Download or read book Heavy Burdens written by Bridget Eileen Rivera and published by Brazos Press. This book was released on 2021-10-26 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Religious faith reduces the risk of suicide for virtually every American demographic except one: LGBTQ people. Generations of LGBTQ people have been alienated or condemned by Christian communities. It's past time that Christians confronted the ongoing and devastating effects of this legacy. Many LGBTQ people face overwhelming challenges in navigating faith, gender, and sexuality. Christian communities that uphold the traditional sexual ethic often unwittingly make the path more difficult through unexamined attitudes and practices. Drawing on her sociological training and her leadership in the Side B/Revoice conversation, Bridget Eileen Rivera, who founded the popular website Meditations of a Traveling Nun, speaks to the pain of LGBTQ Christians and helps churches develop a better pastoral approach. Rivera calls to mind Jesus's woe to religious leaders: "They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them" (Matt. 23:4). Heavy Burdens provides an honest account of seven ways LGBTQ people experience discrimination in the church, helping Christians grapple with hard realities and empowering churches across the theological spectrum to navigate better paths forward.

Download or read book The Wait written by DeVon Franklin and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2016-02-02 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this New York Times bestseller, Hollywood power couple DeVon Franklin and Meagan Good candidly share their courtship and marriage, and the key to their success—waiting. President/CEO of Franklin Entertainment and former Sony Pictures executive DeVon Franklin and award-winning actress Meagan Good have learned firsthand that some people must wait patiently for “the one” to come into their lives. They spent years crossing paths but it wasn’t until they were thrown together while working on the film Jumping the Broom that their storybook romance began. Faced with starting a new relationship and wanting to avoid potentially devastating pitfalls, DeVon and Meagan chose to do something almost unheard of in today’s society—abstain from sex until they were married. DeVon and Meagan share the life-changing message that waiting—rather than rushing a relationship—can help you find the person you’re meant to be with. The Wait is filled with candid his-and-hers accounts of the most important moments of their relationship and practical advice on how waiting for everything—from dating to sex—can transform relationships, allowing you to find a deep connection based on patience, trust, and faith.

Download or read book Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls written by John Bergsma and published by National Geographic Books. This book was released on 2019-09-10 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A major new work on the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest sacred documents of Judaism, which reveals their surprising connections to early Christianity. “A luminous treatment of a fascinating subject! Highly recommended!”—Scott Hahn, author of The Fourth Cup From award-winning scholar John Bergsma comes an intriguing book that reveals new insights on the Essenes, a radical Jewish community predating Christianity, whose existence, beliefs, and practices are often overlooked in the annuls of history. Bergsma reveals how this Jewish sect directly influenced the beliefs, sacraments, and practices of early Christianity and offers new information on how Christians lived their lives, worshipped, and eventually went on to influence the Roman Empire and Western civilization. Looking to Hebrew scripture and Jewish tradition, Bergsma helps to further explain how a simple Jewish peasant could go on to inspire a religion and a philosophy that still resonates 2,000 years later. In this enriching and exciting exploration, Bergsma demonstrates how the Dead Sea Scrolls—the world's greatest modern archaeological discovery—can shed light on the Church as a sacred society that offered hope, redemption, and salvation to its member. Ultimately, these mysterious writings are a time machine that can transport us back to the ancient world, deepen our appreciation of Scripture, and strengthen our understanding of the Christian faith. “An accessible introduction . . . This is a handy entry point for readers unfamiliar with Essenes or those interested in the Dead Sea Scrolls.”—Publishers Weekly

