Have Christians rejected pilgrimage?

The Israelites knew it. David knew it. The writer of Hebrews knew it. John Bunyan knew it. "Blessed are those whose strength is in You. They have set their hearts on pilgrimage." (Psalm 84:5) We are strangers and pilgrims here. We're passing through this world on a sacred journey to somewhere else. Charles Foster explores the approaching of each day as a pilgrimage-a chance to move one step closer to our ultimate goal and to even now experience tastes of that goal through prayerful awareness, study, and meditation.

Culling from his many journeys across the globe, Foster exhibits the very definition of pilgrimage: a journey to the most holy locations of our faith. This is at once both internal and external, and the author shows us how the two intersect.

A best-selling author and barrister in Oxford, Foster has spent much of his life testing the limits of human and spiritual endurance.

A volume in the eight book classic series, The Ancient Practices, with a foreword by Phyllis Tickle, General Editor.

To rest does not mean to cease all activity.

Bestselling author Dan Allender presents an insightful and fascinating look at the origins and purpose of Sabbath. Serving as volume three in The Ancient Practices series, Sabbath examines the key issues of this oft-misunderstood day of the week.

This "day of delight" as instituted by God has become a dirge for millions of believers. For many, it is simply a break from the busyness of the work week. So, what keeps us from properly understanding, sanctifying, and celebrating this important day? Allender looks at not only the history of this discipline, going all the way back to ancient Israel, but also at the modern manifestations and misunderstandings of its practice.

Allender bases his premise on the Hebrew word for rest, Menuha, which is best translated as "joyous repose, tranquility, or delight." It is through this lens that he resurrects this lost definition of what it really means to rest.

A volume in the eight book classic series, The Ancient Practices, with a foreword by Phyllis Tickle, General Editor.

Building a body and mind that hungers for God.

Is the practice of faith centered solely on the spirit? Is the body an enemy, or can it actually play a role in our pursuit of God? In this installation of the Ancient Practices Series, Dr. Scot McKnight reconnects the spiritual and the physical through the discipline of fasting. 

The act of fasting, he says, should not be focused on results or used as a manipulative tool. It is a practice to be used in response to sacred moments, just as it has in the lives of God's people throughout history. McKnight gives us scriptural accounts of fasting, along with practical wisdom on benefits and pitfalls, when we should fast, and what happens to our bodies as a result.

For those who have wondered how to grasp the value of this most misunderstood ancient
practice, this book is a comprehensive guide.

A volume in the eight book classic series, The Ancient Practices, with a foreword by Phyllis Tickle, General Editor.

Barth stands before us as the greatest theologian of the twentieth century, yet the massive corpus of work which he left behind, the multi volume Church Dogmatics, can seem daunting and formidable to readers today. Fortunately his Dogmatics in Outline first published in English in 1949, contains in brilliantly concentrated form even in shorthand, the essential tenets of his thinking. Built around the assertions made in the Apostles Creed the book consists of a series of reflections on the foundation stones of Christian doctrine. Because Dogmatics in Outline derives from very particular circumstances namely the lectures Barth gave in war-shattered Germany in 1946, it has an urgency and a compassion which lend the text a powerful simplicity. Despite its brevity the book makes a tremendous impact, which in this new edition will now be felt by a fresh generation of readers.

Why is it important to pray as the early Christians did? And what does it mean to pray without ceasing?

In Constant Prayer explores the ancient practice of fixed-hour prayer, a structure for our lives where we can live in continuous awareness of God's presence and reality. This classic discipline of praying at fixed times during the day and night has transformed the lives of millions around the world. Learn what the apostle Paul meant when he encouraged the Thessalonian church to "pray without ceasing, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

The Ancient Practices is a new eight-book series from Thomas Nelson Publishers that covers the seven essential spiritual disciplines. Though various books have covered some of these in the past, there has never been a definitive series until now. Immensely compelling and readable, each book also features a foreword by Phyllis Tickle.

The sacred meal that is part of our faith does more than connect us to the holy, it connects us to each other.

"I think Jesus wanted his disciples and everyone who came after him to remember what they had together. What they made together. What it meant to be together. How the things he did could not have been done without them."

