The author has explored and analyzed and come up with crucial insights and needed terminology with which to further the scholarly discussion and increase the understandings needed in the classroom.... Frank Thomas has contributed much to the meeting of this need, probing celebration to new depths.... This book adds to the corpus of serious scholarship available to instructors for the purposes of a more powerful pulpit, in an era of desperate need in the field". -- Henry H. Mitchell, from the ForewordHere is a book that will change the course of preaching in the twenty-first century. Through the lens of African American preaching, Frank Thomas sheds light on what is "good" preaching -- and on what methods can be employed to achieve it.Celebration in preaching is an important component of any preaching that can be considered "good". Thomas explores the theology, dynamics, design, and guidelines for celebrative preaching and provides sample sermon illustrations as well.

    Mark Lanier, one of America's top trial lawyers, uses his experienced legal eye to examine the plausibility of the Christian faith. Bringing science, current knowledge, and common sense together in a courtroom approach, this "trial" elucidates a rich understanding of God and a strong foundation for Christian faith. Following the format of a traditional legal trial, Lanier takes us from opening statement to closing summation by way of testimony from well-known witnesses--the scientist, the theologian, the linguist, the humanist, the philosopher, the psychologist and the ancient biblical eye-witness. These sources and many others investigate the sticky subjects of the Christian worldview that are commonly scrutinized by skeptics or overlooked by marginal believers:Who is God in light of astronomical and subatomic science? How could divine inspiration of Scripture or Christ's bodily resurrection be possible? How should we see the nature of reality, free will and choice, ethics, morality and the idea of heaven and afterlife? Lanier presents a persuasive case for the Christian faith and leaves it up to us to choose what is worthy of belief and what is not. Christianity on Trial provides a thought-p

     Alongside every word in the book, there is an uplifting angelic frequency. As you read, you will be guided to open your heart, shift your perspective within, and feel, experience, see, and know that you are in the presence of angels. To gain the most benefit from reading, think of this book as a reading meditation. Take your time as you read the pages, allowing yourself to enter into a soft, relaxed state of being, as if the angels are in your presence, and speaking directly to you…. One word at a time. They are! Angels transcend time and space, and can be with everyone who calls upon them at the same time. When you read these words, know that you are in the direct presence of your guides and angels, who lovingly and powerfully assist you in tuning into the love, wisdom and uplifting frequency available for you now. Read What Others Are Saying About Channeling the Guides and Angels of the Light: "WOW! Amazing read! How did you know all this about me and what I’m experiencing? It’s as though this was written for me! Thank you! I received numerous pieces of information from this and above and beyond it reaffirmed I’m on the right path. Even on those days it seems “off”. But now I know why those “off” days happen! Thank you thank you thank you!!!" ~Lawna "This if great. More people should be practicing communicating with their Angels. Also It’s a refreshing reminder how we can create our own future." ~Marie "Thank you Melanie angels of the light. Thank you for the support & encouragement. The connection and energy boost. Love and light." ~Joan "Thank you for sharing these beautiful and important messages. Blessings." ~Clare "All these messages are wonderful and very good transformation to ascend on this path, Thank you so much Melanie may GOD AND ANGELS bless you in this path to transform many souls." ~Kalai "Thank you so much, your writings are so loving.. I can feel them changing my life already.. Love & light to you x." ~Pauline "Melanie, these messages are amazing. Thank you for bringing them through and thank you to the Beings involved. This is exactly how my guides have shown me to connect and work and exactly how I do." ~Charlotte "Hi Dear Melaine! What an incredible and invaluable messages you give to us and to humanity! This is exactly what we need at the moment! I am so grateful for your generous and kind sharing of such useful and helpful messages with us ! Also, thank you my beloved angels, my best best friends!" ~Stella "I love these messages. They are so honest so authentic. Each time they guide me to a higher vibration! They really help me to connect me with my True Self. Thanks Melanie!" ~Marga

    Each reading is based on a quotation from one of the world’s great philosophers, poets, saints, and sages. Augustine and Einstein, Emily Dickinson and Jalaladdin Rumi, Biblical verses, Buddhist sutras, Hasidic proverbs, and Hindu Upanishads can all be found here. Each quote is accompanied by a commentary from Easwaran, explaining how the wisdom of the ages can help us here and now. Some days offer gentle reminders to slow down and be mindful. Other days give advice for changing an unwanted habit, mending a relationship, staying strong in hard times, or striving toward the peaks of spirituality described in all religions. This is a book to read in the morning to start the day right, or at night to prepare for peaceful rest. Each day, each year, brings fresh insights and inspiration.

    The world is experiencing the Blues, and pulpiteers are dispensing excessive doses of non-prescribed prosaic sermons with severe ecclesiastical and theological side effects.� from chapter 1Uniquely gifted preacher Otis Moss III helps preachers effectively communicate hope in a desperate and difficult world in this new work based on his 2014 Yale Lyman Beecher Lectures. Moss challenges preachers to preach with a Blue Note sensibility, which speaks directly to the tragedies faced by their congregants without falling into despair. He then offers four powerful sermons that illustrate his Blue Note preaching style. In them, Moss beautifully and passionately brings to life biblical characters that speak to today's pressing issues, including race discrimination and police brutality, while maintaining a strong message of hope. Moss shows how preachers can teach their congregations to resist letting the darkness find its way into them and, instead, learn to dance in the dark.

