LITMIR.BIZ

Joe is Safety Harbor's most beloved citizen. Through his gift of simple hospitality for all, and the quiet sharing of his wisdom with those who frequent his diner, he has influenced the lives of many for good. Now, Joe is missing, leaving behind only a cryptic note that simply says, «Carry on.» What does it mean to «carry on» as Joe intended? Did he leave of his own accord or is his absence a sign of something more sinister? Through the struggle with these questions, and the ensuing search for Joe, Safety Harbor discovers that it is in the middle of a cosmic struggle between light and darkness that takes some of them to the very edge of time and eternity. They find that heaven is not far from earth, and that our ordinary, flawed lives are indeed both miraculous and extraordinary.

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The New Testament book of Hebrews offers some of the most memorable passages of Scripture on perseverance, faith, rest, the word of God, angels, divine discipline, salvation, the city of God, and Christ, Son and High Priest. Much of its text has spoken with remarkable directness to peoples of all nations down through the centuries. At other points it has remained a difficult argument, even, so it is said, a riddle. This is a commentary for those who want to follow what this book says–follow it both in terms of understanding it and living it. The book is divided into thirty-seven units and each unit is discussed in terms of literary context, background, wording, themes, and possible lines for teaching the text. The commentary is written for any adult reader, whether they already align with Hebrews' faith or are merely curious. It is a serious discussion, but also direct, to the point, and uncluttered by qualifications and technicalities. Whether you are self-studying or preparing to teach or lead discussion, this book is prepared for you.

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Judges: A Theological Commentary for Preachers engages hermeneutics for preaching, employing theological exegesis that enables the preacher to utilize all the units of the letter to craft effective sermons. This commentary unpacks the crucial link between Scripture and application: the theology of each preaching text (i.e., what the author is doing with what he is saying). Judges is divided into fourteen preaching units and the theological focus of each is delineated. The overall theological trajectory or theme of the book deals with the failure of leadership in the community of God's people. Since God's people are all called to be leaders in some arena, to some degree, in some fashion, the lessons of Judges are applicable to all Christians. The specific theological thrust of each unit is captured in this commentary, making possible a sequential homiletical movement through each pericope of Judges. While the primary goal of the commentary is to take the preacher from text to theology, it also provides two sermon outlines for each of the twelve preaching units of Judges. The unique approach of this work results in a theology-for-preaching commentary that promises to be useful for anyone teaching through Judges with an emphasis on application.

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In A Mirror is a thought-provoking introduction to God's salvation, reflecting on the the epic story that has evoked many mythologies about good and evil portrayed in the story of Adam and Eve, and ending with the redemption and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By a more concise account to the principles of salvation, the book lays the foundation to the elements of destiny, desire, knowledge, shame, sin, the cross, death, power, prayer, praise, justice, truth, faith, joy, righteousness, and the Holy Spirit, on which a life in Jesus Christ is attained. Drawing parallels from Jesus Christ's life, the book argues the distinctive Godly signatures that have outlaid His divine plan, paramount in His powerful ministry on earth, which continued with Christ's crucifixion to save those whom He loves, rectifying the sin that began with Adam and Eve. In A Mirror is an invitation to reconsider a relationship with God based on the unshakable truth of Jesus Christ, and not on any other fleeting images.

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The Letter of James is perhaps needed more than ever today. In this commentary, Hart argues that the epistle is indeed the work of James of Jerusalem, «the brother of the Lord,» that it was an encyclical letter, and that its chief concern was to combat a distorted version of Paul's gospel. It is a work with a singular purpose: to bring the churches back to the most basic teachings of Jesus. In its defense of orthopraxy as the primary Christian standard, its denunciation of those with wealth who exploit or neglect the poor, its hard words for those who have taken on the mantel of «teacher» without first learning to restrain their tongues, and above all its exhortation to relearn the truth that «faith without works [of love] is dead,» James could be talking to churches in our own time. This commentary presents James afresh, as a living guide with a perennial message for those who seek to follow Jesus. It is pastoral in intent, written for those who teach and preach, those who desire a more authentic discipleship, and those who practice lectio divina–the meditative reading of Scripture.
(Includes the entire Greek text and the new English translation of the epistle by David Bentley Hart.)

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Have you ever read (or tried to read) the Bible and wondered if it makes any sense? Often, when we read about God's plan for the world in the Bible, we are confused and uncertain about what he is actually doing. We read the books (or parts of them) that we find in the Bible, attempt to piece together the different names and events, and often do so without clarity of understanding, or any concept of the historical situation and/or Bible characters. We look at all of the oblique parts of the Bible and cannot grasp the big picture or the grand storyline that is ultimately unfolding before our very eyes. How can we put together this complicated puzzle? As the Father Has Sent Me: God's Progress of Redemption is the answer for our confusion. This book will help the reader put the pieces of the Bible reading puzzle together, while discovering the unity of God's story for the world. See how the grand story of God's redemptive plan unfolds and begin to cherish his gracious involvement in our world of need!

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Our churches and our country long for an expression of common hope. Over the last century, venerable voices in affirmation of a common faith and a common ground have been lifted and heard in Boston, such as those of John Dewey and Howard Thurman. The Dean of Marsh Chapel, Robert Allan Hill, has preached on themes related to a common hope since 2006. Hill has lifted the theology of hope, of a common hope, at the marrow of the gospel. We cherish our forebears, who taught about a common faith and preached a common ground. In church and culture today in America, it is the prospect of a lasting, sturdy, shared hope, more purple than either blue or red, for which we hunger. The sermons about a common hope collected here were preached at the Chautauqua Institution in August of 2017.

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Reboot Your Greek: A Forty-Day New Testament Greek Refresher rekindles the reader's love of reading the Greek New Testament through a step-by-step presentation of basic concepts in easy-to-understand language. Designed to be read in fifteen minutes per day for forty days (thirty minutes per day, counting time for Greek exercises), Reboot Your Greek offers simple explanations of key topics necessary for reading the Greek New Testament with enjoyment. Vocabulary is reintroduced through exposure, not through memorization. The book also introduces helpful tools for maintaining a commitment to regular Greek reading. A glossary offers clear definitions of important terms, and appendices display essential paradigms.

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The poems in Hold Them Close express the joys and hardships of life in its breadth, from the sacred story of Christian spirituality, to the profanity of injustice; through the isolation of the poet and PhD student's life and the deep connections to family, friends, community, and creation. In her third collection of poetry, Sarah Agnew continues to give voice to vulnerability, and thereby seek strength.

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