After German unification, former officers of the GDR state security service united with GDR professors and cultural managers to establish the East German Committee of Associations (OKV). On the basis of encompassing oral history into this complex web of interest organizations and memory clubs, Bouma argues that these activists are driven by an epistemic nostalgia: a longing for the time when their political understanding of the world was seemingly unchallenged. Far from constituting a 'second life of the Stasi', the main goal of OKV associations has been to validate the personal biographies of their activists, against the now prevalent view that the GDR was a 'state of injustice'. While the OKV quickly adapted to the new legal procedures in post-socialist Germany, their staunch defence of the GDR heritage complicates their relation to SED successor party Die Linke and other radical left parties and associations, even when they share practical goals.

Accessible Guide from Bestselling Author
for Embracing the Prophetic Calling
Internationally respected prophet and bestselling author James W. Goll offers a readable, practical approach to the prophetic gifting. Centered around a unique, hands-on 21-day guide, he helps believers develop the intimacy with God essential to hearing his voice clearly and correctly--and then proclaiming his words faithfully.
Through illustrations from his own life and those of John, Daniel, and Ezekiel, Goll exposes common misconceptions, the successes and failures of gifted people throughout church history, and wisdom from the trenches of the prophetic. Devotional prayers and reflection questions follow each chapter. A must-have resource for those in prophetic ministry and all who work with them.

Helps readers move beyond the wounds and baggage of bitterness, disagreements, and broken relationships.

"True or false: most Christian pastors and counselors agree on what forgiveness is and how it should take place." This question is part of Chris Brauns's Forgiveness Quiz that draws readers into his book and gets them thinking about the subject of forgiveness. The truth is, pastors and counselors disagree profoundly on this subject. Unpacking Forgiveness combines sound theological thinking and honesty about the complicated questions many face to provide readers with a solid understanding of biblical forgiveness.

Only God's Word can unpack forgiveness. The wounds are too deep for us to find healing on our own, and the questions are too complex to be unraveled by anything but the wisdom of God. This book goes beyond a feel-good doctrine of automatic forgiveness, balancing the beauty of God's grace and the necessity of forgiveness with the teaching that forgiveness must take place in a way that is consistent with justice.

2013 Word Guild Award (Academic) How does worship work? How exactly does liturgical formation shape us? What are the dynamics of such transformation? In the second of James K. A. Smith's three-volume theology of culture, the author expands and deepens the analysis of cultural liturgies and Christian worship he developed in his well-received Desiring the Kingdom. He helps us understand and appreciate the bodily basis of habit formation and how liturgical formation--both "secular" and Christian--affects our fundamental orientation to the world. Worship "works" by leveraging our bodies to transform our imagination, and it does this through stories we understand on a register that is closer to body than mind. This has critical implications for how we think about Christian formation. Professors and students will welcome this work as will pastors, worship leaders, and Christian educators. The book includes analyses of popular films, novels, and other cultural phenomena, such as The King's Speech, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, David Foster Wallace's Infinite Jest, and Facebook.

All local churches experience a predictable life cycle of growth and decline. But if a church is on a downward trend, how can it turn around? "Taking Your Church to the Next Level" explains the impact of age and size on churches and outlines the improvements that must be made at each point for a church to remain fruitful and faithful to its mission. McIntosh deftly describes the cycles of fruitfulness and the importance of continual improvement to diminish destructive forces that keep a congregation from its mission. Church leaders, pastors, and all who care about the church and desire to see it experience biblical growth will benefit from the sage wisdom offered in these pages.

"Classica et Medieavalia" is an international, peer-reviewed journal covering Greek and Latin languages and literatures from antiquity to the late Middle Ages as well as Greek and Roman traditions as they continue throughout history, especially in law, philosophy, and the ecclesiast. Most articles are published in English, with some in French and German. Past issues have addressed topics such as war in ancient Greece, oratory styles, and narrative time in mythology, and analyzed works ranging from "The Odyssey" to "Beowulf" and writers from Cicero to Petrarch.

