From professor, pastor, and producer of the documentary Bono and Eugene Peterson: The Psalms, a devotional examination of the life of faith as presented in the Psalter--one lived in joy, sorrow, anger, doubt, fear, mortality, community, isolation, and above all in the presence of God--in order to deepen discipleship and worship. "A book you will want to read and read again." -- Eugene Peterson Afterword by Bono. How can we find a more transparent, resilient, and fearless life of faith? The book of Psalms has been central to God's people for millennia, across all walks of life and cultural contexts. In reading it, we discover that we are never alone in our joys, sorrows, angers, doubts, praises, or thanksgivings. In it, we learn about prayer and poetry, honesty and community, justice and enemies, life and death, nations and creation. Open and Unafraid shows us how to read the psalms in a fresh, life-giving way, and so access the bottomless resources for life that they provide. "David Taylor's take is 'open and unafraid' alright. He really goes there, exposing himself before God in the most beautiful way. He might have called the book Naked, because if you don't find your own self feeling a little exposed here, it might be time to take some armor off." -- Bono, from the Afterword "A book that you will want to read and read again, and yet again, in order to discover the wisdom of the Psalms that shows us how to walk in the life-giving way of Jesus." -- Eugene Peterson, from the Foreword "A winsome, accessible entry into the Book of Psalms...Connects the poetry of the psalms to real-life wonders and struggles." -- Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary "Taylor reads these biblical prayers with Dr. Seuss, rappers, and other poets, along with theologians and the daily news....Guides readers in tracing out patterns of holy speech that have the potential for healing our hearts and our communities." -- Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School "I have always loved the psalms--for their defiant devotion, their deep joy, and their brutal yet beautiful honesty. And after reading this fantastic book about them, I love them even more." -- Matt Redman, worship leader and song writer "In these fraught and fearsome days, we need the psalms more than ever. And we need more faithful artists and thinkers like David Taylor to mine the infinite gifts the psalms offer across the ages." -- Karen Swallow Prior, author of Fierce Convictions

"A book you will want to read and read again." -- Eugene Peterson

Afterword by Bono.

How can we find a more transparent, resilient, and fearless life of faith?

The book of Psalms has been central to God's people for millennia, across all walks of life and cultural contexts. In reading it, we discover that we are never alone in our joys, sorrows, angers, doubts, praises, or thanksgivings. In it, we learn about prayer and poetry, honesty and community, justice and enemies, life and death, nations and creation. Open and Unafraid shows us how to read the psalms in a fresh, life-giving way, and so access the bottomless resources for life that they provide.

"David Taylor’s take is 'open and unafraid' alright. He really goes there, exposing himself before God in the most beautiful way. He might have called the book Naked, because if you don’t find your own self feeling a little exposed here, it might be time to take some armor off." -- Bono, from the Afterword

"A book that you will want to read and read again, and yet again, in order to discover the wisdom of the Psalms that shows us how to walk in the life-giving way of Jesus." -- Eugene Peterson, from the Foreword

"A winsome, accessible entry into the Book of Psalms…Connects the poetry of the psalms to real-life wonders and struggles." -- Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary

"Taylor reads these biblical prayers with Dr. Seuss, rappers, and other poets, along with theologians and the daily news....Guides readers in tracing out patterns of holy speech that have the potential for healing our hearts and our communities." -- Ellen F. Davis, Duke Divinity School

"I have always loved the psalms--for their defiant devotion, their deep joy, and their brutal yet beautiful honesty. And after reading this fantastic book about them, I love them even more." -- Matt Redman, worship leader and song writer

"In these fraught and fearsome days, we need the psalms more than ever. And we need more faithful artists and thinkers like David Taylor to mine the infinite gifts the psalms offer across the ages." -- Karen Swallow Prior, author of Fierce Convictions

