Father Abraham Has Many Sons And Daughters

Racism, greed, and politics: these are skeletons from the past that have come to haunt the Church, and the younger generations are demanding answers. In the United States, the African-American community holds the “white church” responsible for their plight with slavery. Throughout history, the Church has been under pressure to negotiate a secular compromise that nullifies its testimony. Is the Church going to continue in denial, or will it model the gospel’s transforming power? Father Abraham has Many Sons and Daughters, highlights the Church as the family of transformed relationships. It focuses on transformation among the people of God and how it forms the foundation for our witness today. Traditional studies of how the gospel transforms individuals and communities focus on the believer’s character as the predictor of transformation. This book brings a needed balance by focusing on Kingdom relationships as the context of transformation through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Reframing religious diversity through the stories of Cain, Ishmael, and Esau The way we read the Bible matters for the way we engage the pluralistic world around us. For instance, if we understand the book of Genesis as narrowly focused on primary characters like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, we’ll miss the larger story and end up with the impression that God only cares about those who are “chosen.” In fact, the narratives of marginalized biblical characters reveal that God protects and provides for them also. What might this mean for Christians living in a world of religious difference today? In Father Abraham’s Many Children, Tyler Mayfield reflects on the stories of three of the most significant “other brothers” in the Bible—namely, on God’s continued engagement with Cain after he murders Abel, Ishmael’s circumcision as a sign of God’s covenant, and Esau’s reconciliation with Jacob. From these stories, Mayfield draws out a more generous theology of religious diversity, so that Christians might be better equipped to authentically love their neighbors of multiple faith traditions—as God loves, and has always loved, all humanity.

Christ in Our Home is a quarterly Christian devotional that brings you a daily message of God's amazing grace. Reflections and prayers are based on scripture readings from Revised Common Lectionary Daily Readings. Each day offers a Bible verse, a personal commentary or meditation, a suggested prayer concern, and a unique prayer. Enjoyed by readers for more than 60 years, Christ in Our Home is now available electronically.

Many of the Bible's characters and stories are also found in the Qur'an, but there are often differing details or new twists in the Qur'an's retelling of biblical narrative. In this compelling book, seasoned theologian Michael Lodahl explores these fascinating divergences to discover the theological difference they make. Writing from a Christian perspective that is respectful of the Islamic tradition, Lodahl offers an accessible introduction to Muslim theology and to the Qur'an's leading themes to help readers better understand Islam. Lodahl compares and contrasts how the Bible and the Qur'an depict and treat certain characters in common to both religions, including Noah, Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. He offers theological reflection on doctrines held in common by Christians and Muslims, such as creation, revelation, and the resurrection of the body. Lodahl also explores the Jewish tradition as an important source for understanding the Qur'an.

Discover Jesus' goals of togetherness, oneness, and unity in an increasingly divided world. When you learn to confront the areas in your heart that might not love as Jesus loved, you can help build a flourishing, Christ-like culture. Throughout his ministry, Jesus specifically bridged the gap with the ostracized, outcast, and overlooked. He told his followers to do the same. The gospel message is for everyone—and our mission as believers is to make disciples of Jesus, not duplicates of ourselves. This requires us to live and love beyond our preferences, to build relationships with those who are different from us, and to go beyond the boundaries of unspoken rules and invisible lines. It's time to break the strongholds of division that have been passed down from generation to generation. In Love Outside the Lines, Jimmy Rollins will expand the gospel message of Christ beyond the lines of cultural norms, show us how to follow in Jesus' footsteps by moving away from racial stereotypes and moving toward things that unite us, empower a culture of people willing to be part of the conversation on racial reconciliation, help us embrace the kingdom truth that we are better together than we are divided, and exemplify a life of dynamic diversity at church, work, and home. Join Jimmy on a powerful journey to rediscover the discipleship of diversity that leads to unity. Together, we will confront our comfort-zone barriers—both known and unknown—and take a detour to pursue the kind of diverse relationships and honest dialog that build a flourishing Christ culture.

Often when people follow Jesus, they feel more guilty instead of more free. A powerful book for the spiritually restless, Unchained shows readers how to have a robust faith that celebrates their freedom in Christ without compromising their holiness as God’s followers. Unchained turns to the person and work of Jesus Christ as the source of freedom—not just his work 2,000 years ago but also what he is doing today. As readers dig into the meaning of the freedom that Jesus offers, they will understand, perhaps for the first time, what true freedom in Christ means.

Isaiah 42:5 Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: 6 I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; 7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. 8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. 9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. As the trials of this generation intensify, the Lord God will begin to do new things to get Himself glory. Those who trust Him with their lives will be prepared. One current-day man, with a spirit like Moses, is to publish what new things, and who, is to spring forth. Deuteronomy 18:18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee (Moses), and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name I will require it of him. The Lord Gods word to all of creation from this contemporary Moses is come: The Book Of Stone. Those whom the Lord will call, may draw a kingly sword from this stone. With this spiritual sword, And faith in the Lord, Saints will overcome, To the glory of the Kingdom! This books importunate message is for those in the land of the living. The judgment for the land in the west is set amidst mounting fear, The Book Of Stone is Gods light, from a man with a spirit like Moses. Spiritually, YHWH will remove the iniquity of those who seek Him. Physically, the world will witness Moses, Elijah, and the servant BRANCH,delivering believers to safety. The secondary message is that a Redeemer will come in a way in which none have considered. God Himself inspired the compilation of the selected scriptures herein to announce that one like unto the Son of Man will glorify God the Father once again. And we shall go rejoining...

Menopause is a dramatic but largely overlooked developmental window to the second half of life. Although today's women are more aware of and actively involved in mapping their menopausal journey than generations before, many still do not see menopause as a time of important psychological and spiritual transformation. This book goes far beyond hot flashes and gets to the very heart of the midlife journey, helping women find their unique voice and speak their truth in an era of #MeToo and #ChurchToo. Coming alongside readers as a wise spiritual guide, pastor and theologian Cheryl Bridges Johns identifies seven key developmental "tasks" of menopause and gives practical ways women can embrace each one. She encourages women to view these tasks as gifts as they experience the remarkable physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation that occurs in this stage of life. Written in a warm and conversational tone, this book helps women chart a course for the future, leading them to a renewed sense of identity, a more focused vision for life, and a deeper spirituality. Each chapter includes guided questions for personal reflection and study questions for group discussion.