Christianity Today Book Award Winner The digital revolution has ushered in a series of sexual revolutions, all contributing to a perfect storm for modern relationships. Online dating, social media, internet pornography, and the phenomenon of the smartphone generation have created an avalanche of change with far-reaching consequences for sexuality today. The church has struggled to address this new moral ecology because it has focused on clarity of belief rather than quality of formation. The real challenge for spiritual formation lies in addressing the underlying moral intuitions we carry subconsciously, which are shaped by the convictions of our age. In this book, a fresh new voice offers a persuasive Christian vision of sex and relationships, calling young adults to faithful discipleship in a hypersexualized world. Drawing from his pastoral experience with young people and from cutting-edge research across multiple disciplines, Jonathan Grant helps Christian leaders understand the cultural forces that make the church's teaching on sex and relationships ineffective in the lives of today's young adults. He also sets forth pastoral strategies for addressing the underlying fault lines in modern sexuality.

Draw applique motifs or print them on these handy sheets with an ink-jet printer, fuse the paper to your applique fabric, sew on the motif, then just wash away the paper after stitching. Appliques are soft and flexible without the need to cut your quilt or remove freezer paper. Wash out for a softer end result or simply leave it in...it will soften over time.

Perfect for recording your mountain treks or sketching stunning vistas, this notebook is a must-have for all your journeys. Embrace the spirit of conservation with this softcover notebook, featuring a quote from Greta Thunberg, one of the world's youngest and most influential voices on the crisis of climate change. Speaking for change for her generation and all future generations, Greta's poignant words call our attention to wake up to the environmental crisis of climate change. Featuring an eco-friendly kraft paper cover and 240 pages of responsibly forested FSC lined paper, this softcover notebook will inspire you to think of ways you can decrease your own carbon footprint and preserve our planet for future generations to come. - GREAT VALUE: This notebook is a great buy for hikers, campers, and wanderers of all types. - PERFECT SIZE, 6" x 8" An ideal size for journaling or sketching, this notebook is great for taking on the go. - 240 PAGES: This notebook gives you plenty of space to write, while staying light and portable. - INSPIRING QUOTE, BEAUTIFUL DESIGN: Featuring a quote from Greta Thunberg, this beautiful design is sure to inspire you.

In this series of never-before-published sermons, beloved teacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones walks readers through the early chapters of Genesis. The Gospel in Genesis starts with the fall of man and ends with the call of Abram as it examines portions of chapters 3-12. Along the way Lloyd-Jones talks of serpents and sin, of the Word of God and the Babel of man. But the destination of The Gospel in Genesis is clear: readers will be moved from fig leaves in the garden to faith in the gospel.

Thus Lloyd-Jones preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ from the pages of Genesis. These nine sermons will snap nonbelievers out of their apathy toward God and will embolden believers to share the only gospel that offers answers to life's biggest questions.

Send your best wishes with Denise Fiedler's beautifully reproduced artwork on these full-colour Paste Dogs QuickNotes notecards, packaged in a sleek reusable box with magnetic snap closure. Paste Dogs companion to Paste Cats (ISBN 9781623256074), includes 4 creative paper collage designs for a fun take on stationery. Our QuickNotes are perfect to keep on hand for any occasion notes and greetings to friends and family. Our on-trend designs and high print quality make our cards the best value out there. We choose the best images from well-known classic and contemporary fine artists as well as talented up-and-coming illustrators and designers from around the globe. 20 notecards and envelopes 5 each of 4 images Packaged in a sleek, sturdy flip-top box with magnetic closure Cards printed on coated paper stock to bring out their full colour Cards and envelopes bundled together with a paper belly band inside each box Box measurements 95 x 142 x 36 mm.

2014 Word Guild Award (Biblical Studies) Named a 2014 Jesus Creed Book of the Year (Theology) Best Theology Book of 2014, Englewood Review of Books Best Book of Biblical Studies for 2014, Hearts & Minds Books In recent years, more and more Christians have come to appreciate the Bible's teaching that the ultimate blessed hope for the believer is not an otherworldly heaven; instead, it is full-bodied participation in a new heaven and a new earth brought into fullness through the coming of God's kingdom. Drawing on the full sweep of the biblical narrative, J. Richard Middleton unpacks key Old Testament and New Testament texts to make a case for the new earth as the appropriate Christian hope. He suggests its ethical and ecclesial implications, exploring the difference a holistic eschatology can make for living in a broken world.

