LITMIR.BIZ

This is a presentation of a research project on the effect of classical spiritual disciplines on the spiritual and psychological well-being of participants. Eighteen persons studied and practiced thirteen different spiritual disciplines over a period of sixth months. Pretests and posttests measured the resultant change. Foundational chapters survey the literature of the disciplines and discuss the potential benefits and dangers of the spiritual practices considered. Substantial appendices contain the lessons presented on the disciplines themselves, as well as the test instruments used to measure results. A narrative relating the progress of the project from inception to completion is included.

Подробнее

Though None Go With Me is a series of observations and challenges as seen through the eyes of a Maine pastor on his first trip to India. Barry Blackstone taught for forty days at a Bible college in Kerala State in India. Here he shares his insights on the cross-cultural adventure that has forever changed the way he sees missions and the support of native works in other lands. This book includes flashbacks to youthful days. (Rural India takes the pastor back to his own boyhood in northern Maine.) In India Blackstone faced challenges with language and food, and even a broken tooth. Here each story Blackstone offers is a devotional that brings to light deeper spiritual meaning and insights–more than the actual experience itself. This book also tells of the impact the pastor's trip on people of his own church in Ellsworth, Maine, and of what they did to forge a link between a small church on the coast of Maine and a small church in the hills of southern India!

Подробнее

This book is a biography rather than a doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Focusing on the Holy Spirit as a person, the author portrays the Spirit as the one who has done and is doing every work of the creation and re-creation. The Holy Spirit is the most important and basic substance, binding together the three persons of the divine Trinity into one. The name of the Holy Spirit as well as of God the Father is «Jesus,» and it is strongly recommended to baptize «in the name of Jesus Christ» instead of «in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Spirit.» The Holy Spirit would like to be acknowledged as true God and true Lord by all his servants all over the world.

Подробнее

The Philosophy of the Law Idea (PLI) analyzes the manner in which religious beliefs control scientific theorizing. Religious beliefs control philosophical overviews of reality. Overviews of reality, also called ontologies, try to discover and disclose the essential nature of reality. They are concerned with what kinds of things exist and with the connections between the various types of properties and laws in human experience. Among such overviews are the biblically consistent overview provided by the PLI and certain humanist «mathematicist» and «subjectivist» overviews.
The science of statistical inference seeks to evaluate the credibility of scientific hypotheses given empirical data. This essay reviews various popular paradigms, or systems of theories, concerning the ways that credibility may be evaluated, and identifies some ways that these religiously controlled overviews of reality have, in turn, controlled statistical paradigms. In particular, one paradigm harmonizes with the PLI's overview; another, with the subjectivist overview; and two others, with the mathematicist overview.

Подробнее

A Pastoral Letter to Theo addresses some of the fundamental concerns of recent research into biblical interpretation by Adele Berlin and Kenneth Archer. It also takes into account the communicative literary and rhetorical techniques that were prominent in the Greco-Roman world when the New Testament documents were composed. Elbert suggests that attention to levels of context, plot, repetition, and characterization or personification comprise a proper method for understanding a New Testament writer's original meaning and intent.
Generally, the potentially groundbreaking thesis in much of Elbert's work is for a literary link between the «Spirit» language in Paul's letters and the later narrative of Luke-Acts. Specifically, A Pastoral Letter to Theo reflects heartfelt, pastoral concerns based on detailed contextual study of early Christianity and Christian experience. The book contextually examines in detail several passages pertaining to the ministry of women in missionary-minded early Christianity and concludes that this ministry was thought to be vital for the evangelistic enterprise.

Подробнее

As a pastor, have you ever had a loss of words during those many trying moments in your ministry, when you found it difficult to express your true feelings? All of us have! Maybe the loneliness of being a pastor has, at times, simply overwhelmed you and you search for someone, anyone to offer you words of comfort and encouragement. Possibly, you've been without words to comfort those who are grieving or experiencing a deep hurt. Many times it could have been your own grief or deep hurt. Pastor Phipps, like any other pastor, has been there many times and he has a deep burden for all of you facing the many challenges of the pastorate. He wrote Poems for the Pastor to offer you special words of encouragement, words of hope, words of healing, and words you can share with others within your flock who need them the most. May these simple lines of verse, uniquely interwoven through Scripture, be a blessing to you, your family, and those under your tender care.

