J. Ellsworth Kalas's Books

The Best of J. Ellsworth Kalas

Telling the Greatest Story Ever Told Like It's Never Been Told Before

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Best of J. Ellsworth Kalas

Telling the Greatest Story Ever Told Like It's Never Been Told Before

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Take the best preacher you’ve ever heard; add in the teacher who first opened your eyes to the excitement and meaning of your favorite subject in school; combine these with that member of the family to whom you could always turn for the best advice; stir them all together, and you’ll get a flavor of the writing of Ellsworth Kalas. And now the very best thoughts and reflections of this wise teacher and guide are available together in one volume. Across his career Ellsworth Kalas has worn many hats: pastor, professor, seminary president. Through all of them, however, he has remained first and foremost an interpreter of God’s Word. His most potent skill is to open up new insights and meanings in even the most familiar biblical stories. Gathered here are some Kalas’s most humorous, touching, and enlightening writings, drawn from his own experience of finding God in Scripture.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

172

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426748493

ISBN 13

9781426748493

Life from the UpSide

Seeing God at Work in the World

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Life from the UpSide

Seeing God at Work in the World

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

I confess that I am an unreconstructed optimist. Not a naive one; I’ve lived too long for that, long enough to have experienced a resounding case for pessimism. I have vivid memories of the Great Depression, and I’ve lived through several wars and those international anomalies that we call police actions. I’ve watched what has seemed to me to be a rather steady decline in both public and private morals, and a growing confusion about ethics. And of course, I’ve watched the increasing prevalence of both evil and inanity (sometimes they’re synonymous) in television and on the Internet." from the Introduction But: There is God. And because there is God, there is goodness. I profoundly believe that God is at work in our world and that our planet has not yet been written off as a lost cause. History seems to tell me that though our human race appears so often to dedicate itself to its own destruction, God is always at work, usually, I think, behind the scenes. And because of God, faith, love, and goodness keep being reborn. So I write about Life from the Up Side. Twelve sessions: On Being Born with a Rusty Spoon: For those who’ve had a bad start When Life Is at January: Who knows what wonders lie ahead? A Woman Who Lived with Scorn: For those who suffer rejection close at hand Don’t Blame the Donkey! Capitalize on your adversity When You’ve Been Given a Bad Name: Don’t let others define you Color Her Moses: Never give up. Never. Plot for a Life: More than success Party Gone Flat: What to do when life loses its flavor Suppose You’re Worth More Than You Think You Are: It’s time you calculated your worth How Wide Is a Boat? Gladness is nearer than you think Strange Victory: The gains in our losses The View from Mount Nebo: And then, there is heaven

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

147

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426723156

ISBN 13

9781426723155

The Pleasure of God

Finding Grace in the Ordinary

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Pleasure of God

Finding Grace in the Ordinary

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

How 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.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

124

Publisher

Presbyterian Publishing Corp

Published Date

ISBN 10

1611646456

ISBN 13

9781611646450

I Bought a House on Gratitude Street

And Other Insights on the Good Life

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

I Bought a House on Gratitude Street

And Other Insights on the Good Life

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Popular author J. Ellsworth Kalas has a few things he’d like to share. In I Bought a House on Gratitude Street, Kalas imparts insights gathered over the years through different means - “Some...have come to me by my seeking, some have been shared with me by people of wider experience, and some have been thrust upon me by my mistakes.” With his familiar style, Kalas shares life-lessons on matters of friendship, prayer, sin, and success all through the lens of Scripture. A discussion guide is included for small-group use.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

143

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426731124

ISBN 13

9781426731129

Faith from the Back Side

A Different Take On What It Means To Believe

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Faith from the Back Side

A Different Take On What It Means To Believe

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

In his popular series of books "From the Back Side," J. Ellsworth Kalas looks at Christian topics through a new lens, takes unique starting points on those subjects, and uses creative re-telling from different points of view. In Faith from the Back Side, Kalas explores something that is central in a Christian life but often difficult to understand. "We exercise faith every day, in hundreds of secular moments, then struggle to find it in its purest form when we need God’s help the most. The back side, indeed! Sometimes it’s the only side of faith we can seem to approach. Yet faith is nearer than our hands or feet, and more real than the air we breathe. It’s time we learned more about it." (J. Ellsworth Kalas, adapted from the foreword) A discussion guide is included for small-group use.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

