Spiritual and autobiographical reflections on the author's seminary days, early ministry, and writing career.

Disability and spirituality have traditionally been understood as two distinct spheres: disability is physical and thus belongs to health care professionals, while spirituality is religious and belongs to the church, synagogue, or mosque and their theologians, clergy, rabbis, and imams. This division leads to stunted theoretical understanding, limited collaboration, and segregated practices, all of which contribute to a lack of capacity to see people with disabilities as whole human beings and full members of a diverse human family. Contesting the assumptions that separate disability and spirituality, William Gaventa argues for the integration of these two worlds. As Gaventa shows, the quest to understand disability inevitably leads from historical and scientific models into the world of spiritualityato the ways that values, attitudes, and beliefs shape our understanding of the meaning of disability. The reverse is also true. The path to understanding spirituality is a journey that leads to disabilityato experiences of limitation and vulnerability, where the core questions of what it means to be human are often starkly and profoundly clear. In Disability and Spirituality Gaventa constructs this whole and human path before turning to examine spirituality in the lives of those individuals with disabilities, their families and those providing care, their friends and extended relationships, and finally the communities to which we all belong. At each point Gaventa shows that disability and spirituality are part of one another from the very beginning of creation. Recovering wholeness encompasses their reunionaa cohesion that changes our vision and enables us to everyone as fully human.

Every story entails a way of life and how every way of life implies a big story. In Every Body's Story, Branson Parler focuses on three predominant myths of sexuality in our secular age--individualism, romance, and materialism--and three dominant myths in Christian circles--anti-body theology, legalism, and the sexual prosperity gospel--exploring how those stories shape our practice. Our views of sexuality and our practices around sex are never just about sex. How we use and view our bodies reveals who/what we think God is (or is not) and who we are. If we truly understand the biblical logic of marriage, sexuality, and singleness--that they are meant to embody the gospel--then we will better understand why this witness is so vital. As God's self-giving faithfulness is put on display by both married and single Christians, those formed by our secular age will have to ask: What if it's true? What if there's more? What if God really does love us that much? Rather than viewing our sexuality as an isolated matter of ethics, we can see how the gospel places our sexuality in the context of God's rescue mission of the world.

Christians often see the Old Testament law as out of date and irrelevant now that Christ has come. Lalleman rejects this view and makes the case for the ongoing importance of the Law in the Christian life something to celebrate. Most helpfully, Lalleman sets out a model for interpretating Old Testament laws in the context of the whole of the Bible. She interacts with the scholarly literature on the subject in a very readable way and provides some basic biblical principles for integrating the whole of God's word in our lives. Lalleman then fleshes out these principles by applying them to three difficult topics in Old Testament law food laws, the cancellation of debts, and warfare. At the heart of this celebration of the law, she contends, is the wholeness, holiness, and integrity of God himself.

Dr. Aaron McNair Sr., an acclaimed author, teacher, and pastor, focuses on how to succeed as a preacher and leader in this step-by-step guidebook. Whether you have just assumed a leadership role or are seeking to hone your skills so you can rise up through the ranks, you can learn how to become an effective preacher. Discover how to embrace the pain and joy of the assignment; lead your church with integrity; preach even when you're having problems; and maximize your effectiveness at the pulpit.

Although written for religious leaders, the guidebook provides lessons for business leaders as well. Dr. McNair shares how he has applied best practices so that you can apply effective leadership techniques in a variety of settings.

Accept the premise that "failure is never an option" and develop the mental and physical stamina to become the best preacher and leader possible. It starts with learning to be confident, tactful, and selfless so you can start "Preaching with a Problem."