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Becoming Worldly Saints: Can You Serve Jesus and Still Enjoy Your Life?
by Michael E. WittmerIf following Jesus involves a life of sacrifice and suffering, is it wrong for a Christian to seek purpose and joy in this world? Many Christians sense a tension between their desire to enjoy life in this world—the beauty of God’s creation, the rich love of deep relationships with others—and the reality that this world is fallen and broken, in need of redemption. How can we embrace and thrive in the tension between enjoying creation and promoting redemption? By living out our God-given purpose. As “worldly saints,” created in the image of God, we are natural creatures with a supernatural purpose—to know and love God. Because we live in a world that is stained by the curse of sin, we must learn to embrace our nature as creatures created in the image of God while recognizing our desperate need for the grace that God offers to us in the gospel. Writing in a devotional style that is theologically rich, biblically accurate, and aimed at ordinary readers, Mike Wittmer helps readers understand who they are, why they are here, and the importance of the story they tell themselves. In Becoming Worldly Saints, he gives an integrated vision that shows how we can be heavenly minded in a way that leads to earthly good, empowering believers to seize the abundant life God has for them.
Becoming Yourself: Teachings on the Zen Way of Life
by Shunryu SuzukiFrom the beloved author of Zen Mind, Beginner&’s Mind comes a new book of teachings on the essence of Zen practice"I felt a burden being lifted from my shoulders just by reading this remarkable book." —Oliver Burkeman&“Our way of sitting is for you to become yourself.&”In this long-awaited book from one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the last century, Shunryu Suzuki Roshi shares simple, warmhearted teachings on a practice that is fundamentally about becoming yourself. In his inimitable style, filled with humor and insight, Becoming Yourself speaks directly to the newest beginners while also serving as a touchstone and a continual source of inspiration for even the most experienced practitioners and Zen teachers.Becoming Yourself unearths new jewels from the late Suzuki&’s lectures and brings to light many of his unpublished teachings.Becoming yourself is not meant to be understood as an idea; it is meant to be tried out as a way of being. It is &“Just to sit,&” a practice of wholeheartedly being as you are, moment after moment, no matter what is happening. It is a practice of deeply connecting with how it feels to be alive in your surroundings, whether on a meditation cushion or not, and stepping forward from that connection. It is opening to your life, wherever you are, and finding right there a deep well of innate wisdom, compassion and care.
Becoming a Ballerina: A Nutcracker Story
by Lise FriedmanThe perfect holiday gift for every young ballet lover.Go backstage at the ballet with real-life thirteen-year-old dancer Fiona. Dozens of gorgeous, full-color photographs welcome readers into Fiona's world, as she goes from auditions, to rehearsals, to opening night playing Clara, the lead child's role in Boston Ballet's The Nutcracker. Experience the nerves, the hard work, and ultimately the thrill of performing on the big stage with a professional company. This is a beautiful holiday gift that young dancers will cherish all year round.
Becoming a Christian (IVP Booklets)
by John StottWritten by John R. W. Stott, a Christian leader known worldwide for addressing the hearts and minds of contemporary men and women, this updated booklet describes the fundamental human problem, outlines the Christian answer to it and shows readers how to respond to God's truth.
Becoming a Contagious Church: Increasing Your Church's Evangelistic Temperature
by Bill Hybels Mark MittelbergDiscover a Proven Approach to Raising Your Church’s Evangelistic Temperature Evangelism. It’s one of the highest values in the church. So why do so few churches put real effort into it? Maybe it’s because we don’t understand the evangelistic potential of the church well enough to get excited about it. Becoming a Contagious Church will change that. Revised and updated, this streamlined edition dispels outdated preconceptions and reveals evangelism as it really can be. What’s more, it walks you through a 6-Stage Process and includes a brand-new 6-Stage Process assessment tool for taking your church beyond mere talk to infections energy, action, and lasting commitment. “This book is not optional! It’s required reading for all who are serious about reaching their communities for Christ. Ignoring this book would be pastoral malpractice!” Lee Strobel, author of The Case for the Real Jesus “You can’t read this book without having your heart stirred to share the gospel. It’s contagious!” Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life “Entire leadership teams and outreach committees should read and discuss this powerful book—and then put its principles into action.” John Maxwell, author of Developing Leaders Around You “I can’t emphasize how important books like this one are for the future of the church. It demythologizes the fear and awkwardness of evangelism into something biblical, tangible, and practical for every person.” Dan Kimball, author of They Like Jesus but Not the Church “Becoming a Contagious Church is hands-down the most comprehensive work on church evangelism I’ve ever read. Its principles can turn inward-looking church attenders into outward-looking church evangelists.” Craig Groeschel, senior pastor, LifeChurch.tv
Becoming a Couple of Destiny: Living, Loving, and Creating a Life that Matters
by Joseph W. Walker III Stephaine Hale WalkerIt takes two. Even if men aren't from Mars and women aren't from Venus, they still have different takes on what make a relationship work. In this he says--she says book, Bishop Joseph Walker and his wife Dr. Stephaine Walker tell you how to know when you're in love and ready to take that next step of commitment. This dynamic and successful couple will also dialogue about the place of intimacy, carving out time for each other, and the importance of creating a spiritual life together in order to make significant and lasting decisions. They will also talk about the values necessary to keep couples together in this temptation-laden culture.
