In this book, John Nelson reconstructs everyday Anglican religious practice and experience in Virginia from the end of the seventeenth century to the start of the American Revolution. Challenging previous characterizations of the colonial Anglican establishment as weak, he reveals the fundamental role the church played in the political, social, and economic as well as the spiritual lives of its parishioners. Drawing on extensive research in parish and county records and other primary sources, Nelson describes Anglican Virginia's parish system, its parsons, its rituals of worship and rites of passage, and its parishioners' varied relationships to the church. All colonial Virginians--men and women, rich and poor, young and old, planters and merchants, servants and slaves, dissenters and freethinkers--belonged to a parish. As such, they were subject to its levies, its authority over marriage, and other social and economic dictates. In addition to its religious functions, the parish provided essential care for the poor, collaborated with the courts to handle civil disputes, and exerted its influence over many other aspects of community life. A Blessed Company demonstrates that, by creatively adapting Anglican parish organization and the language, forms, and modes of Anglican spirituality to the Chesapeake's distinctive environmental and human conditions, colonial Virginians sustained a remarkably effective and faithful Anglican church in the Old Dominion.

When John was young, he discovered himself and realized he was on the road and a journey. The journey seemed full of excitement, naivety, and hope. As he grew older, he went through a brutal period of hard work to achieve the goals he set for himself. Toward the end, John reaches a point of reflection and slows down to allow the next generation to continue the journey and tell new stories. In telling the story about his life, he attempts to mention some events he observed along the way. In this memoir, John shows that he came from a humble background and went through multiple blessed moments to reach a place where he can look back and call his life a blessed journey. When reading A Blessed Journey, you are invited to read and appreciate the author's life story by sharing the experiences that brought him varied emotions.

"A much-needed manual for all who attempt to counsel troubled souls battling despair." --Bob Russell, Retired Senior Pastor, Southeast Christian Church Every single day, someone you know is thinking about committing suicide. It isn't just one or two--ten million Americans will consider killing themselves in the upcoming year. Dr. Matthew Sleeth believes Christians--and our churches--should be the first to offer hope. Are we prepared to do so? As a physician and minister, Dr. Sleeth shares his personal and professional experiences with depression and suicide, challenging Christians to become part of the solution. With sound medical principles finding their rightful place beside timeless biblical wisdom, Hope Always offers the practical and spiritual tools that individuals, families, and churches need to help loved ones who are stressed and struggling. In Hope Always, you will find research-based and scientifically grounded information about the suicide epidemic, biblically based information to start a conversation about the spiritual and emotional battles that so many of us face, and a practical toolkit to consult when a loved one is dealing with suicidal ideation. After reading Hope Always, you will have the resources at your fingertips to build communities of hope that help save lives!

Blessed to be a Blessing: Sacred Circle Time for Young Children is designed specifically for young children using a simple-but-effective model that will move them beyond "learning about God" to "experiencing God" through ritual, wonder, story, prayer, and blessing. Dr. Leanne Hadley provides all the leadership tools as well as ideas for resources that all congregations have already on hand. Sacred Circle Time is ideal: for use in a variety of settings, including your church, preschool, daycare, special events, or even at home; to fit your schedule (either 10 to 15 minutes or 40 to 60 minutes), depending on the time you have available and the ages of the children; and because the lessons were intentionally designed to use everyday supplies rather than expecting you to buy additional materials.

God wants to bless you. He has made all of heaven's supply available to you. But the blessings of God are not automatic. You have a part to play. To find it, you'll need to look no further than the Holy Bible. Throughout His Word, God has indicated His desire to prosper His people. In both the Old and New Testaments, God describes His...