Enchantment and Creed in the Hymns of Ambrose of Milan offers the first critical overview of the hymns of Ambrose of Milan in the context of fourth-century doctrinal song and Ambrose's own catechetical preaching. Brian P. Dunkle, SJ, argues that these settings inform the interpretation of Ambrose's hymnodic project. The hymns employ sophisticated poetic techniques to foster a pro-Nicene sensitivity in the bishop's embattled congregation. After a summary presentation of early Christian hymnody, with special attention to Ambrose's Latin predecessors, Dunkle describes the mystagogical function of fourth-century songs. He examines Ambrose's sermons, especially his catechetical and mystagogical works, for preached parallels to this hymnodic effort. Close reading of Ambrose's hymnodic corpus constitutes the bulk of the study. Dunkle corroborates his findings through a treatment of early Ambrosian imitations, especially the poetry of Prudentius. These early readers amplify the hymnodic features that Dunkle identifies as "enchanting," that is, enlightening the "eyes of faith."

Journey into the Heart of God explores the meanings and relationships of the seasons of the Church Year as they have developed and are now received and lived. This study, holding always in view the breadth and richness of the liturgical tradition of the whole Church, is illuminated by insightful liturgical texts of the Eucharist and also of the less familiar Daily Office; it also gives attention to the people's theology expressed in hymns from a broad spectrum of traditions, ancient and modern. Careful attention to the liturgy and its setting in the turning of the seasons reveals a profound concern for ecology and for the whole cosmos. The liturgical year as it has developed through the centuries is a work of art, the collaborative achievement of many hands and minds, resulting in an extraordinarily rich fabric with layers of insight and suggestion. The work of Christ celebrated and set forth in the Church's year is experienced not as mere recollection of past events in salvation history, but rather as a living reality, the appropriation of the mighty acts of God alive in his people, the experience today of the life that those great historical deeds have accomplished. The Church year, sifted and tested through centuries, even millennia, of use, dramatizes and makes real a way of living, recognizing, accepting, and making use of the complexity and even the strangeness of human experience. In this way it encourages honesty, humility, growth, and maturity in those who live it.

Is daar kommer in jou hart, of onbeantwoorde vrae? Neem dit na God toe in gebed!

Angus Buchan is jou gebedsvennoot met die 365 kort, kragtige en Skrifgebaseerde gebede. Elke gebed word afgerond met ’n sleutelvers en aanhaling, asook ’n praktiese wenk om geloofsgroei in jou lewe aan te moedig. Wat jy ook al nodig het – of dit geduld, vrede, vreugde of genade is – Sakpas-gebede vir elke dag sal jou lei om jou hart oop te maak teenoor jou Skepper en só jou verhouding met Hom te verinnig.

Vind nuwe krag en inspirasie wanneer jy met jou Skepper praat en sy troos, liefde en genade ervaar.

Celebrating Sundays provides readings from the Christian tradition that offer commentary on every Sunday Gospel reading in the three year lectionary. In the middle of the sixth century, St Benedict wrote 'Let the inspired books of both the Old and the New Testaments be read at Vigils, as also commentaries on them by the most eminent orthodox and catholic fathers' (Rule of Benedict, IX) and this set the pattern for worship and preaching which prevails today. All the great patristic names are included here: Augustine, Bede, Ambrose, Gregory the Great, Aelred, John Scotus Erigena, Origen, Cyril of Alexandria and dozens besides. An invaluable companion for preachers and for personal reflection on the Sunday lections, this makes an ideal gift for confirmation, ordination and anniversaries of priesthood.

In 1950, the famous Dominican theologian Yves Congar stated that there were three kinds of reform in Church history, to cure three kinds of corruption. Doctrinal orthodoxy was reformed by General councils. Institutional shortcomings were reformed by administrative means (like codifying Church law). Moral failings were remedied best by the preaching of religious orders. He also added that in the 20th century, since the Church suffered neither heresy nor moral laxity, the only area was institutional reform. He died before the sexual abuse of children came to light. If Congar got it wrong, it suggests that the Church cannot reform itself: or can it? Michael Winter was ordained priest for the Catholic diocese of Southwark in 1955. He worked for nine years as curate and parish priest in a variety of parishes. Later he pursued further studies in theology at the universities of London, Cambridge and Fribourg (Switzerland), where he was awarded the Doctorate in Theology in 1977. He resigned from the clergy in 1986 and turned to university teaching, and writing. Subsequently.

It’s hard work to be a supportive spouse and keep your marriage strong and satisfying. It can sometimes feel as if you and your spouse are drifting apart due to the fast pace and packed schedule of your daily lives. The Power of Prayer™ to Enrich Your Marriage - Book of Prayers provides the perfect opportunity to spend quality, prayerful time with your spouse and grow closer to them, and to God.

