Filled with practical advice for staging, preparing, and rehearsing the service, this Leader’s Guide also offers tools for spiritual preparation and mystagogical reflection.

"You don't have to go with Missy Claire. She can't make you go with her." Kitty, a house slave, has always obeyed Missy Claire and followed orders. But when word arrives that the Yankees are coming, Kitty is faced with a decision. Will she continue serving Missy Claire and her household? Or will she listen to Grady and embrace this chance for freedom? Even wise Delia says Kitty has to decide for herself--that nobody except the Lord can tell her which way to go. Kitty has always lived in a world where authority is not questioned. She never has learned to make up her own mind any more than she has learned to read or write. But now Kitty has a daunting choice: How does she want her story to end? In her bestselling tradition, Lynn Austin brings the Civil War years to life in the Refiner's Fire trilogy.

A selection of Bible and other inspirational quotations arranged alphabetically by subject as a handy reference to the problems of life.

There are many books available on creating a good effective homily. This book, unique in that it is the product of a long-standing dialogue between James Bacik, a pastor and theologian, and Kevin Anderson, a clinical psychologist and author, offers those who preach theological perspectives and practical advice on proclaiming the word of God. The authors move through the process of preparing and delivering a homily from its conception to delivery. However, they emphasize the focus and function of the homily rather than the theme, and how this relates the message of the readings to the human or social concerns of the congregation. Here is a one-of-a-kind book that includes empirical data in the form of a survey to explore what works and does not work in preaching. It will provide a fresh perspective to those in homiletics courses in seminaries as well as hands-on advice for those who already preach.

The Light unto My Path It was only a few years ago when God shed his light on me and anointed me with the gift of writing poetry. He opened my eyes to understand from the scripture that I read. A powerful message came down from above and descended here on me. The grace of God bestowed on me the special gift that was given. It burns in my soul and lets the words flow on the paper it was written. May I thank him daily for what he has given to me. May my heart yearn to do his will, to use this gift he placed in me, to see the mighty hand of God, the creator of all things, who used a humble servant and made her a child of the king!

Discover how to apply the ancient wisdom of the book of Proverbs to your modern life with this daily devotional and small-group Bible study guide. Take Heart, Beloved. His Light Is Shining, And Your Path Is Clear. Wherever you are on your journey, here is the wisdom you need for the road ahead. Maybe you’re stuck and want to move forward. Or you feel anxious and long to know what’s next. Or you’re ready for an uplifting reminder that God holds your future in His loving hands. Chosen by hundreds of women as their favorite verses in Proverbs, these thirty-one nuggets of truth reveal how faithfully God honors His promise, “I will instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths” (Proverbs 4:11). Best-selling author Liz Curtis Higgs examines each word with care and adds a sprinkling of humor through her honest stories and personal examples. For each verse you’ll find a unique “One Minute, One Step” challenge—a do-it-now task that requires one minute or less. You’ll soon discover how practical and meaningful the book of Proverbs is as you apply its ancient wisdom to your thoroughly modern life. With a study guide included, 31 Proverbs to Light Your Path is a daily devotional and a small-group Bible study, wrapped in a beautiful gift book brimming with encouragement!

Many congregations and church leaders are faced with the collapse of the institutional church culture in America. A great number of them have retreated inside their four walls and created church activities to replace their Christ-given mission to make disciples, and thereby extending His kingdom on earth thy kingdom come. Abandoning their mission means they have abandoned their real identity and reason for existence. Others have gone to the other extreme by selling out to the culture. Their worship service is a form of entertainment with the objective to feel good and be happy. Both choices have turned off many saved people, and they have left the church. In 1998, a Barna poll reflected that 20 million born-again Christians had withdrawn their membership. Todays poll shows an increase to 115,000 million. Many are out there striving to reboost the churchs lost mission to make disciples and thy kingdom come. God has not changed His mind!