- Table View
- List View
Blessed with Tourists
by Thomas S. BremerMore than a million tourists visit religious landmarks in San Antonio, Texas, each year, observing and sometimes participating in religious activities there. The San Antonio Missions National Historical Park--managed by the National Park Service, in cooperation with the Catholic Church--is one of hundreds of religious places in America and around the world where tourists have become a familiar presence. In Blessed with Tourists, Thomas S. Bremer explores the intersection of tourism and commerce with religion in American, using the missions and other San Antonio sites as prime examples.Bremer recounts the history of San Antonio, from its Native American roots to its development as a religious center with the growth of the Spanish colonial missions, to the modern transformation of San Antonio into a tourist destination. Employing both ethnographic and historical approaches, Bremer examines the concepts of place, identity, aesthetics, and commercialization, demonstrating numerous ways that modern market forces affect religious communities. By identifying important connections between religious and touristic practices, Bremer establishes San Antonio as a distinctive source for anyone seeking to understand the interplay between the religious and the secular, the traditional and the modern.
The Blessed Woman: Learning About Grace from the Women of the Bible
by Debbie MorrisDiscover the True Meaning of Being Blessed It's not easy being a woman. The demands and expectations of us, and those we place on ourselves, can be overwhelming. While trying to navigate this thing called "life," have you ever longed for a close friend, confidant, or mentor to walk alongside you and encourage you in Biblical womanhood? Debbie Morris did. And yet even as a young minister's wife, she found herself without someone to fill this all-important role. So she turned to the Bible. Biblical women such as Eve, Sarah, and Miriam had always fascinated her. But now they also became her friends, sisters, and teachers. Through their stories, the Holy Spirit revealed how their lives--both joys and struggles--weren't that much different from ours today and how they can teach women today to be a grace-filled, life-giving woman of God. In The Blessed Woman, Debbie invites you to learn from these women as well. As she shares her own stories and the stories of discerning women in the Bible, she addresses topics such as overcoming insecurity, finding purpose, establishing priorities, letting go, and waiting. The Blessed Woman reminds us how God longs for every woman to experience His tenderness--and to know the true meaning of being blessed.
Blessing
by Deborah BedfordThough the secret behind Uley Kirland's cap and mining togs is unsuspected in 1880s Tin Cup, Colorado, she longs to shed the clothing of deception...especially when handsome stranger Aaron Brown awakens her heart. But while Uley dreams of being fitted for a wedding gown, the man she loves is being fitted for a hangman's noose, and she's the inadvertent cause of his troubles. The truth will set him free, and Uley will do whatever it takes to save Aaron's life-even risk her own.
The Blessing
by Gary Smalley John TrentExplains how the biblical gift of "the blessing" is the key to one's self-worth and emotional well-being. Every human needs the gift of "the blessing"--the unconditional love and approval that comes from a healthy relationship with one's parents. In this update to the best-selling classic The Blessing, coauthors John Trent and Gary Smalley offer a fresh perspective on this life-changing gift with solid, practical advice on how to be a blessing as well as how to insure that your parents, spouse, and children all feel the security of family approval. The Blessing powerfully communicates biblical truths on how to instill self-worth and emotional well-being into others based on these five essential elements: Meaningful touch A spoken message Attaching high value Picturing a special future An active commitment No matter the age, the approval of our parents affects how we view ourselves and how we relate to others. So what if we've missed it? The final chapters explain what happens to children who do and how they can learn to live apart from the blessing.
