Dynamic New Teaching from Bestselling Author Ed Silvoso The word church has many connotations; we think of it as a specific building, as a group of people, even as a long service to sit through. We hardly ever think of it as world-changing--and neither does society. Yet this is exactly what the first-century ekklesia was. In these vital, eye-opening pages, bestselling author Ed Silvoso takes you back to the first days of the church. Digging into Scripture, he shows how the New Testament church--devoid of buildings, professional clergy, and religious freedom--was able to transform the hostile, pagan places into which it was born and set in motion a process that changed the world forever. Even more, Silvoso offers a roadmap back to becoming the ekklesia Jesus called his church to be. In the midst of the social, economic, political, and moral chaos in our world today, we possess the hope that people and nations so desperately need--and we can become the revolutionary, transformational, life-giving voice Jesus called us to be. A new, in-depth curriculum kit--which features a DVD with 12 brand-new teaching sessions, a group guide for both leaders and participants, and a copy of the book--is also available. Expounding on the book's dynamic teachings, each kit contains everything you need to equip your group to transform the world around them.

Sulamiet is ’n bundel oor medemenslikheid, liefde, die wisseling van seisoene, die skoonheid van die natuur en die kunste in ’n land en ’n wêreld van geweld. Die titel Sulamiet verwys na die vroulike spreker in die Bybelboek Hooglied waarin die verlore tuin van Eden ná die sondeval deur die liefde herskep word. Die verse in die bundel handel oor die liefde in vele vorme, die belewenis van die religieuse en die skoonheid van die natuur en die kunste waaraan altyd ’n tekort verbonde bly weens menslike ontoereikenheid. Binne die perspek­tief van die herwonne paradys staan Jesus nie sentraal as die Gekruisigde en die Wonderwerker nie, maar as die Joodse rabbi wat die koms van die Koninkryk reeds op aarde verkondig het. God is transendent: die hiëroglief, die ontwykende aan wie ons verbonde is in ons woordeloosheid en deur die musiek.

""Mom, Dad what is sex?"

Angry Birds and Killer Bees is a book that can help you turn "The Talk" into an ongoing conversation that counters the myriad sources of bad information children are exposed to on a daily basis and helps them understand the beauty of true intimacy.

The three main sections "Sex: Myths and Messages," "Sex and Biology," and "Sex and God," you'll find information to help you talk with your children about sex, puberty, and the biological, emotional and spiritual levels of relationships. You'll be able to help them:

Navigate the social influences of their peers and the culture we live in.

Understand the deep bonds that come from a healthy sexual relationship.

View sex as a beautiful, God-given gift that is designed to enhance our emotional and spiritual lives.

This book is designed to teach you how to talk to your children about sex in ways that do more than just label body parts and will help them grow into emotionally and sexually healthy adults.

This book, now in its second edition, brings together the best available understandings of human development from a multidisciplinary perspective. Uniquely inclusive of the moral and faith dimensions of context and life-cycle development, Human Development and Faith examines the interplay of mind, body, family, community, and soul at every stage of development. It addresses two central questions: What are the "good-enough" conditions of parenting, family, and community in each phase of life, from birth to death, that support growth and development? What gives life adequate meaning as development proceeds? If human development describes the normative and hoped-for passages of life, then faith provides the necessary component of meaning. Throughout the various perspectives offered in this volume is the premise that faith is that quality of living that makes it possible to fully live. The Journal of Pastoral Theology called the first edition of Human Development and Faith "an excellent text for pastoral theology courses, because it fulfills its ambitious goal of bringing a holistic faith perspective to the usual topics of development." This second edition includes a new chapter on infancy, updates reflecting our growing awareness of cultural diversity, and a new preface.

The inspirational classic, More than a Carpenter, is now updated for a new generation of seekers with a fresh look, revised material, and a new chapter that addresses questions commonly raised today. Former skeptic Josh McDowell is now joined by his son Sean as they examine the evidence about Jesus. Is he really the Lord he claimed to be? How can we know for sure? More than a Carpenter offers arguments for faith from a skeptic turned believer.

Since its original publication in 1977, this modern classic has sold over 15 million copies, been translated into dozens of languages, and introduced countless people to the real Jesus. Now with new content that addresses questions raised by today's popular atheist writers.

"Where does discipleship end and evangelism begin? How does one fit with the other?

Joining the two together properly is a challenge. Both are important and both are necessary.

Missional Discipleship offers a holistic vision that effectively incorporates discipleship with evangelism. Thoroughly Wesleyan in its emphasis on God's ever-present grace and the possibility of human response, this approach demonstrates that education and formation go hand-in-hand with mission and witness.

Written by a cadre of scholars and seasoned ministers, this book is an accessible resource to assist pastors and leaders as they introduce to their churches and small groups the vision of mission discipleship. With topics ranging from service and compassion to discipleship and the family, this invaluable guide encapsulates what it means to engage a community of faith in embodying the gospel and equipping Christians to participate in the restorative and redemptive mission of God in the world."

Jacob Hochstetler is a peace-loving Amish settler on the Pennsylvania frontier when Native American warriors, goaded on by the hostilities of the French and Indian War, attack his family one September night in 1757. Taken captive by the warriors and grieving for the family members just killed, Jacob finds his beliefs about love and nonresistance severely tested.

Jacob endures a hard winter as a prisoner in an Indian longhouse. Meanwhile, some members of his congregation the first Amish settlement in America move away for fear of further attacks.

Based on actual events, Jacob's Choice describes how one man's commitment to pacifism leads to a season of captivity, a complicated romance, an unrelenting search for missing family members, and an astounding act of forgiveness and reconciliation.

