I can see it on your face."For a moment, time seemed suspended as Nathan probed the inward recesses of his soul. There was still the incredulousness, still the sense of hearing something that couldn't possibly be true. And yet he knew it was. He knew without the least shadow of doubt that everything Joseph was telling him was true. And so, finally, with a wonder of his own, he said, "Yes, Joseph, I believe you."Pillar of Light — the first volume in the series The Work and the Glory — begins the epic story of the Benjamin Steed family. In the 1820s they move from Vermont to Palmyra Township in upstate New York in search of better farmland. There they meet a young man named Joseph Smith and are thrown into the maelstrom of conflict and controversy that swirls around him. Did he really see the Father and the Son in a pillar of light? Has he truly been visited by angelic messengers? What is all this talk about gold plates and new scripture? In short, is he a prophet and seer or a monumental fraud? The answers each one gives to these questions — intensely personal, potentially divisive — will dramatically affect the lives of the Steeds forever after.Author Gerald N. Lund here masterfully weaves together historical reality and high-powered fiction. In his hands this combination seems to make the reader an eyewitness to the early scenes of the Restoration, thus deepening one's understanding and appreciation of those momentous events. The well-drawn plot and fictional characters present a moving, gripping story. Here are Benjamin and Mary Ann Steed, devoted to each other as man and wife, yet at odds over religion; Joshua, their volatile son, who rebels and heads for trouble; the sensitive Nathan, their second son, in whom Joseph Smith's message strikes a responsive chord; the beautiful Lydia McBride, who captures the hearts of both Joshua and Nathan.This book skillfully explores the inmost motivations of Joseph Smith and his early followers and the responses of typical contemporary families to the claims he made. These people come to life in this powerful historical novel, a story that captures both the heartache and the happiness that came in the wake of Joseph's experience with the pillar of light.

    Grace.. It's a word we all love to hear. But do we all know what it means? Without it, our lives are dry and dusty. But when grace comes, it transforms our lives into something rich and beautiful. With remarkable insight gleaned from his own life, Pastor Chuck Smith unfolds the mystery of grace and reveals the surprising truth: We can never grow in grace by our own efforts. True grace flows from the heart of the Father through the love of Jesus Christ. To know that God is for you, that He loves you, is the greatest source of security you will ever know. That is grace-and that is what makes life worth living.

    Taken from events throughout his life, these accounts are organized into sections: Service to others, Faith Precedes Blessings, Prayer Availeth Much, Missionary Moments, Testimony Teaches Truth, Example of the Believers, and On the LIghter Side. One experience tells of an elderly man in oppressed Hungary. He had collected his tithing for forty years until he met a patriarch who could deposit it for him. Also, the man had tried unsuccessfully for many years to get permission to leave Hungary to attend the temple. Following a special blessing, his passport was finally approved and this faithful man received the temple ordinances. This example and many others depict the happiness that comes from obedience to the teachings and commandments of Jesus Christ. Readers can find renewed strength in their testimonies through these faith-promoting experiences.

    Fundamental to the book's thesis is a rejection of the frequent identification of 'revival' with 'revivalism'. The author demonstrates that a common understanding of the New Testament idea of revival was prevalent in most denominations throughout the period 1750-1858. Revivalism, on the other hand, is different both in its origin and in its tendencies. Its ethos is mancentred and its methods too close to the manipulative to require a supernatural explanation. Iain Murray argues that an inability to recognize this distinction has led many to ignore the new and different teaching on evangelism and revival which began to be popularized in the 1820s. While the case against that teaching was argued almost universally by the leaders of the Second Great Awakening their testimony was submerged beneath propaganda which promised a 'new era' if only the churches would abandon the older ways.

    They have God and his Word as their starting place; and their horizon stretches beyond time to eternity.

    

    By looking anew at the way God's transcendence and immanence have been taken captive by modern appetites, Wells argues convincingly for a reform of the evangelical world.

