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The Beatitudes: From Slavery to Civil Rights
by Carole Boston WeatherfordSince the earliest days of slavery, African Americans have called on their religious faith in the struggle against oppression. In this book the Beatitudes -- from Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount -- form the backdrop for Carole Boston Weatherford's powerful free-verse poem that traces the African American journey from slavery to civil rights.Tim Ladwig's stirring illustrations showcase a panorama of heroes in this struggle, from the slaves shackled in the hold of a ship to the first African American president taking his oath of office on the steps of the United States Capitol.Readers of all ages will find this a book to return to again and again for encouragement and inspiration.
Beatitudes From the Back Side: A Different Take on What It Means to be Blessed
by J. Ellsworth Kalas John SchroederUsing his method of approaching Bible passages from an unusual angle or a unique starting point, J. Ellsworth Kalas presents new insight into the beatitudes, Jesus' blessings from the Sermon on the Mount. The book contains sessions and a study guide for personal use or for use in groups. This book continues Kalas' popular series of "Back Side" books. The beatitudes form the introduction to what is no doubt the best-known sermon ever preached. We call it the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5-7), and of course it was preached by Jesus. When we start examining the beatitudes we realize that in Jesus' view, happiness is not something we get by pursuing it; indeed, almost the contrary. We are told that we will be happy--or blessed, if you prefer--in what appears to be the near antithesis of happiness. If we choose to live by the beatitudes, we make a declaration of dependence. We put ourselves into bondage to such things as poverty of spirit, purity of heart, and a readiness for persecution. This isn't the sort of product they advertise on prime-time television; indeed, I'm not sure that it appears overly often in our prime-time worship services. That is because this is not a spiritual quick fix. It doesn't come in a five-easy-lessons capsule. Instead, it is largely contrary to the way we live and to the way we think. Before we go any further, however, let me say that over the past twenty centuries a very great many people have found in these beatitudes a depth of peace and joy beyond anything our common culture promotes and seeks. But it isn't easy, and it isn't obvious. There's nothing easy or soft about this kind of dependence. Rather, it is an attitude that demands a huge store of courage. It's the kind of dependence the trapeze artist displays when he or she lets go of the bar and with no safety net awaiting, flies off into space, trusting. Welcome to the beatitudes. And may you be eternally happy, beginning now. --adapted from the introduction
The Beatitudes through the Ages
by Rebekah EklundThe Beatitudes are among the most influential teachings in human history. For two millennia, they have appeared in poetry and politics, and in the thought of mystics and activists, as Christians and others have reflected on their meaning and shaped their lives according to the Beatitudes&’ wisdom. But what does it mean to be hungry, or meek, or pure in heart? Is poverty a material condition or a spiritual one? And what does being blessed entail? In this book, Rebekah Eklund explores how the Beatitudes have affected readers across differing eras and contexts. From Matthew and Luke in the first century, to Martin Luther King Jr. and Billy Graham in the twentieth, Eklund considers how men and women have understood and applied the Beatitudes to their own lives through the ages. Reading in the company of past readers helps us see how rich and multifaceted the Beatitudes truly are, illuminating what they might mean for us today.
Beatrice and Virgil: A Novel
by Yann MartelBONUS: This edition contains a Beatrice and Virgil discussion guide.When Henry receives a letter from an elderly taxidermist, it poses a puzzle that he cannot resist. As he is pulled further into the world of this strange and calculating man, Henry becomes increasingly involved with the lives of a donkey and a howler monkey--named Beatrice and Virgil--and the epic journey they undertake together.With all the spirit and originality that made Life of Pi so beloved, this brilliant new novel takes the reader on a haunting odyssey. On the way Martel asks profound questions about life and art, truth and deception, responsibility and complicity.
A Beau for Katie
by Emma MillerThe Housekeeper's Surprise Match Agreeing to work for two weeks as a housekeeper to help a family in need seems like a good idea to Katie Byler. But when Katie sees the handsome, young-and single-Freeman Kemp for the first time, she wonders what she's gotten herself into. Freeman may be considered a catch, but the stubborn young man is driving strong-willed Katie to distraction. When the two of them decide to play matchmaker for Freeman's elderly uncle, though, their feud takes a different turn. The spark between them is strong, but can Katie and Freeman reach common ground to find their happily-ever-after?
