Riggs discusses African American church life as a case study for ethical reflection about sexual ethics and clergy ethics -- the prevailing silence about sexuality in black churches as well as the fact that sexuality is generally a taboo in Christian tradition.

The author feels that sexism has been perpetrated by misuse of the Scriptures and by circumscribing the role of women, and seeks to transform current discourse about sexual behavior and clergy misconduct from a concentration on formulating policy to re-train.

This special edition for students of Tozer's ever-popular classic has an extra-wide margin area for making notations.

Like flipping pages through a wedding album, the rich imagery in His Majesty Requests paints a vivid portrait of who the Beloved bride truly is and how she makes herself ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb. By matting and framing the story of one father's desire to find a suitable wife for his son in ancient Israel, the mystery of God's love for Jews and non-Jews throughout the ages is revealed. This devotional beautifully illuminates the spiritual significance of the ancient Hebrew wedding customs and how the Messiah fulfilled each one. As family heirlooms, many of these traditions such as bride price and the veil may be recognizable, while others will flash new insight into the teachings and ways of a Jewish Savior. The restoration and brilliance of these lost pictures are sure to fill the believer's heart with a renewed love for their Heavenly Bridegroom.

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.

THE BOOK OF ASHES, (originally called Little Job, or Pety Job) is a meditative fifteenth century verse paraphrase of excerpts from the Book of Job; a passionate penitential monologue that uses as its meditative base the liturgical text intoned daily for the souls of the dead. The original author is unknown. Early manuscripts describe the work as follows: The nine lessons of the Dirge, which Job made in his tribulation lying on the dunghill, declaring more clearly to our understanding, in a solemn and worthy manner, that which will suffice to steer sinners towards compunction. This edition follows a middle English text edited by Susanna Greer Fein and then rendered into modern English by Jabez L. Van Cleef. It consists of 57 parts, each part a 12 line poem. Inasmuch as possible the content, form and meter of the original Middle English has been kept.

This book challenges scholars' assumption, without any explicit evidence, of institutionalized public prayer with fixed contents and times in the Qumran community. As the book observes, this assumption rests in part on a failure to distinguish between voluntary supplication prayers and biblically mandated blessings and thanks. The book closely examines the three Qumran writings assumed to typify prayer and critiques scholars' attempts to deduce the existence of public prayer from these and other sources, which are most likely pious expressions of individual authors. The lack of indispensable instructions for institutionalized prayer offers circumstantial evidence that such prayer was not practiced at Qumran. This study also explores the assumption that Qumran prayer was intended as a substitute for sacrifices after the group's separation from the temple cult and discusses relevant rabbinic statements. The innovative character of rabbinic fixed prayer is discussed and identified as an element of the fundamental transformation of Jewish theology and practice from worship founded on sacrificial rituals performed by priests at the Jerusalem Temple to abstract, unmediated, direct approaches to God by every Jew in any location. The book also examines Samaritan prayer and detects a variety of attitudes, rules, and customs similar to those found at Qumran that are incompatible with their rabbinic counterparts. This opens the door for investigating religious belief and practice at a crucial period in the history of Western civilization, namely, before the vast rabbinic reform of Judaism after 70 CE.

There's nothing like seeing a rainbow after a particularly stormy time. It reminds us of the promises of God, and of his steadfast love -- even for harried moms. To be a mother often means being able to see through the clouds of life that threaten to overshadow God's abundant grace and mercy, and beholding the promise of God's rainbow. The devotions in Through the Clouds, each accompanied by a scripture verse and a prayer, are a perfect resource for busy moms who need to take a few quiet moments each day with the Lord. These brief meditations will encourage them to see the rainbows and remember God's promises -- no matter how much laundry is waiting!

During a train trip from Chicago in the late 1940s, A.W. Tozer began to work on The Pursuit of God. He wrote all night long, the words coming to him as fast as he could put them down. By the next morning, when the train pulled into McAllen, Texas, the rough draft was done.

Although written in such a remarkably short period of time, the depth, clarity and completeness of Tozer's message has made The Pursuit of God an enduring favorite -- about 1.7 million copies in print in 15 languages.

