Advent is a time to remember and reflect on the Christmas story and the baby at its heart. But the virgin birth, the manger, the mysterious eastern visitors and their portentous gifts - all these hint at a much grander narrative. Come and explore the whole Christmas story, and find your place within it.

"Griffin is a trustworthy guide . . . She writes with the unmistakable authenticity and authority of a woman steeped in prayer." - America Join Emilie Griffin in this daily companion for the Lenten journey. Using ancient and modern texts as inspiration for her own reflections, Emilie Griffin nurtures and guides us into a deeper knowledge of ourselves and God. We discover that Lent is our chance for a fresh start, and an opportunity to joyfully put ourselves in God's hands. Lent is a time when we deepen our faith in a journey not of grand gestures but of small surrenders. We are converted not only once in our lives but many times, and the conversion is little by little and often imperceptible. But Lent gives us a time to move the process along, intentionally, by a series of small surrenders. When we choose some exercise for Lent-daily worship, daily prayer, abstinence from one thing or another, it is not so much the practice that transforms us, but it is our willingness to change. -from Small Surrenders

Sing! has grown from Keith and Kristyn Getty's passion for congregational singing; it's been formed by their traveling and playing and listening and discussing and learning and teaching all over the world. And in writing it, they have five key aims: to discover why we sing and the overwhelming joy and holy privilege that comes with singing ; to consider how singing impacts our hearts and minds and all of our lives; to cultivate a culture of family singing in our daily home life; to equip our churches for wholeheartedly singing to the Lord and one another as an expression of unity; to inspire us to see congregational singing as a radical witness to the world. They have also added a few "bonus tracks" at the end with some more practical suggestions for different groups who are more deeply involved with church singing. God intends for this compelling vision of His people singing -- a people joyfully joining together in song with brothers and sisters around the world and around his heavenly throne -- to include you. He wants you,he wants us, to sing.

What was Jesus of Nazareth really like? What effect did he have on those he met and befriended? How did he impart his teachings and perform his miracles? These are the questions that James Harpur explores through Joseph of Arimathea, one of the most enigmatic characters of the gospel. After the crucifixion, Joseph embarks on a quest to find out who Jesus really was, seeking out those who knew him personally. These witnesses, all mentioned in the gospels, tell their stories, each contributing a unique insight into the Nazarene.

G. K. Chesterton is one of the few Christian thinkers admired and quoted equally by Christians of all types and even by non-Christians. Each daily reflection in this book--from Ash Wednesday through the Second Sunday of Easter--begins with thoughts from the finest writings of Chesterton on an appropriate theme and supported by Scripture, a prayer, and a suggested activity for spiritual growth. "Paperback"

As you read this powerful booklet during the Lenten season, you will experience spiritual growth through interaction with Scripture from both the Old and New Testaments. The readings culminate in the Passion Week and Easter Sunday, and you will gain a greater understanding of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as you examine critical passion narratives in the Gospels. Through your interaction with these Lenten readings, you will be a joyful witness of God s carefully orchestrated plan to redeem the world through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. These 40 devotions will allow you to gain a more complete perspective on your personal relationship with Jesus and the power of his work in your life today. Written by Dr. Kenneth Boa, president of Reflections Ministries, each devotion provides thoughts for meditation along with a prayer for each day, making this the perfect devotional for personal, family or small-group use. Features: * 40 daily devotions with multiple Scripture readings * A meditation that amplifies the Scripture passages* Each daily reading ends with a prayer* Scripture text from the clear, accessible New International Version (NIV) Bible"

Prayer That Gets ResultsPrayer is the Christian's lifeline to God, and with it lives are changed for eternity! E. M. Bounds knew the secrets of prayer and that God has established divine principles and promises for our every need. He reveals these principles and illustrates how God has answered the prayers of men and women since the beginning of Bible times. He also uncovers how you can...* Have direct communication with God* Maintain a prayer life that produces results* Overcome Satan and his hold on prayer* Obtain all that God has for you* Discover all the possibilities of prayerSince the time of the apostles, no man besides E. M. Bounds has left such a rich inheritance of biblical research into the life of prayer. Here are teachings that form the only effective barrier against the powers of evil that prevail throughout the present world. Through his writings, you will discover how you can have a totally effective prayer life and how you can know the fullness of divine power."Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."--John 16:24

