Welcome to the life of Frank Ramirez. Here is a man who traveled the country, experiencing all life has to offer through the eyes of a migrant, a musician, and ultimately, a Christian. Writing this book was a dream of his for a long time, and now he can share those experiences with you. Walk in his shoes as he picks watermelons with his crew. Feel as he felt when he plucked the strings of his guitar. Believe as he believed during his religious experiences. Live the life of Francisco as he lived it.
How does someone obtain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding? How do they apply them to their lives? This volume of Immersion Bible Studies focuses on touchstone Scriptures that reveal the essence of wisdom as found in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Written in a conversational tone, this study engages readers in the virtues shared while deepening their love of the Bible. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step suggestions for leading a group are provided, as well as questions to facilitate class discussion. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they’ll be able to discover God’s revelation through readings and reflections.
Looking for something fresh and creative for the Advent season? Here's a charming set of five lighthearted plays that's sure to engage audiences and set the holiday spirit while remaining focused on the scriptural message. Written in whimsical rhyming verse, the scenes detail the prophecies of the Messiah and the story of the Incarnation through the interaction of three angels (Gabriel, Wonderful, and, Marvelous) with several biblical characters. Congregations of any size will find these sketches easy to use -- only a small cast is needed, and the readers' theater format means no extensive costuming or staging is required. Scenes include: * Gabriel's Horn (Last Sunday of Pentecost) * The Honeymooners (Advent 1) * The Cleanup Crew (Advent 2) * The Reading Club (Advent 3) * Step Up To The Plate (Advent 4) Two of the angel characters reappear after a 33-year "vacation" in "M.I.H. -- Missing In Heaven," an Easter verse drama (also written by Frank Ramirez) included in the CSS anthology Roll Back The Stone. Frank Ramirez is the pastor of Everett Church of the Brethren in Everett, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University of LaVerne and Bethany Theological Seminary, Ramirez is the author of numerous books, articles, and short stories. His CSS titles include Partners In Healing, Coming Home, The Christmas Star, He Took A Towel, A Call To Worship, and Lectionary Worship Aids.
Appropriate for Maundy Thursday or any time throughout the year, this resource contains several sermons and a full-blown service of Holy Communion, Feetwashing, and Agape Meal (or Love Feast). Detailed bread recipes and instructions for all the preparations are included along with bulletin texts. Examination Service And Feetwashing Service Meditation: "Broken For You" Service: The Lords Supper Sermons Include: "Seeing A Familiar Friend All Over Again For The First Time" "Peter Asks A Question" "No Forks Or Napkins" Frank Ramirez is pastor of the Elkhart Valley Church of the Brethren in Elkhart, Indiana. A native of California, he has also lived in Virginia, Tennessee, and Illinois. He has served as a parish pastor since graduating from Bethany Theological Seminary. Ramirez has written eight other books, numerous articles, and short fiction.
Create memorable services that help worshipers experience the profound sadness of the crucifixion as well as the marvelous joy of the risen Christ with this diverse collection of ready-to-use dramatic material. With ample selections for Lent, Holy Week, and Easter, there's something special here for congregations of any size or worship style. Copying privileges are included for all segments. Included are: - A Travesty Of Justice: In The Shadow Of The Cross (Kathy Martz), a series of six meditations in which an unusual assortment of "eyewitnesses" -- the thorn, robe, nail, spear, shroud, and stone -- tell about their extraordinary encounters with Jesus. - Live From Jerusalem (John O. Eby), a short Palm Sunday play that helps audiences envision what it would have been like to be on the scene of Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. - Maundy Thursday Testimonies (David H. Covington), a brief set of dramatic readings depicting the Passion events and their meaning from the viewpoint of four characters: Mary Magdalene, Thomas, Judas, and Peter. - God On Trial, Or...' (John O. Eby), a courtroom drama for Good Friday that portrays Jesus' trial before Pilate -- with the novel twist of Beelzebub as the prosecutor, questioning several witnesses who level accusations against Jesus. - Sons Of Thunder (Carol Secord), a brief Good Friday sketch in which James and John struggle to come to grips with the stark reality of the crucifixion. - The Animals Learn The Meaning Of Easter (Will Rabert), a charming and humorous children's play with speaking parts for a narrator and 14 young people (each representing a different animal). - M.I.H. -- Missing In Heaven (Frank Ramirez), an imaginative and engaging verse play in readers' theater format. - Tongues Of Fire (Kenneth Carlson), a four-voice choral reading especially appropriate for Pentecost, which can also be used any time during the Easter season.
