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Ready-to-Go Youth Group Activities: 101 Games, Puzzles, Quizzes, and Ideas for Busy Leaders
by Todd OutcaltReady-Made Event Packages...Just Add Youth GroupFULLY LOADEDAll Options, Extras & Side Items IncludedThese ready-made event packages are completely accessorized with everything you need to easilyprepare and smoothly execute fun and instructive youth activities. You can spend less time on planning event details, and more time directly engaging your teens.These plans cover every detail, even laying out hour-by-hour schedules for you.Think of the convenience. Think of all the up-front prep time you can save. The unique benefit of the Ready-To-Go series is that these activity materials go beyond merely offering ideas. Ready to Go resources instead provide fully developed activity & event plans. These allow the youth leader to host youth events of substance & quality, with a minimal up-front time investment. It’s like offering a baked cake instead of a cake recipe & ingredients. Or, offering a fully-assembled ready-to-use playground set…instead of loose components in a box with assembly instructions. This book features 101 ready-to-go lessons that Youth Leaders can use in a Sunday School setting, in youth meetings, or retreats. It also contains meeting ideas and lessons that can be utilized quickly and effectively when the need arises. Ready-to-Go Youth Group Activities includes --Meeting startersShort Bible studiesTest worksheetsFliersParable studies with skitsGamesSmall events with little or no prep timeMeeting closersA scripture index. All materials are reproducible.Ready-To-Go resources are equipped with event themes that target contemporary issues teens face in the real world. These relevant messages are delivered with impact, through coordinated devotional plans, discussion frameworks, and captivating activities. All the event accessories you need, down to publicity fliers and parental forms are included. Just add youth.
Reagan's Gun-Toting Nuns: The Catholic Conflict over Cold War Human Rights Policy in Central America
by Theresa KeeleyIn Reagan's Gun-Toting Nuns, Theresa Keeley analyzes the role of intra-Catholic conflict within the framework of U.S. foreign policy formulation and execution during the Reagan administration. She challenges the preponderance of scholarship on the administration that stresses the influence of evangelical Protestants on foreign policy toward Latin America. Especially in the case of U.S. engagement in El Salvador and Nicaragua, Keeley argues, the bitter debate between U.S. and Central American Catholics over the direction of the Catholic Church shaped President Reagan's foreign policy. The flash point for these intra-Catholic disputes was the December 1980 political murder of four American Catholic missionaries in El Salvador. Liberal Catholics described nuns and priests in Central America who worked to combat structural inequality as human rights advocates living out the Gospel's spirit. Conservative Catholics saw them as agents of class conflict who furthered the so-called Gospel according to Karl Marx. The debate was an old one among Catholics, but, as Reagan's Gun-Toting Nuns contends, it intensified as conservative, anticommunist Catholics played instrumental roles in crafting U.S. policy to fund the Salvadoran government and the Nicaraguan Contras.Reagan's Gun-Toting Nuns describes the religious actors as human rights advocates and, against prevailing understandings of the fundamentally secular activism related to human rights, highlights religion-inspired activism during the Cold War. In charting the rightward development of American Catholicism, Keeley provides a new chapter in the history of U.S. diplomacy and shows how domestic issues such as contraception and abortion joined with foreign policy matters to shift Catholic laity toward Republican principles at home and abroad.