    Hunter asked members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "How often do we think of the Savior? How deeply and gratefully and how adoringly do we reflect on his life? How central to our lives do we know him to be?"    Living a more Christlike life has long been a theme of President Hunter's messages to the Saints. That We Might Have Joy presents thirty-two of these messages, each expressing his testimony that "Christ's way is not only the right way, but ultimately the only way to hope and joy."    The book is arranged in four parts"Making Christ Our Exemplar," "A Plea for Unity," "Facing Trials and Tribulations," and "Becoming Disciples of Christ." Each chapter within these sections draws from the scriptures an important message illustrating how using the Savior's life and teachings as our guide can lead to greater peace of mind and joy.    President Hunter summarizes well this theme in his talk entitled "Facing Trials and Tribulations": "Our task is to have the gospel in our lives and to be a bright light, a city set on a hill, that reflects the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy and happiness that will always come to every people in every age who keep the commandments."

    

    This book's theme deals with how the Atonement helps us build our relationships with the Lord and with others, especially family members. As we accept the Atonement, the Lord blesses us with a belonging heart. When we commit our lives to God, we show that commitment by how we give our lives, a day at a time, for the benefit of those we love_by how fully we let ourselves belong to them. The authors explain, 'In this kind of life, a full life of gracious connections with God and with other people, we may find where we really belong_for what we really were made.' This thought-provoking book helps us learn to gain the fulness of mortality by 'always abounding in good works, . . . [that] Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal [us] his.' (Mosiah 5:15.)

    Scores of pastors from numerous denominations have found these reflections a pungent reminder of who they are as ministers of Christ.

    In The Life God Blesses, author and pastor Gordon MacDonald asks the question, are we prepared to weather the storms of life? In this book, MacDonald steers us toward the disciplines, convictions, silence, beauty, and spirit that feed and prepare the soul to recognize and recieve God's blessing.MacDonald reaches into the Bible and into the experiences of godly men and women of history to discover what can be done to lead a blessed life, then leads you through the steps that are necessary to develop a mature soul.

    Several of the writings appear for the first time in English. The first three volumes are a complete collection of the historical writings of the Fathers, whose permanent value as the primary sources is universally acknowledged. Other volumes contain the works of eminent figures in early Christian history, such as Athanasius, Jerome, and Ambrose. The series concludes with the canons and decrees of the seven ecumenical councils, as well as canons of local synod with ecumenical acceptance. The Second Series is edited by Philip Schaff, eminent church historian and professor at Union Theological Seminary, NY, and Henry Wace, Principal of Kings College, London.Volume Titles:Volume 1: Eusebius: Church History, Life of Constantine the Great, Oration in Praise of ConstantineVolume 2: Socrates, Sozomenus: Church HistoriesVolume 3: Theodoret, Jerome, Gennadius, Rufinus: Historical WritingsVolume 4: Anthanasius: Selects Works and LettersVolume 5: Gregory of Nyssa: Dogmatic Treatises, etc.Volume 6: Jerome: Letters and Select WorksVolume 7: Cyril of Jerusalem, Gregory NazianzenVolume 8: Basil: Letters and Select WorksVolume 9: Hilary of Poitiers, John of DamascusVolume 10: Ambrose: Select Works and LettersVolume 11: Sulpitius Severus, Vincent of Lerins, John CassianVolume 12: Leo the Great, Gregory the GreatVolume 13: Gregory the Great, Ephraim Syrus, AphrahatVolume 14: The Seven Ecumenical Councils

    Twenty General Authorities and general officers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints explain how to create and nurture homes that are truly a refuge from the evils of the world.

    

    Yoder’s approach to ecumenical dialogue correlates with his conception of the faithfulness of the church. His vision of the church poses challenges for Christians of all communions because he calls both for disciplined dialogue and for faithful servanthood that renders the confession of Jesus Christ’s lordship meaningful.This collection of 17 essays on themes ecclesiological and ecumenical is intended to demonstrate the substantial unity of Yoder’s work over the past four decades. Many of these essays are often cited by researchers but have been till now unobtainable. Three of these texts have never been published before. Editor Michael Cartwright has contributed a substantial introduction on the “Yoderian” project, and a select bibliography prepared by Mark Nation catalogs Yoder’s writings—published and unpublished—on ecclesiology and ecumenism.

