Read the Stories of Eight Remarkable Women and Their Vital Contributions to Church History Throughout history, women have been crucial to the growth and flourishing of the church. Historian Michael A. G. Haykin highlights the lives of eight of these women who changed the course of history, showing how they lived out their unique callings despite challenges and opposition—inspiring modern men and women to imitate their godly examples today. Jane Grey: The courageous Protestant martyr who held fast to her conviction that salvation is by faith alone even to the point of death. Anne Steele: The great hymn writer whose work continues to help the church worship in song today. Margaret Baxter: The faithful wife to pastor Richard Baxter who met persecution with grace and joy. Esther Edwards Burr: The daughter of Jonathan Edwards whose life modeled biblical friendship. Anne Dutton: The innovative author whose theological works left a significant literary legacy. Ann Judson: The wife of Adoniram Judson and pioneer missionary in the American evangelical missions movement. Sarah Edwards: The wife of Jonathan Edwards and model of sincere delight in Christ. Jane Austen: The prolific novelist with a deep and sincere Christian faith that she expressed in her stories.

Eight women from eight very different backgrounds. Yet the struggles they each faced rang with eerie similarity. These courageous women from across the globe-Pakistan, India, Romania, Former Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, Nepal, Indonesia-shared similar experiences of hardship, subjugation, and persecution, all because of their faith in Christ. Yet all of these women have emerged from adversity as leaders and heroines. The eight modern-day pilgrims featured in Hearts of Fire are the hidden jewels in the church universal. They are worthy role models of faith and passion, and women of every age will gain new strength and hope for their own times of crisis and trial as they read these inspiring stories. Each story concludes with thoughtful self-reflection questions for the reader.

Faith, Life and Leadership: 8 Canadian Women Tell Their Stories is a collection of stories by 8 of Canada’s most prominent Christian women leaders who share the principles that helped each of them to achieve great things for God in our country as told through their own life stories. The General Editor is Vancouver lawyer and arbitrator, Georgialee Lang, also a contributing author, together with Deb Grey, from Qualicum Beach, former Member of Parliament and Order of Canada recipient; Lorna Dueck, CEO of Crossroads Communication, host of Context TV, and columnist for the Globe and Mail; Carolyn Arends, award-winning singer, songwriter, and author; Joy Smith, former Member of Parliament and founder of the Joy Smith Foundation, whose mission is to stamp out the trafficking of women and girls; Margaret Gibb, ordained minister, former CEO of Women Alive, and presently CEO of Women Together, a ministry that encourages and supports women across Canada and around the world; Janet-Epp Buckingham, law professor, and religious rights leader who championed Trinity Western University’s journey to bring a Christian Law School to Canada; and Christine MacMillan, formerly a leader in the Salvation Army, and presently Senior Advisor for Social Justice, World Evangelical Association. This collection is packed with important principles and key life lessons told in a personal, authentic, challenging and inspiring way. Each contributor is a distinguished leader in her field, who has been willing to share the unique and mostly untold stories and lessons of their personal journeys, communicated with utmost authenticity and integrity. These stories will inspire a generation of Christian women who believe they have barely scratched the surface of their potential and who are looking to help other women become better leaders who want to contribute to the healing and restoration of our country and make a difference in our world.

"Eight women from eight very different backgrounds, yet the struggles they each faced rang with eerie similarity. From Pakistan, India, Romania, the former Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, Nepal, and Indonesia, these women shared similar experiences of hardship and persecution--all for their faith in Christ--yet they have emerged from adversity as leaders and heroines."--Publisher's website.

Drawn from over fifty-eight individual, in-depth, qualitative interviews with women of faith in Malaysia and Britain, Women of Faith and the Quest for Spiritual Authenticity is a multifaith, multicultural and cross-cultural comparative focus that explores women’s religious expressions, as derived from practising Buddhists, Hindus, Christians, Muslims, Jews, Wiccans and Druids among others. Despite social advances towards women’s emancipation and the lacerating critiques from feminist theologians across the Abrahamic religions and beyond, women’s religious experiences remain submerged beneath the weight of patriarchal religious leadership and ongoing masculinised, dogmatic interpretations. Even feminism itself has yet to move the spiritual onto their main agenda of inequity in women’s lives. This extensive, feminist research monograph challenges these exclusions to centre and amplify women’s voices in speaking powerfully of their religious experiences, interpretations and practices. This is an ecumenical and entertaining ethnography where women’s narratives and life stories ground faith as embodied, personal, painful, vibrant, diverse, illuminating and shared. This book will of interest not only to academics and students of the sociology of religion, feminist and gender studies, politics, ethnicity and Southeast Asian studies, but is equally accessible to the general reader broadly interested in faith and feminism.