A Beau for Katie and An Amish Harvest
by Emma Miller Patricia DavidsOpposites attract in these two Amish talesA Beau for Katie by Emma MillerAgreeing to work as a housekeeper for a family in need seems like a good idea to Katie Byler. But young—and single—Freeman Kemp is not who she expected. Though they’re constantly at odds, when they decide to play matchmaker for Freeman’s elderly uncle, their spark is undeniable. Can Katie and Freeman reach common ground to find their happily-ever-after?An Amish Harvest by Patricia DavidsAfter Amish carpenter Samuel Bowman is injured in an accident, young Amish widow Rebecca Miller becomes his nurse. Samuel expects her to make his life easier—but his caregiver is bossy and challenges his beliefs. Though Samuel’s sight is in question, soon he sees the woman he’s come to care for won’t let herself love again. Now it’s Samuel’s turn to heal her heart.
Beauteous Truth: Faith, Reason, Literature And Culture
by Joseph PearceFor those, like myself, who have enjoyed and greatly benefitted from reading the essays of Joseph Pearce, published in a variety of venues, especially as editorials in the Saint Austin Review, but who have not practically been able to save them in an effective way for future consultation and reflection, the present volume is indeed a great gift. For those who are not familiar with the essays of Joseph Pearce, the volume represents a treasure of the most solid Catholic thought on important aspects of culture, both historical and contemporary, especially as it expresses itself through literature. Joseph Pearce has a remarkable gift of writing about history, literature, and culture in general. His writing is objective and accessible, that is, it shows his steadfast attention to the truth and to language which manifests the same truth in its inherent beauty or natural attractiveness. The fifth essay in this collection, "History Revisited," for instance, is a sterling example of his gift for such writing. The essays of Joseph Pearce reveal his profound understanding of reason and faith, of classical realist philosophy and Catholic doctrine, which permits him to write about history, literature, and culture in general with an unfailing attention to the objective reality of God and of His earthly creation, that is, of man and of the world.
Beautiful
by Cindy Martinusen-ColomaHer friends once thought she was perfect. Now she must face the mirror--and herself--to discover what true beauty is.Ellie Summerfield has everything a girl could want--she's beautiful, she's Senior Class President, has a calendar full of social engagements, volunteer commitments, and church activities. In short, she's perfect, according to most of the students at West Redding High School. But something is bothering Ellie, like a loose string on a dress she can feel but can't see. Does she really love her boyfriend, Ryan? Who are her true friends? And is she really happy in her picture-perfect life?Then in the course of a few minutes, the loose string in Ellie's life completely unravels. Forever changed, she must face herself as she discovers what it really means to be beautiful.
Beautiful Adornment of Mount Meru (Library of Tibetan Classics)
by Changkya Rölpai Dorjé Donald LopezThe most lucid and penetrating survey of classical Indian philosophy in the Tibetan language.Beautiful Adornment of Mount Meru by Changkya Rölpai Dorjé (1717–86) is a work of doxography, presenting the distinctive philosophical tenets of the Indian Buddhist and non-Buddhist schools in a systematic manner that ascends through increasingly more subtle views. It is a Tibetan corollary to contemporary histories of philosophy. The &“Mount Meru&” of the title is the Buddha&’s teachings, and Changkya&’s work excels in particular in its treatment of the two Mahayana Buddhist schools, the Yogacara (here called the Vijñaptimatra) and the Madhyamaka. Unlike Jamyang Shepa&’s (1648–1722) much longer Great Exposition of Tenets, which was one of the key sources and inspirations for Changkya, Beautiful Adornment is often praised for the clarity of its prose and its economical use of citations from Indian texts. At the same time, like Jamyang Shepa&’s work, Changkya&’s text is not simply a catalog of assertions; it skillfully examines core philosophical issues, including a number of intriguing ancillary discussions. Also like Jamyang Shepa&’s text, Changkya&’s is very much a Geluk work, drawing heavily on the works of Tsongkhapa and his disciples. The manageable size of Beautiful Adornment and, more importantly, its lucid literary style, made this work the classic source for the study of Indian thought, used by students the across Tibetan cultural sphere. In contemporary academic circles, it has also been a central source for studying the Tibetan interpretation of the classical Indian philosophical systems.