    You may be a waking encyclopedia about computers, but know basically nothing about what's under the hood of your car. Someone else may be an expert on airplanes who know zilch about brain surgery. What a great help it is when someone begins explaining somethin we know nothing about with, "A computer (a carburetor...a jet...the human brain) is like..." Relating the unkown to the know is the genius of a parable. When Jesus had to get across abstract concepts like faith and love and the kingdom of heaven, that's exactly what He did. "The kingdom of heaven is like..."He would say, and another parapble was on its way. People couldn't get enough of them. Because they bring heaven a little closer to earth, people still love parables today, as Pastor Morris Venden has discovered wherever he's preached. Those who have heard the modern parables he shares in his sermons are constantly asking him for copies, which he has now gathered into this book. The parables inside? Well, they're like...then again, why not just read them yourself?

    

    

    Guided by scholars, pastors, and laity representing diverse traditions, academic experience, and involvement in the Church, this entirely new collection of writings is specifically prepared to meet the needs of preachers, teachers, and all students of the Bible. Easy-to-use Format: * Full texts and critical notes: NIV and NRSV * Detailed, critical Commentary providing an exegetical "close-reading" of the biblical text * Reflections that present a detailed exposition of issues raised in the discussion and dealt with in the Commentary Key Features The entire Bible (including the Apocrypha Deuterocanonical books) in twelve volumes * Introductions to each book that cover essential historical, sociocultural, literary, and theological issues An ecumenical roster of contributors Comprehensive, concise articles Numerous visual aids (illustrations, maps, charts, timelines) enhance use. Download The NIB Vol. 1 Errata Sheet"

    This is a strategic book for those of us who want to be used as helpers and healers on behalf of Christ.. Joseph Stowell, Moody Bible Institue

    The most authoritative and easy-to-use Bible pronunciation guide available--for use with any version of the Bible in English.

    A challenge to today's church to recover its will to discern spiritual truth and rediscover a true, heartfelt faith.

    You'll spend more time reading and discovering things about the Bible that you never knew before. Special features include "Consider This" articles to apply the Bible to you life; "You Are There" studies of geography and culture; "A Closer Look" of companion passages and articles; "For Your Info" offers intriguing background information; and "Personality Profiles" of key Bible characters.

    

    "Prayer is a very precious medicine, one that helps and never fails." -Martin Luther

    Especially is this the case with those who approach it in a captious spirit, determined to find fault, to attack and ridicule rather than to fairly investigate. They cannot analyze it, cannot even grasp it, and are incapable of forming any just or proper conclusion in relation to it.To those who understand the subject, even in part, it presents the most beautiful and most attractive phases. It is truly "a marvelous work and a wonder." Nothing in the whole wide realm of thought, in the universal domain of reason, science, poetry and philosophy, compares with it in sublimity and loveliness.

    Toddlers will enthusiastically participate in each of the 23 Bible stories using hand motions and other activities.

    Through these innovative, interactive and entertaining books, children see themselves accomplishing great feats and having magical adventures. Simply insert the child's photo into the book, and the child is in the middle of the action on each page.Through the creative role-play in each Picture Me "TM" Book, children can learn important lessons about life, social interaction and self-esteem -- all contributing factors to a higher IQ. In Jesus Loves Me, children discover that they are loved by Jesus no matter what.

    The goal of this study is to gain an overall perspective of the Bible and to understand its flow and how each part relates to the other.

    Keyed to the Revised Common Lectionary, it includes a variety of services, including Holy Baptism and Communion, Marriage, and occasional services, as well as daily devotions.

    Moeller sensitively outlines some of the most common causes of conflict within the church, identifies ways to bring healing to congregations and those pastors wounded by conflict, and sets forth a vision for reclaiming and restoring pastors who have left the pastorate after becoming disheartened by attacks on them and their ministries.