Reagan’s Mythical America
by Jan HanskaAmerican Storyverse introduces narratology as a relevant approach to the study of any US President, but especially Ronald Reagan. While initially much of the research conducted into the Reagan presidency was highly critical, many of the books written lately have been more like hagiographies. Reagan has been subjected to almost a worshipful attitude in the past two decades (see e. g. D'Souza 1997, Kengor 2006, Wallison 2003), and only recently more level-headed and objective studies have begun to emerge (see e. g. Wilentz 2008). There is a need to keep researching Reagan, but by taking new stances and original approaches. Hanska introduces a new interpretation of Reagan's success that goes beyond explaining his rhetoric. He takes a more comprehensive view by arguing that Reagan's political leadership focused on the use of stories as factual tools of policymaking. Reagan was a man fond of stories and his tendency to illustrate even the most confounding political challenges in short anecdotes and parables are an example of his ability as a storyteller. But that was not the whole scope of his narrative-based policies. The main argument is that with the aid of multiple stories about America, the American Way of Life and especially the American Dream Reagan narrated into existence a mythical America, which could be characterized as America where all its highest aspirations and ideals were manifested. This was not the world Americans lived in, but with aid of the ability of stories to create alternative realities or storyworlds (Herman 2004) of their own Reagan managed to alter the perception of people about the country they lived in. Instead of the mere storyworld that is built in the narrates interaction with the story Hanska introduce a concept of 'storyverse' to illustrate how such a complex and multifaceted storytelling as Reagan's was able to knit storylines into a 'storyweb' where common-sensical, ideological, cultural, political, mythical and even religious beliefs worked as snares to draw the audience into accepting one storyline and by following it deeper into the narrative superstructure were enticed to accept more and more beliefs without even consciously noticing their influence. Reagan's mythical America was not the United States of America that exists with clear boundaries on the map, but rather an imagined community that people were happy to inhabit. It was a place of everyday heroism and good deeds, love within families and communities, a land where indeed there always was a 'new morning for America. ' The skillful storytelling created an entire storyverse of belief of what it meant to be an American and a part of this mythical community and by maneuvering people in and out of different storyworlds within the entire metanarrative Reagan was able to immerse the citizenry in his storyverse and exclude politically disadvantageous factors almost completely. Of course, just as in every story, the audience needs to accept it as worth listening to, and this requires belief. This explains why Reagan was simultaneously loved and hated by the citizens. There was no middle ground. If one chose not to accept Reagan's political vision of America as fundamentally 'true, ' they were strongly opposed to all Reagan stood for.
Real Chances: An Alaskan Dream Come True
by Katrina WilterdingA once in a lifetime chance. Sometimes we are given a shot, a chance to change the entire course of our lives. The strong take those chances and run with them, the fearful let them pass, afraid to face change. Chance or opportunity. However you decide to view it, these once in a lifetime events don't happen everyday. When one comes knocking will you take it? Real Chances displays the effect that opportunity has on not only the person taking that chance, but others in their life as well. We may not always be aware of the far reaching effects of our choices. Is not knowing a good reason to stay where we are? To decide to just not decide? Life is in a constant state of change, without which we become boring, unable to grow. Let Real Chances show you how change works in your life to create something beautiful.
Real Characters
by J. Vernon McgeeJ Vernon McGee discusses some outstanding characters of the Bible.
Real Christian: Bearing the Marks of Authentic Faith
by Todd A. WilsonThe evangelical church is home to many who claim to follow Christ but who show little evidence of a truly transformed life. Todd Wilson's Real Christian: Bearing the Marks of Authentic Faith biblically defines what it means to be a true Christian, calling readers to look at their own lives and diagnose where they aren't living authentically for God. With a prophetic voice, Wilson looks at how we deceive ourselves into thinking we are really living for God through believing the right things or doing lots of spiritual activities. In contrast, real Christians are marked by five key qualities: broken-hearted joy, a humble disposition, a readiness to acknowledge sin, an ability to live balanced and avoid legalism, and a deep spiritual hunger that drives growth. All of these qualities culminate in the single defining mark of a real Christian-love. To help in distinguishing genuine faith from counterfeit spirituality, Wilson draws upon the gospels, the writings of Paul, and the insights of theologian Jonathan Edwards to help readers understand the necessary marks of an authentic, transformed life, marks that show evidence of a new heart and bear spiritual fruit through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Real Christian: Bearing the Marks of Authentic Faith