A Beautiful Adventure Marriage: A Guide for the Marriage God Created for You
by Tara PayneGrab your bags! We are going on an adventure! Marriage is a gift from the Father. It is an adventure we get to share with the one the Lord created just for us. Like any great adventure, there is work we must do, that is necessary, if it is going to be successful! Let’s be real! Marriage is beautiful, but it is also hard. Godly guidance is needed along the way if we are going to happily arrive at our destination. What is our destination!?! Till death do us part! Let’s be the generation that ends divorce! Let’s be the generation that shines a positive light on marriage! Let’s be the generation that uses our marriage as a platform for God’s glory! It’s going to take some work, but it will be so worth it! Here's the good news, we don't have to go on this adventure alone! We have not been left to figure this out on our own! God has given us His Word as the ultimate road map to a happy marriage. He has also put people in our path to guide us along the way which make this adventure even more beautiful. A Beautiful Adventure Marriage is a “guide” that when followed will help you to have a godly, happy marriage. We are going to dig into God’s Word to see what He says about marriage. We will also go through some practical wisdom and daily steps that can transform your relationship. Let’s empty our baggage of anything that is holding us back and fill it with items that will get us further down the road together. We will learn to partner with our spouse and with God to be intentional every day. We will learn to plan and pace ourselves so we can enjoy the journey and joyfully arrive at our destination. Marriage was God’s idea and it is a good idea. It can also be a beautiful adventure. Who is ready for the adventure of a lifetime? You can do this! You can have a happy marriage! It is going to be beautiful! Grab your spouse, your God, and your guide! Your destination awaits! Let’s go!
Beautiful Already - Women's Bible Study Leader Guide: Reclaiming God's Perspective on Beauty (Beautiful Already)
by Barbara L. Roose"I'm so fat." "I don't like my nose." "I wish I was taller." Our dissatisfaction with what we see in the mirror is what Barb Roose calls our ugly struggle with beauty. It's a struggle that negatively affects not only our self-image and self-esteem but also our relationships with God and others. What is the answer? We desperately need to regain God's perspective on beauty. During this six-week Bible study, women will unpack the beliefs or experiences that are holding them hostage. Together they will explore God's truth about beauty throughout the Scriptures, digging into passages in both the Old and New Testaments and applying the truths in their lives. They will move away from over-focusing on unrealistic expectations and perceived flaws toward God's viewpoint of their hearts, minds, bodies and souls. As women make this journey, they will: Be set free from the trap of comparison and self-ridicule Become comfortable in their own skin Reach beyond themselves to encourage and support other women By learning to see the goodness, blessing, and purpose for their bodies no matter their size, shape, or style, women will overcome discontent and comparison and learn to live fully as the beautifully unique creations God designed them to be. The Leader Guide contains six session plan outlines, complete with discussion points and questions, activities, prayers, and more--plus leader helps for facilitating a group.
Beautiful Already - Women's Bible Study Participant Book: Reclaiming God's Perspective on Beauty (Beautiful Already)
by Barbara L. Roose"I'm so fat." "I don't like my nose." "I wish I was taller." Our dissatisfaction with what we see in the mirror is what Barb Roose calls our ugly struggle with beauty. It's a struggle that negatively affects not only our self-image and self-esteem but also our relationships with God and others. What is the answer? We desperately need to regain God's perspective on beauty. During this six-week Bible study, women will unpack the beliefs or experiences that are holding them hostage. Together they will explore God's truth about beauty throughout the Scriptures, digging into passages in both the Old and New Testaments and applying the truths in their lives. They will move away from over-focusing on unrealistic expectations and perceived flaws toward God's viewpoint of their hearts, minds, bodies and souls. As women make this journey, they will: Be set free from the trap of comparison and self-ridicule Become comfortable in their own skin Reach beyond themselves to encourage and support other women By learning to see the goodness, blessing, and purpose for their bodies no matter their size, shape, or style, women will overcome discontent and comparison and learn to live fully as the beautifully unique creations God designed them to be.
