This is the story of how God used a disability, and abusive Dad, attempted murder and a suicide attempt to create a faithful man of God!

Liturgical dance is a way to present, reflect, instruct, learn, study, and share religious beliefs with one’s self, within one’s worship community, and with one’s God. Such a belief is confirmed and witnessed within a variety of religious settings throughout the world from the beginning of time to this present age. However, there is a vacuum of resources that connect liturgical dance within the Christian context as a tool for religious learning within the field of religious education. With the continual rise of liturgical dance as an artistic form of expression, this book proposes that liturgical dance offers unique attributes conducive to the teaching and learning of faith and to faith formation. Kathleen S. Turner shows how liturgical dance is religious education in two very important ways: first, by addressing the power and potential liturgical dance has in nourishing the faith life of Christian congregants through means that are both educative and reflective; and second, by giving examples of how liturgical dance can be implemented as a religious-education tool within the teaching life of the church.

How do you find hope in hard times? Learn not only how to survive the difficult seasons, but to live a full life in the midst of them and beyond. Grounded in God's constancy and rooted in eternal hope, Nouwen guides you towards the kind of life that you can dance to—even through the darkest night. Deeply comforting and profoundly realistic, Turn My Mourning into Dancing discusses five movements we experience during hard times: From Our Little Selves to a Larger World From Holding Tight to Letting Go From Fatalism to Hope From Manipulation to Love From a Fearful Death to a Joyous Life Healing begins with taking our pain out of its toxic isolation and seeing our sufferings in communion with all humanity, and all creation. Nouwen teaches us that our lives participate in something much larger. Turn My Mourning into Dancing is a must read for: Those seeking growth and insight on the struggles of life Anyone going through the grief process and searching for real solutions Those who have experienced a loss, betrayal, or hard times Everyone grieves differently. It is a process, not a science experiment. Mourning shouldn’t last forever. Do you want the kind of life that allows you to dance even in the middle of the darkest night? Get the answers and find hope within your hard times.

This inspirational book of poetic devotions and encouraging and sometimes challenging scriptures will assist you in starting your day in devotion and worship. The poetry inspires, while the scriptures challenge you to live your life intentionally in times of joy, sorrow, and adversity. The poems assure you that you are not alone in your struggle or on your journey. This devotional will incite reflection and lead you into your day with renewed purpose and a stronger conviction about who you are in Christ.

In the tiny lakeside community of Banayim, Galilee, the villagers long for the promised Messiah to save them from poverty and Roman rule. Meanwhile their work, quarrels, and gossip go as usual. Young Dan, the motherless son of Shepherd Ammiel, is confused. Who is the Messiah? When will he come? And what does it all mean? However more immediate more worries crowd his mind. Will his father remarry? What about Aunt Etta and her lazy brother-in-law, Bukki? Suddenly Dan's narrow world expands as he meets his father's first love, the gentle Anna of Cana, her scornful Greek brother, Loukanos, and irrepressible young cousin, Johanan, and the enigmatic Blind Mordecai. When startling news comes of a bold prophet preaching in the wilderness of Judea, the family are determined to discover whether this is indeed their Messiah. They set out on a journey - a journey which will change everything. Each of them will hear more, learn more and lose more than they could ever have expected. All of them will find more than they ever could have imagined. Based on the novel by S.J. Knight, this uplifting musical stage play is a pleasure to read for its own sake. Written for a flexible number of participants of all ages, it is particularly suitable for production by youth, church, and amateur groups. The book is thoughtfully arranged with script on right-hand pages, accompanied by sketches, comments and personal note space on the left. Directors will find the optional cuts helpful. Music scores are included.

Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.

