Profound insight often shows up in the most unlikely places. For B.J. Gallagher it was a bumper sticker she spotted on the freeway that read, “If God is your co-pilot, switch seats.” She knew instantly that the message was for her. This is a spiritual scrapbook of stories, poems, and words of inspiration about the gifts of spiritual surrender. Gallagher mixes her own personal stories and insights with inspirational quotes from a wide variety of spiritual teachers to show how surrendering our wills to a Higher Power can open us up to the miraculous. This beautifully packaged gift book features words of wisdom from Norman Vincent Peale, Martin Luther King, Jr., Sam Ervin, Rumi, Martin Buber, Rachel Naomi Remen, Henry Nouwen, and many others . An inspiring gift--perfect for Mother’s Day, graduation, and other special occasions.
Jesus gave us the good news that if we make God our number-one priority, then everything else will fall into place, and our life will be full of joy, purpose, mission, meaning, and fulfillment. In the words of author James W. Moore: There's a saying that goes, “If God is your co-pilot, swap seats!” I think its message is something we all need to hear, namely this: Don’t just take God along for the ride. Rather, let God do the driving! Put God in the driver’s seat of your life. Don’t make God your assistant; ask God to be the chief pilot on your life’s journey. God is not only a comfort, God is a joy. God is the source of all pleasure. God is light and laughter. God is the Giver of Life, real life, abundant life, full life, meaningful life, joyful life, eternal life. And our chief purpose is to celebrate God, and to serve God, and to enjoy God forever.
This collection of devotionals opens up the scriptures and serves a meal that nurtures the life with God. Helland is well acquainted with the needs of pastors, and through these pages he serves as a pastor's pastor. The book has the added value of speaking to the pastor the Word of God while he is preparing to speak to others. Those who use this book will be enriched and blessed through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Eugene L. Boe Professor of Systematic and Historical Theology Lutheran Brethren Seminary Today's busy pastors must cope with a diverse range of physically and emotionally draining tasks. Yet as they balance the many competing demands on their time, the essential element for maintaining a vital and successful ministry is carving out time for their own spiritual regeneration. Before pastors can effectively proclaim the Good News to the people in the pews, they must attend to their ongoing relationship with the God whom they serve. Based on each Sunday's epistle and gospel texts from Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary, this collection of prayerful reflections specifically addresses the spiritual needs of the clergy. Rather than a primer on how to preach the text, these devotions explore what the scripture passages have to say about the personal lives of pastors and their public ministry. It's an ideal resource to begin weekly sermon preparation with, as each thoughtful contemplation prepares the heart for faithful preaching of God's Word. But Pause Before The Pulpit isn't just for pastors -- these devotions will also strengthen and spiritually encourage anyone actively involved in lay ministry. Bill Helland has written a wonderful devotional companion which gives inspiration, hope, and commitment. Every pastor should have a copy of this book in his study -- it is a must-read before he steps into the pulpit on Sunday morning. Gaylord T. Gunhus Chaplain (Major General) USA (retired) Underwood, Minnesota Bill Helland talks with pastors who give of themselves in lifting people up to the Lord -- and he invites them to talk back. I suggest reading these devotionals early in the week. Helland's questions, self-disclosures, and sharing of God's Word will nourish you as you prepare sermons, plan worship, play with your family, pray over your people, and walk in fellowship with God. Joel R. Egge President Church of the Lutheran Brethren William W. Helland has been a pastor in the Church of the Lutheran Brethren of America for the past fifteen years, serving parishes in Minnesota and South Dakota. A former locksmith and dairy farmer, Helland is a graduate of the Lutheran Brethren Seminary.
The regular use of a devotional book can assist with one's spiritual growth. Whether you are beginning your faith journey or desire to develop a deeper relationship with Christ, you will find this book to be engaging. Selected topics are based on newsworthy stories, historical events, or other twice-told tales. The author frequently draws personal inspiration from biblical parables and scriptural references as they relate to his own life experience. The reading of these 366 devotions is unique in that they can be utilized every day for a full year or weekly over a seven-year period. Reflection questions following each devotion will benefit and challenge the reader to consider possible direction for change through application in one's daily activities.
