Abandon dead, dry, religious rule-keeping and embrace the promise of being truly known and deeply loved. Jefferson Bethke burst into the cultural conversation with a passionate, provocative poem titled "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus." The 4-minute video became an overnight sensation, with 7 million YouTube views in its first 48 hours (and 23+ million in a year). Bethke's message clearly struck a chord with believers and nonbelievers alike, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged. In his New York Times bestseller Jesus > Religion, Bethke unpacks similar contrasts that he drew in the poem--highlighting the difference between teeth gritting and grace, law and love, performance and peace, despair, and hope. With refreshing candor, he delves into the motivation behind his message, beginning with the unvarnished tale of his own plunge from the pinnacle of a works-based, fake-smile existence that sapped his strength and led him down a path of destructive behavior. Along the way, Bethke gives you the tools you need to: Humbly and prayerfully open your mind Understand Jesus for all that he is View the church from a brand-new perspective Bethke is quick to acknowledge that he's not a pastor or theologian, but simply an ordinary, twenty-something who cried out for a life greater than the one for which he had settled. On this journey, Bethke discovered the real Jesus, who beckoned him with love beyond the props of false religion. Praise for Jesus > Religion: "Jeff's book will make you stop and listen to a voice in your heart that may have been drowned out by the noise of religion. Listen to that voice, then follow it--right to the feet of Jesus." --Bob Goff, author of New York Times bestsellers Love Does and Everybody, Always "The book you hold in your hands is Donald Miller's Blue Like Jazz meets C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity meets Augustine's Confessions. This book is going to awaken an entire generation to Jesus and His grace." --Derwin L. Gray, lead pastor of Transformation Church, author of Limitless Life: Breaking Free from the Labels That Hold You Back

Christian worship in North America has undergone great change in recent years. But change always brings uncertainty -- at times even division -- about what constitutes "authentic worship." This important book reviews a wide variety of current perspectives and offers a fresh outlook on the contemporary practice of Christian worship. In order to provide the widest, most insightful discussion on present-day worship practices yet assembled, the authors gathered a team of church musicians, ministers, worship leaders, and educators from eight church traditions. Discerning the Spirits is the fruit of their work. Shaped by the wisdom of men and women like Marva Dawn, Justo Gonzalez, C. Michael Hawn, and John Witvliet, this book broadens today's "worship wars" into a bigger, richer discussion that moves from arguments over musical tastes to good thinking about the overall purpose of worship in relation to church life and God himself. Sidebar articles and quotes are meant to draw readers and study groups into dialogue on these issues. Whether one plays a leadership role in church worship or is simply grappling with questions about it, Discerning the Spirits is a must-read.

V. 1. How to study the historical Jesus -- v. 2. The study of Jesus -- v. 3. The historical Jesus -- v. 4. Individual studies.

The inspirational sermons of the old Negro preachers are set down as poetry in this collection -- a classic for more than forty years, frequently dramatized, recorded, and anthologized. Mr. Johnson tells in his preface of hearing these same themes treated by famous preachers in his youth; some of the sermons are still current, and like the spirituals they have taken a significant place in black folk art. In transmuting their essence into original and moving poetry, the author has also ensured the survival of a great oral tradition. Book jacket.

This is a warfare prayer book meant to set people free from the captive of the enemy. Many are living valley life while they should be champions keeping hold on mountain tops. They are either chased or humiliated into submission of disgrace. This book addresses issues of Bondage breaking Setting people free from nightmares Joblessness Bareness Evil marks Sickness and diseases Liberation from sex in the dream Marital failure Inability to get fight spouse This book is spiritually loaded with acidic prayers that give speedy answer to problems. Enough is enough. Break the grip of the enemy and be set free! Fans of the following authors are known to enjoy this book: Max Lucado Stormie Omartian Priscilla Shirer Amy E. Mason Stephen Kendrick Alex Kendrick Vinita Hampton Wright E. W. Kenyon Elizabeth Alves Derek Prince Jack Countryman Jennifer Eivaz John Eckhardt John Ramirez Michelle McClain-Walters Kimberly Daniels Jentezen Franklin Daniel Whyte III Meriqua Whyte Joyce Meyer Joel Osteen Tim Cameron Dr. D. K. Olukoya Joseph Prince R.T. Kendall Witness Lee Watchman Nee Sarah Young Rick Warren Paul David Tripp Matt Chandler Donald S. Whitney Judson Cornwall Beth Moore Anne Graham Lotz Bob Sorge Craig Groeschel Kathleen Blease Dr Olusola Coker Olusegun Festus Remilekun James Banks Ray C. Stedman Tony Evans Eric Mason Thom S. Rainer James G. McCarthy Dr. Daniel L. Akin ennie Allen Lysa TerKeurst Henry Cloud John Townsend Dharius Daniels Michael Todd Gary Thomas Francis Chan Lisa Chan Timothy Keller Willard F. Harley Leslie Vernick Gary Chapman Harold Myra KEYWORDS: Powerful Prayers for Troubled Times, Powerful Prayer Bullets to subdue Demons and be Victorious, Prayers That Rout Demons, Prayers that Activate Blessings, Prayers that Avail Much 40th Anniversary Revised and Updated Edition, Prayers That Break Curses, Prayers That Bring Healing, Prayers That Bring Change, Prayer Rain, Command Authority, Command and Control, Commanding Your Morning, Commanding Your Morning Daily Devotional, daily devotions, Daily Declarations for Spiritual Warfare, Spiritual Warfare Prayers, Spiritual Warfare, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Atomic Power With God Through Prayer and Fasting, Prayer to God, Breakthrough, Satan's Deadliest Weapon, Armed and Dangerous, war room, Daily Prayers for Orthodox Christians, Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Manual, Deliverance From Spirit Husband And Spirit Wife, Good Morning, Holy Spirit, good night prayer, Prayer and Forgiveness, Prayer and Revelation, A Praying Life, Christian Prayers for the World, blood of jesus prayers, powerful prayers in the war room, prayers against the powers of darkness, powerful prayer bible verses, when god answers your prayers, how prayer works, how to get god to answer your prayer, Christian Prayer Manual, Spiritual Warfare Manual, Prayer for Deliverance, Gethsemanic Prayer Model, Kingdom Prayer Style, Apostolic Decrees, Prayer Points, prayers, prayer for, pray, pray for, christian prayer, breakthrough prayers, deliverance prayers, divine favor, favor of god, favors, financial freedom, financial prayers, healing prayers, how to pray, in touch daily devotional, intercessory prayer, miracle prayer, money prayer, night prayers, prayer and fasting, prayer for blessings, prayer for deliverance, prayer for favor, prayer for money, prayer for protection, prayer for success, prayer for the dying, prayer for the sick, a method for prayer, deep deliverance, biblical prosperity, financial breakthrough, financial intelligence, financial prosperity, financial miracle, how to pray effectively, how to pray for healing, how to pray in the spirit, prayer rain, receiving prosperity, saving faith, praying in the holy ghost, spiritual deliverance, victory in spiritual warfare

The Prison Graduates was the winning play in the English as a 2nd Language category of theBBC World Service/British Council International Radio Playwriting Competition2009. The play is a political satire set in Ghana, and talks about serious issues on a light note. It highlights situations in Ghana and Africa as a whole; these include young and energetic people paying huge sums of money to go abroad to seek greener pastures, and the hospitals where ‘cash and carry’ method is practiced. The situation where churches are corrupt and the congregation is naïve... Efo makes us laugh at our folly, whilst realising that we are all part of the challenges our countries face, and can contribute to the solutions.