140

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426744560

ISBN 13

9781426744563

Heroes, Rogues, and the Rest

Lives That Tell the Story of the Bible

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Heroes, Rogues, and the Rest

Lives That Tell the Story of the Bible

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

The Bible is filled with heroes and rogues, and this new edition brings them vividly to life. Each chapter includes a key Scripture passage and an examination of a particular biblical character’s story, including the characteristics that defined that person, and what we can learn from them and their contribution to our faith and our lives as believers.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

127

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426787006

ISBN 13

9781426787003

The Story Continues

The Acts of the Apostles for Today

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Story Continues

The Acts of the Apostles for Today

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

At the very beginning of our faith, the Christian population numbered a few thousand, measuring only one percent of the world population. Today a single mega-church can boast a comparable number, and together, Christians now number more than two billion people. It all began with this little body of believers who knew a secret that needed to be shared. How did they do it? And what can we learn from them? Join best-selling author and beloved pastor, J. Ellsworth Kalas, as he explores the book of Acts to uncover the ministry motivations of the first followers—ordinary people who accomplished the extraordinary and who can serve as a guide for today’s believers to carry on. Because the work is not done. The story continues… This book contains a discussion guide.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

132

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1501816659

ISBN 13

9781501816659

Grace in a Tree Stump

Old Testament Stories of God's Love

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Grace in a Tree Stump

Old Testament Stories of God's Love

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Christians 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.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

153

Publisher

Westminster John Knox Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1611644313

ISBN 13

9781611644319

The Parables of Paul

The Master of the Metaphor

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Parables of Paul

The Master of the Metaphor

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

For over 2,000 years, the church has looked to the apostle Paul and his letters in order to understand and follow the Christian life. Paul had his own compelling way of sharing Jesus’ message with others, through the use of the metaphor—a brief, imaginative word picture that shows the same truth as a longer story. From casting himself in the role of a slave, to presenting the Christian as a soldier or an actor, or even showing how we are vessels in the King’s house, Paul’s gallery of enriching, life-changing story pictures paints for us an indelible picture of the Christian faith.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

112

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1630882542

ISBN 13

9781630882549

The Grand Sweep

365 Days from Genesis Through Revelation

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Grand Sweep

365 Days from Genesis Through Revelation

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Read Scripture daily. Respond to Scripture daily. Pray daily.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

544

Published Date

ISBN 10

150183598X

ISBN 13

9781501835988

The Thirteen Apostles

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Thirteen Apostles

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

In this engaging book from popular author J. Ellsworth Kalas, a portrait of each apostle as a servant in ministry, a human being, and individual are drawn from Scripture as well as historical writings and tradition. A chapter is also devoted to Mathias, the successor to Judas Iscariot. Each chapter features a key passage of Scripture. At the end of the book is a 16-page study guide.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

179

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426759827

ISBN 13

9781426759826

Preaching from the Soul

Insistent Observations on the Sacred Art

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Preaching from the Soul

Insistent Observations on the Sacred Art

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Careful 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.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426720807

ISBN 13

9781426720802

I Love Growing Older, But I'll Never Grow Old

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

I Love Growing Older, But I'll Never Grow Old

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Growing older is a process. Growing old is a conclusion. If you’re growing older you see some hope because you have perspective and you keep learning. If you’ve grown old, you may cynically think that times have never been as bad as they are now, and that they can only get worse.” This book is about learning how to “make peace with where you are right now.” It’s about learning from the past and then moving past it. It’s about growing—personally, spiritually, and in our relationships with God and with others. If we think properly about growing older we’ll never have to grow old. A discussion guide is included.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

125

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426770472

ISBN 13

9781426770470

The Grand Sweep Leader Guide

365 Days From Genesis Through Revelation

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Grand Sweep Leader Guide

365 Days From Genesis Through Revelation

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Study the whole Bible in a year with J. Ellsworth Kalas. The Grand Sweep is designed for personal use. The added component of a Leader Guide enables congregations and study groups to share the experience. It provides an overview of how to use the book as a study, along with specific content for weekly, monthly, or occasional group meetings. The Grand Sweep guides readers through the Bible in a year by having them read three - four chapters daily. The Psalms and Proverbs are scattered throughout the readings as devotional elements. Because the reading plan moves through the Bible in biblical sequence, readers grasp the grand sweep of the Scriptures—something missed in most Bible studies. Daily readings are manageable allowing someone just beginning a serious devotional life to have the positive experience of developing a new spiritual discipline. Individuals can start reading at any time of the year. When the year of reading ends, they will have a grasp of the biblical story from beginning to end and a stronger devotional life. Kalas also provides a faithful daily summary of readings, but with a devotional quality to encourage warmth of spirit as well as knowledge of mind. Includes selected quotations from Kalas's 35 books.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

