So Much Better

Meant to both inspire and inform pastoral leaders, So Much Better examines the impact of peer group participation on pastoral leaders, their families, and ministries. This book goes beyond numbers and data by breathing life into the statistical bones. At this book's heart are seven peer group models including stories and examples from participants, families, and church members. Also featured is information about peer group recruitment, leadership, content, and structure, and practical advice about the cost, sustainability, and evaluation of peer groups. So Much Better can change the way you think about and perform your ministry and lead you to a life that is-- well, so much better. Authors: Penny Long Marler James Bowers Larry Dill Brenda K. Harewood Richard Hester Sheila Kirton-Robbins Marianne LaBarre Janet Maykus D. Bruce Roberts Lis Van Harten Kelli Walker-Jones From The Columbia Partnership (TCP) Leadership Series

Today coanchor Al Roker presents an entertaining guide to achieving a life of happiness and success through the power of "yes!" These days, the road to success can feel jampacked with scheduling, networking, nonstop hustle, and flat-out absurdity. And no one knows that better than Al Roker—beloved cohost of The Today Show, weatherperson extraordinaire, and the man we all secretly wish we could turn to for wisdom and wisecracks in our everyday lives. From his college days as a polyester suit-clad weather forecaster in Syracuse to battling and buttering up the "Butter Man" during the legendary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Al has learned worthwhile lessons over a long, successful career. And now, for the first time, Al is ready to unleash savvy advice on how to embrace happiness and the power of saying "yes," alongside a host of humorous tips and tricks about how to succeed in life. In You Look So Much Better in Person, Al teaches us how we can weather the storm of life, no matter how torrential the downpour, and shares anecdotes from his own treasure trove of memories in the spotlight. And it hasn't always been easy—believe it or not, even Al has been yelled at by his boss, suffered an emotional breakdown at work, and been told he'd be better suited in another position. Within these pages, he looks back on his own career and shares valuable "Altruisms" that can be applied to our own endeavors, such as how to: Navigate the special hell that is socializing Craft the perfect comeback line during a confrontation—and know when to use it Get up early and actually make the most of your time Cry at work without freaking people out And much, much more! Packed to the brim with cackle-inducing and cringeworthy behind-the-scenes insights and observations from over four decades in the media, this book reminds us all that long-term success in our personal lives and our careers is just within reach. You Look So Much Better in Person will leave you laughing out loud, inspired, and comforted during life's best and worst moments.

Do you want a better life? Let me help you with - a Girls few simple tips to Make LIFE so much Better! I am sixteen years old and I have a few things to say: Life is hard, it is difficult and for many, life can be a sad sad sate of affair. As teens we want to live the American dream, we want to be able to fulfill our constitutional right: the right to to the pursuit of happiness. So how do achieve this better life, this happier much simpler life? Is it something only the rich can acquire or is it something only those who abandon civilization and all it's trapping who can enjoy life to the fullest? No, you and I can live happy, successful lives - a better life. You simply have to learn a few simple tricks and a handful of ideas to change your life. What is success? What is happiness? What is purpose? Let me tell you what I think and let me share with you how you can make your like so much better. Come on, give it a try. Buy the eBook, it will be the best purchase you have ever spent on yourself.

Casual discussions on the outrageous nature of God's grace.

Today coanchor Al Roker presents an entertaining guide to achieving a life of happiness and success through the power of "yes!" These days, the road to success can feel jampacked with scheduling, networking, nonstop hustle, and flat-out absurdity. And no one knows that better than Al Roker—beloved cohost of The Today Show, weatherperson extraordinaire, and the man we all secretly wish we could turn to for wisdom and wisecracks in our everyday lives. From his college days as a polyester suit-clad weather forecaster in Syracuse to battling and buttering up the "Butter Man" during the legendary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Al has learned worthwhile lessons over a long, successful career. And now, for the first time, Al is ready to unleash savvy advice on how to embrace happiness and the power of saying "yes," alongside a host of humorous tips and tricks about how to succeed in life. In You Look So Much Better in Person, Al teaches us how we can weather the storm of life, no matter how torrential the downpour, and shares anecdotes from his own treasure trove of memories in the spotlight. And it hasn't always been easy—believe it or not, even Al has been yelled at by his boss, suffered an emotional breakdown at work, and been told he'd be better suited in another position. Within these pages, he looks back on his own career and shares valuable "Altruisms" that can be applied to our own endeavors, such as how to: Navigate the special hell that is socializing Craft the perfect comeback line during a confrontation—and know when to use it Get up early and actually make the most of your time Cry at work without freaking people out And much, much more! Packed to the brim with cackle-inducing and cringeworthy behind-the-scenes insights and observations from over four decades in the media, this book reminds us all that long-term success in our personal lives and our careers is just within reach. You Look So Much Better in Person will leave you laughing out loud, inspired, and comforted during life's best and worst moments.

