In Spirit And In Truth

This fresh, practical study of worship throws needed light on questions about worship content, music, atmosphere, structure, freedom, clarity, recent trends and much more. You will profit from this insightful look at the kind of worship that pleases God.

Have you ever asked yourself what changed when you were "born again?" You look in the mirror and see the same reflection - your body hasn't changed. You find yourself acting the same and yielding to those same old temptations - that didn't seem to change either. So you wonder, Has anything really changed? The correct answer to that question is foundational for receiving from God. If you lack this basic understanding, you'll forever ask yourself doubt-filled questions like: "How could God love somebody like me?" and "How can I possibly expect to receive anything from the Lord? I don't deserve it, I'm not good enough!" Spirit, Soul, and Body will help you eliminate those and other doubt-filled questions that destroy your faith. If you have trouble receiving from God, this is a must-read!

This book offers a critique of common spiritual warfare practices including binding Satan, renouncing curses, spiritual mapping and exorcisms. Using Scripture, and Scripture alone, Pastor Jim Osman shows that true spiritual warfare is not a battle over territory, but a battle for the truth. The book is divided into four sections: Establishing Biblical Principles, Exposing Unbiblical Practices, Explaining Biblical Perspectives and Examining a Biblical Passage. A biblical approach to spiritual warfare recognizes the Bible as the sole authority, rejects unbiblical and man-made methods, and rests in Christ and His finished work for victory. Many in the modern spiritual warfare movement teach a methodology of spiritual warfare that is more akin to something you would find in a Harry Potter novel (renouncing curses and using prayer mantras to seize territory) than anything described in Scripture. Many of these practices reflect a theology built on anecdotes, experience, and interviews with demons rather than a sound exegesis of Scripture. Footnoted quotations of authors like Mark Bubeck, Neil T. Anderson, and others are compared against Scripture to show that modern spiritual warfare "experts" have abandoned the authority of Scripture and opted for man-made methods to wage spiritual battle. The chapters include a study of the three enemies that every Christian faces: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Pastor Osman answers from Scripture the questions: Can a Christian be demon-possessed? Is Christ's authority ours? and, What about exorcisms? One chapter includes a helpful discussion of the link between spiritual warfare and a believer's sanctification. The foreword is written by international conference speaker Justin Peters (justinpeters.org). This book is being published as an e-book as a fundraiser to finish the new church building of Kootenai Community Church (www.kootenaichurch.org) of which Jim is one of the pastors. All the proceeds go the building fund for the completion of that project. You can see regular updates at http: //www.truthorterritory.com .

Werewolves are disappearing all over the country, and nobody's quite sure why. Kyla was forced to leave behind everything she cared about when her parents' ranch went bankrupt. With all of her friends and her boyfriend so far away, she isn't sure she'll ever feel as comfortable in this new life as she did in the old. Unaware of the danger, reclusive werewolf, Camille, couldn't be happier to make the new girl feel right at home in the small farm-town of Tranquility, California. By the time Kyla realizes there's something hiding out in the dark, watching her, she's unwittingly stepped into the crosshairs of a dangerous werewolf. Original target? Camille. Can the girls take down the threat before they become the latest victims of his deadly game?

An invitation to a conversation about the direction of our worship life. The Anglican colloquium of the North American Academy of Liturgy acknowledged the need for a collection of insights to aid in the liturgical formation of the Episcopal Church as we move into liturgical revision. The volume's contributions have been shaped around the clauses of resolution A068, looking at the ways in which parishes and individuals can live into this time of revision and creativity. With a shared understanding of our deepest held Christian values, the editors look forward to what the future brings for our collective worship lives and our missional lives as bearers of Christ to a troubled and broken world. This volume provides churches with tools for intelligent, cogent, accessible historical and theological conversation illuminating the way forward for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus movement.

What does it mean to enter the presence of Jesus? Can people today do this or only biblical characters? In this classic book, Joseph Carroll shows us what it means to truly come into Jesus’ presence. There is so much more to truly worshiping Jesus than church services and personal devotions. True worship requires complete commitment of emotions, intellect, and will—and our reward is great. Carroll directs us into the presence of Christ by drawing on Scripture, especially the book of Revelation, and by giving practical steps of personal worship. The experiences of some of history’s greatest saints also serve as relatable examples of true worship. This deeply practical and personal book will help us know Jesus more intimately on a daily basis. It will help us draw close to Christ, to experience His presence, and to worship Him in ways far better than what most of us imagine to be possible.

Costen concludes by offering models and suggestions for helping those who plan worship to listen for the leading of the Holy Spirit and ultimately challenges music and worship leaders to reclaim traditional African American spirituality and its presence in the music experienced in African American worship."--BOOK JACKET.