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Wicca Candle Magick
by Gerina DunwichWICCA CANDLE MAGICK Discover the mystical powers of the candle, used throughout the ages as an indispensable tool for setting the proper atmosphere for spellcasting, divination, meditation, banishing darkness, and communicating with the dead. Sections include sacred candle colors of the gods and goddesses, crystals and gemstones, Voudoun candle magick, and the making of sacred oils for candle blessing rituals. Easy-to-follow instructions will guide the modern witch into crafting and consecrating various types of candles such as Witch Candles, Healing Herb Candles, Rune Candles, Magick Symbol Candles, and Voodoo Candles. Modern Wiccan expert Gerina Dunwich also discusses candle omens and provides a collection of powerful folk spells and incantations for nearly every purpose. Wicca Candle Magick is an essential resource for today’s everyday goddesses.
Wicca for One: The Path of Solitary Witchcraft
by Raymond BucklandAlone in Practice, Alive in Spirit The practice of Wicca is more popular than ever. While some Wiccans are unable to find a coven, others simply prefer to practice alone. Either way, solitary practice is a wholly authentic choice, steeped in traditions even older than those of organized covens. Known as the Father of American Wicca, Raymond Buckland provides this indispensable, comprehensive guide to the solitary practice of Wicca through every season of life. From becoming a Witch to improving your life through magic to mastering spells, rites, traditions, and celebrations, this thoroughly modern handbook includes information on: · The advantages and drawbacks of practicing solitary Wicca · Constructing the tools and sacred space needed to create magic every day · Using dreamwork, tarot cards, crystal balls, astrology, and other divinations · Maintaining ethics without the guidance of a coven · Developing the power to heal and to ward off negativity Let Wicca for One be your guidebook and inspiration as you travel the time-honored path of the solitary practitioner. “A step-by-step guide to Wicca as a lifestyle; practical, easy to read, and no-nonsense in tone.” —Shelley Rabinovitch, author of The Encyclopedia of Modern Witchcraft and Neo-Paganism “A complete handbook of rites, rituals, and ultimately personal empowerment. Truly a guide for magickal living, and for all seasons of life.” —Anthony Paige, author of Rocking the Goddess
The Wicca Garden: A Modern Witch's Book Of Magickal And Enchanted Herbs And Plants
by Gerina DunwichTHE WICCA GARDEN A Modern Witch’s Book of Magickal and Enchanted Herbs and Plants Witches were among the first to discover the healing power of plants. The use of potions, poultices, and charm bags filled with special roots, flowers, and magickal herbs has been associated with the healing power of Wicca practitioners from time immemorial. Now modern witches can grow their own fresh herbs and plan and cultivate their gardens in accordance with the Wiccan calendar and astrological charts. This complete study of herbs and their Wiccan significance, as well as a gardener’s guide to growing magickal herbs, includes chapters on Herbs of the Enchanted World; Sabbat Herbs; Mind-Altering Plants; Green Healing; Dangerous Plants; and a guide to herb gardening. A Wiccan Glossary of Herbalism Terms rounds out this comprehesive and essential resource for today’s home Wiccan library.
Wicca Love Spells
by Gerina DunwichWICCA LOVE SPELLS In the ever-shifting landscape of modern relationships, the ancient art of love magick, practiced for countless centuries on every continent by every culture in one form or another, remains an indispensible aspect of the modern witch. Love potions and love spells are two of the most popular and best-known examples of love magick, but there are many other aspects as well, including charms, amulets, talismans, herbs, omens, astrology, palmistry, and the divinary arts, to name just a few. Wicca Love Spells reaches far beyond the limits of traditional love spells and presents a magickal journey of love from ancient times to modern times. Everything you need to know about the magickal side of love can be found within this book.