What People are Saying… “Rev. Angelica’s messages are a combination of story-telling, enlightened insight, affirmative prayer, and honest communication around what it means to be spirit having a human experience.” — Danika Dinsmore, author “Rev. Angelica has inspired me for years with her weekly messages and prayers. What a feast to have so much wisdom in one volume!” — Rev. Carrie Hunter, Banff, Alberta, Canada “Open and caring, joyful and sharing are the foundations on which Reverend Angelica builds to inspire us to be the best version of ourselves we can be. I hope you will find as much encouragement and inspiration in this collection of some of her finest messages as I have in reading them over the past ten years.” — Brad McPhee, Financial Consultant “Rev. Angelica’s Messages are an integral part of my spiritual practice. They are always such a great resource, personally inspiring me with many ideas to contemplate and down to earth inspiration that I often quote in my own presentations.” — Rev. Lorraine Trout, Saskatoon, SK, Canada “Rev. Angelica writes with a blend of common sense and spiritual wisdom that is a treasure for beginners and advanced readers alike. She never fails to enlighten, entertain and make me think. I look forward to what she has to say and how she chooses to say it. Her affirmative prayers are pure poetry.” — Rev. Jane Claypool, author This insightful guide is like having my own practical mystic at my fingertips. Rev Angelica finds and shares extraordinary messages from life’s most ordinary events. — Rev. Sandy Shipley, Life Coach & Wedding Officiant “Rev. Angelica is phenomenal in her highly practical way of presenting Science of Mind principles . Through her teachings I have come to know my hearts desires manifest with as much ease as I allow myself.” — Beky Baxter
How to Solve All Your Problemsis the culmination of seven years of intensive work and study. Drawing upon comparative religion, psychology, pop culture, physics, and more, this book addresses such perennial human concerns as: romance; money management; parent/child relationships; the battle of the sexes; the fear of death and dying; addiction; the loss of faith; and more. Filled with profound insight and razor-sharp wit, How to Solve All Your Problems is a book to be read slowly and savored, again and again.
A church sign can be an awesome ministry in itself. "Inspirations From Above" gives instruction on how to make a sign ministry successful. The author shares his hands-on experience in the sign ministry, providing more than 1,200 proven attention-getting sayings that minister to the soul. (Christian Religion)
One of the greatest gifts God has given the church is His wonderful Word, preserved through the centuries, revealing who God is and what He plans for His children. Why is it then that we have such a limited understanding of it? Could it be we have preferred Christianisms, short quips or sayings that seem to represent biblical truth but actually don’t? What would happen to the body of Christ today if Christians forsook these flawed sayings and returned to God’s glorious, powerful Word? We might see God’s Spirit move among us in a fresh and powerful way.
Believing Is Only the Beginning Do you long for a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in your life? Do you believe all the right things, go to church, and faithfully read your Bible, still feeling that something is missing? You may be right. Two thousand years ago Jesus gave an urgent assignment to his followers right before he left. At its essence it was not just an invitation to believe; it was a bold call to action. It was a challenge to go into the world to reclaim, reform, and restore it for Christ. Simply stated, the message of this book is that God has invited you to join him in this world-changing mission. And if you are not personally participating in God’s great endeavor, you could be missing the very thing he created you to do. Best-selling author Rich Stearns invites you not just to stand on the sidelines but to get into the game. That is when the adventure begins. “Unfinished, just might challenge everything you thought you understood about your Christian faith. Unfinished is a call to finish the job Christ gave his church to do. If every Christian read this book and took it seriously, the world would never be the same again.”—Bill Hybels, senior pastor, Willow Creek Community Church; and chairman, Willow Creek Association “Just when I’ve gotten comfortable with my faith, here comes Rich Stearns, reminding me what matters and who God loves and why. Just when my world is the way I want it, Rich reminds me the world is not the way God wants it. Hungry families. Malnourished kids. Just when I dare think my work is done, Rich reminds me that we are just getting started. First in The Hole in Our Gospel, now in Unfinished, Rich gives me a kind, gracious kick. Thanks, Rich. (I think.)”—Max Lucado, pastor and best-selling author “Okay, admit it: sometimes you wonder . . . don’t you? Is this it? The life you’re living. Is there more? From his journey in corporate and nonprofit leadership—in very good causes—Rich Stearns concludes there is, indeed, more. More purpose. More meaning. More life. In Unfinished you will discover how your life can be about more.”—Elisa Morgan, author; speaker; publisher, FullFill; and president emerita, MOPS International “Rich Stearns has done it again! In this winsome, engaging, and challenging book, he calls us back to some of the key issues of what it means to be followers of Christ in a world full of distractions and false gods. This is a book for everyone, about finding the place of our calling in God’s global mission. It is a book about fulfillment, adventure, and a lifetime of transformation. It made me hungry for more of the life God has in store for us.”—Dr. Stephen Hayner, president, Columbia Theological Seminary “Your story can be a part of the Great Story. Rich Stearns knows the story and lives the story. Unfinished may call you to the greatest chapter of your life.”—John Ortberg, senior pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church; and author, Who Is This Man? “The kingdom is both already and not yet, the work of Christ both finished and to be completed. Stearns reminds readers of every Christian’s responsibility to live on mission, in light of Jesus’ example and call. Richard shows us by his life, the ministry he leads, and the passion of this book that there is much to be done and we are to be a part of God’s grand plan.”—Ed Stetzer, president, LifeWay Research; and author, Subversive Kingdom “Every generation of Christians needs a wake-up call to remind us of how serious and strenuous are the demands of discipleship. May Rich Stearns’s Unfinished be that alarm for our time.”—David Neff, editorial vice president, Christianity Today