Download or read book What Does God Think written by Cheryl B. Evans and published by Cheryl B. Evans. This book was released on 2017-09-10 with total page 118 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A READERS' FAVORITE 2018 AWARD WINNING BOOK. The bestselling author of I PROMISED NOT TO TELL: Raising a transgender child invites you on a fascinating exploration to discover the truth in What Does God Think? Transgender People and The Bible. Presented with the idea that her transgender child was "not of God", Cheryl B. Evans set out to see what God really thinks about transgender people. What does the Bible say? Why is there such a big divide among Christians? Why do some Christians insist there is no such thing as a transgender person while other Christians accept and affirm transgender people? And most importantly, what does God think? This LGBT Christian book takes the reader on a journey that is educational and highly revealing. What Does God Think? is an invitation to examine the scriptures and give consideration to the social, cultural, and scientific facts that impact what we believe, and the way we internally feel about transgender people. Cheryl B. Evans handles this controversial topic with grace and compassion for people on both sides of this debate. If you have been struggling to understand how someone can be Christian and still accept and affirm transgender people then this book is for you. If you know someone who is struggling to accept a loved one who has come out as trans, this would be the perfect book to recommend. Are you ready to have this conversation? Opinions vary widely on the topic of gender, and gender identity, and when you mix religion into the conversation it gets even more interesting. In this non-fiction book, Evans discusses these important social issues in a calm and nonthreatening way. Making this transgender affirming book an excellent resource for both Christians and non-Christians. Grab your copy now and let's talk! Editorial Reviews: 'Evans presents an accessible introduction to issues surrounding trans identity and Christianity. After a brief explanation of the science of sexual diversity and the growing public awareness of trans people. Evans embarks on a fairly high-level exploration of the difficulty of relying on the Bible to address modern concerns. She builds a case that the Bible is less conservative than many traditionalists assert. Evans's clear, heartfelt writing is a compassionate starting point for discussion.' Publishers Weekly (BookLife) "Superb second book by Cheryl B. Evans. So much great reading in What Does God Think? and it is so well presented. "Hallalujah" Well done." Award Winning Author, Viga Boland (No Tears For My Father). "What Does God Think? does a great job of beginning a conversation. One that does not judge or condemn but offers valuable thought provoking insights. Ultimately, it delivers a message of truth about God's unconditional love and purposeful creation of each of us. As I have always believed, we are all part of the story which rises out of God's love and Jesus' teachings, transcending time. Love is like that. Good teaching is like that. They have iconoclastic power to draw humanity to the good however slow the process may be. This book has the power to bring comfort and spiritual healing to individuals seeking to understand how being transgender is not against God. It was a privilege to review What Does God Think? and in doing so I have expanded my knowledge about transgender people." The Reverend Dr. Janet Brigham Reader Review: "A must read for Christian Transgender issues I thought I was going to have to walk away from Christianity when my son came out as trans. There is hope that some people are open minded in the church." Edward. "This book perfectly sums up the seemingly inconsistent struggle between transgender people, the Christian Church, and God. Conflicting views abound and its easy to get confused especially when raising a transgender child yourself, having praised and loved God your whole life, only to be told by some that your child simply isn’t good enough or is actually possessed by demons. This book will dispel fears and gives a good wholesome perspective on the situation. Just breath, continue to love God, continue to love your child, and don’t let ‘other people’s opinions’ confuse you. Highly recommended." Catirona Borman

Download or read book Costly Obedience written by Mark A. Yarhouse and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2019-06-25 with total page 241 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Though we often hear about the "gay problem" today, there is an even deeper problem in the church today--one that we often overlook. The call to follow Christ is a call to costly obedience for all, not just for gay Christians. Far too often, the church has elevated homosexuality above other sins and required a costly obedience from gays that it is unwilling to demand of others. And yet, the answer is not to weaken the demands of obedience. Instead, gay Christians who make the difficult choice to align their lives with the biblical view of sexuality are a gift to the church, reminding all of us that spiritual growth and maturity is costly. There is a price to pay in following Christ and devoting our lives to the call of the gospel, and it is one that we all must pay--gay and straight Christians alike. Through the stories and struggles of gay Christians who are reorienting their lives around the costly obedience required to follow Christ, Mark Yarhouse and Olya Zaporozhets call the church to reorient as well, leaving behind the casual morality that is widespread today to pursue the path of radical discipleship. Unlike any other book on homosexuality and the church, this is a call to examine your life and consider what God is asking you to lay down to take up your cross and follow him.

