2015 Book of the Year Award, Academy of Parish Clergy Amid conflicting ideas about what the church should be and do in a post-Christian climate, the missing voice is that of Paul. The New Testament's most prolific church planter, Paul faced diverse challenges as he worked to form congregations. Leading biblical scholar James Thompson examines Paul's ministry of planting and nurturing churches in the pre-Christian world to offer guidance for the contemporary church. The church today, as then, must define itself and its mission among people who have been shaped by other experiences of community. Thompson shows that Paul offers an unprecedented vision of the community that is being conformed to the image of Christ. He also addresses contemporary (mis)understandings of words like missional, megachurch, and formation.

This clear and concise text helps readers grasp the doctrines of the Christian faith considered basic from the earliest days of Christianity. Ronald Heine, an internationally known expert on early Christian theology, developed this book from a course he teaches that has been refined through many years of classroom experience. Heine primarily uses the classical Christian doctrines of the Nicene Creed to guide students into the essentials of the faith.
This broadly ecumenical work will interest students of church history or theology as well as adult Christian education classes in church settings. Sidebars identify major personalities and concepts, and each chapter concludes with discussion questions and suggestions for further reading.

An up-front, close and fresh examination of the impact of whiteness and how it contributes to our troubled race relationships, this book posits that whiteness is a pervasive ideology that is rarely overtly identified or examined, although it has profound effects on race relationships in therapy and beyond. Being intentional about naming, deconstructing and dismantling whiteness is a precursor to responding effectively to the racial reckoning of our society and improving race relationships, addressing systemic bias and moving towards the creation of a more racially just world. Contributors to the volume are from different backgrounds and trainings, and write on such topics as: the vicious cycle of white centrality; being Black in a world of whiteness; undoing internalised white supremacy; intersectionality and the contradictions of a white, Jewish identity; becoming an antiracist leader; and building an antiracist clinical practice.

Looking for an ideal toast, quip, or remark for that special occasion--or the perfect pithy comment to enliven an everyday conversation? Ask Shakespeare!

A wedding vow--"To you I give myself, for I am yours" ("As You Like It")

A birthday greeting--to me, fair fried, you can never be old. (Sonnet 104)

Party time!--"Let's mock the midnight bell." ("Antony and Cleopatra")

The plays and poetry of the Immortal Bard make up a vast repository of wit and wisdom, insight and passion. If there's an occasion that needs commemorating, chances are there are some lines from Shakespeare that will do the job right. Whether you want to "speak the speech" with verve and flair or craft an elegant toast, lecture, or missive, world-renowned Shakespearean director and teacher Barry Edelstein will help you find the perfect "Bardism" for any occasion.

What are we to make of those occasional yet illuminating experiences of God's presence that occur outside both church and Scripture? We may encounter God's revelatory presence as we experience a beautiful sunset, the birth of a child, or a work of art, music, or literature. While theologians have tended to describe such experiences abstractly as mere traces or echoes, those involved often recognize such moments of transcendence as transformative.
Here senior theologian Robert Johnston explores how Christians should think theologically about God's wider revelatory presence that is mediated outside the church through creation, conscience, and culture. The book offers a robust, constructive biblical theology of general revelation, rooting its insights in the broader Trinitarian work of the Spirit. Drawing in part from the author's theological engagement with film and the arts, the book helps Christians understand personal moments of experiencing God's transcendence and accounts for revelatory experiences of those outside the believing community. It also shows how God's revelatory presence can impact our interaction with nonbelievers and those of other faiths.

