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Stepping Aside, Moving Ahead: Spiritual and Practical Wisdom for Clergy Retirement
by Steve HarperFor clergy, retirement is an opportunity—and a matter of the soul.The topic of retirement is critical for an increasing number of clergy, but it is often ignored—something many clergy would rather not think about. After decades of leadership, retirement can seem more like an obstacle—or even like oblivion—than an opportunity. Stepping Aside, Moving Ahead offers guidance for any clergyperson within a decade of retirement. Author Steve Harper writes in the form of letters to a fictitious "every-pastor." Through these compassionate and instructive letters, the author dialogues with clergy who are just beginning to think about what retirement might bring and with those who stand on the brink of it. He guides the reader through the entire process of planning for retirement: from the initial questions about timing, to financial and other practical concerns, to issues of call and legacy, and more. Steve Harper’s wise counsel and pastoral voice is just what clergy need."Retirement is a spiritual question for pastors. Having answered the call of God to lifetime ministry, how does a pastor assume the role of a retiree? Steve Harper answers the question with spiritual insights and practical suggestions that affirm retirement as a chapter in God’s call leading us to new depths of understanding in renewal and new heights of joy in redeployment." —David McKenna, President Emeritus, Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY"Stepping Aside, Moving Ahead offers theological, personal, and practical advice for anyone who is considering or who is already in retirement. Harper includes a comprehensive spectrum of the issues around clergy retirement. His message is clear: there is abundant life after retirement. This book should be given to every clergy at preretirement seminars in order to prepare servant leaders for this fruitful chapter in their lives." —Peggy A. Johnson, Bishop, Philadelphia Area, UMC"This book is an excellent tool for boomers and clergy ... who see greatsignificance in living our legacy of love and faith as we mentorothers!" --Clayton L. Smith, Executive Pastor, United Methodist Churchof the Resurrection
Stepping Heavenward: One Woman's Journey to Godliness (Inspirational Library Series)
by Elizabeth PrentissThis charming journal of a nineteenth century girl takes us from her sixteenth birthday ("How dreadfully old I am getting!") to her last entries when she was ill and in her forties, aware that she had very little time left. It is a story of the shaping of a soul-of her learning day by day, in the seemingly insignificant little events of an ordinary life, that deep happiness is found, not in seeking fulfillment for oneself, but in a glad and free self-offering for the sake of others. We follow her maturing to womanhood, we learn of her narrow escape from commitment to the wrong man, and of her engagement and marriage to the right one. But there was not as much "honey" on the honeymoon as her dreams had predicted. She had had no practice in giving up her own preferences in a day-to-day relationship with a man. She says to herself, at one point in her journal, "I would like to know if there is any reason on earth why a woman should learn self-forgetfulness which does not also apply to a man?" When little Ernest is born she finds he has a passionate temper and a good deal of self-will, along with fine qualities. "I wish he had a better mother. I am so impatient with him when he is wayward and perverse! ... Next to being a perfect wife I want to be a perfect mother. How mortifying, how dreadful in all things to come short of one's standards!" Having in-laws living with the family is another opportunity to "step heavenward," receiving grace to help as grace is continually needed. This book is a treasure of godly and womanly wisdom, told with disarming candor and humility, yet revealing a deep heart's desire to know God. We need such intimate accounts, need them desperately when the word commitment is so little understood and so seldom practiced.
Stepping Into Ourselves: An Anthology of Writings on Priestesses
by Anne Key Dr. Candace KantFeatured in this rich anthology of over 500 pages are works by over 50 authors, including Layne Redmond, Normandi Ellis, Patricia Monaghan, Johanna Stuckey, Jalaja Bonheim, Ruth Barrrett, Shekinah Mountainwater, Kathy Jones, Vivianne Crowley, Asia Shepsut, Jill Hammer, Linda Johnsen, Leilani Birely, Pamela Eakins, Vajra Ma, Mary Moonbow, and a host of others. This volume is a colorful tapestry of voices illuminating the roles and perspectives of priestesses in the ancient and modern worlds and weaving them together to create the beautiful fabric of women&’s sacred service. The personal essays, academic articles, poetry, rituals, and tools in this book will speak to your heart, inspiring you to step into your own spiritual authority.
Stepping Out
by Realbuzz StudiosIt's deep dish trouble for Serenity. Detention, date-stealing, and an out-of-control driving mishap. It all adds up to some unexpected twists and turns in Serenity's life--leading her to a job delivering pizzas and a desperate plea for deliverance that only God can answer.