Becoming a Disciple: A Lifelong Venture
by Adolf HansenBecoming a disciple of Jesus Christ. It's not easy, and it is never over. Jesus himself set forth the conditions: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Eight United Methodist clergy--all ordained since 2008--explore a definition disciple and help us along in our efforts to pursue the adventure of a lifetime. Each writer looks at one aspect of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. He or she is a person who . . . Experiences the forgiveness and acceptance of God. Follows the life and teachings of Jesus. Demonstrates the fruit of the Spirit. Shares in the life and witness of a community of disciples, including Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Serves in some form of ministry every day. Participates in God's suffering and transformation of the world. Anticipates a future life in the presence of God. Yearns to lead others to become disciples.
Becoming a Forgiving Person: A Pastoral Perspective
by Richard L Dayringer Henry CloseDon&’t let hurt feelings cause undue harm-learn to make use of the healing power of forgiveness! Charting different paths through feelings of betrayal, oppression, and humiliation, this compassionate book will help you understand forgiveness, find it within yourself, and pass this important knowledge to others. The poignant stories in Becoming a Forgiving Person show how anyone can manage feelings of victimization and quench the lust for vengeance. You&’ll gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of being hurt, the inner struggles needed to truly forgive, and methods and skills for practicing forgiveness. Combining religious and psychological insight, Becoming a Forgiving Person examines how forgiveness can enhance feelings of self-esteem, freedom, and intimacy. The personal stories in these pages illuminate the futility of revenge and show why apologies don&’t always help. You&’ll be inspired by these lessons on how to forgive yourself and other people by tapping into levels of spirituality that are deeper than the grievances you need to forgive. With its fascinating new perspectives on betrayal, revenge, apology, and reconciliation, Becoming a Forgiving Person will show you: how to forgive without waiting for apologies ways to find personal power and increase self-esteem strategies for cultivating networks of supportive people to help you-or anyone-through difficult times tactics for getting on with your life and finding inner peace how and where to find opportunities to practice forgiveness This book also contains an appendix that lists various types of offenses and another that explores how to respond to one of the most hurtful situations imaginable-the accusation of incest-in a way that bypasses denial and power struggles and works toward reconciliation. Becoming a Forgiving Person is a book that can help anyone who needs to learn to forgive-or who endeavors to help others accomplish that daunting task.
Becoming a Friend and Lover
by Dick PurnellThe author of the popular book Building a Relationship That Lasts now directs the single person toward establishing a successful, lifelong relationship as a married person.
Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation of Leaders (Exponential Next)
by Warren Bird Daniel Yang Adelle M. BanksAre Church Leaders Missing the Generational Handoff? There's Still Hope.Are we building institutions that will meaningfully serve the next generation of believers and their leaders?How does a church thrive in a culture where we have to earn credibility?How do we create a sense of belonging to the body of Christ and a strong sense of identity for the next generation?Becoming a Future-Ready Church is a blueprint to guide you through eight critical shifts to help lead your church into the future with wisdom and hope. It describes several major converging trends that will greatly impact the church in America over the next few decades: the Great Resignation of Boomer leaders from churches, the shrinking percentage of Christians in America, and the change in felt needs among rising generations shaped heavily by anxiety, skepticism, and fragmentation.Missiologist and pastor Daniel Yang, religion journalist Adelle Banks, and church researcher Warren Bird have come together in Becoming a Future-Ready Church to help church leaders evaluate whether their ministries are entrenched in strategies that worked well in the past but need to be adapted for the future. By helping us ask better questions about the issues and needs facing the church, they reveal practical ways in which the next generation of church leaders can gain a sturdier foothold as they navigate into the future.