An Unusual Book Full of Inspiring Stories. Each chapter in the book is a story of its own. The stories of the author going through various circumstances seem baffling at first but always brings him out on top in the end. There is always sadness to overcome, but ultimately, he feels happy and feels like dancing. The very circumstances that seem to entrap him and make him a victim but eventually develop him into the victor. Each chapter threads a similar theme. This book is written to begin at any chapter, start in the middle or the beginning or just jump into the end. You may even choose to read a favorite chapter over and over. These stories will boost you up and get you into a happy mood. This is an untraditional book, in that, each chapter is a story within itself with its own ending. If you are facing tough times, disappointments, or discouragements, this is the book for you. Learn how to change your mindset and watch your heart change too. Even the impossible things can become possible. You'll be amazed; watch it happen. Keep this book on your bookshelf for years to come, or pass it on to another person in need of a new mindset, and you'll also have them dancing. Even though the book goes through the author's life from an early start to more recent years, you will discover at every stage of life that there could be challenges, how things could change, dreams and visions can change every circumstance, and you can come ahead no matter what. Whatever age you are, it doesn't matter. Change your mindset, change your heart-set too; live out your dream. These stories will boost you up, just like your favorite song that you keep playing over again and over again. This book may uplift you for years to come. Enjoy the read! "It is the amazing story of one young man's journey to find fulfillment in life, work and studies. Jey has beautifully woven his and others' stories to make them very easy to read and understand. There are powerful answers to depression, loneliness, and fear. Jey has an amazing skill of being able to draw us deeper and deeper into his story, and pretty soon, you feel you are sitting right next to him as he shares his story. He is gifted in remembering the details of many years ago, and he is able to craft it into a story that excites, challenges, and engages us, and we begin to feel that we are part of the story itself. I totally identify with his story and highly recommend it to anyone on life's path." -Dr. Geeta Swamidass, Executive Director, Living Well Medical Clinics "Jey Samuel will show you how to overcome adversity, cope with new situations, and feel awesome when you could be overwhelmed. It is full of interesting stories, which make it an easy read. A book you must read!!" -Don Apgar, Director, International Students Inc., Orange County (Praise for Jey Samuel's previous book, Feel Awesome) Jey Samuel grew up in India and eventually settled in California. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Madras, India and his Masters of Architecture from Pratt Institute, New York. Mr. Samuel holds California Licenses as an Architect, as a Contractor and in Real Estate. He published his first book, Feel Awesome about ten years ago and this is his second one. He is married, has two daughters and one son.

The Old Testament bears witness to an in-your-face, holy God--a God who gets down and dirty with creation and history; a God who gets in people's face with love and law, with power and purpose. Yet Israel's in-your-face God is also "holy"--too other, too raw, too intense to be handled without oven mitts. Rolf Jacobson wrestles with this in-your-face God. The Old Testament starts at the beginning, where God digs in the dirt to create humanity and then gets in the dustlings' faces when they sin. God smiles on Abraham and Sarah, electing their descendants as the chosen people, but has to get in Pharaoh's face when he tries to enslave the people. Mostly, God gets in Israel's face: with laws about what it looks like to be God's people and through the prophets, who have to get in the faces of those who turn away from the Holy One. Jacobson also explores the psalms, poetry in which God often hides his face. He closes by exploring how the Old Testament points us ahead to Jesus, when God took on a human face and offered us the most intimate picture of God we'll ever get.

J. Philip Wogaman challenges preachers not to retreat from the world and to reconsider what they leave out of their sermons. In this helpful guide, he discusses the biblical and theological grounding of prophetic preaching, the pastoral and liturgical setting, Christian moral decision making, and appropriate issues for discussion from the pulpit. He also includes his most compelling sermons, identifying the setting and goals of each.

Students of Scripture love to compare how translators have understood the ancient Hebrew and Greek texts to see if they can discover deeper meanings, or simply ask more pertinent questions. Four of the most popular versions have been placed in parallel columns--KJV, NKJV, NIV, and NLT--so all can take copious notes. Preachers, Bible study leaders and participants, students of the Scriptures, and general readers who are curious about how different translations render their favorite verses will delight in this volume. The same set of verses for all four translations is located on facing pages two translations to a page making text comparison a snap. King James Version The dignified, poetic language of this word-for-word translation has made it the favorite of countless readers for over four centuries. New King James Version A completely updated translation that's faithful to the accuracy and beauty of the KJV, while using contemporary and readable language. New International Version (2011 Update Text) Scholarly accuracy and easy readability combine to help readers understand and apply the intended meaning of the biblical text. New Living Translation (Second Edition) Includes marginal notes that explain word choices, plus a more consistent rendition of ancient terms into their modern English equivalents.