The elderly Sarah laughs in delight when she overhears three strangers tell her husband Abraham that he will soon become a father, so when a son is born to her a year later, she names him Isaac, which means "laughter." Simultaneous.

In his clear and readable, style Walter Brueggemann presents Genesis as a single book set within the context of the whole of biblical revelation. He sees his task as bringing the text close to the faith and ministry of the church. He interprets Genesis as a proclamation of God's decisive dealing with creation rather than as history of myth. Brueggemann's impressive perspective illuminates the study of the first book of the Bible. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.

The women in the Old Testament, too long invisible, have rich stories that are vital to the on-going revelation of God's relationship with a covenant people. Women in the Old Testament introduces readers to some biblical women. Here, readers meet mothers and wives, queens and slaves, prophets and warriors, powerful women and victims; women whose stories offer us courage and insight. In Women in the Old Testament Sister Irene explores not only the lives of such well-known women as Sarah, Deborah, Ruth, Eve, and Naomi, but also those of lesser-known women such as Michal, Tamar, and Jezebel. Each of these women has unique characteristics; each of their stories is food for our imaginations. In addition, Sister Nowell looks at those Bible stories that tell us what it means to be a woman created in the image of God and that portray God in the image of a woman. Biblical stories help us imagine the relationship of God with human beings, and they give us words to describe our own relationship with God. This introduction to the lives of biblical women encourages readers - in adult study groups and those who are interested in the many women in the Old Testament - to search for more accounts of biblical women and also to find the narrative of faith reflected in the stories of their own lives. Sister Irene begins each chapter with suggestions for readings and includes biblical excerpts. Chapters are: Women of Israel's Beginnings: Sarah and Hagar;" "More Women of Israel's Beginnings: Rebekah, Leah and Rachel, The Maids, Dinah, Tamar;" "Women of Israel's Passover: The Midwives, Moses' Mother, Pharaoh's Daughter, Miriam, Zipporah;" "Women of Israel's Early Tribes: Rahab, Deborah and Jail, Jephthah's Daughter, Samson's Mother, Samson's Wife, Delilah;" "More Women of Israel's Early Tribes: Ruth, Naomi, and Orpah ,Hannah and Peninnah;" "Women of Israel's Monarchy: Michal, Bathsheba, Tamar, Queen of Sheba, Jezebel;" "Woman, The Image of God: Eve, Wisdom/Sophia;" "Women of Courage and Strength: Judith, Susanna;" and "Queen Esther." A bibliography is also included. Irene Nowell, OSB, is the director of community formation for the Benedictine sisters of Mount St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas. She is an experienced college and adult education teacher of Scripture and a workshop and retreat presenter. She is the author of Sing a New Song: The Psalms in the Sunday Lectionary, also published by The Liturgical Press. She is also a member of the editorial board for the revised Old Testament of the NAB. "

In telling Sarah's Alzheimer's Story, the writer takes you back to where it all began in the hills of Kentucky where Sarah was born. You may laugh, cry, or simply wonder as you go with her through her journey of life. The reader will get to know about the strong woman Sarah and how she endures many tragedies. One will find that even though memory loss is a large part of Alzheimer's disease, in Sarah's case, there is so much more. Throughout the story, the writer sometimes takes you back to incidents earlier in Sarah's life. In the writer's opinion, Sarah may be recalling something from the past, causing her to act the way she does. This seems to be especially true when she begins to see or talk to imaginary people. Dealing with this disease is often a struggle for Sarah and her family. But hopefully, you will see the joy in their laughter, the sorrow in their tears, and feel their strong love. It is hard to watch this very strong woman deteriorate mentally, physically, and lose her personality. But this writer believes that there is a reason, even if we do not understand it at the time.

What can you do when you see bridges between people breaking down all around you? What should you do? Dr. Ron Higdon has served many congregations and taught seminars over many years, helping people to learn to reach out to one another, learn to work together, and to resolve differences through dialog. In this short, non-technical book, he calls on us all to take up the task of building bridges. This involves both a commitment of the heart, and actions in the world around us that tend to create peace. Peacemaking can be a dangerous profession, but Dr. Higdon sees it as a crucial part of Christian living and Christian ministry. But this book goes beyond peacemaking, and presents strategies for bridge building and reconciliation in all of our relationships. It is about building community and understanding that is possible even in the midst of different perspectives and points of view on critical issues. The goal is to enable reconstruction and renewal of damaged connections that have resulted in distrust, suspicion, and isolation. “Are you reconciled?” is perhaps the biggest question and the major challenge in many families, communities, and, certainly, in our nation. Our time calls for those who can bring us together and enable us to live with mutual respect and commitment to the common good. The goal of this book is to present a prescription for building bridges of possibility. Anyone who would like to work toward that goal, will benefit from reading and studying it.

In Laughing at the Days to Come , Tessa Thompson shares a poignant story of physical suffering and her journey to not only understand God's hand at work in it, but to face the future with laughter. This book is gospel centered and hope-filled. Page after page, the author directs our focus to Christ and his work for us. We all face suffering in this fallen world, but we are not without hope. In Laughing at the Days to Come, readers are equipped to face their own stories of suffering with joy because of our present and future hope in Christ. Tessa Thompson was fifteen years old when she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease that took away her hearing and would eventually cause chronic pain and other health complications. Faced with a future of uncertainty, she encountered Proverbs: 31:25: "Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come." The godly woman of Proverbs 31 had something Tessa lacked- a vision for life that allowed her to laugh at the future. Tessa recognized she needed this laughter in order to endure lifelong suffering in a way that honored God. In this warmly personal account, Tessa insightfully considers what she calls the Christian's "peculiar perspective on suffering" and shows you how the hope of God's Word will enable you to laugh at the days to come even in the midst of tears and suffering. Table of Contents: PART 1 – Laughter: Its Definition Chapter 1 – Her Trial: He Gives and Takes Away Chapter 2 – Her Vision: A Woman Who Laughs Chapter 3 – Her Reality: Living in a Vale of Tears Chapter 4 – Her Dilemma: A Peculiar Perspective on Suffering PART 2 – Laughter: Its Doctrine Chapter 5 – Her Necessity: A Sober-Minded Suffering Chapter 6 – Her Comfort: God’s Fatherly Sovereignty Chapter 7 – Her Guide: Christ’s Perfect Example Chapter 8 – Her Guarantee: The Spirit’s Enduring Preservation PART 3 – Laughter: Its Doing Chapter 9 – Her Prayers: The Humble Expectation of a Daughter Chapter 10 – Her Practice: The Selfless Love of a Sister Chapter 11 – Her Prospect: The Heavenly Aim of a Pilgrim

Understand who's who in the Old and New Testaments with this visual e-guide to the main characters in the Bible. Includes profiles of leaders, prophets, judges, and apostles, The People of the Bible tells their stories and explains their teachings simply and clearly. Stories are beautifully illustrated and supported with key quotes and historical context. Spreads focusing on particular biblical events highlight a character's impact, making this the perfect study companion and the ultimate guide for young readers to the key characters in one of the most important books ever written.