Подробнее

The materials presented here are reflections on a variety of topics: a belief in God's suffering and the pastoral implications of this; Luther's theology of preaching; practical approaches to evangelistic preaching; pastoral advice on death and dying; apologetic preaching in a post-Christian culture on the model of Paul; effective living in the power of the Holy Spirit, striking a balance between enthusiastic service and fervent love; the image of God's love in the Old Testament; and personal exhortations.
Although this book was written on the balcony of my own study where reflection and meditation are carried out, it is cognizant of ministry contexts where people's needs and struggles are most evident. With anecdotes and analyses, the readers will be enabled to discern the signs of divine transcendence in their lives, and to apprehend, or rather to be apprehended by, the beauty of God's grace–the abiding basis of our being and well-being.
What has been written in this book reveals the heartbeat of a mentor who earnestly hungers for divine beauty and holiness, a mentor whose hunger God eagerly fulfills, just as he promises, and a mentor who wishes this same fulfillment to happen for readers. The basic assumption in this book is this: a faith that is worth believing is a faith that is worth living, and thus worth commending. The book is also an exercise of faith seeking understanding–understanding only God could supply. It is written with the hope that it will lead readers from knowing God to loving him, to enjoying him, and finally to proclaiming him so that others will be brought into the orbit of God's inestimable grace. Not until our hearts, which God's heart touches, touch the heart of others is our ministry complete and our life found pleasing to God.

Подробнее

Psalm 15 begins with two related questions: «LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?» (v. 1). These are questions worthy of our consideration as Christian business professionals seeking to integrate our faith and our work. The psalmist answers the questions with the following description: «He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken» (vv. 2-5, NIV).
Using this psalm as a basis, Southwest Baptist University's College of Business and Computer Science is devoted to educating «Psalm 15 professionals,» who exemplify traits including integrity, service, respect, charity, faithfulness, truthfulness, humility, and perseverance. The devotions in this small volume draw readers' attention to the need for believers to exemplify such character traits. Contributions from the SBU faculty and administration remind us of the necessity to approach life and work with a biblical worldview. This volume is an abbreviated version of another Resource Publications book, A Noble Calling: Devotions and Essays for Business Professionals, also available from Wipf and Stock Publishers (www.wipfandstock.com).

Подробнее

"She was dirty and dusty. Her curly hair had seen neither a comb nor water for months. In one hand she carried a package of cigarettes and in the other a solvent rag." Young Namusisi had no home, no family, no money for school fees, and no one to love her or care for her. She survived in the culture of the buyaye on the streets, parking lots, and porches of the city of Kampala, Uganda. But one day she met Daddy Kefa and her life was changed. He took her to his children's home where she was provided for and was shown the love of Christ. Namusisi was just one of more than six thousand Ugandan street children who were rescued from a meaningless and hopeless life by the efforts of a compassionate, selfless, and godly man. From the Dust contains the poignant stories of many of those destitute children–stories of how they came to live on the streets and of how their lives were changed. Here are stories of a people ravaged by a demonic dictator, a people who had lost all sense of humanity and were struggling under emotional, physical, and spiritual poverty. From the Dust tells how the efforts of one man made a difference to so many who were groping in a dark world of sin and hopelessness. It is the story of the love of God to the lost and dying, and of how that love made a difference to so many Africans and can still make a difference to those who will trust in him. «He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory» (1 Sam 2:8).

Подробнее

This book reviews the financial past, present, and future of couples contemplating marriage, with questions and text posed to highlight critical points. The work required in this financial counseling course for couples is purposely kept to a minimum to ensure that the task will be finished. Forms that accompany the questions enable each member of a couple to complete an individual workbook. A facilitator's guide is also provided. While the simplicity of this book recommends it, the wealth of good financial information and guidance in Let's Talk About Money Before You Tie the Knot provides a solid financial foundation on which to build a marriage.

Подробнее