Blessing
by David SpanglerDavid Spangler, the "spiritual teacher's teacher", writes the book that everyone has been waiting for. Praise for David Spangler's The Call "His words are full of heart, wisdom, sensitivity, and discernment". Thomas Moore In the world of spirituality, David Spangler is the person you might call "a teacher's teacher". Teachers, writers, and thinkers from all traditions-from Robert Thurman to Carolyn Myss, James Redfield to Marianne Williamson, and Angeles Arrien to Thomas Moore-share a great respect for David Spangler and an affinity for his work. Blessing is the book they have all been waiting for. David Spangler's message is one of hope and empowerment, and Blessing is his most grounded, accessible, and inclusive book yet. His long and varied career as a spiritual teacher, from the Findhorn Community in northern Scotland to the Omega Institute in the Hudson River Valley, from leading workshops and retreats to taking spirituality online, makes him the perfect spokesperson for blessing-an ancient practice needed in our modern world. For on the most basic level we all want life to be on our side, bringing us good things, and shielding us from harm, from fear, from loneliness. We all want to be blessed. And in our better moments, we want to be a blessing for others.
The Blessing: Giving the Gift of Unconditional Love and Acceptance
by John Trent Gary Smalley Kari Trent StagebergChildren of every age long for the gift of The Blessing—the unconditional love and approval that comes from a healthy relationship with their parents. This life-changing gift for Christian parents and their children, essential for instilling a deep sense of self-worth and unshakable emotional well-being, contains five essential elements:meaningful toucha spoken messageattaching high valuepicturing a special futurean active commitmentOffering solid, practical advice and a fresh perspective on making this gift a bigger part of our families, The Blessing powerfully communicates these biblically based elements as necessary to prepare children for positive future relationships, including their relationship with a loving God.New to this updated edition aregiving The Blessing to others in your circle of influence,practical application tools and stories of how this is lived out,insight and help for those who didn’t receive The Blessing,and how to create a lifestyle of blessing others.
A Blessing & a Curse: A Novel
by Victoria Christopher Murray Reshonda Tate BillingsleyFirst ladies of the Baptist church and sworn frenemies Rachel Jackson Adams and Jasmine Cox Larson Bush are stunned to learn they may have more in common than they thought—like who’s their daddy—in the scandalous new collaboration between national bestselling and award-winning authors ReShonda Tate Billingsley and Victoria Christopher Murray.A heated American Baptist Coalition election. A murky murder cover-up. An outrageous reality TV show. What in heaven’s name kind of drama will holy rivals Rachel Jackson Adams and Jasmine Cox Larson Bush—prominent first ladies of the Baptist church—get themselves into next? Since he first met Jasmine, Rachel’s father Simon Jackson has had a funny feeling about her. She eerily resembles his first teenage love. After doing some digging, Simon makes a shocking revelation—Jasmine may be his daughter. Rachel thinks the idea is absurd, but to pacify her ailing father, she sets out to debunk his theory. When Jasmine discovers what’s going on, she heads to the Jackson Family Reunion in Smackover, Arkansas, in search of the truth. With her sidekick Mae Frances by her side, this big city girl isn’t ready for the country…or for the over-the-top family that she may have to claim as her own.
The Blessing and the Curse: Jewish People And Their Books In The Twentieth Century
by Adam KirschAn erudite and accessible survey of Jewish life and culture in the twentieth century, as reflected in seminal texts. Following The People and the Books, which "covers more than 2,500 years of highly variegated Jewish cultural expression" (Robert Alter, New York Times Book Review), poet and literary critic Adam Kirsch now turns to the story of modern Jewish literature. From the vast emigration of Jews out of Eastern Europe to the Holocaust to the creation of Israel, the twentieth century transformed Jewish life. The same was true of Jewish writing: the novels, plays, poems, and memoirs of Jewish writers provided intimate access to new worlds of experience. Kirsch surveys four themes that shaped the twentieth century in Jewish literature and culture: Europe, America, Israel, and the endeavor to reimagine Judaism as a modern faith. With discussions of major books by over thirty writers—ranging from Franz Kafka to Philip Roth, Elie Wiesel to Tony Kushner, Hannah Arendt to Judith Plaskow—he argues that literature offers a new way to think about what it means to be Jewish in the modern world. With a wide scope and diverse, original observations, Kirsch draws fascinating parallels between familiar writers and their less familiar counterparts. While everyone knows the diary of Anne Frank, for example, few outside of Israel have read the diary of Hannah Senesh. Kirsch sheds new light on the literature of the Holocaust through the work of Primo Levi, explores the emergence of America as a Jewish home through the stories of Bernard Malamud, and shows how Yehuda Amichai captured the paradoxes of Israeli identity. An insightful and engaging work from "one of America’s finest literary critics" (Wall Street Journal), The Blessing and the Curse brings the Jewish experience vividly to life.
