The Prayer of Silence provides a strikingly new, easy to learn, and effective method of meditation and prayer. A Near Death Experience in 1966 opened an area of spiritual awareness which Bruce Fraser MacDonald, PhD calls "the Watcher," through which he was able to heal both his badly damaged body and, later, severe brain damage from viral encephalitis. In The Prayer of Silence he shows others how to use the Watcher to find physical, emotional and spiritual healing, and how to get in touch with the divine centre of their being -- what Jesus called "the inner Kingdom of God." Practicing the Prayer of Silence opens profound areas of spiritual awareness and allows people to experience the Presence of God, to know God as Jesus did, as "Abba, Father," to talk to God as Moses did, "as a man talks to his friend" and to find Oneness with God. Bruce MacDonald's greatest contribution to the science of spiritual growth is his discovery of the Watcher, which allows people to progress rapidly and with comparative ease into areas of spiritual awareness which till now have been very difficult to achieve. About the Author: Raised in India, Canada and the US, Professor MacDonald has lectured, taught and conducted research in many universities around the world. He draws with equal ease from ancient spiritual and philosophical traditions, the teachings of Jesus, and modern science to describe a spiritual system that actually transforms lives. He writes with a simplicity and effortlessness which makes even the most difficult subjects clear. Publisher's website: http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/ThePrayerOfSilence.html

This book offers a comprehensive examination of Methodist practice, tracing its evolution from the earliest days up to the present. Using liturgical texts as well as written accounts in popular and private sources, Karen Westerfield Tucker investigates the various rites and seasons of worship in Methodism and examines them in relation to American society.

The author is writing these documents in response to the need for a concise and simple presentation of how to properly identify and understand the types found in the tabernacle. The framework of the study is a general knowledge of the tabernacle. The author will explain why an understanding of the tabernacle is important to Christians. The history of the tabernacle will be pointed out. The materials and construction of the tabernacle will be studied. Also, the author will discuss the Levitical priesthood and the important subject of typology. Continued studies will be explained concerning three areas of the tabernacle and their furnishings: the outer-court, the Holy place and the Holy of Holies. There will be pointed out in this study items such as: the court of the tabernacle, the laver, the Mercy-Seat, the Ark of the Covenant, the Shewbread, the Golden Altar, the Holy Place, the Holy of Holies, the gate or the door, the priesthood and the function of the priesthood; which includes the offerings and the atonement. The altar, the offering and sacrifice, along with the atonement will be especially displayed. Also, though the tabernacle was built for Israel while in the wilderness, its believed that it was also a shadow of things to come. Because of that, there is consideration given to some study on sin, the veil and Jesus Christ. The tabernacle is scantly preached or taught in Churches today. Therefore, few people realize the great importance given to the tabernacle throughout scripture. Believers should study the tabernacle for the following reasons: 1. The study of the tabernacle is necessary for a proper understanding of God's redemptive program, which is progressively revealed throughout the Scriptures. 2. A study of the tabernacle with an understanding of it will inform sinful people about the holiness of God. 3. The study of the priesthood is foundational to an understanding of Christ's priestly ministry. 4. The study of the sacrificial system within the tabernacle teaches the great importance that God placed on the need for a blood sacrifice to atone for sin. The author wishes that the readers of this study not only use this study for knowledge, but also to find and gain a closer relationship with God.

If George and Mary Bailey are annual guests at your home every winter, you already know that It's a Wonderful Life is more than just a holiday tradition--it's a powerful reminder that our lives can change everyone around us, for better or worse. But what can this Christmas classic teach us about our everyday lives? 52 Little Lessons from It's a Wonderful Life will change the way you think about this holiday staple, from the lightheartedness of George and Mary's floor-parting dance to the poignancy of a community that rallies to save a desperate man, Bob Welch's 52 Little Lessons from It's a Wonderful Life will inspire you to live for the things that matter most. Welch invites us to revisit the defining lessons in Frank Capra's 1946 classic and discover new dimensions of the film you've seen time and again, including: What can we all learn from Mary's quiet contentedness? Can George's selflessness make you rethink your own priorities? What impact do we have on the people around us? Join Welch for a close-up of the characters and themes that shape this timeless story of resilience and redemption. You'll be reminded that life's most important work is often the work we never planned to do, that God can use the most unlikely among us to get the job done, and that grace is the greatest gift we can possibly give. Discover why It's a Wonderful Life is more than just a holiday tradition--it's an inspiration for us to lead better lives, to become people of honor and integrity, and to recognize what really matters.

Based on the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL), Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year A, Volume 2 provides liturgical pieces used in preparing for worship. Written and compiled by an ecumenical team of 11 seasoned liturgy writers, this resource offers a multitude of poetic prayers and responsive readings for all parts of worship and is meant to complement existing denominational resources. In addition, the weekly entries include questions for reflection and household prayers for morning and evening that are drawn from the lectionary, allowing churches to include them in their bulletin for parishioners to use throughout the week.During times of the year when two different tracks of Old Testament texts are offered by the RCL, this resource offers an entire set of materials for each track. Also, a CD-ROM is included with each volume that enables planners to easily cut and paste relevant readings, prayers, and questions into worship bulletins. Liturgy writers include the following: Kimberly L. Clayton, Director of Contextual Education, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia; Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) David Gambrell, Associate for Worship in the Office of Theology and Worship, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Louisville, Kentucky; Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Daniel M. Geslin, Pastor, Sixth Avenue United Church of Christ, Denver, Colorado; United Church of Christ Kimberly Bracken Long, Associate Professor of Worship, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia; Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) L. Edward Phillips, Associate Professor of Worship and Liturgical Theology, Candler School of Theology, Atlanta, Georgia; United Methodist Church Melinda Quivik, Liturgical Scholar, Houghton, Michigan; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Carol L. Wade, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Lexington, Kentucky; Episcopal Church

Ignatius of Antioch gives us meaningful insights into his high regard and use of deacons. These insights have been historically documented and carried forward to the application of the office of Diaconate in today's world. Polemic from both ordained offices of Priest and Deacon are analyzed and placed in today's context without prejudice. The challenge from the past, seeks further involvement both from Directors of Diaconate Programs and a challenge to their Bishops.

The books in this series help preachers and students of preaching understand biblical texts in light of current scholarship. Each volume gives exegetical help, suggestions on how to preach important biblical texts, and sample sermons.

This comprehensive resource is the first lectionary-based collection of prayers for the communion table. Included are communion and post-communion prayers for each Sunday in the lectionary cycle and selected special days. The prayers can be used both by congregations that offer separate prayers for bread and cup and by those that use a single prayer. An index is included for congregations that do not use the lectionary.

Describing a great variety of funeral ritual from major world religions and from local traditions, this book shows how cultures not only cope with corpses but also create an added value for living through the encouragement of afterlife beliefs. The explosion of interest in death in recent years reflects the key theme of this book - the rhetoric of death - the way cultures use the most potent weapon of words to bring new power to life. This new edition is one third longer than the original with new material on the death of Jesus, the most theorized death ever which offers a useful case study for students. There is also empirical material from contemporary/recent events such as the death of Diana and an expanded section on theories of grief which will make the book more attractive to death counsellors.