In her inimitable style of memoir and personal reflection, Nora Gallagher explores the beauty and mystery of this most fascinating of topics. Whether exploring the history of Christian communion, taking us inside the workings of a soup kitchen, or sharing times of joy and sadness with friends, she reminds us what it means to partake of, and be part of, the body of Christ.

A volume in the eight book classic series, The Ancient Practices, with a foreword by Phyllis Tickle, General Editor.

"The treatment is monumental and enormously stimulating. . . . The range of Barth's reading in the field of theology is colossal, and his summaries of the history of many doctrines and controversies are of first-rate importance. . . . An outstanding achievement."
—London Quarterly and Holborn Review

One of the most important theological works ever written, Barth's magnum opus is essential for serious students of Christian doctrine. Now this closely reasoned masterpiece of brilliant insight into the work and attributes of God, creation, Jesus, and the Christian life is available in a handsome hardcover set. The 14 volumes of this omnibus collection include:

THE DOCTRINE OF THE WORD OF GOD
I.1 Doctrine of the Word of God
I.2 Revelation of God

THE DOCTRINE OF GOD
II.1 Knowledge of God
II.2 Election of God

THE DOCTRINE OF CREATION
III.1 Work of Creation
III.2 The Creature
III.3 Creator and Creature
III.4 The Command of God

THE DOCTRINE OF RECONCILIATION
IV.1 Doctrine of Reconciliation
IV.2 Jesus Christ, Servant and Lord
IV.3.1 Jesus Christ, the True Witness
IV.3.2 Jesus Christ, the True Witness
IV.4 The Christian Life

INDEX
V Index with Aids for the Preacher (Including short paragraph descriptions of each section; Scripture, name, and subject indices; and weekly sermon ideas with Scriptures for the church year)

Barth's "canon of conviction" is evangelical because it is God-centered—stressing God's encounter with man rather than man's discovery of God; and its object, source, and norm is the transcendent God of the gospel. Church Dogmatics reveals Barth's fully developed theology, and his writings continue to instruct and guide preachers, teachers, students, congregations, and laypeople worldwide today.

What new crisis will the federal government manufacture in order to acquire more power over individuals? What new lies will it tell?

Throughout our history, the federal government has lied to send our children off to war, lied to take our money, lied to steal our property, lied to gain our trust, and lied to enhance its power over us. Not only does the government lie to us, we lie to ourselves. We won't admit that each time we let the government get away with misleading us, we are allowing it to increase in size and power and decrease our personal liberty.

In acquiescing to the government's continuous fraudulent behavior, we bear partial responsibility for the erosion of our individual liberties and the ever-expanding federal regulation of private behavior. This book attacks the culture in government that facilitates lying, and it challenges readers to recognize that culture, to confront it, and to be rid of it.

What new crisis will the federal government manufacture in order to acquire more power over individuals? What new lies will it tell?

Throughout our history, the federal government has lied to send our children off to war, lied to take our money, lied to steal our property, lied to gain our trust, and lied to enhance its power over us. Not only does the government lie to us, we lie to ourselves. We won't admit that each time we let the government get away with misleading us, we are allowing it to increase in size and power and decrease our personal liberty.

In acquiescing to the government's continuous fraudulent behavior, we bear partial responsibility for the erosion of our individual liberties and the ever-expanding federal regulation of private behavior. This book attacks the culture in government that facilitates lying, and it challenges readers to recognize that culture, to confront it, and to be rid of it.

These are difficult days in our world's history. 1.75 billion people are desperately poor, natural disasters are gouging entire nations, and economic uncertainty still reigns across the globe. But you and I have been given an opportunity to make a big difference. What if we did? What if we rocked the world with hope? Infiltrated all corners with God's love and life? We are created by a great God to do great works. He invites us to outlive our lives, not just in heaven, but here on earth. Let's live our lives in such a way that the world will be glad we did.

