A full generation has passed since black theology burst onto the American religious scene, ignited by the powerful work of James H. Cone. Now an illustrious group of theologians takes the measure of black theology's legacy and explores the radically new context - ecclesial, social, global, and interreligious - that is setting the black theological agenda for tomorrow.

Many times in scripture God uses things in the natural to describe things in the spiritual. God sees everything in the "seen" world with an "unseen" perspective; not from the narrow view finder of this world, but from lenses so vast, so deep, and so wide that our minds can hardly comprehend it. In order to teach us and give us understanding of a world we cannot see, the kingdom of heaven, God in His word often times uses metaphors and natural illustrations to give us a picture, or reflection, of what His kingdom is truly all about; He uses things in the "seen" world as a mirror that reflects things about the "unseen" world. One of those such times in scripture is found in 1 Peter 2:4 as God calls us to become as living stones, "Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." Through a detailed word study, both in the Old and New Testament, of how God chooses to use stones in the "seen" world, a picture begins to form that reveals who we are in the "unseen" world, God's kingdom. I invite your family to come along with me as the Holy Spirit, through the word of God, paints a beautiful picture on the canvas of your hearts revealing who you are as to living stones, and through family worship seals this calling deep within each member of your family.

Throughout the ages Creation has been groaning for its true identity, dominion, and ultimately restored intimacy and communion with the Father. If we are in Christ, we are a new creation. We are made in His image. But what does it mean to be made in His image? Who am I as a new creation? What is my destiny? Desperately seeking on her own journey of identity, author Marie Fowler spent twenty-five years researching the tribes of Israel to answer these questions. Our heavenly Father designed us for one sole purpose: habitation. God chooses to build His house through His family. Living Stones is a love letter in which you will discover your place within God's family. Worship (intimacy) reveals identity. One does not come face-to-face with someone and remain unaltered. As we encounter the Father with unveiled faces, we become like Him. Our utmost destiny is that we might take on His reflection found in the embodiment of habitation. Join Marie in her fascinating and biblically grounded study of the tribes of Israel as foundational keys to reveal every believer's identity in Christ. Watch in wonder as the author explains with amazing prophetic and revelatory insight how the characteristics of each tribe fit together as living stones displaying the facets of the Father's nature and character thereby building His holy habitation. You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5).

"In the small Illinois town of Bradbury, change doesn't come often, and it certainly doesn't come easily. So when Pastor Fletcher hires Emily Duke as the new choir director at Zion Lutheran Church, he unknowingly sets in motion a chain of events that turns the life of his congregation upside down. The crusty church secretary, Mrs. Scheinberg, must learn to adjust her curmudgeonly ways. Zion's talented but pompous organist, Evan Ebner, must recognize his shortcomings. Emily must come to terms with her past. Even Pastor Fletcher must face reality when his world is shaken by the baggage Emily brings and by the handsome Zachary Brandt who pursues her."--Amazon.

What is the most important thing on Jesus' agenda today? Quite simply, it is Building HIS Church! Often times, men are preoccupied with budgets and buildings; but, God's desire is to reconcile people to Him through the shed blood of Jesus and for the people to be built up together in love and unity. God established, in the Old Testament, that his desire was never to dwell in buildings. After all, God said that no one could make one big enough for him anyway (Isa. 66:1). The New Testament explains that when you and I come together in the perfect bond of love, as lively stones, we form a glorious spiritual habitation for God to dwell.