Wicca Made Easy: Awaken the Divine Magic within You
by Phyllis CurottAmerica's most renowned Wiccan shares the beliefs and practices of this sacred feminine spirituality in an introductory book.Welcome to the oldest spiritual tradition in the world.One of the first Wiccan Priestesses to 'come out of the broom closet,' Phyllis Curott has forever changed the perception of Wicca in the Western world. In this book, Phyllis re-introduces the life-sustaining wisdom and techniques that will connect you to the Divine and to the love, abundance and spiritual wisdom of Mother Earth. You'll learn how to: * attune your body, mind and spirit to Nature's rhythms to create a life of harmony, peace and fulfillment * enter spirit realms and work with spirit guides, power animals and spirits of place for guidance and healing * cast gorgeous spells and create sacred spaces and altars to nourish your soul * practice empowering lunar and Sabbat rites to experience divine communion * embody your spirit, empower your purpose and manifest your giftsThis engaging and inspiring book will open your heart, your mind and your spirit to the Sacred around and within you. It's time to awaken your life to its divine magic!
The Wicca Spellbook: A Witch's Collection Of Wiccan Spells, Potions, And Recipes
by Gerina DunwichTHE WICCA SPELLBOOK Modern Wiccan expert Gerina Dunwich guides today’s witches into developing and utilizing your own powers of will and visualization to achieve positive results. Dunwich also reveals the secrets of spellcraft through easy-to-follow, yet highly powerful magickal formulas. Discover the proper craft and use of amulets, potions, mojo bags, poppets, and much more. In addition to the magickal arts, there are sections on the various methods of divination used by witches, the magickal association of herbs, the eight Sabbats of the Wiccan tradition, and an up-to-date directory of occult shops, publications, and services of interest to the Wiccan community. The Wicca Spellbook is a grimoire of modern Wiccan magick for both novice and seasoned Witches and coveners.
Wicca A to Z: A Modern Witch's Encyclopedia
by Gerina DunwichA must for the modern Wiccan’s library, this comprehensive resource explores the fascinating world of Witchcraft from ancient legend to contemporary paganism. No aspect of Wicca is overlooked, with well over 500 entries and numerous illustrations on the traditions, rituals, folklore, amulets and talismans, herbs and gemstones, and pagan goddesses of the Wiccan lifestyle. This unique encyclopedia is an excellent guide for all who are interested in Goddess worship, folklore, the New Age, the occult sciences, and the Wiccan Craft as a positive spiritual path and way of life.
The Wiccan Book of Shadows: A Magical Guide to Personalizing Your Own Spells and Rituals
by Ambrosia HawthornThe easy-to-use guide to creating your own unique magical practice As you journey down the path of Wicca, you'll nurture a unique set of traditions and beliefs to guide your way. The Wiccan Book of Shadows walks you through developing your own Wiccan practice, from those traditions and beliefs to everyday spells and rituals. Using the journaling spaces throughout, you can record the key elements of your practice to create a Book of Shadows—a sacred tool you can refer back to any time. Grow your knowledge with a foundational overview of the craft, and find practical information about tools, altars, building a Book of Shadows, and other basics of Wiccan life. Then explore a variety of simple spells, recipes, and rituals including herbal brews, spiritual baths, and candle magic—all using easy-to-find supplies and ingredients. The Wiccan Book of Shadows includes: Make it your own—Blank journal lines make it easy to personalize every section with reflections, recipes, and more to inspire your own Book of Shadows. Background and beliefs—Delve into Wiccan history, traditions, symbols, and ceremonies—and discover the many ways they are put into practice today. Rituals and recipes—Find step-by-step instructions for a New Moon Manifestation Spell, Mint Rejuvenation Tea, Lavender Basil Peace Bath, and more. Start on your magical way with The Wiccan Book of Shadows.
