Kirjahaku

Dee Brauninger has a way with words that makes one's heart sing and be open to learn and hear more. Gentle phrases leap out and make one think and wrestle with God and one's self. (from the introduction) Margaret Slater, Inclusive Ministry Coordinator Local Church Ministries, United Church of Christ In these meditations on the love and trust of the relationship between guide dog and person, readers find themselves learning to love and to trust in other important ways. Brauninger speaks from experience, yet with care and respect for the reader's own journey and conclusions about life. Mary Avidano, Pastor Albion United Church of Christ Albion, Nebraska Brauninger has a gift for writing words that are truly inspired and inspiring. Her work with guide dogs has given her a unique insight into spiritual life, and a very understandable way of presenting God's message. Judy Campbell, Director of Training Leader Dogs for the Blind Rochester, Michigan Theses superbly crafted meditations, focusing on messages of hope and the reality of God's presence, introduce insights that speak to the heart. The meditations bear reading several times, allowing one to savor the words and explore the meanings for one's own life. Martha D. Walker, Counselor and Christian Educator Pottstown, Pennsylvania Using her own experiences with leader dogs as a metaphor for our dependence upon a caring God, Brauninger creatively weaves together personal stories, fresh insights into biblical passages, and implications for people in the pews. Dosia Carlson, Pastor Emeritus Church of the Beatitudes Phoenix, Arizona These messages are a real treasure Told in a setting that includes a dog guide named Treasure, the stories help relate our faith to our own daily situations. Treasure helps us gain some insight and understanding into both our faith and our life. Bob Loffer, Associate Conference Minister Nebraska Conference, United Church of Christ The images of our faith strengthen our spiritual growth. Dee Brauninger weaves the attributes of the divine so well as she captures the person with a disability living in unity with a dog, or is it with God? David Denham, Consultant United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministries Dallas A. Brauninger is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and full-time writer who has served churches in Colorado and Nebraska. She has been honored by her denomination for outstanding ministry to persons with disabilities and their families, and she is the editor of That All May Worship And Serve, the United Church of Christ's national disabilities ministry newsletter. A cum laude graduate of Albion College, Brauninger received her Master of Divinity degree and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. Among Brauninger's many other CSS titles are Preaching The Miracles and Preaching The Parables.

While this book offers information for the sermon writer, the design of its contents provides more than the ho-hum. It avoids presenting a ready-made cloak of words for a morning sermon. Instead it invites preachers and their audiences to explore the gap between the "back then" and the "now." It not only helps answer questions, it generates them -- a crucial element in understanding the miracles of Jesus. Five sections are devoted to each of the nine miracles in Cycle B (all from Mark): Text -- For easy access the entire lectionary text is provided, preventing the need to flip back and forth to the Bible. What's Happening? -- This gives a synopsis of points of action within each miracle story. By reviewing the story action, readers define its movement, the conflict and the change or resolution. Connecting Points -- Conversations -- This section offers the central material of each chapter. Here Brauninger engages the preacher in an imaginary exchange before the text is given its usual preparatory attention. A visit with main characters and an occasional bystander nudges readers toward stepping into their sandals. This section invites the preacher and listening audience. This section invites the preacher and the listening audience to ask questions relevant for them, thus expanding their questioning, and therefore their understanding. Words -- Here significant words are examined. While this work is not intended as a scholarly study, it assists in placing things in proper context. Gospel Parallels -- This section highlights similarities and differences among parallel stories and other gospels. There is also a helpful bibliography included. This new series from Brauninger promises to be a favorite among preachers. Through it audiences will become aware of how God speaks to them through miracle stories and will enable them to hear their inner voice and more clearly understand it themselves. Dallas A. Brauninger received her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity degrees from the Chicago Theological Seminary. A full-time writer, Brauninger has served churches in Colorado and Nebraska. She and her husband, also an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, live in West Point, Nebraska. This is her seventh book.