Stepping Out of Denial into God's Grace Participant's Guide 1
by John BakerAlcoholism - Divorce - Sexual Abuse - Codependency - Domestic Violence - Drug Addition - Sexual Addiction These words are about more than "issues." They're about people who sit as close to us as the next pew -- or our own. People struggling with problems that sermons or Bible studies alone won't solve. But there is a way the church can help the hurting move beyond their wounds to experience the healing and liberty of Christ. Celebrate Recovery fills a long-standing need in the church in its role as Christ's healing agent. Developed by John Baker and Rick Warren of the renowned Saddleback Church, this program's life-changing effectiveness has gained it an explosive, grass-roots popularity. Drawn from the Beatitudes, Celebrate Recovery helps people resolve painful problems in the context of the church as a whole. Rather than setting up an isolated recovery community, it helps participants and their churches come together and discover new levels of care, acceptance, trust, and grace. Whether your congregation is large or small, this 25-session fellowship-based curriculum truly will be a celebration of Christ in the life of your church and its members. Everything you need is here: • One 20-minute DVD introductory guide for leaders • One leader's guide • Four 4-volume participant’s guides • CD-ROM with 25 lessons - Road to Recovery series • CD-ROM with sermon transcripts and reproducible promotional materials • 4-volume audio CD sermon series • All in a proven, groundbreaking program, painstakingly and prayerfully developed to help people discover new dignity, strength, joy, and growth in the image of Christ.
Stepping Out of Denial into God's Grace Participant's Guide 1: A Recovery Program Based on Eight Principles from the Beatitudes
by John BakerThe Celebrate Recovery Participant’s Guides are essential tools for the personal recovery journey. In the six lessons in Guide 1: Stepping Out of Denial Into God's Grace, you will experience the first 3 of the 8 recovery principles: 1 Realize I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor" (Matthew 5:3). 2 Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to him, and that he has the power to help me recover. "Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4). 3 Conciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control. "Happy are the meek" (Matthew 5:5). By working through the lessons and exercises found in each of the four Participant’s Guides you will begin to experience the true peace and serenity you have been seeking, restore and develop stronger relationships with others and with God, and find freedom from life's hurts, hang-ups, and habits. All the scriptures have been updated to the new NIV 2011 version.
Stepping Out of Denial into God's Grace Participant's Guide 1: A Recovery Program Based on Eight Principles from the Beatitudes (Celebrate Recovery)
by John BakerThe Celebrate Recovery Participant's Guides are essential tools for the personal recovery journey. In the six lessons in Guide 1: Stepping Out of Denial Into God's Grace, you will experience the first 3 of the 8 recovery principles:1 Realize I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor" (Matthew 5:3).2 Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to him, and that he has the power to help me recover. "Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4).3 Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ's care and control. "Happy are the meek" (Matthew 5:5).By working through the lessons and exercises found in each of the four Participant's Guides you will begin to experience the true peace and serenity you have been seeking, restore and develop stronger relationships with others and with God, and find freedom from life's hurts, hang-ups, and habits. All the scriptures have been updated to the new NIV 2011 version.
Stepping Out of Self-Deception: The Buddha's Liberating Teaching of No-Self
by Joseph Goldstein Rodney SmithAnatta is the Buddhist teaching on the nonexistence of a permanent, independent self. It's a notoriously puzzling and elusive concept, usually leading to such questions as, "If I don't have a self, who's reading this sentence?" It's not that there's no self there, says Rodney Smith. It's just that the self that is reading this sentence is a configuration of elements that at one time did not exist and which at some point in the future will disperse. Even in its present existence, it's more a temporary arrangement of components rather than something solid. Anatta is a truth the Buddha considered to be absolutely essential to his teaching. Smith shows that understanding this truth can change the way you relate to the world, and that the perspective of selflessness is critically important for anyone involved in spiritual practice. Seeing it can be the key to getting past the idea that spirituality has something to do with self-improvement, and to accessing the joy of deep insight into reality.
Stepping Stones To Recovery For Men: Experience The Miracle Of 12 Step Recovery
by AnonymousThis male perspective on the Twelve Step program offers insight into the unique needs of men through articles, reflections, and affirmations.This male perspective on the Twelve Step program offers insight into the unique needs of men through articles, reflections, and affirmations. It presents workable examples and ideas for positive personal and spiritual growth.
