Ponder, Pray, Practice is a book of 366 daily devotional thoughts designed for the Christian who wants something to chew on spiritually each day. Each little spiritual meal focuses on a challenging Bible verse, what it means and how it may be applied in a Christian's life. The short prayer suggestions included with each devotional thought are intended to act as starters for the Christian's daily conversation with God. Designed for the Christian who likes thinking, these devotionals are not theological discussions, but they do grapple with substantive Christian doctrines.

Ponder: Contemplative Bible Study accompanies all hearers and preachers of the Word as they pray with and ponder the Sunday readings throughout the liturgical year. Everything needed for a rich experience of lectio divina and biblical exploration is provided: the full text of the Sunday readings, concise commentary, engaging reflections, and clear guidance on how to use this resource alone or with a group. This volume guides readers through the Year A lectionary.

Fairacres Publications 183 In a series of reflections on this pivotal chapter of the Letter to the Romans, the author shares with us her extensive theological scholarship. Presented in a form to appeal to anyone who reads and ponders on scripture, Bonnie also makes useful suggestions for further reading, and for using the text in study groups and for preaching.

Create religion classes that address younger teen's real-life issues and differing learning styles. Our comprehensive set of minicourses and teaching resources focus on relationship building, active participation, and sound religious principles. The minicourse format for grades 6-8 -- with its detailed teaching guides, full-color student booklets, and video resource materials -- gives coordinators and teachers everthing they need to create a flexible, successful curriculum that meets students unique needs. Teaching guides make teaching easy and fun with step-by-step instructions and checklists, active learning strategies, prayer guidance and copies of student booklets for reference.

A deceptively simple read, The Art of Holy Pondering is embedded with insightful nuggets of spiritual truths. Delivered in clear language and citing common life experiences, the author speaks both to those beginning the spiritual quest and to seasoned pilgrims. He shines light on a tested pathway that opens to divine encounter, uncovering what for many has been hidden in plain sight. Dealing with the realities of the mind and heart, this undertaking offers a key to unlocking attitudes and perceptions that persist in holding us captive to our passions and prejudices. It offers an uncommon spiritual practice that unearths the more that the holy desires to reveal in our routine interactions. In identifying stepping stones that make possible a secure footing in the pursuit of holy insight, this adventure frees the heart for an unfettered response to the divine mystery. Steeped in the learnings of our spiritual fathers and mothers, the text lays out a framework that transforms random ponderings into a coherent pathway for hearing the gentle whisper.

Work, whether from home, in cyberspace, or in a factory or office, occupies a major chunk of our time, energy, and soul. This book seeks to make sense of our work in the world through adapting the pithy statement of the Puritan William Perkins to define marketplace theology as the "science of working blessedly forever." It is a science involving investigation, but not just with the head (thought), but also with heart (prayer) and hand (practice). But it is a science of working. So the book investigates a theology of work undertaken in the light of God's blessing and purpose. And our work is not just for this life but "forever," since some of it could last into the new heaven and new earth where, guess what, Scripture says we will work as fully human and resurrected beings. Stevens gathers his lifetime of research and teaching into this book showing through biblical research and contemporary analysis the meaning of work and human enterprise. It could change your lifestyle, your work style, and your soul.

Pondering the Imponderable explores the philosophical and theological problems of God and their implications from a Judaic perspective including the attempts at knowing the unknowable and naming the unnamable that have been articulated over the course of some two millennia, as well as how the chasm between man and God is bridged through revelation and the implications of these ideas for the ultimate question of what takes place after death, resurrection, immortality of the soul, or transmigration or reincarnation. In discussing these issues, the non-specialized reader will be introduced to the vast corpus of rabbinic literature written over a period of some two millennia to the present day and to many works that have never been translated into English.

A practical guide to help you build a culture in your church or organization that resists abuse and cultivates goodness. After the release of their groundbreaking book, A Church Called Tov, which recorded the stories of abuse and toxic church cultures at some of the most prominent churches in the United States, New Testament scholar and blogger for Christianity Today Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer heard from a flood of people who had experienced similar instances of abuse. After all they've seen and heard, they still believe it's possible for church cultures to be transformed from toxic to tov--from oppressive to good. In Pivot, Scot and Laura help churches to implement practices, establish priorities, and cultivate the Kingdom Gospel-centered qualities that form goodness cultures. Readers will find answers to the four most common questions people have about culture transformation: How can I transform the culture in my church or organization to make it tov? I believe my workplace has unhealthy values. How do I initiate change? How do I unleash a culture of goodness in my ministry? I'm not in a position of church leadership. What are some red flags that indicate a toxic culture, and what can I do if I see them? Pivot also includes the following practical features: The "Tov tool," a survey to help you discern your organization's culture and to promote spiritual conversations A "getting to work" section at the end of each chapter with questions and next steps for application Transformation is never easy. But for the sake of the next generation, we must do it.

A hands-on and time-tested look at ways to pray that will strengthen your relationship with God and lead to transformation. 7 Ways to Pray explores ancient prayer practices to help you encounter God and avoid an over-intellectualization of your faith. Each chapter shares real-life examples, is rooted in the Bible, and includes prayer exercises for individuals or groups. This is a sourcebook for prayer, not a simple to-do list. Amy is a storyteller that brings these proven practices to life so you can make them immediately actionable. This is a great resource for your retreat, prayer group, or book club. Prayer is a gift from God; praying is a practice. We are always a simple word or single step away from a conversation with God. And yet taking that step or saying that word can sometimes feel confounding. This book draws from the deep well of Christian history to make praying a habit to enjoy in our crazy, bustling, wearying times. With seven ways of approaching prayer and practical examples of those ways to pray, you will find yourself regularly and repeatedly turning to God and finding him happy to hear from you.

Daily readings for high school students, using Scripture as a springboard to reflect on God and Christianity in school life, dating, sex, parental relations, fears, peer pressure, and more.