Since publication in 1984 of his seminal book on homiletics,

"It seems God had a way of communicating his will to me through daydreams." Bill Guthrie is a natural storyteller. His rich, warm voice brought the gospel alive to congregations all over the world. He was also gifted in collecting and telling family stories. These gifts combine to create a body of knowledge with personal, spiritual, and religious significance. As Bill's voice began to grow weak, it was feared that these stories, these unique observations and recollections of times of war, recovery, poverty, and prosperity would disappear. In 19xx Bill's youngest daughter, W. June Holstrum, began to gather Bill's stories on audio cassette. She transcribed them, then passed them on to her youngest daughter, Shawn M. Davis, to assemble and edit them into this volume. Inspirational in nature, this book is a testament to the power of faith and prayer. From a rambunctious childhood, through the penniless depressions years, and into a ministry that led him throughout the United States and Korea, William T. Guthrie's memoirs gives a personal look at one man's relationship with God and how that guided him throughout his life. Wherever he went, he had the ability to look through outward appearances and connect with people, all people, regardless of age, race, circumstances or religious belief. His journey begins in the hills and hollows of Missouri and Illinois. There, he transforms from a church skipping, pool-hall haunting youth into a somewhat over-serious young minister. No stranger to hard times, his story reveals occasions of near tragedy and despair averted through prayer. In clear and vivid details he recounts healings and other miracles which could only have been brought about by a loving God. Although Bill believed in miracles and the power of prayer, he also believed in the value of hard work. He sawed wood, pounded nails, and did any manner of hard labor to ensure that people had a place to worship. When his ministry took him to war-torn Korea, he didn't just save souls, but also changed lives. Whether allowing a young Korean woman to take a long, hot bath or arranging for a disfigured young boy to have reconstructive surgery on his face, Bill's priority was always people, their welfare, and what he could do to help. And his wife, Jane, was always by his side

Effective Preaching: Bringing People into an Encounter with God is a practical collection of essays, featuring leading preachers, homilists and homily instructors. Compiled by Michael E. Connors, CSC, the Director of the John Marten Program in Homiletics and Liturgics at the University of Notre Dame, this imaginative book focuses entirely on the practical side of Catholic preaching. It will provide imaginative, hands-on, tested advice to help homilists develop preaching effectiveness, using techniques that will turn satisfactory preaching into exceptional preaching. This practical resource will be essential for priests, permanent deacons, seminarians in homiletics classes; retreat leaders, RCIA catechists; all who preach.

Johnny Thumper, a student of theology, is convinced that his life has been a waste. But he gets the opportunity to change things when he wins $82 million in the lottery. But Thumper must find his purpose in life-even as he deals with his feelings for his friend Virginia, a beautiful, married, American Indian. In an attempt to break herself out of a cycle of depression caused by her sick husband's deteriorating condition, she and Johnny set out on a cross-country mission to witness a ritual at a sweat lodge. As they travel from state to state, Thumper feels closer to Virginia, but he keeps his feelings at bay as he tries to figure out what to do with his newfound wealth. Thumper and Virginia must overcome social and cultural obstacles in order to accomplish their dreams and realize their destinies in this unforgettable journey.

Johnny Thumper, a student of theology, is convinced that his life has been a waste. But he gets the opportunity to change things when he wins $82 million in the lottery. But Thumper must find his purpose in life-even as he deals with his feelings for his friend Virginia, a beautiful, married, American Indian. In an attempt to break herself out of a cycle of depression caused by her sick husband's deteriorating condition, she and Johnny set out on a cross-country mission to witness a ritual at a sweat lodge. As they travel from state to state, Thumper feels closer to Virginia, but he keeps his feelings at bay as he tries to figure out what to do with his newfound wealth. Thumper and Virginia must overcome social and cultural obstacles in order to accomplish their dreams and realize their destinies in this unforgettable journey.

Culture and Identity engages students with autobiographical stories that show the intersections of culture as part of identity formation. The easy-to-read stories centered on such themes as race, ethnicity, gender, class, religion, sexual orientation, and disability tell the real-life struggles with identity development, life events, family relationships, and family history. The Third Edition includes an expanded framework model that encompasses racial socialization, oppression, and resilience. New discussions of timely topics include race and gender intersectionality, microaggressions, enculturation, cultural homelessness, risk of journey, spirituality and wellness, and APA guidelines for working with transgendered individuals.

This collection of essays and sermons by Rodney Kennedy and Kyle Childress is focused on honoring the memory of Will Campbell--the prophet from the South who made a vocation of destroying sacred cows. The essays and sermons attempt to be true to the spirit of Will Campbell's devotion to the gospel above all else. It should not be surprising that the essays and sermons are about the business of deconstructing more sacred cows while lifting up the truth claims of the gospel.

Relive through reminiscing and remembering, a Maine pastor's recollections of boyhood experiences that turned into a minister's messages in old age. After five decades (Barry's first message was preached in 1966), travel back in time with a lifelong Maineaic to his home place, the Blackstone homestead of Perham, Maine. What sparked these homilies was his inheritance of seven acres of the family farm, homesteaded in 1861, and the receiving of his grandparent's house built in 1924 at the death of his Uncle Paul. You will probably come to the same conclusion as this coastal Maine pastor--that his seminary training began long before he attended a Bible school in South Carolina in the early 1970s. Flash back with him to the 1950s and 1960s when spiritual lessons were everywhere on his rural potato and dairy farm. Pastor Blackstone didn't know it then, but realizes now that he was surrounded by family Bible teachers and friendly Biblical instructors that eventually would inspire this series of sermons. Homestead Homilies is a collection of scriptural observations inspired by a dog named Rover, an uncle named Read, a moonlit night, a barnyard hedge, a day plowing, a grandmother's helpful hand, a bee hive, a simple prayer, a sparrow's song, and many more simple events in a past age where homilies were being preached and now eventually heard. It is the author's prayer that these simple sermons will provoke the reader to remember long lost messages from their distant past.

This definitive biography includes never-before-told stories and facts about this renowned British preacher.

The world was awash in the coronavirus pandemic, starting in March 2020 and is continuing today. This required people to make numerous adjustments, learn new ways of acting; gaining a new vocabulary and calling for our ongoing patience. COVID-19 became the dominant news story and consumed lives and resources beyond our expectations. It also shifted from a public health crisis to a political debate, further dividing our country. This memoir traces how this author dealt with the restrictions imposed to help us cope with the virus. What quotidian activities were unaffected, and what changes were made? This book reveals challenges that were met and interests that were pursued. Then, as one of the millions of people affected by this disease, the author describes becoming sick with COVID-19 and the hospitalization he subsequently experienced. The struggle to breathe and the care of medical personnel marked the long days of this crucible. In particular, the author found himself unable to pray in the throes of this illness. It was a jarring experience amid a life of faith. Even the at-home recovery is chronicled with the efforts required to return to an active life.