The Joy of the Gospel


Book Description

The perfect gift! A specially priced, beautifully designed hardcover edition of The Joy of the Gospel with a foreword by Robert Barron and an afterword by James Martin, SJ. “The joy of the gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus… In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come.” – Pope Francis This special edition of Pope Francis's popular message of hope explores themes that are important for believers in the 21st century. Examining the many obstacles to faith and what can be done to overcome those hurdles, he emphasizes the importance of service to God and all his creation. Advocating for “the homeless, the addicted, refugees, indigenous peoples, the elderly who are increasingly isolated and abandoned,” the Holy Father shows us how to respond to poverty and current economic challenges that affect us locally and globally. Ultimately, Pope Francis demonstrates how to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus Christ, “to recognize the traces of God’s Spirit in events great and small.” Profound in its insight, yet warm and accessible in its tone, The Joy of the Gospel is a call to action to live a life motivated by divine love and, in turn, to experience heaven on earth. Includes a foreword by Robert Barron, author of Catholicism: A Journey to the Heart of the Faith and James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage




I CAN GUARANTEE THE WORLD WILL NOT END IN 2012 ...or 2013, 14, 15....


Book Description

The end of the world. It has been predicted, and that prediction proven wrong, every time. HOW CAN YOU KNOW? WHY SHOULD YOU CARE? These questions are answered in a thought provoking, easy-to-read narrative that will lend an understanding to where we are in world history, and what we can expect to see in the days, weeks, months, and years to come. One thing that can be guaranteed, the world will not end in 2012, or 2013, or 2014, 2015.....




The New International Lesson Annual 2013-2014


Book Description

Years of reader evaluations yield a record of overwhelming positive teaching results. Teachers agree that The New International Lesson Annual gets highest marks for helping Christian educators in the classroom, making Scripture understandable or intelligible, relating Scripture to contemporary living, and challenging students to respond with positive life-changing actions. Based on the Bible study foundations of America’s leading ecumenical Bible educators and editors in the venerable Committee on Uniform Series. Inside discover: • Easy-to-use design with tint boxes, thumb index, goals for learners, and a key-word pronunciation guide • Easy-on-the-eyes clear type • The only lesson commentary with popular easy-to-understand NRSV and CEB translations (Combined with your own King James Bible, NIV, or any other Bible translation, you have a multiversion parallel.) [Karla, multi- forms a closed compound] • Eight pages of Bible background, interpretation, and step-by-step lesson plans keyed to learner goals for each lesson make lesson preparation thorough without requiring difficult and tedious research • In-depth quarterly teacher enrichment articles and Bible background covering both the big picture and close-up views. Complete index to background Scriptures and occasional additional helps such as maps, charts, and timelines • “Faith in Action” section gives ideas for placing faith concepts of the lessons into action • “Preparing Our Hearts” section with Bible reading and reflection questions for the teacher’s personal spiritual growth • “Continue the Journey” section includes ideas for prayer, learner preparation for next week’s session, activities the learners can do during the coming week to live out what they have learned, and a suggested closing hymn and benediction • Edited by one of the nation's leading Christian educators, Dr. Nan Duerling




Words in the World


Book Description




Scripture and Counseling


Book Description

What role does Scripture play in counseling? Today, we face a weakening of confidence in the Bible. This is just as true for the pastor offering counsel in his office as it is for the person in the pew talking with a struggling friend. We need to regain our confidence in God's living Word as sufficient to address the real-life issues we face today. Scripture and Counseling will help you understand how the Bible equips us to grow in counseling competence as we use it to tackle the complex issues of life. Divided into two sections, Part One develops a robust biblical view of Scripture’s sufficiency for "life and godliness" leading to increased confidence in God's Word. Part Two teaches how to use Scripture in the counseling process. This section demonstrates how a firm grasp of the sufficiency of Scripture leads to increased competence in the ancient art of personally ministering God's Word to others. Part of the Biblical Counseling Coalition series, Scripture and Counseling brings you the wisdom of twenty ministry leaders who write so you can have confidence that God’s Word is sufficient, necessary, and relevant to equip God’s people to address the complex issues of life in a broken world. It blends theological wisdom with practical expertise and is accessible to pastors, church leaders, counseling practitioners, and students, equipping them to minister the truth and power of God’s word in the context of biblical counseling, soul care, spiritual direction, pastoral care, and small group facilitation.




