Books published by Resource Publications (OR)

The texture of Dr. Anderson''s poetry weaves its song to the universe through her love of nature and keen observations of the human scene, powerful gifts, and a vision so complete the reader is invited to more dearly appreciate the varied tapestry of life and the meaning and message of its every hue and nuance.This beautifully illustrated volume presents twenty-eight of her over 300 poems, all touching the widest range of human emotion and experience. The titles double as a further poem of commentary on life and living in the twentieth century and also serve as an eloquent testimony to the LOVE, FAITH, and HOPE that have been the centerpiece in the life of this gifted and remarkable woman.

The doctrine of salvation is the watershed doctrine of Scripture. Flowing from that doctrine will be not only all other doctrine but also personal practice and Christian ministry. The major controversy concerning salvation is whether it is a result of the sovereign grace of God alone or a mixture of "God's part" and "man's part." Addressing that issue is absolutely critical to the very foundations of Christianity itself. Whichever one of those premises is correct, we should expect to find it everywhere we look in Scripture, and that is precisely what we find. There is no truth that permeates the Bible more than the doctrines of God's sovereign grace. From Genesis to Revelation, in literally hundreds of verses, these doctrines call, capture, and command our attention.Of the many books of the Bible we could choose, the Gospel of John is among the most compelling because of its foundational nature. It is there we find some of the most profound teaching on the Doctrines of Grace in all Scripture. Examining more than one hundred verses in John, this small volume presents these great biblical and historical doctrines directly from the lips of our Lord. 

Everyone believes in something. We trust gravity to keep us on the ground, our stool to keep us off the floor, and the sun to rise tomorrow. We don't even think about it. But trusting in someone we cannot see is really difficult. It's bad enough trying to trust people we think we know.This book is for anyone willing to gather in a coffee shop or sports bar--wherever friends can talk about such issues. Issues we discuss in the park, hallway, or lunchroom. Deep questions we ponder when our phone is on vibrate.These studies look at people from the Bible who have considered connecting with the God-human Jesus--and what they discovered. So if you're willing to take another (or first-time) look, grab your favorite drink and jump in.

<i>Wisdom Beyond Measure</i> examines Jesus' well-known Sermon on the Mount with simple and concise text geared towards the everyday Christian. Through a question-and-answer format, this workbook discusses biblical principles (such as patience, motivation, integrity, and obedience) in ways that the everyday Christian can understand. The study also refers to other areas of Scripture to expand on the themes of the sermon, directing the reader to God's word for answers.Christians from all walks can benefit from studying the theology behind the Sermon on the Mount. <i>Wisdom Beyond Measure</i> encourages readers not only to apply biblical teachings but also to understand them. The study invites the reader to engage the sermon in a way they haven't before: by considering the sermon's message in terms of their salvation and ongoing faith. Suitable for individuals as well as Bible study groups, <i>Wisdom Beyond Measure</i> is an advanced study for the everyday believer.

Inspired by the commonplace books and epistolary tradition of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, in which writers ranged through science, philosophy, music, theology, poetry, and anything else that struck their fancies, this book is a collaboration, an improvisation in two voices. Drawing on a variety of traditions and a cloud of witnesses, from Amos Wilder, Paul Ricoeur, and Theodor Adorno to Michael Taussig and Zhao Dongming, along with wide-ranging riffs on Hebrew and Christian scriptures, the authors search reality's mysteries with wit and insight.

Imagine waking up one morning at age fifty. You're a noted, published artist whose work hangs all over the world. Then imagine finding yourself standing in front of thirty-five at-risk African American high school students in an inner-city classroom in one of the most difficult high schools in the country.

Gracelyn is a young girl who lives on a small ranch called Eagle Wings with her family and animal friends. She has to go to a hospital for a life-saving operation and will miss being at home for her twelfth birthday. While Gracelyn prepares to go to the hospital, the animals living at the ranch decide that Gracelyn should have a birthday gift. They work together to surprise her with the perfect present, but how will they get it to her? The clever animals choose a gift that hides its identity and beauty until the time is right. Together, Gracelyn and her older brother Terry discover the charming secrets of the birthday present. There are even more happy surprises to come, much to everyone's delight. This is a story about giving the best gift of all.