The third quest for the historical Jesus has reached an impasse. But a fourth quest is underway--one that draws from a heretofore largely neglected source: John's Gospel. In this book, renowned New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg advances the idea that John is a viable and valuable source for studying the historical Jesus. The data from John should be integrated with that of the Synoptics, which will yield additional insights into Jesus's emphases and ministry. Blomberg begins by reviewing the first three quests, reassessing both their contributions and their shortcomings. He then discusses the emerging consensus regarding demonstrably historical portions of John, which are more numerous than usually assumed. Peeling back the layers, we discover in Jesus's ministry an emphasis on purity and purification. The Synoptics corroborate this discovery, specifically in Jesus's meals with sinners. Blomberg then explores the practical and contemporary applications of Jesus the purifier, including the "contagious holiness" that Jesus's followers can spread to others.

Fascinating Accounts of Modern-Day Miracles
Does God still play an active role in the world today? Readers are thrilled to discover that yes, he does, showing himself in countless miracles and unexplained events. In their signature style, trusted pastor Jim Garlow and writer Keith Wall tap into readers' fascination with miracles by gathering exciting, credible true stories of God's supernatural activities in the lives of everyday people. These stories will encourage and inspire, making this a great gift or impulse buy.

Relax and unwind with this stress-relieving colouring book of relaxing patterns. The art of colouring is a form of meditation, focusing the mind and stilling the endless mental chatter that saps our energy and causes stress and negative feelings. As you start to colour in these beautiful designs you will unleash your inner creativity and find yourself gradually moving to a more peaceful and calming state of mind. You can colour in as little or as much as you like, taking your time to develop your picture the way you want it. There are no hard or fast rules, you are truly free to create your own unique designs using pencils, pens or paints. Start colouring today and enjoy the still, quiet voice of calm this simple meditative practice will bring.

Carry this bag in style! The Andy Warhol Foundation Banana Tote Bag from Galison features Warhol's iconic yellow banana image and signature on one side and stylish thin black sailor stripes on the other side. This awesome bag also includes 3 different limited edition pins: Banana, Andy Self Portrait, Camouflage with the quote, "Art is what you can get away with". There is also a secondary hang tag attached which is a facsimile of an Andy Warhol art store receipt. The tote is constructed using heavy gauge cotton canvas and sturdy red strap (with the perfect length to carry over the shoulder or alongside your legs). - Size: 17 x 15''

Love them or hate them, the New York Yankees have been an American institution for nearly a century. With their rich history and colorful cast of characters, the Yankees never fail to inspire or provoke. In this exciting compendium, some of our most acclaimed writers--including Pete Dexter, Colum McCann, Roy Blount Jr., Dan Barry, Jane Leavy, Charles P. Pierce, J. R. Moehringer, Bill James, and many more--step up to the plate to take their cuts. The result is a collection of original essays as idiosyncratic and expansive as the team that has inspired them: ruminations on Babe Ruth's gravestone, Derek Jeter's swing, and every other subject that spans from the hilarious (the Yankee wife swap of the seventies) to the sublime (the grace of Catfish Hunter). Superbly written, deeply insightful, and full of both passion and humor, Damn Yankees is a completely fresh look at baseball's most enduring franchise.

Journey back to where it all started in this deluxe collection of the classic Topps trading cards from 1993-just in time for the theatrical release of Jurassic World: DominionJurassic Park was an immediate blockbuster and has gone on to become a multimedia franchise with five sequels, theme park attractions, comic books, toys, and more-including a set of trading cards released by Topps in 1993 to tie into the film. This comprehensive collection of the original trading card series-timed to publish alongside Jurassic World: Dominion-includes the fronts and backs of all of these classic cards, plus the special chase cards and rare promotional material. The book also includes text and commentary by Gary Gerani, editor of the original series, and an afterword by Chip Kidd, who created and designed the cover of Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park, which became the iconic logo for the franchise.

160 lined pages. Bookbound hardcover. Elastic band place holder. Acid-free, archival paper. Inside back cover pocket. Gold foil, embossed.

