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Simply Christmas: A Busy Mom's Guide to Reclaiming the Peace of the Holidays: A Devotional
by Tama FortnerThirty-one encouraging devotions to help busy moms pause and ponder the true miracles of the Christmas season--the wonder of a Savior who would leave heaven to save us and the love of those who share our home.Between holiday baking, hunting for the perfect tree, decorating, preparing for visiting relatives, and making sure everyone gets the ideal gift, Christmas can be anything but peaceful for a busy mom. Too often, the stress and busyness of the season make it difficult to find time to just sit and reflect on the wonder of the Savior's birth. If this sounds familiar, allow Simply Christmas to be your personal invitation to slow down and savor the beauty of the manger this year. These thirty-one devotions are not dated, so you're welcome to begin reading anytime--whether that's on December 1, Christmas Eve, the day after Thanksgiving, or the middle of July--without even a smidgen of guilt or shame.Accompanied by seasonally inspired full-color photographs, this thirty-one-day devotional brings a bit of calm to each day through a short reflection and Scripture, together with points to ponder and fun ideas for simplifying your Christmas traditions.
Simply Divine
by ThomasTo forgive may be divine . . . The daughter of two Hollywood superstars, Divine Matthews-Hardison lives the privileged life most fifteen-year-olds only dream of: she's all about designer clothes, awards ceremonies, parties, and having a name that opens doors. Divine could be a model, an actress, anything she wants. But when you live in the spotlight, there's nowhere to hide when your family falls apart. Her father is in trouble with the law, her mother has her own demons, and no one has room for Divine -- no one except her uncle, a Georgia pastor with a modest country home and a big heart. . . . but can Divine ever forgive? Divine can't believe she's been sent to live with her mom's family in the sticks. Doing chores, getting an allowance, and church-going are hardly what she's used to, and she lets everyone -- from her patient Uncle Reed and Aunt Phoebe to her cousins, Alyssa and Chance -- know she's not trading in her Gucci bags for a feedbag any time soon. But as the love and faith of a good family take hold in her heart, miraculous changes start to occur. And when the chance comes to return to her high-flying life, Divine is faced with her toughest decision: Now that she's found the one thing she's never had, could she ever leave it behind?
Simply Good News: Why the Gospel Is News and What Makes It Good
by N. T. WrightDiscover the Real Story Jesus Came to AnnounceMany people think the message of the gospel is that if we believe in Jesus we will be saved from hell and be transported to heaven after we die. But what if that is not what the Bible actually teaches? What if the good news Jesus came to announce is much bigger, much better, and includes much more than merely what happens after we die? Revered bestselling scholar N. T. Wright reveals what the gospel really is and how it can transform our todays just as much as our tomorrows.
Simply Imperfect: Revisiting the Wabi-Sabi House
by Robyn Griggs LawrenceThis revised and updated edition of The Wabi-Sabi House recounts the history of this aesthetic philosophy and reveals ways to introduce it into your home. The ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi is about appreciating simplicity and letting go of the superficial—the perfect antidote to modern consumerism and perfectionism. In 2004, author Robyn Griggs Lawrence helped popularize wabi-sabi in North America with her book The Wabi-Sabi House. In Simply Imperfect, Lawrence shows that wabi-sabi is far more than a style of home décor. It&’s a state of mind—a way of living modestly in the moment, stripping away the unnecessary, and finding satisfaction in everyday things. Tracing the rich history of wabi-sabi from its Zen Buddhist roots to the present day, this beautifully-illustrated book also offers tips on: Clearing clutter and blocking noiseIntegrating salvaged and recycled materialsMaking and growing things yourself (or supporting local artisans who do)Taking time and space for self-reflection
Simply Jesus and You: Experience His Presence & His Purpose