Becoming a Garment of Isis: A Nine-Stage Initiatory Path of Egyptian Spirituality
by Naomi Ozaniec• Details the nine stages of the ancient Egyptian initiatory path, describing each stage&’s powers as well as the culminating ceremony called &“The Crown of Isis&” • Provides profound guided meditations for each of the nine stages and illustrates the manifestation of this path&’s principles through stories of awakening • Shares the author&’s personal journey as a Garment of Isis and her own powerful interactions with Isis, which culminated in her serving as Oracle of Isis at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1993 The Sacred Science of ancient Egypt was an initiatory spiritual system, a technology of consciousness designed to birth a mystical communion with the divinities, an embodied union of being between the eternal and the mortal. After initiation was completed, the re-identified being, now divinely possessed, was known as a &“Garment of Isis,&” signifying that the goddess Isis dwelt within them. As Naomi Ozaniec reveals, it is still possible to enter into these ancient Mysteries, to encounter the living mysticism of Khemetic Sacred Science and become a vessel for the divine. Offering a practical guide to the key principles within the Egyptian temple tradition, she explores the process of creating and developing a personal relationship with the neteru, the divinities and living forces of creation of ancient Egypt. She details the nine stages of this initiatory path, which are divided into three phases--Heartmind, Spiritmind, and Soulmind. This step-by-step, interactive process culminates in a ceremony called &“The Crown of Isis.&” For each of the nine stages, the author provides profound guided meditations and illustrates the manifestation of the initiate&’s powers through stories of awakening brought on by this spiritual path. She also shares her personal journey as a Garment of Isis and her own powerful interactions with Isis, which culminated in the author holding the office of Oracle of Isis at the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago in 1993. Offering an accessible yet substantive guide to initiation into the Egyptian mysteries, this book details how to gradually awaken and attune your mind to the symbolic, open access to higher realms of consciousness, and enter into a mystical marriage between personal and divine consciousness.
Becoming a Genuine Muslim: Kierkegaard and Muhammad Iqbal (Routledge Studies in Islamic Philosophy)
by Sevcan OzturkDespite the apparent lack of any cultural and religious connection between Kierkegaard and Iqbal, their philosophical and religious concerns and their methods of dealing with these concerns show certain parallels. This book provides a Kierkegaardian reading of Muhammad Iqbal’s idea of becoming a genuine Muslim. It reflects on the parallels between the philosophical approaches of Kierkegaard and Iqbal, and argues that, though there are certain parallels between their approaches, there is a significant difference between their philosophical stances. Kierkegaard was concerned with developing an existential dialectics; Iqbal, however, focused mostly on the identification of the problems of the modern Muslim world. As a result, Iqbal’s idea of becoming a genuine Muslim – the practical aspect of his thought and one of the most central issues of his philosophy – seems to be unclear and even contradictory at points. This book therefore uses the parallels between the two philosophers' endeavours and the notions developed by Kierkegaard to provide a strong hermeneutical tool for clarifying where the significance of Iqbal’s idea of becoming a Muslim lies. By bringing together two philosophers from different cultural, traditional and religious backgrounds, this book will appeal to students and scholars of Comparative Politics, Contemporary Islamic Philosophy and the Philosophy of Religion.
Becoming a Girl of Grace: A Bible Study for Tween Girls & Their Moms
by Catherine BirdMoms and daughters will be empowered to embrace the girls of grace God designed them to be instead of conforming to society’s mold of normal.As a mom of two daughters, Catherine understands how unique the mother/daughter bond truly is. A few years ago, she looked tirelessly for a Bible study to share with her tween daughter. Catherine found countless options for children and teens but very few for the tween age group—and none of these options were designed for moms and tween daughters to share together. Recognizing an unfulfilled need, Catherine wrote Becoming a Girl of Grace.Moms and daughters will take a closer look at some of the amazing ladies of the Bible and the character traits they model for modern tween girls. These women of yesterday have a lot to share with the girls of today! Dealing with mean girls and bullies, feeling left out, and learning to like oneself are not new social dilemmas. The Bible is full of examples of strong females who chose to follow God and pursue faith despite what was happening in their world and cultures.
Becoming a Healthier Pastor: Family Systems Theory and the Pastor's Own Family (Creative Pastoral Care and Counseling Ser.)
by Ronald W. RichardsonIn this sequel to Creating a Healthier Church, the author employs the same methodology to address the roots of personal issues that may hinder pastors' ability to function effectively as leaders within their congregations, and may in fact cause them deep difficulties. He especially addresses pastors' own families of origin, a major but often hidden component in how they function emotionally in their congregations. When anxiety arises, unresolved familial issues and old family patterns return, often unhelpfully. The author explores these patterns, how they operate in church situations, and how pastors can do their own family-of-origin assessment. His volume will become a standard tool for analysis of patterns in ministerial behavior and developing strong personal effectiveness.