A FINALIST FOR THE GOVERNOR GENERAL'S LITERARY AWARD: A transformative and necessary work--as completely unexpected as it is inspired--by the award-winning author of the bestselling novels All My Puny Sorrows and A Complicated Kindness. The sun rises on a quiet June morning in 2009. August Epp sits alone in the hayloft of a barn, anxiously bent over his notebook. He writes quickly, aware that his solitude will soon be broken. Eight women--ordinary grandmothers, mothers and teenagers; yet to August, each one extraordinary-- will climb the ladder into the loft, and the day's true task will begin. This task will be both simple and subversive: August, like the women, is a traditional Mennonite, and he has been asked to record a secret conversation. Thus begins Miriam Toews' spellbinding novel. Gradually, as we hear the women's vivid voices console, tease, admonish, regale and debate each other, we piece together the reason for the gathering: they have forty-eight hours to make a life-altering choice on behalf of all the women and children in the colony. And like a vast night sky coming into view behind the bright sparks of their voices, we learn of the devastating events that have led to this moment. Acerbic, funny, tender, sorrowful and wise, Women Talking is composed of equal parts humane love and deep anger. It is award-winning writer Miriam Toews' most astonishing novel to date, containing within its two short days and hayloft setting an expansive, timeless universe of thinking and feeling about women--and men--in our contemporary world.

Based on the book of Esther, A Woman of Faith helps women recognize God's hand—not only in Esther's life but in their own lives. In this dynamic eight-chapter study, participants learn that as God led Esther, they too can be led as a Woman of Faith.

"How easily we forget God is in control. How arrogant of us to think we are running anything!" ?Marilyn Meberg Many of us spend our time placing invisible chains on ourselves and those closest to us. Often without realizing what we are doing, we make our world smaller and we put God in a box. The more we insist on owning and controlling, the less room we leave for God to work in our hearts. In Amazing Freedom, renowned Women of Faith authors share insight into the freedoms we can experience if we will just let go. In the first section of the book, each devotional describes something we can find "Freedom from . . ." In the second section, you'll move on to what we're given the "Freedom To . . ." do. And finally, the devotionals explain why we have that freedom at all, in "Freedom For . . . ." Amazing Freedom is filled with stories that will encourage and rejuvenate your spirit. Embark on a new journey unencumbered by the world and experience the peace that will follow. Be encouraged. Be uplifted. Be free.

Faith, Life and Leadership-Vol 2 : 8 Canadian Women Tell Their Stories is the follow-up volume to the very successful first book by the same title. This second group of eight successful, experienced, godly Canadian women, have been similarly assembled, and again each is a distinguished leader in her field. All have been willing to share the unique story that relates to the lessons they learned during their leadership journey. Their personal stories are told with utmost authenticity and integrity. Readers will be inspired, encouraged and edified to achieve great things for the Kingdom. The unique perspective of each models important and essential characteristics and practices that will help emerging leaders to prepare for the roadblocks and adversities that will undoubtedly present themselves on their own journey to becoming strong, Spirit-filled, leaders. These stories will cover important themes such as: • Understanding the Call of God • Developing and Building Character • Leadership Tests, Seasons and Processes • Mentoring • Strengthening Spiritual Disciplines • Maturing Through Offences • Living and Leaving a Legacy

Talking Faith is not about teaching people what to believe or about going door-to-door in an evangelism campaign. It is about helping people to better understand and develop their own faith and helping them to be comfortable in sharing their faith with others. Heather Kirk-Davidoff and Nancy Wood-Lyczak believe that the key to nurturing faith lies in two Christian practices: prayer-conversation with God, and evangelism-conversation with others, especially those who are not part of a faith community. Talking Faith is for anyone interested in exploring further what it means to have a vital Christian faith. There are no other prerequisites. Participants need not have any Bible knowledge before they begin. Incorporating Bible study, interactive activities, and discussion, Talking Faith examines eight questions of faith. During each class, participants sing and pray and share their faith with one another. In all classes, Jesus Christ and the Bible are central to the discussion. All topics are examined in light of Jesus' life, ministry, witness, death, and his resurrection, helping participants to see Jesus as the foundation from which all conversation about Christian faith begins.

Advice books are no short-lived trend. They continue to top bestseller lists even though much of the “wisdom” being offered proves shallow in the long run. People are looking for practical, proven advice for life and the book of Proverbs is the wisest place to start. Unpacking the book of Proverbs, Lydia Brownback shows how the Bible speaks to real life issues such as money, purity, marriage, and the day-to-day grind. Writing with a familiar yet knowledgeable tone, Brownback draws in the busiest of readers and asks realistic questions for personal reflection or group study. This well-conceived, twelve chapter book contains three parts: What Is Wisdom and Why Does It Matter? Six Things Wise Women Know A Portrait of Wisdom A Woman’s Wisdom gives women—a way to be wise, to know the very Author of wisdom, and to understand how to apply his relevant, riches.

Congregations often find themselves in power struggles over two opposing views. People on both sides believe strongly that they are right. They also assume that if they are right, their opposition must be wrong--classic 'either/or' thinking. A polarity is a pair of truths that need each other over time. When an argument is about two poles of a polarity, both sides are right and need each other to experience the whole truth. This phenomenon has been recognized and written about for centuries in philosophy and religion. It is at the heart of Taoism, where we find the familiar polarity of yin and yang energy. In the past fifty years, business leaders have come to appreciate the phenomenon, often called dilemma or paradox. No matter what it is called, the research is clear: leaders and organizations that manage polarities well outperform those who don't.

