The greatest need of professing Christians today is a better, deeper, and fuller knowledge of Christ. The Christian life can be described as getting to know God better every day. Every Christian should regularly?daily?read the Word of God. We should find time for quiet time or personal devotion. For over 20 years I have been using commentaries in my devotions. The blessings derived from the commentaries is overwhelming. I am writing this commentary to share some of those blessings and lessons I have learned over the years.

Gracie is an average 16 year old girl that's just like you and me except the fact that her best friend in the world is a famous dancer and actor. Shh! Don't tell anyone though. When her parents died when she was just 4 years old due to a drunk driver, her godmother Melissa, and her parents best friends Jason and Rebecca Baylor take it upon themselves to raise her. Through the years the relationship between Gracie and Jason continues to grow stronger and stronger from the moment he taught her to dance. But will Gracie continue to dance when tragedy strikes?

This collection of essays constitute an extended argument for an anthropocentric, human-focused, study of religious practices. The basic premise of the argument, offered in the opening section, is that there is nothing special or extraordinary about human behaviors and constructs that are claimed to have uniquely religious status and authority. Instead, they are fundamentally human and so the scholar of religion is engaged in nothing more or less than studying humans across time and place and all their complex existence-that includes creating more-than-human beings and realities. As an extended and detailed example of such an approach, the second part of the book contains essays that address practices, rhetoric and other data in early Christianities within Greco-Roman cultures and religions. The underlying aim is to insert studies of the New Testament and non-canonical texts, most often presented as "biblical studies," into the anthropocentric study of religion proposed in the opening section. For a general reading of modern biblical scholarship makes clear the assumption that the Christian bible is a "sacred text" whose principal raison d'etre is to stand, fetish-like, as the foundational and highest authority in matters moral, ritual or theological; how might we instead approach the study of these texts if they are nothing more or less than human documents deriving from situations that were themselves all too human? Braun's Jesus and Addiction to Origins seeks to answer just that question-doing so in a way that readers working outside Christian origins will undoubtedly find useful applications for the people, places, and historical periods that they study.

Experience the sweet fragrance of God's presence throughout these anointed pages. . Simplistic expression of the love and power of God. . Great bible study tool. . Scripturally based.

Why Journey... Because you TRUST God...accept His VISION Because you BELIEVE the Holy Spirit is leading you...there is PROVISION Because KNOW Christ is calling you...He is the WAY Because you WANT a change...this is the TIME Because you CAN'T do it alone..."Jesus said "Come follow Me" Matthew 4:19 (NCV)

Words on High is a written inspiration that transcends the level of just another poetry book. Containing thirty-five poems in chronological order of creation, it will encourage readers spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally. With Bible verses and concordance from three different versions: the New Living Translation (NLT), New International Version (NIV), and King James Version (KJV), Words on High also does what few other poetry books do, providing the inspired moments leading up to the works that are read. It is a journey through the eyes of the author, whose goal is to allow readers to be inspired, informed, and entertained by the emotion brought out in each and every poem.

In spite of its apparent simplicity, "being with" is a phrase with deeply profound significance. Having someone who cares enough to "be with" us, personally and authentically, is arguably the deepest of all human needs. In times of crisis and loss, the reality of this need is apparent and inescapable; and yet, "being with" relationships turn out to be equally as important in our day-by-day activities. Modern-day medicine and psychology have made it incontestably clear that authentic personal relationships are central and irreplaceable in the nurturing of human health and healing. Amazingly, it turns out that the pledge to "be with" us is the most consistent promise of the God revealed in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. In other words, what we human beings need most is precisely what the God of the Bible promises to give to us--and what he calls us to share with each other With so much significance loaded inside this one little phase, it follows that much of our hope to be whole and fulfilled human beings, living in a healthy and productive world, rests on a conscious commitment to nurture "being with" relationships, personally and within the various levels of human society. This book explores the foundations, implications, benefits, and procedures for becoming "being with" people living in "being with" relationships.

Mr. Thomas Andrew Dorsey's telephone number was given to the writer of this newly released book by the name, Thomas A. Dorsey, Father of Black Gospel Music An Interview, by a directory assistance operator in Chicago, Illinois. The writer, at the time, (1975) took a chance and called, not expecting the first publisher of Black Gospel Music, to answer the phone. A very hoarse voice said "Hello," and the writer recognized it immediately as being the voice he had heard on a recording about Gospel Music that Mr. Dorsey had done. After being asked if he would consent to being interviewed Mr. Dorsey unenthusiastically said yes. He was unenthusiastic the writer later discovered, because fortune hunters and status seekers had been plaguing him for interviews. Honored that Mr. Dorsey had said yes, the writer took a train from Kansas City, Missouri to Chicago, to interview this man who had written hundreds of songs.

Karah's kids were adolescents when their behavior first became an issue, and even though they are now young adults, they are still rambunctious and wild. She is determined to do everything she can to help her children become productive citizens. In the process, she will face many dangers. She is constantly breaking up fights and is actually dragged during one episode. She is always running to their rescue-sometimes literally running. But she is strong and demands her respect. She even has to help the police handcuff her own daughter. All her efforts and none are effective. But Karah cannot lose this battle; these are her children. Regardless of their age, your children are always your children. The way they live their lives will always affect you. That's called love. Karah is not going to be satisfied as long as they are breaking the law and living reckless lives.

From a life of unimaginable tragedy hails a story of triumph, redemption, and grace. Robin Leigh unfolds her decades-old journey as a trail of breadcrumbs leading from what she describes as the "gates of hell" all the way to the foot of the cross and into the arms of Jesus Christ Himself. Don't let your journey end here. Read more and follow her online at www.deepwaterfaith.net.

God has blessed my life with so many miracles it is hard to recall them all.

It is my hope that as you read this book you can relate to similar situations in your past and begin to see God at work in your life.

Who knows maybe you will begin to see and understand the miracles that He has done both large and small every day of your life.

Raymond F. Banks Jr

The Twelve Steps program of Alcoholics Anonymous has helped millions of us. Without it we would not have found our way. I for one am extremely grateful for this life saving gift. My concern for its continued life is the drifting from its foundation. The Twelve Step program has lost its fire. The fire lost is the spirit, the spirit of God. The spirit is still smoldering in the Twelve Step program, just waiting to be ignited again. I will introduce you to the founding fathers of AA; show how the program's foundation was originally based in Christianity and a relationship with Jesus; share my experience with the Twelve Steps developed by the founding fathers; and provide you with a method to apply the Twelve Steps as originally developed by the founding fathers to your life. Working the Twelve Steps as they were originally intended can change your life dramatically, break the addiction cycle and create a relationship with Jesus. The fire of the Holy Spirit will become part of your life. Gary Agnew has recaptured the original and true spirit of the Twelve Step Movement that was founded upon explicitly Christian principles; namely, that without Christ we can do nothing, but in Him we can do everything. A Higher Power of this Movement was originally the Holy Spirit of the Christ who lives within. Faith, hope, love and forgiveness are the essential principles of AA. Rev. William McCarthy, MSA An essential role of healing is turning our minds and hearts toward God. Gary Agnew captures the centrality of this wisdom in a remarkable way in his Twelve Step book. In recovery sometimes therapy is needed; sometimes medication, but ultimately the healing is between the person and God. The Twelve Steps are a way of life-a guide that everyone can use to live in freedom and peace. The Holy Spirit is the Guide within it who heals us. I am thrilled to have this book as a resource in the healing process. Mary Alice Rossini, NP Nurse Practitioner/Psychiatry