Becoming a Healthy Church: Ten Traits of a Vital Ministry
by Stephen A. MacchiaBecoming a Healthy Church illustrates the ten most important characteristics of church health. Based on extensive surveys, this helpful volume is designed to encourage the creation of a healthy climate for your church and its ministry.
Becoming a Jew
by Maurice LammThe author of the highly popular and widely quoted Jewish Way in Death and Mourning and Jewish Way in Love and Marriage now offers a work designed expressly for non-Jews who are contemplating converting, for those who have already converted, and for Jews by birth who wish to gain insight into their heritage.
Becoming a Just Church: Cultivating Communities of God's Shalom
by Adam L. Gustine Dennis EdwardsStop outsourcing justice! Many local churches don't know what to do about justice. We tend to compartmentalize it as merely a strategy for outreach, and we often outsource it to parachurch justice ministries. While these organizations do good work, individual congregations are left disconnected from God's just purposes in the world. Adam Gustine calls the local church to be just and do justice. He provides a theological vision for our identity as a just people, where God's character and the pursuit of shalom infuses every aspect of our congregational DNA. As we grow in becoming just, the church becomes a prophetic alternative to the broken systems of the world and a parable of God's intentions for human flourishing and societal transformation. This renewed vision for the church leads us into cultivating a just life together—in community, discipleship, worship, and more—extending justice out into the world in concrete ways. Let's hold being and doing together, so we can become just, compassionate communities that restore shalom and bring hope to the world.
Becoming a King Study Guide: The Path to Restoring the Heart of Man
by Morgan SnyderEnter a radical reconstruction of what we've learned to believe about God and masculinity.The Becoming A King Study Guide is an invitation to enter a rare and remarkable fellowship of like-hearted men. It's a call to have honest conversations about what power and responsibility look like for men in our world today. It's a journey to rediscover your kingship in Christ and the narrow path that leads to this inner transformation.In this six-session video Bible study, journey with Morgan into a process that helps men discover and recover:Our true courageOur vulnerabilityGod's design and desire to empower us in his Kingdom.It is God's intention to entrust us to participate in the ongoing creativity of the universe. Yet, even a glance at our history and the world around us shows that the story of most men who are entrusted with power is a story of self-harm and harm of those under their care.What's gone wrong? When can you entrust a man with power as God intended?When we take a deeper look at the external problems around us, we begin to see that the problems lie rooted within our own souls.Despite that, there is hope.Curated and distilled over more than two decades, and mined from the lives of over seventy-five sages who have gone before us, Morgan shares what he discovered: an ancient and reliable path to restoring the heart of a man and becoming the kind of man who can wield power for good.This study includes video notes, group discussion questions, and between-session personal study for each session.Sessions include:Becoming PowerfulBecoming a SonBecoming the Man You Were Born to BeBecoming a GeneralistThe Way of BecomingBecoming a KingDesigned for use with the Becoming a King Video Study (9780310115267), sold separately. Streaming video also available.
Becoming a King: The Path to Restoring the Heart of a Man
by Morgan SnyderMorgan Snyder&’s Becoming a King unabashedly speaks directly to men, teaching them the life-changing truth about the power that God intends for them to responsibly step into for his kingdom, while also giving women an honest peek behind the curtain into the lives and hearts of the men they know and love.It is God&’s design, desire, and intention to empower humans and entrust them to participate in the ongoing creativity of the universe. Yet a look at our history and the world around us shows that the story of most men is being entrusted with power and having that power bring harm to themselves and those under their care.What&’s gone wrong? When can you entrust a man with power?In Becoming a King, Morgan Snyder shares that when we take a deeper pass at the external problems around us, we begin to see the problems within our souls. Yet Morgan suggests there is hope in an ancient path that leads men to become trustworthy kings.Journey with Morgan as he walks alongside men (and the women who love and encourage them) to rediscover this path of inner transformation. Becoming a King is an invitation into a radical reconstruction of much of what we&’ve come to believe about God, ourselves, and the meaning of life. It&’s an invitation to a rare and remarkable fellowship of like-hearted kings and an honest conversation about what power and responsibility look like for men in our world today.Traveling the path isn&’t cheap. It isn&’t easy. It isn&’t quick.<p style="text-shadow: transparent 0px 0px 0px, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.68) 0px 0px 0px !important; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-var
Becoming a Malaysian Trans Man: Gender, Society, Body and Faith (Gender, Sexualities and Culture in Asia)
by Joseph N. GohThis book explores the fluid, mutable and contingent ways in which transgender men in Malaysia construct their subjectivities. Against the dearth of academic resources on Malaysian trans men, this ground-breaking monograph is rooted in the lived experiences of Malaysian trans men whose vicissitudes have mostly been hidden, silenced and overlooked. Comprising diverse age groups, ethnicities, socio-economic status, educational backgrounds and religious persuasions, these trans men reveal how they navigate life in a country with secular and religious laws that criminalise their embodiments, and the strategies they deploy to achieve self-determination and self-actualisation despite being perceived as aberrant and sinful. This book demonstrates how negotiations with constitutive elements such as gender identity, social interaction, citizenship, legality, bodily struggle, medical transitioning and personal spiritual validation condition the becomings of Malaysian trans men.