by Joseph M. StowellZero In on Him What would it mean to fix your attention fully on the Person of Christ? To approach Him apart from systems, formulas, religion, and well-meaning Christian culture? How would you be changed? Former Moody Bible College President Joseph Stowell shows through dramatic stories and surprising insights how you can experience significant life-change as you encounter Christ as never before. And as your relationship with Him flourishes, so will your love for the people around you--the manifestation of His heart in yours. A book intended for both spiritual seekers and believers who are ready for a fresh, personal encounter with the Savior. Combines the Joseph Stowell favorites The Final Question of Jesus and Simply Jesus You Need Jesus... ...and a good reputation. And a solid job. And a few friends. And some extra income... "Ands" are distractions. Soon you've got it all--with Jesus buried in the middle. Meanwhile, His heart longs for a deeper relationship with you. Just you. Would you dare strip away the etceteras to focus in on Him once again? Be prepared. If you answer yes, it won't be about just the two of you under a beautiful sunset. Soon it'll be about your spouse. Your boss. The grocery store clerk. Jesus' love will overflow in you, affecting everyone in your life. So dive in. Draw near to Him and enjoy the etceteras He will bring you. Story Behind the BookJoseph Stowell's Simply Jesus and The Final Question of Jesus are life-changers. They take a fresh look at themes familiar to the mature believer, and also captivate those who have not yet come to know Christ as their Savior. Simply Jesus and You carefully intertwines these two books whose messages go hand in hand. For readers who have not yet discovered the stand-alone books, or for Stowell fans eager to cherish their favorites in a new package, this book is sure to become a treasured classic.From the Hardcover edition.
Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters
by N. T. WrightWe have grown used to the battles over Jesus-whether he was human or divine, whether he could do miracles or just inspire them, whether he even existed. Much of the church defends tradition, while critics take shots at the institution and its beliefs. But what if these debates have masked the real story of Jesus? What if even Jesus's defenders have been so blinded by their focus on defending the church's traditions that they have failed to grapple with what the New Testament really teaches? Bible scholar, Anglican bishop, and bestselling author N. T. Wright summarizes a lifetime of study of Jesus and the New Testament in order to present for a general audience who Jesus was and is. In Simply Jesus, we are invited to hear one of our leading scholars introduce the story of the carpenter's son from Nazareth as if we were hearing it for the first time. "Jesus-the Jesus we might discover if we really looked," explains Wright, "is larger, more disturbing, more urgent than we had ever imagined. We have successfully managed to hide behind other questions and to avoid the huge, world-shaking challenge of Jesus's central claim and achievement. It is we, the churches, who have been the real reductionists. We have reduced the kingdom of God to private piety; the victory of the cross to comfort for the conscience; Easter itself to a happy, escapist ending after a sad, dark tale. Piety, conscience, and ultimate happiness are important, but not nearly as important as Jesus himself." As the church faces the many challenges of the twenty-first century, Wright has presented a vision of Jesus that more than meets them.
Simply Jesus: Experience His Presence And His Purpose (LifeChange Books)
by Joseph M. StowellSimply Jesus. What would it mean to fix our attention fully on the Person of Christ? To approach Him apart from systems, formulas, religion, and well-meaning Christian culture? To see Jesus Himself? And how would that change us? Moody Bible College President Joseph Stowell ponders these probing questions -- showing through dramatic stories and surprising insights how believers can experience significant life-change as they encounter Christ -- our model of understanding, love, and courage, today. Simply Jesus identifies experiences that can awaken the realization of our basic need to focus on Him ... like temptation, trouble, and surrender. A book intended for both spiritual seekers and Christians who are ready for a fresh, personal encounter with the Savior their heart searches for. Clear, stylish typeset, with user-friendly links to referenced Scripture.
Simply Lutheran: A Practical Guide To Lutheran Teachings
by Arthur A EggertWhat do Lutherans believe? If you're a Lutheran, do you want to dive deeper into your faith? If you're not a Lutheran, would you like to learn more about them and what they believe? In this book, Dr. Arthur Eggert uses down-to-earth language and relatable examples to help you gain a practical understanding of the Bible's teachings. Simply Lutheran is an ideal starting point for people who want to explore the critical topics of Lutheranism and what sets it apart from other types of Christianity. Not only does it provide you with an overview of the Bible, it also presents a thorough summary of Christian teaching.