183

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1501836498

ISBN 13

9781501836497

Strong Was Her Faith 22983

Women of the New Testament

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Strong Was Her Faith 22983

Women of the New Testament

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

In this follow-up to his book The Thirteen Apostles, popular author J. Ellsworth Kalas focuses on several women of great faith who were crucial, in ways both obvious and understated, to the story of the New Testament. Kalas looks into the life and times of eleven different women. With his signature style, Kalas examines the Scriptures to see what we can learn about these women and what we can learn from them, and how each woman fit into as well as shaped the New Testament story. Chapters include: “Elizabeth: A Friend in Need” “Anna: She Knew How to Wait” “Martha, the Disciplined” “Mary, the Extravagant” “The Mighty Widow” “The Anonymous Evangelist” “Mary Magdalene: When Love Is Greater than Faith” “Mary, the Mother of Mark” “Dorcas: Worth a Miracle” “Lydia, the Businesswoman “Mary in Life and Legend” “Why Mary?” This book also includes a discussion guide.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

150

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426755864

ISBN 13

9781426755866

Old Testament Stories from the Back Side

Bible Stories with a Twist

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Old Testament Stories from the Back Side

Bible Stories with a Twist

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Using an approach similar to that in his book Parables from the Back Side, popular author J. Ellsworth Kalas brings a new perspective to selected Old Testament stories by approaching them from the “back side”—through a unique starting point, a creative retelling, a new “lens,” or the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character. Chapter titles and Scripture: “The Second Sin” (Genesis 3:1-13); “The Importance of Naming Joseph” (Genesis 30:22-24); “Because My Mother Told Me” (Exodus 2:1-10); “Moses’ Midlife Crisis” (Exodus 2:11-22); “Patron Saint of the Minority Report” (Numbers 13:1-3, 25-33); “Tragic Son, Tragic Father” (Judges 11:1-6, 30-35); “Honey in the Lion” (Judges 14:5-14); “Beauty and the Beast” (1 Samuel 25:2-42); “A Refugee at the King’s Table” (2 Samuel 9:1-13); “In Defense of Job’s Wife” (Job 2:1-10); “Jonah’s Christmas Story” (Jonah 3:1-6, 10; Matthew 12:38-42); “God Is Better Than His Plans” (Ruth 1:1-5; 4:13-17). Includes 12 Sessions with a study guide.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

142

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426728646

ISBN 13

9781426728648

God's Promises That Keep Us

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

God's Promises That Keep Us

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

In the case of this book, I can tell you not only when it came to birth but also where. It was in a quite modest kitchen at 1506 Center Street in Sioux City, Iowa, over a period of years in the late 1930s. On a shelf in that kitchen, just above the stove, was a box of cards, each measuring roughly one by three inches, each one containing a verse from the Bible. The box was popularly referred to as “precious promises.” I don’t know if that was the name the publisher gave to the collection or if it was the title earnest Christians had given to such verses long before an enterprising publisher organized a specific collection into printed form; I only know how sacred and beloved the box was to my mother and to untold thousands of other persons at that time. The verses covered a wide area of biblical teaching. Many had a quality of admonition and instruction, but the overall mood was one of encouragement. Those who kept such a box in easy reach were sustained by the contents. Some verses took on such personal significance that they were laid aside on top of the box or beside it, to be looked at more often. Mind you, the owner of the box knew such verses by heart, but there was a peculiar strength in looking at the printed form and holding it in one’s hand. And I might add that by the time she took her “promise for the day” she would already have prayed on her knees and have read a longer portion from the Bible. I revered those promises because they meant so much to my parents, especially my mother, and because on several occasions I had seen how uniquely appropriate a particular verse proved to be at a particular time. That Center Street box has now been lost for half a century or more, so I can’t promise that the verses I embrace in this book were all in that box. The Bible verses I’ve included in this book are verses that have blessed me over the years, and I dare to believe that some or all of them will give a lift or a thought to you. Some have become significant to me in times of pain, some in joy. When you read this book, I’m very sure you will think of a verse that is priceless to you, and you’ll wonder why it’s not in this book. The verse may mean so much to you that perhaps you will reprimand me, even if kindly, for not including it. If you do, I’ll understand. I’ll just know that, whether or not you’ve ever seen a box of precious promises, you have discovered that there are promises that keep us. And I will thank God with you that you have found it to be so." (J. Ellsworth Kalas, adapted from the foreword) This book will contain a discussion guide.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