While this book offers information for the sermon writer, the design of its contents provides more than the ho-hum. Brauninger avoids presenting a ready-made cloak of words for a morning sermon. Instead she invites preachers and their audiences to explore the gap between the "back then" and the "now." This not only helps to answer questions, it generates them -- a crucial element in understanding the miracles of Jesus. Five sections are devoted to each of the nine miracles in Cycle A: Text -- For easy access the entire lectionary text is provided, preventing the need to flip back and forth to the Bible. What's Happening? -- This gives a synopsis of points of action within each miracle story. By reviewing the story action, its movement, conflict, and change or resolution are defined. Connecting Points -- Conversations -- This section offers the central material of each chapter. Here Brauninger engages the preacher in an imaginary exchange before the text is given its usual preparatory attention. A visit with main characters and an occasional bystander, nudging readers toward stepping into their sandals. This section invites the preacher and listening audience to ask relevant questions, thus expanding their understanding. Words -- Significant terms are examined. While this work is not intended as a scholarly study, it assists in placing things in proper context. Gospel Parallels -- This section highlights similarities and differences among parallel stories and other gospels. A helpful word study and bibliography are also included. This series from Brauninger has proven to be a favorite among preachers. Dallas A. Brauninger received the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity degrees from the Chicago Theological Seminary. A full-time writer, Brauninger has served churches in Colorado and Nebraska. She and her husband, both ordained ministers in the United Church of Christ, live in Friend, Nebraska.

Many modern Christians yearn for a deeper spiritual life, a relevant relationship with a God who still matters and who thinks we still matter. However, Dallas Brauninger tells us, we are not good at listening and talking with God. What we are good at is hurling questions at the Almighty -- and Brauninger says that questions are what we are all about if we are to continue to grow spiritually. And so is confession. We doubt. We fear. We stretch to the limits of our patience. We wonder if tenacity will prevail or if we will sink. We have moments of bliss and ponder anew the mystery of God. We wonder and grieve about the world. Brauninger believes that question and confession are two forms of our prayer -- and for many of us, these conversations with God are as brief and instant as an e-mail. In Holy E-Mail, she inventively casts fourteen sermons based on Cycle A lectionary epistle texts in the form of extended e-mail messages to God. It's as if congregations and pastors were privy to someone's private ponderings that reflect our own spiritual roaming. This volume is not only a creative resource for preachers; it's also directed to the everyday person in the pew. Crafted to help hearers connect with God and each other, these sermons address universal queries of the human soul. By uniting sermon with prayer, they're excellent for use as readings for personal meditation. Brauninger takes the reader on a spiritual journey from the beginning of Advent through the Transfiguration of our Lord.... This book offers much food for thought as you prepare sermons... not only will your mind be stretched, your soul will be inspired as you read. (from the Introduction) Clarence M. "Clip" Higgins Former Conference Minister, Nebraska and Ohio Conferences United Church of Christ Dallas Brauninger writes with the discernment of a saint and the ear of a poet.... These sermons are a joy to read. They are a joy because they are crafted by one who is a master with language. They are a joy because they track life carefully. They are a joy because they expose deep recesses of the soul that light seldom reaches. They are a joy because they prompt each of us to reflect on our own faith pilgrimage. Most of all, they are a joy because they affirm God who offers joy not just to some, but to all. Dr. George S. Worcester Conference Minister, Nebraska Conference United Church of Christ To me the hallmark of a good sermon has always been the new pathways of thought and insight which it opens up for me long after hearing or reading it. These are GOOD sermons. Rachel S. Scott Bemidji, Minnesota Dallas A. Brauninger, a cum laude graduate of Albion College, received her Master of Divinity degree and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. A full-time writer, she has served churches in Colorado and Nebraska. She and her husband, both ordained ministers in the United Church of Christ, live in Friend, Nebraska.

