What Is a Blessing?

What Is a Blessing? PDF Author: Lorine Egans
Publisher: Xlibris Us
ISBN: 9781543465730
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 26

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Book Description
This book aims to bring clarification, understanding, knowledge, and wisdom about what a blessing really is. In America, we have the concept that a blessing is a material entity, such as a house, a car, extravagant clothes, and expensive jewelry (the bling-bling). A blessing in Western civilization is self-centered; whereas, it is supposed to bless others, as well. We see being blessed as being happy all the time (a state of bliss). This desire for a state of happiness and a propensity for a strong feeling of repugnance toward apathy, unhappiness, suffering, distress, anguish, afflictions, difficulties, no problems, no hardships, and no worries come from the philosophy of John Locke (16321704). John Locke lived in England, and his philosophy influenced the Founding Fathers so much that when they wrote the Constitution of the United States, they relied heavily upon Lockes philosophy about natural rights, which they stated in the preamble of the Constitution as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. John Locke is also known as the father of liberalism. Liberalism is defined as the belief in the value of social and political change in order to achieve progress. To be blessed, you definitely have to make progress. Locke lived in England during the time of ruling kings and queens, so Locke posited in his Second Treatise of Government that people had a sovereign power and the monarchy was merely a delegate. John Locke, Francis Bacon, and Thomas Hobbes were three of the major philosophers during the Age of Enlightenment who embraced reasoning (rationalization) as a means to serve God. The Age of Enlightenment resulted in atheism, and it has also contributed to an erroneous conception of what a blessing is. The notion of happiness has penetrated and become a component of one of the characteristics of what we think a blessing is. The blessing has to be what we want to make us happy, prosperous, healthyself-centered blessings just for ourselves. The prosperity-theology doctrine emphasizes the importance of personal empowerment proposing that it is Gods will for his people to be happy. My goal is to help people align their thinking with what a blessing is according to biblical standards, not philosophical rationalizations (Psalm 19:78).

What Is a Blessing?

What Is a Blessing? PDF Author: Lorine Egans
Publisher: Xlibris Us
ISBN: 9781543465730
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 26

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book aims to bring clarification, understanding, knowledge, and wisdom about what a blessing really is. In America, we have the concept that a blessing is a material entity, such as a house, a car, extravagant clothes, and expensive jewelry (the bling-bling). A blessing in Western civilization is self-centered; whereas, it is supposed to bless others, as well. We see being blessed as being happy all the time (a state of bliss). This desire for a state of happiness and a propensity for a strong feeling of repugnance toward apathy, unhappiness, suffering, distress, anguish, afflictions, difficulties, no problems, no hardships, and no worries come from the philosophy of John Locke (16321704). John Locke lived in England, and his philosophy influenced the Founding Fathers so much that when they wrote the Constitution of the United States, they relied heavily upon Lockes philosophy about natural rights, which they stated in the preamble of the Constitution as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. John Locke is also known as the father of liberalism. Liberalism is defined as the belief in the value of social and political change in order to achieve progress. To be blessed, you definitely have to make progress. Locke lived in England during the time of ruling kings and queens, so Locke posited in his Second Treatise of Government that people had a sovereign power and the monarchy was merely a delegate. John Locke, Francis Bacon, and Thomas Hobbes were three of the major philosophers during the Age of Enlightenment who embraced reasoning (rationalization) as a means to serve God. The Age of Enlightenment resulted in atheism, and it has also contributed to an erroneous conception of what a blessing is. The notion of happiness has penetrated and become a component of one of the characteristics of what we think a blessing is. The blessing has to be what we want to make us happy, prosperous, healthyself-centered blessings just for ourselves. The prosperity-theology doctrine emphasizes the importance of personal empowerment proposing that it is Gods will for his people to be happy. My goal is to help people align their thinking with what a blessing is according to biblical standards, not philosophical rationalizations (Psalm 19:78).

Ask Me for a Blessing (You Know You Need One)

Ask Me for a Blessing (You Know You Need One) PDF Author: Adrian Dannhauser
Publisher: Broadleaf Books
ISBN: 1506468055
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 209

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Book Description
What is a blessing? Do you have to believe to receive one? Can you doubt while you pray? And can you extend grace to others while still desperately in need of it yourself? Once a week Episcopal priest Adrian Dannhauser stands outside her Manhattan church beside a chalkboard sign that reads "Ask me for a blessing (because God knows you need one)." Passersby stop, chat, and ask for prayer: for a sick friend, an addicted son, an upcoming job interview, the state of our nation, or the grief of our world. Bus drivers sometimes open their doors for a quick prayer before the light turns green, and someone once took her to meet their doorman so she could bless him too. Half of those who stop are in crisis. Someone always cries. A few are simply curious. Through the heartfelt, frank, and sincere stories of her unique ministry, Dannhauser offers glimpses into the tender, holy, and sometimes hilarious moments of sidewalk prayers. With a potent blend of reverence and irreverence, as well as insights from Christian scriptures, she delves into the power that ancient ideas--blessing, forgiveness, miracles, and prayer--hold in a disenchanted world. For people of Christian faith, other faiths, or no faith at all, having spiritual conversations, even awkward ones with strangers on the street, can help us face our vulnerability, where we may discover a grace sufficient for all.