True to the spirit of the all-American athlete and our society's seemingly endless pursuit of and passion for leisure activities is Sports & Recreation Fads. This readable and fascinating reference book highlights some of the most notable as well as some long-forgotten pastimes and personalities. Sporting and recreation events have thrived in the United States for more than two centuries. Just about every sport and recreation embraced from Colonial America to the present has had its faddish aspects. The fascinating introduction provides a basic understanding of the importance of fads in the development of sports and recreation. No book on sports fads would be complete without several chapters on baseball, and this exciting volume is no different--Hank Aaron's 715th home run, baseball card collecting, Mark “the Bird” Fidrych's shining season with the Detroit Tigers, Bo Jackson's double career, Jackie Robinson's success in breaking the color barrier, and Pete Rose's gambling troubles--a true slice of Americana, the best and the worst of our favorite pastime! From the controversial people and events in professional athletics--Mohammed Ali, Joe Namath, Mike Tyson, the “battle of the sexes” between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, the “Black Sox Scandal,” and the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, to the heroes--Charles Atlas, Joe Louis, and Babe Ruth, Hoffmann and Bailey illustrate the often fickle and sometimes enduring interest that Americans have for sports figures and their games. This informative and entertaining book also examines our personal quest for fitness, our devotion to automobiling, and our love of games, including bridge, charades, crossword puzzles, Monopoly, Dungeons & Dragons, Scrabble, and Trivial Pursuit. Sports &Recreation Fads is a handy guide to our favorite leisure activities of the last 200 years.
Preparing to lead a congregation in worship each Sunday is a pressure-filled responsibility. That's why busy worship planners will love this all-new edition of a perennial favorite CSS reference. This resource is easy to use, with several prayers and a worship theme relating to the assigned scriptural passages for every Sunday and major observance in Cycle A of the Revised Common Lectionary. For each First Lesson, Second Lesson, and Gospel text there's a call to worship, a collect, a prayer of confession, and suggested hymns. This complete collection offers a wide selection of practical aids for creating sincerely reverent, meaningful worship experiences.
Healing is a gift and not a right. The prayer of faith is powerful, but the most faithful prayer of power was that of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, on the eve of his great ordeal: "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). Anointing cannot guarantee healing. If it could it would border on magic, and would imply that we in some way control God's actions. God is in control of history and healing. It is God who invites us to join into a community of prayer through the ordinance of anointing. (excerpt from Partners In Healing) Though there are countless instances of anointing in the Bible, it is seldom practiced in many Christian traditions today. But this essential rite reminds us that God is the true source of restoration and healing -- and that he is at work in all aspects of our lives. Anointing affirms and symbolizes our partnership with God, and it invites God to be part of the healing process for anyone who is sick physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Partners In Healing is a complete guide with all the resources you need to revive this ancient practice as part of a comprehensive ministry of healing. In addition to exploring the biblical and historical background for anointing, you'll find a wealth of practical, easy-to-use material. There's an extensive range of services and prayers, as well as sermons you can use to introduce this ministry to congregations unfamiliar with it. Discussion questions and activities are also included, making this an excellent resource for small group study. Frank Ramirez is an author and pastor in the Church of the Brethren who has written numerous books, articles, and short stories. A graduate of the University of LaVerne and Bethany Theological Seminary, Ramirez has served congregations in Indiana and California, and is currently pastor at Everett Church of the Brethren in Everett, Pennsylvania. His other CSS titles include He Took A Towel, Gabriel's Horn, The Christmas Star, Coming Home, A Call To Worship, and Lectionary Worship Aids.