Simply Open: A Guide to Experiencing God in the Everyday
by Greg PaulThe simplest, most transformative prayer you may ever pray--the five senses prayer.This book invites you to a simple practice of prayer and awareness that can turn each ordinary workday into a deepening spiritual journey.No matter where you are or how busy you get, your five senses are always "on," your mind and heart responsive to what you perceive. These channels of awareness can take you deeper into God's great mystery if you practice the discipline of submitting them to the One who is closer than you imagine.The beauty of such a contemplative path is that you can follow it anywhere--alone or in company, in quiet meditation or amid the bustle of your craziest day. Moment by moment, you invite God to open you up--eyes, ears, nostrils, hands and mouth, heart and mind. And moment by moment, as you open yourself, you'll find yourself closer to God's grace-filled and wide-open heart. Simply Open.
Simply Sacred: Daily Readings
by Gary L. ThomasGary Thomas is a popular writer of Christian spirituality with a well-developed platform. Building on his bestselling books Sacred Pathways and Sacred Marriage; his newest book, Pure Pleasure; and his Gold Medallion-winning Authentic Faith, Thomas takes readers to new levels of inspiration and insight in Simply Sacred—a devotional made up of selections from his best writings about spirituality and spiritual formation. According to Thomas, “Those who have advanced in the Christian life have learned to develop an almost mystical memory that keeps them attuned to the fact that God is always with them … always watching, always caring, always hearing.” Abounding with spiritual insights and practical truth, this book provides readers with the freedom to approach life in Christ with new wonder and joy each and every day.
Simply Spirit-Filled: Experiencing God in the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit
by Samuel Rodriguez Dr Andrew K. GabrielInternationally recognized author and theologian Andrew Gabriel opens readers’ eyes to who the Holy Spirit is, how He can be fully experienced, and what it means to be charismatic.Many Christians, not just those who identify with the charismatic tradition, want to experience the Holy Spirit more but are afraid of falling into excess. Some attend churches that rarely speak of the Holy Spirit and are left curious about how the Spirit moves. As a result, too many Christians hesitate to intentionally open themselves to the Spirit’s presence.Written by Andrew Gabriel, an internationally acclaimed theologian of the Spirit, Simply Spirit-Filled reveals a breathtaking vision of what it means to live the Spirit-filled life. Gabriel matches the more charismatic experiences of God with a thoughtful and thorough theology lesson delivered from an honest and often humorous firsthand perspective. Through a tour of contemporary testimonies and biblical accounts of experiencing the Holy Spirit, this book reveals how to discern the legitimate signs of the Spirit’s presence. Simply Spirit-Filled encourages readers by showing them ways the Spirit is already quietly at work in and around them.Simply Spirit-Filled has a wonderful way of blending theology and application as it investigates praying in tongues, how to hear God speak, and the spiritual gifts. It offers answers to questions about being slain in the Spirit, the relationship of faith and the healing power of the Spirit, and what it means to be spiritual. Simply Spirit-Filled is a biblically rooted, pastorally sensitive, and well-informed introduction to some of the basics of the charismatic tradition. Gabriel brings clarity to the confusion as he nudges Spirit-experience junkies toward discernment and steers skeptics toward experiencing the Spirit as more than just idly dwelling within them.
Simply by Grace: An Introduction to God's Life-Changing Gift
by Charles C. BingSimply by Grace is an easy-to-read introduction to a core Christian belief. By looking at the major questions and issues that surround the concept of grace, Charles C. Bing helps readers understand and appreciate this God-given gift and how simple it really is.
Simply the Savior
by Nancy Parker BrummettThis gift book helps women look at Jesus' life and priorities and model their lives on His. Each chapter identifies an action the reader can take to simplify her life while strengthening her Christian walk.
