Religion

Millions of readers have been transformed and inspired by Francine Rivers' bestselling novels Redeeming Love and A Voice in the Wind. Now, in this weekly devotional, the beloved author invites you to join her in seeking the Creator through the marvelous natural world we live in. Francine shares observations she's gathered over a lifetime of exploring-abroad and in her own backyard-and reflects on how they might apply to your daily life. What do the majestic redwoods, the persistent woodpecker, or a glorious sunrise reveal about our artistic and generous God? How could that change your outlook or the way you handle adversity?Stunning photography, Scripture excerpts, applications, and prayers accompany Francine's reflections, inspiring you to be encouraged. Be challenged. Be comforted. God's power is immense; His attention to detail is precise; His love for you is vast and unfailing. The proof is all around you.

On the brink of collapse, our nation's only hope is a visitation of God's power and presence. What will heal the deep racial, social, and political divisions that are tearing us apart? How can we stop the evil of human trafficking? What can turn the rising tide of opioid addiction? What will cure the epidemic of fatherless...

This completely revised second edition of the Dictionary of Paul and His Letters brings this go-to resource on the apostle Paul and his letters up to date with the latest scholarship.

Are you trying to find your place as an artist in the church? Wondering if anybody cares about your dreams to record an album or publish a book? Do you question if pursuing your art is worthwhile?You are not alone. In A Place of Beauty, artists and pastors from around the world reflect on the timeless truths of Scripture and call us forward to define success by one thing - following Jesus. Step into a 21-day rhythm of reflection, practice, and prayer to be reminded that you are the beloved of God and part of his communion of artistic saints who have a shared struggle, shared celebrations, and shared story as fellow makers in the Kingdom of God. Representing a movement of artists and pastors called UnitedAdoration, the contributors share a common mission to revitalize the creativity of the local church by empowering artists to create in their own language, culture, and context. Written to the heart of the artist in each of us, the personal stories and biblical reflections invite you into deeper union with God. In these stories, you will be challenged and equipped to:Rest in your identity as the Father's belovedSubmit your vocation to the authority of Jesus ChristInvite the Holy Spirit into your creative processYou are an artisan in the Kingdom of God. You have been given the spiritual gifting and skill to cultivate a place of beauty in this world. If you want to learn how, this devotional is for you.

Your Bible, your history books, and even your newspaper headlines are full of God shouting a powerful message of hope and healing. The same author who designed 24,900 miles around the planet, also calculated 24 hours around your clock, and predetermined 24 elders around the throne. But unless you know what God is consistently speaking through the number 24, you miss the message. In fact, you don't even know there is a message. Numbers That Preach is a fun look at the otherwise hidden sermons God is declaring through His mathematical lingo. For more than twenty years, author Troy Brewer has studied Biblical text and collected interesting facts, figures and statistics that show powerful meaning in the numbers around us.

Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the respected and beloved cofounder of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, offers us a significant book that is both a beautiful tool for experienced practitioners and a how-to for beginners.Revitalize your practice with the potent energy of mantra. In this book, beloved teacher Lama Zopa Rinpoche guides us through the most popular mantras in Tibetan Buddhism: Shakyamuni Buddha, Chenrezig, Manjushri, Tara, Medicine Buddha, Vajrasattva, and more. A mantra—literally “that which protects the mind”—is a series of Sanskrit syllables that evoke the energy of a particular buddha or bodhisattva. It works as a sacred sound that brings blessings to ourself and others, and as a tool to transform our mind into one that is more compassionate and wise. In clear and succinct teachings, Lama Zopa shows us why we need different mantras and how each mantra works. He also explains their importance and power, giving specific instructions for practicing them. The exquisite, full-color illustrations of the deities that accompany the text make this book a beautiful guide, one suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners.

"What was the historical context for the Buddha's teachings on rebirth? What is reborn? Do all Buddhist traditions agree about what happens after death? Is it necessary to believe in rebirth to consider oneself a Buddhist? All these questions will be addressed in this short, reliable, and accessible introduction to Rebirth across Buddhist history and traditions. The book will also cover contemporary refutations of rebirth in secular Buddhist contexts as well as western scientific attempts to document reincarnation in conversation with Buddhist beliefs"--

An in-depth exploration of the practice, relevance, and purpose of spirit marriage around the world

If you feel weary or overwhelmed with life as the parent or caregiver of a special-needs child, there is hope. Doctors' appointments, parent-teacher meetings, stressful moments at home and in social settings, along with countless other challenges, are part of life when you love a special-needs child. Each year, your child's needs grow and change, as does your need for strength, wisdom, and support. Some days, you may doubt that you have what it takes to fulfill your role-as a mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend-and be a champion for a precious child. Rest assured, you are not alone. In Champion for Charlie, Jen Forsthoff offers biblical insights into what it means to be a champion for your child. Through practical application of God's Word and personal, relatable stories, you'll learn how to better advocate for your child-and how to find the support you need. The truth is, some days the responsibility and challenges seem impossible. In this book, Jen invites you to rise up and find hope in the truth that God equips those whom He calls into this challenging and worthy role.

#1 New York Times bestselling author and Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen offers powerful advice on releasing negative thoughts and feelings that are holding us down.

Bible scholar Peter Enns explains that the Bible is not an instruction manual or rule book but a powerful learning tool for cultivating God's wisdom.

Short daily reflections from one of the world's favourite adventurers. The Telegraph calls him 'globally . . . perhaps the most famous adventurer alive'.

The American-born Tibetan Buddhist nun presents her first book that explores in-depth what she considers the essentials for an evolving practice that helps people live in a wholehearted way. Meditation, Chodron explains, gives people a golden key to address this yearning.

In The Church Speaks to the Modern World, Etienne Gilson presented for the first time the basic encyclicals of Leo XIII arranged in the order expressly indicated by the Pope himself. Gilson's sparkling introduction provides the proper perspective for the encyclicals; his notes brilliantly clarify obscure points; his summaries provide an immediate grasp of each encyclical; and his study of the variant translations is invaluable. In short, here is the definitive collection of the most important and far-reaching papal pronouncements of the modern age.

What the seven last utterances of Christ on the cross, the seven "I Am" statements of Jesus, and the seven letters to the church in Revelation mean to us today.

Ready to get a handle on your life and move into greater fulfillment and understanding?Do you want an easy to follow guide that shows you the steps to get from where you are to where you want to be?In this book, master teacher Cheryl Marlene walks you through the five key steps of the spiritual journey.This approach is neither a quick fix nor religious dogma; instead, it offers practical suggestions to empower you and help you navigate life with clarity and confidence.As you move through each step, you will also learn many important concepts to use immediately in everyday life including: Beginner's Mind - approaching life through the lens of learning instead of defensiveness.Critical Voice - calming that nagging inner voice which diminishes your self-confidence.Present Moment - the power of this moment both as foundation and launchpad of your life.Choice - moving beyond reaction into conscious response.Intention - using your conscious awareness to give direction to your life.Truth and Trust - the necessary personal attributes which are incorporated into every aspect of your journey and transformation.Integrity - conscious honesty which brings balance and alignment throughout your life.Gift of Fear - move from frozen to fully aware by accepting the gifts of the unknown.Sacred Space - the essence of life when the gifts of the journey are embraced and integrated.Each lesson offers these navigational components: A key concept to use on your journey, Suggestions to easily integrate this into daily life and put the ideas into practice.Questions for reflection which assist you in working through your personal issues related to the key concept, andA transformative affirmation which powers you to shift the direction of your life towards a new you.After reading this book, you may live the same life, but your life will never be the same again!Begin your journey now!