Download or read book Why Celibacy Reclaiming the Fatherhood of the Priest written by Fr. Carter Griffin and published by Emmaus Road Publishing. This book was released on 2019-07-01 with total page 125 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “The Church today demands a profound renewal of celibate priesthood and the fatherhood to which it is ordered.” Priestly celibacy, some say, is an outdated relic from another age. Others see it as a lonely way of life. But as Fr. Carter Griffin argues in Why Celibacy?: Reclaiming the Fatherhood of the Priest, the ancient practice of celibacy, when lived well, helps a priest exercise his spiritual fatherhood joyfully and fruitfully. Along the way, Griffin explores: the question of optional celibacy some pitfalls of celibate paternity the selection and formation of candidates for celibate priesthood why biological fathers are also called to spiritual fatherhood the powerful impact of celibacy on the Church and the wider culture In a critical moment for the Catholic priesthood, Fr. Griffin brings light and hope with a new perspective on the Church’s perennial wisdom on celibacy.

Download or read book The Lipstick Gospel written by Stephanie Wilson and published by . This book was released on 2014-12-05 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Inspired by a broken heart and a wicked hangover, sorority girl Stephanie May Wilson throws in the towel on the life she's been living and packs her bags for a pilgrimage across three continents. Like so many great travelers before her, she finds herself and something completely unexpected along the way. Exploding preconceived notions that Christianity is for grandmas and girls with ugly shoes, The Lipstick Gospel is the story of how one girl found God in heartbreak, the Sistine Chapel, and the perfect cappuccino.

Download or read book Paul on Marriage and Celibacy written by Will Deming and published by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. This book was released on 2004 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Paul is traditionally seen as one of the founders of Christian sexual asceticism. As early as the second century C.E., church leaders looked to him as a model for their lives of abstinence. But is this a correct reading of Paul? What exactly did Paul teach on the subjects of marriage and celibacy? Will Deming here answers these questions. By placing Paul's statements on marriage and celibacy against the backdrop of ancient Hellenistic society, Deming constructs a coherent picture of Paul's views. According to Deming, the conceptual world in which Paul lived and wrote had substantially vanished by 100 C.E., and terms like "sin," "body," "sex," and "holiness" began to acquire moral implications quite unlike those Paul knew. Paul conceived of marriage as a social obligation that had the potential of distracting Christians from Christ. For him celibacy was the single life, free from such distraction, not a life of saintly denial. Sex, in turn, was natural and not sinful, and sex within marriage was both proper and necessary. Superbly researched and reasoned, this book corrects misinterpretations of Paul and restores him to his proper place in the history of Christian thought on marriage and sexuality.

Download or read book Sexuality and the Black Church written by Douglas, Kelly Brown and published by Orbis Books. This book was released on 2018-09-26 with total page 219 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Discerning Vocations to Marriage Celibacy and Singlehood written by Francis Kelly Nemeck and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2001-10-17 with total page 229 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From a relational and evolutionary perspective on the mystery of vocation, the authors develop the principles of discernment for Christian marriage, celibacy, and singlehood. They see the vocational core of marriage as a calling by God of each spouse to be a unique instrument of transformation and purification in the other's spiritual journey. They identify the vocational core of celibacy as the relationship between Jesus and the celibate rendering the celibate unmarriageable for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. They view the vocational core of singlehood as witness to a certain independence for the sake of the reign of God. In the light of each vocational core, the authors discuss specific signs which indicate and authentic calling. This book appeals to those seeking to discern their personal vocation as well as to those guiding them.

Download or read book Holy Bible NIV written by Various Authors, and published by Zondervan. This book was released on 2008-09-02 with total page 6793 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.

