Join Max Lucado on a journey through the book of Esther as he reminds us that God need not be loud to be strong, he need not cast a shadow to be present...and he is active even when he appears distant. This study was born in a hard season-a pandemic that locked down the world. Church doors closed. Students were stuck at home. Masks hid smiles. And as if this weren't enough, the ancient sin of racism and hatred seems to be trying to undo us. Many of us are left wondering if this season will ever pass. To all these things, God has a six-letter word of encouragement: E-S-T-H-E-R. The book that bears her name was written to be read in hard seasons. It was crafted for those who feel outnumbered by foes, outmaneuvered by fate, and outdone by fear. In the You Were Made for This Moment five-session video Bible study (streaming included), pastor and New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado presents the story of Esther in all its drama, urgency, and hope. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself--with discussion and personal reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all five video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). Esther's is a story that reaches out of the past to our present circumstances with a singular message: God is present, and he will act. It's a story that demands from us a singular response: what will we do when he does? Sessions and video run times: Cozy in the Culture - Esther 1:1-2:18 (17:30) A Moment of Decision - Esther 2:19-4:14 (17:00) Heaven Set in Motion - Esther 4:15-6:14 (16:30) The God of Great Turnarounds - Esther 7:1-8:17 (17:30) Remembering God's Faithfulness - Esther 9:1-10:3 (16:00) Watch on any device! Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2027. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

Celebrate A Season of Renewal and Reflection The theme of bitterness runs through the Bible as a sour reminder of sin's presence in our world-yet it's because of this bitterness that Jesus' grace is so sweet and satisfying. As we learn to turn from our vices and crave real beauty, goodness, and truth through the pursuit of virtues, we grow nearer to God and become more like who He made us to be. From Tsh Oxenreider, bestselling author of Shadow and Light: A Journey into Advent, arrives a devotional to help you meditate and rejoice in the transcendent miracle of Easter. You will... uncover what it means to participate in the liturgical traditions of Lent, from fasting to almsgiving experience artwork and music that illuminate the impact-both personal and global-of Jesus's death and resurrection contemplate the wonder of Christ's redemption of all humankind, especially as this time of introspection reveals your human limitations Starting on Ash Wednesday and leading you all the way through Holy Week, Bitter and Sweet is an invitation to better understand Jesus's sacrifice as you delight in His ultimate love for you.

Embracing your Christian identity does not make you "soft." Embracing your Black identity does not make you less Christian. Throughout American history, Black people were not given the freedom to acknowledge their suffering. A. D. Thomason believes that the Holy Spirit brings freedom and liberation as we're able to name our pain, recognize its roots in history and society, and seek healing. While many saw a confident, six-foot-five Black man, A. D. "Lumkile" Thomason lived most of his life in fear and anguish, deeply wounded by encounters with violence, abandonment, and family tragedy. Hiding behind a tough exterior, Adam earned his "Black card" but felt joyless inside. Even traveling around the globe to play professional basketball could not resolve his despair. But in the art of Jay-Z, A. D. discovered stirring honesty that gave voice to his own expressions of longing. And in the gospel of Jesus, he experienced the healing and salvation that had long evaded him. Now through what he calls "kingdom therapy," he's figuring out how to redefine the Jay-Z and Jesus that make up his blackness. A. D. uses his artistry as a poet and storyteller to share how he confessed his internalized pain and embraced the liberating joy of Christ. He writes for millennials, emerging adults, and anyone else who's ready to acknowledge the reality of racial trauma and our need to confront it. A. D.'s powerful story gives you permission to be Black, to be Christian, and to be the person God has made you to be.

From Fr. Michael E. Gaitley, MIC, author of the bestselling book Consoling the Heart of Jesus, comes an extraordinary 33-day journey to Marian consecration with four giants of Marian spirituality: St. Louis de Montfort, St. Maximilian Kolbe, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and Blessed John Paul II. Fr. Michael masterfully summarizes their teaching, making it easy to grasp and simple enough to put into practice. More specifically, he weaves their thought into a user-friendly, do-it-yourself retreat that will bless even the busiest of people. So, if you've been thinking about entrusting yourself to Mary for the first time or if you're simply looking to deepen and renew your devotion to her, 33 Days to Morning Glory is the right book to read and the perfect retreat to make.

Taking stock of the present moment and the challenges of the future, a host of leading spiritual writers reflect on the most pressing spiritual questions of our time. Whether the focus is on nurturing consciousness, building community, or transforming global structures, the answers provide a road map for personal, ecclesial, and social change.

