Are you making your first-time guests feel welcome? Or are you driving them away—unintentionally—with bad signage, reserved seating, clunky communication and more? In this practical book, Jonathan Malm examines 50 ways churches make first-time visitors feel unwelcome. The transgressions range from insider lingo to awkward transitions, a cold congregation to the over-eager greeter. With all 50 church faux pas, Jonathan suggests ways to not only fix the problem, but also infuse excellence into the situation so churches can put their best foot forward with first-time guests. A few simple changes can help your church roll out the welcome mat for your guests.

    The Pastor’s Kid Dad may be following God’s call, but the Pastor’s kids (PKs) are just following mom and dad. Often to devastating results. Barnabas Piper – son of Pastor and bestselling author John Piper – has experienced the challenges of being a PK first-hand. With empathy, humor, and personal stories, he addresses the pervasive assumptions, identity issues and accelerated scrutiny PKs face.  But more than just stating the problems – he shares the one thing a PK needs above all else (as do their pastor/father and church) is to live in true freedom and wholeness.

    All 16 songs from the soundtrack for this 2014 breakout blockbuster movie based on a novel by John Green, in arrangements for piano, voice and guitar. Includes Ed Sheeran's "All of the Stars," "Boom Clap" by Charli XCX, plus: All I Want * Let Me In * Not About Angels * Oblivion * Strange Things Will Happen * Tee Shirt * Without Words * and more. Includes four pages of color art from the film.

    Other times, a good laugh can turn the entire day around. Then there are times when a personal insight reminds us that there is more to life than schedules, laundry, and yet another trip to the grocery store. More than 60 straight- to- the- heart messages from the Time Out for Women team of speakers help make the connection between where we are and where we want to be. Included are selections by Mary Ellen Edmunds, Ardeth Kapp, Emily Watts, Hilary Weeks, and Virginia Pearce. This inspirational collection captures the warmth and wisdom of your favorite LDS speakers and authors.He is helping you by Mary Ellen EdmundsDecide once by Don H. StaheliAllowing time for change by Virginia Hinckley PearceAlternatives to growing old by Mary Ellen EdmundsA little lesson I learned from chocolate by Emily WattsStop, look, and listen by Ardeth KappHappy New Year! by Emily WattsThe power to find by James l. FerrellGenuine compliments by Mary Ellen EdmundsHurrah for families! by Virginia Hinckley PearceCall home by Ardeth KappThe Easter poem by Kathleen Hinckley Barnes WalkerSeasons of life by Mary Ellen EdmundsWhy I love this church by Emily WattsThe marvelous cycle of compliments by Hilary WeeksMy family miracle! by Carolyn RasmusWhen I run out of birthdays by Ardeth G. KappSomeday by Emily WattsAfter we put Christmas away by Dean HughesGreat faith has a short shelf life by Kim NelsonFood for thought by Hilary WeeksGetting rid of junk by Cherie CallStaying connected by Ardeth G. KappLong words by Mary Ellen EdmundsLane ends, merge left by Hilary WeeksWhich way is right? by Emily WattsPorches by Mary Ellen EdmundsGot energy? by Hilary WeeksThe little things by Merrilee BoyackSpiritual valleys by Carolyn RasmusListening by Hilary WeeksYou are here by Kim NelsonThe Sunday sacrifice by Emily WattsMiracles by Merrilee BoyackThe real you by Hilary WeeksHelp! I'm surrounded! by Chris StewartOrange eye shadow vs. amazing grace by Cherie CallTomorrow's assignment by Merrilee BoyackLaundry on my birthday?! by Daryl HooleSigns of faith by Pamela HansenBread of life by Sharon G. LarsenA must see! beautiful inside! by Cherie CallThe tow truck parable by Laurel ChristensenA bag of cats by Kim NelsonAre we being wise? by Dean Hughes"Team play" or "giggle ball" by Camille Fronk OlsonGoing once! going twice! sold! by Pamela H. HansenSpring snow by Emily WattsThe top job by Daryl Hoole

    Born in 1951, he had a happy childhood — raised by his loving adoptive parents, Bert and Gwen Tickner, in the small seaside town of Forster, New South Wales. He grew up to be a cheerful and confident young man with a fierce sense of social justice, and the desire and stamina to make political change. Serving in the Hawke and Keating governments, he held the portfolio of minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. Among other achievements while in government, he was responsible for initiating the reconciliation process with Indigenous Australians, and he was instrumental in instigating the national inquiry into the stolen generations.During his time on the front bench, Robert’s son was born, and it was his deep sense of connection to this child that moved him at last to turn his attention to the question of his own birth. Although he had some sense of the potentially life-changing course that lay ahead of him, he could not have anticipated learning of the exceptional nature of the woman who had brought him into the world, the deep scars that his forced adoption had left on her, and the astonishing series of coincidences that had already linked their lives. And this was only the first half of a story that was to lead to a reunion with his birth father and siblings.This deeply moving memoir is a testament to the significance of all forms of family in shaping us — and to the potential for love to heal great harm.