Stepping Stones of Faith: Exciting Lessons to Help Preschool Children Build Faith
by Anita EdlundThis Collection of preschool lessons examines twelve stepping stones of faith for preschoolers and develops them into complete lessons, including a Bible story for each stepping stone, activities, snacks, and music.
Stepping Up!: Discover the Power of Your Position
by Joel Osteen Johnny McGowanUnlock God's power to elevate your position and reach your full potential with Stepping Up! by Lakewood Church pastor Johnny McGowan.No matter your current position, God will unlock the power for you to reach your incredible potential. The key is to approach all you do with a servant's heart versus your own ambition. This guide to serving with passion, integrity, and intuition for success explores how to appreciate today while anticipating the possibilities that await tomorrow.With biblical wisdom and personal insights, Johnny McGowan reveals his own exciting trajectory and the doors that were opened each time he stepped up to serve God. For the past thirty years, he has devoted his gifts to serving Lakewood, one of America's largest churches. Along the way, he has marveled at the leadership opportunities God presented as he stayed committed to serving something larger than himself. By seeking only to fulfill God's will for his life, Johnny has been blessed with increasing responsibility and innumerable ways to make a difference through Stepping Up! Regardless of where you are, God can take you where you want to go-and beyond! Chasing the "number one" role or promotion by your own hands will never be fulfilling. God has even bigger things in store for you, and your future starts now. Learn to listen to God's call and let Him direct your actions. As you do, you'll rise by discovering the true power of your position.
Stepping Up: A Call to Courageous Manhood
by Dennis RaineyAs men, all of us face decisions in life that demand courage. Big or little, complex or straightforward, these choices--let's call them battles--matter a great deal. One courageous choice leads to another; tomorrow's integrity depends on today's bravery.
Stepping Up: Finding Healing for Your Life and Hope for the Future
by Donalyn PowellMost cries of pain from teenagers are silent, and too often we only discover the true depth of their pain after suicide or other self-destructive behavior. In Stepping Up, teens speak openly about their struggles with suicide, depression, sex, drug addiction, pregnancy, abuse, bullying, and self-destructive behavior through their personal letters to author Donalyn Powell, a long-time youth and suicide-prevention advocate. To each letter, Powell offers personal and practical hope: even in the darkest situations, the pain will not last, and we are never alone. God has a purpose for each of us that we alone can fulfill, and it is God’s life in us that provides our reason for living, healing for our lives, and hope for the future.
Stepping into Freedom: An Introduction to Buddhist Monastic Training
by Thich Nhat HanhHere are practice poems, novice precepts, and "Mindful Manners" on how to be a Buddhist monk and nun in the Plum Village tradition. With inspiration for every step in the monastic timetable from "Waking Up" and "Taking the First Steps of the Day" to "Lighting a Candle" in the evening, this book was originally compiled for novices who are still learning how to practice mindfulness in daily life. Thus it is perfect for beginners in mindfulness who wish to make progress in their practice at home, for young people considering a life in a spiritual community, and especially for followers of Thich Nhat Hanh who wish to deepen their understanding of the monastic way of life today.
Stepping into the Ring
by Nicole JohnsonStepping in the Ring is the 2002 Women of Faith drama sketch by Nicole Johnson, possibly her most powerful piece of writing to date. "Women have always had a unique fellowship of suffering," Nicole says. Where is the woman old or young who will not shed a tear and silently scream in her heart as she walks in these pages through the diagnosis of breast cancer and the devastation that ensues? While she focuses on the specific soul-chilling crisis, Nicole offers her readers broader insights for dealing with major losses of all kinds. She extends genuine hope and much-needed rays of light to those who are mired in hopelessness and despair. A "must" read for breast cancer patients and their loved ones. This second book in the Faith/Hope/Love Trilogy by Nicole follows the format of Dropping Your Rockwith the poignant and artistic black and white photos.
Stepping on Cheerios: Finding God in the Chaos and Clutter of Life
by Betsy Singleton SnyderBeing a mother isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s hard to experience a personalconnection with God and community when you are caught up in the chaos ofjust "doing family". Independent and self-sufficient, authorBetsy Singleton Snyder lived a full and busy life as a pastor,missionary, and wife to a husband who served in the U.S. House of Representatives. She had her first childat age 44, then at 47, she found out she was carrying triplets.Suddenly finding herself overwhelmed is an understatement.Stepping on Cheeriosis a collection of funny, warm, and charming tales from the frontlinesof parenthood, written for women who are juggling to accomplish everydayfeats of work, motherhood, marriage, church, and more. It’s a comicalstory of one woman’s realization that her crazy life is a gift and howshe found the grace in it.
