This unique manual has spiritual exercises, guided meditations, and lesson plans that bring the experience of worship off the page and into the heart of the worshiper. The exercises are intended for youth and adult audiences, and a variety of settings including Jewish schools of all kinds, synagogues and havurot, camps and informal educational programming and retreats. There are introductions on how and why to use the manual.

Leon Weinberger draws on a wealth of material, much of it previously available only in Hebrew, to trace the history of Jewish hymnography from its origins in the eastern Mediterranean to its subsequent development in western Europe (Spain, Italy, Franco-Germany, and England) and Balkan Byzantium, on the Grecian periphery, under the Ottomans, and among the Karaites. Focusing on each region in turn, he provides a general background to the role of the synagogue poets in the society of the time; characterizes the principal poets and describes their contribution; examines the principal genres and forms; and considers their distinctive language, style, and themes. The copious excerpts from the liturgy are presented in transliterated Hebrew and in English translation, and their salient characteristics are fully discussed to bring out the historical development of ideas and regional themes as well as literary forms. Professor Weinberger's study is a particularly valuable source-book for students of synagogue liturgy, Jewish worship, and medieval Hebrew poetry. It provides new perspectives for students of religious poetry and forms of worship more generally, while enabling the general reader to acquire a much-enriched appreciation of the synagogue services. 'A pivotal reference book . . . The volume's coverage is admirably broad and dense; its approach and presentation are apt and felicitous. Nothing comparable has been available in English . . . we owe Weinberger a big debt of gratitude.' Ephraim Nissan, Shofar 'It is a blessing to have in English such a felicitous treatment of the fruits of modern Israeli scholarship on piyyut or Jewish hymnography incorporated into the author's own prodigious research . . . The work is the best introduction in English to the whole subject . . . It is bound to encourage scholars of English-speaking universities to mount courses in this heretofore neglected area of Hebrew poetry. The lack of a good textbook can no longer serve as an excuse.' Reuven Kimelman

If you have any interest in the meaning of life, the human spirit, or life after death, this is a book you must read...

A delightful little nightstand companion to make prayer a natural part of every day.

Greet the day with a celebration of sunrise--and close it with deep appreciation for life's daily gifts and lessons. Here in one charming volume -- compiled by the author of the popular gift book Graces -- you'll find an uplifting collection of readings, prayers, and poems arranged in specific sections to make the joys of prayer a simple, natural part of each day. Special prayers bring motivation to Morning, and lullabies and musing help us focus on the peace of Nightfall. Other readings offer Inspiration or Comfort, or guide us gently through private Reflections. Bedside Prayers is a lovely little gift book for anyone who would like to make the enjoyment of daily prayer as constant as the rising and setting of the sun.

When and under what circumstances did the Gospel texts begin to serve anti-Jewish ends? Can it be said, accurately and fairly, that the evangelists were anti-Jewish? Are there tendencies in the Gospels that were originally intended by the evangelists to injure the Jewish people or their religion, or to work against the interests of the Jewish people and/or their religion? These and other issues were addressed in a three-year research project that culminated in a fall 1996 convocation, at which five major research papers were presented with two respondents to each paper. The papers and responses are now made available for the first time in this volume. Major presentations include: Anti-Judaism and the Gospel of Matthew -Amy-Jill Levine Anti-Judaism and the Gospel of Luke -Daryl D. Schmidt Anti-Judaism and the Gospel of John -David Regensberger Something Greater than the Temple -Robert Louis Wilken Anti-Judaism in the Critical Study of the Gospels -Joseph B. Tyson Reflections on Anti-Judaism in the New Testament and in Christianity -E.P. Sanders ""This book succeeds in giving a comprehensive view of the problem it addresses, and the papers are clear, forthright presentations that will help the reader see what the issues were when the Gospels were written and what they still are."" -E.P. Sanders, Duke University William R. Farmer is Professor of New Testament at the University of Dallas and co-editor of Jesus and the Suffering Servant: Isaiah 53 and Christian Origins (Trinity 1998).

Anyone involved in a leadership role encounters the need for prayers that can be used as written or can be adapted. This collection is intended to widen horizons, spark imagination, expand language and enrich personal encounter through prayer. A subject index is included.

The 1928 Book of Common Prayer is a treasured resource for traditional Anglicans and others who appreciate the majesty of King James-style language. This classic edition features a Presentation section containing certificates for the rites of Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage. The elegant burgundy hardcover binding is embossed with a simple gold cross, making it an ideal choice for both personal study and gift-giving.
The 1928 Book of Common Prayer combines Oxford's reputation for quality construction and scholarship with a modest price - a beautiful prayer book and an excellent value.

To Pray and to Love is for all persons who want to pray but do not know how, who pray but feel uncertain about it, and who pray happily but want to grow more deeply. For those who have longing for prayer and yet have never prayed, the author offers some specific suggestions about attitudes, beliefs, and dispositions that get in the way of our prayer without us even noticing. Bondi also shares some of what the founders of early monasticism had to say about prayer and Christian love that she has found especially helpful over the years.