Given

Given PDF Author: Tina Boesch
Publisher: NavPress
ISBN: 1631469754
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 273

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Book Description
How do we express the good that God wants for those we love? How do we experience blessing through pain and suffering? Why would we bless even enemies? How do we keep spoken blessings in sync with God’s will? And how do we integrate blessing, a concept woven throughout the entire Bible, into the fabric of our everyday lives? In Given, you will journey outside of your comfort zone, into a world of blessing as a relational calling—as a way God relates to you and a way you’re called to relate to others. You will travel across countries, cultures, and centuries of church history to expand your paradigm of a word ripe with significance. Along the way, you’ll be inspired to begin the essential Christian practice of being given by God as a blessing. Journey with author Tina Boesch to discover your calling to a meaningful way of living and relating to God and others, inspired by Christ, who gave himself on the cross so that we could fully experience God’s blessing.

The Power to Bless

The Power to Bless PDF Author: Alan Wright
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1493428772
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Book Description
Blessed people flourish by a power that transcends human talent or hard work--a mystical grace empowers them to be joyful and fruitful. But does it ever feel like others are blessed while you're stuck? With honesty and warmth, Alan Wright shares his inspiring journey from craving blessing to living the blessed life. The absence of his father's affirmation left him struggling for years with symptoms of the unblessed life: shame, pretense, and drift. But when he grasped the most powerful blessing in the Old Testament--the mysterious, ancient blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh--he learned how to receive blessing and how to bless the lives of his loved ones. And you can too. With biblical insight and practical wisdom, The Power to Bless shows you how to craft a positive, faith-filled blessing. By learning a few simple, biblical skills for imparting life-changing blessings, you'll be more spiritually blessed than you'd ever imagined, and you'll be equipped with the power to bless the people you love.

Living in Christ's Presence

Living in Christ's Presence PDF Author: Dallas Willard
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 9780830835843
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Dallas Willard explores what it means to live well now in light of God's kingdom. This book is adapted from the talks given at the February 2013 Dallas Willard Center "Knowing Christ Today" conference. Each chapter is followed with an illuminating dialogue between Dallas Willard and John Ortberg.

Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ

Book of Commandments, for the Government of the Church of Christ PDF Author: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description


Circle of Grace

Circle of Grace PDF Author: Jan Richardson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780977816279
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
"Within the struggle, joy, pain, and delight that attend our life, there is an invisible circle of grace that enfolds and encompasses us in every moment. Blessings help us to perceive this circle of grace, to find our place of belonging within it, and to receive the strength the circle holds for us." -from the Introduction Beginning in Advent and moving through the sacred seasons of the Christian year, Circle of Grace offers Jan's distinctive and poetic blessings that illuminate the treasures each season offers to us.

The Blessing

The Blessing PDF Author: Gary Smalley
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Incorporated
ISBN: 9780840730664
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
Offers advice based on the teachings of the Bible on how to develop a closer relationship with parents and children

Divine Blessing and the Fullness of Life in the Presence of God

Divine Blessing and the Fullness of Life in the Presence of God PDF Author: William R. Osborne
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN: 1433566249
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description
The concept of blessing pervades the everyday life of Christians—from testimonies recounting God's provision, to praise songs, to wishing someone well. In fact, the term has been so integrated into Christian language that it is rarely considered thoughtfully. In the pages of Scripture, blessing seems to be either physical or spiritual, but a fuller biblical-theological approach reveals that God's blessing has always been both spiritual and physical. In Divine Blessing and the Fullness of Life in the Presence of God, William Osborne traces the theme of blessing throughout Scripture as he guides readers into a deeper understanding of how God's gracious benevolence impacts the everyday lives of Christians.

BLESS

BLESS PDF Author: Dave Ferguson
Publisher: Salem Books
ISBN: 1684510880
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
What If You Could Change the World without Changing Your Daily Routine? When you’ve been transformed by God’s love, you can’t help but want others to experience the same grace and freedom. But how do you share it without scaring them away or offending them? For most Christians, “evangelism” is an intimidating word that suggests handing out tracts to strangers or doing other awkward things. But what if there was a more organic, more authentic way to share your faith with your friends, neighbors, and coworkers? Dave and Jon Ferguson have found five simple, straightforward practices that will allow any believer to do just that. And by consistently living them out, you can affect not just individual lives but your entire neighborhood and community—one person at a time.