Jesus used his parables to teach ordinary persons with mundane concerns about the kingdom of God; and because these simple stories contain universal truth that transcends time and culture, they still strike a powerful chord with us nearly two millennia later. Preaching the Parables provides a gold mine of background material on each of the eighteen parables appearing in Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary. Dallas Brauninger brings a fresh, imaginative approach to these familiar texts, probing them to reveal what they tell us about God and inviting further reflection on what they mean for us today. Preaching the Parables is more than just a sermon preparation resource; it's also stimulating reading for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how God speaks to us through the parables. Modeled on the format of Brauninger's popular Preaching the Miracles series, each chapter in Preaching the Parables includes five sections: - Text -- the entire parable text is reproduced, eliminating the need to flip back and forth to a Bible - What's Happening? -- a synopsis of points of action within the story, defining its movement, conflict, and change or resolution - Spadework -- significant terms are examined through a survey of Hebrew and New Testament writings - Parallel Scripture -- similarities and differences with parallel stories in the other Gospels are highlighted; where the story is unique, parallel words and concepts are examined - Chat Room -- readers are creatively engaged in a variety of imaginary online exchanges, ranging from interviews with parable characters to browsing ideas to self-driven conversations. This permission-giving resource encourages the reader to develop questions for the text. It's the kind of yeast that gives rise to new shades and flavors of meaning. Preaching the Parables nourishes a fresh receptivity to the speaking of the Spirit of God in the lectionary passage and in life. Nancy B. Rohde Interim Pastor, Charlevoix United Church of Christ Charlevoix, Michigan What a refreshingly helpful way to exegete the text. The succinct but substantive "Spadework," "Parallel Scripture," and "Chat Room" sections provide the preacher with an exciting array of ways to understand and give meaning to the parables. Brauninger's writing will afford the reader many "Ahas." Diana Coberly Pastor, First Congregational United Church of Christ Great Bend, Kansas Dallas A. Brauninger, a cum laude graduate of Albion College, received her Master of Divinity degree and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. A full-time writer, she has served churches in Colorado and Nebraska. Brauninger is the recipient of denominational honor for outstanding ministry to persons with disabilities and their families, and she is the editor of That All May Worship And Serve, her denomination's national disabilities ministry newsletter. She and her husband, both ordained ministers in the United Church of Christ, live in Friend, Nebraska.

Jesus used his parables to teach ordinary persons with ordinary quandaries; yet because these simple stories contain universal truths that transcend time and culture, they still provide us with powerful lessons. Preaching the Parables provides a gold mine of background material on each of the fourteen parables appearing in Cycle A of the Revised Common Lectionary. Dallas Brauninger brings a fresh, imaginative approach to these familiar texts, probing them to reveal what they tell us about God and inviting further reflection on what they mean for modern living. Much more than just a sermon preparation resource, Preaching the Parables explores questions like: * What dimension of the soul that needs tending does the parable address? * What is the parable's surprise? * What moves us into hope? * How does its point become obvious? * How do its characters relate to us today? Brauninger identifies points of action, examines significant terms, and engages in imaginary exchanges with a variety of characters. The complete text of each parable is also included, along with an analysis highlighting similarities and differences in parallel passages. Modeled on the format of Brauninger's popular Preaching the Miracles series, each chapter includes five sections: - Text - What's Happening? - Spadework - Parallel Scripture - Chat Room What a refreshingly helpful way to exegete the text. The succinct but substantive "Spadework," "Parallel Scripture," and "Chat Room" sections provide the preacher with an exciting array of ways to understand and give meaning to the parables. Brauninger's writing will afford the reader many "Ahas." Diana Coberly Pastor, First Congregational United Church of Christ Great Bend, Kansas Dallas A. Brauninger, a cum laude graduate of Albion College, received her Master of Divinity degree and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. She is the author of numerous CSS worship resources, including the Preaching the Miracles series and the Lectionary Worship Aids series. Co-pastor with her husband Robert of a congregation in Burwell, Nebraska, Brauninger is currently engaged in the Pastoral Excellence Program of the United Church of Christ's Nebraska Conference.

Jesus used his parables to teach ordinary people with common problems; yet because these simple stories contain universal truths that transcend time and culture, they still strike a powerful chord and provide us with important lessons about God's kingdom. Preaching the Parables offers a gold mine of informative background material on each of the seven parables appearing in Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary. Dallas Brauninger probes these familiar texts with a fresh, imaginative viewpoint, revealing what they tell us about God and inviting further reflection on what they mean for modern living. Preaching the Parables is much more than just a sermon preparation resource -- it's also an excellent Bible study tool, exploring questions like: - What dimension of the soul that needs tending does the parable address? - What is the parable's surprise? - What moves us into hope? - How does its point become obvious? - How do its characters relate to us today? Brauninger identifies points of action, examines significant terms, and engages in imaginary exchanges with a variety of characters. The complete text of each parable is also included, along with an analysis highlighting similarities and differences in parallel passages. And there's a convenient "word study" index for locating key concepts from parables in all three lectionary cycles. What a refreshingly helpful way to exegete the text. The succinct but substantive "Spadework," "Parallel Scripture," and "Chat Room" sections provide the preacher with an exciting array of ways to understand and give meaning to the parables. Brauninger's writing will afford the reader many "Ahas." Diana Coberly Pastor, First Congregational United Church of Christ Great Bend, Kansas This permission-giving resource encourages the reader to develop questions for the text. It's the kind of yeast which gives rise to new shades and flavors of meaning. Preaching the Parables nourishes a fresh receptivity to the speaking of the Spirit of God in the lectionary passage and in life. Nancy B. Rohde United Church of Christ minister Charlevoix, Michigan Dallas A. Brauninger, a cum laude graduate of Albion College, holds M.Div. and honorary D.Div. degrees from Chicago Theological Seminary. She is the author of numerous CSS preaching and worship resources, including the Preaching the Miracles series and the Lectionary Worship Aids series. Co-pastor with her husband Robert of a congregation in Burwell, Nebraska, Brauninger is currently engaged in the Pastoral Excellence Program of the United Church of Christ's Nebraska Conference.

