Discipline seems like a hard word, but discipline is your lifeline, something that you learn to embrace and thank God for as you grow in him. The apostle Paul links the idea of discipline with spiritual life: "Train yourself for godliness"--referring to a spiritual workout--for "godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Timothy 4:7-8). A Christian woman's life is about bringing her will and every area of her life under submission to God's will. 1. Discipline of the Gospel: The Source of Godliness "Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3). To be a godly woman you must know what this gospel is, believe it, and make it the center of your life. Never lose the wonder of the gospel. John 3:16 is not only a beautiful summary of what God has done, it ought to be the true center of our living--defining, motivating, and satisfying us. The gospel is a woman's first and most important discipline, for it is the source of godliness. 2. Discipline of Submission: The Posture of Godliness It saddens me that submission has been eliminated from our cultural vocabulary. Bringing our lives into submission to God's will in everything is the key to being a godly woman (Philippians 2:8-11). It is also the path to joy. Submission applies to every area of our lives, and we begin by restoring the gospel to its rightful place at the center of our thoughts and deeds everyday. It's an ongoing, daily choosing of God's ways over our own ways (James 4:7-10; Hebrews 12:9). Is the will of God more important than our lives (Luke 9:24)? 3. Discipline of Prayer: Submission's Lifeline Pray "at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication" (Ephesians 6:18). Prayer is the source of power for growth and perseverance in our spiritual lives. It bends our wills to God's, which is what submitting our lives is all about. Prayer cannot be reduced to a few simple rules, and though we sometimes talk about meditation, confession, adoration, submission, and petition, there is no prescribed order. But continual prayer is God's will for us... we must always be "looking up," even when driving to work or cleaning the house. 4. Discipline of Worship: Submission's Celebration Worship encompasses all of life: "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship" (Romans 12:1). Because Christ is the ultimate revelation of God (Colossians 1:15-20), he must be the central focus of our worship as understood through Scripture (1 Timothy 4:13). Worship --whether by oneself at home, in the workplace, classroom, or with the church gathered--is consecration. Every woman who calls herself a Christian must understand that worship is the ultimate priority of her life... every day. 5. Discipline of Mind: Submission's Education No computer will ever be able to think God's thoughts or know the heart of God or do his works. But it's what the brain was created for--to have the mind of Christ. What a scandal that so many Christians don't think Christianly! In one comprehensive sentence, Paul prescribes his personal mental program: "Whatever is true... honorable... just... pure... lovely... commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8). If you are filled with God's Word, your life can then be informed and directed by God--your relationships at home, parenting, career, ethical decisions, and internal moral life. 6. Discipline of Contentment: Submission's Rest Paul wrote from prison that he had "learned in whatever situation I am to be content" (Philippians 4:11). Fortunately for us, he said that he had "learned"... there is hope for all of us who face the monster of discontent! Applying our knowledge of God to our circumstances is the key to contentment. It will be ours when all that God is and all that he has done in Christ fills our heart. We may lack many things in this world, but as godly women we must work to develop the discipline of contentment. 7. Discipline of Propriety: Submission's Behavior Propriety means behaving in ways appropriate for Christians--actions that don't bring shame to the Gospel and to Christ. Propriety elevates our words, our appearance, and our attitudes. It's a perfect word for describing what Paul means when he tells believers to act "in a manner of life...worthy of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27). Propriety means acting in a way worthy of the Gospel in dress (1 Peter 3:3-4), speech, and attitude (Colossians 3:12-14). If your behavior is worthy of the Gospel, the source of that behavior will be a heart authentically bowed in humble submission to Jesus as Lord. 8. Discipline of Perseverance: Submission's Challenge Faith in the goodness of God in the face of extreme adversity grows out of a discipline of perseverance in the day-in, day-out grind of everyday life. "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). We all can develop perseverance by daily submitting to God's will and looking to Jesus in whatever irritating, insignificant duties or grand-scale tragedies we may suffer (Romans 8:18; Hebrews 12:3). It involves submitting to God in our trials while trusting him to be good, wise, merciful, just, kind, lovingly all-knowing, and all-powerful. 9. Discipline of Singleness or Marriage: Submission's Framework Singleness is a positive assignment (1 Corinthians 7:7) to be joyously received knowing that God doesn't plan to give anyone less than the best. If marriage is our "assignment," then we must discipline ourselves to submit to God's will--to live as our husbands' helpers (Genesis 2:18), submitting to and respecting their position (Ephesians 5:22-24), and developing a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:1). As single or married daughters of Eve--the "mother of all living" (Genesis 3:20)--we must cultivate nurturing spirits. How we care for others will be dictated by where God places us--in a home, in a hospital, in the inner city, wherever. 10. Discipline of Good Deeds: Submission's Industry As believers we are "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10). Good deeds are the redeemed heart's response of gratitude for the gift of God's grace (1 Peter 2:12). We gospel women must determine to develop the discipline of good deeds: "as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). Let us fill our days with good deeds. As you cultivate the disciplines of godly womanhood, consider Paul's words: "I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me" (1 Corinthians 15:10). There is no contradiction between grace and hard work. As we attempt to do God's will, he always gives more grace!