145

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426720262

ISBN 13

9781426720260

What I Learned When I Was Ten

Lessons That Shaped My Life and Faith

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

What I Learned When I Was Ten

Lessons That Shaped My Life and Faith

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

In an uplifting account, the author shares his experience of reading the entire Bible for the first time, exploring such themes as salvation, hearing God's call, making sense of lessons learned, and embracing positive self-worth. Original.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

Published Date

ISBN 10

0687335922

ISBN 13

9780687335923

New Testament Stories from the Back Side

Bible Stories with a Twist

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

New Testament Stories from the Back Side

Bible Stories with a Twist

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Using an approach similar 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.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

140

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426728603

ISBN 13

9781426728600

Christmas from the Back Side

A Different Look at the Story of Jesus Birth

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Christmas from the Back Side

A Different Look at the Story of Jesus Birth

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

CHRISTMAS FROM A DIFFERENT ANGLE Take a look at Christmas from alternative angles. Using an approach similar to his other “BackSide” books, Kalas crafts new insights into the scriptures of the Christmas story by looking at them from the “back side” – ...taking unique starting points...creative re-telling from different views...examining the story through new “lenses”...or looking through the eyes of a not-so-familiar character. Book session titles include: The Scandal of Christmas Three Votes for an Early Christmas Christmas Comes to a Back Fence How the Government Helped the First Christmas Happen Celebrating Christmas in a Hotel Christmas Comes to a Church Christmas and the Impossible Dream

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426728336

ISBN 13

9781426728334

Being United Methodist

What It Means, Why It Matters

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Being United Methodist

What It Means, Why It Matters

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

In Being Methodist, popular and well-loved J. Ellsworth Kalas uses his approachable style to address a topic that sometimes seems complicated even to those who have practiced it for years. In this book, Kalas explores questions such as Who are these people called Methodists? Where have they come from, and where are they going? And how is it that so few of them really know what it means to be a Methodist? What makes them tick, and in a spasmodically changing world, what keeps them ticking?

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

174

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426759622

ISBN 13

9781426759628

Parables from the Back Side Volume 2

Bible Stories With A Twist

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Parables from the Back Side Volume 2

Bible Stories With A Twist

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

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. Chapter 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 12:32-40

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

124

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426700881

ISBN 13

9781426700880

Genesis

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Genesis

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

This is Student Book 3 (ISBN 0-19-434810-5) split into two sections. This is the first section.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

148

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426716230

ISBN 13

9781426716232

All Creation Sings

The Voice of God in Nature

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

All Creation Sings

The Voice of God in Nature

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

J. Ellsworth Kalas, adapted from chapter 1: There’s an old hymn you may be familiar with that contains these words: “This is my Father’s world, / And to my listening ears, / All nature sings, and round me rings / The music of the spheres. / This is my Father’s world, / He shines in all that’s fair; / In the rustling grass, I hear him pass, / He speaks to me everywhere” (Maltbie D. Babcock, “This Is My Father’s World”; 1901). It is true still today that “all nature sings,” but it is increasingly difficult to catch the melody. Almost anywhere we go, nature’s voice is now muted by the sound of traffic and assorted electronic devices. Those who go out to walk or jog are likely to wear a device that keeps them in touch with news or music or speech—so that, intentionally or not, they have shut out nature’s sound and dulled its influence. Which brings me to the point of this book. I rejoice greatly in the “green” movement that has made new millions conscious of the wonder of our creation and the blessed necessity of caring for it passionately. This is a magnificent step in the right direction, and it puts quality content into what might otherwise be little more than sentimental feelings. But I want us to go farther than that. I want us not simply to see—and indeed, to be grateful for—the wonders of nature. I want us to go beyond nature’s exquisite beauty until we learn some of the lessons it would teach us, lessons about both life and God. When nature sings (as it does every moment) its melody draws us to God, if only we listen with our whole being. This book will contain a discussion guide.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