The Challenge of the Disciplined Life explores the three great ethical themes crucial to people of faith living faithfully. Drawing upon practical examples, Richard J. Foster guides the reader in day-to-day ethical decision making while helping each of us determine "the proper place in Christian life of money, sex, and power."

How does a Christian ever get started on the road to alcoholism?
"Where was God when I begged him not to let me take that next drink?"
How can a Christian cope with the guilt of actions committed "while under the influence"?
"How can I resume my role as an active church member and face a congregation who knows what I was like when I was drinking?"
In the search for answers to these troubling questions, the recovering alcoholic receives a great deal of spiritual input but has often had a difficult time finding specifically Christian literature to supplement the recovery program.
In response to that very real and urgent need, Rev. Carl Nelson has prepared this devotional resource for the recovering alcoholic Christian. Based on the Twelve Step program used by Alcoholics Anonymous, each daily and nightly devotion includes a Prayer, Meditation, Life Example (based on composites of recovering alcoholics whom the author has known), and a Scripture Study, making these devotions ideal for incorporation into any recovering alcoholic's daily recovery program -- and particularly useful to those who hunger for the presence of Christ in their daily struggles.
Carl Nelson is pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Painesville, Ohio. He is a graduate of Concordia College, Portland, Oregon, and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri.

The ultimate purpose of Christ's death on the Cross was that His believers might be sanctified. Paper.

This ground-breaking book contains contributions from 12 different religious traditions: Hinduism, African Traditional Religion, Judaism, Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Shintoism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Unitarianism and Baha'i. Interfaith worship and prayer can be complex, but this book demonstrates that in a world of many cultures and religions, there is an urgent need for religions to come together with trust and communication, especially when there is a crisis. Full of insights and examples of practice, the book demonstrates how religions can be a powerful means of unity and compassion. The book opposes the 'clash of civilisations' model as a way of interpreting the world and promotes peace, hope, and the possibility of cooperation. Religious believers can be sincere and committed to their own faith, while recognising the need to stand firmly together with members of other religious traditions.

Containing Ireland's most popular prayers and blessings, this book is packed full of inspirational words to take comfort in. In turn these words provide us with hope, joy and solace. This little book, designed to fit in the smallest bag or pocket, will bring those old words back to life, reminding us that poetic lines and wise sayings can wrap around you like a hug, making the world seem a better place for a while.

"Our God is a God of surprises... Am I open to the God of surprises?"-Pope Francis, 2014 Responding to this challenge, Surprised by God explores what it means to reflect on life and how we reflect theologically about our journey of faith.Theological reflection has been primarily used in academic training for ministry preparation, but it is a tool that is critical for any person pondering Pope Francis' questions. Christina Zaker provides an in depth look at the foundational elements of theological reflection including definitions and guidance through various methods. Offering a lens for reflection based on the unique way Jesus' parables surprise and invite listeners to collaborate in the kingdom of God, the book foregrounds the importance of honest spiritual reflection. Reveling in the many ways God surprises us, we learn how to respond to the invitation of faith with open minds and hearts.

Tu eres una mujer de gran valor para Dios. Eres su preciado tesoro y el desea que te conviertas en la mujer que el diseno cuando penso en ti. A traves de estos 52 devocionales, Karen Moore te inspirara para comenzar a experimentar la realidad de que eres una mujer especial, con todas las cualidades y virtudes que Dios ha puesto en tu vida. Karen te desafiara para cultivar estas cualidades con el proposito de glorificar a Dios y guiarte por el camino que te transformara en la mujer valiosa que Dios sabe que puedes ser."

An attractive reissue of the late Bishop George Appleton's celebrated selection of over 1,100 prayers from many centuries and many traditions, including Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Iranian, Shinto, Classical Greek and Latin, native American, and Baha'i. The wide-ranging contents ofThe Oxford Book of Prayer reflect the cooperation of the many advisers who have ensured that the choice of prayers is ecumenical in the widest sense of the word. The prayers are arranged under headings such as 'Prayers from the Scriptures', 'Prayers of Christians, personal and occasional', 'Prayers of the Church', and 'Prayers from other traditions of faith', but there is also a subject index to guide the user to prayers for particular occasions, and an index of authors and sources. The book may thus be used for browsing or for more structured prayer, for private meditation or for public worship.

El pastor y autor Cash Luna vuelve a desafiarnos a caminar con Dios y nos invita a una experiencia radical con el Espiritu Santo. 22 Dias Contigo, Espiritu Santo es el devocional que estabas esperando. Se trata de veintidos intensos dias en los que nuestra voluntad y anhelos personales son tocados por la accion del Espiritu a traves de la edificacion en su Palabra, la reflexion continua, la oracion constante y especifica, y la aplicacion inmediata a nuestra vida, justo en donde nos encontramos. La presencia del Espiritu de Dios en nuestras vidas se encargara de transformarnos. Incluye un enlace para descargar gratuitamente musica devocional."

The thoughts in this little volume are the glorious convictions of millions of Christians. If you do not know Jesus Christ as the Son of God, your Savior, and your Friend, nothing is more important for you than reading this book.