First Religion

Stories about demons are rising in pop culture, but accounts of their manifestations have been bubbling up throughout history. Paranormal investigator Richard Estep explores this societal fascination as he strives to identify exactly what demons are and where to find them. Consulting with experts ranging from an ordained Catholic exorcist to a medical doctor, Richard scrutinizes the history of demonology and infamous instances of possession, including the case that inspired The Exorcist. With all the facts at your fingertips, you can decide the truth for yourself.

This book is a collection of inspirational sermons given across North America following the 9-11 terrorist attacks. All were written on short notice by pastors who were themselves experiencing 9-11 with the rest of us. They serve to bring us all back to those dark days. Hearing the sermon's and the pastors' comments help you recall and experience the feelings we all felt in September 2001.

The First Apocalypse of James was written in the Coptic language around the second half of the third century CE. It is regarded as part of the New Testament apocrypha. The text was first discovered in the last part of the month of December in 1945. It was found among 52 other Gnostic Christian texts contained in 13 codices or scrolls.

Every person inherits a system of beliefs. Maybe yours came from community, or church, or society, or your parents. But one day you reach a breaking point. You look at the rituals and traditions and worship and theology and it all seems foggy. Foreign. Strange. You wonder why you believe what you believe. If you even believe anymore... Brothers Ryan and Josh Shook reached that breaking point. Their book, Firsthand, is a smart, honest and deeply felt journey that invites you to leave behind handed-down beliefs and find authentic faith.

Cardiologists can tell us what happens to the heart at death. Neurologists have extensive knowledge about what occurs in the brain and central nervous system at the moment we die. But what happens to our consciousness? There is much evidence that awareness continues. The Bible tells us exactly what happens when we die. As you listen to this audiobook, you will discover the amazing equipoise of death - the delicate equilibrium between the "not yet" and "now" of the new body and the new spirit-soul.

Embark on a journey through the Book of Genesis, the foundation of the Bible, with Joseph Lumpkin's in-depth study. This deep exploration offers a complete history of the timeless stories of creation, humanity, and their divine purpose.

Marriage can be perilous for any couple, but for those facing infidelity and other dark secrets, it can be soul-crushing. Yet no matter how broken a relationship may seem, hope and healing remain within reach. Tim and Kathy Bush are proof. Theirs was a union built not on solid ground but on the shifting sands of childhood trauma, promiscuity, addiction, and a hunger that neither of them could satisfy. Through many tumultuous years, they stumbled to the brink of both relational and personal destruction again and again, nearly giving up on each other—and on life itself.

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.

Prayer is simply talking with God. Nonetheless, the grown men who followed Jesus felt as if they had something yet to learn. As true disciples, they wanted to pray just as their Rabbi did. In ancient Judaism, disciples sought not only to learn their master's teachings and interpretations; they endeavored to imitate their rabbi in every detail. Rabbi Yeshua taught, A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher (Luke 6:40). What does prayer look like in a Jewish context? How did Jesus pray?

After the sudden death of Angela's mother and shortly thereafter her sister, Angela refused to believe that she had lost them forever. She set off on a journey in search of the truth. Her mother and sister guided and supported her as she discovered a world of existence in the afterlife. They speak about their life in heaven, about God the Creator, the universe, mankind, the reason for living and the soul's purpose. The discovery and understanding that Angela experienced, brought much comfort in a time of grief.

Are you ready to embark on a journey through time, explore the foundations of faith, and uncover the history that shapes our beliefs today? Look no further than 1st and 2nd Chronicles, the ultimate gateway to understanding the epic story of Israel and Judah, their triumphs, trials, and the enduring power of their legacy. You will encounter the heroic reign of King David, the wisdom of Solomon, and the heartfelt prayers and reforms of King Hezekiah and Josiah.

What were the most important practices in the early church? In this volume, Michael Cooper arranges the writings of the Apostolic Fathers into eight themes that provide deeper understanding about the subjects important to the disciples of the New Testament apostles.

Cleopatra. Nefertiti. Hatshepsut. All of them are ancient Egyptian female rulers who rose above their predominantly patriarchal societies to become controllers of a great empire. Missing from this list, however, is Sobekneferu, ancient Egypt’s first female ruler. Why was the reign of this powerful woman all but forgotten? Piecing together the lost history of the first female pharaoh, Andrew Collins presents the first comprehensive biography of Sobekneferu.

If you think you know Bible history, you could be stunned by many findings in this book. From what Trinity means, to the day Jesus died, to mislabeled silent years, it will shock the senses with omissions in Bible studies and church services. From misguided preachers to those in it for celebrity status, radio programs, book deals, and speaking engagements, Jesus would admonish many churches and leaders for lack of discipline and rigor. You might be outraged that what is routinely taught covers less than 50 percent of the New Testament, and far less of the Old Testament.

Reasoned Resiliency: A Rational Devotional for First Responders is unique in that it combines a spiritual message with practical advice for a daily dose of uplift. Nondenominational and applicable to all spiritual philosophies, it probes the spiritual values of the listener and encourages them to grow in their resilience and wellness.

The First Book of David is a unique novel which brings to life one of the greatest men who ever lived - David the King of Israel. It movingly takes one back in time to see the mighty man and his world through the eyes of his contemporaries, some of which are Samuel, Abner, Michal, Abishai, Abiathar, and even Goliath's armor bearer. It answers why David is so endearingly referred to as "a man after God's own heart". Though we know the story, The First Book of David is hard to put down.

From the New York Times best-selling author of Walking the Bible and Abraham comes a revelatory journey across four continents and 4,000 years exploring how Adam and Eve introduced the idea of love into the world, and how they continue to shape our deepest feelings about relationships, family, and togetherness.

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.

iRise is manual for being human in this new age. An age where love, compassion, empathy, and kindness are the watchwords of society. Endeavoring to guide one on how to move as source of love in the world, this manual applies a framework of objectivity on using consciousness as a vehicle. A vehicle that transports one to the frame of being a discrete unit of unconditional love as an interwoven vector expression in the universe.

Fervent passion for Jesus is often one of the first things to fade as we struggle through the daily grind of life, especially after grappling with disappointments and pain. Yet inherent in Jesus's call to return to our first love is his promise to help us never to lose it—to have a heart sustained in joy, delight, and passion for him all of our days. Dana Candler shares her own wrestle with weariness and unbelief, and reveals that a heart fully alive in Jesus is not only possible but is the promise and invitation of God's infinite grace.