147

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426725736

ISBN 13

9781426725739

Detective Stories from the Bible

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Detective Stories from the Bible

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

When we think of a detective story, we often think of murder mysteries. But the Bible contains some different kinds of detective stories. How is it, for instance, that some of the key personalities in the Bible story slip into the story almost unnoticed—like Judah, for example, an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ. How did the symbolism of blood in Communion get started? When Cain was warned that the ground would no longer yield for him because he had killed his brother—did that set a precedent for connecting moral behavior with environmental harshness? These themes and many others are investigated in this study, accompanied by a discussion guide.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

157

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426726163

ISBN 13

9781426726163

Longing to Pray

How the Psalms Teach Us to Talk with God

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Longing to Pray

How the Psalms Teach Us to Talk with God

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

From the Foreword - This little book invites us to study with some ancient experts in prayer, the persons who wrote the Book of Psalms. We haven't read long in the psalms before we realize that the authors were altogether human, with a massive catalog of troubles, inconsistencies, and questions. Their lives were marked by breathtaking highs and lows, with sometimes only a few paragraphs between. But with all of that, they were saints. They left us with the greatest collection of prayers in the possession of our human race. What was their secret? I believe it was the quality of their friendship with God. And of course the language of that friendship is prayer. The psalmists don't give us any formula for effective praying. They don't offer a set of rules. But if we read their prayers carefully, we will learn something of their secret, the secret of the Ultimate Friendship. I hope through this book to start us on that special journey. ---- J. Ellsworth Kalas The book will contain a disussion guide by John Schroeder

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

139

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426723229

ISBN 13

9781426723223

The Grand Sweep

365 Days From Genesis Through Revelation

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Grand Sweep

365 Days From Genesis Through Revelation

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Study the whole Bible in a year with J. Ellsworth Kalas. The Grand Sweep: 365 Days from Genesis through Revelation guides adults to read through the Bible in a year, reading three to four chapters daily. The Psalms and Proverbs are scattered throughout the reading as devotional elements. Because the plan moves through the Bible in biblical sequence, readers grasp the grand weep of the Scriptures--something missed in most Bible studies that take up only a certain book or section of the Bible. Also, daily readings are manageable; someone who is just beginning a serious devotional life need not feel threatened or inadequate. By the time readers finish their year of reading, they will have a grasp of the biblical story from beginning to end. And with it, because of the daily discipline, a stronger devotional life. Kalas also provides a faithful daily summary of each day's reading, but with a devotional quality to encourage warmth of spirit as well as knowledge of mind. Congregations, study groups, and individuals can begin The Grand Sweep at any time during the year with this study. Allow at least 30 minutes daily when using this resource. Includes selected quotations from Kalas's 35 books. The book includes: Questions or directions and daily devotional summary/commentary for Days 1-7 each week call for written response to the assigned Scripture and provide a devotional element. "Prayer Time" suggests a focus for daily and weekly praying and invites you to identify persons and concerns for prayer. "How the Drama Develops" summarizes the week's Scripture and situates it in the ongoing biblical story. "Seeing Life Through Scripture" invites you to view life through the lens of Scripture in order to draw guidance and insights for living. Think of yourself in conversation with Scripture. "The Sum of It All" in a verse or verses, sums up the week's Scripture. Over the course of fifty-two weeks, the verses become a synopsis of the biblical story. The Grand Sweep is designed for personal use. The added component of a Leader Guide enables congregations and study groups to share the experience. It provides an overview of how to use the book as a study, along with specific content for weekly, monthly, or occasional group meetings.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

539

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1501835998

ISBN 13

9781501835995

Beatitudes From the Back Side

A Different Take on What It Means to be Blessed

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Beatitudes From the Back Side

A Different Take on What It Means to be Blessed

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

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

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

145

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426724608

ISBN 13

9781426724602

Unlikely Gifts

Devotions for the Holiday Season

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas,David Kalas,Taddy Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Unlikely Gifts