Becoming a Man Alive: God's Answer for Your Deepest Need
by Patrick MorleyDiscover how it feels to know you're God's much-loved son. "I've spent most of my life struggling to believe, really believe, that God loves and cares about me personally. Not as one among many. But me. By God's grace, not only do I believe today that God loves me, but I actually feel like His much-loved son. Special. Fully alive. You can too. Let me show you how you can satisfy this primal need. No man should have to settle for being half alive." --Patrick Morley, Becoming a Man Alive
Becoming a Man of Unwavering Faith: With Commentary And A Foreword From Joel Osteen (Playaway Adult Nonfiction Ser.)
by Joel Osteen John OsteenDuring the course of his 60-year ministry, John Osteen combined an extraordinary love for people with a vision for ministry best described in his own words: "No limits." In this hardcover volume not only includes content from John's sermon transcripts, but also a foreword and commentary written by his son, Joel; the principles of this "no limits" faith come alive again for a new generation. For the moments of struggle and temptation that every man faces, and the times in life when he feels surrounded and under attack, John's message is profoundly simple-those moments are precisely the time for an unwavering faith. In this book, John schools today's believers in seven qualities of unwavering faith:1. It hears and sees what the world cannot see or hear.2. It prays earnestly even though it has already heard the answer.3. It is strong when there is no evidence of the answer.4. It always says, "Go Again!"5. It goes on when there's just a little evidence.6. It believes for the big when it sees the little.7. It begins with nothing but ends up doing mighty things for God.Osteen also provides principles for those times when faith doesn't seem to be working. BECOMING A MAN OF UNWAVERING FAITH is a guidebook to stronger faith, from a man who spent a lifetime testing its limits.
Becoming a Millionaire God's Way: Getting Money to You, Not from You
by Robert T. Kiyosaki C. Thomas AndersonThis newly revised and expanded edition decries the myth that Christians must be poor and gives readers the keys to financial prosperity. Dr. Anderson combines biblical principles with expert financial advice, equipping readers with the tools they need to attain the riches they deserve. An invaluable resource for current or would-be investors or entrepreneurs, this book not only inspires readers to become educated about finances but also spurs them on to action and compels them to move forward confidently to achieve their financial dreams. New content includes callouts and new chapters on how to invest safely in today's market and on understanding that Jesus wasn't poor.
Becoming a New Self: Practices of Belief in Early Modern Catholicism
by Moshe SluhovskyIn Becoming a New Self, Moshe Sluhovsky examines the diffusion of spiritual practices among lay Catholics in early modern Europe. By offering a close examination of early modern Catholic penitential and meditative techniques, Sluhovsky makes the case that these practices promoted the idea of achieving a new self through the knowing of oneself. Practices such as the examination of conscience, general confession, and spiritual exercises, which until the 1400s had been restricted to monastic elites, breached the walls of monasteries in the period that followed. Thanks in large part to Franciscans and Jesuits, lay urban elites—both men and women—gained access to spiritual practices whose goal was to enhance belief and create new selves. Using Michel Foucault’s writing on the hermeneutics of the self, and the French philosopher’s intuition that the early modern period was a moment of transition in the configurations of the self, Sluhovsky offers a broad panorama of spiritual and devotional techniques of self-formation and subjectivation.
Becoming a Pastor Theologian: New Possibilities for Church Leadership (Center for Pastor Theologians Series)
by Todd Wilson Gerald L. HiestandThe roles of pastor and theologian have gone their separate ways.