Abandon dead, dry, religious rule-keeping and embrace the promise of being truly known and deeply loved. Jefferson Bethke burst into the cultural conversation with a passionate, provocative poem titled "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus." The 4-minute video became an overnight sensation, with 7 million YouTube views in its first 48 hours (and 23+ million in a year). Bethke's message clearly struck a chord with believers and nonbelievers alike, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged. In his New York Times bestseller Jesus > Religion, Bethke unpacks similar contrasts that he drew in the poem--highlighting the difference between teeth gritting and grace, law and love, performance and peace, despair, and hope. With refreshing candor, he delves into the motivation behind his message, beginning with the unvarnished tale of his own plunge from the pinnacle of a works-based, fake-smile existence that sapped his strength and led him down a path of destructive behavior. Along the way, Bethke gives you the tools you need to: Humbly and prayerfully open your mind Understand Jesus for all that he is View the church from a brand-new perspective Bethke is quick to acknowledge that he's not a pastor or theologian, but simply an ordinary, twenty-something who cried out for a life greater than the one for which he had settled. On this journey, Bethke discovered the real Jesus, who beckoned him with love beyond the props of false religion. Praise for Jesus > Religion: "Jeff's book will make you stop and listen to a voice in your heart that may have been drowned out by the noise of religion. Listen to that voice, then follow it--right to the feet of Jesus." --Bob Goff, author of New York Times bestsellers Love Does and Everybody, Always "The book you hold in your hands is Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz meets C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity meets Augustine's Confessions. This book is going to awaken an entire generation to Jesus and His grace." --Derwin L. Gray, lead pastor of Transformation Church, author of Limitless Life: Breaking Free from the Labels That Hold You Back

Much More and Better is a book based on the finished work of Christ as described in the book of Hebrews. Hebrews gives us one of the best descriptions of the much more and better that we have through the new covenant ratified in the blood of Jesus Christ. This book will exalt Christ with the preeminence that he is more than worthy of, for everything lost in the fall through Adam has been restored through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. My prayer for you as you read this book is that you will get a magnified picture of Jesus Christ and the awesome glorious new covenant that He paid for with His own blood. As you read, it will be obvious to you that the book of Hebrews is definitely a Holy Spirit-inspired book. Read and enjoy!

In his unfathomable wisdom God has created delicious, health-giving food, some of which is still available to us today. More accessible, however, is the "food" we all have come to love, that which has been altered, for reasons not related to health. The whole food plant-based recipes in this book are not just delicious; they are nutritious and cost effective also. Go with Elizabeth on an enlightening trip through two entirely different types of cancer therapy, one of which has become for her a vibrant new life-style. The bulk of this book consists of pages from her journal written as she lived it. Elizabeth Lacy Faxon was born in Virginia and now lives in California with her husband, Glen. Her childhood ambition was to be a wife and mother. Now, five children and 12 grandchildren later, she is enjoying a life-style of which she knew little for most of her life. This life-style change came about because of a cancer diagnosis, and has revealed to her a need in our society for Godly wisdom in caring for our health. Elizabeth's interest in health was sparked not only by her own physical problem, but by those of friends and neighbors. Her volunteer nursing home ministry for the past 31 years has put her in touch with the needs there as well. Now life is exciting and rewarding as she and her husband enjoy the good stuff that God has created!