Editorial: Spines
The Urantia Book was originally published in 1955 and was written in the 1930's to early 1950's. I love this book but it contained many obsolete and outdated concepts and ideas. When the book became public domain after 2006 and was available online, I decided to update the book and add new perspectives and ideas that I believe make it a better vehicle for spiritual enlightenment.
The short stories in Dance Me to the End of Love reflect the real day-to-day life of ordinary people of different ages, genders, professions, and ethnicities with connections to a believable world of imagined events. They take place in the former Soviet Union, in the United States, and in the emigration in-between. Love, marriage, infidelity, disillusionment, intimacy and the lack of it, rootlessness are subjects that move from an improbable reality to surreal events, as the American novelist Maureen Howard noted,“… is Regine Rayevsky Fisher’s strong suit, one she shares with many of the best writers who have emerged from the Soviet Union that was and the Eastern bloc, such as Kundera and Berberova…Fisher knows when to fade from a scene, when to draw conclusions that have the double vision of innocence and the informed telling.” Some of the stories slap you in the face, some make you want to cry your heart out—they are wonderfully entertaining and also very wise. The author has a satirical talent for exposing so many of our human flaws and showing how people behave from insecurity and their fragile egos. But there is tenderness and forgiveness too. These tales about simple people pose more questions than answers about morals, respectability, and roads taken and missed. Most of all they are about love that holds everything together on our planet.Ver libro
126 years after Andrew Murray first published Waiting on God in 1896, fellow South African, Colin Millar, brings a fresh charge to this relational and foundational practice of the Christian faith. These 31 meditations have been carefully and prayerfully updated in modern English, making them accessible to a new generation of believers. Colin has taken one of Andrew Murray's quotes literally: "A minister has no more solemn duty than to teach people to wait on God." He has himself taught, challenged, and invited thousands into the practice of Waiting on God. And as they have responded to the call of God to wait on Him, several things have become very apparent:Many are encountering the simple yet overwhelming joy and peace of our Father to a much greater extent than ever before and now walking in a personal love relationship with God.Others are hearing and acting on an ever-clearer whisper of His voice in their hearts. He is even giving answers to prayers that they have never even prayed. Would you, too, take up this charge to wait on God - alone or with your family, church, ministry, or business? This book narrated by South African, Colin Millar, gives it a true Andrew Murray feel. The audiobook of 31 devotionals for the Christian seeking closer communion with God is more than a century old. Now beautifully updated in modern English, it continues to inspire and stir the faithful today. Spending time with these meditations on the Almighty can deepen your relationship with God and even change your life in just one month! A South African of Scottish ancestry, Dutch Reformed Church minister ANDREW MURRAY (1828-1917) was a prolific writer, publishing more than 200 powerful books, including Waiting on God, The School of Obedience, Absolute Surrender, and The Deeper Christian Life.Ver libro
Financial Intelligence for Church Leaders Building Strong Foundations Book 1 of the Healthy Church Leadership Series Every pastor and church leader knows the tension: the vision is big, but the finances don’t always follow. When provision falls short, pressure mounts — and ministry can quickly feel more like survival than calling. In Financial Intelligence for Church Leaders, experienced pastor and leadership coach John Finkelde offers a clear, godly, and practical framework for building a financially healthy church. Drawing on decades of real-world experience, John unpacks timeless principles and actionable strategies to help you lead with wisdom, clarity, and confidence in the area of church finances. Discover how to:Align your church’s vision with wise financial planningBuild a culture of generosity and trustAvoid common financial pitfalls in ministryLead budget discussions with clarity and courageCreate strong financial systems that support sustainable growth Financially intelligent churches are free to pursue bold vision, serve their communities with strength, and multiply their impact for the Kingdom. This is Book 1 of the Healthy Church Leadership Series, a five-part resource designed to equip church leaders for long-term, sustainable, and Spirit-led ministry.Ver libro
