Infertility affects nearly 6.1 million women and 2.1 million married couples in the United States. Additionally, 25 percent of women of childbearing age will experience a miscarriage and one in 80 pregnancies will end in a stillbirth. In Hope Deferred, we hear the voices of five female scholars from a variety of Christian denominations--Church of the Brethren, Disciples of Christ, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic--as they share their very private stories of painful loss in the hope of bringing comfort and a theological understanding to those who have experienced reproductive loss.

With simple narrative and lovely pictures, this inspiring devotional resource follows Christ on his final journey to the cross. Through it, the ancient rite of the stations finds a post-modern expression that is both fresh and poignant. Supplemented with Scriptural texts, this accessible set of devotions brings the wonder and mystery of Christ's compassion into the everyday lives of contemporary readers. The Stations of the Cross is an excellent resource for Lenten studies, individual devotional use, sermon preparation, or parish planning. The inclusion of Hoffman's own photos of the ten stations from churches and cathedrals in Western Europe adds an extra element of wonder, mystery, and awe.

The Bible speaks to this deep longing when it affirms that indeed God created man and woman in His image And at the heart of that image is a God-shaped vacuum waiting to be filled by the presence of the Creator. Built into our very heartbeat is a yearning to know, to have contact with, the One who made us. This "breath of God" infused into humankind at the creation (and into each of us at our personal creation) expands to form this vacuum that only God can fill. This vacuum is revealed to each of us through the basic needs which tug at our hearts. The longing for fulfillment of these needs drives our hunger for something more than simple satisfaction of our animal instincts. We are empty, as Saint Augustine articulated, until the vacuum is filled with the presence of God himself. The pull of these needs tugs us toward our Creator. We are "restless" until these needs finds true fulfillment in a relationship with God. This vacuum tugs us toward God, striving as a vacuum always does, to be filled. Hobbled by darkness, so much of it of our own making, we can only grope for the light. But I can only believe that our yearnings after the light must be a pleasure for God to watch. I can see him saying as we grope, "Come on, move toward that crack of light there. Reach for it. Put out your hand. I am waiting to pull you to me your Creator, your God, your Father."

Over the years the same questions get asked of Desmond Tutu, the archbishop, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and veteran of the moral movement that ended apartheid in South Africa: "How can you be so hopeful after witnessing so much evil?" "Why are you so sure goodness will triumph in the end?" This book is his answer.

Now, more than any other time in history, our world needs this message: that we are made for goodness and it is up to us to live up to our destiny.

We recognize Archbishop Tutu from the headlines as an inspirational figure who has witnessed some of the world's most sinister moments and chosen to be an ambassador of reconciliation amid political, diplomatic, and natural disasters. Now, we get a glimpse into his personal spirituality--and a better understanding of the man behind a lifetime of good works. In this intimate and personal sharing of his heart, written with his daughter, Episcopal priest Mpho Tutu, Tutu engages his reader with touching stories from his own life, as well as grisly memories from his work in the darkest corners of the world. There, amid the darkness, he calls us to hope, to joy, and to claim the goodness that we were made for. Tutu invites us to take on the disciplines of goodness, the practices that are key to finding fulfillment, meaning, and happiness for our lives.

Here is a masterly study of the inner life by a heart thirsting after God, eager to grasp at least the outskirts of His ways, the abyss of His love for sinners, and the height of His unapproachable majesty. It was written by Aiden Wilson Tozer, an American Christian pastor, preacher, author, magazine editor, Bible conference speaker, and spiritual mentor who received two honorary doctorate degrees for his work.

BENITA: prey for him is the true story of bright, vivacious Benita Kane and the Catholic priest who lured her from childhood into a disastrous, twenty-year entanglement that changed the course of her life. What happened to this fatherless girl in the hierarchical, patriarchal world of Dubuque, Iowa during the 40's, 50's and 60's is not simply one more tale of clerical sexual abuse, but rather an astounding, maddening, compelling account of what it was like to grow up in a family, community and culture so dominated by the Catholic church that no one could recognize the ominous events developing around them. As Benita's friend and classmate from second-grade through college, Virginia Tranel writes from the unique stance of both participant and observer.

Paradise Lost is an epic poem in blank verse by the 17th-century English poet John Milton. The poem concerns the Christian story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. Milton's purpose, stated in Book I, is to "justify the ways of God to men" and elucidate the conflict between God's eternal foresight and free will. Milton incorporates Paganism, classical Greek references, and Christianity within the poem. It deals with diverse topics from marriage, politics and monarchy, and grapples with many difficult theological issues, including fate, predestination, the Trinity...