Wiccan Spell A Night: Spells, Charms, And Potions For The Whole Year
by Sirona KnightHere are 365 new ways to create a little magic, every night of the year. Designed around the cycles of the 13 pagan moons, Wiccan Spell a Night will help you realize your dreams--whether you want to spice up an existing romance, experience new heights of passion, or banish harmful negative vibrations. All of the spells, charms, and potions in this captivating book come with simple, user-friendly instructions. Here you'll find the Treasure Map Sex Spell for lovers, the Steaming Tropical Nights Spell, Cash Constellations Dream Placket for prosperity, the True-Blue Dream Charm, and many other ways to help bring happiness, love, and prosperity your way tonight! And for those special nights when you want to add some pizzazz to your love life, there are philters, spells, and charms that harness the powerful aphrodisiac properties of many readily available foods, flowers, spices, and herbs. Wiccan Spell a Night makes it easy to sprinkle a little night magic into your life, fill the coming year with love, joy, and success, and find positive new ways to make your dreams actually come true! Sirona Knight is the author of many books on Wicca and Celtic spirituality, including Wiccan Spell a Day, The Wiccan Spell Kit, The Witch and Wizard Training Guide, The Witch and Wizard Spellbook, Celtic Traditions, and Love, Sex, and Magic. A high priestess of the Celtic Druid tradition and practicing New Age Witch, she holds a master's degree in psychology and is also a certified hypnotherapist. She lives in northern California. Fill your nights with love, joy, success, and magic! Inside you'll find charms, potions, spells, and recipes specifically arranged to coincide with the powerful cycles of the moon. From prosperity potions to soothing meditations, from seductive sex magic spells to healing herbal remedies, Wiccan Spell a Night will show you how to find positive new ways to make your dreams come true! Full Moon Love Boon taps into the fertile power of the moon to bring you your deepest desires. . . Fairy-Tale Moon Magic shows you how to ask for help to make your own fairytale come true. . . So Relaxing Moonlight Magic shows you how to enter a higher state of consciousness and open yourself for communication with the divine. . . . . . Plus 362 other powerful spells!
The Wiccan's Dictionary of Prophecy and Omens
by Gerina DunwichTHE WICCAN’S DICTIONARY OF PROPHECY AND OMENS Divination—the art of obtaining knowledge of the future or of secret things—has played an important role in ancient cultures and religions as well as in modern times. It was once a method of sacred communication with the spirit world and a way to determine the will of the gods by means of visions and predictions. In the present age, divination, including astrology, palmistry, and the I Ching, continues to be a popular method of looking into the future or past, as well as revealing that which was once unknown. In fact, a large number of our contemporary customs and superstitions are remnants of the once-powerful divinatory rituals of the ancient pagan religions. The Wiccan's Dictionary of Prophecy and Omens details over two hundred methods of divination, from those used in antiquity to those in use today. It traces the history of these practices and provides examples of nearly every known divinatory art. This is an essential resource for followers of today’s Wiccan lifestyle by modern Wiccan expert Gerina Dunwich.
Wiccapedia: A Modern-Day White Witch's Guide (The Modern-Day Witch #12)
by Shawn Robbins Leanna GreenawayLearn how contemporary practitioners go about the magickal business of witchcraft, including how to cast spells positively for better results.Wiccapedia provides a fresh, innovative, and thoroughly up-to-date look at witchcraft—and gives readers a prescription for happiness. “Spiritual life coaches” and celebrity witches Shawn Robbins and Leanna Greenaway unlock the secrets of the Wicca universe, explaining what it means to become a “simply fabulous” 21st-century Witch. Newfound Witches will learn how to tap into magic, re-empower themselves, and realize their dreams through a little witchy know how.
Wicca's Charm: Understanding the Spiritual Hunger Behind the Rise of Modern Witchcraft and Pagan Spirituality
by Catherine Edwards SandersHow Wiccan Spirituality Is Filling a Spiritual Hunger in America Hundreds of thousands of people practice Wicca and other forms of modern Pagan spirituality in America today, and journalist Catherine Edwards Sanders wanted to understand why such belief systems are rapidly attracting followers. When a routine magazine assignment led her to realize that her stereotype of Wiccans as eccentric spiritual outsiders was embarrassingly misinformed, her curiosity compelled her to understand the Wiccan mystique. With the support of a journalism fellowship, Sanders spent a year interviewing neo-Pagans and witches and found that the lure of this emerging spirituality was not the occult, but rather a search for meaning in an increasingly fragmented and materialistic culture. With keen observation, challenging insight, and compassionate critique, Sanders produces a lively narrative about what she experienced and discovered during her travels: Halloween rituals in Salem, anti-globalization protests in New York, and the contrasts between what seekers find in neo-Paganism that they perceive as lacking in Christian tradition. InWicca’s Charm,Sanders explains the powerful attraction of an increasingly mainstream spirituality that celebrates the wonder of creation and the life-giving energy of women while also exploring why Christian churches often fail to engage these seekers, but how they can learn to tap into the deep roots of Christianity to nourish the hunger of so many who seek a holistic and authentic worship experience. From the Trade Paperback edition.
