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Beyond this Darkness is a brand new faith-based recovery program. It is not based on 12 steps, though it takes the best of 12-step wisdom and updates it by adding some of the best things that have been tried in addiction therapy since the 1930s. Addiction therapy has moved on a long way since Bill Wilson and his brilliant book. This book seeks to harness these newer insights and wrap them up within a framework that is inspired by some of the most intriguing and liberating insights of the Apostle Paul. All the way through the reader is encouraged by the voices of addicts that have overcome their habit. There is story after story of victory over the most hopeless cases of alcohol, drug, gambling, and porn addiction–and even one case of chocolate chip cookie addiction! In every case, the program tries to identify what has worked and point the way for the reader to shake themselves free of their darkness.

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Acceptance of Christianity in Southern Polynesia during the eighteenth century proceeded rapidly without missionary activity. This fact attracted the attention of Alan Tippett, who served for twenty years as an Australian missionary to the Fiji Islands. What he found was that the key to their conversion lay in the fact that, without missionary presence, the south sea islanders responded to demonstrations of what Tippett learned to call «power encounters.» These were contests, some staged, some not staged, in which there was a power encounter between the true God and the gods of the islanders in which the traditional gods were defeated. Kraft here discusses the fact that this power principle applies much more widely.

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Fruit of the Vine: A Biblical Spirituality of Wine is designed to help the reader grow in spirituality through reflecting on biblical vineyard stores, wine making, and wine as a metaphor for life. A spirituality of wine–categorized as a spirit–connects the spirit in wine to the universal spirit all share. Wine appeals to all five senses. Its bouquet can be smelled; its complexity, often compared to fruit, can be tasted; its shades of red, designating its body, can be seen as it clings to or quickly runs down the inside of a glass. One can hear the pop as the cork leaves the bottle's neck and the gurgle of the wine leaving the bottle as it is poured into a glass. Wine is a major sign of transformation in the process of growth from blossom, sunlight, and water to grapes, which are in turn broken apart, integrated into a whole, and fermented into alcohol. While the wine is aged, it undergoes even more transformation. People are transformed when they share this already multiple-times-transformed beverage. The vineyard and all it produces can reveal the divine if a person but opens his or her eyes to see.

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Being angry at God is full of pain, confusion, and loneliness. Where does a believer in Jesus Christ turn when they find themselves angry and suspicious of God? Where did the anger come from? When will the pain end? Can God be trusted? These are the questions those angry at God ask. Where can hope be found when a believer feels let down by God? There is path away from being angry at God that takes us from rage to peace and trust. It is a long journey that is both familiar and unknown.

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Every soul carries within itself pain caused by the hurtful words and acts of another human being. How can you find peace and heal from these wounds? How can you live a Christian life reflective of Christ's command to be a forgiving, loving person? By integrating the work of psychologists and the deep theological truths of the Christian faith, Dr. Hankle answers these questions and more so you can live a healthy, flourishing, resilient life. He provides you with practical steps to incorporate in your daily spiritual practices so you may love and be loved as God intended.

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Who were the Apostolic Fathers? What did they care about? Why did they write what they wrote? The Apostolic Fathers: A Narrative Introduction is the most engaging introduction to Apostolic Fathers you will ever read. Imagine what it would be like to ask Polycarp about the documents that were composed during his lifetime. You don't have to imagine any longer. Situated during the final week of Polycarp's life, these fictional dialogues will introduce you to the earliest Christian documents after the time of the apostles. You will come to know Clement, Ignatius, Hermas, Papias, and others. Freshly translated excerpts from the writings themselves are included after each chapter.

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All Things in Common gets behind the «communism of the apostles» passages in Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-37, using the anthropological categories of «social relationship» espoused by David Graeber and other anthropologists. Looking at sources ranging from the Qumran scrolls to the North African apologist Tertullian to the Roman satirist Lucian, All Things in Common reconstructs the economic practices of the early Christians and argues that what is described in Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-37 is a long-term, widespread set of practices that were taken seriously by the early Christians, and that differentiated them significantly from the wider world. This book takes into account Judean and Hellenistic parallels to the early Christian community of goods, as well as the socioeconomic context from which it came, and traces its origins back to the very teachings of Jesus. This book will be of interest to anyone interested in Christian history, and especially the socioeconomic aspects of early Christianity, as well as anyone interested in Christian ethics and New Testament studies. It would also be of interest to anyone interested in possible alternatives to the ideology of capitalism.

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This book is a short introduction to the things every Christian should know about the Bible. It provides answers to a broad assortment of questions ranging from why there are different translations, how do experts approach Bible difficulties, what are the basics of interpretation, and more. The work seeks to be a powerful tool to equip and encourage the saints so they rightly handle the Word of God. Drawing from a rich tradition of theology and philosophy, readers will find themselves instructed and inspired from some of the greatest minds in the Christian tradition on various Biblical issues.

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Transgender people are among the most marginalized and vulnerable populations in the world. Misinformation, lack of education, and lack of experience among cis-gendered persons often result in forms of violence and abuse directed towards those perceived as transgender or gender non-conforming. Such violence and abuse are not restricted to secular culture but expand into faith communities and essential forms of spiritual care and support. When transgender people of faith share the reality of their gender identity they often experience rejection by the very communities that should provide support, encouragement, and practical ministries of hospitality. Retreating Forward: A Spiritual Practice with Transgender Persons is an educational and practical resource for individuals, spiritual leaders, and faith communities seeking to provide practical and spiritual sustenance. The retreat model included in this text proved transformational for those involved.

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The Rev. John Wesley (1703-1791), the founder of the Methodist Church, was an enthusiastic preacher for the Lord, a prolific writer, and a prestigious Oxford scholar. For over two centuries, his treasured sermons have provided keen insight, deep analysis, and provocative applications of the great truths of the faith for minister and layperson alike. Utilizing both primary and secondary works, John Wesley's 52 Standard Sermons: An Annotated Summary presents a concise yet useful report on each of his messages. Additionally, other pertinent historical and theological information on Wesley's life, culture, intrinsic/extrinsic influences, his understanding of Christianity, and his powerful exhortations of spiritual (re)formation and public philanthropy are presented–all with the goals of helping readers understand Wesley's call for Christian Perfection, developing proficient evangelism, and pursuing personal sanctification and piety. For pastors, for theologians, and for everyday Christians, this book is a handy resource for understanding Wesley, his doctrine, and, moreover, it provides insight into the great biblical truths that Wesley considered relevant for following Christ's great commandments of loving God and one's neighbor.

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