Prepare yourself for a deeply meaningful and enjoyable experience.

Pastors, business men and women, teachers, and administrators need encouragement and inspiration as they seek to effectively lead others with Christian wisdom and gentleness. But finding the time to read an entire book or search for a quick word of inspiration and advice isn't always possible. E-couragement provides short e-mail-sized essays of affirmation and encouragement for Christian professionals to use and meditate on as problems and issues arise. It's divided into 11 chapters, which address a wide variety of topics such as pursuing one's dreams; proven keys for success; where Christian leaders get their resources; how to handle the challenges and difficulties leaders typically face; and more. These practical and stimulating essays include biblical principles for Christian leadership as well as motivational quotes and advice from well-known leaders, both past and present. Readers may choose to browse through topics, looking for essays that address an issue for a particular moment or day. Some may read it as a daily devotional. Others may use it as a focusing and inspirational tool for staff meetings and conferences. Teachers and pastors will find its illustrations helpful when preparing lessons, sermons, or Bible studies. Wherever people live, work, worship, and play, E-couragement offers a Christian perspective to problem solving and valuable affirmation and encouragement to help leaders meet the demands they encounter each day.

Life is full of subtle, unsuspected, hidden perks, ready to make their presence known at the turn of a corner to cheer us, to lift us, to change our attitudes, to give our souls a reason to celebrate. Don't miss them. Don't let them pass by unnoticed. Celebrate those perks one by one, day after day. Celebrate living. Throw thou a party and invite me. Come with a joyful heart, ready to have the time of your life. I'll bring the streamers―"You Bring the Confetti "

We have a choice, says Luci Swindoll. We can trudge through our lives, shoulder to the wheel, worried and stressed and hassled. Or we can choose to really live―to celebrate life's richness, its beauty, its pleasures and perks. In this delightful book, Luci challenges us to choose the second option. She urges us to be on the lookout for reasons to celebrate, and she assures us that those reasons are everywhere to be found. With wise insight, droll wit, and an irresistable sense of fun, she invites us to:

• savor the wonder of the present moment
• appreciate our milestones (even birthdays )
• relish our mealtimes
• cherish our friendships
• rejoice in our reunions
• widen our knowledge
• find purpose in our work
• revel in our accomplishments
• enjoy our imaginations
• seek out beauty everywhere
• cherish our American heritage
• and above all, give thanks to the reason and source of all our celebrations

More than just a reminder to celebrate, this book itself is a celeration of life's infinite and joyful possibilities. It's a wisdom-filled, enthusiastic exploration of what it means to live fully and appreciatively―and it comes with a promise that if you bring the confetti . . .God brings the joy

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.

With characteristic eloquence and insight, Buechner presents a three-part series of reflections that probe, through the course of one day, the innermost mysteries of life. Blending an artist's eye for natureal beauty, the true meaning of human encounters, and the significance of occurances (momentous or seemly trival), with a wealth of personal, literacy, biblical, and spiritual insights, he offers a matchless opportunity for readers to discover the hidden wisdom that can be gleaned through a heightened experience of daily life.

Each page of this new devotional by David Teems is charged with originality, beauty and the richness of our common language, as well as necessary and timely spiritual content. Each day illuminates one subject, Love. Each entry puts Christ at the center of that love, whether it's love for your husband or wife, for you neighbor, for the stranger, for God. It's all centered in Him and in 365 lovely treatments. The language is lyrical, speaking the way love speaks, sounding the way devotion is supposed to sound. Each day also closes with a benediction, such as, "May Christ be the template by which love shapes itself in you." It's about true Christianity, about worship, about devotion, about ourselves, and much much more. An incredibly generous book, you could say it's the little book with the big heart. And finally, as it says in the Prologue, offering us perhaps the clearest description of itself, "This is a book of love. It only thinks it's a devotional."

Tens of thousands of Christians have gotten up and gone to bed with Charles Spurgeon's devotional Morning and Evening. Seven hundred and thirty two devotions. One for each morning and each evening. These devotions will guide you in a closer walk with God, helping you find a focus for each day.