Leading Pauline-studies expert Thomas Schreiner provides an updated guide to the exegesis of the New Testament epistles traditionally assigned to Paul. The first edition helped thousands of students dig deeper into studying the New Testament epistles. This new edition is revised throughout to account for changes in the field and to incorporate the author's maturing judgments. The book helps readers understand the nature of first-century letters, do textual criticism, investigate historical and introductory issues, probe theological context, and much more.

The ESV Student Study Bible, adapted from the ESV Study Bible, contains 12,000+ study notes, book introductions and timelines, 80+ maps and illustrations, 120 character profiles, 900 "Did You Know?" facts, 10 topical articles, and more.

"Un amigo me presto este libro como a la medianoche, y a las dos o tres de la madrugada yo seguia leyendo, con el corazon latiendo de excitacion, piel de gallina en los brazos y el cabello de la nuca erizado. Es una historia maravillosa e inspiradora que da luz a nuestra perspectiva, dandonos una sensacion de seguridad, claridad y calidez" - Donald Miller, autor de Blue Like Jazz. Echele un vistazo al cielo De camino a casa luego de una conferencia el auto de Don Piper fue aplastado por un camion que se cruzo de carril. Los paramedicos lo declararon muerto al instante. Mientras su cuerpo yacia inerte entre los hierros retorcidos de su auto Piper vivio las glorias del cielo, maravillado ante su belleza y la musica. Noventa minutos despues del accidente mientras un ministro oraba por el Piper volvio milagrosamente a la vida en la tierra con solo el recuerdo de la inexpresable dicha celestial. Su fe en Dios fue puesta a prueba severamente durante su incierta y dolorosa recuperacion. Ahora comparte con usted esta historia que le cambio la vida. 90 Minutos en el Cielo ofrece un vistazo de una dimension muy real de la realidad de Dios. alienta a quienes se recuperan de graves lesiones y a quienes estan en duelo por la perdida de un ser querido. La experiencia cambio la vida de Piper y tambien cambiara la suya. Don Piper es ministro ordenado desde 1985. Ha aparecido en numerosos programas de radio y television, escribe una columna en un periodico semanal y lidera conferencias y retiros en los EE.UU. y otros paises. Cecil Murphey ha escrito, solo o con otros autores, noventa y un libros que incluyen su trabajo en la autobiografia de Franklin Graham, Rebel with a Cause [Rebelde con causa].

This handy collection of 24 mini notecards features a range of heartfelt expletives, from "You're the Shit" and "Fabulous as Fuck" to "Fucking Killing It" and "You Got this Shit." Cards come in a keepsake tray and feature gold-foil-stamped calligraphy on both a white and black card stock, offering a fun and stylish way to express gratitude, congrats, and words of encouragement.

One of the most popular of Victorian-era painters, John W. Waterhouse (1849-1917) blended reality and fantasy, combining classical mythology and European legend in his dramatic portraits of wistful, long-haired maidens. This collection includes 24 of his finest works, among them The Lady of Shalott, The Soul of the Rose, and La Belle Dame Sans Merci.

Ten years ago journalist Jens Muhling met Juri, a Russian television producer whose job it was to sell stories to TV stations in Germany but who always maintained that 'The true stories are more unbelievable than anything I could invent.' Ever since, Jens Muhling has been travelling through Russia in search of stories that appear too unbelievable to be true: a hermit from the Taiga who only recently found out that there was a world beyond the woods, a priest who ventures into the exclusion zone around Chernobyl to preach to those that stubbornly remain there, and many more. Jens Muhling shows us a country whose customs, contradictions, absurdities and attractions are still largely unknown beyond its borders.

Mention history and some might struggle to stifle a yawn. But when presented as a narrative it can often be compelling reading. Stephen J. Nichols takes a key period in time, the Reformation, and presents its major players in a fresh way. From Martin Luther, a simple monk who wielded the mallet, to kings and queens, this book goes behind the scenes to uncover the human side of these larger-than-life Reformers. Along the way readers meet Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, John Calvin, Kings Henry VIII and Edward VI, Lady Jane Grey, Anne Bradstreet, and many others.

For those wanting to see history in its context, Nichols also provides a sampling of primary source materials. It is an engaging read that will remind readers of the foundational truths that can never be taken for granted by the church in any age. Includes numerous illustrations.