Frida Kahlo continues to be an inspiration to all who appreciate independence, strength and beauty. Our boxed note card set comes in a flip-top box with magenetic closure and features 20 note cards - 4 each of 5 images - featuring her famous self portraits. Cards are The Two Fridas, 1939, Self-Portrait with Monkey and Parrot, 1942, Self-Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky, 1937, The Wounded Deer, 1946, and Remembrance, 1937. - 20 notecards and envelopes 4 each of 5 images - Each card: 4.75 x 7 inches - Flip top box with magnetic closure - Box measures 7 3/8 x 5 7/16 x 1 1/2 in.

Shred the slopes with Desktop Snowboarding! This kit contains everything you need to assemble a miniature winter mountain slope so you can do some finger snowboarding, right at your desk. * MINI SNOWBOARD: Includes 3-inch mini snowboard with tiny boots attached for your fingers * ONE-OF-A-KIND MINI MOUNTAIN SLOPE PIECES: A mini, flocked mountain slope in two pieces that snaps together, including a jump ramp on one side and a rail on the other * CUSTOMIZABLE: Incudes 2 sheets of full-color sticker to deck out your board * BOOK INCLUDED: Instructional mini book on finger snowboarding, accompanied by full-color illustrations

Volcanoes are capable of acts of pyrotechnical prowess verging on magic: they spout black magma more fluid than water, create shimmering cities of glass at the bottom of the ocean and frozen lakes of lava on the moon and can even tip entire planets over. Between lava that melts and re-forms the landscape, and noxious volcanic gases that poison the atmosphere, volcanoes have threatened life on Earth countless times in our planet's history. Yet despite their reputation for destruction, volcanoes are inseparable from the creation of our planet. A lively and utterly fascinating guide to these geologic wonders, Super Volcanoes revels in the incomparable power of volcanic eruptions past and present, Earthbound and otherwise-and recounts the daring and sometimes death-defying careers of the scientists who study them. Science journalist and volcanologist Robin George Andrews explores how these eruptions reveal secrets about the worlds to which they belong, describing the stunning ways in which volcanoes can sculpt the sea, land and sky, and even influence the machinery that makes or breaks the existence of life. Walking us through the mechanics of some of the most infamous eruptions on Earth, Andrews outlines what we know about how volcanoes form, erupt and evolve, as well as what scientists are still trying to puzzle out. How can we better predict when a deadly eruption will occur-and protect communities in the danger zone? Is Earth's system of plate tectonics, unique in the solar system, the best way to forge a planet that supports life? And if life can survive and even thrive in Earth's extreme volcanic environments-superhot, super acidic and super saline surroundings previously thought to be completely inhospitable-where else in the universe might we find it? Traveling from Hawai'i, Yellowstone, Tanzania and the ocean floor to the moon, Venus and Mars, Andrews illuminates the cutting-edge discoveries and lingering scientific mysteries surrounding these phenomenal forces of nature.

Richard Muller, a world-class scholar of the Reformation era, examines the relationship of Calvin's theology to the Reformed tradition, indicating Calvin's place in the tradition as one of several significant second-generation formulators. Muller argues that the Reformed tradition is a diverse and variegated movement not suitably described either as founded solely on the thought of John Calvin or as a reaction to or deviation from Calvin, thereby setting aside the old "Calvin and the Calvinists" approach in favor of a more integral and representative perspective. Muller offers historical corrective and nuance on topics of current interest in Reformed theology, such as limited atonement/universalism, union with Christ, and the order of salvation.

Peterson Continues a Bestselling Tradition
When Cassie Lowe goes to live with her sister in the years following the Civil War, she is reacquainted with a man who once saved her life, Tyler Atherton. But Cassie is no longer the lighthearted young woman he once knew. She is now a widow with a young daughter, and she is nursing the disappointments and hurts from a difficult marriage. Though she longs to open her heart again, she is bound by fear and mistrust.
Tyler has demons of his own. Still haunted by the knowledge that his father was murdered by Comanches, he puts all his focus on reclaiming his inheritance: the ranch stolen from his family as punishment for his fighting for the Confederacy. With his affection for Cassie growing, he longs to provide a home and future for her and her daughter.
Though yearning to pledge their love, both Cassie and Tyler struggle to conquer their fears. Will Indian attacks, post-war renegades, and the hardship of life on the Texas plains destroy their future? Or will they find the strength to surrender their wills to God...and embrace his perfect plan?