Wicked Albuquerque (Wicked)
by Cody PolstonAlbuquerque�s early lawless reputation rivaled that of Dodge City and Tombstone. Its red-light district was known as Hell�s Half Acre. Brothel owner Lizzy McGrath once had a local church demolished to build her new bordello. Milt Yarberry, the town�s first marshal, was hanged for murder. And the controversial Elfego Baca, who had the gall to face Pancho Villa, survived a thirty-six-hour gunfight unscathed. Author Cody Polston presents the tales of those who slipped through the cracks of morality.
The Wicked Enchantment
by Margot Benary-IsbertFrom the book Jacket: Life in the old cathedral town of Vogelsang had gone on peacefully for many years, and life for Anemone and her father had always been a happy one. But strange and disturbing things began to happen. One of the cathedral statues of a foolish virgin disappeared, and also the figure of the gargoyle that spouted above it. The mayor dismissed three of the town's most respected councilors, blaming them for the disappearance. And Anemone, with her dog Winnie, ran away from home-driven to it by the mean housekeeper and her horrid son who had made life miserable for Anemone ever since Father befriended them and took them in. Even Aunt Gundula, a remarkable person who had been Anemone's mother's dearest friend and with whom Anemone took refuge, couldn't-at first- understand why things in the town were at such sixes and sevens. It was unheard of that the songbirds which had always been welcomed back by the townspeople each spring were now being caught in nets by the Mayor and his friends, and that the Mayor had actually forbidden the sale of Easter eggs. This was more than Gundula, who each year painted the most beautiful eggs for miles around, could stand. Slowly, as Easter and the night of the full moon drew near, Gundula, with the help of her cat, her pet mouse, her parrot-and of course Anemone-discovered what was at the root of all the trouble.
Wicked New Hampshire (Wicked)
by Renee MallettBehind New Hampshire's scenic landscape lies some very dark history, ranging from horrible hangings to scandalous socialites. The Fireman's Riot of 1869 resulted in most of Manchester burning to the ground. New England's largest rumrunning gang was finally prosecuted due to an overdue library book. Madame Sherri so scandalized the Chesterfield area at the turn of the century that she now has a state park named after her. Author Renee Mallett reveals the surprising and sometimes shocking history from the Seacoast to the Great North Woods.
The Wicked Son
by David MametAs might be expected from this fiercely provocative writer, David Mamet’s interest in anti-Semitism is not limited to the modern face of an ancient hatred but encompasses as well the ways in which many Jews have themselves internalized that hatred. Using the metaphor of the Wicked Son at the Passover seder–the child who asks, “What does this story mean to you?”–Mamet confronts what he sees as an insidious predilection among some Jews to seek truth and meaning anywhere–in other religions, in political movements, in mindless entertainment–but in Judaism itself. At the same time, he explores the ways in which the Jewish tradition has long been and still remains the Wicked Son in the eyes of the world. Written with the searing honesty and verbal brilliance that is the hallmark of Mamet’s work,The Wicked Sonis a scathing look at one of the most destructive and tenacious forces in contemporary life, a powerfully thought-provoking and important book. From the Hardcover edition.