Beautiful and Terrible Things: Faith, Doubt, and Discovering a Way Back to Each Other
by Amy ButlerFrom one of America&’s most prominent ministers comes an inspiring, provocative reflection on the necessity of community, the inevitability of conflict, and the transformative power of radical love.&“I so love and admire the work and witness of Pastor Amy Butler.&”—Anne Lamott&“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don&’t be afraid,&” said theologian Frederick Beuchner. Pastor Amy Butler, the first woman at the helm of New York&’s historic Riverside Church, knows firsthand that to navigate such a world, one must be courageous, honest, and compassionate. In Beautiful and Terrible Things, Pastor Amy draws on the most meaningful, challenging, and soul-shaking moments of her own life to offer larger lessons on theology and relationships.Pastor Amy grew up in a conservative Evangelical family in the diverse culture of the Hawaiian Islands. As she realized she was more inclined to be a pastor than to marry one, she began an unlikely journey, breaking one stained-glass ceiling after another. Holding increasingly high-profile ministry positions in New Orleans, Washington, D.C., and New York City, Amy weathered rigidly unwelcoming congregations and enormous trials, ultimately learning that only the radical love of community could generate healing. As she describes her experiences leading a church to publicly affirm its LGBTQ community members, losing a child, and undergoing an unexpected divorce, Amy offers a thoughtful lens on all the ways life can push us to see the world from another&’s perspective. In her signature compassionate, witty voice, she offers fresh, nonjudgmental perspectives on faith—which, at its most beautiful expression, allows for the possibility that there is more than one way to experience God.
A Beautiful Arrangement: Hearts In Harmony, Listening To Love, A Beautiful Arrangement (An Amish Journey Novel #3)
by Beth WisemanCan Lydia and Samuel find love in their marriage of convenience? Lydia still can’t believe that she is Mrs. Samuel Bontrager. Or that she is seventeen with a six-month-old daughter. As Baby Mattie grows fussier by the day, Lydia wonders how she will survive a lifetime of marriage to a man she doesn’t love—at least not in the way she wants. Samuel knows that he and Lydia did the right thing by marrying when Lydia became pregnant. He has even grown to love Lydia, though he never seems able to say the words out loud. What if she doesn’t love him back? After all, she pushes him away whenever he tries to draw closer. When Lydia and Samuel introduce their mutual friends Beverly and Joseph to each other, they are as envious as they are delighted to watch their friends fall in love. But just as Samuel thinks Lydia might be softening to him, she gets involved in investigating the mysterious past of a local homeless woman—a curiosity that threatens to drive the couple further apart. The third and final novel in the Amish Journeys series by bestselling author Beth Wiseman explores how wounds from the past must come to light before they can hope to heal.
The Beautiful Ashes of Gomez Gomez (Ballads of Paradise #1)
by Buck StormLiterary Americana fiction filled with humor and heartWhen his wife, Angel, is killed in a head-on collision, Gomez Gomez feels he can't go on--so he doesn't. He spends his days in the bushes next to the crash site drinking Thunderbird wine, and his nights cradling a coffee can full of Angel's ashes. Slow, sure suicide, with no one for company but the snakes, Elvis's ghost, and a strange kid named Bones.Across town, Father Jake Morales plays it safe, haunted by memories of the woman he left behind, hiding his guilt, loss, and love behind a thick wall of cassock and ritual. Then a shady business deal threatens the town--and his good friend Gomez Gomez--and Father Jake can't just stand by and watch. But what happens when the rescuer is the one in need of saving?The Beautiful Ashes of Gomez Gomez is quirky, heartfelt, and deeply human. Lives and hopes collide in the town of Paradise, stretching across decades and continents in this epic story of forgiveness, redemption, and love.
