God raises up Methodists for such a time as this. Here is a ditty Len Sweet s Methodist grandfather used to sing: A Methodist, a Methodist will I be A Methodist will I die. I ve been baptized in the Methodist way And I ll live on the Methodist side. What genius of Methodism inspired this kind of love and loyalty in the earlier years of the faith? What did it mean to live in the Methodist way and to die on the Methodist side? Perhaps it is time to resurrect a neo-Wesleyan identity and to challenge the prevailing one-calorie Methodism that characterizes so much of our tribe today. What makes a Methodist? How can we re-ignite the spark of genius that motivated such commitment in our cloud of witnesses? The essence of Methodism s genius resides in two famous Wesleyan mantras: heart strangely warmed (inward experiences with a fire in the heart) and the world is our parish (outward experiences with waterfalls of cutting-edge intelligence). For Wesley, internal combustion, the former, led to external combustion, the latter. In the 18th century, Methodists in general (and in their younger years, the Wesley brothers themselves) were accused of being too sexy. What else could all those love feasts and strangely warmed hearts be about? Why else were all those women in positions of leadership? With this book the author hopes to bring back to life some of Methodism s sexiness so that our current reproduction crisis can be reversed. "

You don't just lead with your voice and your decisions. You lead with your body. The way you take up space in a room, the way you use or don't use your body in group settings, influences others. And all of us hold power to lead in our bodies. Yet, pastor and spiritual director MaryKate Morse contends, most of us are unaware of the ways we do or can use our bodies to influence others. Some of us cower in the corner, trying to hide. Others try to speak but are never heard. Still others are the focal point as soon as they walk in a room. What makes the difference? And how can we learn to lead in our own individual way with confidence? In Making Room for Leadership Morse explores different types of power in the body, delineating how each type can be used for good or for harm highlights how people gain and give leadership in group settings helps you identify the kind of power you as a unique individual hold Throughout, Christ's use of power serves as the guide for how to lead in ways that are life-giving and empowering to others. We all can lead. We all have some kind of power in us. Once we become aware of our influence, we can direct it toward good, toward building others up. Doing just that in these pages, Morse helps you learn to do the same in the places you live, move and have your being.

Getting a Christian worldview is all the rage these days. But how about a Christian worldlife? Got one of those? Leonard Sweet wants to show you the ins and outs of living an old-fashioned faith in these newfangled times. In his engaging, symphonic, thought-bytes style, Sweet invites you to . . . Mezuzah your inverse * Do dirt and do the dishes * Cycle to church Give history a shove * Cheer rivals from the bench * Dance the salsa SoulSalsa unpacks biblical faith in ways that can change how you live in the real world. You can be a man or woman who walks the ancient path of a disciple in the world of the future. Because the NEW future is NOW--and now is the time to practice the '17 Lifestyle Requirements for Membership in the Postmodern Body of Christ.' It s no longer enough to say 'Say Amen, Somebody.' It s time to 'Dance the Salsa, Everybody '--in a culture that desperately needs to see your moves."

Introducing a new kind of Jesus biography: Transform the tired and familiar way you have read the Bible into an electrifying journey of rediscovering Christ. In this compelling work, authors Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola reclaim the entire Bible as a gripping narrative about Jesus Christ. Jesus says, "The Scriptures point to me!" (John 5:39 NLT). But what does that mean exactly? Virtually every other "Jesus biography" begins with the nativity account in Bethlehem. In this innovative book, Sweet and Viola begin before time, in the Triune God, and tell the complete interconnected story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus: A Theography is the first book ever written to combine historical Jesus studies with biblical theology, crafting together one breathtaking saga that tells the Jesus story in both Old and New Testaments. This groundbreaking book clearly demonstrates that every bit of Scripture is part of the same stunning drama - what the authors refer to as the theography of Jesus Christ. Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola (authors of Jesus Manifesto and Jesus Speaks) unfold the greatest story ever told in a fresh and invigorating way. Whether you are a seasoned Christian scholar, a new believer, or someone who is intrigued by Jesus, this book unveils the discoveries of a lifetime, transforming the tired and familiar way we have read the Bible into an electrifying journey of rediscovering Christ. Jesus: A Theography: Tells the complete and interconnected story of Jesus, from Genesis to Revelation Combines historical Jesus studies with biblical theology Proves that the main subject of the Old Testament is Jesus Christ Second, standalone volume in the JESUS trilogy Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola set out on a journey of discovery with one goal: to help restore the sovereignty of Jesus Christ above all else. This led to their national bestseller, Jesus Manifesto. Two years later, they released Jesus: A Theography, beautifully establishing that all Scripture unveils a person-the Lord Jesus Christ. In 2016 they released the final volume in the trilogy: Jesus Speaks. All three volumes of the JESUS trilogy will lead the reader to a deeper understanding of Christ.

Are you hungry to hear God's voice, but don't know how? Jesus Speaks teaches readers how to listen for the voice of Jesus and how you can grow in your ability to recognize and respond to his voice daily. While the Lord frequently speaks to us, we don't really hear his voice until we recognize it. In Jesus Speaks, Sweet and Viola unpack the many ways the Lord speaks to his people today by exploring how the disciples interacted with the risen Jesus-from the Gospels to Revelation. They demystify the process in a warm, practical way, providing insights on how you can recognize the voice of Jesus in your own life. Separated into two sections, the first provides a big-picture look at how the resurrected Jesus spoke in the New Testament, while the second contains short, actionable chapters filled with scriptural quotes and references. Both sections work together to help you recognize and respond to the voice of Jesus in your everyday life. Readers will be able to: Gain a firm foundation in the scriptures, learning how Jesus spoke to his disciples Dispel myths and misinformation surrounding what it means to hear the voice of Jesus today Grow the ability to recognize God's voice and learn how to respond Essential for Christians seeking to improve their relationship with Jesus, Jesus Speaks is the long-awaited third volume in the JESUS trilogy: Jesus Manifesto; Jesus: A Theography; and Jesus Speaks.

Jesus Christ is the most influential human to ever walk the earth. We've heard and seen so many depictions of Him that we think we know Him better than we actually do. If we took the time to really look at Him, we might be surprised at what we'd find. In 52 Weeks with Jesus, author and pastor James Merritt leads you on a transformational journey as he shares what he's learned over a lifetime of studying Jesus' life and ministry. As you join Dr. Merritt on this journey, you will come to know and encounter Jesus in new and surprising ways and be inspired anew to embrace His invitation, "Come, follow Me." Filled with practical applications and surprising truths, this book will help you more ably answer that ancient question that's as timely today as when it was first posed: "Who do you say that I am?"