Simulating Jesus: Reality Effects in the Gospels
by George AicheleCan the different pictures of Jesus in the New Testament be reconciled? Or are they simply simulations, the products of a virtual Gospel? 'Simulating Jesus' argues that the gospels do not represent four versions of one Jesus story but rather four distinct narrative simulacra, each of which is named "Jesus". The book explores the theory and evidence justifying this claim and discusses its practical and theological consequences. The simulations of Jesus in each of the gospels are analysed and placed alongside Jesus simulacra elsewhere in the Bible and contemporary popular culture. 'Simulating Jesus' offers a radical understanding of Scripture that will be of interest to students and scholars of biblical studies.
Simulations of God
by John C. LillyDrawing on a varied roster of sources - Tibetan philosophies, Taoist principles, and paranormal mediums, to name just a few - along with his own scientific background, Dr. John C. Lilly sought to explore the many facets of human spirituality. Lilly developed a kind of meditative laboratory he called the Isolation Tank, where he spent hours in "non-ordinary" reality going to "far-off places. " After gaining access to this spiritual plane, Lilly applied his scientific reasoning to these transcendental experiences, to great effect: Starmaker , focused most on questions of God and the divine, combines empirical method and existential thought in a way that no other book has. Offering answers about the divine and provoking further questions, Starmaker negotiates the two worlds of reason and spirituality with startling aplomb in this compelling title.
Sin
by Gary A. AndersonWhat is sin? Is it simply wrongdoing? Why do its effects linger over time? In this sensitive, imaginative, and original work, Gary Anderson shows how changing conceptions of sin and forgiveness lay at the very heart of the biblical tradition. Spanning nearly two thousand years, the book brilliantly demonstrates how sin, once conceived of as a physical burden, becomes, over time, eclipsed by economic metaphors. Transformed from a weight that an individual carried, sin becomes a debt that must be repaid in order to be redeemed in God's eyes. Anderson shows how this ancient Jewish revolution in thought shaped the way the Christian church understood the death and resurrection of Jesus and eventually led to the development of various penitential disciplines, deeds of charity, and even papal indulgences. In so doing it reveals how these changing notions of sin provided a spur for the Protestant Reformation. Broad in scope while still exceptionally attentive to detail, this ambitious and profound book unveils one of the most seismic shifts that occurred in religious belief and practice, deepening our understanding of one of the most fundamental aspects of human experience.
Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace
by Cathleen FalsaniGrace is everywhere, all around us, all of the time. We only need the ears to hear it and the eyes to see it. It is much easier and perhaps more helpful to describe what grace feels like through stories and images that illustrate the varied ways grace is experienced when encountered in the wild, than it is to attempt to define it definitively, to trap it, and cage it. Maybe that’s why Jesus was so fond of parables: nothing describes the indescribable like a memorable yarn. Sin Boldly: A Field Guide for Grace is a collection of stories about the author's experiences with grace—in ridiculous moments and in those that seem trivial but are anything but; in wacky adventures and quiet walks; with family and with strangers; in bars, nightclubs, the occasional house of worship, and in her own home; and through conversations with people—some famous and some not—who have introduced her to grace in new ways that in turn have shaped her faith and the way she tries to live it.
