J. Ellsworth Kalas
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Pleasure Of God
$18.00How can anything be ordinary if we find the glory of God there?
Whatever might be said of life’s most thrilling or transformative moments, most of our time is spent in ordinary things. We spend a third of our lives sleeping. In our adult lives, perhaps a quarter to a third of each week is spent at work. And then there’s more of the common stuff: eating, waiting in line, bathing, getting dressed, and watching TV. So it is that our seventy, eighty, or ninety years go by in common ways, and we have no idea where they’ve gone.
Is there glory in any of this? Where is the abundant life of which Jesus spoke? In this inspiring new work, J. Ellsworth Kalas says that the glory is found not just in the ecstasy of love or victory but in all of life, whether ecstatic or ordinary. Kalas believes it is possible to live with such joy and gladness of hearts that we find our ordinary lives graced by the pleasure of God. He offers a guide to spiritual contentment in the midst of busy lives, showing us the meaning in those seemingly small aspects of every day.
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Will Of God In An Unwilling World
$19.00Kalas offers a challenging and hopeful reflection on a conundrum that every human being deals with at some time in life, usually when facing a horrible tragedy, the death of a loved one, or the simple grinding pain of everyday existence: Why does God allow such suffering to exist? Is our pain God’s will?
Pastors, students, and general readers will all benefit from the reflections of this seasoned pastor and theologian as he explores the concept of the will of God in a shattered and stubborn world.
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Easter From The Back Side
$12.99Using an approach similar to the one he took in Parables from the Back Side and other books in the popular Back Side series, author J. Ellsworth Kalas opens up new possibilities of insight into the biblical Easter story. The author looks beyond the traditional gospel scriptures to connect the story of Christ’s resurrection with other stories and scriptures throughout the Bible, including both the Old Testament and the New Testament.
Kalas’s creative approach both clarifies basic teachings and introduces new possibilities of meaning, even for those who are most familiar with the Easter story. Enriched with contemporary illustrations and personal experiences, this volume will provide new perspectives on Easter.
Chapter titles and Scriptures include: “Why We Need Easter” (Genesis 3:1-7, 22-24); “Easter from an Ash Heap” (Job 19:13-27); “Easter for the Disillusioned” (Ecclesiastes 2:14-26); “Ezekiel Celebrates Easter” (Ezekiel 37:1-10); “Easter Is a Love Story” (John 20:1-18); “Late for Easter” (1 Corinthians 15:1-11); and “Forever Easter” (Revelation 21:1-4).
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Beatitudes From The Back Side (Student/Study Guide)
$16.9911 Sessions
Additional Info
Using his method of approaching Bible passages from an unusual angle or a unique starting point, J. Ellsworth Kalas presents new insight into the beatitudes, Jesus’ blessings from the Sermon on the Mount.The book contains sessions and a study guide for personal use or for use in groups.
This book continues Kalas’ popular series of “Back Side” books.The beatitudes form the introduction to what is no doubt the best-known sermon ever preached. We call it the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 5-7), and of course it was preached by Jesus.
When we start examining the beatitudes we realize that in Jesus’ view, happiness is not something we get by pursuing it; indeed, almost the contrary. We are told that we will be happy-or blessed, if you prefer-in what appears to be the near antithesis of happiness. If we choose to live by the beatitudes, we make a declaration of dependence. We put ourselves into bondage to such things as poverty of spirit, purity of heart, and a readiness for persecution. This isn’t the sort of product they advertise on prime-time television; indeed, I’m not sure that it appears overly often in our prime-time worship services. That is because this is not a spiritual quick fix. It doesn’t come in a five-easy-lessons capsule. Instead, it is largely contrary to the way we live and to the way we think.
Before we go any further, however, let me say that over the past twenty centuries a very great many people have found in these beatitudes a depth of peace and joy beyond anything our common culture promotes and seeks. But it isn’t easy, and it isn’t obvious. There’s nothing easy or soft about this kind of dependence. Rather, it is an attitude that demands a huge store of courage. It’s the kind of dependence the trapeze artist displays when he or she lets go of the bar and with no safety net awaiting, flies off into space, trusting.
Welcome to the beatitudes. And may you be eternally happy, beginning now.