Forty devotionals told through diverse women authors offer a multidimensional view of why and how seekers can find amazing freedom in Christ.

Examine the lives and experiences of seven women from ancient Israel; their flaws, faith, struggles and solutions.

While the church today looks quite different than it did two thousand years ago, Christians share the same faith with the church fathers. Although separated by time and culture, we have much to learn from their lives and teaching. This book is an organized and convenient introduction to how to read the church fathers from AD 100 to 500. Michael Haykin surveys the lives and teachings of seven of the Fathers, looking at their role in such issues as baptism, martyrdom, and the relationship between church and state. Ignatius, Cyprian, Basil of Caesarea, and Ambrose and others were foundational in the growth and purity of early Christianity, and their impact continues to shape the church today. Evangelical readers interested in the historical roots of Christianity will find this to be a helpful introductory volume.

This groundbreaking series recounts the lives of women of faith and dedication in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Often in their own words, they share their trials, triumphs, and testimonies.This fourth volume features women born between 1872 and 1900 whose stories explore a comparatively untapped era in Mormon history. This generation of Latter-day Saint women experienced firsthand the challenges of the Mexican Revolution, World War I, and World War II. They also witnessed the unprecedented global expansion of the Church and the first young women to serve as proselytizing missionaries.You will become reacquainted not only with such well-known figures as general Relief Society president Belle S. Spafford and Camilla Eyring Kimball, wife of President Spencer W. Kimball, but will also meet Kasimira Viktoria Cwiklinski Wurscher, who led the Relief Society in communist East Germany for more than twenty years; Edith Papworth Weenig Tanner, a British spy during World War I; and Maria Guadalupe Monroy Mera, who endured deep persecution, including the martyrdom of her brother, for her family's acceptance of the restored gospel in Mexico.The faith these women exhibited as they rejoiced in blessings and dealt with struggles provides a model for us today in facing our own challenges as we too strive to build lives of faith.

Hockey-playing Catholic bishop Thomas J. Paprocki has a message for teens and young adults: athletics and fitness provide daily ways to connect with God. Bishop Paprocki weaves his unique personal story with eight athletic topics and connects them with a path to wholeness. Holy Goals for Body and Soul: Eight Steps to Connect Sports with God and Faith links lessons from the world of sports and fitness—especially the experiences of a Catholic bishop who plays ice hockey—with concrete ways to live a holy life. In Bishop Paprocki’s view, everyone is called to holiness, which can be encountered anywhere: “I encounter holiness while training for a marathon. I encounter holiness during a workout at the health club.” He explores eight sports-related topics to help the reader navigate a life of holiness: Fear Frustration Failure Fortitude Faith Friendship Family Fun

190 million female consumers . . . $4.4 trillion in buying power . . . one book -- the national bestseller now in paperback and newly revised -- that tells you how to reach them. She knows business. She knows women. And she definitely knows better than anyone on Madison Avenue how to bring them together. Faith Popcorn, America's leading trend forecaster, shows that no one can succeed in business or successfully start one without understanding how to market to women.

In this unique study, Machen explores a moment of intense religious upheaval and transformation in France between 1880 and 1920. In these pre–World War I years, a powerful Catholic community was pitted against equally powerful anticlerical members of the French Third Republic. During this time, women became increasingly involved in faith-based organizations, engaging in social and political action both to expand women’s rights and to ensure that religion remained part of the public debate about France’s identity. By representing their faith communities as modern, progressive, and in some cases democratic, women positioned themselves to help guide a modernizing France. Women of Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish faiths also reshaped the narrative of female power within the French nation and within their own religious groups. Their activism provided them with social, religious, and political influence unattainable through any other French institutions, enabling them in turn to push France toward becoming a more democratic, equitable society. Machen’s timely examination of the critical role women played in shaping the nation’s religious identity helps to illuminate contemporary issues in France as Muslim communities respond to civic pressure to secularize and as the country debates the role of women in Islam.

Radiant records the triumph of the gospel as Christian women faced kings and governors, soldiers and wild beasts, Japanese guards and Muslim raiders, fire, exile, Nazis, cannibals, riots, and more. "Look to heaven and forsake the world" has been their cry for two thousand years, and in Christ these women became invincible. From South America to Europe, from China to Africa to the Wild West, in prisons and in throne rooms, the Christian heroines of Radiant have left a stunning legacy. These short and moving biographies for young people introduce fifty often unfamiliar champions of the faith: women like Ida Kahn, who opened the first hospital in a Chinese city of 300,000 people; Lady Anne Hamilton, who rode with the Covenanter cavalry at the decisive Battle of Berwick; and Anngrace Taban, who was forced to type secret battle plans for the Sudan People's Liberation Army.