Sin Bravely: A Memoir of Spiritual Disobedience
by Maggie RoweAs a young girl, Maggie Rowe took the idea of salvation very seriously. Growing up in a moderately religious household, her fear of eternal damnation turned into a childhood terror that drove her to become an outrageously dedicated Born-again Christian --regularly slinging Bible verses in cutthroat scripture memorization competitions and assaulting strangers at shopping malls with the "good news” that they were going to hell. Finally, at nineteen, crippled by her fear, she checked herself in to an Evangelical psychiatric facility. And that is where her journey really began. Surrounded by a ragtag cast of characters, including a former biker meth-head struggling with anger management issues, a set of identical twins tormented by erotic fantasies, a World War II veteran and artist of denial who insists that he’s only "locked up for a tune-up,” and a warm and upbeat chronic depressive who becomes the author’s closest ally, Maggie launches a campaign to, in the words of Martin Luther, "Sin bravely in order to know the forgiveness of God. ” Told in a voice both funny and heartfelt,Sin Bravely is a tour de force, voice-driven debut that examines how one woman finally
Sin No More (The Reverend Curtis Black Novels #5)
by Kimberla Lawson Roby“Flawed Reverend Curtis Black returns” with more scandal in this novel by a New York Times–bestselling author who has “small-town church politics down” (Publishers Weekly).A man who once thrived on wickedness and counted on forgiveness, Curtis Black has changed his ways. Back in the heart of his congregation and his family, he will no longer stray from the beaten path. Or so he’s promised his long-suffering wife, Charlotte.But the sins of the past have strange ways of coming to light. First, Curtis’s former mistress shows up with their newborn baby daughter—named Curtina—and insists that Curtis be a part of their lives. Charlotte has forbidden her husband to have anything to do with them, but the trouble is, Curtis’s newfound conscience is leading him to have uncomfortable thoughts of responsibility.Also, the interim pastor who took over while Curtis was on a book tour is threatening blackmail. He’s gotten too used to life at the pulpit and will do everything in his power to stay there.Meanwhile, Charlotte has her own previous transgressions to deal with. The man who claims to be her son’s biological father has turned up and wants to make amends for the past thirteen years. If Charlotte gives in to his increasing requests, she may lose the only child she has left.However, Curtis and Charlotte have been through too much together to give up now. They must work harder than ever—as a mother and a father, as husband and wife—to save their family, their marriage, and their souls.
Sin Temor: Imagina tu vida sin preocupación
by Max LucadoCada amanecer parece traer nuevasrazones para sentir temor.Se habla de despidos en el trabajo,disminución del ritmo de la economía, brotes de violencia en el Medio Oriente,bajas en el mercado de lavivienda, subidas en el calentamiento global. La plaga de la actualidad, elterrorismo, comienza con la palabra terror.Los noticieros difunden suficiente información causante de nerviosismo quejustifican boletines de última hora. De tamaño inmenso y grosero, el temor nosmete como manada en una cárcel de puertas cerradas. ¿No sería fabuloso salirlibre?Imagine tu vida, sin que la toque para nadala angustia. ¿Qué tal si la fe, no el temor, fuera tu reacción instintiva a lasamenazas? Si pudieras sostener un imán detector de temores sobre tucorazón y extraer cada indicio de miedo, inseguridad o duda, ¿qué quedaría?Visualiza un día, sólo un día, en el que pudieras confiar más y temermenos.¿Puedes imaginarte una vida sin temor?
Sin and Atonement: A Zondervan Digital Short
by Wayne A. GrudemDerived from Wayne Grudem’s perennial bestseller, Systematic Theology, this digital short presents in detail the Bible’s teaching on sin and atonement. In the wake of debates about the nature and meaning of Christ’s death on the Cross, Grudem’s clear thinking and communication will help readers to better understand what the Bible says and why it matters for their faith. Both instructional and edifying, Sin and Atonement is an accessible resource on a bedrock element of Christian theology.
Sin and Filth in Medieval Culture: The Devil in the Latrine
by Martha BaylessThis important new contribution to the history of the body analyzes the role of filth as the material counterpart of sin in medieval thought. Using a wide range of texts, including theology, historical documents, and literature from Augustine to Chaucer, the book shows how filth was regarded as fundamental to an understanding of human history. This theological significance explains the prominence of filth and dung in all genres of medieval writing: there is more dung in theology than there is in Chaucer. The author also demonstrates the ways in which the religious understanding of filth and sin influenced the secular world, from town planning to the execution of traitors. As part of this investigation the book looks at the symbolic order of the body and the ways in which the different aspects of the body were assigned moral meanings. The book also lays out the realities of medieval sanitation, providing the first comprehensive view of real-life attempts to cope with filth. This book will be essential reading for those interested in medieval religious thought, literature, amd social history. Filled with a wealth of entertaining examples, it will also appeal to those who simply want to glimpse the medieval world as it really was.
Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling: An Integrative Paradigm
by Mark R. McminnSin. Grace. Christian Counseling. How do these fit together? In Christian theology sin and grace are intrinsically interconnected. Teacher and counselor Mark McMinn believes that Christian counseling, then, must also take account of both human sin and God's grace. For both sin and grace are distorted whenever one is emphasized without the other. McMinn, noting his own tendencies and the temptation to stereotype different Christian approaches to counseling along this theological divide, aims to help all those preparing for or currently serving in the helping professions. Expounding the proper relationship of sin and grace, McMinn shows how the full truth of the Christian gospel works itself out in the functional, structural and relational domains of an integrative model of psychotherapy.
Sin and Grace in Christian Counseling: An Integrative Paradigm (Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books)
by Mark R. McMinnSin. Grace. Christian Counseling. How do these fit together? In Christian theology sin and grace are intrinsically interconnected. Teacher and counselor Mark McMinn believes that Christian counseling, then, must also take account of both human sin and God's grace. For both sin and grace are distorted whenever one is emphasized without the other. McMinn, noting his own tendencies and the temptation to stereotype different Christian approaches to counseling along this theological divide, aims to help all those preparing for or currently serving in the helping professions. Expounding the proper relationship of sin and grace, McMinn shows how the full truth of the Christian gospel works itself out in the functional, structural and relational domains of an integrative model of psychotherapy.
Sin and Mental Ailments: Pastoral Psychiatry and Psychology for Healing Professionals, Pastors and Inquiring Christians
by Paul UngarIn Romans 7:15, St. Paul expressed frustration with something all of us can relate to, saying, &“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.&” Despite our best efforts to live our lives as we ought to, we repeatedly fall into the trap of &“not understanding what we do,&” and constantly perpetrating the same missteps we have previously vowed never to take again. What is the reason of our deeply ingrained fallibility? Christians do what they hate either because they consciously, deliberately and sinfully transgress Jesus&’ commands, or because they are experiencing unintended and often unconscious symptoms of mental ailments. The interconnectedness of sinful and psychologically disordered behaviors is undeniable. Malignant selfishness, which we recognize as sin, is often linked to narcissistic character features. Repeated belligerent acting out may be rooted in a paranoid mindset. Emotional cruelty may be not freely chosen but tied to antisocial personality traits; sinning against the sixth commandment can be driven by the illness of pedophilia. The reverse is also true: most mentally disordered behaviors involve some form of intentional and sinful violation of Jesus&’ command. Though the boundary between sin and sickness may appear fuzzy at times, a thorough understanding of their interplay is of utmost importance when faced with matters of freedom of choice, conscience, responsibility and, most of all, pastoral care.This comprehensive handbook on pastoral care successfully integrates the biblical and medical/scientific perspectives on human anthropology, mental illness and sin. It expounds on the signs of all major mental ailments and provides recommendations for their pastoral and medical treatment. Problems from psychoses to mood disorders, suicide to sexual disturbances, anxiety to addictive behaviors, and ailments in between are explained. Readers will find new insights on the ways in which various personality disorders interfere with spiritual functioning. Developmental stages in life are also discussed, together with the spiritual challenges they pose, and the pastoral answers they call for. This work does not shy away from controversial topics, such as post-abortion syndrome, euthanasia, gender ideology, or the psychological aspects of atheism. Soundly faith-based, yet well-grounded in contemporary psychiatric knowledge, this handbook captures a lifetime of learning and healing by practicing psychologist who holds an MD, PhD, and a graduate theology degree. It is an indispensable practical reference for all pastoral workers.