Journey through Advent and Christmas with the women of Jesus’ family line. Christmas is about so much more than twinkle lights, sugar cookies, and perfect family photos. It’s about the world-changing, transforming, and sometimes messy reality of “God with us.” As we dive deep into the biblical accounts of Jesus’ female ancestors and reflect on God’s presence in their complicated lives, we can begin to release our expectations of a “perfect Christmas” and instead seek the experience of a holy season. Through invitational spiritual practices and reflections, this daily devotional centers the stories of five women in Jesus’ genealogy—Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary—plus three additional female figures connected to Jesus’ early life in the days leading up to Epiphany. You will also find resources for exploring the lives of these women in worship, small group, and retreat settings. This Advent and Christmas season, step into the true power of the Incarnation as we journey together to the manger and encounter the omnipotent God who has come to us in the vulnerable Christ-child. ​Original artwork by Michelle Burkholder

The expectation of an end to time and the yearning for a millennial paradise have been recurring themes in Western religious thought. But when we speak of expectation of the world's end we are mindful of the fact that generation after generation of millenarians have been disappointed. Their endtime hopes and prophecies have not come true. What happens, one might ask, when prophecies fail? Does failure spell the end of the very movements that embrace such expectations? The aim of this anthology is to gather together in one volume the essential research from the fields of sociology and psychology that seeks to answer this intriguing question as first raised by Festinger in his 1956 work, When Prophecy Fails. Cross-cultural and comparative, this collection chronicles forty years of research into failed prophecy and response to the attending cognitive dissonance it produces that is at once timely and informative.

As a boy, being reared in a highly religious atmosphere, the idea of a man living on earth two thousand years ago "going about doing good," "giving sight to the blind," "healing the sick," and, eventually, "dying for our sins" was indeed perplexing in light of the fact that there was no living being to whom I could relate to Jesus Christ. This confusing phenomenon became more chaotic in my mind as I grew older and realized that individuals who claimed to be Jesus's "prophets" were seemingly His opposite-driving luxury cars, preaching against welfare handouts, condemning rather than forgiving those who found themselves "taking the wrong path." "If Jesus lived today," I meagerly reasoned, "would He drive luxury cars? Would He own several Rolls Royces? Would He condemn those who did not contribute money to the 'cause of the kingdom?' Would He go on television and radio condemning abortion? What would a present-day Jesus really be like?" Over a period of many years, I jotted down thoughts, taped ideas, took notes of sermons, and studied the Gospels hoping to someday coordinate all of these into a novel depicting a present-day Jesus Christ. The present book is the result of that.

It is 1908 when white master, Robert Fox, and his Negro servant, Wilma, welcome their daughter, Millie, into the world. Five years later, Robert and Wilma set a wedding date. But the night before the celebration, the KKK races down the hill to the plantation where they place a noose around Wilmas neck. With moments to spare, Robert sends Millie down an underground tunnel to seek refuge with his cousin in Texas. The plantation burns to the ground, leaving no survivors. Soon, Millie and her Negro protectors arrive at the house of Judge Zacharias Maverick where the girl remains hidden, goes by Esther, and suffers abuse at the hands of the judge. But when Maverick is murdered, Millie leaves her oppressive past behind and flees Texas with sharecropper Sam Clark. As the Great Depression, drugs, and civil strife dominate Americas twentieth century, Sam, Millie, and other Negros must begin anew in the ghettos of the northern cities where nothing is certain. In this novel rich in folklore and history, two Negroes flee the Jim Crow south to seek freedom, only to encounter new injustices and cruelty in the north that test their love, perseverance, and inner-strength.

This is a story about a man named Adam, who, just when he felt like he had lost it all, found everything. Was this chance or coincidence? Or was it divine intervention? You never can tell what is really going on behind the scenes. Sometimes its the things that would harm you that lead you to your greatest blessings. One man with a broken-down car, one son with a tow truck, one father with a business called New Beginnings, and one very peculiar mechanic with a knack for fixing the unfixable. One offer too great to refuse and one very important decision.

