Bøger udgivet af Energion Publications

Much of the text in the Bible is in the form of stories. From Old Testament tales of the patriarchs to the parables of Jesus, the reader is confronted with a variety of narratives. Even in those places where Bible writers are making and explaining statements of fact, there is a story in the background. What do these stories mean?Bible teacher, writer, and publisher Henry Neufeld thinks that''s the wrong question to ask. (Yes, there are bad questions!) We spend a great deal of time trying to reduce Bible stories to a series of statements of fact, sucking the life out of them in the process. We don''t understand one of the parables of Jesus better when we''ve come up with a moral for the story. In fact, we''ve lost some of the meaning.Instead, Henry suggests learning to think more in the form of stories. In fact, he even asks us to consider looking at the stories behind the various statements of fact in the Bible, finding similarities in our own stories, and even weaving new stories from our imaginations. This, he teaches, is the best way to learn to make scripture come alive and to live it.This collection of short stories is not presented primarily as stories to read, but as a challenge to put your imagination to work as you study the Bible-to write your own stories. When you''ve let your imagination break the bounds of your life the Holy Spirit can then show you how to live new stories in your own life and in your relationships with family, friends, church, and the entire world.This book includes 25 short stories. All but two of these stories were originally published on the Jevlir Caravansary fiction blog. Two new stories, "The Magic Sword" and "The Juror''s Oath" were written just for this collection. Scripture references and thought questions have been provided for each story to help small groups use them in discussions.Come join the story!

A Colorado native, Shauna Hyde grew up with three brothers, no sisters, and a father who was a pastor of a local community church. She was taught that women married for life and no woman she knew was a pastor. This ''normal'' crashed around her when her first husband left her with a newborn baby to raise alone. Her second husband confessed his unfaithfulness; again her world hit a bruising reality wall despite her efforts to be the ''best little wife''. Shauna started studying karate and began to see a correlation between the two disciplines that opened her soul to be empowered by the grace of God. God, in turn, taught her and used her to empower others."As a United Methodist minister who is also a black belt in Shota Kahn karate I am often asked how I can be both a martial artist and a pastor. There have been a lot of jokes about how I will force people to the altar or smack people who get out of line. Then there is always the joke about no one wanting to disobey me in the church because I know how to hurt them! In reality, anyone who is a true martial artist and/or has a deep understanding of the martial arts knows that it is not about violence - it is about mercy, self-discipline, a lot of routine practice, and a whole other host of characteristics that I would like to address [in this book]."Shauna shares what she has learned with a solid Biblical foundation through thought-provoking questions that work well individually and with small groups. "Karate is a tool that can help people grow, understand, and become disciplined. Church is a tool that also helps people grow, understand, and become disciplined. The greatest tool of all to be used to empower others is the constant and abundant application of grace."

It has been said that we need at least ten times as many encouragers as any other gifting in the Body of Jesus Christ. In a world that sets usually unatainable and even inappropriate standards and tells us we can "have it all," we need encouragers who remind us of the true standards of God. We need to remember His promises for our lives. We need to remember His extravagant love.Diane Milnes is such an encourager. She speaks from her heart and her experience as she has traveled the globe encouraging God''s people with her infectious laugh, hugs, and tears. A few minutes in her "circle of love" will have you walking away with a skip in your step and a leap in your spirit.

Lee Baker has been writing songs since middle school. As a member of several bands, he became the primary lyricist, writing a huge collection of songs that were never used. He did study poetry in college, but it was the sermon poets and metaphysical poets that struck his interest and have been an influence in his work.Lee feels that while setting goals is important in the writing process, he has learned from a friend-writer that it is "allowing people to read your work and get honest feedback" that has been crucial. "You always grow exponentially more from your critics than from your fans."Lee's inspiration for this collection was people that had an impact, places that have inspired, and things, actually concepts more than inanimate objects."I really enjoyed the process of writing this book and writing is always cheaper than counseling," says Lee Baker. "It's a good outlet for crazy people. In my life, crazy is in abundant supply."

Finding My Way in Christianity: Recollections of a Journey is a story of dealing with the differences within the Christian community that is both personal and theologically reflective. With a diverse cross-cultural background, exceptional theological education, and fascinating personal experience, author Herold Weiss is uniquely qualified to write about this topic. This notable book outlines the author's experiences starting in Montevideo, Uruguay and moving through various educational experiences and teaching positions. It is no accident that the chapter titles reflect geographical locations, as the journey through space provides an illuminating metaphor for the faith journey that accompanies it. Some of the people you meet in this book will make you angry. Others will make you thankful to be a Christian. Some will evoke your sympathy even as you seek to understand why they acted as they did. All of them will help give you some insight into what goes into a successful journey of faith. You can read Finding My Way in Christianity either as an interesting story or as theological reflection. The author s experiences will resonate with many of us who have experienced the divisions within the Christian community and dealt with those who would silence dissent. Dr. Weiss story comes primarily within one denomination, but it follows outlines that will be familiar to many.

What happens when a newspaper editor gives his primary editorial slot on Sundays to a pastor? In the case of Bob Cornwall, a pastor in Troy, Michigan, the result is a series of relevant, interesting, and challenging essays that go well beyond the local scene while still managing to be relevant to Americans in their local situation. Now extensively revised and organized as to theme, these essays form a coherent statement of progressive Christianity at work in the public square. At the same time they are seasoned with a look at how the public square influences the spiritual life of a Christian living in mid-America. The 52 essays in this collection go well beyond one place and time. You will find yourself, your community, your state, your nation, and your world in each. Can a person of faith be involved in the public square with integrity? Is public policy made better by this action? Can faith remain whole and genuine following the encounter? Read these essays to discover the answers, and perhaps find a new optimism for the future as you do.

Along Bible Paths: Summer Devotions grew out of the daily devotional e-mail list that Jody Neufeld began in 1999 to encourage others to begin their day with the Lord. Many continue to enjoy these thoughts in their e-mail every weekday morning, or via the Jody''s Devotionals blog. This book is a collection organized for the summer. We hope many more will enjoy these in printed form.

The Messiah and His Coming Kingdom: A Biblical Roadmap contains commentary addressing many Scripture topics concerned with the what, when, where, who, why, and how of God's redemptive plan, including among others: * Who were Jesus' ancestors? * Whre and when did Christianity, Judaism and Islam start? * How did we get the Bible? * How can Heaven be attained? * In what order did Biblical events occur? * How and why did so many Christian denominations emerge? * What are their main doctrinal differences? * What is Judaism's part in God's plan? * What will happen in the last days: Rapture, Second Coming, Final Judgment? * When will God's plan be finalized? * Why must we be saved from our sins?