God loves you and has a wonderful difficult plan for your life. The contemporary church loves to paint Jesus as gentle, meek . . . nice. But in this striking book, Mark Galli introduces us to a different sort of savior--one who often makes other people feel decidedly uncomfortable. Focusing on Jesus as he is portrayed in Mark's Gospel, Galli unveils the power of Christ in his militancy--an aspect frequently ignored in many churches today. Through biblical episodes, stories of saints--classic and contemporary--personal snapshots, and discussion questions, Galli shows that Christ's deep love for his people is richer and more difficult than we imagine. But it is in this persistent, fearsome, and untamed love that we can find true joy. "A well-written, thoroughly researched look at Jesus. Galli's writing is clear and concise, his logic smooth, and his conclusion inescapable."--Publishers Weekly "Mark writes of a Jesus that is unleashed, untamed, undomesticated, and unpredictable. I want to know this Jesus, though he scares me a little."--John Ortberg, teaching pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church "In this wonderfully provocative book, Galli recovers a more multifaceted portrait of Jesus, insisting that Jesus's plan for our lives is demanding and difficult--and in that difficulty we find real love."--Lauren F. Winner, author, Girl Meets God and Real Sex "Finally, a Jesus who was potent enough to cause commotion and even (temporary) chaos."--Scot McKnight, author, The Jesus Creed and Embracing Grace "Can he say that? Galli's vigorous presentation of the 'mean and wild' aspects of Jesus will help clear our vision to behold a Lord who is anything but tame."--Frederica Mathewes-Green, author, The Illumined Heart Mark Galli is the senior managing editor of Christianity Today. A former Presbyterian minister, he is the author or coauthor of several books, including 131 Christians Everyone Should Know and Beyond Smells and Bells.

In today's high-speed culture, there's a prevailing sense that we are busier than ever before and that the pace of life is too rushed. Most of us can relate to the feeling of having too much to do and not enough time for the people and things we value most. We feel fragmented, overwhelmed by busyness and the tyranny of gadgets.
Veteran pastor and teacher Arthur Boers offers a critical look at the isolating effects of modern life that have eroded the centralizing, focusing activities that people used to do together. He suggests ways to make our lives healthier and more rewarding by presenting specific individual and communal practices that help us focus on what really matters. These practices--such as shared meals, gardening, hospitality, walking, prayer, and reading aloud--bring our lives into focus and build community. The book includes questions for discernment and application and a foreword by Eugene H. Peterson.

Following up Robert Traina's classic "Methodical Bible Study," this book introduces the practice of inductive Bible study to a new generation of students, pastors, and church leaders. The authors, two seasoned educators with over sixty combined years of experience in the classroom, offer guidance on adopting an inductive posture and provide step-by-step instructions on how to do inductive Bible study. They engage in conversation with current hermeneutical issues, setting forth well-grounded principles and processes for biblical interpretation and appropriation. The process they present incorporates various methods of biblical study to help readers hear the message of the Bible on its own terms.

Written for those who have never read the Bible or have lost interest in Scripture, this personal-sized edition of The Message brings to life the original biblical text in the language of today. It's the perfect Bible for sharing with friends, Sunday school rooms, and mission trips—anyone with an interest in Jesus.

It allows you to experience firsthand the same relevance and directness that motivated its original readers to change the course of history.

• An exclusive verse-numbering system
• Study helps and charts
• Introduction to each section of the Bible
• Double column format
• 8-point text size

The fourth volume in Peterson's best-selling "conversations" in spiritual theology Just as God used words both to create the world and to give us commandments, we too use words for many different purposes. In fact, we use the same language to talk to each other and to talk to God. Can our everyday speech, then, be just as important as the words and prayers we hear from the pulpit? Eugene Peterson unequivocally says "Yes!" Peterson's Tell It Slant explores how Jesus used language, particularly in his parables and prayers. His was not a direct language of information or instruction but an indirect, oblique language requiring a participating imagination -- "slant" language. Tell It Slant beautifully points to Jesus' engaging, relational way of speaking as a model for us today.