    This eBook delves into the past and emerges with a legion of breath taking accounts of events, gods, heroes, creatures, worlds and much more. Inside you will learn about... - Gods and Goddesses - The Nine Worlds - Heroes and Legends - Mythological Creatures - Ten Little Known Facts about Norse Mythology Whether you are a helpless fan of Norse Mythology or one of history this book will serve you in more ways than one. As the content is sourced from translations of the Old Norse literature, this will give you an authoritative insight in to the pre-Christian society of Europe.

    Have you ever wondered, who is Jesus Christ? In all the books about Jesus Christ, this one is the only one that we know of that takes its answers straight out of the Bible. About the Author Dr. Stewart spent a total of fifty-nine years preaching in eighteen different countries, as a pastor of three different churches, and teaching an adult Bible class. He and his wife Lorrie live happily in Gilbert, Arizona; and as this book is going to press, Dr. Stewart is working on his fourth book! He is happy to give God all the praise for his very fulfilling life. This Christian book is currently offered as a free Kindle ebook.

    In it, a distinguished theologian explores the dynamics of prayer: what it is, what it isn't, and how various kinds of personal and corporate prayer work to bring us into the presence of God.

    Within this book are all the key concepts and tools you need to understand the seven chakras and balance them through a yoga practice. Each chakra is fully explained, and features a unique practice that heals and balances that energy center on every level: body, mind and soul. While the chakras are energy centers, they are all easy to feel and access through yoga. With the right tools, you connect with your chakras on an energetic and emotional level, using the specific yoga practices outlined in this book to bring a new level of healing and resolution to each one. When all chakras are balanced, you experience wellness and integration on a level you have always wanted for yourself! Alanna Kaivalya, Ph.D., is an expert on yoga and psychology, and offers her extensive wisdom on the topic in a practical, accessible and easy-to-understand way. Become a master of the seven chakras, and find a new level of health and wellbeing through the ancient practice of yoga!

    This book contains over 100 spells and a list of runes and how they can be used in spell casting and even crafting your own spells. I've collected these spells from several different sources, mostly from witches I have met in my travels and covens I have been a part of. The White magick spells in this book can mostly be used without much hesitation but make sure you have good reason to use any red or black magick spells as The Three-fold law does apply to everyone whether you believe it or not. I've tweaked a few of these spells to fit my needs from time to time and you can do the same as the words aren't what give the spells power, your energy is what really matters, so feel free to do the same and change what you want to suit your own needs. The craft of Magic is a constant fluctuating living thing and our ancestors have borrowed, changed, and made from scratch what we practice today. I hope this book helps you grow as a person and a spellcrafter :) -Brittany Nightshade

    You've heard it from your pastor; you've seen the study guides; you may have even made a dent in the One Year Bible. Some of you have valiantly set your alarm clocks back an hour for morning quiet time, only to find that life creeps back in to steal your resolve. It isn't because you don't love God. You quit because you "bought into" someone's unsustainable habit at an unreasonable pace.But you don't have to keep running on empty. Bestselling author Doug Fields offers an uncomplicated, practical plan that you can carry out. This book won't teach you how to "cram God" into your already-full schedule. Instead, Doug will show you a practical, doable way of setting God first, and then letting everything else in your life fall into place. You will experience the fullness God has for you-just take some time to refuel.

    The book is based on two years of work and over 200 interviews with people in urban, suburban, and rural congregations around the United States. Each chapter introduces specific congregations and their challenges, and lays out the theological underpinnings of tackling fears head-on and embracing change as a welcome part of community life. Contents include: The Radical Welcome Journey; Mapping the Way; God of Welcome, God of Grace; With Hearts Wide Open; Getting Real; Facing Our Fears and Embracing the Dream, The Joy in the Struggle.

    Be Still and Know uses selections from his groundbreaking work to create a handbook of meditations and reflections that reawaken our understanding of both religions--and enrich our daily lives through personal contemplation. It is an inspiration to all who embrace its universal message of peace--a profound and moving work that illuminates the world's greatest traditions of spiritual thought, written by a man who is considered by many to be a "living Buddha."

    How can we know anything about God apart from Scripture? In Nature's Case for God, distinguished theologian John Frame argues that Christians are not forbidden from seeking to learn about God from his creation. In fact, the Bible itself shows this to be possible.In nine short and lucid chapters that include questions for discussion, Frame shows us what we can learn about God and how we relate to him from the world outside the Bible. If the heavens really do declare the glory of God, as the psalmist claims, it makes a huge difference for how we understand God and how we introduce him to those who don't yet know Christ.

    This book is going to show you the charming and beautiful beliefs of Wicca and how you can learn to embody them in your daily life This book is a great start for anyone who would like to learn more about the Wicca religion and the real beliefs and rituals they practice.It contains practical advice throughout the book to help bring these beliefs, rituals and spells into all aspects of your life.It would certainly be sufficient to say that Wicca is certainly not what you see in any of the Harry Potter movies, or read in the books.There are no fireballs and magic sparks and no one in the Wicca community is going to be able to teach you how to transfigure a rat into a tea cup.Wicca is not about sparks and explosions, not at all. It is far more about reconnecting with the true nature of the universe and, when you are able to achieve that you will, through that alignment, be able to make ripples within the oceans of space and time. Here is a preview of what you will learn in this book What true Wicca is and not the misunderstandings society still has .Learn what the Rule of the 3 is all about and the moral code a Real Wiccan follows.Learn about how to join a coven and also the choice to practice Wicca alone.Learn about the four elements in Wicca and Grounding Techniques to practice.Learn Wicca protection spells that can help you in your life.Learn more about candle magic and candle spells.Learn love and blessing spells.