After many years of preaching from the first three chapters of Luke and the first two chapters of Matthew, Frank Ramirez decided to preach about something a little different around Christmastime. What evolved was this series of seven messages for the Sundays beginning with Advent and ending with Epiphany. Why a sermon series based on the Old Testament book of Haggai? Ramirez writes, "I've always been fascinated by the lesser known books of the Old Testament, partly because I'm afraid of being embarrassed in heaven if I don't recognize some of these people!" Frank Ramirez is pastor of the Elkhart Valley Church of the Brethren in Elkhart, Indiana. A native of California, he has also lived in Virginia, Tennessee, and Illinois. He has served as a parish pastor since graduating from Bethany Theological Seminary. His other interests include beekeeping and marathon running. Ramirez has written seven other books, plus numerous articles and short fiction.
The Christmas Star is a potpourri of holiday gifts for those planning worship -- this charming collection includes three plays and five brief meditations suitable for reading during services or for use in bulletins and newsletters. The play The Gifts Of Christmas is a humorous take on the traditional Christmas pageant in which three teenagers try to decide what to get their grandmother for Christmas, only to discover that the gift she really desires is the Christmas story (enacted in the customary fashion). The "Did Someone Forget To Plan" The Christmas Pageant! provides you with the ultimate no-fuss, no-hassle way for your children to simply share the nativity story without the usual headaches. For older youth and adults there's The Fourth Wise Man, an offbeat piece imagining what an additional wise man might have been like. Each presentation is simple for small churches to produce, with minimal costumes and props required. Insightful and scripturally sound, The Christmas Star is a wonderful package that you won't be able to resist! Frank Ramirez is an author and pastor in the Church of the Brethren who has written numerous books, articles, and short stories. A graduate of LaVerne College and Bethany Theological Seminary, Ramirez has served congregations in Indiana and California. His other CSS titles include A Call To Worship, Coming Home, and He Took A Towel.
This musical was written by Frank Ramirez and Steve Engle in response to a request from Bob Neff. It is forty-five minutes long, and follows the adventures of an unusual Dunker elder.
As religious fervor grows, Dr. Fishwick, a recipient of the Ray and Pat Browne Award for Lifetime Achievement from The American Culture Association, takes a sweeping look at religion in the United States--the country with the highest church attendance in the Western world. Popular religion can take many shapes and forms. It can wax and wane, but it cannot be eliminated or ignored. That is what prompted him to write Great Awakenings: Popular Religion and Popular Culture. He ponders how religion affects American life and popular culture, and why religion has become a major force in contemporary politics. How has the Electronic Revolution furthered the religious right? What does popular religion tell us about popular culture? And about our faith? He identifies and explores five great religious revivals or “Great Awakenings:” the Atlantic Seaboard Awakening the Urban Awakening the Modernist Awakening the Celebrity Preacher Awakening the Electronic Awakening Fishwick explores the current events preceding and during each awakening, its leaders, followers, and critics. Great Awakenings gives a new understanding of the American religious past and leaves us with an anticipation for the next great awakening.
Fads by nature and by definition are hard to capture, yet Hoffmann and Bailey have captured over one hundred of the passing fashion fancies and merchandising miracles during America’s short history in their latest collection of fads, Fashion & Merchandising Fads. Life devoid of fads is impossible to imagine, and the fads that do enter our lives become vehicles for amusement upon retrospection. How long any fad stays in vogue is anybody’s guess, but Hoffmann and Bailey have again found those fads that somehow took root and flourished, if only for a short period of time, in America. Concise entries describe each fad from its beginning to its demise and its devout followers. Readers are sure to recognize many of the trends and fads collected in Fashion & Merchandising Fads. A browse through the contents will have readers smiling as they remember Alex, Stroh’s Beer-Drinking Dog and “Baby On Board” Stickers Barbie Dolls and Celebrity Perfumes Convertibles, Digital Watches, and Drive-In Banking Garfield, G. I. Joe, and Handbags for Men Knickers and Matchbox Cars The Model T and the Mustang Paper Dolls and Rubik’s Cube Silly Putty, the Slinky, and Synthetics in Clothes Top Hats, the Trilby, and Twiggy VCRs, Yuppies, and Zubaz Each fad featured in Fashion & Merchandising Fads is examined thoroughly and concisely by the authors. They look at the historical setting, how the trend became popular, and the people most fascinated and involved with the trend. References follow each entry to make further reading on each fad a relatively easy task for those intrigued by fads. As fads enter and encompass society for a period of time, this collection of fads, arranged alphabetically, is sure to captivate readers from beginning to end, or, in a world of fads, from the A-2 Flight Jacket to the Zipper.