Additional Outlive Your Life products include: Outlive Your Life audio 9780849946134Live to Make a Difference booklet 9780849946127One Hand, Two Hands children's book 9781400316496You Were Made to Make a Difference teen book 9781400316007You Changed My Life gift book 9781404187832Outlive Your Life DVD study 9781418543945Outlive Your Life participant guide 9781418543952

A lively, captivating investigation into the infrastructure that makes society possible
In our daily lives, we’re surrounded by wires, pipes, utility poles, cell phone towers, and a myriad of other infrastructure that facilitate almost everything we do. Even though these systems are essential, when was the last time you gave them much thought? Not only is infrastructure shrouded in mystery, much of it is woefully out of date—bridges are falling, public transportation is overcrowded, and most roads haven’t been updated since the 1950s. In On the Grid, Scott Huler sets out to understand all of the systems that shape our society—from transportation, water, and garbage to the Internet coming through our cable lines.
He begins his entertaining, fascinating journey at his house in Raleigh, North Carolina, and travels everywhere from the inside of a storm water pipe to the sewers of ancient Rome. Each chapter follows one element of infrastructure back to its source. Huler visits power plants, watches new asphalt pavement being laid, and traces a drop of water backward from his faucet to the Gulf of Mexico. He reaches out to guides along the way, both the workers who operate these systems and the people who plan them.
A mesmerizing and hilarious narrative, On the Grid is filled with amazing insights, interviews, and stories that bring an overlooked but indispensable subject to life. You’ll never look at your day the same way again.

Join author and pastor Timothy Keller in an eight-week video-based study of the gospel and how to live it out in everyday life. In week one you and your group will study the city, your home now, the world that is. Week eight closes with the theme of the eternal city, your heavenly home, the world that is to come. In between you'll learn how the gospel can change your heart, your community, and how you live in this world. The Gospel in Life Participant's Guide is designed to help you and your group engage with and discuss the topics presented on the Gospel in Life DVD. Gospel in Life session titles: Session 1, City-The World That Is Session 2, Heart-Three Ways to Live Session 3, Idolatry-The Sin Beneath Session 4, Community-The Context for Change Session 5, Witness-An Alternate City Session 6, Work-Cultivating the Garden Session 7, Justice-A People for Others Session 8, Eternity-The World That Is To Come

Does God have a perfect will for each Christian? Can you be absolutely sure you’ve found God’s individual will for your life? Garry Friesen examines the traditional view of God’s will, then sets forth a different view that more accurately reflects biblical teaching. This new edition of Decision Making takes up the practical issues of choosing a mate, picking a career, giving of one’s resources, and areas of disagreement between Christians to give readers a new approach to knowing the will of God.

Mr. Friesen also addresses many of the arguments that have surfaced since the original printing of this book over twenty-four years ago.

Does God Have a Perfect Will for Your Life?

Does God have a perfect will for each Christian? Can you be absolutely certain of God’s specific will for your life? In this expanded twenty-fifth anniversary edition of his highly acclaimed work, Garry Friesen examines the prevalent view on God’s will today and provides a sound biblical alternative to the traditional teaching of how God guides us. This new edition includes these helpful resources: Study guide for small groups Responses to Frequently Asked Questions Guide to painless Scripture memorization

Friesen tackles the very practical issues of choosing a mate, picking a career, and giving in this fresh and liberating approach to decision making and the will of God.

Story Behind the Book

Most Christians have been taught how to find God’s will, yet many are still unsure whether they’ve found it. God does guide His people, but the question is, “How does He guide?” After “putting out a fleece” to decide which college to attend, Garry Friesen began pondering why it was so hard to find God’s will when he had so sincerely sought it. Was he the only one who did not have 100 percent clarity for every decision? Then a new possibility struck—perhaps his understanding of the nature of God’s will was biblically deficient. Maybe there was a better way to understand HOW God guides.

God's love and grace have always gone before His demands. And it is that grace that transforms hearts into the father, husband, friend and leader that God desires men to be. Ignoring the trend to reduce Christian manhood to a string of methods and lists, Dan Doriani instead explores the nature of God. With a truth-telling approach that will challenge men as they delve into Scripture, Doriani brings the message home: the Christian life is not about following a how-to list; it's about following the Savior who's already accomplished it all.