by Todd WilsonThe evangelical church is home to many who claim to follow Christ but who show little evidence of a truly transformed life. Todd Wilson's Real Christian: Bearing the Marks of Authentic Faith biblically defines what it means to be a true Christian, calling readers to look at their own lives and diagnose where they aren’t living authentically for God. With a prophetic voice, Wilson looks at how we deceive ourselves into thinking we are really living for God through believing the right things or doing lots of spiritual activities. In contrast, real Christians are marked by five key qualities: broken-hearted joy, a humble disposition, a readiness to acknowledge sin, an ability to live balanced and avoid legalism, and a deep spiritual hunger that drives growth. All of these qualities culminate in the single defining mark of a real Christian—love. To help in distinguishing genuine faith from counterfeit spirituality, Wilson draws upon the gospels, the writings of Paul, and the insights of theologian Jonathan Edwards to help readers understand the necessary marks of an authentic, transformed life, marks that show evidence of a new heart and bear spiritual fruit through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Real Church in a Social Network World: From Facebook to Face-to-Face Faith
by Leonard SweetWe need more than status updates--we need relationships. Learning about God's Heart from the TGIF (Twitter, Google, iPhone, Facebook) Generation The explosion in social networking is perhaps the most visible expression of the human longing to know others and to be known. Is there a parallel in contemporary Christianity? The church posts a welcome sign outside, but has Christianity lost sight of reaching the current generation with the heart of the gospel? Drawing from years of Leonard Sweet's paradigm-shifting analyses, Real Church in a Social-Network World delivers ahead-of-the-curve observations and insights into the intersection of the gospel and richer relationships in an ever-changing culture of TGIFers (those who connect using Twitter, Google, the iPhone, and Facebook). · Find out how to recover the gospel's unique emphasis on real relationship · Experience the promise and reward of relationship and reconciliation in everyday life · Learn how the driving desire for connection, understanding, and belonging give evidence of the deepest longings of the human soul This provocative eBook offers practical guidance to leaders and followers, believers and seekers, and anyone who is ready to explore the human longing for relationship.
Real Church: Does it exist? Can I find it?
by Larry Crabb"Church as I know it usually leaves deep parts of me dormant, unawakened, and untouched. I don't much like going. So, what now?" What's happening to the Church? Why are so many people who for decades have been faithful, steady churchgoers (and others who want to start going to church but can't seem to find one that meets their needs) losing interest in even attending church, let alone getting involved? What is fundamentally wrong with the "types" of churches (Seeker, Bible, Emergent, Liberal, Evangelical) that dot the religious landscape? Larry Crabb believes it is time to rethink the entire foundation and focus of what we know today as church -- everything we're doing and are wanting to see happen. In his most honest and vulnerable book to date, the author reveals his own struggles in this area and then offers a compelling vision of why God designed us to live in community with Him and others, and what the church he wants to be a part of looks like.
Real Citizenship: Practical Steps for Making an Impact on Your Culture
by Tim G. Echols“I believe this book will challenge you to live a life more pleasing to God. Each chapter concludes with a "chapter challenge" section to spur you to make some application of the principles presented in the text. 1 hope you will finish each and every challenge. If you do, please write me so I can send you a special award. Is the term "real citizenship" presumptuous? Perhaps. But as I will explain in the coming pages, believers in Christ are called to more than simply remembering to vote. As we live out Christ-like consideration for our fellow citizens, and Christ-like respect for the procedures and people involved in the political process--attitudes which can only come from placing our hope in Christ, we will be examples of "real" citizens. In sum, as believers we are called to something greater than earthly citizenship or electoral "success"--we are called to be faithful citizens of heaven. May God bless you as you seek to faithfully live out your "dual" citizenship.”- by the author.