Blessing The Bridge: What Animals Teach Us About Death, Dying and Beyond
by Rita M. Reynolds"This is a valuable book for those of us who feel a spiritual bond with the animals in our lives. However, this gentle, thoughtful volume is more than just a spiritual guide. It's also a practical guide to helping an animal to die with peace and dignity. Rita Reynolds gives the reader a lot to think about with her comforting beliefs about the animal afterlife."
The Blessing Cup (Paula Wiseman Books)
by Patricia PolaccoA New York Times bestseller <P><P>A bond of love unites a family throughout generations in this companion to the beloved and bestselling classic The Keeping Quilt. <P><P>As a young Russian Jewish girl in the early 1900s, Anna and her family lived in fear of the Czar’s soldiers. The family lived a hard life and had few possessions—their treasure was a beautiful china tea set. A wedding gift to Anna’s parents, the tea set came with a wish that “Anyone who drinks from this will have blessings from God. They will never know a day of hunger. Their lives will always have flavor. They will know love and joy and they will never be poor.” <P><P>When Anna’s family leaves Russia for America, they bring the tea set and its blessings. A source of heritage and security, the tea set helps Anna’s family make friends and find better lives in America. A cup from the tea set—The Blessing Cup—became an anchor of family history, and it remains a symbol of lasting love more than a century later. <P><P>Lexile Measure: 740L
A Blessing in Disguise: Miracles of the Seven Sorrows Rosary
by Immaculée IlibagizaThis long-awaited book from New York Times best-selling author Immaculée Ilibagiza teaches readers how to pray the rosary of the seven sorrows for greater wisdom, strength, and forgiveness.In this new book by New York Times best-selling author Immaculée Ilibagiza, readers will rediscover this important message from Mary. Mary wanted the whole world to know the seven sorrows rosary, and Immaculée not only shares it but explains Mary&’s specific teachings for how to pray it, as well as offers the promises attached to the prayers.The Rosary of the Seven Sorrows dates back to the Middle Ages, but it gained new popularity following the sightings of the Blessed Virgin Mary that occurred in the 1980s in Kibeho, Rwanda. During these sightings, which were validated by the Vatican, Mary asked that this special rosary be introduced to the world. It was spread widely to thousands of people, who then taught it to thousands of others.Immaculée also reveals incredible real-life stories from people who have been healed through this prayer. These miracles include healing of addictions, healing of &“incurable&” illnesses, including stage 4 pancreatic cancer and infertility, and more. Besides those miracles, there are many other everyday blessings to be had, including inner peace, healthier marriages, happier careers, and more.Mary said, &“Help me, my children, to spread this blessing, this prayer. I will reward those who do.&”
A Blessing in Disguise: An Uplifting Inspirational Romance
by null Ciara KnightCan one sweet little girl Remind them what matters most? Closed-off, workaholic Hudson Kenmore is shocked to discover his grandmother willed her property jointly to him and her caretaker, Juniper Keller. The single mother struggles to trust the childhood crush who once broke her heart, especially when her daughter, Gracie, bonds with him. But working together on renovations to turn the farm into a horse therapy program stirs up old feelings. Can a special little girl and her mother chisel through Hudson&’s hardened heart and change his mind about a future he&’s never allowed himself to want? From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.