Ecopsychology


Book Description

This anthology is a two-volume work that focuses on our relationship with the Earth and our future, examining the crossover between psychology and environmental studies in the emerging fields of ecopsychology and environmental psychology. This set offers the first comprehensive and holistic understanding of how our human activities are very rapidly changing the earth's environment and harming its inhabitants. Since our present path of population growth and use of finite global resources is unsustainable, we must find new ways to protect our environment and our future. Offering unique perspectives and guidance toward holistic new solutions, this reader-friendly anthology serves a vast audience in the fields of psychology and environmental studies as well as scientists, humanitarians, educations, and policymakers. This work presents readers with the latest research on psychology and the environment, gives examples from around the world, applies to programs for youth and adults, and appeals to all stakeholders, including those in public health, policy, environmental studies, and more. The reader will gain the perspective and understanding of policies needed to effect environmental change and holistically manage the direction of that change.




The Year of the Queer


Book Description

A theologian, historian and bioethicist by academic training, Rev. Jeff Hood is a graduate of Auburn University, the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Emory University's Candler School of Theology, the University of Alabama, Creighton University, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry in Practical Theology at Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. His ordination rests within the Southern Baptist Convention. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Jeff currently lives in Denton, Texas, where he serves as a pastor to persons in communities throughout the region. As a theological activist and organizer, Jeff serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty, on the Statewide Steering Committee and as North Texas area director of Pastors for Texas Children and on the National Council of the Fellowship of Reconciliation USA. in 2013, Jeff's work as a spiritual organizer and activist was recognized by PFLAG Fort Worth's Equality Award. Jeff is married to Emily and together they have three young sons, twin toddlers, Jeff III and Phillip, and newborn, Quinley. Jeff also maintains a closer friendship to Texas Death Row prisoner Will Speer. Jeff is the author of two other books, The Queer: An interaction with The Gospel of John and The Queering of an American Evangelical. A Southern, Queer, and Christian, Jeff is a committeed activist, visionary writer and radical prophetic voice to a closed society.




Leading in a VUCA World


Book Description

This open access book brings together works by specialists from different disciplines and continents to reflect on the nexus between leadership, spirituality and discernment, particularly with regard to a world that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA). The book spells out, first of all, what our VUCA world entails, and how it affects businesses, organizations, and societies as a whole. Secondly, the book develops new perspectives on the processes of leadership, spirituality, and discernment, particularly in this VUCA context. These perspectives are interdisciplinary in nature, and are informed by e.g. management studies, leadership theory, philosophy, and theology.




The Book that Made Your World


Book Description

Understand where we came from. Whether you're an avid student of the Bible or a skeptic of its relevance, The Book That Made Your World will transform your perception of its influence on virtually every facet of Western civilization. Indian philosopher Vishal Mangalwadi reveals the personal motivation that fueled his own study of the Bible and systematically illustrates how its precepts became the framework for societal structure throughout the last millennium. From politics and science, to academia and technology, the Bible's sacred copy became the key that unlocked the Western mind. Through Mangalwadi's wide-ranging and fascinating investigation, you'll discover: What triggered the West's passion for scientific, medical, and technological advancement How the biblical notion of human dignity informs the West's social structure and how it intersects with other worldviews How the Bible created a fertile ground for women to find social and economic empowerment How the Bible has uniquely equipped the West to cultivate compassion, human rights, prosperity, and strong families The role of the Bible in the transformation of education How the modern literary notion of a hero has been shaped by the Bible's archetypal protagonist Journey with Mangalwadi as he examines the origins of a civilization's greatness and the misguided beliefs that threaten to unravel its progress. Learn how the Bible transformed the social, political, and religious institutions that have sustained Western culture for the past millennium, and discover how secular corruption endangers the stability and longevity of Western civilization. Endorsements: “This is an extremely significant piece of work with huge global implications. Vishal brings a timely message.” (Ravi Zacharias, author, Walking from East to West and Beyond Opinion) “In polite society, the mere mention of the Bible often introduces a certain measure of anxiety. A serious discussion on the Bible can bring outright contempt. Therefore, it is most refreshing to encounter this engaging and informed assessment of the Bible’s profound impact on the modern world. Where Bloom laments the closing of the American mind, Mangalwadi brings a refreshing optimism.” (Stanley Mattson, founder and president, C. S. Lewis Foundation) “Vishal Mangalwadi recounts history in very broad strokes, always using his cross-cultural perspectives for highlighting the many benefits of biblical principles in shaping civilization.” (George Marsden, professor, University of Notre Dame; author, Fundamentalism and American Culture)