Beloved Pope John Paul II was one of the most popular and inspirational religious figures of our time. In "Lent and Easter Wisdom From Pope John Paul II, " the late Holy Father's thought-provoking words lead readers through a journey of conversion throughout the season Lent and Easter week.
Each daily reflection--from Ash Wednesday through the Second Sunday of Easter--begins with thoughts from Pope John Paul II on some appropriate theme, supported by Scripture, a prayer, and a suggested activity for spiritual growth.
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Human character is best described by telling stories about people. The Lent Factor describes forty very different people - one for each day of Lent - who have a special quality about them, and uses their stories to reflect on how faith and character are connected. A theme from each brief story is illuminated by reflection on a scene, passage or word from the Bible. The appropriateness of the use of a cross to mark out the 'X' factor within human beings becomes the more pertinent as the journey through Lent approaches Holy Week and Easter. The cast list includes Edith Cavell, Philip Toynbee (father of Polly), UA Fanthorpe, Dorothy Sayers, Richard Cromwell (son of Oliver), WH Auden, Julian of Norwich, Bishop Reginald Heber and many others from different backgrounds and diverse periods of history, some famous and some entirely unknown.

In this addition to the Short Studies in Biblical Theology series, Guy Prentiss Waters provides a study of the Sabbath, from creation to consummation.

An outstanding book on prayer and the spiritual life written by one of the best spiritual directors of our time. Dubay synthesizes the teachings on prayer of the two great Doctors of the Church--St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila--and the teaching of Sacred Scripture.

Pilgrimage has been an important practice in Christianity since the fourth century, but most people's notion of pilgrimage is one of travelling to the site of an apparition, in search of inspiration or miracles. THE ACCIDENTAL PILGRIM shows that pilgrimage is not just a relic of Catholic history, but can remain a significant practice for twenty-first century Christians today.THE ACCIDENTAL PILGRIM gives a lively overview of the history of pilgrimage and the popular pilgrim routes, exploring the mix of spiritual and other motives that have inspired pilgrims both past and contemporary. It then explores how people both inside and outside the Church can rediscover pilgrimage within twenty-first century culture. Illustrated throughout, and written by one of the UK's most popular theologians, THE ACCIDENTAL PILGRIM is a compelling invitation to all on the journey of faith.

Drawing on the rich imagery of rocks and stones in scripture, these powerful messages center around the compelling metaphor of stones (and our willingness to throw them) as representative of our sins. As worshipers enter the sanctuary they are invited to pick up stones as a concrete symbol of each sermon's theme; then as the message concludes the stones are placed at the foot of the cross. When the stones disappear on Easter (just like the stone sealing Jesus' tomb), it's a vivid illustration of how the Lord also removes our stones of sin. Each chapter includes several thought-provoking discussion questions to spur further reflection. With messages for Ash Wednesday, five weeks of Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, this is an excellent resource for Lenten midweek programming. Molin takes us on a journey of prayerful and honest repentance -- a powerful and life-changing journey of celebration, of grace, of awe at the miracle of the empty tomb and the promise of life.... Pastor Molin is one of the best sermon story-tellers I've heard. But each sermon and every story also teaches a biblical text. These sermons are grounded in the living Word of God... (from the Foreword) Glenndy L. Sculley, Bishop's Associate Minneapolis Area Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Steven Molin is the senior pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Stillwater, Minnesota. He has also served parishes in Oregon and South Dakota, and been an area director for the youth ministry organization Young Life. Molin is a graduate of Concordia University (St. Paul, Minnesota) and Luther Theological Seminary.

"Published by the authority of the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy, National Conference of Catholic Bishops"--T.p. verso.