Paradise Regained is a poem by the 17th century English poet John Milton, which deals with the subject of the Temptation of Christ. One of the major concepts emphasized throughout Paradise Regained is the play on reversals. As implied by its title, Milton sets out to reverse the "loss" of Paradise. Thus, antonyms are often found next to each other throughout the poem, reinforcing the idea that everything that was lost in the first epic is going to be regained by the end of the mini-epic. Additionally, this work focuses on the idea of "hunger," both in a literal and in a spiritual sense. After wandering in the wilderness for forty days Jesus is starved of both food and the Word of God. Satan, too blind to see any non-literal meanings of the term, offers Christ food and various other temptations, but Jesus continually denies him.

Straight from the Word is exactly what the title suggests. This devotional uses three or four translations to expound on a scripture, which amounts to a mini-commentary on each page. This aids in comprehension of the scripture while the repetition helps with remembering what you have read. They are simple devotions; quick and easy to read, and will hopefully give you something to think about each day. Most importantly, they will put the Word into your heart and mind. Joyce Gentry Cravey was born and raised in Dalton, Georgia, but has lived in Central Florida since 1969. She graduated from Dalton High School and attended Berry Schools and College in Rome, Georgia. She and her husband Jack are members of First Baptist Church of Mt. Dora, Florida. Joyce and Jack have a "his, mine and ours" family of six children and their spouses, fourteen grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Needless to say, their get-togethers are large, noisy, and lots of fun. This devotional is the result of a need for a personal devotional that would concentrate upon getting the Word into hearts on a daily basis. This is her first attempt at putting together a book of any kind, and it is her prayer that it will touch hearts and lives.

Use this book of quotes for personal pondering, devotional meditation, speaking, and even witnessing. Topically arranged, these short sayings are designed to provide insight, inspiration, challenge and amusement for all areas of life. Covering a broad area of topics such as faith, sexuality, Bible reading, and busyness, they were selected because of their high relevance to day-to-day discipleship and practical Christian living. Written from a variety of perspectives, they will challenge or even provoke readers to consider their lives and faith in fresh ways. Highly readable and unique in their creativity, these 1500 quotes present readers with the wisdom they need to find their way and continue their journey in Christ. Each offers a lesson to Christians who take their faith seriously. Great for gift giving.

This book - prayer book and revolutionary text in one - contains 52 morning attunements. They are greeting words for a new revolutionary spirituality with the definite aim of supporting the transformation of both the human being and society.

This valuable book provides a complete manual for the study and practice of Raja Yoga, the path of meditation and mental focus. This original interpretation of these timeless teachings is a treasure to be read and referred to again and again, by seekers treading the spiritual path. These classic Sutras were written by the sage Patanjali between first and third centuries CE, and clearly mark out the path to Self-Realization through the means of right living, meditation and fostering mental focus and concentration.

2009 reprint of 1948 First edition. Aiden Wilson Tozer (1897-1963) was an American Christian pastor, preacher, author, magazine editor, Bible conference speaker and spiritual mentor. Hailing from a tiny farming community in western Pennsylvania, his conversion was as a teenager in Akron, Ohio. In 1919, five years after his conversion, and without formal theological training, Tozer accepted an offer to pastor his first church. This began 44 years of ministry.He was also a prolific author. Among the more than 40 books that he authored, at least two are regarded as Christian classics: The Pursuit of God and The Knowledge of the Holy. His books impress on the reader the possibility and necessity for a deeper relationship with God.Living a simple and non-materialistic lifestyle, he and his wife never owned a car, preferring bus and train travel. Even after becoming a well-known Christian author, Tozer signed away much of his royalties to those who were in need.Prayer was of vital personal importance for Tozer. "His preaching as well as his writings were but extensions of his prayer life," comments his biographer, James L. Snyder, in the book, In Pursuit of God: The Life of A.W. Tozer. "He had the ability to make his listeners face themselves in the light of what God was saying to them," writes Snyder.