The Wicked Step-twister (church choir mystery number #1)
by Sandy DenglerWhen a tornado comes through Willow Bend, it not only takes off the roof of Eternal Hope Church, but it releases thousands of dollars into the community. The mystery of the money consumes the town, local law enforcement, the FBI, and of course, Gracie Parks, choir member, caterer, and part-time sleuth. The Church is in peril. Everyone is a suspect. Gracie needs help from her friends and from God to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Wicked Weeds: A Zombie Novel
by Jessica Ernst Powell Pedro CabiyaSet at the contact zones between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, this is a polyphonic novel, an intense and sometimes funny pharmacopeia of love lost and humanity regained; a most original combination of Caribbean noir and science-fiction addressing issues of global relevance including novel takes on ecological/apocalyptical imbalance bound to make an impact.A Caribbean zombie-smart, gentlemanly, financially independent, and a top executive at an important pharmaceutical company-becomes obsessed with finding the formula that would reverse his condition and allow him to become "a real person." In the process, three of his closest collaborators (cerebral and calculating Isadore, wide-eyed and sentimental Mathilde, and rambunctious Patricia), guide the reluctant and baffled scientist through the unpredictable intersections of love, passion, empathy, and humanity. But the playful maze of jealousy and amorous intrigue that a living being would find easy to negotiate represents an insurmountable tangle of dangerous ambiguities for our "undead" protagonist.Wicked Weeds is put together from Isadore's scrapbook, where she has collected her boss' scientific goals and existential agony, as well as her own reflections about growing up as a Haitian descendant in the Dominican Republic and what it really means to be human. The end result is a precise combination of Caribbean noir and science-fiction, Latin American style.Wicked Weeds, A Zombie Novel combines Cabiya's expertise in fiction, graphic novels and film to create a memorable literary zombie novel of a dead man's search for his lost humanity that can now take its place alongside other leading similar novels like Jonathan Mayberry's Patient Zero, S.G. Browne's Breathers: A Zombie's Lament, Daryl Gregory's Raising Sony Mayhall, World War Z by Max Brooks, and The Reapers Are The Angels by Alden Bell. As for the novel's immersion in orality and Caribbean folk traditions and noir it can very well align with Wade Davis' The Serpent and the Rainbow and Karen Russell's St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves.
Wicked Witch Murder (Lucy Stone Mystery #16)
by Leslie MeierWith planning the town's annual Halloween Party, and the weather wreaking havoc, Lucy Stone's got her hands full this fall ... In the tiny town of Tinker's Cove, Maine, a newcomer seems to suit the Halloween season. Diana Ravenscroft has just opened Solstice, a charming little shop featuring candles, crystals, jewelry, and psychic readings. But after an unnervingly accurate reading by Diana, Lucy starts to get more than a little spooked ... Then there's the dead body Lucy finds, way up on one of the old logging roads behind her house. The deceased is Malcolm Malebranche, a seemingly harmless magician who worked at children's birthday parties. Ike Stoughton, a prominent local businessman, starts a campaign against Diana, blaming "the witch" for everything from the unseasonal dry spell to his wife's illness and his pumpkins' lack of plumpness. But Lucy's not so sure that Ike himself is innocent. As the town Halloween party approaches, Lucy's more concerned about baking orange cupcakes and Beastly Bug cookies. But a killer plans a lethal celebration of his own--and Lucy's the guest of honor. Contains three Halloween recipes at the end of the novel. Most of the books in this well plotted mystery series about a small town, New England, working mother are in the Bookshare collection. Lucy Stone has a nose for news and curiosity that beckons her to delve so deeply in her reporting that she learns enough that her life is always interesting, and sometimes in danger. Look for: #1 Mistletoe Murder, #2 Tippy Toe Murder, #3 Trick or Treat Murder, #4 Back to School Murder, #5 Valentine Murder, #6 Christmas Cookie Murder, #7 Turkey Day Murder, #8 Wedding Day Murder, #9 Birthday Party Murder, #10 Father's Day Murder, #11 Star Spangled Murder, #12 New Year's Eve Murder, #13 Bake Sale Murder, #14 St. Patrick's Day Murder,and #15 Mother's Day Murder, with more on the way.
