Religion England

THE RIGHT OF SANCTUARY IN THE ENGLISH TRADITION takes the listener on a historical, criminal, and legal odyssey through the ancient practice of sanctuary, which was granted to fugitives fleeing from justice, by Catholic churches in England, during the Middle Ages. The book begins with a discussion of the origin of sanctuary, being rooted in the six Levitical cities of the Old Testament, and continuing through the Middle Ages and beyond.

So many voices today tell us that avoiding pain and dodging trouble are the best we can expect from life. Yet God is at work in us. He doesn't call us to a bland vanilla existence but to an exciting quest for the best thing in life—a heart that reflects the character qualities of Jesus Christ. The Quest for Character offers forty encouraging meditations on character qualities that can significantly change your life. Each brief devotional ends with helpful suggestions for refining your character and scripture readings to draw you into God's Word.

We have all experienced disappointment in relationships. Sometimes we wonder if it's even possible to have enduring, positive relationships in our homes, our work, and our communities. In The Connection Code, trusted Bible teacher O. S. Hawkins digs deep into the biblical book of Philemon to give us a blueprint for building life-giving relationships in every sphere of our lives.

Historic denominations are dying. Church memberships and baptisms plummet with every passing year. Pastors and church leaders are concerned about their churches plateauing. Why? One of the major reasons is because congregations aren't being publicly called to faith in Christ. A growing number of evangelical pastors have opted for non-confrontational approaches to calling people to faith in Jesus. Some seminaries have removed evangelism classes from their curriculum and pastors aren't being taught how to give an effective, God honoring public invitation, void of manipulation.

Collins presents a 'mental diet' of 10 negative attitudes to lose during times of hardship that hinder character development, strain relationships with others, and diminish faith.

Who isn't in need of a new beginning? Bestselling author O. S. Hawkins knows that whether it be broken relationships, integrity missteps, or loss, most of us will spend some or much of the next year trying to restore something. The good news is . . . it's never too late for a new beginning.

Do you long to experience the joy and peace only found in knowing and loving our Lord? The Passion Code leads you to grow closer to God and to discover that the more you know him, the more you want to do his will. Take a 100-day journey with best-selling author O. S. Hawkins from Bethlehem, where we find God with us, then to Golgotha, where we find God for us, and finally to Pentecost, where we discover that God came to take up residence in our lives, God in us. Each entry features a Code Word that serves as a daily reminder of the devotional thought.

Transforming Presence talks you through 10 vital practices that will help you have a new experience of the Holy Spirit. You’ll learn how our relationship with the Holy Spirit changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament, what common misconceptions of the Holy Spirit are, and how to think and speak (and sing) rightly about him. It can be hard to discern what’s right and wrong in a world of gray scales, differing preferences, and emotional highs, but when we start with the Bible, all the secondary things fall into place.

In Sticky Church, author and pastor Larry Osborne makes the case that closing the back door of your church is even more important than opening the front door wider. He offers a time-tested strategy for doing so: sermon-based small groups that dig deeper into the weekend message and tightly velcro members to the ministry. It’s a strategy that enabled Osborne’s congregation to grow from a handful of people to one of the larger churches in the nation - without any marketing or special programming.

In a day when church membership has decreased, evangelistic zeal has cooled, and budgets are disappearing, ReClaimed Church is the tool that struggling churches need. Having previously written and taught seminary courses on church revitalization, Bill Henard uses his expertise to provide all the practical insights and instructions needed to reclaim your church.

Just as a physically healthy person - at an ideal weight and with good blood pressure and cholesterol numbers - might not actually be fit enough to run a 5k, so churches can appear healthy - with no obvious issues, maintaining a healthy size - and yet not exhibit fitness. A fit church is one that is not satisfied with merely coasting along with no problems. A fit church is actively making disciples, maturing in faith, developing strong leaders, reaching out to the community, and more.

Almost 60 percent of those in American evangelical churches believe that many religions can lead to eternal life. But if Jesus is to be trusted when he says that no one comes to the Father except through him, the church is failing in its mission. And it's not hard to guess why. An exclusive Jesus just isn't popular in our inclusive world. Dr. Robert Jeffress calls on Christians to recover the exclusive claims of the one they claim as Lord and Savior, not as a way to keep people out of heaven but as the only way to invite them in.

When Taffy and Tiffany came into the parsonage, nothing was ever the same! These two little rascals have brought joy and delight into the lives of Clair and his wife, Brenda, as only two lovable kitties could. As the years have gone by, this country preacher and his wife have learned valuable lessons and enjoyed many hours of hilarity watching the antics of their two little furballs as they lovingly call them.

In Heavenly Rewards, you will uncover fascinating truths about how the life you live today determines your life in eternity. You will learn tangible ways you can please the Lord in your everyday living; discover that your labor and sacrifices are never in vain (God is a faithful rewarder); and see the benefits of living faithfully and enduring through even the most difficult times.

Historian and Christian apologist Larry Taunton has spent much of his career refuting just this sort of thinking, but when he encounters Sasha, a golden-haired Ukranian orphan girl whose life has been shaped by atheistic theorists, he discovers an unlikely champion for the transforming power of grace. Through the narrative of Sasha’s redemption, we see the false promises of socialism; the soul-destroying influence of unbelief; and how a society cultivates its own demise when it rejects the ultimate source of grace.

"This book is amazing! No matter what your beliefs are, it will get right to the core of your soul, and you will never be the same. Jonathan England takes you through a journey: his path; but since we are all one, it is your path as well - and you are in some level of that journey. [Listen to] this book so your spirit can evolve to where it is longing to be. It's a great and beautiful place to know who you are, why you're here, and to truly surrender your life." - Lori DiBacco

Finances are the number-one cause of disagreements in marriages, leading many couples to divorce. Dr. Gary Chapman has counseled couples for over 30 years on relationship issues - money being at the top of the list. In his audiobook Profit Sharing, Dr. Chapman provides practical advice on how to make money an asset - as opposed to a headache - in your marriage. His straightforward conversational style will help you and your spouse quickly identify weak areas and reframe the way you view your finances.

There have been times when you've felt that if there isn't a God, there ought to be. Swept up in the mystery of the night sky, you've felt the closeness of its designer. Nature's extravagant diversity, unfolding in living color, has made you long to know the artist who dreamed it all up. Imagine what that might be like - to actually know God in a way that fills your heart and whispers tremendous value and purpose to something deep within you. But how can you experience a being you're not even sure exists?

This must-have resource on effective prayer from best-selling author and internationally respected pastor Jack Hayford gives believers the keys to unlocking the secrets of effective intercessory prayer, including how to pray with rightful authority, perseverance, and confidence. He provides encouragement, powerful testimonies, keen biblical guidance, and insight to help readers pray more effectively for God's grace, goodness, and power in the lives of those they love.

Stories Behind the Traditions and Songs of Easter reveals the real inspiration behind the customs, symbols, and special music of Easter. Through his gift as a storyteller, award-winning author Ace Collins brings new meaning and depth to the celebration of Easter.