Real Engineering Experiments: 25+ Exciting STEAM Activities for Kids (Real Science)
by Anthony TegtmeyerSTEAM-powered experiments in engineering for kids ages 8 to 12Learn about the amazing world of engineering for kids and how it works together with science, technology, art, and math. Whether you're experimenting with structures, materials, mechanics, or electrons, this book offers step-by-step instructions and full-color pictures that help you answer questions like "what can we use magnetism for?" and "how do catapults work?"This guide to engineering for kids features:Engineering explained—Dive deep into what it means to be an engineer as you learn about the different types of engineers and how they approach challenges.Amazing experiments—Build a robot, make your own battery, clean polluted water, create a wind-powered car, and more using basic items you might already have at home.Beginner guidance—Find explanations for why each experiment works, as well as suggestions for taking them even further.Explore the amazing world of engineering for kids with these fun experiments that will get kids excited about learning.
Real Estate in South Asia (Routledge International Real Estate Markets Series)
by Prashant Das Ramya Aroul Julia FreyboteThis book provides insights into commercial and residential real estate markets in one of the world’s fastest growing regions: South Asia. Despite being the growth leader of the future, South Asia is among the "least integrated" regions with a large need for real-estate-specific information and knowledge. Scholars and industry practitioners from a variety of backgrounds come together to provide pan-regional and country-specific insights into—amongst others—institutional, economic and real estate market characteristics, real-estate-specific legislation, real estate financing, development and urban planning practices in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. A particular focus of the book is on topics such as the provision of affordable housing, sustainability, innovative office concepts such as co-working and the development of real estate investment trust (REIT) markets in South Asia. This book integrates knowledge on real estate markets in and across South Asian countries by means of country profiles and case studies to provide industry professionals, policy makers and scholars with a fundamental understanding of characteristics, opportunities and challenges in the region. The book is intended for readers with interests in real estate development, finance and investment, urban planning and housing in South Asia. It is also suitable as a reference textbook for undergraduate and graduate students in programs focusing on real estate, economic development, urban planning and public policy in South Asia and other emerging countries.
Real Evangelism
by Bailey SmithReal Evangelism shows how aspects of church culture actually dampen the evangelistic task entrusted to it. Smith exposes what he calls "subtle substitutes" to evangelism. While there is nothing wrong with ministries that help established Christians, Bailey Smith impresses upon the church that these types of ministries must not take place of reaching out to the lost.
Real Family Values: Leading Your Family into the 21st Century with Clarity and Conviction
by Robert LewisThis rerelease of the popular original edition continues to speak to parents in a society where "family values" no longer seem to exist. If anything, today's community standards threaten the family. Airwaves and movie theaters are drenched with obscenities; perversion is glorified; divorce is cheap and easy; "safe sex" is promoted instead of abstinence; parental authority is undermined; sex roles are confused. For children, such cultural chaos is crippling. But in Real Family Values, parents will learn how to sort through today's moral confusion, remove it from their homes, and change the world by zeroing in on the part they love most: their families.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Real Followers: A Radical Quest to Expose the Pretender Inside Each of Us
by Mike SlaughterMany Christians, disillusioned with lives of spiritual mediocrity that have been dampened by today’s rampant materialism and cafeteria spirituality, are asking the same question: “Where is the substance that can move our church beyond ho-hum Christianity?” Today’s public fascination with angels, New Age spirituality, and the paranormal is likewise spurring Christ’s followers to look for greater and deeper life transformation through their faith. Real Followers: Beyond Virtual Christianity shows how an ordinary church can be transformed into a radical community—a fellowship of everyday people who began looking for meaning and searching for authenticity. Michael Slaughter describes a movement that is hooked in various generations, from buster to boomer to builder. This resource also includes discussion questions.Key Features: • Readers examine culturally relevant concepts to ask the age-old question:“Will you give up your right to yourself, take up the cross, and radically follows Jesus?” • Readers are presented with a workable example of how to grow their church, with examples from Ginghamsburg Church • Contains case studies of real people who have begun a “migration in the wrong direction” • Includes discussion questions Key Benefits: • Readers learn what it really means to find their destiny as Christ’s followers • Readers are inspired to take doable steps toward becoming authentic Christ followers
Real Future: Alaskan Girl Comes Home
by Katrina WilterdingWe can shape our future. Every day we make decisions that set us on the path to something more significant than the day-to-day. Our destiny is what we make it. Real Future gives hope. It allows us to realize there is something to look forward to beyond this life. It gives readers a glimpse into something bigger than our daily existence. Take a moment to examine your future just as the characters in Real Future do, and in so doing, take the leap of faith to shape your destiny.
