Known author and sure-footed Bible teacher

The Spanish Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage rooted in the Medieval period and increasingly active today, has attracted a growing amount of both scholarly and popular attention. With its multiple points of departure in Spain and other European countries, its simultaneously secular and religious nature, and its international and transhistorical population of pilgrims, this particular pilgrimage naturally invites a wide range of intellectual inquiry and scholarly perspectives. This volume fills a gap in current pilgrimage studies, focusing on contemporary representations of the Camino de Santiago. Complementing existing studies of the Camino's medieval origins, it situates the Camino as a modern experience and engages interdisciplinary perspectives to present a theoretical framework for exploring the most central issues that concern scholars of pilgrimage studies today. Contributors explore the contemporary meaning of the Camino through an interdisciplinary lens that reflects the increasing permeability between academic disciplines and fields, bringing together a wide range of theoretical and critical perspectives (cultural studies, literary studies, globalization studies, memory studies, ethnic studies, postcolonial studies, cultural geographies, photography, and material culture). Chapters touch on a variety of genres (blogs, film, graphic novels, historical novels, objects, and travel guides), and transnational perspectives (Australia, the Arab world, England, Spain, and the United States).

The most important journey in life is the journey inwards, to the depths of our own being. It is a journey we are all invited to make. It takes us beyond words and images into silence. The silence allows the restless mind to become still and in the stillness we enter a new world. We return to our hearts. Here we find our true selves. We discover an ancient way of finding God that has almost become lost. Slowly, we realise that we are in union with the source of life and love itself. Our whole life changes. Our goal now is to take God's love to others in our everyday lives.

How could the Apostle Paul maintain in his first letter to the Christians in Corinth that all their ancestors were baptized into Moses at the Red Sea / exodus event (10:2), and how could he tolerate some of them having themselves baptized again on behalf of the dead (15:29)? Answers to these puzzling questions can be found in early Jewish sources now located both in Greek and Hebrew, all here translated.

The process of living is a journey, and this book is a vehicle that evokes the inner life. Boldly step into the life of the Spirit through this journal workbook.

The Western image of Tibet as a sacred land is in many ways a mythical construction. But the Tibetans themselves have traditionally mapped out their land in terms of areas of sacred space, and pilgrimage, ensuring a high degree of mobility within all classes of Tibetan society. Pilgrims travelled to local, regional, and national centres throughout recorded Tibetan history. In recent years, pilgrimage has resumed in areas where it had been forbidden by the Chinese authorities, and has now become one of the most prominent religious expressions of Tibetan national identity. In this major new work, leading scholars of Asian pilgrimage traditions discuss historical and contemporary aspects of pilgrimage within the Tibetan cultural world. Myths and legends, material conditions, textual sources, a modern pilgrim's impressions, political and economic influences, biographies and contemporary developments - all these and many other issues are examined here. The result is an informative and often entertaining work which contributes greatly to our knowledge of the history and culture of Tibet as well as the wider issues of religious power and practice.

Strengthen your faith, receive your miracle!

Miracle testimonies are more than just accounts of past events; they are invitations to a fresh experience of God's supernatural power!

Respected pastor and healing minister, Randy Clark presents a unique compilation of amazing miracle testimonies to help strengthen your faith for whatever healing breakthrough you need!

Every miracle account in Stories of Divine Healing offers a new gateway for your own healing. As you read, you will encounter Jesus' compassionate heart and matchless power over every sickness and disease.

- Be inspired by over 100 faith-stirring miracle testimonies, documented, categorized and indexed for easy access

- Receive supernatural encouragement by reading real-life testimonies of healing from blindness, deafness, diabetes, heart problems, chronic pain, Parkinson's disease, tumors, cancer, andmuch more!

- Strengthen your faith to receive your personal breakthrough by practicing Randy Clark's simple teaching on activating miracle testimonies

- Experience the Holy Spirit's healing presence that hovers over miracle testimonies

Strengthen your faith, and lay claim to your own healing miracle today

Vestments -- the robes, stoles or other items worn by clergy, or cloths used at the altar -- not only add beauty to a worship service, but are visual clues to the liturgical season and to the tone of a particular service. The most beautiful and meaningful vestments are often those made for a particular priest, serving in a specific sanctuary. But many shy away from trying to sew vestments, which seem too complicated and difficult to make.

