Sacred Privilege

Life as a pastor's wife offers meaningful opportunities to play a significant part in God's work, to witness and participate in the beauty of changed lives. Yet it also carries the potential for deep wounds and great conflict that can drain the joy out of service. Is it worth it? Oh, yes, says Kay Warren, wife of Pastor Rick Warren and cofounder of Saddleback Church. It is more than worth the risk--it's a sacred privilege. Drawing on more than forty years in ministry in every possible size church, Kay provides encouraging principles and life lessons, along with intimate personal stories, that will give readers the confidence needed to lead and live well. Pastor's wives learn to - accept who they are - adapt to change - help their children survive and thrive - protect their private lives - deal with criticism - live with integrity - develop an eternal perspective Whether she is excited, struggling, or feeling broken and tired, every pastor's wife will find hope and encouragement for their calling in Kay's warm and wise words.

There is no such thing as a worship war. We arent fighting over worship; were fighting over preferences. For decades, centuries really, churches have been fighting preference wars over worship methodologies. Whether it was singing psalms or hymns, using screens or hymnals, playing organs or guitars, or using a choir or praise team, if there has been a method to fight over, weve gone to battle. Unfortunately, the only things weve gained from our warring are church splits, declining rolls, and frustrated members. Is that what we most desire from our worship? What would happen in our churches if we went to war for worship or in worship instead of going to war over worship? What if we got so serious about worship that we put our preferences aside and focused on engaging God? Worship is not about songs and sermons anyway. Worship is about a privileged conversation with God! Discover how you and your church can get serious about worship as you delve into the heart of worship. Study who is involved in worship, what you can expect from worship, and how you can get the most out of worship. If we want to see God do great things in our churches and bring awakening to our nation, we must get serious about worship. Lets stop fighting over methodologies and return to the core of worship. Take some time to explore the privilege of worship.

Exposes the invisible ways in which white Christian privilege disadvantages racial and religious minorities in America The United States is recognized as the most religiously diverse country in the world, and yet its laws and customs, which many have come to see as normal features of American life, actually keep the Constitutional ideal of “religious freedom for all” from becoming a reality. Christian beliefs, norms, and practices infuse our society; they are embedded in our institutions, creating the structures and expectations that define the idea of “Americanness.” Religious minorities still struggle for recognition and for the opportunity to be treated as fully and equally legitimate members of American society. From the courtroom to the classroom, their scriptures and practices are viewed with suspicion, and bias embedded in centuries of Supreme Court rulings create structural disadvantages that endure today. In White Christian Privilege, Khyati Y. Joshi traces Christianity’s influence on the American experiment from before the founding of the Republic to the social movements of today. Mapping the way through centuries of slavery, westward expansion, immigration, and citizenship laws, she also reveals the ways Christian privilege in the United States has always been entangled with notions of White supremacy. Through the voices of Christians and religious minorities, Joshi explores how Christian privilege and White racial norms affect the lives of all Americans, often in subtle ways that society overlooks. By shining a light on the inequalities these privileges create, Joshi points the way forward, urging readers to help remake America as a diverse democracy with a commitment to true religious freedom.

What if the key to changing your life--and yourself--is already in your hand? So many women struggle with what to do with their daily lives. They feel trapped in everyday drudgery and disappointment, in dull domestic duties, and in mundane jobs they despise. Where is the abundant, purposeful life they were promised? Kari Patterson shows readers the truth: in each unremarkable life lies an opportunity to see, know, love, and be utterly transformed by a God who meets everyone right where they are. Instead of stepping away from real life to find God, Patterson equips women with a six-step practice to move further in and meet Him in the humdrum moments of everyday existence. And when a woman's inner being is truly changed by the sacred, everything in her world changes too--right down to tackling the dirty dishes. Through entertaining narrative, candid real-life stories, Bible study, and practical instruction, Sacred Mundane guides individuals or small groups to discover the beautiful sacredness in the lives they already lead. Women who long to grow in God and make a real difference in the world--no matter how small--will reach eagerly for this book and the radical transformation it offers. "Our daily routine, with its mundane tasks and mindless repetition, is ultimately an offering of worship to God. What a great truth from a great God!" --Ann Byle, author of The Making of a Christian Bestseller and coauthor of Devotions for the Soul Surfer

FEEL ALIVE AND CONNECTED ONCE AGAIN! Lonely No More: The Astonishing Power of Inner Bonding takes the reader on a spiritual journey of self-discovery and personal transformation, exploring the often-conflicting relationship between the false beliefs of the ego wounded self, how those false beliefs leave a person lonely and disconnected, and how to achieve true spiritual connection. Through engaging narratives and practical exercises, this book offers valuable insights into achieving a balanced, fulfilling relationship with both the self and the Divine. Throughout the book, I explore various spiritual principles and misconceptions that often hinder individuals from accessing the ever-present love and wisdom that is here for all of us. By debunking common myths, I equip readers with the tools and knowledge needed to break free from limiting beliefs and foster spiritual growth. Here’s a sampling of what you will learn: The difference between getting and sharing love. The difference between self-responsibility and self-sacrifice. The difference tween our true soul self and our ego wounded self. A road map for healing loneliness by promoting self-awareness, inner healing and personal responsibility. Healing other related conditions like anxiety, depression, shame, addictions and relationship problems. The opposite of loneliness is not a never-ending blissful, happy, problem-free state. It is feeling alive and connected once again. The ability to feel deeply, to express the gamut of one’s emotions in a healthy way, and to connect to yourself, others and life overall to address challenges and triumphs in a way that says “yes” to life, is the goal of this book.