Jacob Baumgardner is struggling to get his nonprofit shelter for gay teens off the ground because the building needs a lot of help before it can pass inspection. Raised by his grandparents for part of his life, Jacob feels that the shelter is his chance to honor them, but someone is making things difficult. An anonymous extortionist seems determined to ruin Jacob’s late grandfather’s good name and keep the shelter from opening. Luka Smith is struggling to find his place in the world after a traumatic event in his teen years pushed him to run. When Jacob hires him to help with repairs at the shelter, Luka falls for his new boss hard. Luka wants nothing more than to help Jacob realize his dream. As they work together to ensure The Promise of Hope Shelter gets off the ground, their feelings for each other only grow. But will a calculating blackmailer close the shelter before it even has a chance?
Craig and Mitchell have been friends for years, but each of them reached a point where that camaraderie became ... more. Mitchell’s kept his feelings close to his chest. So has Craig, but now that they’ve graduated from UMKC, he knows it’s his last chance to show Mitchell they’re meant to be before their careers take them to opposite sides of the country. He insists they can’t leave Missouri behind without one last adventure. Mitchell agrees to a road trip to visit all the touristy spots and say goodbye to their home state. As they spend their days and nights together, buried feelings rise to the surface and hope blossoms. When their journey ends with a dance beneath the Branson stars, will they find love and a future together at the end of the road?
Greg Wallace, a young World War II pilot from Texas, is stranded on a Pacific island after his plane is shot down. Well-trained and basically a decent man, he settles in to wait for rescue in a fashion that will do his military training credit. But as the novel deepens, it is increasingly obvious--to reader and to Gregory Wallace--that rescue is a dream.
This anthology of holiday material provides you with a complete collection of resources for drama, worship, and young people. It includes a wide range of resources from across the denominational spectrum. Copying privileges are included for all six segments. Come! See What God Has Done is a Thanksgiving children's event designed to heighten awareness of God's many blessings. Six learning centers -- each including posters, projects, a guided experience, follow-up activities, and a closing prayer -- focus on such topics as families, nature, our religious heritage, and our bodies. Intended for kindergarten through sixth grade, this is an ideal activity for your church school and can be held during a single session. A Chrismon Service portrays the drama of redemption through symbols of Jesus in the form of Christmas ornaments. (The word "Chrismon" is a combination of the words "Christ" and "monogram.") As appropriate scripture passages are read, each symbol is presented and explained; worshipers participate in the service by hanging them on the Chrismon tree. Eighteen designs are included so that you can make your own Chrismons based on such symbols as the Epiphany star, the Christmas rose, and the angel. The ABC's Of Christmas offers four easy programs for Christmas worship, celebrating angels, bells, colors, and gifts. Each incorporates scripture, carols, and simple props together with dramatic readings to create a meaningful worship experience that will linger in the memory long after Christmastime passes. The Angels' Point Of View is a play in two acts that looks at Jesus' conception, birth, and flight into Egypt from their perspective. Originally developed for a junior high Sunday school class, this piece is excellent for older youth and can be performed in a variety of settings. There are thirteen speaking roles, and complete directions for assembling props, costume, and scenery are included. In Search Of Christmas is a light, contemporary drama that intersperses a series of brief dialogues between a husband and wife, two teenagers, and others illustrating how we can lose the real meaning of Christmas with faith-affirming conversations among individuals who have kept the season's true spirit of joy and giving. Roles can be doubled up for the small congregation, and only a few basic props are needed. Last Year In Bethlehem: The Story Of Eli The Shepherd reminds us that the story of Christ's birth is more than a holiday tradition. It combines a dramatic monologue with hymns and candlelight for a moving Christmas Eve worship experience. On the first anniversary of the first Christmas, a gruff but friendly shepherd tells of the night that changed his life. Suggestions for costuming, makeup, and staging are included, along with historical background on shepherds during Jesus' time. O Holy Night brings together scripture, song, and poetic readings to create a touching Christmas Eve worship service that can involve several participants without requiring lengthy rehearsal. It is an especially attractive option for smaller churches without many resources, but this enchanting service will be a glorious experience for any congregation.
In a world of uncertainty, pain, and struggle, where do you find solid assurance and unshakeable truth? In The Shelter of God’s Promises, a ten-session small-group Bible study, gifted Bible teacher and inspiring speaker Sheila Walsh searches Scripture for what God has promised us, what God's promises mean, and how those promises provide the foundation for daily confidence, joy, and hope. Through vulnerable storytelling and powerful in-depth teaching, Sheila offers a life-changing study on ten bedrock promises of God to help you gain a trust in Him that will sustain you for a lifetime.The Shelter of God's Promises Participant's Guide includes individual and group activities, between-session personal studies, and additional material that will enhance your experience of the video sessions. Sessions include: The Promise of Jesus The Promise of Provision The Promise of Peace The Promise of Confidence The Promise of Love The Promise of Grace The Promise of Hope The Promise of Strength The Promise of More The Promise of Home Designed for use with The Shelter of God's Promises DVD 9780529110398 (sold separately).