School textbooks in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and elsewhere in the Arab and Muslim worlds are filled with anti-Western and anti-Israel propaganda. Most readers will be shocked to discover that history and geography textbooks widely used in America's elementary and secondary classrooms contain some of the very same inaccuracies about Jews, Judaism, and Israel. Did you know that 'there is no record of any important Jewish contribution to the sciences?' (World Civilizations, Thomson Wadsworth). Or that 'Christianity was started by a young Palestinian named Jesus?' (The World, Scott Foresman/Pearson). Supplemental materials and other classroom influences are even worse. The Trouble with Textbooks exposes the poor scholarship and untruths in textbooks about Jews and Israel. The problems uncovered in this ground-breaking analysis are instructive, and illustrate the need for reform in the way textbooks are developed, written, marketed, and distributed. Substitute another area_how we teach American history, Western civilization, or comparative religion_and we have another, equally intriguing case study. The Trouble with Textbooks shows what can go terribly wrong in discussing religion, geography, culture, or history_and in this case_all of them. The Trouble with Textbooks tells a cautionary tale for all readers, whatever their background, of how textbooks that Americans depend on to infuse young people with the values for good citizenship and to help acculturate students into the multicultural salad that is American life, instead disparage some groups and teach historical distortions. With millions of young people using these textbooks each year, the denigration of some should be a concern for all.

Jesus Christ. He is, without question, the most influential person in history. Millions of people claim the truths of the religion that bears His name.

But who exactly "is" Jesus? A popular religious teacher? An ancient martyr? Many today are unsure. Even scholars debate whether the Jesus of history is the Christ of faith. Now, more than ever, we need a clear understanding of the person and work of the man millions call "Savior."" "

In this ninth and final biographical study in the best-selling Great Lives from God's Word series, " "beloved pastor and Bible teacher Charles" "Swindoll introduces you to the carpenter from Nazareth as you have never seen Him before.

This fascinating biography, filled with biblical and historical insights, takes you on an unforgettable journey through the complex and provocative life of Jesus of Nazareth. His unique birth. His astonishing power. His controversial teaching. His shocking death. And His world-changing resurrection.

Refreshingly honest and deep, this in-depth profile reveals" "Jesus with great clarity and offers practical applications for your own life. Whether you're just curious about Jesus or a longtime follower of His life and teachings, you'll experience His life in a new way as you join Dr. Swindoll in "Jesus: The Greatest Life of All."

Are you and your spouse speaking the same language? He sends you flowers when what you really want is time to talk. She gives you a hug when what you really need is a home-cooked meal. The problem isn't love--it's your love language. Each one of us responds well to a different type of expression of love. "The One Year Love Language Minute Devotional" is your daily guide for expressing heartfelt love to your mate in a way that he or she can appreciate it.

While this new Bible is certainly an inclusive-language translation, it is much more: it is a re-imagining of the scriptures and our relationship to them. Not merely replacing male pronouns, the translators have rethought what kind of language has built barriers between the text and its readers. Seeking to be faithful to the original languages, they have sought new and non-sexist ways to express the same ancient truths. The Inclusive Bible is a fresh, dynamic translation into modern English, carefully crafted to let the power and poetry of the language shine forth-particularly when read aloud-giving it an immediacy and intimacy rarely found in traditional translations of the Bible. The Inclusive Bible contains both the Old and the New Testaments.

