First Religion

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." So begins the first book in the Book of Mormon. In this brief theological introduction, philosopher and theologian Joseph M. Spencer investigates the central themes and purposes of a book he calls a "theological masterpiece". What was Nephi trying to accomplish with his writings? How can readers/listeners today make better sense of Nephi's words? What can an ancient seer offer readers/listeners in the 21st century? Spencer introduces a Nephi for our moment, a complex prophet with an urgent message for a world in turmoil.

CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF. Those words, scratched on parchment in 1789, open the US Constitution's First Amendment. From them, countless interpretations have been drawn.

A delectable variety of real paranormal tales you are sure to binge... First responders are those that aid us in our time of need. But have you ever wondered that some of their calls may not be classified as "typical"? Ever wondered what happens when you mix ghosts with dispatchers? How about accident sites? I know I have. That is why this book came to be. After interviewing multiple types of first responders, from 911 operators to police to firemen, you will hear the experiences they cannot quite explain as anything less than "ghostly".

Less than three months after retiring from a 30-year law enforcement career, Kim Colegrove's husband chose suicide. Since that day, Colegrove has been helping first responders across the country practice techniques to cope with the stress and trauma that their work brings. And this book continues that mission by offering first responders and their families hope by introducing meditation and mindfulness as viable and practical tools to help reduce stress, regulate emotion, and improve overall health and well-being.

What if, suddenly, Jesus appeared on the streets of your city? That's the scenario of Jesus Is Here, Charles M. Sheldon's sequel to his classic novel In His Steps, the book that introduced the world to WWJW: "What would Jesus do?"

Although most people acknowledge that Jesus was a first-century Jew, interpreters of the Gospels often present him as opposed to Jewish law and customs—especially when considering his numerous encounters with the ritually impure. Matthew Thiessen corrects this popular misconception by placing Jesus within the Judaism of his day. Thiessen demonstrates that the Gospel writers depict Jesus opposing ritual impurity itself, not the Jewish ritual purity system or the Jewish law.

Finding forever love doesn't have to feel impossible. 10 Dates to Your Soulmate is a road map that gets you past first dates, providing practical dating tips and strategies, as well as insightful questions and observations to help you not only identify a good partner, but also recognize your own roadblocks to love (and move past them once and for all).

This two-part book was compiled and edited by Mary Baker Eddy, the church’s founder. Part I (“The First Church of Christ, Scientist”) describes the building of The Mother Church Extension in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1906. Writings by Mary Baker Eddy and newspaper articles from across North America detail this significant architectural achievement and the rapid growth of Christian Science as a movement.

In the Last Words of Jesus, you'll experience a fresh encounter with Christ as Stu Epperson recounts the last seven statements uttered by Jesus on the cross, providing unique, thought-provoking insights and interspersing additional commentaries from many of Christianity's leading theologians and authors. This one-stop resource and devotional will help you understand more deeply...

Exploring the birth period of Islam, this biography focuses on one of the most prominent and respected Muslim women in history: Khadija, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad.

The root chakra is the initial step on a staircase that leads up from the base of your spine toward enlightenment. As the first book in Llewellyn's Chakra Essentials series, Root provides everything you need to know about this grounding energy center. Ten chakra experts—such as bestselling author Cyndi Dale, intuitive cardiologist Dr. Nitin Bhatnagar, and award-winning aromatherapist Margaret Ann Lembo—teach this chakra's color associations, intuitive style, physical reach, psychological influence, and more.

Clement was probably a Gentile and a Roman. He seems to have been at Philippi with St. Paul (AD 57) when that first-born of the Western churches was passing through great trials of faith. There, with holy women and others, he ministered to the apostle and to the saints. As this city was a Roman colony, we need not inquire how a Roman happened to be there.

Step into the enchanting realm of early motherhood with "First Trimester Pregnancy Guided Meditations and Affirmations for Anxiety, Stress Relief, and Excitement." This profound guide tenderly navigates the sacred journey of the first trimester, intertwining guided meditations and affirmations to create a nurturing sanctuary for both you and your growing miracle.

The little mountain hamlet of Bryson City, North Carolina, offers more than dazzling vistas. For Walt Larimore, a young "flatlander" physician setting up his first practice, the town presents its peculiar challenges as well. With the winsomeness of a James Herriott book, Bryson City Tales sweeps you into a world of colorful characters, the texture of Smoky Mountain life, and the warmth, humor, quirks, and struggles of a small country town.

Are you a spiritual person? A mature Christian? The apostles do not think that you are unless you have mastered the basic principles of the oracles of God.

Discipleship is the buzzword today. Many believers are contemplating in a fresh way what it means to take the Great Commission seriously. Rediscovering Discipleship takes the guesswork out of Christian maturity.

Brother Gage takes a looks at the entered apprentice degree in Masonry. He explains that everything a Mason will encounter in the future is simply an elaboration of this degree, both within and without the fraternity. He talks at length on the concept of symbolism and how it relates to Freemasonry. He also walks us through the entered apprentice degree a bit and speaks of specific symbolism the candidate encounters within the first degree.

Historians, scholars, and theologians agree that first-century Christianity was a sect of Judaism, but where does that information place first-century Gentile Christians? What did it mean to be a Gentile who practiced Judaism in the days of the apostles? These are not just academic questions; they are at the heart of today's growing Messianic Jewish movement. How do non-Jews engage in the modern Messianic Jewish revival?

Every reference in the Bible to a healthy spiritual life is dependent on putting God first. But there are a lot of things that can get in the way of that ultimate priority--from over-working to over-thinking. Many times, our lives get complicated before we know it. Most of us don't willfully choose this; we silently slide into it. In this audio Bible study, Lisa Whittle helps you build up defenses against damaging thought patterns and learn to reorder your priorities to consistently put Jesus back on top.

A flower of mystical insight from 14c. England, this book records the visions and prescient theological world-view of Julian, an anchoress at Norwich. Her unique and visceral retelling of both the birthing and the dying of Christ, the first book to be written in English by a woman, has never been duplicated in the clarity and eloquence of its language. Here, preserving the humility of the original in a modern idiom, is a metered poetic version of her revelations: …she who’s Mother of our Savior Is mother of all who shall be saved; And our Savior our very Mother, In whom we are endlessly...