Of all the books that the publisher has read on the subject of preaching, there is none that has meant more than this one. It is much to be regretted that it has been out of print, and it is an honor to be able to bring it back once again with enlarged print for easier reading. "Dr. J.W. Alexander's 'Thoughts on Preaching' is the best daily devotional on preaching ever written. To read a section or two of his poignant and savory thoughts contained in 'Homiletical Paragraphs' every day would greatly instruct, convict, encourage, and re-energize any true minister of the gospel. And his 'Letters to Young Ministers' is a masterpiece in itself; particularly the sections on maintaining devotion and happiness in the ministry." - Dr. Joel R. Beeke

Deep in the heart of every believer is the hunch, if not the conviction, that somewhere the Bible must sketch a portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ like this one. He must be the strong Man of God Who can fight against incredible odds and win the victory decisively. The purpose of the narrative on Samson in the book of Judges is to give us that portrayal, so we can realize and glory in the accomplishments of Jesus Christ like never before. Samson provides that unparalleled picture of Christ for us. Some will protest, "Samson was a womanizer! He can't be a type of Christ!" Squeamish commentators have thought that for years. But types of Christ are not determined by moral purity, but by the nature of their acts and how they can represent the things Christ has done. Christ has vanquished foes far more formidable than any giant and more numerous than any Philistine horde. He has fought the spiritual powers of darkness, with faith in God as His only weapon. He has taken the sword of death from Satan himself and now holds the keys of death and hades. God has used the mighty, powerful and miraculous victories of Samson to portray the faith of Christ. Christ's is a faith that never loses. Isaiah prophesied of Jesus, "I set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed" (50:7). Philip Scranton is a graduate of Mid-Continent University in Biblical Studies, and pursued graduate work in Biblical Languages. He was pastor of two churches and has written numerous magazine articles, especially in Old Testament Studies.

Myra Nagel has written a resource to help readers grow in their faith as they "journey to the cross" during the season of Lent. Using the Gospel of Mark, this thoughtful guide invites the reader to "Come to the Story", "Reflect on the Story", and "Live the Story". The themes for each week of reflections are as follows:

Week 1

Teacher, Let Me See!

Week 2

She Has Done What She Could

Week 3

You Will All Fall Away

Week 4

Do This, Remembering Me

Week 5

Not What I Want, but What You Want

Week 6

Crucify Him!

Week 7

Their Eyes Were Opened

This Lenten resource will inspire its users to recall the biblical story of Christ's death and resurrection in a new and engaging way. Study questions are provided for individuals and groups.

Let God remind you that you are his glorious daughter . "The Diamond I Wear Is Within" is a heartfelt collection of letters from single women expressing the joys and challenges of their Christian journeys. Each chapter presents a letter written in a single woman's authentic voice, paired with Lynn Gibson's response from a biblical perspective. These candid discussions cover a variety of themes relevant to singles today:

A daily devotional journey through the life of Christ as recorded in all four Gospels. This daily devotional would be a great gift for your Sunday School Teacher, your favorite missionary, your children, your parents or yourself. In Miller's own words: "This volume of a year's readings has been prepared in the hope that it may prove daily food to some earnest children of God in their life of care, struggle, and duty. It is made to cover the earthly life of our Lord, from its beginning to its close... The author's aim has been to put a life-thought on each page... The book has but a single aim: to honor and glorify Christ in the eyes of those who follow its pages." "If any 19th century American Christian writer warrants reprinting, it is J.R. Miller! His writing style is delightfully smooth, his insights are spiritual diamonds on every page, and his pastoral applications are delivered with the skill of a well-seasoned physician of souls." - Pastor Bill Shishko

Humility is the most overlooked teaching of Jesus Christ. In this book Andrew Murray explores how essential humility is to the understanding and practice of Christianity. Perhaps the best book ever written on the subject. "We have seen humility in the life of Christ, as He laid open His heart to us: let us listen to His teaching. There we shall hear how He speaks of it, and how far He expects men, and specially His disciples, to be humble as He was."-Andrew Murray

To understand the words of our Lord is the business of life. For it is the main road to the understanding of The Word himself. And to receive him is to receive the Father, and so to have Life in ourselves. And Life, the higher, the deeper, the simpler, the original, is the business of life.

Emanuel Swedenborg, born Emanuel Swedberg (1688-1772) was a Swedish scientist, philosopher, Christian mystic and theologian. Emanuel studied physics, mechanics, and philosophy, read and wrote poetry. He had a prolific career as an inventor and scientist. In 1715 he devoted himself to natural science and engineering projects for the next two decades. From 1716 to 1718 Swedenborg published a scientific periodical entitled Daedalus Hyperboreus (The Nordic Daedalus). At the age of fifty-six he entered into a spiritual phase, in which he experienced dreams and visions. This culminated in a spiritual awakening, where he claimed he was appointed by the Lord to write a heavenly doctrine to reform Christianity. For the remaining 28 years of his life, he wrote and published 18 theological works, of which the best known was Heaven and Hell (1758) and several unpublished theological works. His other works include: Angelic Wisdom Concerning the Divine Love and the Divine Wisdom (1763), Angelic Wisdom About Divine Providence, Spiritual Life and the Word of God and Heaven and its Wonders and Hell.