The Gift Of Blessing

Packed with compelling news stories and up-to-date research, this expanded version of the bestselling The Blessing helps readers discover the roots of family acceptance. Includes step-by-step instructions on how to be a blessing and pass on life-changing acceptance to family and friends.

Blessing is God's idea--it's the first thing He did when He made Adam and Eve, and it's the last thing Jesus did before He ascended into heaven. And yet many of us picture God as a grumpy old man who measures out blessing in measly thimblefuls. Building on her book The Promise of Blessing, which explores the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6, this encouraging devotional from Kate Patterson offers daily opportunities to see God afresh through that shining blessing made to God's people as they wandered in the desert. Though thousands of years old, this blessing still holds surprising truths for God's children today. With reflections, Scripture, and prayer prompts, Patterson looks at each phrase of God's blessing in Numbers 6. Each day shares a significant discovery about the God at the heart of our faith--a God who loves us and longs to bless His people so they can be a blessing to others. For those wanting to know God's blessing for themselves, this inviting giftbook will bless not only them but also those around them.

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

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.

Amid the instructions on wave offerings and hair cutting tucked away in the book of Numbers, we find a sparkling diamond set in the ring of God's call to His people to be set apart to Him: God's gift of blessing, given to a weary people wandering in the wilderness. Kate Patterson explores the Aaronic blessing from the book of Numbers, phrase by shining phrase, and invites us to join her in discovering the fullness of God's blessing in whatever situation we find ourselves.

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.

Most people have no idea who they were created to be, nor what their own unique gifts and talents are. So how can we recognize and affirm these things in others—especially if we were not encouraged ourselves as we were growing up? How can we change course and learn a language of blessing that will lead to positive change in all of our key personal and professional relationships? In The Language of Blessing, Joe Cavanaugh gives us practical tools to recognize our own gifts and those of others and to use our newfound “language” to bless the ones we care about, breaking a destructive generational cycle and setting a new course for our loved ones’ futures.

Source of all blessings, you bless us with dreams-dreams while we sleep and dreams in our most wakeful moments. May I be responsive to both forms of dreams and pass these blessings on by living a life that is faithful to their guidance. From beloved author Brother David Steindl-Rast comes this beautiful collection of original blessings meant to guide readers through each day with wisdom and spirit. This gift book of ninety-nine personal and original blessings from Brother David Steindl-Rast, known for his pioneering work in interfaith dialogue, marks the first time the member of the Benedictine Order of Catholic monks has crafted a series of prayers for the general reader-from Catholics to Protestants, Jews and Muslims, agnostics and uncertain. Blessings are life-giving only as long as we pass them on, so this book is meant to be shared with friends, family, coworkers, strangers, and anyone in need of a few words of inspiration and guidance.

The holidays are a time of reflection and gratitude--a time to look back on life and give thanks for the people in it. Douglas Pagels' A Special Christmas Blessing is the perfect way to share warm and wonderful Christmas wishes with someone who has been and will always be special to you. These heartfelt hopes and blessings will remind your friends and loved ones that the true gifts of the holidays are not the ones you discover beneath the Christmas tree, but the hope, peace, understanding, and love you give and receive all year long. As a thoughtful present or a personal keepsake, this book is one way to keep Christmas in your heart and in the heart of someone you care about every day.

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.