm to our reading as Christians whose ultimate hope is in Jesus Christ. As we read and reflect on the psalms with Harrington's guidance, we call to mind the ways we experience God and our hopes, both daily and for all time. Drawn into the world of the psalmist and discovering how our experiences often mirror theirs, we too will express our hope in God's love and mercy and in the coming of God's kingdom.

Ephesians - "The Mystery of God's Church - Our Identity, Our Walk, Our Warfare" - Precepts for Life Study Guide for the radio / tv broadcast series by Kay Arthur. In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul prays God will "open the eyes of their hearts" to know "what is the hope of His calling" on their lives. Learn how to walk in a manner worthy of this holy calling.

During the special Pauline Jubilee Year, Pope Benedict XVI used his Wednesday audiences as an opportunity to meet one of the most influential persons in the history of Christianity, Saint Paul. Meeting Saint Paul is the complete collection of these twenty-one papal reflections.

Jeremiah Part 1- "Return to Me" - Precepts for Life Study Companion for the Radio/TV broadcast series by Kay Arthur.
In the days of Jeremiah, Israel's spiritual condition was much like our nation's today. God chose Jeremiah to call people to turn from sin and idolatry and return to Him. Facing unbelievable opposition, Jeremiah warned the people that God's holy wrath that would soon be poured out.

"Triumphant Return" is an upbeat, positive proclamation of the tremendous prophecies about the Second Coming and the awesome transformation of humanity that will unfold when Christ ushers in the Kingdom of God.
Key Features Include:
"- Christ's Triumphant Return- your role in the coming Kingdom of God.
- Why are the Rapture and the Second Coming under attack today?
- How should we understand the Bible's prophecies: Literal or symbolic? Past or future?
- The coming Millennial Kingdom of God- the key to understanding prophecy
- Historical evidence disproves the false theory that Revelation's prophecies were fulfilled in A.D. 70
- What did the Early Church believe about the Second Coming? The early Christians taught Christ's return will be literal, imminent, and premillennial.
- Fascinating new research about the remarkable prophecies pointing to the nearness of Christ's premillennial return
- Astonishing evidence the Muslim Koran acknowledges Israel's right to the Promised Land
- How should the promise of Christ's return transform your faith and daily walk with God?
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Ever since the first century, Christians have regarded Isaiah as a high point in the Old Testament prophetic literature. Its themes of messiah and suffering servant, deliverance from exile and new creation--to name a few--have been viewed as reaching particular fulfillment in the gospel. Then too, the impact of Isaiah on the church's language of worship and hymnology, and on the Western tradition of art and literature, is beyond measure. The book of Isaiah has also received more than its fair share of scholarly examination, with various theories of its origin and composition proposed. Originating in a 2008 Tyndale Fellowship conference on Isaiah, Interpreting Isaiah presents some of the most significant evangelical scholarship on Isaiah today. Essays on recent scholarship and the theology of Isaiah offer valuable overviews that bring readers abreast of current understanding. And more sharply focused studies in particular Isaianic themes and texts explore issues and exercise methodologies that will interest and reward diligent teachers and preachers of the Old Testament.

No single approach to reading the Bible can do justice to its complex history and content. There are as many different ways of understanding Scripture as there were people involved in its composition. Advocating a pluralistic reading that acknowledges the many voices speaking in the Bible, Susan Gillingham offers theological, historical, and literary insights into the compilation of Scripture and the development of biblical studies. Providing one of the most accessible and helpful introductions to the Bible available, this volume clearly outlines the main issues in understanding Scripture and demonstrates, using Psalm 8 as an example, the best method for reading the Bible today. "Not just another ephemeral book on postmodern theory. It is both a survey and an argument: she contends that the Bible itself is a complex book that can best be understood by the plurality of methods that are actually being used to read it. In engaging and practical terms she discusses historical, literary, and theological approaches to the Bible.... This is one of the first and best introductions to biblical interpretation that treats the postmodern situation of biblical studies seriously and constructively. It will make an excellent textbook in courses on exegesis and interpretation and for use in ecclesiastical study groups." - Religious Studies Review

IF YOU COULD HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANTED, WHAT WOULD YOU CHOOSE? We dream of what we'd do if we won the lottery or happened onto some other financial windfall. Solomon, son of King David didn't need such luck -- the world was his for the taking. So what did he want more than anything? To "discern between good and evil." God blessed Solomon with the wisest of hearts and through the Smart Guide to the Bible Series: Solomon, you'll see how you, too, can be blessed with God's wisdom through his writings in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. Yes, "you" can make the choice for a wise heart from God.

Sanchez's subject is the power of imperial myths - and the subversive power unleashed when resistance movements take over those myths for their own purposes. Moving from John of Patmos's inversion of Roman imperial mythology in Revelation 12 to the indigenous appropriation of Spanish symbolism and mythology, in seventeenth-century Mexico, Sanchez then explores the continuing power of the Virgin of Guadalupe (La Guadalupena) to inspire movements for a better society in our own day. From Patmos to the Barrio reveals new insights into the biblical Apocalypse of John, and the enduring power of its legacy down to the present day, as well as translations of two important 17th century documents concerning La Guadalupena: Luis Laso de la Vega's Huei tlamahuicoltica and Miguel Sanchez's Imagen de la Virgen Maria. Also included are images of La Guadalupena in the murals of East Los Angeles.

Learn the Answers to All Your Questions about God
What role do angels play in our lives?
Where and how will we live?
What will we be doing in heaven?
Will I know my family and friends?
What happens to departed children?
What will our new bodies be like?
Explore the Bible's heavenly promises where all your hopes and dreams will be fulfilled. If you have lost a loved one, you need this book to help you understand the truth about Heaven-the greatest promise ever made. Many who have read through these pages have forever lost their fear of death.

With fascinating insights into biblical customs and conditions--many of which exist today in the Middle East--Bowen clarifies over 100 scriptural texts and phrases that often puzzle Western readers unfamiliar with the culture of Bible times.