Take My Hand is an invitation to experience a year of preaching through the eyes of a first-year pastor. Andrew Taylor-Troutman reflects on his experience of ministry as a dynamic exchange between his theological education and the people in the pews. Each chapter consists of Taylor-Troutman's reflections about a particular aspect of living as a faith community and concludes with a sermon exploring similar themes and ideas. As this book journeys through the Christian liturgical year, Taylor-Troutman considers a wide range of contemporary church issues, including the role of children in worship and the communal practice of Sabbath. He discusses topics as diverse as the Rapture, the death penalty, and church league softball. Along the way, readers will laugh at Sunday morning bloopers, study biblical texts from new perspectives, wrestle with theological questions, and discover parallels between their own experience of faith and the life of this small rural congregation. More than just a retrospective summary of events, Take My Hand poignantly illustrates how a pastor's work on Sunday morning grows out of his or her engagement with the hopes and fears of daily life, and the inspiring faith of men, women, and children in a church.The Group Study Edition encourages people of different ages and experiences to discuss and enjoy the book, while applying insights to their own communities of faith.

Frederick McSnoogle is haunted by a strange monster that lives in his pocket, plays in his mind, and fills him with worry and dread. He tells his mother he can&rsquo;t go to his first year in school. As Frederick wrestles with his monster, he learns to overcome his fears as he faces new challenges with prayer and Bible verses he&rsquo;s learned at home or in Sunday school. This book is not just for children; as parents, we too need to rely on the precious and powerful promises in God&rsquo;s word for our daily lives. <br />

Who would ever imagine that an eighteen-year-old who began his career teaching thirty-two eight-year-olds in a state school in an insignificant city in the remote South Pacific would end up on the world stage as the writer of definitive technical volumes in the field of biblical studies and as the only scholar from Australia/New Zealand on the Committee on Bible Translation that produced the New International Version? This autobiography is the account of the surprising stages that led Murray Harris from his humble beginnings to ending his teaching career as a professor emeritus at a leading United States theological institution. These stages are here attributed to the gracious guiding hand of a God who delights in providing serendipities while achieving his purposes. All this is recorded with humor and with many photos and illustrations.

A collection that alternates between celebration and lament, Winnower traces the experiences of an American poet growing up in war-torn Chad, Africa.

Description:The story of women''s ministry is longer and far more varied than most people imagine. This book tells the story of women''s ministry in the Free Churches, and looks at its impact on the ways we worship and live out our Christian lives. Women have ministered in garrets and gutters, at home and on the mission field. Today, women are fully engaged in ministry within our multicultural society, bringing a diversity of voices to match the diversity of the world in which we live. Six well-known contributors who are themselves involved in the story of women''s ministry explore issues of leadership and authority, preaching and worship, global perspectives, the relation to feminist theology and the ecumenical setting. Their contributions are complemented by the voice of experience. Women from varied backgrounds tell their own stories of being called to a ministry that sometimes doesn''t fit, of wrestling with the traditions that have nurtured their faith and that can put obstacles in their way. Here we see something of the variety and of the rich texture of women''s ministries in the contemporary church. Some of the women represented here have found their journey to ministry uncomplicated. Others have traveled long and painful roads, meeting opposition and hostility. Many have moved from trying to be ""one of the boys"" to the recognition that their gender can have an influence on their ministry. The stories interact with the articles, bringing many lively and dramatic voices to the telling of ""our story.""Endorsements:""In Britain the question of women''s ordination has been so focused on the Anglican dilemma that its much longer story in the so-called Free Churches has generally been overlooked. Here now is history, theology, and personal story, various voices from that other experience--a significant addition to the literature!""Frances Young, Methodist minister and formerly Professor of Theology in Birmingham University ""This book will inspire and humble in equal measure, for it tells out a tale of heroism and courage, relating from a theological and historical perspective how women have struggled--and continue to struggle--for acceptance as ordained ministers of Word and Sacrament in the Free Churches. An authoritative and uplifting account.""Lavinia Byrne, Chaplain to the Mayor of Wells, Somerset. ''The Free Churches have a story to tell about the ministry of women. In these essays and stories some of our women ministers begin to tell it. Those who have felt the call of God on their lives cannot fail to be moved by their stories and stimulated by their thinking. This book is a valuable contribution to the shaping of the church of the future.''David Cornick, General Secretary, the United Reformed Church. About the Contributor(s):Janet Wootton ministered in rural and inner-city churches for over twenty-five years before taking up the post of Director of Studies for the Congregational Federation. She is a writer, editor, and speaker in the fields of worship, mission, and feminist theology.