Steps
by AriiahSTEPS by Ariiah is a poetic diary documenting how one Soul entered, by agreement, a body living on Earth. One took her leave and one took her welcome. When the host body lost its etheric particles and acquired new ones, a journey of Transformation began when the higher Soul was installed into the body. The author used poetry to cope with the tremendous Spiritual/physical/emotional and psychological challenges of the Process, while retaining the former host's memories. Poems became paper friends; hands to hold onto in the silence, giving comfort to the solitary passage. Everyone and everything grows Spiritually by taking Steps of Enlightenment. These poems were like handrails accompanying some of the steps. One of the steps was becoming a Group Soul. These steps were recorded without the thought of writing a book, but this little book, a Soul's personal journey into a new life in a different body and on Earth, became what it was meant to become. A poetic peek into an ascension at the Soul level. A completion of a promise written long ago, in Love. Enlightenment is not something that happens with one step. It is a process. A good metaphor is a staircase. Steps of Enlightenment open up everything and everyone. No two paths could ever be the same. But they do lead in the same direction. Everyone and everything goes back into the same Eternal Prime energy; a Love that cannot be described. I did an impossible thing. I changed staircases and became a totally different person. Wistancia took her leave and Ariiah took her welcome. My Soul was brought into this host body and placed on different Steps. It could never be easy to change Souls in the same body. This is the story of my journey. But it is more than that. We are all on a journey and we are all taking big steps now and they are going in the same direction. Today I am more gently slipping into my new garment of life. But even that is just another step.
Steps Along the Path
by Ajahn Tate Thanissaro BhikkhuA short handbook on the practice of meditation with tips and recommendations for new and experienced meditators, with a discussion of how best to respond when visions and signs arise.
Steps into the Blessed Life
by Frederick Brotherton MeyerTHERE is a Christian life, which, in comparison with that experienced by the majority of Christians, is as summer to winter, or, as the mature fruitfulness of a golden autumn to the struggling promise of a cold and late spring. It is such a life as Caleb might have lived in Hebron, the city of Fellowship; or the Apostle John was living, when he wrote his epistles. It may be fitly termed the Blessed Life.And the Blessedness of the Blessed Life lies in this: that we trust the Lord to do in us and for us what we could not do; and we find that He does not belie His word, but that, according to our faith, so it is done to us. The weary spirit, which has vainly sought to realize its ideal by its own strivings and efforts, now gives itself over to the strong and tender hands of the Lord Jesus; and He accepts the task; and at once begins to work in it to will and to do of His own good pleasure, delivering it from the tyranny of besetting sin, and fulfilling in it His own perfect ideal.This Blessed Life should be the normal life of every Christian; in work and rest; in the building-up of the inner life, and in the working-out of the life-plan. It is God’s thought not for a few, but for all His children. The youngest and weakest may lay claim to it, equally with the strongest and oldest. We should step into it at the moment of conversion; without wandering with blistered feet, for forty years in the desert; or lying, for thirty-eight years, with disappointed hopes, in the porch of the House of Mercy.But since many have long ago passed the moment of conversion, without entering the Blessed Life, it may be well to show clearly, what the first step must be, to take us within its golden circle. Better take it late than never.
Steps on the Path to Enlightenment
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama Beth Newman Geshe Lhundub Sopa David PattSteps on the Path to Englightenment: The Foundation Practices marks the first volume of a much-anticipated, comprehensive commentary on the Lamrim Chenmo by the renowned Buddhist scholar, Geshe Sopa. This landmark commentary on what is perhaps the most elegant Tibetan presentation of the Buddhist path offers a detailed overview of Buddhist philosophy, especially invaluable to those wanting to enact the wisdom of the Buddha in their lives. In the Lamrim Chenmo, Tsongkhapa explains the path in terms of the three levels of practitioners: those of small capacity who seek happiness in future lives, those of medium capacity who seek liberation from the cycle of suffering, and those of great capacity who seek full enlightenment in order to benefit all beings. This volume covers the topics common to the first level: Tsongkhapa's explanations of the role of the teacher, his exhortation to take the essence of human existence, the contemplation of death and future lives, and going for the refuge. Given his vast knowledge and his experience in both Tibetan and Western contexts, Geshe Sopa is the ideal commentator of this work for the modern student of Tibetan Buddhism.