More than 100 Original Illustrations Bonus Content: The Life of John Bunyan, by William Brock For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the lords of this age, rulers of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in the heavens. (Ephesians 6:12) What if you were able to see your life from a spiritual perspective and see the actual reality of the verse above? How does our enemy, Diabolus, plan and carry out his attacks? How do his demons help, and what are their objectives? Why and how must we petition Emmanuel to get His attention and help in this great, holy war? Written four years after The Pilgrim's Progress, John Bunyan followed up with this second allegorical classic, which has touched hearts and minds of readers for generations. The epicenter of this book is the town of Mansoul, its people (such as Conscience, Self-Denial, and Do-Right), and its gates (Eye-gate, Ear-gate, Mouth-gate, Nose-gate, and Feel-gate). The attack by Diabolus and his demons, all of whom have appropriate names, is carefully planned and executed. As still happens to men today, Mansoul fell hard. Emmanuel is of course willing to help, but can only do so on special, seemingly strict terms. As you watch this intense battle unfold, you'll be emboldened to fight with new vigilance, to guard the gates with tenacity, and to rely on Emmanuel's sovereignty like never before. It should be noted that John Bunyan focused not so much on biblical sequence or even perfect accuracy in every aspect. Instead, he honed in specifically on the spiritual battle being waged for each individual soul, filling in other details as needed to create the scenes. In this edition, we updated the text to clarify the meaning of each scene and inserted Bible verses in key areas to bring to light the depth and spiritual meaning of this powerful allegory.

Two ministers share their own stories about struggling to live out their faith. It’s the sort of experience familiar to many: Somewhere between illness and divorce, abusive relationships and brushes with death, faith failed to provide answers . . . or we failed to live as though we believed faith held answers. But surely, it’s different for clergy, the ones who preach and practice faith? But faith requires more, and authors Martha Spong and Rachel G. Hackenberg, who grew up in the church and became ordained ministers, know first-hand about coming to terms with God and life, the need to search for answers . . . or at least assurance we are not alone in struggling for renewed hope. Denial is My Spiritual Practice is a companion for the wondering and struggling. The authors offer their own stories as evidence that God remains, both when faith fails and when faith finds new understanding. They combine stark life experiences, offbeat spiritual perspectives, and Scripture to offer comfort, grace, laughter, and a few tears along the way.

Two teens shoved together by a prophecy. One angry god. The journey of a lifetime... The fight with the Vikings may have been successful, but there is no rest for the wicked – and Freya is about to find out just how wicked they can be. Merely weeks after the victory with Cadmael, the young Sage is recovering in Scotland by day, and playing with newfound powers by night. The fun cuts off abruptly when Sam returns with worrying news of a conquistador rallying all the ghosts of Spain in the thousands, and Seamus calls Brennan to help on the new mission. This time, there is more at stake than the fate of the world. Evil awaits galore, safely hidden in the confines of the old city. As they battle attacks from all sides, and hopelessly try to rescue one of their own, Freya and Brennan will have to work together more than ever before. Their pasts will become more intertwined than their futures. And through it all, the dragon manuscript will guide them to survive…or bring them to their doom. Book II in a completed young adult urban fantasy trilogy with two snarky teens, plenty of bad guys, and some divine help - and hindrance. Perfect for teens of all ages!

Sebrina looks at Josh as he stands in front of her. She knows what he is going to say. She knows he will reject her for her more beautiful blond twin sister. She and Leona can not be more different, and everyone can not believe they are twins. Her parents always loved Leona more than her as she had red hair and green eyes and freckles, while Leona was the pretty one with blond hair, blue eyes and perfect skin. Sebrina has learned not to ask her parents for love and attention from a young age as all their love and attention went to the cute child. They ignored her like she did not exist. It made Sebrina push people away from her, and that is why she is standing here in front of Josh, her mate waiting for him to reject her. It is not uncommon for twins to have the same mate. It happened before. Sebrina being the rebel she is, smiles as she waits for Josh's words. "I, Josh Norton, future alpha of the Red Wood Pack, reject you, Sebrina Dawson, as my mate," Josh says. Everything inside Sebrina feels like it is dying a slow death, her wolf is whimpering, but she quiets her down. "I, Sebrina Dawson, accept your rejection, future alpha of the Red Wood Pack. I hope you and Leona will be happy," Sebrina says with a sarcastic smile on her face. She knows her sister, and she knows she is spoiled rotten. "You are just going to accept it like that?" Leona asks from the side. Sebrina knows her sister wants a fight, but she will not give her the satisfaction. Sebrina looks at Leona as smiles. "Best of luck to the two of you," Sebrina says. My father is the beta to Josh's father, and Sebrina knows her life is not worth a dime after today. Leona will want her dead to make sure Josh stays hers forever and that he does not change his mind in the future. Sebrina knows she is risking her life to leave her pack, but going away or staying in the same for her. If she stays, she will die, but she might have a chance out there in the big evil world. So she runs away, not knowing what adventure waited for her and that she will meet her biggest nightmare—the Alpha of all Alphas, Blaze Walker and she have to run not only from her sister but also from Blaze.

Julia, single at 33, dreams of love with a big L and to have children. The day when Jean, her gay best friend and lifetime fantasy admits that he regrets never doing it with a girl, a crazy idea flourishes in Julia's mind.