Description:The person of exile may be considered a wanderer, a nomad, a refugee, or a rebel. People of exile can be the marginalized, the disenfranchised, the outcast, the left out, and the pushed away. Different terms are used, but what defines them all is separation. Exile is a dangerous and dominant theme that runs through Scripture, through the lives of the people of Israel, and through the universal church. Women who have known the sacred place of exile are uniquely qualified to form a women''s mission. The case is made for a momentum shift in missiological thinking. There is a desperate and aching need for a women''s mission, which could lead the way to a women''s missionary movement. The emergence of such a mission/movement is indeed fraught with skepticism and suspicion from many of those inside the church and leaders in the missionary world. But the radical, disruptive, costly following of Jesus to those ""outside the camp"" is our calling.Endorsements:""Are you ''radicalized for mission''? Do you want to be ''radicalized for mission''? You are not alone! The Sacred Place of Exile provides examples and stories of women through history, including women today who are taking the gospel and addressing issues of social injustice in the risky, out-of-the-way places around the world. These will challenge and encourage you to go and do likewise together.""--Elizabeth Glanville, Associate Professor of Leadership, Fuller Theological Seminary""Carla Brewington has not only thought about and studied this subject with great care, but she also has ministered--with much creativity and courage--to those who are outside the camp. In this fine book she has much to teach all of us who care about new ways of bringing the gospel to those who have been the unreached.""--Richard Mouw, President, Fuller Theological SeminaryAbout the Contributor(s):Carla Brewington is Director of Harvest Emergent Relief, working primarily in high-risk areas of Asia. She received her doctorate in Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California.

Description:While debates abound today over the cost, purpose, and effectiveness of higher education, often lost in this conversation is a critical question: Should higher education attempt to shape students'' moral and spiritual character in any systematic manner as in the past, or focus upon equipping students with mere technical knowledge?Faith, Freedom, and Higher Education argues that Christianity can still play an important role in contemporary American higher education. George M. Marsden, D. G. Hart, and George H. Nash, among its authors, analyze the debate over the secularization of the university and the impact of liberal Protestantism and fundamentalism on the American academy during the twentieth century. Contributors also assess how the ideas of Dorothy Sayers, C. S. Lewis, Wendell Berry, and Allan Bloom can be used to improve Christian higher education. Finally, the volume examines the contributions Christian faith can make to collegiate education and outlines how Christian institutions can preserve their religious mission while striving for academic excellence.Endorsements:""Paul Kemeny has assembled a sparkling collection of essays. Their consistently thought-provoking contributions to the general theme of Christianity and higher education include sharply focused studies on important individuals (C. S. Lewis, Wendell Berry, Dorothy L. Sayers), important institutions (Princeton University), important interpretive questions (the rise of the secular university, the advantages of exclusion), and more. Readers . . . will be amply rewarded by reading this book.""--Mark A. Noll, Professor of History, University of Notre Dame ""The role of Christianity in higher education has changed tremendously since the founding of America''s great colleges and universities. This collection of essays, written by Christian scholars, encourages the insightful contemplation and consideration of the impact and role of faith and freedom in the world of higher education today.""--David R. Rathburn, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Grove City College""What is refreshing about this collection of essays on faith and freedom in higher education is it is fundamentally forward looking. . . . Despite the darkness of the present moment, faith and freedom can flourish in American higher education. Anyone interested in hastening the day when that flourishing happens will want to consult this fine volume.""--Robert P. George, Professor of Jurisprudence, Princeton UniversityAbout the Contributor(s):P. C. Kemeny, editor, is Professor of Religion and Humanities at Grove City College. He is the author of Princeton in the Nation''s Service (1998).

Description:The term ""emerging church"" causes confusion, conflict, and contention whenever it is used. Still, the emerging movement is spreading across America and around the world. Young adults from the millennial or mosaic generation are flocking back to church in droves, when the church speaks relevantly to them.The impact of emerging churches reaches far beyond the narrow walls of church buildings. The millennial generation is content with nothing less than a holy revolution in society. These eager young people purpose to transform the cities of America and the world through living the life of Jesus.Emerging believers are more concerned with life than with doctrine. They are committed to orthopraxy (true behavior) and not just dead orthodoxy. This propels them into situations foreign to most Christ followers. Their aim is a conquest of cities for Christ, and to that end they live out the Jesus life in every aspect of community.""Authenticity"" is their watchword. They are resolved to be real in an unreal world. Members of the emerging churches keep each other honest before God, and they accept nothing less than committed Christian character. The result is a growing revival among the emerging churches.Endorsements:""This book is an encouragement. God is on the move. Wayne Detzler has understood wonderfully how to compile data from worldwide observations concerning spiritual awakenings. In this book he brings his observations together into a unified message, and in so doing he honors the next generation.""--Heinz and Annelies Strupler, cofounders of International Christian FellowshipAbout the Contributor(s):Wayne Detzler (PhD, University of Manchester) is the Distinguished Professor of Cross-Cultural Apologetics and Missions at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Matthews, North Carolina. He also serves as Editor of the Christian Apologetics Journal.