Peterson's eloquent meditation on the Revelation of St. John engages the imagination and awakens the intellect to the vitality and relevance of the last words on scripture, Christ, church, worship, evil, prayer, witness, politics, judgement, salvation, and heaven.

A devotional prayer book focusing on one year with the Psalms, the most sensitive and honest words written about daily stress and daily blessings.

This world is no friend to grace. God has given us some resources, however. As we grow in character qualities like hope, patience, repentance and joy, we ill grow in our ability to persevere. The biblical passages in these studies offer encouragement to continue in the path Christ has set forth for us.

Eugene Peterson's landmark Spiritual Theology series is foundational reading for the twenty-first century Church. The product of Peterson's many years' experience as both pastor and professor of the highest calibre, this series combines first-class scholarship and genuine, lived application. Beautifully written, its presents a fresh and urgent evaluation of contemporary Christian spirituality. 'St John walks up to the angel and say, "Give me the book."' writes Peterson. 'The angel hands it over, "Here it is; eat it, eat the book." And John does. He eats the book - not just reads it - he got it into his nerve endings, his reflexes, his imagination. The book he ate was Holy Scripture.' Eat This Book encourages the art of the reading the Bible so that it becomes a text for living and growing, not just thinking or behaving, and recasts the ancient discipline of lectio divina - spiritual reading - for a postmodern culture. Also available in the Spiritual Theology series: Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, The Jesus Way, The Word Made Flesh and Practise Resurrection.

Bill Robinson helps Christian leaders understand how to provide effective leadership by highlighting five qualities that characterized the leadership style of Jesus. He presents convincing arguments that when leaders emulate these qualities, they will inspire and empower the people they have been called to lead. Reflection and discussion questions and assessment questions make this ideal for group use. Conversational in tone and seasoned with real-life stories from his own successes and failures as a leader, Robinson helps Christian leaders wrestle with four questions that emerge from John's introduction of Jesus, "and the word became flesh and dwelt among us...." * Jesus dwelt with those he led, how can I be closer to those I lead? * Jesus disciples beheld him, how can I be more transparent with those I lead? * The glory of Jesus was a reflection of his father, am I seeking my own glory? * Jesus led with grace and truth, how can I lead with grace and truth? The Incarnate Leader is indispensable reading for anyone in a position of leadership - whether in a church setting, corporation, school board, or home. The book is packaged as a short one-evening read, similar to other popular business books.

Christians often talk about claiming our cities for Christ and the need to address urban concerns. But according to Eric Jacobsen, this discussion has remained far too abstract. Sidewalks in the Kingdom challenges Christians to gain an informed vision for the physical layout and structure of the city.
Jacobsen emphasizes the need to preserve the nourishing characteristics of traditional city life, including shared public spaces, thriving neighborhoods, and a well-supported local economy. He explains how urban settings create unexpected and natural opportunities to initiate friendship and share faith in Christ.
Helpful features including a glossary, bibliography, description of New Urbanism, and companion website (www.sidewalksinthekingdom.com) make this book ideal for study groups. Pastors, city-dwellers, and those interested in urban ministry and development will be encouraged by Sidewalks in the Kingdom.

Eugene Peterson's Spiritual Theology series provides a completely fresh evaluation of Christian Spirituality, past, present and future. The best-selling author of THE MESSAGE Bible, draws on the very latest scholarship and understanding of biblical revelation, and will represent the most thorough and significant work on contemporary Christian Spirituality by an evangelical author. Most writings in the field of spiritual theology represent mere dabblings. The more significant endeavours are impenetrably academic. Petrson's masterwork, which has been years in the making, is designed for those who are comfortable with being stretched, as well as pastors, academics and lay leaders. CHRIST PLAYS IN TEN THOUSAND PLACES is Book One in a five-part series, and concentrates on 'clearing the playing field', evaluating spirituality as it is understood today. Also available in the Spiritual Theology series: Eat This Book, The Jesus Way, The Word Made Flesh and Practise Resurrection.

