God is life. His words impart life. A sermon should be an intimate encounter with the life-giving essence of the Word Himself. How do we as preachers extend such an encounter to our listeners? How can we offer words that transform? James T. Flynn unpacks the power of preaching to change lives and provides a new way to consider sermon preparation and delivery. Words That Transform re-images sermon-making as an experience of incarnation. A sermon begins as a seed sown in the womb of the preacher's heart through intimacy with God. That word takes upon itself flesh in the preacher's life, changing the preacher first. When proper delivery is married to imagination, the sermon's potential to transform others is realized. Using scholarship, practical teaching, and personal narrative, this book will lead preachers toward personal renewal and new power in their preaching ministry. eBook can be found on Apple iBooks.

Muchos cristianos se sienten poco preparados e inciertos cuando se trata de vivir cada dia como seguidores de Cristo. A menudo sabemos lo que se supone que debemos hacer, e incluso por que se supone que debemos hacerlo. Sin embargo, cuando nos falta confianza en nosotros mismos y en nuestro desarrollo espiritual, no podemos vivir audazmente para marcar la diferencia en nuestro mundo. Como uno de los principales maestros biblicos del mundo, el Dr. David Jeremiah quiere que los lectores sepan que esta falta de confianza es innecesaria e inutil. De hecho, la Biblia deja claro que, de la misma manera que los excursionistas habiles empacan todos los suministros necesarios antes de un viaje, Dios mismo equipa a todos los creyentes con todo lo que necesitan para caminar y trabajar con confianza como miembros de su reino. Todo lo que necesita continua con el enfoque del Dr. Jeremiah de ayudar a la iglesia a luchar por la victoria espiritual a traves de Cristo. Utilizando su profundidad, sabiduria y compasion distintivas, el Dr. Jeremiah explora 2 Pedro 1: 5-10 para resaltar siete herramientas criticas que Dios proporciona a cada uno: virtud, conocimiento, dominio propio, perseverancia, piedad, bondad fraternal y amor. Cuando usamos el equipo que Dios proporciona, podemos vivir con confianza sabiendo que nunca tropezaremos.

The Bible. You've heard of it, yes? Maybe something about David and Goliath or Noah's ark, or a baby in a manger? What if I told you there was tons of stuff in the Bible that you've never heard about? Things like talking donkeys, self-conscious magicians, and kings who think they're cows. The Bible is a curious book full of deeply flawed people and a God who refuses to give up on them. Don't believe me? Look for yourself. In these 60 devotions, we examine these unique stories, the circumstances and biblical truth around them, and what they reveal about the heart of God.

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.

This popular Bible reading plan schedules daily readings from both the Old and New Testaments.

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!

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."

Scripture as Logos Rabbi Ishmael and the Origins of Midrash Azzan Yadin "This is perhaps the most significant and innovative scholarly work on the halakhic midrashim in the past thirty years. The claims are extremely convincing, the scholarship is rigorous, and the writing is engaging. The conclusions repeatedly break new ground and dispel mistaken ideas that have been accepted among scholars. Most impressive, Yadin consistently displays a command of both textual expertise and theory."--Jeffrey L. Rubenstein, New York University The study of midrash--the biblical exegesis, parables, and anecdotes of the Rabbis--has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. Most recent scholarship, however, has focused on the aggadic or narrative midrash, while halakhic or legal midrash--the exegesis of biblical law--has received relatively little attention. In "Scripture as Logos," Azzan Yadin addresses this long-standing need, examining early, tannaitic (70-200 C.E.) legal midrash, focusing on the interpretive tradition associated with the figure of Rabbi Ishmael. This is a sophisticated study of midrashic hermeneutics, growing out of the observation that the Rabbi Ishmael midrashim contain a dual personification of Scripture, which is referred to as both "torah" and "ha-katuv." It is Yadin's significant contribution to note that the two terms are not in fact synonymous but rather serve as metonymies for Sinai on the one hand and, on the other, the rabbinic house of study, the bet midrash. Yadin develops this insight, ultimately presenting the complex but highly coherent interpretive ideology that underlies these rabbinic texts, an ideology that--contrary to the dominant view today--seeks to minimize the role of the rabbinic reader by presenting Scripture as actively self-interpretive. Moving beyond textual analysis, Yadin then locates the Rabbi Ishmael hermeneutic within the religious landscape of Second Temple and post-Temple literature. The result is a series of surprising connections between these rabbinic texts and Wisdom literature, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Church Fathers, all of which lead to a radical rethinking of the origins of rabbinic midrash and, indeed, of the Rabbis as a whole. Azzan Yadin teaches in the Department of Jewish Studies at Rutgers University. Divinations: Rereading Late Ancient Religion 2004 248 pages 6 x 9 ISBN 978-0-8122-3791-7 Cloth $69.95s 45.50 ISBN 978-0-8122-0412-4 Ebook $69.95s 45.50 World Rights Religion, History

In the latest installment of "Liguori Wisdom Series," Sister Agnes Cunningham brings Christians closer to Jesus with excerpts from the writings of St Augustine. Each writing is paired with a Scripture quotation, reflection, a prayer and a spiritual activity for the day. St Augustine is one of the most influential Fathers of the Church and in his search for truth, St Augustine's writings and ponderings tells a wonderful story of conversion, reminding us of our own daily conversions.