In the popular imagination, public housing tenants are considered, at best, victims of intractable poverty and, at worst, criminals. More Than Shelter makes clear that such limited perspectives do not capture the rich reality of tenants’ active engagement in shaping public housing into communities. By looking closely at three public housing projects in San Francisco, Amy L. Howard brings to light the dramatic measures tenants have taken to create—and sustain and strengthen—communities that mattered to them. More Than Shelter opens with the tumultuous institutional history of the San Francisco Housing Authority, from its inception during the New Deal era, through its repeated leadership failures, to its attempts to boost its credibility in the 1990s. Howard then turns to Valencia Gardens in the Mission District; built in 1943, the project became a perpetually contested and embattled space. Within that space, tenants came together in what Howard calls affective activism—activism focused on intentional relationships and community building that served to fortify residents in the face of shared challenges. Such activism also fueled cross-sector coalition building at Ping Yuen in Chinatown, bringing tenants and organizations together to advocate for and improve public housing. The account of their experience breaks new ground in highlighting the diversity of public housing in more ways than one. The experience of North Beach Place in turn raises questions about the politics of development and redevelopment, in this case, Howard examines activism across generations—first by African Americans seeking to desegregate public housing, then by cross-racial and cross-ethnic tenant groups mobilizing to maintain public housing in the shadow of gentrification. Taken together, the stories Howard tells challenge assumptions about public housing and its tenants—and make way for a broader, more productive and inclusive vision of the public housing program in the United States.
Creation stood still for this solemn assembly. The Great Meeting to unfold Heaven’s redemption was about to begin. “My People,” Christ The King spoke. “You are about to enter the unfamiliar, a world of hindrances, darkness, oppression and seemingly constant warfare. Some will become lost and disheartened as you habitate this realm with “The...
An accessible discussion about the religious progressives who are creating a movement far stronger than fundamentalism: a liberal religious renaissance based on an expansive love for life Hope is rising. The political tide in the United States has turned, and people across the country who have been working for years for social change and justice finally feel as though they aren't struggling alone. Yet for those who ground their social activism in progressive religious belief, it is all too easy to feel spiritually divided and isolated, daunted by the apparent dominance of religious fundamentalists in the media and politics. The impact of liberal religion is richer and more far-reaching than many know—a force for good that has inspired and supported two centuries of American social progress, from the abolition of slavery and the securing of women's rights to the present-day struggles for marriage equality, ecological responsibility, and global peace. In order to sustain our spirits and advance positive social change, progressive people need to claim the transforming power of our theological heritage. Authored by two leading progressive theologians, A House for Hope affirms that the shared hopes of religious progressives from many traditions can create a movement far stronger than fundamentalism: a liberal religious renaissance. Yet for it to flourish, progressive people must rediscover the spiritual sustenance available in the theological house our liberal forebears built, and embrace what our tradition truly holds sacred, as well as understanding what it rejects. In lively and engaging language, A House for Hope suggests that liberal religious commitment is based on expansive love for life rather than adherence to narrow dogma. With chapters that reveal the political and personal relevance of the enduring questions at the heart of this theology, A House for Hope shows how religious liberals have countered fundamentalists for generations, and provides progressives with not only a theological but also a spiritual foundation for the challenges of the twenty-first century.
### Rising from the Ashes A Journey of Survival, Resilience, and Rebirth Embark on an extraordinary journey with *Rising from the Ashes*, a gripping eBook that delves into the heart of human endurance and the indomitable spirit of recovery. In a world shattered by catastrophe, where darkness seems perpetual, this compelling guide illuminates the path toward a hopeful dawn. Whether you're drawn to tales of survival, strategies for rebuilding, or profound insights into human nature, this book offers a beacon of light in the darkest of times. #### The Dawn after Darkness Discover the first glimmers of hope as we navigate the broken world left in the wake of devastation. With a focus on survival instincts, learn essential skills for finding food and water, and creating shelter, setting the foundation for physical and emotional recovery. #### Healing and Resilience Explore critical strategies for healing physical wounds with basic first aid, and delve into long-term health practices vital for maintaining well-being. Simultaneously, build emotional and mental resilience by coping with trauma and fostering mental fortitude. #### Rebuilding Communities Transition from individual survival to forming new alliances in emerging communities. Share resources and skills, rediscover lost knowledge, and teach the next generation, laying the groundwork for a connected and informed society. #### Restoring Communication and Trust Understand the power of language and stories in rebuilding communication networks and learn how to overcome suspicion, paving the way for new societal foundations based on trust. #### Cultural Revival and Innovation Reconnect with natureâs healing power, embrace sustainable living practices, and explore the essential roles of art and music in reviving culture. Discover ingenious inventions born of necessity and practical technologies for a new era. #### Leadership, Relationships, and Spirituality Witness the rise of reluctant leaders and the principles of ethical leadership. Build bonds amidst ruins and navigate family dynamics in crisis. Embrace diverse spiritual perspectives, finding meaning and faith in destruction. #### Triumph and Recovery Read personal narratives of bravery and collective success stories that inspire hope. Celebrate small victories and look ahead to long-term visions, reflecting on humanityâs lessons and igniting the flame of hope in the next generation. *Rising from the Ashes* is more than a survival guideâitâs a testament to human resilience. Dive into this profound exploration of recovery, and embrace a new beginning as you move forward into a hopeful future.
Perfection is a myth, and hope is a choice. Our own brokenness as parents actually makes us better able to prepare our kids to really live. Our best teachers are our children. And despite daily fear and discouragement, hope is within reach. Grab ahold of it. Julie E. Richardson invites you to examine your own life and discover your struggles actually make you stronger- and a better parent. Find courage and live out your beliefs and values as you speak up on behalf of those who have no voice. Realize your own transformative relationships can help build a better tomorrow, together, with your children.