A NEW YEAR HAS ARRIVED! And like the year before it, this new 365 days has come with much anticipation. Many people begin January 1 with goals, hopes, dreams, and perhaps even a plan of action for all that they would like to accomplish. The possibilities for a new year's list of resolutions are endless. Some of the most common include exercise routines, healthier eating, progress at work, and quality time spent with family. Life goals and resolutions can be a great way to begin a year, so long as a healthy balance is maintained. For Christians, the start of a new year arrives with reminders afresh of the glorious promises that God has made to his people through the Bible. For Christians--those who have repented of their sin and received Jesus Christ as their Savior--a new year is a chance for renewed commitments to seek after God and to share the good news of Jesus. The Scriptures below are foundational truths that Christians believe. They are beacons of hope, not only for a new year but also for an eternal future with God. If you have not yet placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, then these Scriptures bring great news. The gospel of Jesus is that his birth, life, death on a cross, and resurrection to heaven from the grave deliver eternal life to those who turn away from sin and receive Jesus as their Savior. Make this new year the start of an eternity-changing journey toward becoming a child of God! Gospel Scriptures for a New Year "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. . . . The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 3:23; 6:23) "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world. . . . But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:1, 2; 2:4, 5) "When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7) The Apostle Paul wrote, "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." (1 Timothy 1:15) "[Jesus] committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to [God] who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:22-25) The Light of the Gospel Let these Scriptures sink deep into your hearts. Memorize them. Share them with your friends and family. The gospel--or good news--of Jesus Christ is a bright light to an often-dark world. If you believe the truths that you've just read, it is only fitting that you would want to share the rich hope of the gospel, especially at the beginning of a new year. If you have read these words of good news as an unbeliever, consider taking a first step of faith in Jesus Christ by praying the following: Heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son, and that he died on the cross to save me from my sin. I believe that he rose again to life, and that he invites me to live forever with him in heaven as part of your family. Because of what Jesus has done, I ask you to forgive me of my sin and give me eternal life. Help me in a way that pleases and honors you. Amen.

In a world without wood, we might not be here at all. We wouldn't have had the fire, heat, and shelter that allowed us to expand into the planet's colder regions. If civilization somehow did develop, our daily lives would be vastly different: there would be no violins, baseball bats, chopsticks, or wine corks. The book you are now holding wouldn't exist.

Spike Carlsen's A Splintered History of Wood is a grand celebration of all things wooden and the characters who lovingly shape them--eccentric artisans and passionate enthusiasts who have created some of the world's most beloved musical instruments, feared weapons, dazzling architecture, and bizarre forms of transportation. From champion chainsaw carvers to blind woodworkers, from the Miraculous Staircase to the Lindbergh kidnapping case, here is a passionate, personal, amazingly entertaining exploration of nature's greatest gift.

As You Approach Your Destiny, the Enemy Will Do Anything to Stop You In the invisible war raging around us, many believers struggle with fear, anxiety, depression, self-hatred and panic attacks. Why? And how can we claim victory? This leader's guide provides everything you need to develop a bold new strategy for spiritual warfare. Ideal for facilitating small groups, Bible studies and church classes, this leader's guide walks you through every single session. Perfect for seasoned leaders and new leaders alike, it includes a prayer focus, agenda, group discussion questions and suggested answers, along with immediate application and video listening guides for each session. Using this guide, you'll help your group * Find freedom from demonic oppression * Engage the enemy on biblical terms * Cast out demons in Jesus' name * Break generational curses Victory is in your grasp. Learn how to take hold of it!