The Beautiful Community: Unity, Diversity, and the Church at Its Best
by Irwyn L. Ince Jr.The church is at its best when it pursues the biblical value of unity in diversity. Our world has been torn asunder by racial, ethnic, and ideological differences. It is seen in our politics, felt in our families, and ingrained in our theology. Sadly, the church has often reinforced these ethnic and racial divides. To cast off the ugliness of disunity and heal our fractured humanity, we must cultivate spiritual practices that help us pursue beautiful community. In The Beautiful Community, pastor and theologian Irwyn Ince boldly unpacks the reasons for our divisions while gently guiding us toward our true hope for wholeness and reconciliation. God reveals himself to us in his trinitarian life as the perfection of beauty, and essential to this beauty is his work as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The gospel imperative to pursue the beautiful community—unity in diversity across lines of difference—is rooted in reflecting the beautiful community of our triune God. This book calls us into and provides tools for that pursuit.
A Beautiful Defeat: Find True Freedom and Purpose in Total Surrender to God
by Kevin Malarkey Matthew L. JacobsonTotal surrender to God: thesurprising key to experiencing the sense of peace and purpose you crave.There is a gnawing feeling inside all of us that says we could be better. Ifwe would just be more organized or work a little harder, we'd finally have therich and fulfilling life we want.But the message of the cross is different. The message is not one of God saying, "I died for your sins to work as aconsultant to help you achieve the life you're determined to have." Jesus died toreconcile us to God so that we can die and give our lives to him and to others--atotal surrender that is truly a beautiful defeat!Perspective and peace in the midst of the stormy chaos of life are alwaysavailable to the person who lives a surrendered life. The result is a richexistence basking in the pleasure and approval of God.
Beautiful, Disappointing, Hopeful: How Gratitude, Grief, and Grace Reflect the Christian Story
by Drew HyunLife is both beautiful and disappointing.In Beautiful, Disappointing, Hopeful, Drew Hyun explains how the Christian faith provides a lens through which we can understand the beautiful and disappointing world we live in, while offering the kind of promising hope we long for.Throughout history we have tried to make sense of the world that we inhabit and how we can navigate through the tension of all that is good and broken in this life. Yet most of our attempts to avoid loss simply lead to greater anxiety—an unresolved fear that we will eventually lose what we most love and need. Weaving a rich tapestry of Christian tradition and personal illustrations, Hyun offers Christianity as a true and compelling vision for life that faithfully points the way through loss to true beauty. He presents three deep practices that can build lasting spiritual resilience and help you learn how to grow through life's losses and disappointments.By exploring these contemplative spiritual practices—Gratitude, Grieving, and Grace—as a means of centering your life more fully into a holistic spirituality, you can uncover meaningful responses to the full range of lived experiences that will lead you to a grounded yet transcendent hope.
A Beautiful Ending: The Apocalyptic Imagination and the Making of the Modern World
by John Jeffries MartinAn award-winning historian&’s revisionary account of the early modern world, showing how apocalyptic ideas stimulated political, religious, and intellectual transformations &“A masterful synthesis of the prognostications of faith, knowledge, and politics on a global stage. Martin&’s book illuminates one of the enduring themes that shaped the medieval and early modern world.&”—Paula E. Findlen, Stanford University In this revelatory immersion into the apocalyptic, messianic, and millenarian ideas and movements that created the modern world, John Jeffries Martin performs a kind of empathic time travel, entering into the psyche, spirituality, and temporalities of a cast of historical actors in profound moments of discovery. He argues that religious faith—Christian, Jewish, and Muslim—did not oppose but rather fostered the making of a modern scientific spirit, buoyed along by a providential view of history and nature, and a deep conviction in the coming End of the World. Through thoughtful attention to the primary sources, Martin re‑reads the Renaissance, excavating a religious foundation at the core of even the most radical empirical thinking. Familiar icons like Ibn Khaldūn, Columbus, Isaac Luria, and Francis Bacon emerge startlingly fresh and newly gleaned, agents of a history formerly untold and of a modern world made in the image of its imminent end.