    The talks include a wide range of topics addressed by prophets, presidents, apostles, general Church officers, and professors. Provided in a deluxe, hardbound edition, this book will provide enjoyment and spiritual refreshment for many years to come.Classic Speeches, Volume 1, is published in addition to the regular BYU Devotional and Fireside Speeches, an annual collection of firesides and devotionals given at Brigham Young University--available wherever LDS books are sold.

    An insightful study of how the Great Fathers of the Church continue to be relevant for Christians living in the modern world.

    Arguing that two distinctive strains of Puritan piety emerged in England prior to the migration to America, she describes a split between rationalism and mysticism, between theologies based on God's command and on God's love.

    Imaginatively blended with the lectionary readings for each week of the year, the contents have been selected for multi-generational and multicultural appeal. Available in either hardcover or paperback, Imaging the Word includes -- along with the stunning artwork -- stories, music, drama, portions of scripts, liturgies, and Bible commentary. Inspirational and stimulating, Imaging offers a unique resource for church groups and for individuals in private study and devotion -- as well as a treasure for home use and for those planning worship.

    

    His goal is to close the distance between the present reader and the first readers without abandoning historical study-literature has degrees of fictionality. To accomplish this, Juel has broadened the insights of rhetorical analysis to include the whole interpretive enterprise.

    Charles Spurgeon speaks of the importance of obeying God out of a humble attitude, the love on which commitment must be built, the necessity of prayer to know God's will, and the covenant promises of God.

    Some offer a set of practical guidelines; others suggest a system or pattern to follow. Some stress various ministry functions; others feature case studies as models of success or failure. Some are helpful. Others are not. But in The Art of Pastoring, David Hansen turns pastoral self-help programs on their heads. He tackles the perennial questions from within his own experience. From the Inside Out Hansen's fresh, bold narrative grows from nearly a decade of ministry. He draws you into his life and into the lives of Florence-Victor Parish in the mountains of Montana, including unforgettable encounters with unforgettable people--a stubborn pioneer woman who still chops her own firewood though she's blind and 90 years old, a championship rodeo cowboy who was baptized in his boots, and many more. Hansen's goal is to help you discover "that pastoral ministry is a life, not a technology . . . [that] life as a pastor is far more than the sum of the tasks I carry out. It is a call from God that involves my whole life." From Calling to Living Parable Every pastor has encountered those who struggle to hear God's voice in a hospital room, who reach for Jesus in the sacraments. No systematic answers can meet their deep, eternal needs. What can touch them, Hansen contends, is a life itself, a life lived as a parable of Jesus. "As a parable of Jesus Christ," Hansen writes, "I deliver something to the parishioner that I am not, and in the process I deliver the parishioner into the hands of God." It is this knack for getting to the heart of things that makes The Art of Pastoring valuable for pastors in any setting--rural, suburban or urban. Parachurch workers, missionaries, church leaders and ministry volunteers will also find inspiration here. Even if you haven't yet been involved in full-time ministry, Hansen's book will be eye-opening. You'll see your own pastor differently as a result. And you'll discover how you too can be a living parable of Jesus Christ in the lives of your family, coworkers, friends and neighbors.

    Kent Brown, Donald Q. Cannon, and Richard H.Jackson

    "It is my duty to teach the doctrine," he said, and he preached, wrote, and explained in informal and formal settings what the Lord had revealed to him. Much of his teaching focused on passages from the Bible. In a typical doctrinal sermon or letter he would deal with as many as a dozen passages, citing some merely to demonstrate a point, but discussing others in enlightening detail. This unique book compiles excerpts from newspapers, journals, diaries, and transcripts of sermons, offering the illumination of the Prophet's perspective to increase our understanding of the Bible.

    While recording the visions, miracles, and healings that he has seen and witnessed, the author candidly relates how the Spirit of God molded his life through heartaches, testings, and breathtaking supernatural experiences.