Janet Hodgson traces the life of Xhosa prophet Ntsikana (1780–1821) from his birth through his years as a Christian convert, evangelist, and composer of enduring hymns.

Ntsikana is known as one of the first Christians to adapt Christian ideas to African culture, writing hymns in isiXhosa and translating concepts into terms that resonated with his Xhosa community.

Even today, his hymns are among the most important in the amaXhosa churches, and he is regarded as an important symbol of both African unity and Black Consciousness.

There is a paradox in American Christianity. According to Gallup, nearly eight in ten Americans regard the Bible as either the literal word of God or the inspired by God. At the same time, surveys have revealed gaps in these same Americans' biblical literacy. These discrepancies reveal the complex relationship between American Christians and Holy Writ, a subject that is widely acknowledged but rarely investigated. The Bible in American Life is a sustained, collaborative reflection on the ways Americans use the Bible in their personal lives. It also considers how other influences, including religious communities and the internet, shape individuals' comprehension of scripture. Employing both quantitative methods (the General Social Survey and the National Congregations Study) and qualitative research (historical studies for context), The Bible in American Life provides an unprecedented perspective on the Bible's role outside of worship, in the lived religion of a broad cross-section of Americans both now and in the past. The Bible has been central to Christian practice, and has functioned as a cultural touchstone, throughout American history, but too little is known about how people engage it every day. How do people read the Bible for themselves outside of worship? How have denominational and parachurch publications influenced the interpretation and application of scripture? How have clergy and congregations influenced individual understandings of scripture? These questions are especially pressing in a time when denominations are losing much of their traditional cultural authority, technology is changing reading and cognitive habits, and subjective experience is continuing to eclipse textual authority as the mark of true religion. From the broadest scale imaginable, national survey data about all Americans, down to the smallest details, such as the portrayal of Noah and his ark in children's Bibles, this book offers insight and illumination from scholars across the intellectual spectrum. It will be useful and informative for scholars seeking to understand changes in American Christianity as well as clergy seeking more effective ways to preach and teach about scripture in a changing environment.

The newly updated edition of the study guide companion to Joyce Meyer's bestselling book of all time, Battlefield of the Mind.

Thoughts affect every aspect of our lives, and that's why it's so important to be in control of them. Learn to master your thoughts and win the battles of your mind with this engaging, practical study guide--now updated with fresh and inspiring new content that will help you make the most of what you learn in Battlefield of the Mind.

Gold Nuggets from God's Mine is a devotional resource intended for use every day of the year, with an additional devotion for use during a leap year. Gold Nuggets is an extraction of the rich resources and revelation available in God's Word. The Bible, like a gold mine, contains precious gems that are useful for building strong, successful, and prosperous lives.

In Gold Nuggets from God's Mine, these precious gems from God's Word are mined, polished, and provided for daily spiritual nourishing. The author hopes that through the reading of Gold Nuggets, faith will mature and lives will be changed for God's glory. So, let us begin the exploration of God's gold mine, and may our lives be enriched with God's treasure.

A Year of Devotional Readings to Help You Abide in Him

Understanding God's heart is the key to understanding life. For, it is his heart that designed redemption through Jesus. From his heart sprang the beauty of world, the wonder of the universe, the creativity of all humankind, and a specific love for you. His heart is the blueprint of all human hearts, and knowing his heart reveals the origin of goodness and bounty he endowed to us.

In Knowing the Heart of God, 365 entries will take you closer to our vastly amazing and tenderly intimate God. You will encounter a daily instalment of encouragement and insight, guidance and wisdom to:

• Understand the heart of God and your own heart
• Discover the purpose of your heart's deep desires
• Unravel the dynamics between parents and children, husbands and wives
• Fight the spiritual battle for your heart
• Connect intimately with the Father each day

God longs for you to know his heart, to tap into his love and plans for you. He designed you to long for the same. Knowing the Heart of God will satisfy your hardwired need to know him and will take you? Day by day? Closer and closer to the God who loves you.