Through these 60 Scripture-based prayers, bestselling author Stormie Omartian will help you:

• ask for God’s protection against 14 of the most common, yet serious marital problems like communication, forgiveness, raising children and finances.
• discover how to better know, love, and communicate with your spouse
• find peace where there was once tension, both in your heart and marriage.

Reflect on the daily verse and learn how to surrender your marriage to your Heavenly Father, knowing that He will walk with you through whatever lies ahead.

What does God want to say and do in your worship service?As a pastor or worship leader, planning a meaningful, relevant, and theologically rich worship experience for your church is of the upmost importance. How do you meet the demands of the modern congregation without getting in the way of what God is doing through worship?Created to Worship: God's Invitation to Become Fully Human is a resource that provides a theology of worship in the Wesleyan tradition. This book will help you plan for a worship service in a discerning manner, while answering the question, 'What does God want to say and do today?'

* All the most exciting readings - in all three years - come from the Gospel of John

A practical handbook for churches and schools that want to plan liturgical celebrations which are accessible to children while remaining true to the rich heritage of the Anglican tradition. It includes liturgies for key festivals of the Christian year, with supplementary material for use in church children's groups, schools and homes. Practical, pick-up and use book Will appeal to mainstream and more traditional Anglican congregations Up-and-coming author combining fresh ideas with huge amount of experience in this area.

The second part of the book turns intriguingly to a number of less obvious topics. The author considers what it means to be a serious reader and how literature can enable us to discover more about ourselves; he probes the spiritual dimension of music and its power to speak to deep human longings; he offers valuable insights into the significance of the human emotions in relation to our wellbeing and moral imagination and, finally, a personal testimony to the place and significance of silence in matters of faith and our human journey.

Western observers never fail to be awestruck at the celebration of the liturgy in an Orthodox church. Hugh Wybrew's authoritative yet highly readable account traces the fascinating story of the Orthodox liturgy from its origins in the first century to the present day, conveying a lively and memorable sense of what it would have felt like to be among the worshippers. 'We have long needed such an introduction. Clear yet detailed, sympathetic yet not uncritical, The Orthodox Liturgy will be of great value to Christian, whether western or eastern.' Metropolitan Kallistos of Diokleia

What is the point of the Lectionary? What are the problems and opportunities that it presents to those who use it? What are its strengths and weaknesses as an aid to worship? How can it be used and communicated most effectively today? These are among the key questions that Thomas O'Loughlin explores in this stimulating and much-needed guide.

More creative ideas for public and private prayer This is a follow-up to John Pritchard's Intercessions Handbook, which has sold over 12,000 copies since it was published six years ago. It contains all new material, so will sell in addition to the original - it is not intended as a replacement. It will cover intercessions for: mainstream public worship festivals and special occassions informal worship and small groups children and young people and personal prayer.

While strong, gospel-centered preaching abounds, many Christian pastors and lay preachers find it difficult to preach meaningfully from the Old Testament. This practical handbook offers help. Graeme Goldsworthy teaches the basics of preaching the whole Bible in a consistently Christ-centered way.Goldsworthy first examines the Bible, biblical theology, and preaching and shows how they relate in the preparation of Christ-centered sermons. He then applies the biblical-theological method to the various types of literature found in the Bible, drawing out their contributions to expository preaching focused on the person and work of Christ.Clear, complete, and immediately applicable, this volume will become a fundamental text for teachers, pastors, and students preparing for ministry.

There is a growing hunger for God in America. Every day, more and more Christians are experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in the light of God's Word. For a Church thirsting for renewal, Gospel Light introduces a new line of books called Renew. Serving the fastest growing segment of the Church worldwide -- those experiencing awakening and renewal with an expectancy for revival -- Renew brings you biblically sound resources from a publisher you trust. Take part in the renewal God is bringing to His Church with Renew Books from Gospel Light.

After teaching and ministering deliverance within the Body of Christ for many years, the authors have produced this direct and thoroughly researched book on every Christian's privilege to walk in deliverance and freedom.

This book explores the way in which liturgy can be used effectively in all-age communication. It is also a comprehensive practical resource - containing 12 complete all-age worship outlines for use throughout the year.

This is a textbook with an international slant, blending established and young experts, and covering a much wider, and less historical, focus than The Study of Liturgy. This reflects the way the subject has changed, from one based upon a historical narrative to one drawing additionally on the social sciences. This new Guide draws upon the valuable approach contained in the old book - short accessible chapters by leading liturgical scholars, which provide sufficient introduction to a topic and advice on further research.

Nathan Mitchell's book is both an introduction to liturgy, worship, and sacraments for beginners and an adventure that guides the reader to the place where God's surprising self is revealed and the human soul is moved to awe and love. This book invites us to excavate depths concealed by ever-busier, ever-shallower, uni-dimensional lives. To recover those depths is to learn that worship can surprise and lead us to the divine depths of creation.