"In this volume, Eric John Wyckoff examines four biblical texts which narrate encounters between a woman and a man at a well. The episodes in Genesis 24 and 29, Exodus 2 and John 4 share similar literary features, but the contrasts are revealing. Their complex interrelation represents an interpretive key."--

Behind the theme of this new volume in the popular annual Pray Now series, is the belief that everyone has a story to tell, no matter what age or stage of life they are at, and that in worship we weave our stories into the bigger story of God. Our stories are shaped by encounters with other people, with the physical world, with the variety of our own experiences and emotions, and with God. This volume offers a dynamic resource for prayer and reflection that will enable a deeper understanding of how all these kinds of encounters shape us. More than seventy short sections, each containing a scripture quotation, prayers for morning and evening, a short meditation, suggested scripture readings and a blessing, explore a rich variety of encounters: • Between Jesus and others in the Gospels - disciples, women, the young, the old, critics, enemies • The people we encounter – friends, neighbours, colleagues, family, strangers, the hostile • Encounters with the physical world – animals, weather, traffic jams, crowded cities, empty spaces • Encounters with ourselves – success, disaster, loneliness, identity, hope, fear, mystery and more • Encounters with God in prayer – how Christians across the centuries, including Julian of Norwich, St Benedict, Martin Luther, Wesley, C S Lewis and others understood and practiced prayer. Stories of Encounter is the Church of Scotland’s theme for 2018 that will inform its worship and its mission throughout the coming year. At its heart is a desire to help people to tell their stories, to share those stories with others and with their communities, to reflect on their journeys of faith and ultimately their stories of encounters with God. This dynamic collection of newly written prayers, meditations and blessings will be a welcome aid for worship, for small group devotions and for personal discipleship.

How can we shape the future of our children in a world full of distractions? How can we ensure they grow up strong in their faith in the Lord and capable of carrying forward the mission of Christ? In Discipling a Generation for Christ: Shaping Lifelong Faith from Early Childhood, Theodore Andoseh addresses these crucial questions, drawing from the teachings of Jesus and Apostle Paul. He highlights a crucial principle: the direction of a life is set when it is young. Just as a bend given to a young shoot determines the shape of the grown tree, the spiritual foundation laid during childhood shapes a person's future. If you want children to follow God, you must guide them towards Him early. Using vivid analogies, the author explains how to imprint Jesus’ image on children when they are young, ensuring they grow into faithful, capable adults. He identifies three essential schools for discipling children: the home, the Scriptures, and learning from a model. This book provides practical insights and strategies for parents and Christian educators to instill strong, lasting faith in children. Are you ready to shape the next generation for Christ? Discover how you can make a lasting impact on your children’s faith and future with Discipling a Generation for Christ. This book offers solutions to the challenges of modern parenting and equips you to raise children who will carry on the work of His Kingdom.

"I dream of a 'missionary option'... a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything..." Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium Do you have the same dream as Pope Francis? Would you like to see your parish, apostolate, or family flourishing in Christ like never before? In Making Missionary Disciples, Curtis Martin, founder of the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), explores how to build a vibrant culture of faithfulness and fruitfulness. He doesn't just remind us how every disciple is called on mission to share the love and truth of Jesus Christ. He gives us practical ways to do this in our ordinary daily lives. • Know the three crucial habits of effective evangelization. • Grow in Divine Intimacy following the four essential practices to which the early disciples devoted themselves. • Learn the importance of becoming not only a disciple, but a missionary disciple. • Understand the three-phased "Method Modeled by the Master"--the approach to evangelization modeled for us by Jesus in the Gospels and rooted in Catholic magisterial teaching. Experience the transformation for which we all long--through Making Missionary Disciples.

Everyone Has a Unique Pathway to Faith. Take the First Step! - Perhaps you are open to the Christian faith, but in no way convinced. You have legitimate questions or lingering doubts. - Perhaps you seek a spiritual rooting--that comes from deep beliefs. - Perhaps you hope to experience the living God--in a way that's real and sticks. - Perhaps you are searching for something compelling--a vision for your life! If you are willing, simply, to take the first exploring step, this booklet charts the way forward. It fulfills Jesus's promise that "those who seek will find." Welcome to a discovery-path of unlimited potential. It can bless you--beyond measure! Vignettes Inside: The First Step - A Tale of Two Operators - Jesus: Poser or Pedigree? - Something Has Gone Really Wrong! - Jesus Came to Fix What We Can't - The Meaning of the Cross - The Sign of the Resurrection - What's Unique about Christianity - Miscues in Approaching Faith - Faith & Flying - Navigating Forward - Rear View Mirror - Stepping Up - What Surfers Know To pursue your questions, curiosity, and longings, Steps to Faith can be read personally, with a Christian friend, or by a class/group at church.

This compilation offers a unique perspective on encounters with God, both on an individual and collective level, as exemplified by the lives of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the people of Israel. By delving into their personal journeys, we uncover the distinct facets of God's identity as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We explore direct and indirect forms of collective encounters by studying God's interactions with Israel. Our quest to understand what it means to experience God's tangible presence led us to Scripture. We wanted to know if such profound encounters were documented how individuals and communities prepared to meet and experience God, and what ensued thereafter. This daily journey unfolds during the 11th session of our annual 40-day Praise, Prayer, and Fasting Crusade. It captures the essence of our fervent prayers for a tangible encounter with the Almighty during the Third World Convention of Christian Missionary Fellowship International. As you immerse yourself in this life-changing moment, may the Lord abundantly bless your experience, leading you to relive a profound encounter with the Lord.

This historical novel, Encounter (Mannam), by Hahn Moo-Sook, one of Asia's most honored writers, is a story of the resilience in the Korean spirit. It is told through the experiences of Tasan, a high-ranking official and foremost Neo-Confucian scholar at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Because of Tasan's fascination with Western learning, then synonymous with Catholicism, he is exiled to a remote province for 18 years. In banishment he meets people from various social and religious backgrounds—Buddhist monks, peasants, shamans—whom he would not otherwise have met. The events of Tasan's life are effectively used to depict the confluence of Buddhist, Neo-Confucian, Taoist, and shamanistic beliefs in traditional Korea. A subplot involves three young sisters, the daughters of a prominent Catholic aristocrat, and affords the reader vivid glimpses into Yi-dynasty women's lives, particularly those of palace ladies, scholars' wives, tavern keepers, shamans, and slaves. In contrast to the long-held Confucian stereotype of female subservience, this story illustrates the richness of women's contribution to Korean culture and tradition. Encounter's detailed narrative provides a broad and informed view of nineteenth-century Korea, making it a highly useful book for courses on Korean literature and society. It will also be an engaging read for lovers of historical fiction.

A subplot involving three sisters, the daughters of a prominent Catholic aristocrat, offers vivid glimpses into the lives of Yi-dynasty women - palace ladies, scholars' wives, tavernkeepers, shamans, and slaves.

25 presentations on the spiritual life, with four major talks by H.H. the Dalai Lama.