Real Ghost Stories: Haunting Encounters Told by Real People
by Tony Brueski Jenny BrueskiHEART-POUNDING STORIES AND TRUE-LIFE EXPERIENCES UNVEIL THE REAL WORLD OF THE UNDEADOtherworldly entities invade millions of lives every day, maybe even yours. In this book, Tony and Jenny Brueski from Real Ghost Stories Online take the most haunting accounts from their podcast and share them here, including:• HAUNTED BUILDINGS AND BREWERIES• JEALOUS DEMONS AND PROTECTIVE SPIRITS• MESSAGES FROM RETURNED RELATIVES• GHOSTLY BATTLES FROM LONG-LOST WARS• EXORCISMS AND DARK ENERGIES• GRAVEYARD EXPLORATION GONE WRONG
Real Ghost Stories: Haunting Tales of the Paranormal from Across the World
by Jamie KingFilled with tales of ghosts and ghouls, poltergeists and other unexplained encounters, this bone-chilling compendium of paranormal phenomena is sure to haunt you long after you have turned the final page. But beware: after sampling these sinister histories, you might be too scared to close your eyes - no matter how much your body craves sleep.
Real Ghosts, Restless Spirits, and Haunted Places
by Brad SteigerThe culmination of Brad Steiger's 50 years of paranormal research, this book is a bold telling of true ghost stories and firstperson encounters with the supernatural. Arranged topically, it covers every sort of ghost and haunting: poltergeists, shadow beings, and phantoms alongside haunted apartments, hotels, and trains. From ghosts that still haunt Ohio's State Reformatory, otherwise known as Shawshank, to Abe Lincoln's regular consultation with mediums, this compendium delves into the true scary stories from both historical documents and personal accounts. In its 30 chapters, spirits represented include the good ("Ghosts that Saved Lives"), the bad ("Invisible Home Wreckers"), and the ugly ("Demonic Spirits That Whisper Commands to Kill"). The book goes on to unearth the ghastly goingson and macabre manifestations at haunted places such as museums, churches, graveyards, restaurants, and sacred sites while also instructing how to perform a cleansing ritual to rid a home of unwanted spectral visitors. This second edition is updated to include new stories and compelling evidence of both the existence of ghosts and proof of hauntings that will entertain, induce chills, and make the doubtful believe.
Real Girls of the Bible
by Mona HodgsonThis devotional includes stories of thirty authentic Bible women to illustrate the power of the girlfriend community to surround and support girls as they become real women of God, while emphasizing each girl's individuality and God's special plan for her.
Real Girls of the Bible: A 31-Day Devotional
by Mona HodgsonGirls have always formed strong bonds, especially in tough times. This sisterhood of women is celebrated in the latest devotional from Faithgirlz. Real Girls of the Bible uses the stories of thirty authentic Bible women to illustrate the power of the girlfriend community to surround and support girls as they become real women of God, while emphasizing each girl’s individuality and God’s special plan for her. Featuring women from both the Old and New Testaments—including Esther, Leah, Sarah, Ruth, Martha, Mary, and Elizabeth—each devotional centers around the woman’s faith-journey and includes a scripture verse, prayer, suggestions for further reading, and even an item called Body Talk intended to promote self-esteem. The text is sprinkled with Fun Facts (Miriam led the singing of the first song of worship ever recorded in Scripture!) to keep girls engaged and interested. In every story, girls see God’s holy character and glimpse their own potential in relationship with Him, while learning the qualities they must develop—such as relationship, authenticity, and loving-kindness—on the way to becoming real girls themselves.