Steps on the Path to Enlightenment
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama Geshe Lhundub Sopa David PattThis second volume of the five-volume commentary by the renowned Buddhist scholar Geshe Lhundub Sopa focuses on the key Buddhist concepts of karma, or cause and effect, and dependent origination. Considered one of the finest living Buddhist scholars, Geshe Sopa provides commentaries essential for anyone interested in a sound understanding of Tibetan Buddhist practice and philosophy. Never has a book gone into such clear detail on karma and dependent origination--concepts which, despite many references in contemporary culture, are too often misunderstood. Here, Geshe Sopa starts from the beginning with a faithful reading of the Lamrim Chenmo and, in the end, leaves readers with the proper tools for incorporating core Buddhist concepts into their study, teaching, and practice.
Steps on the Path to Enlightenment
by Geshe Lhundub Sopa James BlumenthalAn exploration of the practice of samatha, the style of meditation devoted to focus and attentionGeshe Sopa continues his elucidation of Lama Tsongkhapa's masterwork on the Buddhist path with an explanation of the core meditative practice of samatha, or calm abiding. Showing how it is absolutely essential for--and goes hand in hand with--the achievement of insight into reality, he gives practical tips for countering sleepiness, agitation, and their more subtle counterparts. Leading us step by step toward deeper levels of concentration, volume 4 of the Steps on the Path to Enlightenment series brings readers closer to the ultimate goal of samatha: unlimited and effortless focus.
Steps on the Path to Enlightenment: Insight
by Geshe Lhundub Sopa Dechen RochardThe final installment of the Steps on the Path to Enlightenment series examines the nature of reality with a master class in Buddhist Middle Way philosophy and meditation. The late Geshe Sopa was a refugee monk from Tibet sent to the United States by the Dalai Lama in 1963. He became a professor at the University of Wisconsin, training a generation of Western Buddhist scholars, and was a towering figure in the transmission of the Buddhism to the West. In this fifth and final volume of his commentary on Lama Tsongkhapa’s masterwork on the graduated steps of the Buddhist path, Geshe Sopa explains the practice of superior insight, or wisdom, the pinnacle of the bodhisattva's perfections. All the Buddhist practices are for the purpose of developing wisdom, for it is wisdom that liberates from the cycle of suffering. All other positive actions, from morality to deep states of meditation, have no power to liberate unless they are accompanied by insight into the nature of reality. With unparalled precision, Geshe Sopa unpacks this central principle with scholarly virtuosity, guiding the reader through the progressive stages of realization.
Steps on the Path to Enlightenment: The Foundation Practices
by His Holiness the Dalai Lama Beth Newman Geshe Lhundub Sopa David PattSteps on the Path to Englightenment: The Foundation Practices marks the first volume of a much-anticipated, comprehensive commentary on the Lamrim Chenmo by the renowned Buddhist scholar, Geshe Sopa. This landmark commentary on what is perhaps the most elegant Tibetan presentation of the Buddhist path offers a detailed overview of Buddhist philosophy, especially invaluable to those wanting to enact the wisdom of the Buddha in their lives. In the Lamrim Chenmo, Tsongkhapa explains the path in terms of the three levels of practitioners: those of small capacity who seek happiness in future lives, those of medium capacity who seek liberation from the cycle of suffering, and those of great capacity who seek full enlightenment in order to benefit all beings. This volume covers the topics common to the first level: Tsongkhapa's explanations of the role of the teacher, his exhortation to take the essence of human existence, the contemplation of death and future lives, and going for the refuge. Given his vast knowledge and his experience in both Tibetan and Western contexts, Geshe Sopa is the ideal commentator of this work for the modern student of Tibetan Buddhism.
Steps to Christ
by Ellen G. WhiteSteps to Christ has helped thousands become acquainted with Jesus. And it has helped many more, including those who have walked with Him for years, to know Him better. In just thirteen short chapters, you discover the steps to finding a forever friendship with Jesus. You read about His love for you, repentance, faith and acceptance, growing like Him, the privilege of prayer, what to do with doubt, and how to spend your days rejoicing in your best Friend, Jesus.