-adapted from the introduction
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Hop Skip And A Jump Through The Bible (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Chapter Titles Include:
“The Eternal Plot” (Introduction)
“In The Beginning” (Genesis)
“From Slavery To Dignity” (Exodus To Deuteronomy)
“A Flag Is Born” (Joshua Through David’s Reign)
“The People Of The Book” (Solomon Through Nehemiah/Esther)
“Poets And Philosophers” (Job Through Song Of Solomon)
“Truth And Consequences” (Isaiah Through Malachi)
“The Plot Takes Its Big Turn” (Introduction To The New Testament)
“Good News From Prejudiced Reporters” (The Four Gospels)
“The Church Is Born” (The Acts Of The Apostles)
“The World’s Premier Letter Writer” (The Pauline Epistles)
“The Other Letter Writers” (The Other Epistles)
“The Curtain Falls, But The Drama Continues” (Revelation And Summary).Additional Info
In this book, popular author J. Ellsworth Kalas presents the grand story of the Bible in twelve chapters, plus an introduction. Writing in his engaging, narrative style, Kalas takes readers through the different books of the Bible and shows how there is an overarching plot that binds all of the varied writings of the Bible together. In writing this book, the author aims to highlight wonders of the Bible for readers both familiar and unfamiliar with them, and he also seeks to show how the Bible isn’t just a collection of stories of the past, but rather our own continuing story of God and God’s relationship with the human race.Add to cartin stock within 3-5 days of online purchase
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Men Worth Knowing
$20.00Author J. Ellsworth Kalas believes there is much we can learn about our own walk with God from the people in the Bible. In this inspiring book he gives us meditations about sixteen men from Scripture, some of them well known, others not even named. Each of them, he tells us, can teach us something about ourselves and our relationship with God, “not only through their wisdom but sometimes through their errors and obvious humanness.”
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What I Learned When I Was 10
$19.99In this book, popular author J. Ellsworth Kalas reflects back on the tenth year of his life and talks about how that year shaped him and his Christian faith in so many important ways. (That was the year in which he first read the entire Bible cover to cover, for example, and the year in which he first felt a calling to Christian ministry.) Kalas shares many stories about what it was like growing up in Iowa during the days of the Great Depression, and he recounts many people and events that shaped and have continued to shape his life to this day.
Themes explored include the importance of connecting with one’s past, salvation, hearing God’s call, living life with urgency, self-worth, the importance of investing and giving wisely, discovering the richness of the Bible, having confidence in God’s promise, and the importance of looking back over your life to make sense of all the lessons you have learned.
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Longing To Pray
$17.99The Psalms are much more than ancient poetry. They represent, in a moving, kaleidoscopic way, a vast catalog of very real humans with an unquenchable need to relate to their Creator. In spite of experiencing a wide array of troubles, inconsistencies, and questions, these writers were indeed sants who left behind the greatest collection of prayers in the possession of our human race. Best-selling author J. Ellsworth Kalas invites readers to study with ancient experts in prayer – the people who wrote the Book of Psalms. Kalas contends that is was the quality of their friendship with God that fueled them to begin the prayerful conversations that today’s readers across the globe admire and hold dear. The psalmists do not, however, offer any secret precept or a hard set of rules for effective praying. Still, if their prayers are read carefully, their secret of “the Ultimate Friendship” can truly be discovered. Kalas helps readers start down the path of an incredible journey of stimulating, challenging conversation with God. Also includes a study guide by John D. Schroeder.
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More Parables From The Back Side (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Chapter Titles:
1. The Value Of The House–Matthew 7:24-27
2. The Man Who Talked With His Soul–Luke 12:13-21
3. What Chance Does An Average Sinner Have?–Luke 7:36-48
4. The Importance Of Downward Mobility–Luke 14:7-11
5. The Danger Of Being Good And Empty–Matthew 12:43-45
6. Risky Business–Matthew 13:45-46
7. Miracles Can Be Overrated–Luke 16:19-31
8. Second Chance For A Poor Manager–Luke 16:1-13
9. A Laugh And A Prayer–Luke 11:5-13, 18:1-8
10. It Happens While We Sleep–Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
11. The Importance Of Being Dressed For The Party–Matthew 22:1-14
12. The Genius Of Effective Waiting–Luke 12:32-40Additional Info
This study is an addition to the author’s popular “Back Side” books .
J. Ellsworth Kalas presents new insight into twelve of Jesus’ parables by entering them through a unique starting point, a creative retelling, a new “lens,” or the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character. The book also will contain a study guide.Add to cartin stock within 3-5 days of online purchase
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Grace In A Tree Stump
$19.00Christians often assume too sharp a distinction between the Old and New Testaments, argues preacher, author, and teacher J. Ellsworth Kalas. They are too quick to view the Old Testament as a strict book of laws and commandments and the New Testament as a witness to grace. The God of the Old Testament is misperceived as a God of wrath and judgment, while the God of the New Testament is viewed as a God of love and mercy. This book will help laypeople see that grace has always been part of the character of God and that the Old Testament demonstrates that fact in a variety of ways. The character of God has not changed, says Kalas. In exploring various Old Testament texts, he helps us understand this more clearly.
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Preaching The Calendar
$25.00Pastors face a perennial challenge of knowing how to treat special days in the calendar. For days marked in the church year, the challenge is how to speak a fresh word about a familiar theme or story. For days marked in the civil calendar, the challenge is to discern within secular celebrations appropriate connections with the Christian gospel. In Preaching the Calendar, masterful preacher Ellsworth Kalas discusses the importance of embracing holidays and special days as occasions when sermons can enlarge and deepen spiritual yearnings. His words of wisdom demonstrate how this type of preaching can be done well and serve as valuable sources of stories and sermon illustrations for pastors eager to help people find new and renewed relationships with God.