In Who Needs a Missionary? Robert Reese reviews his own missionary experiences in Zimbabwe and finds that the best results came from an indigenous leader who had the least contact with missionaries. Reese conducted interviews with this leader to let him speak for himself about his journey with God in ministry; these interviews form the heart of the book. Mostly without missionary guidance, this Zimbabwean Christian of humble origins journeyed from his conversion to Christ to arrive at a transformation of his home community. Reese draws lessons from the life of this remarkable leader, who has enjoyed so few earthly advantages, yet has been rich in faith and fruitfulness. God has determined that the gospel will work all by itself whenever and wherever it is planted in human hearts.

Description:The First Steps of Your Discipleship Journey . . .Are More Important than You Think!Are you seeking a strong spiritual walk? If you are willing to do some training, this course can get you there! Replicating Jesus's exciting vision, First Steps teaches six key practices to establish your faith and empower your mission! Come journey alongside others to gain a stride that will bless you for the rest of your life!First Steps Skill Set: . Develop a method for getting the most from your Bible . Adopt the simple pattern of conversational prayer . Experience the life-changing power of confessional abiding . Take steps into deeper relationships and service . Learn skills to touch your world with the love and message of Christ!

Since the rise and growth of secularization, the place of God and religion is becoming increasingly problematic in our Western culture. But what is the alternative to its Christian heritage? Humanism puts "man" at the center of everything, but can you "believe in man" just as much as you can believe in God? Is this secular worldview really rational, based on science, consistent, and durable? And above all, does our society become more humane because of it? Can you simply obliterate God from our culture and values without these collapsing like a pudding? Secular humanism has always been extremely critical of the church--and in itself that is allowed--but what if we judge and measure it with the same criteria?

God has been around for a long time--in fact from the very beginning--but what do we actually know about him? Perhaps this is a silly question, because many people will regard the God of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as unknowable. Nevertheless, this book explores the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) to unearth just what is revealed about the nature and persona of the Deity. Early chapters discuss the first signs of religious beliefs, and the origins of the major religions. Ten chapters are devoted to what the Scriptures reveal about God's origin, attributes, and activities. These include miracles, making laws, punishing, rewarding, answering prayers, and predicting a future Messiah. A final chapter summarizes and draws conclusions. The sheer number of details gleaned from the biblical texts helps the reader to see God as an entity, with a personality who has attributes, likes, and dislikes. He rejoices, but also laments; he has a presence, he is available, he hears our prayers. Those who were a little unsure about the authenticity of God should have their confidence in him strengthened by the amount of information presented. They can then explore this further for themselves.

Children have many fears, many questions, and many concerns. Dear Jesus, Dear Child was designed for caring adults to help children acknowledge their feelings and concerns, and to answer them with love.The twenty topics in this book address some of the most common feelings and situations young children face--jealousy, fighting, love, fear, separation, and pain--as well dealing with seasonal holidays. Each subject features a letter from a child to Jesus and a reply from Jesus to the child. A guided meditation follows, which gives children the opportunity to quietly focus and find Jesus within. Finally, each topic has its own coloring page with space for children to write their own prayer to Jesus.Dear Jesus, Dear Child is suitable for use in the home, classroom, or parish. The content is geared toward children in grades pre-K through third. "What a creative and charming way to make children aware of God's loving presence! As they hear their real concerns and fears voiced in letters to Jesus and listen to his response, they receive insight into their problems. More important, through these letters and the guided meditations that follow, children come to know Jesus as friend and helper. They will be more likely to turn to him spontaneously for the rest of their lives."Sr. Kathleen Glavich General editor, Christ Our Life series "Having worked in preschool and kindergarten religious education, I know the importance of early religious attitudinal development. We must help children touch Jesus at an early age, and this book provides an excellent tool for praying with young elementary school children. Dear Jesus, Dear Child takes their own experiences and helps them find Jesus present here and within themselves.Adults using this book with their students will be touched with the Spirit of Jesus too. To become 'as children' and to relate to Jesus in the childlike manner set forth in this book will serve to begin or deepen the adult's relationship with Jesus. As always, when 'teaching' children, one learns much more than one imparts!I look forward to using this resource in our parish's elementary religious education program."Karen Leslie DRE and author, Faith and Little Children: A Guide for Parents and Teachers "To trust the spirit of our loving God deep within is a lifelong process. Dear Jesus, Dear Child is a wonderful guide that helps children grow in this process. Deborah Roslak and Linda Orber have provided an appealing guide by which children are led to prayer; they are encouraged to listen and speak honestly not only in letter form, but in quiet meditations where they are 'in touch' with their friend Jesus. I recommend this book not only as a fine resource for parents and teachers, but as background for homilists addressing children."Bernice Stadler Co-author, Celebrations of the Word for Children

About the Contributor(s):Gary Comer is the Outreach and Training Director of Sandals Church in Riverside, California. The founder of Soul Whisperer Ministries, his passion is helping churches increase mission efficacy. He has authored Soul Whisperer: Why the Church Must Change the Way It Views Evangelism and the Missional Engagement Series. Connect with Gary at www.soulwhisperministry.com.

