"My wish", writes Father Wilfrid Stinissen, "is to give some simple advice on how we can draw nearer to God's Word and let it penetrate us in order that it will bear fruit in our lives." The acclaimed spiritual writer and Carmelite priest says that all Christian literature and preaching are nothing more than an attempt to explain and interpret what God himself has spoken to us in the Bible. God is active in his holy Word, and he is also active in man's seeking and study, in his research and knowledge. In Judaism, the study of Scripture has always had a prominent place, and the same is true of Christianity from the beginning, as can be seen above all in the writings of the Church Fathers. Some modern scholars have also made important discoveries that help illuminate even more the Bible's broad, colorful vistas. Yet without prayer, scholarship is only superficial glitter, destined to fade away. Father Stinissen teaches that prayer and the reading of Scripture belong inseparably together, and he shows the reader how combining them leads a person to close communion with God.

Enjoy the complete retail experience, animal dress-up style, in the fabulous STAR PAWS: SHOPPING! Choose hats in Bears Accessories, help out in the changing rooms, become a stylist, a beautician, or simply shop until you drop! There’s so much to try on and so much to buy – everything from smelly perfumes and crazy fingernails to nice new pants. Packed with over 250 stickers and more daft jokes than you can count, this brilliantly funny, silly and utterly addictive sticker book series is taking the world by storm! (NB: No animals were harmed during its creation.)

For the many thousands who prepare sermons on the lectionary readings each week, here are expert, wise and extremely down to earth reflections to inspire and guide you, from an outstanding preacher and Church Times columnist. A companion to the main volume, this second book covers all the principal feasts and festivals that do not fall on Sunday.

After being tempted by the devil in the wilderness, Jesus came out of that wilderness with a driving purpose-to destroy the devil's work. (1 John 3:8) Jesus locked horns with religious leaders who believed that they were working for God. These religious leaders confronted Jesus with a two-part question Jesus never answered. "By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?" This question is still awaiting an answer and zeros in on a theme that resonates through the ages. It is the question that will ultimately lead the world to Armageddon.

The study deals with a difficult and much-debated text in Paul’s Letter to the Romans, 9:30-10:21. The study in particular analyses Paul’s use and interpretation of Deuteronomy 30:12-14 in Romans 10:4-17. Scholars have characterized Paul’s exegesis here as idiosyncratic, fanciful, baffling, and arbitrary. By a comparison with Jewish writings near Paul in time, such as the writings of Philo of Alexandria and Baruch, the thesis is argued that Paul’s treatment of Deuteronomy 30:12-14 can be located within Jewish exegetical method, expository structure, terminology as well as content and context. In comparison with Baruch and Philo, it has been shown that Paul’s handling of Deuteronomy 30:12-14 can be placed within a Jewish context as to the way the biblical quotations are rendered. The thesis is substantiated that Paul’s expository rendering of Deuteronomy 30:12-14 follows the method of exegetical paraphrase of a biblical quotation. So, in comparison with Baruch and Philo, Paul’s interpretative rendering of Deuteronomy 30:12-14 falls within a form of exposition, in which words, phrases and sentences from the Old Testament quotation are either repeated or replaced by interpretative terms and supplemented with other qualifying terms. Thus, Paul’s christological exposition of Deut 30:12-14 can be located within the method of exegetical paraphrase, with a parallel in Baruch’s application of this OT Scripture to the personified ‘Wisdom’.

Do you long for something more in your relationship with God? The good news is that “something more” does not mean “doing more.” God is not waiting for you to get your spiritual life “right.” He wants to be with you right where you are. The real question is not “What does God want from you?” but “What does God want for you?” Sharon Jaynes understands what it’s like to have a “glory ache”—a longing to experience God’s presence on a daily basis. She also knows how easily working for God can get in the way of intimacy with God. And she’s discovered that we tend to make our faith journey much too hard. In A Sudden Glory, Sharon uses Scripture and story to help you erase the line between your “spiritual life” and your “daily life” as you enter the sanctuary of God’s presence even in the middle of your busy, messy day. Here you will find your eyes opened to moments of sudden glory in which the Creator assures you of His love as you live and move and have your being in Him. Here you will discover true freedom—the freedom of experiencing God in a deeper and more intimate way than ever before. Includes Bible study and discussion guide.

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.