St. Augustine wrestled with the conflict between living as a devout Christian and surviving in a world where violence was an all-too-familiar reality. With stirring reasoning, scenarios, and facts, Rick Barrett will help you weigh the challenges and responsibilities regarding the morality of self-defense. From sixteenth-century England to present-day America, you will see what the law states regarding whether one is permitted to stand his ground or obligated to retreat. Sure to spark debate, The Armed Catholic answers questions such as: Should only those with legitimate authority bear firearms, or are citizens morally permitted to as well? Did the Church ever endorse pacifism? Does the Catechism of the Catholic Church support the right to self-defense? What does the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops say about gun control? In a post-modern Church that seems more concerned with modernity than eternity, Barrett breaks open what the Catholic Church and her popes have believed about self-defense since the 1500s and the continuity of her teaching. He further lays out St. Thomas Aquinas's thoughts on self-defense and the use of force. Moreover, he examines how these principles bear some similarities with the morality of Just War principles, according to St. Augustine, and explains the intention that should never drive an individual to either.Ver libro
Step into a world where ancient stories come alive through the vibrant rhythms of Nigerian Pidgin English. In "The Acts of Apostles in Nigerian Pidgin English," Luke the Evangelist skillfully weaves together the timeless tales of the apostles, presenting their incredible journeys and teachings in a fresh and captivating way. Immerse yourself in the colorful narratives of Peter, Paul, and the other apostles as they navigate the challenges of spreading the gospel in a world filled with adversity. Through the rich tapestry of Nigerian Pidgin English, their stories are invigorated with a unique cultural flavor, making them resonate with readers from all walks of life. "The Acts of Apostles in Nigerian Pidgin English" is a celebration of the power of language to connect and inspire. Whether you're a devout Christian, a lover of languages, or simply curious about the apostles' journey, this audiobook will transport you to a world where faith, culture, and storytelling converge in the most extraordinary way. Sesugh Kperrun, co-founder of Barnabas Corner, is a passionate linguist and storyteller who hails from Nigeria. With a deep appreciation for the richness of Nigerian Pidgin English, he has dedicated himself to showcasing the power of this unique language through his creative works. Having studied the Bible extensively, he embarked on a mission to bring the stories of the apostles to life in a fresh and engaging manner. For us at Barnabas Corner, "The Acts of Apostles in Nigerian Pidgin English" represents our unwavering commitment to sharing the beauty and cultural heritage of Nigeria with the world. We strive to bridge gaps, foster understanding, and inspire listeners to embrace the power of language in all its glorious forms.Ver libro
With the quality control of church history, interpreters who boldly tout such a presentation of novel interpretations usually come up short on their delivery. No, I am not seeking to offer a "revolutionary" reading to Romans 13 that no one has ever thought of. Rather, I am offering as a backdrop to Romans 13 the concept of what I will refer to as "private revolution" or insurrection. "Private" in the sense that it is not under the authority of a proper magistrate in a public office and serving as a "public person." I believe and will seek to demonstrate that this subject was on the minds of many within (and almost certainly the Jews without) the church at Rome. Read that way, Paul's admonition to submit to the governing authority in Rom 13:1, 5 takes on a negative hue against sedition and insurrection rather than a positive assertion about near unquestioned obedience to the magistrate. In fact, if Paul's point of application was to dissuade a private revolutionary spirit, then that also leads to a secondary understanding of his teaching on the civil magistrate and the role of government. That is, if Paul was calling those Christians in Rome not to engage in a private revolt against the governing authorities, then he was also by extension and implication teaching them that government and the civil magistrate is a legitimate sphere of authority. Or to say it more directly, he is arguing the God-ordained reality of the civil magistrate. Only after those two primary purposes are settled can one understand a tertiary purpose of Rom 13-the extent to which Christians are to submit to that civil sphere. It is important that this order is treated rightly, starting with what is primary, then secondary, and only after that emphasizing what is tertiary. It seems, however, and so much of the recent events in 2020-2022 have demonstrated, that many pastors and Christians hear Rom 13 as if the third level purpose is the primary one. In short, Rom 13 has been abused.Ver libro