Compiled in honor of Benedictine writer Joan Chittister, the volume concludes with a moving autobiographical reflection by Chittister herself, "The Power of Questions to Propel".

Hey Friends 'N' Neigeighbors, 20-20 Vision A Ministers Story is just that.It's a story 'Bout a "Cherokee Hillbilly Preacher.."... I have been a Minister in song since I was 15 years old.Last week LOL. And I've been A minister In Gods Word since the early 1990's....This story is a true story 'Bout my life 'N' written from the heart.I know if you like a Christian "HEART FELT" story you're bound to enjoy 20-20 Vision A Minister's Story.....I personally guaranty it.... God Bless Y'All, Bluegrass Charley The 20-20 Vision Man

Life. It gets in the way. It robs us of our joy. It stresses us out. We get caught up in what's going on. A gentle reminder is just what we need to refocus and deal with the art of staying calm in the midst of adverse circumstances.

In Keep Calm and Trust God, issues such as anxiety, worry, fear, stress, setbacks, failures, etc. will be addressed. The reader will find prayers, short narratives, scripture, poems and encouraging short stories all directed to how to keep your cool and trust God.

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon . . .

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life".

This famous prayer, traditionally attributed to Saint Francis, has traveled the world, winning hearts and inspiring minds with its simple and persuasive witness to the power of unconditional love. As Leonardo Boff shows in his moving reflections, this love not only brings each person the promise of eternal salvation, but also provides the basis for social peace, redeems the world, and constitutes the hidden meaning of the universe.

Spurgeon & the Psalms will guide you into reading and meditating on God's Word alongside profound excerpts from "the prince of preachers. Spurgeon & the Psalms will guide you into reading and meditating on God's Word with the insight of "the prince of preachers." This devotional psalter features a brief extract from Charles Spurgeon's beloved The Treasury of David leading into each of the 150 chapters of Psalms. In this edition, Spurgeon's insights are paired with the trusted New King James Version. The NKJV balances the literary beauty and familiarity of the King James tradition with an extraordinary commitment to preserving the grammar and structure of the underlying biblical languages. The result is a Bible translation that is both beautiful and uncompromising-perfect for serious study, devotional use, and reading aloud. Features include: Devotional thoughts from renowned preacher Charles Spurgeon drawn from The Treasury of David provide new insights from the Psalms Presentation page allows you to personalize this special gift by recording a memory or note An exquisite edition of Psalms in the trusted NKJV translation Each psalm is set in a poetic-style single column on a right-hand page with room to journal your own meditations 1 satin ribbon makes it easy navigate and keep track of where you were reading Gilded page edges add a beautiful shine around the border of the paper Clear and readable 9.5 Point NKJV Comfort Print About the Maclaren Series: Named for noted Victorian-era preacher Alexander Maclaren, this series of elegant Bibles features regal blue highlights and verse numbers, and clear, line-matched text.

An Award-Winning Challenge to Popular Ideas of the Kingdom According to Scot McKnight, "kingdom" is the biblical term most misused by Christians today. It has taken on meanings that are completely at odds with what the Bible says and has become a buzzword for both social justice and redemption. In Kingdom Conspiracy, McKnight offers a sizzling biblical corrective and a fiercely radical vision for the role of the local church in the kingdom of God. Now in paper. Praise for Kingdom Conspiracy 2015 Outreach Resources of the Year Award Winner One of Leadership Journal's Best Books for Church Leaders in 2014 "This is a must-read for church leaders today."--Publishers Weekly "A timely resource for the missional church to reexamine some basic assumptions that impact church practice in the everyday."--Outreach

When a tree takes root, it's not long before the action is mirrored above ground. It's the same way with people. The deeper you root your life in Christ, the stronger you'll become. In this 2:7 Series Bible study, you'll first learn how to make Christ the Lord of your life. Then you'll discover how easy it is to branch out by reviewing your spiritual life and sharing it with others. Recently updated, The 2:7 Series focuses on having a more relational relationship with God. Now with more room to write answers and journal, your course in personal discipleship just went deeper.