Real God, Real Life: Finding a Spirituality That Works
by Jo SaxtonAs Christians we want our relationship with God to grow, to mature. We consider things like our devotional life and spiritual formation as fundamental to our Christian faith. But then there's the rest of life - young kids or long hours at work, financial pressures, illness in the family, high points, disappointments, faith crises. We want a faith that's deep - but also a life that works.How do we get a life beyond the quiet time? In REAL GOD, REAL LIFE popular speaker Jo Saxton shows us how we can follow in Paul's footsteps and 'train ourselves to be godly'.Full of practical ideas and anecdotes, this is spiritual formation for everyone.
Real Good Church: How Our Church Came Back from the Dead, and Yours Can, Too
by Molly Phinney Baskette[from the back cover] "Easy-to-read, with a sense of humor, Real Good Church is a testament to First Church Somerville United Church of Christ's success and a gift of hope for all churches that find themselves struggling to keep their doors open."
Real Hauntings 4-Book Bundle: Creepy Capital / Spooky Sudbury / Haunted Hamilton / Tomes of Terror
by Mark Leslie Jenny JelenExperience a ghostly thrill with Mark Leslie’s four books on strange supernatural happenings. Creepy Capital True stories of ghostly encounters and creepy locales lurk throughout the Ottawa region. Come along with Canada’s paranormal raconteur extraordinaire, Mark Leslie, and discover the first-person accounts of ghostly happenings at landmarks throughout the historic city and surrounding towns. Haunted Hamilton From the Hermitage ruins to Dundurn Castle, from the Customs House to Stoney Creek Battlefield Park, the city of Hamilton, Ontario, is steeped in a rich history and culture. But beneath the surface of the Steel City there dwells a darker heart — from the shadows of yesteryear arise the unexplained, the bizarre, and the chilling. Spooky Sudbury From haunted mine shafts to inexplicable lights in the northern sky, there are strange things afoot in the peaceful northern municipality of Sudbury; eerie phenomenon that will amaze, give you pause, make you wonder, and have you looking twice at what might first appear to be innocent shadows. Tomes of Terror It’s been said that books have a life of their own, but there’s more than literature lurking in the cobwebbed recesses of dusty bookstores and libraries across Canada. Read about some of the most celebrated and eerie bookish haunts, and try to brush off that feeling of someone watching from just over your shoulder…
Real Hauntings 5-Book Bundle: Macabre Montreal / Creepy Capital / Spooky Sudbury / Haunted Hamilton / Tomes of Terror
by Mark Leslie Jenny Jelen Shayna KrishnasamyExperience a ghostly thrill with Mark Leslie’s five books on strange supernatural happenings. Macabre Montreal Montreal is steeped in history and culture. But there are dark tales, eerie stories, and ghostly spectres that come alive once the sun goes down. Creepy Capital True stories of ghostly encounters and creepy locales lurk throughout the Ottawa region. Come along with Canada’s paranormal raconteur extraordinaire, Mark Leslie, and discover the first-person accounts of ghostly happenings at landmarks throughout the historic city and surrounding towns. Haunted Hamilton From the Hermitage ruins to Dundurn Castle, from the Customs House to Stoney Creek Battlefield Park, the city of Hamilton, Ontario, is steeped in a rich history and culture. But beneath the surface of the Steel City there dwells a darker heart — from the shadows of yesteryear arise the unexplained, the bizarre, and the chilling. Spooky Sudbury From haunted mine shafts to inexplicable lights in the northern sky, there are strange things afoot in the peaceful northern municipality of Sudbury; eerie phenomenon that will amaze, give you pause, make you wonder, and have you looking twice at what might first appear to be innocent shadows. Tomes of Terror It’s been said that books have a life of their own, but there’s more than literature lurking in the cobwebbed recesses of dusty bookstores and libraries across Canada. Read about some of the most celebrated and eerie bookish haunts, and try to brush off that feeling of someone watching from just over your shoulder…