In our world, stories matter. Methods and systems are beneficial because they provide structure and help keep us on the right road; but the motivation and courage to keep walking the road, come from the stories we hear and see and experience-stories that inspire hope and bring us face-to-face with God. For ministers, the call to preach is a call into a story that forms and shapes us. It's about stumbling into revelation as life unwinds and scripture unfolds. It's about listening to God's voice and then sharing it with others. It's about recognizing that when people gather to hear a sermon, God speaks. And it's about understanding that when He speaks, He speaks through you. Preaching the Story That Shapes Us is more than a textbook on preaching. It's an empowering call for preachers to present a picture of the kingdom of God already at work among us, recognizing that the work of preaching is not just about arranging words--it's about people. With elegant prose and crafted reason, Dan Boone weaves together scripture, personal narrative, structure, and theological reflection to provide a satisfying, efficient guide to narrative preaching. From exploring the importance of biography to walking readers through creative processes that shape the sermon, Boone shows preachers how to awaken lives and share the stories of God that reveal who we are and lead us to who we will be.

Christian Philosemitism is a new genre of research into the development of the positive response by Evangelicals towards the Jews from the Puritan era. Lewis Way has been chosen as the leading example of Evangelical Anglican philosemitism between 1810 and 1840. The London Jews Society (LJS) was founded in 1809, Way was actively involved from 1811 and his substantial financial gift rescued the Society from ruin in 1815. Christian Philosemitism developed from the Puritan period and was strengthened by the Readmission of the Jews in 1656. A new impetus was given at the end of the eighteenth century, when in the challenging context of the social, religious and political upheaval in England following the French Revolution the LJS was founded.

"I'm really concerned about the state of the world. It feels like things are falling apart."

"I'm worried about my family's future."

"How can I stand firm in my faith in today's culture?"

Our times are turbulent ones, and questions and worries like these can haunt us and keep us awake at night. Yet is it possible that, ultimately, there is actually nothing to fear? Barry C. Black is the spiritual "leader of leaders" for the US Senate--shepherding those on the front lines of the decisions that shape our culture. Now, Chaplain Black shows all of us how to thrive in the midst of today's turbulence and confusion by following eight principles that Jesus gave his disciples prior to sending them into a dangerous world. These teachings are as relevant today as when Jesus first spoke them two thousand years ago.

Containing Scriptural insights and powerful prayers to help you seek God's guidance and blessing, Nothing to Fear will illuminate the way to live boldly, bravely, and faithfully in the face of today's perils.

Have you ever looked back on your life and wondered if there were situations that God was actively involved with but you didn't even know it? This book gives principles that will help you recognize God's presence in your life, guide your relationships, prepare you for spiritual and emotional success, and motivate you to help others recognize when God show up. This best-selling author teaches the life-transforming principles he learned when he encountered God though an unexpected spiritual experience, providing principles for learning to receive God's love, face life's trials, cope with temptation, and face disruptions of every kind.

Since its publication in 1994, The Story of God has played an important role in implementing and advancing the study of narrative theology. One of the first books to formulate and examine Wesleyan theology using the Bible's overarching story, it continues to serve as a popular text in colleges and universities and as a reliable resource for ministers and theologians. Unlike other books, which use a topical or systematic approach to understanding theology, The Story of God uses the flesh-and-blood stories of the Bible to help readers see the complete picture of God s love for the world and in doing so, gain a better understanding and appreciation for the Christian faith. Updated and revised to include current language and ideologies, this new edition provides readers with an even more engaging and accessible introduction to Christian theology. Drawing from Scripture, everyday experience, and contemporary reflection, Michael Lodahl weaves together the stories and themes of the Bible to present a compelling picture of the grand story of God and the amazing love He has for His people.

In this collection selected by C. S. Lewis are 365 selections from MacDonald’s inspiring and challenging writings.

A quiet reformation is gathering momentum across the UK and the world...Church leaders from across the denominational spectrum are coming together in friendship and prayer to seek God's will for their towns and cities - and transformation is occurring! Beyond the church, Christians in business, health and education, sports, charities and the arts, are strategically collaborating to impact their communities. Sharing common purpose and relational unity, they are discovering the power of working together as one. This inspirational collection of stories, of Christians bringing cultural, social and spiritual transformation to the places they love, will encourage and amaze. And this is only the beginning - imagine what our communities could be like in 30 years! A Gathering Momentum invites you to become part of the movement and join with others to fulfil the mission of God for your city or town.