A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt's painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son, catapulted Henri Nouwen into a long spiritual adventure. In his highly-acclaimed book of the same title, he shares the deeply personal meditation that led him to discover the place within which God has chosen to dwell. This Lent course, which has been adapted from the book, helps us to reflect on the meaning of the parable for our own lives. Divided into five sessions, the course moves through the parable exploring our reaction to the story: the younger son's leaving and return, the father's restoration of sonship, the elder son's resentment and the father's compassion. All of us who have experienced loneliness, dejection, jealousy or anger will respond to the persistent themes of homecoming, affirmation and reconciliation. Each session contained on the CD includes extracts from the book by Henri Nouwen, and background information about Henri Nouwen's life, as well as suggestions for reflection. Notes for Group Leaders and written questions for group discussion are also included in the enclosed booklet.

Joan Chittister quenches our thirst for living waters through 365 reflections on Scriptural passages -- one for each day of the year.

She begins each month with a personal story that relates to a passage from the Bible, and continues with a meditation for each day that reflects the chosen theme.

What's the secret to keeping love alive and full of laughter? Kristin and Danny Adams, the couple behind numerous hilarious viral lip sync videos, draw from their own experience in marriage and entertainment to encourage you to live loudly, love radically, and laugh uncontrollably. Every relationship needs plenty of love and laughter. But how do you keep the fun going when the road gets hard? Viral video creators Kristin and Danny Adams's journey has involved more "heated fellowship" than their hilarious lip sync videos might lead you to think. Kristin and Danny invite you to: Turn roadblocks into opportunities for growth, wisdom, and even laughter Have faith in God to sustain you in difficult times and bring back your joy Let go of the fear of change and find courage to face all of life together Face the "laugh blockers" that get in the way of the joy of connection Rediscover the joy of your unique connection for a deeper and more fulfilling marriage journey. "You will come away changed. . . . This is a must-read!" -- Jefferson and Alyssa Bethke "With humor and so much wisdom, this story will leave you inspired and feeling like you're not alone." -- Jeremy and Audrey Roloff

The best way to understand your story is to connect it to God's story. You have a story. It's yours. Unique and different from anyone else's. Even more, your story has a purpose. God has said of you, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5). But if you're like most, on some days, it may seem as if your story is a little off course. You wonder where it's actually going. The truth is that you cannot fully understand the meaning of your story apart from God's story. When you study Scripture (God's story), you learn not only who he is and what he's done, but also his heart behind it all. You discover a God with a pursuing love who knows everything about you and has plans and purposes intended to help you live for what matters most . . . his glory! This is the purpose of The Jesus Bible Study Series-to help you connect your story to God's greater story. In Beginnings, the first study of this series, you will discover that your story began with a creating God. Scripture proclaims that you are created in his image! Your beginning started in the mind of a majestic God. The Jesus Bible Study Series from the Passion Movement dives deep into Scripture, reveals how Jesus plays a key role in each and every story told throughout the Bible, and helps you discover God's purpose and plan for your life in his great story. Each study in the series features one of six key "acts" of Scripture: (1) Beginnings, (2) Revolt, (3) People, (4) Savior, (5) Church, (6) Forever.

Descubre tus dones unicos y atrevete a ser diferente con la autora numero uno en ventas del New York Times y reconocida maestra de la Biblia, Joyce Meyer. Dios te ha dado talentos y habilidades para que puedas cumplir su proposito en tu vida, pero si eres como muchas personas, es posible que aun no los hayas reconocido. A menudo, el mundo en el que vivimos nos presiona a vivir a la altura de una determinada imagen, en lugar de ser las personas unicas en las que Dios nos ha creado. Por lo tanto, permite que Dios te muestre que tienes de especial en la forma que El te hizo. Conviertete en una persona autentica y unica, !porque Dios nunca te ayudara a ser nadie mas que tu misma! El te ama tal como eres. Deja que Dios te use, con todas tus fortalezas y debilidades, y te transforme de adentro hacia afuera para hacer algo mucho mas maravilloso que tus suenos mas extravagantes. Discover your unique gifts and dare to be different with #1 New York Times bestselling author and renowned Bible teacher Joyce Meyer. God has given you talents and abilities so you can fulfill His purpose for your life, but if you're like a lot of people, you may not have recognized them yet. The world we live in often pressures us to live up to a certain image, rather than be the unique individuals God has created us to be, so let God show you what's special about the way He made you. Become Authentically, Uniquely You because God is never going to help you be anyone but yourself! He loves you just as you are. Let God use you, with all your strengths and weaknesses, and transform you from the inside out to do something more wonderful than your wildest dreams.