Imagine what it would be like to walk in freedom, to break through past pain and trauma, to become whole and healed? What if your broken marriage could find strength for tomorrow, hope and healing like never before?

Lucy shares her own broken journey, traveling through the pain and trauma of some of life's most difficult trials - persevering through sexual and verbal abuse, bullying, chronic illness and pain, a marriage torn apart, a life and death diagnosis, and even terrifying natural disasters. This book was written for those who are seeking to become whole again, longing for restoration and clarity, ready to break free and find healing. Is this you? What do you do with your broken heart? Through Lucy's story, you will discover hope and witness the healing power of God's love through Jesus that she experienced exploring her own broken road and path to restoration.

Lucy set out to write her story, isolated in the woods at her cabin, when a forest fire broke out. The fire raged closer and closer as she alternated between fire updates and her writing. Who knew this was supposed to be about the past and the here and now? God knew...he had a plan. After a terrifying night with the wind howling and shaking the windows, the smell of smoke filling the house, she was evacuated with the fire just a half mile away. The title to the book emerged; Through the Fire, Traveling the Broken Road to Hope and Healing.

Let Lucy's inspiring story open your heart and eyes to the healing power of grace and redemption through walking hand in hand with Christ. Rejoice with Lucy at the healing and wholeness found in Him alone. In Him all is made new, in Him nothing is impossible, in Him we find healing and wholeness.

Just because you feel like you're in bondage, it doesn't mean you have to stay there.

After reading this book, I will have the insight needed to rupture the enemy's grip on my life. I will gain the invaluable tools needed to fight in the spirit and take up my God-given authority as more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus.

Many believers are not victorious and not living lives of purpose and destiny because they don't understand the schemes and wiles of the devil.

Using powerful teachings, this book will unveil and expose the devil and his kingdom to the very core of his ministry, strategies, and weapons he uses against the church today.

The church has fallen asleep. We do not understand the things of the Spirit. We don't understand the enemy of our souls. He comes to kill, steal, and destroy using satanic strategies, game plans, and arsenals of weapons that he wants us to believe are nonchalant, easygoing, harmless, and unpredictable.

The church is not teaching and equipping believers to teach our hands to war in the spirit. In Psalm 144:1, David asked God, "Lord, teach my hands to war." Now, instead of our hands being taught to fight the good fight, we find ourselves in handcuffs--limited, depleted, and spiritually anemic.

This book will help you unlock your spiritual handcuffs so you can understand the works of the devil and expose him before he sets foot on the battlefield of your life. You will learn how to crush the head of the serpent in any season of your life, and how you can see him coming in the blind spots of your walk with the Lord.

It's time for believers to be trained, equipped, and become a spiritual army. It's time to fight and expose the so-called devil and his entrapments. We will rise up and take back what he has stolen from us once and for all in the unmatchable name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and our Savior. Jesus will be proud that He picked us for the ultimate battle.

What About the Church? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Questions of Life, and the fifteenth talk on Alpha. Nicky Gumbel addresses the Church: what it is, what it's not, and how it relates to us in our faith. This booklet may be given to a guest who missed this Alpha talk. Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family, and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view. Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith, and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.

How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Questions of Life, and generally presented as the last talk of the Alpha weekend. This booklet may be given to any guest who missed this Alpha talk. Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view. Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.

Susan Coetzer was ’n swaarmoedige Sannie eerder as Susan Super C. Christus met sy wyse rigtingwysers het haar begeester om haar moue op te rol en geestelike transformasiewerk in haar lewe te doen. Hierdie proaktiewe werk het ’n paar mooi dinge gebring soos vryheid, vrede en wysheid. Susan nooi jou om saam met haar op ’n reis te gaan. Mag hierdie reis jou aanspoor om nooit moed te verloor nie, maar aan te hou stap totdat jy ook ’n energieke, veerkragtige en borrelende mens in Christus is.

Does God Heal Today? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Questions of Life, and the fourteenth talk on Alpha. Nicky discusses how God can bring healing and transformation into our lives today. This booklet may be given to a guest who missed this Alpha talk. Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family, and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions, and share their point of view. Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith, and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.