Blessing It All: Rituals for Transition and Transformation
by Allison Palm Heather ConcannonAs humans, we grow and we change, we grieve and we celebrate. Let Blessing It All be your guide to foster meaning and community as you mark the moments in your life.Our personal lives and the lives of our communities are marked by moments of transition and transformation. As individuals, we grow up, we move, we start new schools and new jobs, we begin and end relationships, we have children and if we are lucky we get to watch them grow, we lose people we love, and we discover more about who we are. As communities, we honor people entering new life stages, we reckon with natural disasters and national traumas, and year after year we mark the cycles of the seasons.Traditionally, we often mark birth, marriage, and death, and yet these are not the only moments that touch our lives and shape who we are. In this stunning collection, editors and ministers Heather Concannon and Allison Palm and contributors invite you to bless it all—moments that are ordinary and profound, tender and heartbreaking, joyful and celebratory, and everything in between.An expansive collection, the rituals in Blessing It All foster community, joy, and healing in moments like the joining of a blended family, changing names and pronouns, honoring Pride Month, having an abortion, getting a prosthesis, surviving sexual assault, ending a marriage, and so many others.The rituals—written by a diverse array of contributors with lived experiences that add depth and authenticity to each offering—are designed to be led by anyone inspired to do so, with clear instructions and additional insights and guidance. They are suitable for communities, congregations, family, and individual use. And they can happen anywhere our lives happen, wherever people or families or communities gather, because that is where we encounter the holy.May you find connection and commitment, inspiration and invitation, a blessing and a balm in these rituals.
The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Timeless Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children (Compass Ser.)
by Wendy MogelIn the trenches of a typical day, every parent encounters a child afflicted with ingratitude and entitlement. In a world where material abundance abounds, parents want so badly to raise self-disciplined, appreciative, and resourceful children who are not spoiled by the plentitude around them. But how to accomplish this feat? The answer has eluded the best-intentioned mothers and fathers who overprotect, overindulge, and overschedule their children's lives. Dr. Mogel helps parents learn how to turn their children's worst traits into their greatest attributes. Starting with stories of everyday parenting problems and examining them through the lens of the Torah, the Talmud, and important Jewish teachings, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee shows parents how to teach children to honor their parents and to respect others, escape the danger of overvaluing children's need for self-expression so that their kids don't become "little attorneys," accept that their children are both ordinary and unique, and treasure the power and holiness of the present moment. It is Mogel's singular achievement that she makes these teachings relevant for any era and any household of any faith. A unique parenting book, designed for use both in the home and in parenting classes, with an on-line teaching guide to help facilitate its use, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee is both inspiring and effective in the day-to-day challenge of raising self-reliant children.
The Blessing of Simple Gestures: Nourishing The Relationships That Brighten Our Days
by Aleta HarrisThe Blessing of Simple Gestures is a delightful walk into a world of encouragement – both our desire to receive it and also to share it with others. You can change your world, beginning in your sphere of influence, by letting these ideas open doors to enrich the relationships that you hold close.The truth is that we often neglect to show gratitude for or to nourish the relationships that God has brought into our journey through life. The sections of this book show how to incorporate a common item or thought to create an indelible, positive impression of hope or joy or appreciation. In a world where the message is so often negative, we need to hear a word of encouragement and hope. We need to know that we are not alone in this journey of life and that it is the relationship of friends and family that make each step an enjoyable one.So, for those of you who find it a bit of a challenge to know just how to say what is in your heart, let this book act as the catalyst that will launch you into the world of life-changing encouragers. You will find that your heart will also be encouraged.
The Blessing of Waters and Epiphany: The Eastern Liturgical Tradition (Liturgy, Worship and Society Series)
by Nicholas E. DenysenkoThis book examines the historical development of the blessing of waters and its theology in the East, with an emphasis on the Byzantine tradition. Exploring how Eastern Christians have sought these waters as a source of healing, purification, and communion with God, Denysenko unpacks their euchology and ritual context. The history and theology of the blessing of waters on Epiphany is informative for contemporary theologians, historians, pastors and students. Offering important insights into how Christians renew Baptism in receiving the blessed waters, this book also proposes new perspectives for theologizing Christian stewardship of ecology in the modern era based on a patristic liturgical synthesis. Denysenko presents an alternative framework for understanding the activity of the Trinity, enabling readers to encounter a vision of how participants encounter God in and after ritual.