In Vestments for All Seasons, Barbara Baumgarten demystifies the making of vestments -- from designing and fitting patterns, to fabric and color selection, to putting on the finishing touches. She provides patterns and directions for producing special vestments for Advent and Lent, Easter, and Pentecost, and general instructions for designing and making vestments completely from scratch. A history of the development of vestments from Roman times to the present is included, as well as a full glossary describing the various vestments worn by clergy, bishops, deacons, and choir.

From birthday cakes and anniversary dinners to summer vacations at the beach, each family has its own ways of marking the days and seasons of its life. For the Christian family especially Episcopalians it s no different. With an array of colors and an assortment of rich traditions, Episcopalians move through the Church year, marking the days and seasons that tell the story of Christ in our lives in history and today.

This book written for newcomers to the Episcopal Church as well as lifelong members takes readers by the hand and leads them through the Church year, from the first Sunday of Advent through the last Sunday of Pentecost, answering questions like Why do we use purple in Lent? and What does Maundy Thursday mean? In an easy-to-read conversational style, Welcome to the Church Year introduces readers to the traditions of the Church seasons and explains why we do what we do. But it does more than offer interesting trivia about church vestments and pageantry. Its insights can help readers participate in the liturgies of the Church year in a deeper, more meaningful way."

Are you ready to accept a challenge that could dramatically change your life? The Weekly Prayer Project invites you to journal, pray, reflect, and connect with God using a 52-week guided prayer journal. You'll learn to pray with intention and explore the different types of prayers found in the Bible, with journaling prompts that guide you to reflect on God's work in your life. The Weekly Prayer Project is: Full of variety of prayers-from prayers of gratitude and thankfulness to prayers of lament and intercession Perfect for a beginner in faith and prayer life, but thought provoking enough for someone already familiar with prayer A unique prayer journaling format designed to help you focus and organize time for prayer A perfect companion for individual worship, Bible studies, and small groups Each week includes: A biblical theme to focus on A short but impactful Bible verse to help you reflect and meditate Inspirational insight to guide your thoughts and jumpstart your prayer project Journaling prompts to help you pray, reflect, and connect with God This 12-month journal: Showcases beautiful photography and calming colors Includes a pretty ribbon marker, so you never lose your place Provides ample journaling space, but easily fits on your nightstand, tote bag, or a gift basket Makes for a perfect self-purchase and a thoughtful gift for Christmas, Mother's Day, birthdays, or a welcoming gift for Bible study groups Check out the rest of the series, The Weekly Faith Project and The Weekly Gratitude Project.

This uniquely comprehensive reference work provides a global account of the history, expansion, diversity, and contemporary issues facing the Anglican Communion, the worldwide body that includes all followers of the Anglican faith. * An insightful and wide-ranging treatment of this dynamic global faith, offering unrivalled coverage of its historical development, and the religious and ethical questions affecting the church today * Explores every aspect of this vibrant religious community from analyzing its instruments of Unity, to its central role in interfaith communication * Spans the Anglican Communion s long history through to 21st century debates within the church on such issues as sexual-orientation of clergy, and the pastoral role of women * Features a substantial articles on the Church s 44 provinces, including a brief history of each * Brings together a distinguished and international team of contributors, including some of the world s leading Anglican commentators

Exploring how the Bible may be appropriately used in practical and public theology, this book looks at types of modern practical theology with specific emphasis on the use of the Bible. Bennett juxtaposes the diversity of modern practical theology with the work of leading nineteenth-century public 'theologian', John Ruskin, and then assesses the contribution of this analysis to some modern issues of public importance in which the Bible is used. The final chapter offers a framework for a biblically informed critical practical theology which draws on the writer's experience and invites the readers to engage their own.