Devotions for the Holiday Season

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas,David Kalas,Taddy Kalas

The Christmas season is one of the busiest times of the year. But it is also a season of reflection and preparation for that special day when we remember the arrival of our eternal God in our own frail humanity. Let the Christ of Christmas prepare your heart for the celebration of his birth through a devotional journey reflecting on Advent and Christmas. Enjoy thirty-one thoughtful, and never-before-published Christmas devotionals from the late, beloved, best-selling author, J. Ellsworth Kalas. The inspirational selections were lovingly compiled by Dr. Kalas’ son, David, and daughter, Taddy, and include additional notes and memories of their father and the holiday season. Unlikely Gifts celebrates the Savior’s birth as we explore the blessings of hope, joy, love, and peace that believers can experience as they keep their eyes on Jesus.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

146

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1501869736

ISBN 13

9781501869730

Easter from the Back Side

A Different Look at the Story of Christ's Resurrection

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Easter from the Back Side

A Different Look at the Story of Christ's Resurrection

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Easter from the Back SideJ. Ellsworth KalasUsing 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). J. ELLSWORTH KALAS is president of Asbury Theological Seminary and has been part of the faculty there since 1993, after thirty-eight years as a United Methodist pastor and five years in evangelism with the World Methodist Council. He has been a presenter on Disciple videos, is the author of the Christian Believer study, and has written more than thirty books, including the popular Back Side series; Longing to Pray: How the Psalms Teach Us to Talk with God; Strong Was Her Faith: Women of the New Testament; and What I Learned When I Was Ten.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426729022

ISBN 13

9781426729027

The Ten Commandments from the Back Side

Bible Stories with a Twist

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Ten Commandments from the Back Side

Bible Stories with a Twist

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

In this study, Kalas opens up new possibilities of insight into the familiar Ten Commandments by restating them in the positive and showing how they were 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. Includes study guide, 10 sessions.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

139

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1426724926

ISBN 13

9781426724923

The Will of God in an Unwilling World

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Will of God in an Unwilling World

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Kalas 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.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

160

Publisher

Westminster John Knox Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

1611641039

ISBN 13

9781611641035

Parables from the Back Side Volume 1

Bible Stories with a Twist

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Parables from the Back Side Volume 1

Bible Stories with a Twist

By: Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas

Offers a new understanding of twelve of Jesus' parables by viewing them through the eyes of a minor or unsympathetic character. Chapter titles: When the Good Samaritan Is Bad News; God Called a Party, but Nobody Came; The Timid Soul; The Seasons of the Soil; The Sad Story of the Embarrassed Farmers; Love Always Wins...Sometimes; Why Doesn't God Like Religious People?; Pardon My Insistence; The Prodigal Who Stayed at Home; A Case for the Un-hired Hand; Moses and the Fig Tree; I Wish I Could Sell You More. 12 Sessions, with a leader's guide.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

170

Publisher

Abingdon Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

142672344X

ISBN 13

9781426723445

Preaching in an Age of Distraction

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Preaching in an Age of Distraction

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

How do we preach when all of us—hearers and preachers alike—are constantly distracted? J. Ellsworth Kalas offers wise insights for effective preaching in an age of distraction. He explores how God can meet people precisely at the point of their distraction, connecting through pastoral attentiveness, creativity and excellence.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

169

Publisher

InterVarsity Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0830841105

ISBN 13

9780830841103

Reading the Signs

Sermons for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, Sundays in Ordinary Time, Cycle C Gospel Texts

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Reading the Signs

Sermons for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany, Sundays in Ordinary Time, Cycle C Gospel Texts

By: J. Ellsworth Kalas

If you are like many parish pastors, you find the Christmas season to be the most frustrating season of the church year -- so much to do, so much to celebrate, so much to say -- and so little time to prepare it all! That is why J. Ellsworth Kalas has prepared these twelve thoughtful sermons -- to help you present the meaningful and coherent messages you want your congregation to hear during this busiest of seasons. Within are sermons for every Cycle C gospel text during the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons from the Common, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic lectionaries, including: - The Signs of Summer - The Hinge of History - Songs of the Season - Return to the New - From Empty Nets to Full Lives - Awake to Glory Use these complete sermons as presented -- or as jumping-off points for your own meaningful messages. J. Ellsworth Kalas has for sixteen years served as senior minister of the Church of the Saviour (United Methodist) in Cleveland, Ohio.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

Publisher

CSS Publishing Company

Published Date

ISBN 10

1556730535

ISBN 13

9781556730535

Book's by J. Ellsworth Kalas

Username

Password

Password again

Birthday

Email