The Blessing of You
by Mark Batterson Summer Batterson DaileyThrough engaging rhyme, pastor and bestselling author Mark Batterson and his daughter encourage young children to discover the joys of both counting their blessings and being a blessing to others.Count your blessings two by two— and bless the world with the blessing of YOU!God&’s blessings can be found all around us, and even young children can learn to see and appreciate these gifts—from the smell of freshly baked cookies to the joy of climbing a tree! But God doesn&’t just intend for us to receive blessings; He also wants us to bless others.With whimsical rhyme and delightful illustrations, The Blessing of You helps young children recognize signs of God&’s generosity and goodness in their everyday lives and encourages them to pass on those blessings by being their own wonderful, God-created selves.
A Blessing On The Way: Counting Each Day While You're Expecting
by Sue Christian Meg ChristianYou've been blessed with a pregnancy and can't wait to hold your baby in your arms. As you prepare to be a mother--again or for the very first time--these short, inspirational readings will help you grow your spiritual life even as new life grows inside you. A Blessing on the Way is an attractive devotional that provides expectant mothers with an encouraging message for each day, as they count down the 280 days until the birth of their child. Each daily devotion features a short inspirational thought or quotation as well as a passage of Scripture. Additional pages are included with space for moms to record their personal thoughts and reflections as they prepare for the adventure of a lifetime.
Blessing Same-Sex Unions: The Perils of Queer Romance and the Confusions of Christian Marriage
by Mark D. JordanAt most church weddings, the person presiding over the ritual is not a priest or a pastor, but the wedding planner, followed by the photographer, the florist, and the caterer. And in this day and age, more wedding theology is supplied by "Modern Bride" magazine or reality television than by any of the Christian treatises on holy matrimony. Indeed, church weddings have strayed long and far from distinctly Christian aspirations. The costumes and gestures might still be right, but the intentions are hardly religious. Why then, asks noted gay commentator Mark D. Jordan, are so many churches vehemently opposed to blessing same-sex unions? In this incisive work, Jordan shows how carefully selected ideals of Christian marriage have come to dominate recent debates over same-sex unions. Opponents of gay marriage, he reveals, too often confuse simplified ideals of matrimony with historical facts. They suppose, for instance, that there has been a stable Christian tradition of marriage across millennia, when in reality Christians have quarreled among themselves for centuries about even the most basic elements of marital theology, authorizing experiments like polygamy and divorce. Jordan also argues that no matter what the courts do, Christian churches will have to decide for themselves whether to bless same-sex unions. No civil compromise can settle the religious questions surrounding gay marriage. And queer Christians, he contends, will have to discover for themselves what they "really" want out of marriage. If they are not just after legal recognition as a couple or a place at the social table, do they really seek the blessing of God? Or just the garish melodrama of a white wedding? Posing trenchant questions such as these, "Blessing Same-Sex Unions" will be a must-read for both sides of the debate over gay marriage in America today.
Blessing the Next Generation: Creating a Lasting Family Legacy with the Help of a Loving God
by Marilyn Hickey Sarah BowlingThe mother and daughter team of Marilyn Hickey and Sarah Bowling explain the significance of generational curses and blessings and how readers have the power to have an impact on the spiritual heritage they hand to their children.