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Life From The Upside
$16.99Using an approach similar to the one he took in his popular Back Side books, author J. Ellsworth Kalas looks at some familiar Old and New Testament Bible stories through the lens of a time-tested faith and hope to open up new possibilities of insight and meaning. Each of the twelve chapters features a key passage of Scripture and is centered on a theme such as overcoming a bad start in life, dealing with rejection, capitalizing on adversity, not letting others define you, never giving up, finding the gain in your loss, and measuring your true self-worth.
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Sermons On The Gospel Readings Series 1 Cycle C
$48.68Full of gripping illustrations that bring the scriptures to life, this anthology of sermons for the entire church year offers readers a treasure trove of spiritual guidance. Five distinguished preachers representing a variety of denominations and ministry settings contribute messages based on gospel texts for each Sunday and major celebration in Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary. Their thoughtful meditations proclaim the Good News for today’s world and exemplify the transforming power of God’s Word in our lives. Unforgettable in their power and biblical witness, these sermons provide readers with strength, support, and a Christ-centered vision.
This is an essential resource that’s useful for:
* Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts
* Preaching illustrations
* A clearer understanding of scripture passages
* Adult study and discussion groups
* Personal devotions and Bible study on each Sunday’s readingsAdd to cartin stock within 3-5 days of online purchase
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Preaching From The Soul
$23.99Careful biblical interpretation; insights into contemporary life; polished delivery; humorous anecdotes; these are the building blocks of preaching that genuinely reach people. Right? Wrong, says Ellsworth Kalas. We have all encountered preachers who seem to know all the fine points of exegesis and inflection, yet whose sermons leave us surprisingly unmoved, aware that we were in the presence of good speaking, but not great preaching.
The difference, Kalas reminds us, lies in that hard-to-describe, yet essential quality known as soul. Soul is the collection of those perspectives and convictions that matter most to the preacher. Soul preaching means offering one’s particular ideas, attitudes, and convictions fully to the congregation. When one preaches with soul, one engages the biblical text with the core of one’s values and beliefs. Soul preaching is, in other words, simply giving the whole self to the task of proclamation. While the concept may sound simple, the reality is anything but.In the clear, insightful style for which he is known, Kalas takes readers on a path of discovery, introducing them to the unique gifts that they can bring to preaching, and the best way to engage those gifts in preparing and delivering the sermon.
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New Testament Stories From The Back Side (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Using an approach simlar to his other “Back Side” books, J. Ellsworth Kalas opens up new possibilities of insight into selected New Testament stories by entering them through the “back side” – through a unique starting point, a creative retelling, a new “lens,” or the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character. Includes 12 stories and a study guide.
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10 Commandments From The Back Side (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Using an approach similar to the one he took in Parables from the Back Side and Old Testament Stories from the Back Side, J. Ellsworth Kalas opens new possibilities of insights into the familiar Ten Commandments. Restating them in the positive, Kalas explores how these “prohibitive” laws actually are our dear friends, intended to make life richer and more fulfilling. Kalas uses contemporary illustrations and personal experience to show how these timeless laws give us an appetite for divine excellence.
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Parables From The Back Side Volume 1 (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Kalas presents new insight into twelve of Jesus’ parables by entering them through the “back side” – through the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character. By approaching the stories in this way, Kalas releases new meaning and clarifies basic teachings
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Parables Of Jesus
$11.99Written by noted biblical scholar J. Ellsworth Kalas, Parables of Jesus provides new insight to some of your most troubling or most beloved parables: The House on the Rock: Matthew 7:24-27, The Sower: Mark 4:1-20, The Father and His Two Sons: Luke 15:11-32, The Mustard Seed: Matthew 13:31-32, The Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37, The Widow and the Unjust Judge: Luke 18:1-8, The Wise and Foolish Bridesmaids: Matthew 25:1-13, The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: Luke 18:9-14, The Nobleman and the Pounds: Luke 19:11-26. Scripture references are based on the New Revised Standard Version. Each session is self-contained and includes study helps and questions for reflection that are all you need to lead a group or pursue the study on your own.
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Old Testament Stories From The Back Side (Student/Study Guide)
$16.99Using an approach similar to his Parables from the Back Side, Kalas now opens up new possibilities of insight into selected Old Testament stories by entering them through the “back side” through a unique starting point, a creative retelling, a new “lens,” or the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character. Kalas’ creative approach both clarifies basic teachings and introduces new possibilities of meaning, even for those who are most familiar with the stories. Enriched with contemporary illustrations and personal experiences, this volume will provide new perspectives on Old Testament stories. Study Guide included.
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