God Is Near Us

According to the Second Vatican Council, "We ought to try to discover a new reverence for the Eucharistic mystery. Something is happening that is greater than anything we can do. The magnitude of what is happening is not dependent on the way we perform it, but all our efforts to perform it aright can always be at the service of the great act that precedes our own and that we cannot achieve for ourselves... The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; at the same time it is the font from which all her power flows." This profound statement about the Eucharist stands at the center of this book by Cardinal Ratzinger. In these previously unpublished texts, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and a scholar of international repute, leads the reader into the heart of the Christian faith and its central mystery. Cardinal Ratzinger compellingly shows us the biblical, historical, and theological dimensions of the Eucharist. The Cardinal draws far-reaching conclusions, focusing on the importance of one's personal devotion to and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, for the personal reception of Communion by the individual Christian, as well as for the life of the Church. For Ratzinger, the drive toward any transformation of the world on the social plane also grows out of the celebration of the Eucharist. He beautifully illustrates how the omnipotent God and Creator comes intimately close to us in the Holy Eucharist, the Heart of Life. Book jacket.

Eliminate the Spiritual Distance between You and God Do you feel far from God? Perhaps you desire nearness, but you end up filling your calendar instead of communing with the Savior. Wayman Ming Jr. will show you how daily interruptions are divine opportunities to evaluate your life and close the spiritual gap between you and God. If you have become too comfortable in the daily practice of your faith, or you are on a quest to go deeper, this book will help you draw near to your Creator and pursue His heart with passion as you · identify and remove obstacles in finding God · deepen your roots of daily prayer and devotion · find peace and hope in God's presence amid trials · develop spiritual rhythms with the Holy Spirit · hunger for personal revival and spiritual awakening in our culture God is reforming how we think and act as followers of His Son. The Holy Spirit will empower your full pursuit of what matters most and help you align your life with His plans--for your good! "While God's 'interruptions' in our lives often do not make sense to us, He desires that we seek Him in all circumstances: good, bad and ugly. Nearer to God challenges us to see these interruptions as invitations to a closer walk with God."--Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, president, National Hispanic Christian Leadership

Our Veggie friends return in three new Digital Pop-up (TM) board books, each written especially for pre-schoolers.

In Drawing Near, John Bevere invites readers to explore a life of intimacy with God. Emphasizing the need for obedience, he urges us to practice-just as we would practice anything we hope to improve-our communication with the Holy Spirit. Understanding that prayer is a dialogue, not a monologue, Bevere encourages us to listen at the Father's feet. Study questions in each chapter offer opportunity for reflection, and a "How to draw near to God" section offers practical steps toward developing true intimacy with Him.

Does going to church feel more like a duty than a privilege? Too many of us are in danger of overlooking the awesome presence of God in corporate worship. We've missed the fact that amazing things happen when God draws near. Paul Engle invites us to join him at seven different biblical mountains where God met hisworshipping people. Explore biblical history - from Sinai to Zion to Carmel to Gerizim to Hermon to the Mount of Olives to the heavenly Zion - ƒ‚‚"and gain a fresh appreciation for the awesome privilege and reward of coming into God's presence in God-centered assemblies today.

He came not as a flash of light or as an unapproachable conqueror, but as One whose first cries were heard by a peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter. The hands that held him were not manicured, but callused and dirty. Travel back in time and relive Christ the Son of God becoming man. Come with Max as he brings to life the most important event in history ... when God came near. And as you catch a vision of this incredible moment, let it mark the beginning of a new life for yourself. God came near. If he is who he says he is, there is no truth more worthy of your time. Book jacket.

In our daily lives, we run into multiple emotions. We may run into troubles, yet we can find peace. We may face hardships, yet we can find prosperity. We may find suffering, yet we can find comfort. We may get angry, yet we can find calmness. We may get desperate, yet we can find hope. We may hate others, yet we can find love. We may judge others, yet we can find forgiveness. We may hurt others, yet we can be a help. We may stumble others, yet we can be an inspiration. We may curse, yet we can bless. We may gossip, yet we can pray. It is simply a choice between living as the world and living through Jesus. Jesus is always present as He promised. God is always near as He assured us. We run into sorrow because we forget God's true promises. We are sad in our life because we forget Christ's guidance. If we look at God's words and contemplate about how much He cares for us and how much He loves us, We will be able to handle any situation at any time, by any means, through Christ our Lord.

Right now, the Antichrist is preparing to take center stage in the cosmic battle between good and evil, between God and Satan. The Antichrist will go to war, literally and figuratively. There will be wars fought with bullets and bombs. Wars fought with lying words and empty promises. Culture wars, fought with power plays and intimidation. Jesus reassures us: "Do not be afraid" (see John 14:27). God is in control. The Tribulation leads to the Near Coming of the Lord, when Jesus returns. On that Day, God wins; Satan loses. Bible teacher Janice Valvano received insights as God showed her multiple passages of Scripture which reveal clear-cut patterns in the Bible. These patterns show the future with remarkable clarity. Valvano provides clear explanations, so you can make sense of the symbolism in the Bible and understand what will happen soon, during the lifetimes of many living today. Long ago, the biblical prophet Daniel was told that understanding of a prophecy he had heard would remain a secret until the time of the end (see Daniel 12:4-9). We are rapidly approaching the end of an age, but not the end of the world. Right now, at the end of this age, God is revealing the long-hidden meaning in biblical prophecies, giving our generation a picture of what God plans to do sooner in the near future and later in the far future. God wants us to seek His provision and protection, on natural and supernatural levels, so we're prepared for the long-awaited return of Jesus Christ.