In the Beginning Was the Word provides a powerful tool for encouraging more people to play a role in weekly services. For each Sunday and major celebration in the church year, Dallas Brauninger takes one assigned scripture passage from Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary and turns it into a dramatic choral reading -- allowing anyone (of whatever age) who can read and speak to become a leader in worship. The texts are drawn from the New Revised Standard Version, and also included are practical tips for effective performance, as well as a handy pronunciation guide, scripture index, and listing of the required number of participants for each week's reading. These readings use the voices of men, women, and youth to foster wide participation in the speaking and hearing of scripture. The narrative and conversational style of many passages is preserved in the alternation of voices, allowing the text to come alive both for those who speak and for those who hear. Herbert H. Lambert Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) pastor Former editor, Christian Board of Publications Dallas A. Brauninger is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and full-time writer who has served churches in Colorado and Nebraska. A cum laude graduate of Albion College, Brauninger received her Master of Divinity degree and an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. She is the author of numerous CSS preaching and worship resources, including three-year series on Preaching the Miracles, Preaching the Parables, and Lectionary Worship Aids.

While this book offers information for the sermon writer, the design of its contents provides more than the ho-hum. It avoids presenting a ready-made cloak of words for a morning sermon. Instead it invites preachers and their audiences to explore the gap between the "back then" and the "now." It not only helps answer questions, it generates them -- a crucial element in understanding the miracles of Jesus. Five sections are devoted to each of the nine miracles in cycle C: 1. Text -- For Easy access the entire lectionary text is provided, preventing the need to flip back and forth to a Bible. 2. What's Happening? -- A synopsis of points of action within each miracle story. By reviewing the story action, readers define its movement, the conflict and the change or resolution. 3. Connecting Points -- Conversations -- This section offers the central material of each chapter. Here Brauninger engages the preacher in an imaginary exchange before the text is given its usual preparatory attention. Visits with main characters and an occasional bystander nudge the reader toward stepping into their sandals. This section invites the preacher and the listening audience to ask questions relevant for them, thus expanding their questioning, and therefore their understanding. 4. Words -- Here significant words are examined. While this work is not intended as a scholarly study, it assists in placing things in proper context. 5. Gospel Parallels -- This section highlights similarities and differences among parallel stories in the other gospels. There is also a helpful bibliography included. This new series from Brauninger promises to be a favorite among preachers. Through it audiences will become aware of how God speaks to them through the miracle stories and will enable them to hear their inner voice and more clearly understand it and themselves. Dallas A. Brauninger received her Master of Divinity and Doctor of Divinity degrees from the Chicago Theological Seminary. A full-time writer, Brauninger has served churches in Colorado and Nebraska. She and her husband, also an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, live in West Point, Nebraska. This is her seventh book.

Wherever you are in your walk with Christ, this anthology offers practical, scripture-based wisdom as well as delightfully serendipitous surprises on every page. Three outstanding preachers from diverse denominations provide a complete set of sermons for each Sunday and major celebration throughout the Christian year based on the Second Reading from Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary. Weaving together illustrations that enlighten the mind and warm the heart with fresh insight into New Testament epistle texts, these creative messages invite you to experience God's presence anew. Each biblically grounded sermon draws on a deep understanding of the human condition, reaffirming the hope that is ours through Jesus Christ and challenging you to a more intense faith relationship with the almighty. 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 readings Dallas Brauninger has a way with words that makes one's heart sing and be open to learn and hear more. Gentle phrases leap out and make one think and wrestle with God and one's self. Margaret Slater Inclusive Ministry Coordinator, Local Church Ministries United Church of Christ Gary Carver's sermons are a delight to read. True to life, often humorous, and filled with insight, they mark points at which the gospel intersects with everyday experience, call us to renewed faith, and show us what it means to live gracefully. R. Alan Culpepper Dean and Professor of New Testament McAfee School of Theology, Mercer University