First Religion

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.

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. Schooled in the latest medical technology, the eager doctor—his wife, Barb, and two-year-old daughter, Kate, in tow—is about to discover that there are some things in rural practice for which medical school just hadn’t prepared him. But he’s about to learn.

Introduce your child to a variety of classic Bible stories with this enchanting baby book. From Noah's Ark and Jonah and the Whale, to the story of Moses and the birth of Jesus, this book contains 14 of your favorite Bible stories to share and listen aloud to with your child.

When the Holy Spirit first poured out in the 1730s and 1740s, Jonathan Edwards was at the forefront. The United States had not yet declared independence from England, and was an ever-changing landscape of immigrants from all over the world. These cultures brought an array of false idols, religions, witchcraft, and more. A spiritual war had begun in the nation as the devil attempted to undermine what God was doing in the land.

Step into the enigmatic world of ancient prophecies and divine revelations with Joseph Lumpkin's compelling anthology, "Twelve Jewish, Christian, and Gnostic Books of the Apocalypse."

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

The Pilgrims' celebration of the first Thanksgiving is a keystone of America's national and spiritual identity. But is what we've been taught about them or their harvest feast what actually happened? And if not, what difference does it make? Through the captivating story of the birth of this quintessentially American holiday, veteran historian Tracy McKenzie helps us to better understand the tale of America's origins—and for Christians, to grasp the significance of this story and those like it.

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.

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.

The principle of first fruits is eternal in nature, having its genesis in the being of God himself. It has been perpetually practiced throughout human history as one of the most courageous acts of financial obedience, denoting complete trust in and honor of God as the provider. This book systematically sets out the Scriptures and their applications for overcoming financial lack. Study the teaching with a sincere heart. By adopting them, you will find success. Those who voluntarily engage the first fruits principles will enjoy immeasurable grace and provision.

The Changed Life was originally intended to be given as a spoken address by the renowned 19-century Scottish evangelist Henry Drummond.

Where does this hate come from? Why is it rising again in America? What do we need to do to stop it? Prepare to be stunned, shocked, and illuminated as Rabbi Evan Moffic answers these questions. He reveals why the world's oldest hatred - once thought to be over after the Holocaust - keeps coming back to life. This book gives the clearest and most concise explanation of where antisemitism comes from, why it continues, and how to stop its resurgence today.