This collection of prayers by noted Hebrew Bible scholar Walter Brueggemann can be used in both public worship and private devotion. These prayers run the gamut from particular days in the church year to special moments in the lives of worshiping communities to events playing out on the world stage. In all cases, the prayers show us how God accompanies us through all the moments and stages of our life, while simultaneously calling us to do the same for all those whom God has placed alongside us in the journey.
A Risky Obedience When the Bisset family of Motherwell, Scotland emigrated to America in 1930 they could not have imagined what lay ahead. The Great Depression held the world in its grip. It was no time to be starting over in a new country. But Charles and Mary Elizabeth Bisset believed the future was in God's hands and so long as they were in His will, God would take care of them. Their two youngest sons, Peter and John, became ministers and went on to found the Peter and John Radio Fellowship in Baltimore. Their daily radio program named Every Day With Jesus continued for 48 years. Today, Peter and John Ministries (PJM) include 95.1 SHINE-FM and WRBS-AM, and River Valley Ranch (RVR), a large youth camp founded in 1952 by Peter and John. They also undertook a ministry of Christian literature at Trustworthy Bookstore in Baltimore for over 40 years. The extraordinary faith and large ministry vision of Peter and John are central to this inspiring story of how God used two Scottish brothers to accomplish His purposes. As you read, remember that the same God who faithfully guided Peter and John and provided for them during good times and bad, promises to do the same for all who fully trust in him. Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders? You stretched out Your right hand; the earth swallowed them. You in Your mercy have led forth the people whom You have redeemed: You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation Exodus 15:11-13
Wise Sheep Among the Wolves All Christian disciples have one thing in common: as they carry the gospel across the ocean and across the street, persecution will become the norm for those who choose to follow Jesus. How believers respond in the face of persecution reveals everything about their level of faith and obedience. The Insanity of Obedience is a bold challenge to global discipleship. Nik Ripken exposes the danger of safe Christianity and calls readers to something greater. The Insanity of Obedience challenges Christians in the same, provocative way that Jesus did. This book dares you—and prepares you—to cross the street and the oceans with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Some of Jesus’ instructions sound uncomfortable and are potentially dangerous. We may be initially encouraged by His declaration, “I am sending you out.” But how are we to respond when He then tells us that He is sending us out “like sheep among wolves"? In light of the words of Jesus, how can modern day believers rest comfortably in the status quo? How can we embrace casual faith in light of the radical commands of Jesus which are anything but casual? Ripken brings decades of ministry experience in some of the most persecuted areas of the world to bear on our understanding of faith in Jesus. The Insanity of Obedience is a call to roll up your sleeves . . . and to follow and partner with Jesus in the toughest places on this planet. "We have the high privilege of answering Jesus’ call to go," Ripken says. "But let us be clear about this: we go on His terms, not ours. If we go at all, we go as sheep among wolves." Jesus gives us Himself. And He gives us the tools necessary for those who dare to journey with Him.
For many years, best-selling author Michael Phillips assumed he clearly understood the life of Jesus. Though Jesus was in truth his Savior, and even his Lord, Phillips felt challenged to understand more of the remarkable life lived two thousand years ago in Palestine. Then came a crisis in his spiritual pilgrimage when circumstances forced him...
An amazing story of a missionary couple's journey into the toughest places on earth is combined with stories about remarkable people of faith they encountered to challenge and inspire those curious about the sufficiency of God.
Become the Light of Christ in Dark Places When she was only twenty-three years old, Rachelle Starr started going to strip clubs to share Christ's love with the dancers. Now, having founded a Christian ministry to people in the adult entertainment industry, she demonstrates the key to shining Christ's light into the darkness--love people one at a time and continue to love them no matter what. Loving others like Jesus did has to be more than social media shares and likes--we need to meet people in their pain, growing in our empathy and love for those God has placed in our lives. But maybe you're afraid or unsure where to start. This book will light a fire in your soul to step out in greater ways and to become fearlessly and outrageously obedient to the Lord. Be inspired by Rachelle's true stories and biblical encouragement, and discover the courage to say yes to God. Then witness the fruit and the blessings of your obedience! "You may never have Bible studies with prostitutes, but you will be invigorated and galvanized by Rachelle's infectious stories and plain-spoken truth."--KYLE IDLEMAN, bestselling author of Not a Fan and One at a Time
Walter Brueggemann has been one of the leading voices in Hebrew Bible interpretation for decades; his landmark works in Old Testament theology have inspired and informed a generation of students, scholars, and preachers. Those who serve as truth-tellers in the church, like those who listen to the truth-telling in the church, are a mix of yearning and fearfulness, of receptiveness and collusion. In the end, the work of truth-telling is not to offer a new package of certitudes that displaces old certitudes. This truth to be uttered and acted, rather, is the enactment and conveyance of this Person who is truth, so that truth comes as bodily fidelity that stays reliably present to the pain of the world.
"Those who serve as truth-tellers in the church, like those who listen to the truth-telling in the church, are a mix of yearning and fearfulness, of receptiveness and collusion. In the end, the work of truth-telling is not to offer a new package of certitudes that displaces old certitudes. This truth to be uttered and acted, rather, is the enactment and conveyance of this Person who is truth, so that truth comes as bodily fidelity that stays reliably present to the pain of the world." --from the Preface .embed-container { position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; height: 0; overflow: hidden; max-width: 100%; } .embed-container iframe, .embed-container object, .embed-container embed { position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; }