Wide as the Waters: The Story of the English Bible and the Revolution
by Benson BobrickNext to the Bible itself, the English Bible was -- and is -- the most influential book ever published. The most famous of all English Bibles, the King James Version, was the culmination of centuries of work by various translators, from John Wycliffe, the fourteenth-century catalyst of English Bible translation, to the committee of scholars who collaborated on the King James translation. Wide as the Waters examines the life and work of Wycliffe and recounts the tribulations of his successors, including William Tyndale, who was martyred, Miles Coverdale, and others who came to bitter ends. It traces the story of the English Bible through the tumultuous reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary Tudor, and Elizabeth I, a time of fierce contest between Catholics and Protes-tants in England, as the struggle to establish a vernacular Bible was fought among competing factions. In the course of that struggle, Sir Thomas More, later made a Catholic saint, helped orchestrate the assault on the English Bible, only to find his own true faith the plaything of his king. In 1604, a committee of fifty-four scholars, the flower of Oxford and Cambridge, collaborated on the new translation for King James. Their collective expertise in biblical languages and related fields has probably never been matched, and the translation they produced -- substantially based on the earlier work of Wycliffe, Tyndale, and others -- would shape English literature and speech for centuries. As the great English historian Macaulay wrote of their version, "If everything else in our language should perish, it alone would suffice to show the extent of its beauty and power." To this day its common expressions, such as "labor of love," "lick the dust," "a thorn in the flesh," "the root of all evil," "the fat of the land," "the sweat of thy brow," "to cast pearls before swine," and "the shadow of death," are heard in everyday speech. The impact of the English Bible on law and society was profound. It gave every literate person access to the sacred text, which helped to foster the spirit of inquiry through reading and reflection. This, in turn, accelerated the growth of commercial printing and the proliferation of books. Once people were free to interpret the word of God according to the light of their own understanding, they began to question the authority of their inherited institutions, both religious and secular. This led to reformation within the Church, and to the rise of constitutional government in England and the end of the divine right of kings. England fought a Civil War in the light (and shadow) of such concepts, and by them confirmed the Glorious Revolution of 1688. In time, the new world of ideas that the English Bible helped inspire spread across the Atlantic to America, and eventually, like Wycliffe's sea-borne scattered ashes, all the world over, "as wide as the waters be." Wide as the Waters is a story about a crucial epoch in the history of Christianity, about the English language and society, and about a book that changed the course of human events.
Wide Awake
by Erwin Raphael McmanusThe alarm sounds. Your feet hit the floor and carry you into another day. But what does that day hold for you? Will you be punching your card at work, catching up on TV at home, and crashing into bed before you rinse and repeat the next day? Or will you dare to dig deep and discover the incredible potential lying dormant within us all? In Wide Awake, renowned speaker and church visionary Erwin Raphael McManus challenges us to put an end to all the sleepwalking and settling, for each of us was created by God for a reason. He has called you to live as Jesus did--a heroic life, void of monotony, teeming with danger, adventure, and the unknown. Living wide awake is about realizing that the world desperately needs you to live up to your potential. There is a future that needs to be created, and it is waiting for us all to wake up and get out of bed. The alarm has sounded, and it is time to shake off the slumber. It's time to live, to create, to imagine, to dream . . . Wide Awake.
Wide Awake
by Diana WinstonMany of today's teenagers are tired of the pressure to compete and consume-and are looking for a different way to live their lives. This book offers an alternative: the 2,500-year old practice of Buddhism. Written in a style that will have immediate appeal to young "seekers" and those wanting to understand the ancient teachings, this book addresses such relevant topics as peer pressure, emotional difficulties, stress, fostering peace, and even protecting the environment. For everyone looking for self-help, self-esteem, and self-awareness, this book offers advice on: •Discovering truth in a world of hype •Finding peace amid the ups and downs of life •Accepting ourselves •Working with difficult emotions •How to meditate •Dealing with temptations and making the right decisions about sex and drugs •Advice on volunteering, working for peace, and protecting the environment .