Richard Rohr is one of the great spiritual writers of our time, and he believes this is the most important book he's ever written

The conflict between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law has existed throughout all of history. In the Old Testament, Rebekah complained that her daughters-in-law were making her so miserable, she'd rather be dead. Now, thousands of years later, we're still complaining about our in-laws, often even hoping they really won't ever come visit.In Mothers-in-Law vs. Daughters-in-Law, author Elisabeth Graham examines this in-law conflict with aims to draw readers into a different perspective: that women will learn to recognize their in-laws as a beneficial relationship--a gift--to and for the entire family.With sound biblical wisdom and clever insights, Graham teaches women to find peace in all aspects of their relationships with their in-laws.

The New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid individuals in every walk of life in the study and meditation of God's Word. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, it offers insight and perceptive scholarship to help you unlock the deeper truths of Scripture and garner an awareness of the history, culture, and context attributed to each book of study. Readable, relevant, and academically thorough, it offers scholars, pastors, and laity a new standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible in the 21st century.Each volume features: Completely New Scholarship from notable experts in the Wesleyan traditionConvenient Introductory Material for each book of the Bible including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, hermeneutical issues, and moreClear Verse-by-Verse Explanations, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the passage's original languageComprehensive Annotation divided into three sections, which cover background elements behind the text; verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text; and significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application from the textHelpful Sidebars, which provide deeper insight into theological issues, word meanings, archeological connections, historical relevance, cultural customs, and moreExpanded Bibliography for further study of historical elements, additional interpretations, and theological themesOf Romans, Martin Luther wrote: This letter is the principal part of the New Testament and the purest Gospel, which surely deserves the honor that a Christian man should not merely know it by heart word for word, but that he should be occupied with it daily as the daily bread of his soul. For it can never be read too often or too well.

Once upon a time in Texas . . . Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her demise. After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her. With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope's guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

The most important journey you’ll ever take starts with one decision.

The plain, undiluted Gospel of Jesus needs to be told, and it is the most important decision that one can ever make.

In Starting the Journey readers will discover that God loves them and has a perfect plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. In a simple and conversational style Angus Buchan explains the problem of sin and God’s plan of restoring our relationship with Him.

Angus discusses how to go about living the Christian life once a person has taken the first step toward salvation. Starting the Journey is the perfect tool for evangelism and focuses on:

· Salvation – What it means to know Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior

· Growing in God – How to grow in your walk with God

· The Great Commission – How to share the Good News with others.

Includes a list of Scripture verses to memorize and a handy “where to find it in the Bible” reference.

As a believer it is important to share this life-changing news with others and Starting the Journey will help every believer to answer the call.

Also available in Afrikaans "Begin die reis" & English "Starting The Journey"

Shéri Brynard has reached many remarkable milestones, although she was born with Down Syndrome. She talks about how love and acceptance from her family and friends formed her. She tells of her adventures, her pain and the harsh realities she has to face as an adult with Down Syndrome. Her mother tells the tale of living in Shéri’s shadow, speaking without holding back about her crisis of faith when she heard that her daughter had Down Syndrome. A touching tale.

In this book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer, author Sabine Dramm examines the twentieth century's best-known German pastor and theologian. This is a book about Bonhoeffer's vibrant Christian faith and his profound yet very practical theological thinking. Although Dietrich Bonhoeffer's passionate life and dramatic death are familiar territory, this book examines his life and the death he accepted in resistance to Hitler in the context of his faith and thought, as found in his own writings. Dramm explores Bonhoeffer's sermons, letters, articles, and books. She offers her readers an outstanding introduction to the breadth of his writing and the depth of his theological thinking, and traces how Bonhoeffer's beliefs and understandings led him to active resistance to the Nazi regime: to the establishment of alternative church groups, to espionage, and ultimately to conspiracy to overthrow the government by assassinating Hitler.

Serving others is a vital part of the Christian life. Time and again Christ demonstrated the importance of putting others first and giving what we can to help those less fortunate. As adults, we recognize the importance of instilling these values in our children and youth, but simply telling them to love their neighbor isn't enough; to leave a lasting impression, they need to see and experience love in action. 77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference is an easy-to-use resource that parents can use to cultivate compassion in their children and engage their family in acts of service. Filled with suggestions, activities, Bible verses, and topics for discussion, this re-usable manual inspires families to look for ways to make the world a better place by making a difference in the lives of others. Features include: Creative activities that can be adapted to fit your unique family Service ideas for a variety of budgets Bible verses at the end of each activity to help children connect the practical aspects of God's truth to their lives Interactive discussion questions to help teens understand the importance of each activity and correlate it to God s Word Suggestions that encourage whole families--parents, kids, grandparents, and other relatives--to spend time together as they practice biblical servanthood In addition to families, these ideas and activities can be easily adapted to use with youth groups, Sunday School classes, home school curriculums, small-groups, and church-wide community projects.