North Carolina's Moral Monday protests have drawn tens of thousands of protestors in what has been called the new Civil Rights Movement. Forward Together: Beyond the Moral Monday Movement for Justice title tentative] shares the theological foundation for the Moral Monday movement, serving as a proclamation of a new American movement seeking equal treatment and opportunity for all regardless of economic status, sexual preference, belief, race, geography, and any other discriminatory bases. The book will also serve as a model for other movements across the country and around the world using North Carolina as a case study, providing useful, practical tips about grassroots organizing and transformative leadership.

Are You Ready to Do Something Extraordinary? Vance Brown believes most men are discouraged. They're worn out and wondering if their best days are behind them. Vance knows the feeling. There was a time he felt more dead than alive, but his friends still believed in him. "Have courage," they urged. "God needs you, here, now . . . this day." That's what this book is about, men who stand up for each other and fight for things that matter. It's about men who fail but get back up and try again. Far from platitudes and pat answers, these are gritty pages that bleed, stories about ordinary men who are doing something extraordinary--choosing to live fully, no matter the cost. Answering this noble call is not easy, but you will never regret it. "We were absolutely rocked...by the overwhelming feeling that God is using these pages to awaken something in millions of men who instinctively know they are called to be part of a larger story."--from the foreword by Jeff and Shaunti Feldhahn, bestselling authors of For Men Only and For Women Only Excellent for Men's Groups--Includes a Six-Week Study Guide "This is a powerful and passionate book, brutally honest and wonderfully humble. This is going to help a lot of men recover hope and courage. It will draw us together as brothers. And most important, this book will help you find a deeper life in Jesus."--John Eldredge, author of Wild at Heart and Beautiful Outlaw "You may desire to be a great businessman, which is a noble goal. But there is an even higher calling--to be a good man for the kingdom of God. No Matter the Cost should be required reading for anyone who is fighting to be such a good man."--Tommy Spaulding, business consultant and New York Times bestselling author of It's Not Just Who You Know "This is a book filled not with bravado but with stories of men 'limping home, barely brave.' Vance's storytelling and John's golden pen result in a feast of all that is possible when men are willing to admit their need to live honestly before other men. Then men I respect the most desire and live this."--Jan Meyers Proett, counselor, speaker, author of The Allure of Hope and Listening to Love "Vance Brown has given us the spiritual weapons we need to become better fathers, husbands, and ministry leaders. His writing is heartfelt and his message is clear: God is calling all men to engage in a battle--the fight of our lives, the struggle we were created for. No Matter the Cost is a battle cry for authentic manhood."--Arnie Cole, CEO of Back to the Bible and coauthor of Unstuck "This book is a uniquely authentic call to the deepest part of a man's soul. Anyone in whom God's Spirit is moving will respond. The results can be dramatic."--Dr. Larry Crabb, founder of NewWay Ministries "No Matter the Cost issues a radical challenge to men of all ages: Become the Christ-built warriors we were created to be--unbending faith, unselfish in attitude, always honorable, and humble in word and deed. Every man must hear Vance Brown's powerful message and then pass it on to the next generation."--Michael Ross, bestselling author of What Your Son Isn't Telling You

As you proceed on your path to personal growth and want to gain insight into what prevents you from being the husband, wife, parent, or creative person you were born to be, benefit from this inspiring and easy-to-use workbook by T.D. Jakes, author of the "New York Times "bestseller "Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven. "
More than a companion piece to "Let It Go, "this is a guide through an "exhilarating journey that will enable you to finally reach the potential you know is inside you and take you to a level of personal success you may have only dreamed of until now," says Bishop Jakes. This workbook outlines the fundamentals of forgiveness and provides the spiritual and psychological tools to acknowledge and process feelings that may have held you back from fulfilling your greatest potential.
With this workbook learn how to:
- Sever the chains with which your past has held you captive, and launch yourself into a brighter future than you may have imagined.
- Break the powerful-but-invisible negative bonds that connect you in damaging ways to people who have hurt or offended you.
- Be set free to dream again and to pursue the vision you have for your life.
- Move beyond depression and bitterness and experience the freedom of forgiveness.

Surely faith is irrational? And hasn't science buried God? Isn't faith a psychological crutch or sociological construct? Don't you need evidence? Wasn't Jesus just another myth? Can we really believe the miracle stories? How do we know that the accounts of Jesus weren't just made up? Hasn't the Bible been distorted? Did Jesus really claim to be God? Did the resurrection actually happen? And what has it got to do with us anyway? The Christian faith may seem attractive, but is it true? ... And what if it is true? Could our desires actually be a pointer to the God who really is there and desires to be known by us?

With insight and humility, international leader and pastor Rick DuBose shows the path back to five forgotten altars-and ultimately, the path to your place in heaven's throne room in, In Jesus' Name: 5 Altars of Prayer That Move Heaven and Earth.

Throughout Scripture, God's leaders-built altars where He met them in powerful, miraculous ways. God still longs to pour out His power at those altars. But we've been seduced away by worldly wisdom and man-made distractions and plans, leaving us ineffective against the evil sweeping across our land.

With insight and humility, international leader and pastor Rick DuBose shows the path back to five forgotten altars--and ultimately, the path to your place in heaven's throne room. Full of real-world application and encouraging inspiration, this book will help you:

• Ignite a fire for effective prayer
• Stand your ground in five key areas
• Create a culture of prevailing prayer in your church
• Build spaces to repent, receive, and encounter God

It's time to storm the altars and pray with humble authority that moves heaven--and unleashes victory here on earth.