At twelve the muse gave me a tap. These lines for my life are a map. A few are just verse And a couple are worse, But the ones that are left are effusive.
Financial experts Chuck Ramsey and Frank Ramirez join Frank Fabozzi for the third edition of Collateralized Mortgage Obligations: Structure & Analysis. Because of the complexity and the risk associated with CMOs, portfolio managers need specific keys to understand and unlock the potential of these unique investment tools. Fabozzi and company provide this understanding with detailed explanations of all aspects of CMOs, including factors affecting prepayment behavior; whole loan CMO structures; and accounting for CMO investments. Filled with relevant examples and in-depth discussions, Collateralized Mortgage Obligations: Structure & Analysis sheds light on this somewhat controversial and highly technical subject-which is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the fixed-income securities market.
From “Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)?” to a list of all song titles containing the word “werewolf,” Rock Music in American Popular Culture II: More Rock ’n’Roll Resources continues where 1995’s Volume I left off. Using references and illustrations drawn from contemporary lyrics and supported by historical and sociological research on popular cultural subjects, this collection of insightful essays and reviews assesses the involvement of musical imagery in personal issues, in social and political matters, and in key socialization activities. From marriage and sex to public schools and youth culture, readers discover how popular culture can be used to explore American values. As Authors B. Lee Cooper and Wayne S. Haney prove that integrated popular culture is the product of commercial interaction with public interest and values rather than a random phenomena, they entertainingly and knowledgeably cover such topics as: answer songs--interchanges involving social events and lyrical commentaries as explored in response recordings horror films--translations and transformations of literary images and motion picture figures into popular song characters and tales public schools--images of formal educational practices and informal learning processes in popular song lyrics sex--suggestive tales and censorship challenges within the popular music realm war--examinations of persistent military and home front themes featured in wartime recordings Rock Music in American Popular Culture II: More Rock ‘n’Roll Resources is nontechnical, written in a clear and concise fashion, and explores each topic thoroughly, with ample discographic and bibliographic resources provided for additional research. Arranged alphabetically for quick and easy reference to specific topics, the book is equally enjoyable to read straight through. Rock music fans, teachers, popular culture professors, music instructors, public librarians, sound recording archivists, sociologists, social critics, and journalists can all learn something, as the book shows them the cross-pollination of music and social life in the United States.
Imagine that it's Christmas Eve and you're on your way to the store before the annual candlelight service. Suddenly you find yourself transported back in time to the night of the birth of the Messiah! The places you're used to seeing are all gone; the usual trappings of modern society don't work. And, to top it off, you're placed in a situation where you have to help a young couple deal with having a baby -- with no hospital! Yikes! This imaginative chancel drama for Advent or Christmas will make the members of your congregation think about the night of Jesus' birth in a new way. A variety of ages can be used in the production from young children to older adults. The dialogue can be easily modified with local references. Suggested readings and music are included for use between scenes for additional congregational involvement. Frank Ramirez is the pastor of Everett Church of the Brethren in Everett, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University of LaVerne and Bethany Theological Seminary, Ramirez is the author of numerous books, articles, and short stories. Frank has been a long-time writer for CSS' online subscription "StoryShare." His CSS titles include "Gabriel's Horn, The Christmas Star," "The Bee Attitudes," "Partners in Healing," " He Took a Towel," "Coming Home," "Lectionary Worship Aids "series, " "and "A Call to Worship.
