That is what hymns are: sermons full of Christ. Stanza by stanza, hymns bring Christ to you. They supplement Scripture readings, support the sermon, comfort you, and join you with fellow worshipers. The purpose of hymns is to praise God by proclaiming the saving work of His Son. The fourteen hymns in this volume mark milestones in the life of every Christian-Baptism and the Lord's Supper, Christmas and Easter, for instance. Some will be familiar to every reader while others will be new, but all are packed with meaning. Each hymn is introduced with a short reading that will deepen your understanding of the hymn and its purpose. Then, each following devotion focuses on one stanza of the hymn, connects to Scripture, and points to life application. May these devotions further your appreciation for the rich hymnody of the Church and point you to the Lord of Life. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16). Book jacket.

School buildings in Maryland, Washington, D.C., New York, Boston, Chicago, South Carolina, and throughout America that have chipping, peeling, and flaking lead-based paint on the interior and exterior are exposing our children and others to lead poisoning. Having renovations performed on these already lead hazardous schools without implementing the proper protective protocols to prevent millions of more microscopic lead dust particles from spreading only compounds the exposure to lead poisoning. Moreover, if these same lead hazardous school buildings, also, have their water supply flowing through leaded pipes, pipes that are connected with lead solder, or have leaded fixtures attached to the fountains, then, our leaders of tomorrow and others are ingesting even more lead poisoning through drinking lead-tainted water. This non-fiction book documents the truth that a Mathematics teacher, who has maintained her certification and accreditation in lead hazard evaluation and control since 1997 as a Repainting and Maintenance Supervisor, an Inspector Technician, a Lead Abatement Service Contractor, and thus, a Recognized Lead Expert by the Maryland Department of the Environment, identified four schools in Baltimore City that had either deteriorating, chipping, and flaking lead-based paint, major renovations that disturbed lead hazardous components and didnt have the proper protective protocols in place, or drinking water that was lead-contaminated. She attempted on numerous occasions to have the health hazards addressed and resolved. However, the powers that be only wanted to silence her and continue concealing the truth that for over a decade the custodians of these public schools, the owners, and others knowingly, willingly, and negligently exposed lives to lead poisoning. Moreover, the detailed, documented true findings from five Finders of Fact that substantiate that the powers that be retaliated against the messenger because she blew the whistle regarding the lead hazardous in these Baltimore City schools.

"Beautifully written and wise … [Martin Prechtel] offers stories that are precious and life-sustaining. Read carefully, and listen deeply."—Mary Oliver, National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Inspiring hope, solace, and courage in living through our losses, author Martín Prechtel, trained in the Tzutujil Maya shamanic tradition, shares profound insights on the relationship between grief and praise in our culture--how the inability that many of us have to grieve and weep properly for the dead is deeply linked with the inability to give praise for living. In modern society, grief is something that we usually experience in private, alone, and without the support of a community. Yet, as Prechtel says, "Grief expressed out loud for someone we have lost, or a country or home we have lost, is in itself the greatest praise we could ever give them. Grief is praise, because it is the natural way love honors what it misses." Prechtel explains that the unexpressed grief prevalent in our society today is the reason for many of the social, cultural, and individual maladies that we are currently experiencing. According to Prechtel, "When you have two centuries of people who have not properly grieved the things that they have lost, the grief shows up as ghosts that inhabit their grandchildren." These "ghosts," he says, can also manifest as disease in the form of tumors, which the Maya refer to as "solidified tears," or in the form of behavioral issues and depression. He goes on to show how this collective, unexpressed energy is the long-held grief of our ancestors manifesting itself, and the work that can be done to liberate this energy so we can heal from the trauma of loss, war, and suffering. At base, this "little book," as the author calls it, can be seen as a companion of encouragement, a little extra light for those deep and noble parts in all of us.

From contemplative to celebratory, Lloyd Larson's colorful settings make the most of the expressive sounds of the organ and piano in this worshipful collection. With hymn arrangements suitable for Christmas, Easter, and everything in between, you and your duet partner will welcome this inspiring addition to the repertoire. Two copies are required for performance.

Man cannot live without love.... His life is senseless if love is not revealed to him, if he does not encounter love, if he does not experience it and make it his own, if he does not participate intimately in it. — John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis If you were asked what immediately comes to mind when you hear the words "Catholic Church", would you answer an intimate relationship with the God who loves me? If not, you would do well to read this engaging and thought-provoking book which explains why such a relationship is the reason for everything the Church does and teaches. Professor Edward Sri will show you how all the pieces of the Catholic faith, including the most baffling ones, fit together to make one beautiful mosaic of God's love for us and our own participation in that all-encompassing love. Using the Catechism of the Catholic Church as his itinerary, Sri will walk you through all the important aspects of the Catholic Church—what Catholics believe about God and the difference it should make in life. Along the way he addresses such often-heard questions as: Why do I need the Church—can't I be spiritual on my own? Isn't one religion just as good as another? How is the death of a man two thousand years ago relevant for my life today? Why does the Church talk so much about morality? Can't I make up my own morals? Is it really our responsibility to care for the poor— doesn't God help those who help themselves? Why do Catholics and Protestants disagree? Must Catholics worship Mary and always obey the pope? More than an intellectual enterprise, this work is also a deep spiritual reflection and a practical guide to living out our faith in Christ. It aims to form both the head and the heart, not only helping us to understand Jesus and his plan of salvation, but inspiring us to love God and our neighbor better.

What is true praise? Author Gerald Clerie believes true praise is the result of genuine redemption through the shed blood of God's perfect Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. The foundation for this study is the 103rd Psalm. Clerie uses the first half of that model song of praise to show how David felt impelled to praise his God, what he meant by blessing the Lord, and why it was so important for him to engage his faculties, senses, and sentiments in extolling the Lord. At the very core of praise is the memorial building process, and for today's believer, that process must culminate in the sacrifice of the Lamb of God as portrayed and immortalized for the Church in the Lord's Supper. Continuing in the 103rd Psalm, Clerie reviews with David the benefits of redemption, touching on the value and immutability of God's marvelous promises, the mystery of divine election, and introducing the believer in Christ to his privileges and the purpose of God for him in choosing and calling him to Himself. Join author Gerald Clerie in this insightful study of God's Word and learn to speak Praise: The Language of Redemption.