Celebrating Series Celebrating the Rites of Initiation continues the standard of scholarship set by Patrick Malloy s Celebrating the Eucharist, and offers similar aids around issues of baptism and confirmation. It is an ideal book for students and practicing clergy who seek to strengthen their knowledge and parochial practice of baptismal theology."

Can the 'reality' of the Eucharist be maintained online? Author C. Andrew Doyle, in a well-researched and thoughtful study of both virtual reality and liturgy, argues that the Eucharist is not a formulaic rehearsal of words and rituals but an embodied and lived experience. This requires a shared place and presence. While the church should not shy away from virtual ministry, we should be wary of using the technological realm for the celebration of the Eucharist, an act that is an outward and visible sign of our spiritual union with God and one another. It brings us closer to friend and stranger for the transformation of individuals into unity in Christ. The context of the ritual-with people, objects, words, and all sorts of nuance-creates intimacy with God and each other. This unique book is especially timely and will be of interest to scholars, liturgists, and those interested in sacramental theology in the digital age.

A history of holy wells from the pagan cult of water to the Christian wells of the middle ages, and including a full gazetteer. The holy well is the absolute combination of mystery and utility. There are hundreds of them still to be found, some easily, others with good maps. This useful book lists them all, and in so doing takes us into the realm of a still little-known spiritual area... It also leads us through many exceedingly interesting though remote areas of Celtic and English Christian history. RONALD BLYTHE [TABLET] Holy wells are an ancient and mysterious part of the landscape, yet have been the subject of little serious study. James Rattue has been fascinated by them for many years, and has now written the first general history of wells and their religious and cultural associations. He begins the story in the ancient world, exploring the archetypal motifs present in the cult of water, then traces the distinctive development of the holy well in England, examining pagan wells and their Christianisation, the role played byecclesiastical history and institutions, the importance of saints' cults, and the social functions of wells in the middle ages.

Christianity Today Book Award Winner One of Worship Leader Magazine's Editor's Picks Current discussions about worship are often driven by pragmatics and personal preferences rather than by the teaching of Scripture. True worship, however, is our response to God's gracious revelation; in order to be acceptable to God, worship must be experienced on God's terms. Respected Old Testament scholar Daniel Block examines worship in the Bible, offering a comprehensive biblical foundation and illuminating Old Testament worship practices and principles. He develops a theology of worship that is consistent with the teachings of Scripture and is applicable for the church today. He also introduces readers to a wide range of issues related to worship. The book, illustrated with diagrams, charts, and pictures, will benefit professors and students in worship and Bible courses, pastors, and church leaders.

"Tenebrae for Modern Times" combines Scripture, contemporary language and prose poetry in an innovative setting. Within the framework of a standard worship service, short reflections by six apostles are echoed by six contemporary people with similar concerns. The text addresses questions central to people's lives.

Spanning the course of a year, this collection of 365 brief daily readings/meditations beckons the modern reader, living his daily life, to enter into a period of silent reflection and recollection, to calm the racing mind and center unsettled hearts. This volume invites the spiritual seeker into the discipline of daily meditation, offering the benefit of God's peace from the spiritual texts found inside.

The links between religion and food have been known for centuries, and yet we rarely examine or understand the nature of the relationship between food and spirituality, or food and sin. Drawing on literature, politics, and philosophy as well as theology, this book unlocks the role food has played within religious tradition. * A fascinating book tracing the centuries-old links between theology and food, showing religion in a new and intriguing light * Draws on examples from different religions: the significance of the apple in the Christian Bible and the eating of bread as the body of Christ; the eating and fasting around Ramadan for Muslims; and how the dietary laws of Judaism are designed to create an awareness of living in the time and space of the Torah * Explores ideas from the fields of literature, politics, and philosophy, as well as theology * Takes seriously the idea that food matters, and that the many aspects of eating table fellowship, culinary traditions, the aesthetic, ethical and political dimensions of food are important and complex, and throw light on both religion and our relationship to food