Download or read book The Adventist home written by Ellen Gould Harmon White and published by Review and Herald Pub Assoc. This book was released on 2001 with total page 600 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Same Sex Attraction and the Church written by Ed Shaw and published by InterVarsity Press. This book was released on 2015-11-09 with total page 177 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: When Christians have same-sex attraction, how should the church respond? Pastor Ed Shaw experiences same-sex attraction, and yet he is committed to Scripture and the church's traditional position on sexuality. In this honest book, he shares his own experiences and shows us that obedience to Jesus is ultimately the only way to experience life to the full.

Download or read book Singled Out written by Christine Colón and published by Brazos Press. This book was released on 2009-06-01 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Authors Christine Colón and Bonnie Field thought that by a certain age they would each be married. But they watched that age come and go--and still no walks down the aisle. In Singled Out, they reflect on their experience--and that of an increasing number of Christians. Rejecting overly simplistic messages from the church about "waiting for marriage," they explore a deeper understanding of celibacy that affirms singles' decision to be sexually pure, acknowledges their struggles, and recognizes their importance in the church community. Thoughtful and accessible, Singled Out is an invaluable voice of realistic encouragement for any single as well as an important tool for church leaders and others concerned with mission and ministry for singles.

Download or read book Shameless written by Nadia Bolz-Weber and published by Convergent Books. This book was released on 2019-01-29 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Raw, intimate, and timely—a no-holds-barred celebration of our bodies that flies in the face of antiquated ideas about sex and gender. “A triumph.”—Glennon Doyle • “One of the most important, life-changing books I’ve ever read.”—Rachel Held Evans, author of Searching for Sunday and Inspired Negative messages about sex come from all corners of society: from the church, from the media, from our own families. As a result, countless people have suffered pain, guilt, and judgment. In this instant bestseller, Nadia Bolz-Weber unleashes her critical eye and her vulnerable yet hopeful soul on the harmful conversations about sex that have fed our shame. Bolz-Weber offers no simple amendments or polite compromises. Instead, this modern-day reverend calls for an inclusivity that empowers us to be loyal to people and, perhaps most important, ourselves. “Christianity is not a program for avoiding mistakes,” she writes. “It is a faith of the guilty.” With an alternative understanding of Scripture passages that have been weaponized against Christians for decades, Bolz-Weber reminds us that sexual flourishing can and should be for all genders, all bodies, and all humans. She shares stories, poetry, and Scripture that wage war on perpetual anxiety around sex by celebrating sexuality in all its forms and recognizing it for the gift that it is. If you’ve been mistreated, confused, angered, and/or wounded by shaming sexual messages, this one is for you.

Download or read book Covenant and Calling written by Robert Song and published by SCM Press. This book was released on 2014-09-24 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: No other issue in recent times has proved as potentially divisive for the churches as that of same-sex relationships. At the same time as many countries have been moving towards legal recognition of civil partnerships or same-sex marriage, Christian responses have tended towards either finding alliances with proponents of conservative social mores, or providing what amounts to theological endorsement of secular liberal values.

Download or read book The Thrill of the Chaste Catholic Edition written by Dawn Eden and published by Ave Maria Press. This book was released on 2015-01-26 with total page 224 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dawn Eden, internationally known speaker and author, presents a completely revised Catholic edition of her bestselling work, The Thrill of the Chaste. In this version, Eden shares her story of conversion to Catholicism and invites readers into a Catholic understanding of chastity and its spiritual benefits. When Dawn Eden released The Thrill of the Chaste in 2006, she was a Jewish convert to Protestant Christianity, preparing to make the final leap into Catholicism. Now, nine years later, Eden has extensively updated The Thrill of the Chaste, sharing how her Catholic faith, the lives and intercession of the saints, and the healing power of the sacraments have led her to find her true identity in Christ. This revised, Catholic version offers spiritual and practical advice for both men and women seeking to live chastely in a world that glorifies sex. Eden offers tips to help readers avoid temptation and live faithfully—including dressing modestly, but not being afraid to feel good about the way they look; trusting that God has a plan for their life and relationships; and making sure their “yes” comes from the heart.