Buddhism's influence is growing in the West, as seen in the widespread use of ""Buddhist mindfulness apps"" in people's attempts to unwind, or the casual use of words like ""nirvana"" and ""karma"" that have crept into the English language. Whether we meet it in the East or West, what is Buddhism? What is at the heart of its teachings? How does Buddhism differ from Christianity, and are they compatible?Through a collection of true short stories and testimonies, Buddhism in the Light of Christ--a sequel and companion to Esther Baker's first book, I Once was a Buddhist Nun--takes an insightful look at some core Buddhist beliefs and practices, and then reflects on them from a Christian viewpoint and biblical understanding. Esther tackles important questions such as: ""How does the Buddhist goal nirvana and God differ?"" and ""Is Buddhism a form of idolatry?"" Her responses reveal a penetrating understanding that helps to unravel and demystify the true nature of Buddhism.Buddhism in the Light of Christ also includes helpful suggestions on how to share Jesus with Buddhist friends, as well as important considerations regarding discipleship once a Buddhist has come to know Christ.

What if we changed the face of evangelism?In a time when so many have a negative perception of evangelism, what if a new model was entirely biblical, loaded with skills, and more effective? Soul Whisperer shifts the emphasis from ""telling"" to a ""drawing"" paradigm. It develops biblically the pattern of Jesus, who did not give static presentations but rather customized his words to each hearer. By learning his ways, our words, too, can have pinpointed impact! Christians will discover how to draw out first, in order to read their friends and discern the relevant appeal of the gospel. In this way, the style is far more dynamic. It adapts! Understanding the non-believer's unique starting point will determine a distinct path. By creating a conversation about spiritual influence and what is involved in faith formation, this book charts ways for Christians to go deeper in evangelistic relationships. Most importantly, Soul Whisperer infuses skills that will shape a more Christ-likened missional disciple.

We live in a context of change, whereby postmodernity shapes our understanding and our searching for truth. Postmodernity dictates not only what kind of results we obtain in our researches, but also on the ways we use to search for truth. This means that postmodernity dictates the ways we do research in various disciplines, the ways we use to analyze the research results, and the ways we use to communicate the findings. Postmodernity is the paradigm in which we are greatly concerned. What is the place of rules of research, research ethics, selection of the problem, and designing of research as we consider the context whereby nothing absolute can be envisaged? How should one review the literature to suit this postmodern understanding of reality? How should one argue his or her case? This book is designed to help students in higher learning institutions learn qualitative research methods in classrooms or by themselves. It moves students and researchers from modern ways of understanding, doing, and communicating qualitative research towards postmodern challenges and promises. In this case, the book is worthy reading to every serious student and researcher who seeks to equip oneself to the current issues of qualitative research methodology.

As a dominant voice in our society, Western Christianity (including fundamentalism) is dying despite the growing tendency of people to identify as spiritual but not religious. In the face of this reality, churches continue to preach the same message of sin, judgment, and guilt in order to be saved, or in the case of more progressive churches, feel-good messages. No wonder Western Christianity is failing. If it is ever to regain its viability, Christianity must rethink its total devotion to Christ and look again at its roots. A new Christianity must start over with the original vision of God''s dream for us as expressed by Moses and Jesus. Jesus was not a Christian. He was a Jewish reformer and he worked within the context of the Jewish Scriptures (the Old Testament). Deuteronomy was one of these books. When this ancient wisdom is paired with post-modern Christianity, we see that the teachings of Moses and Jesus are as relevant today as they were two to three thousand years ago, perhaps even more so.

Description:How do we find God in a world where God often seems to be hidden? How do we love one another and seek social justice? This series of theological and spiritual reflections on family and community helps readers see spirituality in daily life, exploring current issues such as global warming, environment, racism, child rearing, and sexism in relation to the church to offer readers new insights and directions for living as faithful Christians. This book''s brief, daily reflections on universal concerns give voice to what many people feel but struggle to articulate, bringing emotions to the surface to help readers apply theology in their everyday lives. The book''s thirty entries make it ideal for a month of daily personal devotions or group study and discussion.