A Beautiful Fall
by Chris CoppernollHigh-powered Boston attorney Emma Madison is celebrating her latest courtroom victory when she gets a call from a number she doesn't recognize. Area code 803--home. Home is Juneberry, South Carolina--eight hundred miles, twelve years, and a lifetime away from Boston--and Emma's father has had a serious heart attack. Emma rushes to his bedside, and a weekend trip threatens to become an extended stay. She has to work fast to arrange the affairs of his small-town law practice so she can return to her life and career in Boston. And then Michael Evans shows up. They'd shared hopes, dreams, and a passionate love as young college students during a long-ago summer. But Emma walked away--from Michael and from Juneberry--to finish college and start a new life. Michael has never forgotten her. Enveloped in the warmth of family and small-town life--and discovering that she still cares for Michael--Emma knows she'll have to make a choice between the career she's worked so hard to build and the love she left behind.
Beautiful Feet: Unleashing Women to Everyday Witness
by Jessica Leep FickCan women be effective witnesses for Jesus? Sometimes women feel like they're not cut out for evangelism, but Jessica Fick shows how women can share their faith in normal, everyday ways. With specific aptitudes like empathy and vulnerability, God has created women with beautiful feet to bring the good news of Jesus to those around them.
The Beautiful Fight: Surrendering to the Transforming Presence of God Every Day of Your Life
by Gary ThomasIn a groundbreaking book that rethinks spiritual formation, Gary Thomas argues that the contemporary church is in danger of accepting Christianity as a historical reality but not as a present power. Is the grace that pardons powerful enough to transform? Answering with a resounding yes, Thomas presents a compelling picture of what it means to be a “God oasis” in a God-forgetting world.“The first chapter alone is worth reading many times. This is beauty and struggle. This is the death that leads to life.”John Ortberg, Pastor and Author, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church“Set this book down … slowly … turn around … and run away … unless you hunger for a deeper vision of faith and thirst for genuine life transformation … if you do, read on.”Kevin Harney, Pastor and Author“Once again, Gary Thomas challenges me to live passionately for God and to apply his transforming power to my daily decisions.”Kay Warren, Executive Director, HIV/AIDS Initiative, Saddleback ChurchThe Beautiful Fight will energize your life and your church. It will inspire you, equip you, and challenge you to delve ever deeper into what it means to be a truly holy believer, transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Discover just how radical Christian transformation can be, as you learn to see with new eyes, think with a new mind, and feel with a new heart. Thomas rallies you to the Beautiful Fight—the struggle to fully express the wonder and life-changing power of Christ in this world through every aspect of who you are.
Beautiful Girlhood
by M. Hale Karen Andreola"Oh, girls! life is so great, so wonderful, so full of possibilities, that none of us can afford to be anything but what is good and pure and true! Let us make the perfect rose an emblem of our womanhood and strive that its fragrance shall bless all who come in contact with it." And that, young ladies, is where this book leads you--toward becoming beautiful servants of God.
The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe
by Pat Mora Steve Johnson Lou FancherEvery December, Grandma Lupita tells Rose the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As they make paper flowers to put around her statue, Grandma begins: Long ago, on a cold December morning near what is now Mexico City, a man named Juan Diego put on his cloak and started down the road to church. On his way, Juan Diego sees a beautiful Lady at the top of a hill. She tells Juan Diego to go to the Bishop and ask him to build a special church for her. But the Bishop doesn't believe that Juan Diego has seen the Lady; he asks for a sign. Again the Lady sends Juan Diego, and again the Bishop asks for a sign. Until finally, she provides one: her shining image on Juan Diego's cloak for everyone to see.
The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe: Read & Listen Edition
by Pat MoraEvery December, Grandma Lupita tells Rose the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe. As they make paper flowers to put around her statue, Grandma begins: Long ago, on a cold December morning near what is now Mexico City, a man named Juan Diego put on his cloak and started down the road to church. On his way, Juan Diego sees a beautiful Lady at the top of a hill. She tells Juan Diego to go to the Bishop and ask him to build a special church for her. But the Bishop doesn't believe that Juan Diego has seen the Lady; he asks for a sign. Again the Lady sends Juan Diego, and again the Bishop asks for a sign. Until finally, she provides one: her shining image on Juan Diego's cloak for everyone to see. This ebook contains Read & Listen audio narration.