Detox Your Spirit is a 40 day devotional directly inspired by the Holy Spirit to transform your life. The number of days is significant, throughout scripture we see lives changed in 40 days. This book is from the bestselling author of 21 Days of Fasting & Prayer. It will help you reactivate and reenergize your spirit. Through the devotions, prayers and declarations, you will overcome every spiritual huddle and receive healing, deliverance and breakthrough in every area of need. You will come to an awareness of your rights in Christ. As you go through this program, God will begin to work on your inner man to bring about transformation that will make your life better. It will also help you discover your purpose and calling in this life.

Widely read, The Bhagavad Gita is a classic of world spirituality while The essential companion to The Bhagavad Gita, The Uddhava Gita has remained overlooked. This new accessible and only English translation in print of The Uddhava Gita offers a previously unexplored path to understanding Hinduism and Krishna s wisdom. Written centuries apart, the ideas of the two dialogues are similar although their approach and contexts differ. The Bhagavad Gita is filled with the urgency of battle while The Uddhava Gita takes place on the eve of Krishna s departure from the world. The Uddhava Gita offers the reader philosophy, sublime poetry, practical guidance, and, ultimately, hope for a more complete consciousness in which the life of the body better reflects the life of the spirit."

"Princess Stories" is the big sister to popular board book "My Princess Bible." "Princess Stories," appropriate for girls ages 4 to 8, is a collection of first-person narrative stories about 29 women in the Bible--and the 30th story is about the reader, who is God's princess too. In each four-page story, the reader gets a rhyming verse about the princess (addressed to "Mirror, mirror on the wall"), a first-person story of the featured Bible woman and the special quality her life reflects, a Bible verse from another passage of Scripture that summarizes/relates to the character trait, and Princess Ponderings--questions that help girls and their parents discuss the stories and relate the lessons to life.Through this book, girls will learn more in-depth stories of women of the Bible and how to apply Scripture to their own lives.

For Christians, eternity is an exciting promise, but many do not know the details of what life will be like in heaven and throughout eternity. "50 Days of Heaven" allows the reader to stop wondering about heaven by teaching the biblical facts regarding what's so wonderful about Heaven. The devotional provides an easy-to-follow, 50-day program that reveals the biblical information on what a Christian's life will be like in heaven. Throughout this journey, the reader will learn and meditate upon the promises, rewards, and expectations that a believer in Christ will enjoy for eternity. This devotional draws on the teachings in Randy Alcorn's best-selling book "Heaven."

For more than forty years there was a single synagogue in the quiet town of Williamette, Oregon. But then disagreements over gender roles, homosexuality, Israeli politics, and other issues tore the synagogue in two. Where there was once one Jewish community under one roof, there are now two hostile congregations one Reconstructionist, one Orthodox across the street from one another. Through a year as a participant in both congregations and in-depth interviews, Zuckerman tells a mesmerizing story of this religious schism. Strife in the Sanctuary then contemplates why religious groups split apart and how religious symbols come to mean different things to different groups. The first book-length study of a single congregation breaking in two, Strife in the Sanctuary provides a welcome ethnographic study for sociologists of religion. Plus, its moving story makes it an excellent read for undergraduate classes or anyone interested in religious divisions.

A deeply biblical and relevant Advent study that focuses on Mary, her song of deliverance and hope (the Magnificat), and her significance beyond the story of Jesus' birth.

Life, as we know it, will end. It's not a thought that tends to occupy us when we're young and in full health and vigor. We take risks, some foolhardy. We live as though we're immortal. And when we have our own children we are renewed, and life is good. But we can't look in the mirror every day without noticing subtle signs of change. We can't lose a loved one without reflecting on the passage of time and being nagged by the question, "What is it in life that I've yet to accomplish?" It's not a giant leap from asking that question about ourselves to wanting to know "What happens when I die?" Brian Stiller, author of WHEN LIFE HURTS, took on the task of answering this challenging question. Where is the proof that anything is going to happen? Why not just live life for the day, because that's all there is? WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE? is a journey toward understanding the nature of life after death, one that leads ultimately to the Scriptures and a promise given by God. It is a promise rooted in faith and joy. It is a promise that has everything to do with what we make of our life here on earth. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DIE? is not just about death, but living a fulfilled, loving and caring life. The choice is ours to seek and receive God's gift-or not. But the way has been prepared as this insightful and thought-provoking book affirms.