    Reset your priorities while studying God’s design for community.Leader's guide included.• Personal study between meetings• 5 sessions

    Why is Christ called the “Son of God”? Discover an answer so simple you’ll wonder why you never saw it before, and so beautiful it’ll take your breath away.

    But sometimes, a past of hurt puts finding new love on the back burner. Tiffany closed her heart to everything but her career when her ex left with another woman. Roger's billions couldn't save his marriage from a tragic ending that left his young daughter motherless. Career-focused and plagued by past fears, finding someone new is the furthest thing from their minds… Until Valentina Del Torre steps in. The Billionaire Matchmaker knows that a future lies ahead of them, but she can't mend the past. The fear of more loss, pain and heartache lurks within them both, pushing them apart even as they reach for each other. Will they finally find peace in each other? Can they even dare to hope for a holiday miracle?

    Seductive. Stimulating. We're talking about the Talmud? That's right. Take fifty actual Talmudic discussions, mix in pithy sayings (appropriate and inappropriate) by luminaries from Mae West and Amy Schumer to George Washington and Gandhi, add a few cartoons, and voila delighted and enlightened readers will come away with a new perspective on what the ancient Jewish sages say about our most intimate relationships. In this lighthearted, in-depth tour of sexuality within the Talmud, come eavesdrop at the first rabbis' locker-room door as they discuss every aspect of sexual relationshow, when, where, with whomoften in startlingly explicit fashion. Author Maggie Anton reveals how Jewish tradition is more progressive in many respects, and more bawdy, than one might think. The award-winning historical novelist's first foray into nonfiction is likely to leave her fans going OMG, WTF, and even LOL.

    They are your perfect companion in life as a lover, partner, friend, ally, and everything else you desire. You know them by the feeling you have for that special someone in your heart, and who you know is out there.It's time to bring your Twin Flame from “out there,” into your life. This book is designed to show you how, and what to do when you are united with your Twin Flame.

    This book will give readers the aha! of recognition they have been waiting for. Unmissable." --Naomi WolfUnhooked Generation is about single men and women in their 20s and 30s who are having unprecedented difficulties finding love. Based on 100 in-depth interviews, Jillian Straus examines the obstacles facing unattached women and men in an age when all the choices we have, somehow, manage to decrease our chances of finding a mate. While cell phones, text messages, email, speed dating, and internet dating all conspire to create a sense that there are endless options, a culture of "consumer sex" and casual hook-ups make settling down feel like settling. And as the age of first marriage goes up, the level of expectation climbs right along with it, and we start subjecting prospective mates to "the checklist." From the collapse of courtship and the death of romance to the overriding media message that single life is sexy and married life is boring, we have a culture of mixed emotions about the very concept of marriage. Confronted by a host of factors that other generations never considered in their search for love and commitment, the "unhooked generation" faces a potholed road to romance. Rich with compelling personal stories, and leavened with wit and sharp observation, this is a book that clarifies this confusing, compelling issue as no other book has -- and in its final chapter offers concrete advice for addressing the problem.

     Bob Farr asserts that to change the world, we must first change the Church. As Adam Hamilton says in the Foreword, "Read [this book] carefully with other leaders in your church. . . . You'll soon discover both a desire to renovate your church and the tools to effectively lead your church forward." If we want to join Robert Schnase and claim radical hospitality, passionate worship, intentional faith development, risk-taking mission and service, and extravagant generosity, we must also engage pastors and motivate churches. We must renovate and overhaul our churches and not merely redecorate and tinker with our church structure. With straightforward language and practical tips, this book will inspire and help you organize your church for new life on the mission field. Learn how to grow your church and discover the commitments that denominational leaders must make to guarantee the fruitfulness of local congregations.

    But, as Elder Gene R. Cook emphasizes in his book, that blessing doesn't come through casual effort. In Searching the Scriptures, Elder Cook explores how we can effectively ponder, question, and mark the scriptures and understand how they apply to our lives. He also shares his testimony of the power and blessings that come from knowing God's word. And he gives suggestions on how to organize family study and how to use the scriptures as a way to bless each family member. Relating personal experiences to show what has worked and what hasn't, Elder Cook shares ways to motivate everyone in the family to participate and work to invite the Spirit to be present at reading time. Elder Cook's hope is to help Latter-day Saints gain a deeper understanding of what scriptures really are and how they apply to us today, and thereby have a desire to learn more from them.

    Every denomination is in decline and church attendance continues to struggle. In line, everything that hangs on the present consumeristic approach to Christendom will and must morph. The Gospel came to us through fully paid, barely paid, and mostly non-paid saints. The future of Kingdom life and ministry depends on God’s people to find creative pathways for leveraging all of life into one calling. BiVO is a story and a framework to help you find this leverage point whether you are a marketplace leader or ministry leader.