Still others are equally frustrated, following the exact same model for outreach but with lesser results. Indeed, just because a "missional breakthrough" occurs in one place doesn’t mean it will happen the same way elsewhere.One size does not fit all, but there are cultural codes that must be broken for all churches to grow and remain effective in their specific mission context. Breaking the Missional Code provides expert insight on church culture and church vision casting, plus case studies of successful missional churches impacting their communities."We have to recognize there are cultural barriers (in addition to spiritual ones) that blind people from understanding the gospel," the authors write. "Our task is to find the right way to break through those cultural barriers without removing the spiritual and theological ones."

    An urgent call to return to our biblical foundations: reliable Scriptures, literal six-day creation, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

    Too often our models of leadership are shaped more by culture than by Christ. John Stott rejects popular models of leadership and holds up instead the servant leadership exemplified by Paul in his ministry to the church in Corinth. Stott reassures us that God is at work even in the midst of human weakness.

    A systematic exploration of small, medium, and large churches, their distinct personalities, and their place in God's kingdom.

    They say thugs need love too and G plans to give Diamond his all; with hopes that she will do the same. Things are going good for the couple until a few visitors from the past come to shake things up a bit with drama, lies, and betrayal. Take a ride with Diamond and G in this Detroit love story that will have you anxiously turning the pages.

    

    

    Chapters: The Demonata, the Saga of Darren Shan, Old Creatures, Demons, Cirque Du Freak, Death, Vampire Blood, Vampire War, Vampire Rites, Vampire Destiny. Excerpt: The Old Creatures are benevolent, god-like entities in Darren Shan's The Demonata series. They appear in Bec, Death's Shadow (though only in flashbacks), Hell's Heroes and Dark Calling. They are also mentioned briefly on two occasions in Demon Thief, the second installment of the series. The Old Creatures are older than time itself, and possess enormous magical power. They are responsible for the development of sentience among the beings of this universe (including humans), but believe firmly in allowing all beings to choose their own path. Therefore, they interfere as little as possible once any species moves beyond a certain point. They were originally believed to be the creators of all life in the universe, but this theory has since been disproven. Indeed, the Old Creatures are unaware of how life developed in the human universe. The Old Creatures appear as floating spheres of light. Since light is 'almost ageless', they therefore have an extremely long life span, although they are, in fact, mortal beings. Though individual Old Creatures speak normally, they appear to merge into a single mind and talk with one voice when in groups. When they speak in this manner, Bec describes the voice as warm and comforting, containing all the accents she has ever heard. She also claims that their words are "both loud and soft. Lyrical and flat". Every word which they speak is capitalised, regardless of its position in the sentence, or whether it is a proper noun. Dark Calling reveals that both the Old Creatures and the Demonata are creatures of the original universe which preceded the two universes... More: http://booksllc.net/?id=16731862

    Why should the afterlife be any different? We are given a choice when we die to move on to the Source, stay on earth and slowly evolve into more of what we were (good people become angels and bad people become demons), or a chosen few can work to keep the Balance between them. The title character Zeus is such a warrior who works to maintain that balance. After his little brother’s sacrifice to save a friend and fellow angel, Zeus left his service to the Balance and has wandered the globe looking for a way to make Malign pay for all those she had harmed – including his lost brother. The other Balance warriors continue to do their jobs and at the same time try to track down Zeus to help him. Zeus, hiding from them, not wanting to tip the Balance with his own actions turns to the only source of help he can safely utilize, a former enemy and vicious demon to help him take on Malign. Is the enemy of his enemy now his friend, or is it still his enemy? The novel is written in two styles. Each chapter begins in a soliloquy from the title character Zeus, where he tells pieces of his backstory intertwined with philosophical musings on his family, friends, life and dealing with loss, with the following bulk of the chapter told in a third person narrative.

    If you have not yet bought Liane Moriarty’s novel, make sure to purchase it before buying this unofficial Sidekick.Opening with the myth of Pandora’s Box, this is a tale of lies and secrets—and the ways that people are rarely what they appear. Cecilia has the perfect life: successful career, devoted husband, loving children . . . but when she reads a letter her husband intended her to find only after his death, it changes her world forever.After The Husband's Secret amassed critical acclaim and took off in 2013, Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies debuted at the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list—making her the first Australian author to claim that honor. She has written six novels, as well as a series of three books for children.With this Sidekick, you’ll:• Learn what you might have missed on your first read of Moriarty’s novel• Discover some of the book’s secret gems and underlying themes• Explore possible alternate endings and imagine ideas for a sequel• Spend some more time with the characters you’ve come to know and love, delving deep into their psyches and hidden motives• Get a chance to discuss The Husband’s Secret with other savvy readersSidekicks are entertaining and insightful reading companions, filled with delightful commentary and thought-provoking questions. Readers have raved that they "really put you in touch with the many layers of the novel," "keep you entertained even longer," and are "perfect if you want a vivid understanding of the story." Designed to be read side by side with the novels they complement, they’ll give you even more reasons to love some of today’s best books.

    Hauerwas and Willimon call for a radical new understanding of the church. By renouncing the emphasis on personal psychological categories, they offer a vision of the church as a colony, a holy nation, a people, a family standing for sharply focused values in a devalued world.

    He lifts up the enduring character of each tradition and shows how a variety of practices, from individual study and retreat to disciplines of service and community, are all essential elements of growth and maturity. Foster examines the unique contributions of each of these traditions and offers as examples the inspiring stories of faithful people whose lives defined each of these "streams."

    The Missionary Call explores the biblical, historical, and practical aspects of discerning and fulfilling God's call to serve as a missionary.  Pointing the reader to Scripture, lessons from missionary heroes, and his own practical and academic experience, Dr. Sills guides the reader to discern the personal applications of the missionary call.

    "Lessons from San Quentin" tells the amazing true story of how one man's life was changed for the better due to the hardships encountered at the legendary maximum-security prison. Using stories and reflections from life on the inside, Bill teaches 12 core principles that will inspire readers to use tough times to develop the character God wants them to have. Chapter headings include: (1) Life in the Median Strip; (2) I am H64741; (3) Embrace Your Trials; (4) Cling to Hope; (5) Express Yourself through Your Work; (6) Choose Sustaining Faith; (7) Get Your Self-Image Right; (8) Get Rid of Self-Absorption; (9) Shape Your Attitude; (10) Give Respect; (11) Persevere Until You “Get It”; (12) Let Life Come to You; (13) Make Life Simple; (14) Find Freedom in Forgiveness; (15) Life after Prison; (16) He Was Always in Control.

    Will Davis has taught people how to pray big for even the little things in life. Now he turns his straightforward and practical communication style to the marriage relationship.In Pray Big for Your Marriage Davis helps readers combine God's teachings on marriage with his promises on prayer. He shows men and women how to pray specific, pinpoint prayers for their spouses. Complete with a month-long prayer plan, Pray Big for Your Marriage teaches readers how to pray for- emotional and spiritual intimacy - the spiritual growth of a spouse - purpose in marriage - protection from temptation- and much morePray Big for Your Marriage is for all couples--those trying to save their marriage, enjoying marital bliss, or getting married soon.