Wide Open: On Living with Passion and Purpose
by Dawna MarkovaThe author of I Will Not Die an Unlived Life shares inspiring thoughts to help you awaken to blessing of your life in this gorgeously photographed volume.A Ph.D. educator, Dawna Markova travels the world working with individuals, schools, and Fortune 500 companies. While coaching people on systems thinking and how to revolutionize the way children are taught, she also teaches people the most important lesson anyone can learn: how to live with heart and mind wide open to all of life’s possibilities.Twenty years ago, Dawna Markova discovered these eternal truths when she faced a life-threatening illness and began a journey of rediscovery. This book follows her path to finding deeper meaning in life. In thirty luminous lessons and passages, Markova encourages us to learn from our wounds, find our gifts, celebrate our values, and live our dreams — to live on purpose and with passion.
Wide Open Spaces: Beyond Paint-by-Number Christianity
by Jim PalmerJim Palmer's critically acclaimed Divine Nobodies was only half the story - the deconstruction and shedding of a religious mentality that hindered his knowing God. In his next book, Jim takes the reader along into the wide open spaces of exploring and experiencing God beyond religion. Jim writes, "It is no secret that God can be lost beneath the waving banner of religion. Divine Nobodies is my story of how this happened to me. Sometimes you have to disentangle God from religion, even Christ from Christianity, to find the truth. With the help of some unsuspecting nobodies, I uncovered a new starting line with God. As I've put one foot in front of another, I've experienced God in ways that are deeply transforming." Each chapter revolves around a central question related to knowing God on fresh terms: Is God a belief system? Is the Bible a landing strip or launching pad? Can what we're feeling inside be God? Are we too religiously minded to be any earthly good? Brian McLaren wrote, "I am tempted to say that Jim Palmer could well be the next Don Miller, but what they have in common, along with an honest spirituality and extraordinary skill as storytellers, is a unique voice." The Library Reviews said of him, "Jim Palmer's casual, yet compelling writing style cuts through the religious rhetoric and gets to the real issues...readers will love this author! His sense of humor is alternately mixed with shocking sentences and poignant moments. Laced throughout is a refreshing honesty that ties his ideas together with a ribbon of reality...each turn of the page strips away a little more of the contrived mystery of Christianity until the simplicity and sincerity of it stands in realistic splendor." More and more people seek a deeper spirituality beyond status-quo religion. Others are left empty and weary from a shallow and narrow pop-Christianity. Palmer says that God's kingdom of love, peace, and freedom can be a present reality in any person's life. He proclaims that God is indeed in the process of birthing something deep and wide among unlikely people in unconventional ways, which is changing the world...one "nobody" at a time.
The Widening of God's Mercy: Sexuality Within the Biblical Story
by Christopher B Hays Richard B HaysA fresh, deeply biblical account of God&’s expanding grace and mercy, tracing how the Bible&’s narrative points to the full inclusion of LGBTQ people in Christian communities Discussions of the Bible and human sexuality often focus on a scattered handful of specific passages. But arguments about this same set of verses have reached an impasse, two leading biblical scholars believe; these debates are missing the forest for the trees. In this learned and beautifully written book, Richard and Christopher Hays explore a more expansive way of listening to the overarching story that scripture tells. They remind us of a dynamic and gracious God who is willing to change his mind, consistently broadening his grace to include more and more people. Those who were once outsiders find themselves surprisingly embraced within the people of God, while those who sought to enforce exclusive boundaries are challenged to rethink their understanding of God&’s ways. The authors—a father and son—point out ongoing conversations within the Bible in which traditional rules, customs, and theologies are rethought. They argue that God has already gone on ahead of our debates and expanded his grace to people of different sexualities. If the Bible shows us a God who changes his mind, they say, perhaps today&’s Christians should do the same. The book begins with the authors&’ personal experiences of controversies over sexuality and closes with Richard Hays&’s epilogue reflecting on his own change of heart and mind.