Jesus told his apostles to "count the cost" of following him. For the twelve, it meant leaving their jobs, their homes and families. It meant literally taking up a new life and leaving the old one behind. What is the cost of following Jesus today? Frank Ramirez challenges the modern Church as he explores that question in Mark His Word: Cycle B Sermons for Proper 16 through Thanksgiving Based on the Gospel Texts. Using analogies from the space race to a science fiction short story by Isaac Asimov to the diary of a Civil War-era abolitionist preacher, Ramirez paints a variety of pictures of what it looks like to act in allegiance to the cause of Christ, to answer the call of the Holy Spirit no matter the consequences. The pastor who utilizes Mark His Word will see a church reinvigorated in time for Advent, prepared to step forth courageously into the world to live and speak truth to a world dying to know it. Lessons Include: "No Turning Back" (John 6:56-69) "For Us or Against Us?" (Mark 9:38-50) "Give Thanks for What?" (Matthew 6:25-33) Frank Ramirez is the pastor of Everett Church of the Brethren in Everett, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University of LaVerne and Bethany Theological Seminary, Ramirez is the author of numerous books, articles, and short stories. Frank has been a long-time writer for CSS' online subscription StoryShare. His CSS titles include Gabriel's Horn, The Christmas Star, The Bee Attitudes, Partners in Healing, He Took a Towel, Coming Home, Lectionary Worship Aids series, and A Call to Worship.
Frank Ramirez believes that youth and children are the church of today and should be invited to participate regularly in worship as scripture readers, musicians, speakers, and worship leaders. Drama is an especially great way to keep young people speaking, performing, and sharing in front of the congregation -- not only is it fun and inspirational, but drama is also an effective method for making God's word take on flesh and dwell in our midst. This set of six delightful plays puts Christ at the forefront while entertaining all ages and teaching deep truths. The flexible pieces can be performed elaborately with full costuming and staging, or simply read directly from the script in readers' theater style. From "Witnesses to the Light," featuring angels named Fantastic, Marvelous, Wonderful, and Gabriel, to the whimsical "Holy Water," with sheep named Be Bop, Bo Peep, Bah Humbug, and Bill, the dramas in "The Bee Attitudes "are sure to please. It'll be hard to determine who enjoys them the most -- the young people performing them, or the parents and grandparents with the cameras! Frank Ramirez is the pastor of Everett Church of the Brethren in Everett, Pennsylvania. A graduate of the University of LaVerne and Bethany Theological Seminary, Ramirez is the author of numerous christian books, articles, and short christian stories. His CSS titles include "Gabriel's Horn," "The Christmas Star," "Partners in Healing," "He Took a Towel," "Coming Home," "Lectionary Worship Aids," and "A Call To Worship.
Busy pastors and worship leaders are always searching for worship elements that underline the scripture passages and provide a unifying theme. A Call To Worship answers that need, supplying a range of calls to worship, prayers, and litanies for each Sunday, all based on the readings for Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary. A special feature is a weekly "children's benediction" that summarizes the day's theme in a brief phrase that young people can understand and repeat with the congregation. A Call To Worship is a valuable library of resources that you'll want to have right at your fingertips! Frank Ramirez is an author and pastor in the Church of the Brethren who has written numerous books, articles, and short stories. A graduate of LaVerne College and Bethany Theological Seminary, Ramirez has served congregations in Indiana and California. His other CSS titles include The Christmas Star, Coming Home, and He Took A Towel.
A collection of thirty-two stories that focuses on individuals whose lives have touched the Church of the Brethren--famous people who were somehow related to the Brethren; Brethren who, themselves, became famous; and famous people who, legend has it, were members of the Church of the Brethren"--Provided by publisher.
The Old Testament is a rich tapestry that details how God's plan of salvation was being worked out centuries before the birth of Christ. Yet many people in the pews are not as familiar as they should be with the Hebrew scriptures and their profound lessons for modern living. In this penetrating collection of spiritually enlightening messages based on the First Readings from Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary, five distinguished preachers unlock the secrets of some often overlooked passages from the Old Testament and the book of Acts. These sermons for each Sunday and major celebration throughout the entire church year illuminate the wisdom of the prophets, and they demonstrate how relevant their timeless themes of justice and righteousness remain for our twenty-first-century culture. Each thought-provoking message is filled with compelling stories and illustrations that help readers see how to "profit from the prophets." This essential resource is useful for: - Fresh homiletical approaches to the lectionary texts - Inspiring preaching illustrations and sermon starters - Understanding scripture passages - Bible study and discussion groups - Personal devotions and inspirational reading
Job: The Bootleg Commentary represents the work of two authors on a volume commissioned for a bible commentary series. The two writers realized when half finished they wished to move on to other projects. The work as it was when abandoned is here presented for interested readers.
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