This volume provides a theoretically- and empirically-grounded study of the significance of landscape, its intersection with cultural heritage, and associated implications for tourism, in Christian pilgrimage. It provides an international and interdenominational perspective on these issues, drawing on a wide range of examples and using three detailed case studies: Meteora, Greece; Subiaco, Italy; and the Isle of Man, British Isles. These case studies have been chosen for their international and denominational diversity, as well as rich landscape and heritage contexts. They include Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Ecumenical/ Protestant denominations, incorporating different Christian theologies, practices and perspectives on the nature and purpose of pilgrimage. None have received significant attention within pilgrimage literature and thus provide a wealth of new comparative data to evaluate in relation to existing studies of Christian pilgrimage. They draw on rich participant experiential accounts and interviews with clergy, laity and local stakeholders.

The volume provides analysis of this original data which is inflected by careful attention to theoretical and conceptual engagement with literature on mobilities, sacred place and practice, place-temporalities, aesthetics, embodiment and performance, "communitas," emotion and affect, theology and spiritualities, multi-faith and post-secular society, cultural heritage, consumption and commodification, and the pilgrim-tourist continuum.

In discussions of worship, the term 'participation' covers a lot of ground. It refers not only to concrete acts in gathered liturgy, but also to some of the loftiest claims of Christian theology. In this book, Alan Rathe probes the ways in which North American evangelicals have in recent years regarded the landscape of participation. Rathe presents a broad review of evangelical worship literature through a lens borrowed from medieval theology. This brings into surprising focus not only evangelical understandings but also evangelical identities and the historical traditions they reflect, and offers fresh perspectives on such current theological concerns as God's triunity, missio Dei, and the practical theology of participation. Offering a fresh contribution to a young but important discipline, the liturgically-informed study of evangelical worship practice, this book reconnects the evangelical tradition to the 'Great Tradition' and in the process re-appropriates classic concepts that are full of promise for contemporary ecumenical dialogue.

These long-awaited rites have been under discussion by the church for more than six years. Included are public rites, together with prayers for individual and family use, for all of the major stages of human development, from early childhood to retirement. In addition, a new collection of prayers and a simple rite for remembering the departed provide an important pastoral resource for human grieving in the weeks and months following the death of a loved one.

CONTENTS

Introductory Materials Including the theology and rationale for the rites, their structure and features

Planning for a Rite of Passage

Prayers for the Transitions of Childhood

Prayers and Rites for the Transitions of Young Adulthood

Including a rite of passage for young people and their parents; celebrating a significant birthday; the blessing of a betrothal

Prayers and a Rite for the Transitions of Midlife

Prayers and Rites for the Transitions of Elders

Prayers and a Rite for Remembering the Departed

Appendix containing suggested hymns and spiritual songs

A must-read for anyone who has ever asked God, "Why me?" It's easy to trust God when things are going our way and the world makes sense. But when suffering strikes--especially seemingly senseless suffering--we are filled with doubt and stunned by events spiraling beyond our control. In the midst of suffering, we often question the very foundation of our faith--our belief in the God who says he loves us. Since our trust and obedience rest on God's character, the questions that life's tragedies force us to face are difficult, even frightening: Who is God? Can he really be trusted? What are his purposes in the face of suffering? If he can stop suffering, why doesn't he? Joni Eareckson Tada, a woman who has lived in a wheelchair for more than thirty years, and Steve Estes, a pastor and one of Joni's closest friends, explore the answers. When God Weeps is not so much a book about suffering as it is about God. It tackles tough questions about heaven and hell, horrors and hardships, and why God allows suffering in this life. Through a panoramic overview of what the Bible says about suffering, the authors make clear who God is, why he permits so much heartache and pain, and how it is we can trust him. With both a practical edge and heartfelt warmth, When God Weeps offers dependence on his love and mercy in spite of our doubts, fears, longings, and questions.

We all have a little bit of Pharisaism in us.

Pharisaism is one of the sins that angered Jesus the most. Yet we are often in bondage to it without realizing it. How can we recognize the warning signs in our own hearts and lives and be set free?

Do you consider yourself a better Christian than others? Do you enjoy pointing out others' faults while ignoring your own? Do you fail to practice what you preach? If so, you might be a Pharisee--a modern-day version of the religious leaders in Jesus' day whom He condemned for their legalism and self-righteousness. It's time to take a hard look at your attitudes and behavior and allow the Holy Spirit to set you free.