The "I Ching" originated in China as a divination manual more than three thousand years ago. In 136 BCE the emperor declared it a Confucian classic, and in the centuries that followed, this work had a profound influence on the philosophy, religion, art, literature, politics, science, technology, and medicine of various cultures throughout East Asia. Jesuit missionaries brought knowledge of the "I Ching" to Europe in the seventeenth century, and the American counterculture embraced it in the 1960s. Here Richard Smith tells the extraordinary story of how this cryptic and once obscure book became one of the most widely read and extensively analyzed texts in all of world literature.

In this concise history, Smith traces the evolution of the "I Ching" in China and throughout the world, explaining its complex structure, its manifold uses in different cultures, and its enduring appeal. He shows how the indigenous beliefs and customs of Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Tibet "domesticated" the text, and he reflects on whether this Chinese classic can be compared to religious books such as the Bible or the Qur'an. Smith also looks at how the "I Ching" came to be published in dozens of languages, providing insight and inspiration to millions worldwide--including ardent admirers in the West such as Leibniz, Carl Jung, Philip K. Dick, Allen Ginsberg, Hermann Hesse, Bob Dylan, Jorge Luis Borges, and I. M. Pei. Smith offers an unparalleled biography of the most revered book in China's entire cultural tradition, and he shows us how this enigmatic ancient classic has become a truly global phenomenon.

Rabbi Matityahu Glazerson has used his unique approach to uncover the exalted ideas that the words and letters of the holy language, Hebrew, convey. This approach is especially suited to the study of Haggadah, for the holiday of Passover does not only symbolize our redemption but is also symbolic of the holy language. Pharaoh's underlying motive was to break down the barriers that separated the Jew from the Egyptian, thus effecting our spiritual downfall through assimilation. The sages teach that one of the reasons why the Jews in Egypt deserved to be redeemed was that they continued to speak Hebrew. In this way they guaranteed their distinctiveness and their sanctity.

A book of powerful stories about cancer patients and their families who have been touched by God in miraculous ways--some in their bodies, others in their minds, all in their spirits--offers inspiring testimony that, when God and cancer meet, cancer is conquered. The author, herself a cancer survivor, gives us a behind-the-scenes glimpse of 18 personal encounters with God.

Here's what others are saying about When God and Cancer Meet:
"Lynn has captured the essence of hope in this book; captured hope in ways that I have always taught in my professional world as well as in my spiritual community. This book is a treasure to those who struggle with the fears of cancer and I want to keep it close at hand for those reasons."

--Judy Lentz, RN, MSN, OCN, NHA
Executive Director, Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association

"I co-lead a cancer support group at my church, and we have been looking for "just the right book" to study and discuss. Guess what?! Lyn wrote it! I was truly touched by all the stories; of course being a cancer-survivor myself, I saw myself in one of the stories, as if Lyn were writing my own personal story. I was truly impressed with the way she incorporated scripture, and God's viewpoint into every story. I think that is of utmost importance for anyone facing this disease.
Lyn's book is "Real-Life"; some quickly are healed of the cancer, some deal with it over a prolonged period, some deal with recurrences, some, mercifully, die rather quickly. I share Lyn's belief that GOD sometimes chooses to heal in different ways: physically, emotionally and spiritually.
In the process of surviving a primary brain tumor, surgery, Chemo, and radiation, I gave my life to Christ, realizing that my physical health was not GOD's main concern, my Spiritual health was the biggest victim of a disease that needed attention and this was the way He FINALLY got my attention. Lyn's book alludes to this fact in every one of her stories. In this day and age that we are living, where it is against the rules to even mention GOD ( unless we mention His name in vain) it is refreshing to have a book written, praising Him for His care and concern for us; written by a woman who has experienced the disease firsthand, and continues to minister to others with cancer, and to work for a Doctor! who isn't ashamed of his Faith ! WOW!!
Obviously, Lyn's book has my highest reccomendation, and my support group will be purchasing multple copies, and we plan to invite Lyn to speak with us. Lyn is a wonderful person, and I thank God for allowing our paths to cross. I'm sure this book will touch many lives,and give many a new perspective and hope with their cancer."

--Chris Winand, cancer survivor