Blessings
by Julia CameronThrough her writings and workshops, Julia Cameron has inspired millions to pursue their dreams. In the tradition of Heart Steps, Blessings reveals the keys she uses to reconnect herself with the source of her creative spirit. Focusing on gratitude and recognizing the power to change one's surrounding world by changing one's thinking, Cameron explains how she surrenders to the deeper flow of life rather than willfully forcing artificial solutions. By acknowledging the beauty, harmony, and synergy of life, readers learn through Cameron's inspiring prose how to cherish the gifts they have been given and use them to their fullest. Those who read and follow Cameron's advice and prayers and listen to Tim Wheater's healing music in the audiobook will realize how to achieve harmony in their lives and embrace the notion that they are part of a larger whole that holds them in a benevolent and protective view. With Blessings, readers will understand the secrets of a life that is rich, beautiful, intricate, and valuable.
Blessings (Sommerfeld Trilogy #3)
by Kim Vogel SawyerFor as long as she can remember, Trina Muller has had a special affinity with animals. When the local vet, Dr. Groening, recognizes Trina's passion and abilities, he assures her that she can take over his practice when she becomes a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. But that's a career of which her parents heartily disapprove. Can God be so cruel as to give Trina the gift of healing without also giving her the avenue to use it? Graham Ortmann loves Trina, but when he finds out about her plans to attend college, he's outraged. How can he marry someone who is determined to step outside the dictates of the Old Order Mennonite fellowship? When a young man with a D.VM. in hand approaches Dr. Groening about purchasing his practice, Trina's dreams seem to be crumbling right in front of her. Is this a sign from God that she isn't meant to be a vet after all?
Blessings Beyond the Binary: Transparent and the Queer Jewish Family
by Kathryn Lofton Josh Lambert Jarrod Tanny Shaul Magid Jodi Eichler-Levine Martin Shuster Sarah Bunin Benor Ranen Omer-Sherman Jennifer Glaser Shari Rabin Marilyn Reizbaum Warren Hoffman Joshua Falek Kerstin SteitzTransparent made history as the first television show to feature a transgender character in the main role, as the first streaming series to win the Golden Globe for Best Television Series, and as, in the words of journalist Debra Nussbaum Cohen, “the Jewiest show ever.” No television show in history has depicted the lives of American Jews with as much attention to Jewish rituals, quirks, or culture. And no series has portrayed issues of gender and sexuality alongside Judaism with such nuance and depth, making Transparent a landmark series in the history of television. Blessings beyond the Binary brings together leading scholars to analyze and offer commentary on what scholar Josh Lambert calls “the most important work of Jewish culture of the century so far.” The book explores the show’s depiction of Jewish life, religion, and history, as well as Transparent’s scandals and criticisms and how it fits into and diverges from today’s transgender and queer politics. The first book to focus on Transparent, Blessings beyond the Binary offers a rich analysis of the groundbreaking series and its connections to contemporary queer, trans, and Jewish life.
Blessings for a Mother's Day
by Ruth Bell GrahamThis Mother's Day honor the women of your congregation with a warm and encouraging book for mother's of all ages. It is the perfect gift to honor them for their Godly work, as well as inspire them to cherish each season in the lives of their children. Blessings for a Mother's Day reminds every mother of the special joy God gives to her through her children. Ruth Bell Graham's personal reflections over the years reveal that although life is not always easy for a mother, it is always meaningful.
Blessings From the Father
by Michelle LarksMariah Green has a successful career as an advocate for battered women, but she still feels incomplete. She was raised by her maternal grandmother, Rosemary, in a Chicago housing project. Her mother, Cassandra, is addicted to drugs and has only been a fleeting presence in her life. Even more painful to Mariah is the fact that she has never known the love of a father. She's never even set eyes on him. To Mariah's surprise, she receives a call from a law firm in Hammond, Indiana. A lawyer informs her that her biological father has died, and she is the sole heir to his sizeable estate. Mariah is ready to leave Chicago behind and embark on a new lifestyle in Indiana, but she's devastated when her beloved Granny declines to join her.Things aren't always what they seem to be. Rosemary knows a little bit more about Mariah's paternal side of the family than she has let on. Join Mariah as she embarks on a spiritual journey to learn about her father and begins the healing process of understanding and forgiving her mother.