You will learn the following:

• Twenty-five signs that indicate you might be a Pharisee
• Why the sin of pharisaism angered Jesus
• The opposite character trait Jesus modeled
• Steps to take to rid pharisaism from your heart and mind

What would it look like if women built a lectionary focusing on women's stories? What does it look like to tell the good news through the stories of women who are often on the margins of scripture and often set up to represent bad news? How would a lectionary centering women's stories, chosen with womanist and feminist commitments in mind, frame the presentation of the scriptures for proclamation and teaching? The scriptures are androcentric, male-focused, as is the lectionary that is dependent upon them. As a result, many congregants know only the biblical men's stories told in the Sunday lectionary read in their churches. A more expansive, more inclusive lectionary will remedy that by introducing readers and hearers of scripture to "women's stories" in the scriptures. A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church, when completed, will be a three-year lectionary accompanied by a stand-alone single year lectionary, Year W, that covers all four gospels. Year A features the Gospel of Matthew with John interwoven as is the case in the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) and Episcopal Lectionary.

Prayer That Gets ResultsPrayer is the Christian's lifeline to God, and with it lives are changed for eternity! E. M. Bounds knew the secrets of prayer and that God has established divine principles and promises for our every need. He reveals these principles and illustrates how God has answered the prayers of men and women since the beginning of Bible times. He also uncovers how you can...* Have direct communication with God* Maintain a prayer life that produces results* Overcome Satan and his hold on prayer* Obtain all that God has for you* Discover all the possibilities of prayerSince the time of the apostles, no man besides E. M. Bounds has left such a rich inheritance of biblical research into the life of prayer. Here are teachings that form the only effective barrier against the powers of evil that prevail throughout the present world. Through his writings, you will discover how you can have a totally effective prayer life and how you can know the fullness of divine power."Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."--John 16:24

In Midnight Dad Devotional, author Becky Thompson joins her dad, Dr. Mark Pitts, to lead you on a journey of discovering the Father's heart so you can be encouraged, strengthened, and challenged in your role as a dad.

Midnight Dad Devotional offers the encouragement and biblical grounding that has made the Midnight Mom and Midnight Dad Devotional Facebook Communities a help to parents around the world.

The Midnight Mom Devotional Community has become a global movement of prayer and encouragement for mamas everywhere, launching Midnight Mom Devotional to bestseller lists and into over a million moms' hearts. Now author Becky Thompson and her dad, Dr. Mark Pitts, offer a new book for dads who need to know God is with them on the parenting journey. Midnight Dad Devotional gives dads in all seasons of life:

• A sense of connection with other fathers
• Strength for each night and the day ahead
• Wisdom from the Bible for tough situations
• Affirmation of the importance of their role
• Reassurance that God is with them

• Is trying to balance long work hours and a desire to be with family
• Wants to set a good example for his children
• Sometimes feels distant from his kids
• Is navigating a separation or a divorce
• Desires to pass on his faith in authentic ways

Tried-and-tested collection of creative resources for the Church's year

A 6-week exploration of the Lord's Prayer (traditional version) that shows readers how this ancient prayer can serve as a model for their prayers today.

Many congregations today experience collisions between parents who ant to spend time with their children and age-segregated church programming, as well as between the children worshiping in their pews and the increasing number of seniors in the same pew. Among the questions these congregations struggle to address are these: Should we try to hold the generations together when we worship/ Is it even possible? Led by pastor and resource developer Howard Vanderwell, nine writers--pastors, teachers, worship planners, and others serving in specialized ministries--offer their reflections on issues congregational leaders need to address as they design their worship ministry. In addition, numerous sidebars illustrate the diversity of practices in the church today. Contributors do not propose easy answers or instant solutions. Rather, they guide readers as they craft ministries and practices that fit their own community, heritage, and history. Each chapter includes questions for reflection and group discussion, and an appendix provides guidelines for small group use. The thread that connects these varied contributions is the belief that there is no greater privilege for Christians than worshiping God, and there is no better way to do that than as an intergenerational community in which all are important and all encourage and nurture the faith of the others.