Leading Scholar Offers a Theological Approach to Preaching This primer on the ministry of preaching connects reading the Bible theologically with preparing and preaching sermons. Hans Boersma explains that exegesis involves looking beyond the historical and literal meaning of the text to the hidden sacramental reality of Christ himself, which enables us to reach the deepest meaning of the Scriptures. He provides models for theological sermons along with commentary on exegetical and homiletical method and explains that patristic exegesis is relevant for reading the Bible today. The book includes a foreword by Eugene H. Peterson.

Description: Trygve Johnson invites us to consider a new metaphor of identity of The Preacher as Liturgical Artist. This identity draws on a theology of communion and the doctrine of the vicarious humanity of Christ to relocate the preacher's identity in the creative and ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ. Johnson argues the metaphorical association of the preacher and artist understood within the artistic ministry of Jesus Christ frees the full range of human capacities, including the imagination to bear upon the arts of Christian proclamation. The Preacher as Liturgical Artist connects preachers to the person and work of Jesus Christ, whose own double ministry took the raw materials of the human condition and offered them back to the Father in a redemptive and imaginative fashion through the Holy Spirit. It is in the large creative ministry of Jesus Christ that preachers find their creativity freed to proclaim the gospel bodily within the context of the liturgical work of God's people.

In answer to the unique needs of pastors and Christian leaders, Richard Earl has developed an impressive collection of 52 profound thoughts for the "Shepherds of God's Flock," intended for use on Monday mornings, when the leader's spiritual fuel tank is sometimes low. The entries are drawn from some of the most powerful Christian authors and thinkers. Specifically aimed at those who sometimes feel that they toil in obscurity, it is our hope that this little volume will serve as a healing salve of sorts in the life of the shepherd. The book contains weekly devotional thoughts, scripture, quotes, exercises and space for journaling and has been widely praised for hitting the mark. Endorsements: "Richard Earl has compiled a wonderful collection of Monday morning devotionals for the pastor from 52 of the church's greatest writers. They are choice, golden nuggets that will challenge the mind and encourage the spirit." George O. Wood, General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God I don't recall how I ran across Shepherds Balm but it has released an "umph" in my spiritual life. I usually don't read devotional books, but Shepherds Balm captured me all the way through. I rate "inner life" books according to how they stir up my heart versus any other possible consideration. Richard's book stirred me big time I reread some of the entries to fully soak in what the Spirit spoke to me. If you are looking for a new release of the Spirit's presence, pick this up and be a sponge with it. I've been reading a section on Monday mornings, and have found it extremely comforting. The work of ministry is often depleting. Quite often we wonder whether we're making a difference. And generally speaking there isn't a whole lot of glamour associated with it, though there are many opportunities which if not at the moment in retrospect are truly blessings. Anyway, thank you for the gift. And please know that for a least one of us, it has made a real difference. Steve Hollinger "Richard Earl has crafted an eloquent collage of prose and poetry, images and journaling space, to soothe a pastor's soul and heal emotional wounds-in short, a first-aid kit filled with psychological and spiritual supplies that help pastors stay fit while tending the Lord's flock." Dan Montgomery, Ph.D., Psychologist, author of Pastoral Counseling & Coaching "What a great book, and it could not have come at a better time. I opened it up last night, and read the entire book. I am looking forward to reading it again. I'm sure I missed something." Roger Fudge- pastor in Connecticut ...the book is brilliant. So rich and deep. I think it is on its way to becoming a classic if pastors can grab a hold of how good it is Shelley Carl- Missionary to Japan

Between Darkness and Light poeticizes struggles for good and evil, shining a light in dark places and then reflecting the light of goodness. The range of poems is from darkly serious, "Coal Eyes," to light and entertaining, "How to Hit upon a Girl. The poems are from the heart of a soldier, statesman, singer, and scholar. The poems cover four decades of the author's life and are his complete collection.