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."

At one time or another, every Christian goes through a period which is referred to as a "desert experience"-a time when they feel forsaken by God, in doubt about what God would have them do, a period of darkness of the soul. Many, during those times, feel they are alone in this experience, but this thought-provoking book shows readers that they are not alone-that in fact, many well-known Christians have been there also. Featuring personal testimonies from each contributor, "The Desert Experience" offers readers encouragement and valuable lessons from those who have made it through the "desert"-lessons of hope, humility, goodwill, and the sovereignty of God -all lessons necessary for the maturing of a Christian.

I pray earnestly that our gracious Lord may be pleased to bless this little book, to help those who seek to know Him fully. I pray still more earnestly that He would, by whatever means, make the multitudes of His dear children who are still living divided lives see how He claims them wholly for Himself, and how the wholehearted surrender to Him alone brings unspeakable joy and glory.

There is no better place in all of Scripture than the Psalms to learn to be with God and see with the eyes of faith the face of the One who longs to form us fully in his image. The psalms often stretch and perplex as they teach, but they open a divine window on prayer. How could it be otherwise? The Psalms are God's prayer book, and they teach us to talk to God in his own language.
Features meditations for more than 75 psalms, arranged in numerical order, Scripture and topical indexes. Each devotional includes the complete text of the Psalm(s) from the New Living Translation, a "devotional window" (brief meditative thoughts and/or background on the Psalm), a prayer route (one or more key phrases or verses from the Psalm, followed by suggested ways to use the Psalm in prayer).

The Pursuit of God: This book is a modest attempt to aid God's hungry children so to find Him. Nothing here is new except in the sense that it is a discovery which my own heart has made of spiritual realities most delightful and wonderful to me. Others before me have gone much farther into these holy mysteries than I have done, but if my fire is not large it is yet real, and there may be those who can light their candle at its flame.-A. W. Tozer

This book is the sequel to Frances Havergal's wonderful devotional gem for children which we have published, called LITTLE PILLOWS & MORNING BELLS. This was the last book she wrote before her death. In fact, she had hoped to write a companion to this volume entitled EVENING STARS, or Promises for the Little Ones. This book takes little children by the hand and points out to them in simple, biblical language 31 of the Names of Christ scattered throughout Scripture.

Waiting on God is Andrew Murray's wonderful thirty one day devotional that will help you come closer to God. "If salvation indeed comes from God, and is entirely His work, just as creation was, it follows, as a matter of course, that our first and highest duty is to wait on Him to do the work that pleases Him. Waiting becomes then the only way to the experience of a full salvation, the only way, truly, to know God as the God of our salvation." -Andrew Murray

Heartbreaking losses can steal the cheer from anyone's life. But here's a way to overcome the tribulations that threaten your happiness and shadow your days. In this clever and inspirational book, experienced counselor and popular speaker Marilyn Meberg shows you how to triumph and choose to laugh instead of cry.

With warm encouragement, contagious enthusiasm, and a dash of mischievous humor, she shares the powerful medicine of God's Word. As the light of His love courses through your heart, you'll soon find yourself agreeing: "I'd Rather Be Laughing "

This book is a humble attempt to show what exactly the blessings are that God has covenanted to bestow on us; what the assurance is the Covenant gives that they must, and can, and will be fulfilled; what the hold on God Himself is which it thus gives us; and what the conditions are for the full and continual experience of its blessings. I feel confident that if I can lead any to listen to what God has to say to them of His Covenant, and to deal with Him as a Covenant God, it will bring them strength and joy. -Andrew Murray

The essence of the Christian life is Jesus-and when everything you do is aimed at glorifying Him, the life-changing consequences are limitless

In this new trade paper edition, best-selling author Franklin Graham and Ross Rhoads offer thirty compassionate yet uncompromising devotionals that will inspire and challenge readers to embrace a life devoted to Jesus. Insightful and personal, "All For Jesus" helps readers develop the qualities of focused, wholehearted discipleship, while showing how to fully embrace a life lived all for Jesus.