Surviving Your Child's Adolescence helps parents meet the 10 deepest needs of their teenager. These needs include:

How Does God Guide Us? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Questions of Life, and the seventh talk on Alpha. Nicky Gumbel examines how we can follow in God's will and direction for our life. This booklet may be given to a guest who missed this Alpha talk. Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view. Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.

Your words are like seeds. Every time you say them, they're taking root and growing. Are you planting good seeds? Are you seeing the increase, the health, the relationships, and the happiness you dream about? If not, check out what you’re saying. Whether you realize it or not, the words you speak today are setting the direction for the rest of your life.

In Speak the Blessing, New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen offers you unique insights into this profound truth: Your words have creative power. When you discover the power of speaking what God says about you, you give those words the right to come to pass. There is a miracle in your mouth. There is healing in your mouth, freedom in your mouth, and new levels in your mouth. But nothing happens until you speak the blessing.

Your words become your reality. Start blessing your future today. Use the words you speak to unlock the power within and create the life you were designed to live. The life-changing possibilities are limitless.

We often treat the word capacity as if it were a natural law of limitation. Unfortunately, most of us are much more comfortable defining what we perceive as off limits rather than what's really possible. Could it be that many of us have failed to expand our potential because we have allowed what we perceive as capacity to define us? What if our limits are not really our limits?

In his newest book, No Limits: Blow the Cap Off Your Capacity, John Maxwell identifies 17 core capacities. Some of these are abilities we all already possess, such as energy, creativity and leadership. Others are aspects of our lives controlled by our choices, like our attitudes, character, and intentionality. Maxwell examines each of these capacities, and provides clear and actionable advice on how you can increase your potential in each. He will guide you on how to identify, grow, and apply your critical capacities. Once you've blown the "cap" off your capacities, you'll find yourself more successful -- and fulfilled -- in your daily life.

Why and How Should I Read the Bible? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Questions of Life, and the sixth talk on Alpha. Nicky Gumbel looks at the reasons why to read the Bible and ways we can read the Word of God. This is a great booklet to pass along to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. It can also be given to a guest who may have missed this Alpha talk. Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family, and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view. Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith, and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.

Paid in Full, a riveting account of Jesus' final hours, takes you on a journey that does just that. It powerfully explains the significance--for every person ever born--of each step Jesus willingly took along the way of His suffering, His death, and His resurrection. Noted Bible teacher Rick Renner draws a brilliant backdrop to the passion of Jesus Christ, interjecting fresh insights into the human and divine drama that took place in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago.

This easy to read book will give you the hope and inspiration you need as you begin the process of recovery from addiction. As you take this journey from hell to recovery with George, you will discover insights that will motivate and encourage you to seek the road to recovery. There is no complex scientific data here, just straightforward information that will give you the best chance for recovery.

The importance of the 12-step programs already in existence (which are based on Biblical principles) are also discussed, but the author adds a spiritual dimension to recovery by emphasizing the miraculous power and love available through Jesus Christ. You can get a jump-start on recovery by reflecting on the author’s journey, becoming aware of the 12-step programs, and contemplating the faith that inspired the song “Amazing Grace.”

Even though the author felt hopeless at times and thought about giving up, deep down he knew that God was working in his life and saving him for a reason. That reason is revealed in this book as he encourages you to believe that life can be a wonderful experience.

You’ll laugh and cry as you take this journey with George Snodgrass. You have nothing to lose and your life to gain.

Why Did Jesus Die? is a chapter from Nicky Gumbel's book, Questions of Life. Nicky Gumbel examines the extraordinary implications of Jesus' death and resurrection. This booklet may be given to any guest who missed this Alpha talk. He answers questions about Jesus such as, "What historical evidence is there, other than the Bible, that Jesus actually existed?" He also discusses how what Jesus said and did two thousand years ago could still be relevant to us today. This is a great booklet to pass along to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. It can also be given to a guest who may have missed this Alpha talk. Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family, and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions and share their point of view. Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith, and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.