In his memoir, My Travel Through Life: Memoir of Family Life and Federal Service, author Stephen J. Hiemstra walks us through his experiences of life from his upbringing on a grain-livestock farm near Oskaloosa, Iowa through his work as an economist in the Clinton White House. During this time he was a farm boy, churchman, university student, Air Force officer, economist, husband, father, government manager, professor, and, always, a leader in his field. Many aspire to making a difference; he did.
As Christians, how do we know what we know? This simple question challenges the nature of information, how we learn, decision making, who we are, and who this God is that we worship. If this challenge appears optional; it is not—our post-Christian culture questions every faith assumption. Simple Faithexamines these questions and discusses implications for faith and life. An important implication of this study is that faith plays a critical role into how we think, learn, and make decisions in the context of limited resources and an uncertain future. Even scientific inquiry requires faith, which normally gets hidden in untested assumptions and presumptions about what is interesting to investigate. Often the critical arguments driving our decisions are not cold hard facts, but the stories that we tell in the midst of complex decision environments. The timing of this inquiry is critical. The movement from modern to postmodern thinking has upended most institutions, but especially the Christian church. The separation of heart and mind, which characterizes modern thinking, eroded faith leaving the church in a weak position to adapt to the rapid changes accompanying postmodernism. Ironically, postmodern thinking that values storytelling favors Christian faith because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best story around.
This trilogy combines three books published previously: A Christian Guide to Spirituality, Life in Tension, and Called Along the Way. Together they chronicle a spiritual journey during the period from 2013 through 2017. The first two books focus on the question—who is God?—while the third book focuses on the question—who are we? The call to faith and ministry is personal but it is also corporal, being informed by the community of faith at one time and in one place. The original books have been reproduced as published. Offering them together makes them available more economically and draws attention to their common purpose. Because spirituality is lived belief, it is important to reflect on what we say we believe and what we actually practice. This reflective process is inherently stressful but it is a normal part of our Christian journey as we prepare in this life for the next. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, writer, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30+ years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children. Key words for this book include: Beatitudes, Christianity, spirituality, memoir, Christian memoir, Jesus, Bible, devotion, spiritual growth, and faith. Other books by T2Pneuma Publishers LLC include: A Christian Guide to Spirituality (2014) Una Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad (2015) My Travel Through Life (2016) Oraciones ( 2016) Prayers (2016) Life in Tension (2016) Prayers of a Life in Tension (2016) Called Along the Way (2017) See: T2Pneuma.com for more details. ****************** What people are saying... Stephen provides a helpful, accessible guide using the classic catechetical structure of the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. - David A. Currie, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (In reference to A Christian Guide to Spirituality) We live in a fallen world. It leads to life in tension, and sometimes a life full of stress. Stephen Hiemstra takes us on a needed tour of the kind of character it takes to face such a life. - Darrell L. Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary (In reference to Life in Tension) Have you ever wondered if the church in America is mortally wounded? Is God really dead as the infamous 1966 Time magazine cover reported? This memoir offers evidence to the contrary. — Aaron Gordon, Pastor (In reference to Called Along the Way)
If the Bible is an outreach document written by and for missionaries, then the Holy Spirit is the instrument of that evangelical call. The Image of the Holy Spirit and the Church examines the Bible’s description of the Holy Spirit from before Pentecost and the call the church in view of current challenges. Image of the Holy Spirit and the Church is written in a devotional format with a reflection, prayers, and questions for study. Hear the Words; Walk the Steps; Experience the Joy!
Our journey in Christian ethics starts with God in whose image we are created. Creation begins with birth and continues as we mature. Our character matures, shaped by the example of Christ under the mentorship of the Holy Spirit through the family and the church. Christian leaders reach full maturity once they able to mentor others—we are blessed to be a blessing. Living in Christ focuses on explaining, not justifying, Christian ethics. At a time and in a place where people scoff at developing a theological understanding of their faith and refuse to teach Christian morality, ethics is almost a lost art. At the heart of the ethical dilemma is a tension between theological principles that can only be resolved the guidance of the Holy Spirit. How do you practice forgiveness for sinners who refuse to confess their sin and force you to bear its consequences? In this context, ethics is less a philosophical discipline that a recognition of our own limitations as Christians and the need for divine intervention. Ethical thought and action always involve interpretation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is thus ironic that a book on Christian living should have an outward focus on God rather than an inward focus on what to do and not do. This interpretative element colors how we view character formation, the community of faith, leadership, and the many special issues that arise in daily life. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy!
What is the consequence of ignoring one’s better judgment and the advice of friends? Luke Stevens believes he is lucky in love, but the path of least resistance leads to disaster at sea and waking up in a North Korea hospital. But Luke is not alone even as he becomes the object of an international manhunt. Will he find his way out of the Hermit Kingdom? Will his love prevail? Will he learn to trust his better instincts? The cover art is called The Good Samaritan by He Qi (www.heqiart.com). Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, Ph.D.) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, author, and volunteer pastor. He lives in Centreville, Virginia with Maryam, his wife of more than thirty-five years. They have three grown children. What people are saying: The Detour is a highly suspenseful story with twists and turns and flavored with deep faith. This read is definitely a page turner. Elizabeth Smith, Author The Detour is an interesting read that will keep you in suspense until the end. Rui Ma This exciting book is perfect for a plane trip or as a break from daily responsibilities. Hyunok Lee The Detour is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that transports readers into the heart of North Korea. With its engaging characters, compelling storyline, and exploration of social issues, this book offers a unique and immersive reading experience. Wilson McMillan This is fascinating story that I think you will love as much as I do. Ann Westerman From the first paragraph, Stephen Hiemstra’s novella, The Detour, captures the attention of the reader and holds it securely to the end of the book. Remarkably, he shows the reality of persecutions of Christians in our time, a truly thought-provoking message. Sharron Giambanco
Our image of God reveals not only God’s character, but our own. Jesus’ parables reveal a God who is intentionally available to those who seek him. They invite the listener to enter the narrative and engage with God one-on-one to expand our understanding of faith and of ourselves. The image of God in the New Testament takes at least three forms: The person of Jesus, Jesus' teaching about the kingdom of God with the parables, and the founding of the church on Pentecost by the Holy Spirit. In this book I will focus on the image of God the Father found in the parables. The authenticity of the parables as Jesus' own words is seldom questioned, in part, because Jesus' parables are unique, a genre unto themselves, but not a typical genre. A typical genre might adhere to a particular structure or story form, but not a parable. Image of God in the Parables is written in a devotional format with a reflection, prayers, and questions for study. Cover art by C. Hiemstra (2023), The Lost Sheep, Used with Permission. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, Ph.D.) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, author, and volunteer pastor. He lives in Centreville, Virginia with Maryam, his wife of more than thirty-five years. They have three grown children.
When God comes into our lives, we change. Our new identity is in Christ comes into tension with our old identity in ourselves as the Holy Spirit works in our hearts and minds. This tension arises between who we were and who God created us to be, between us and God, and between us and those around us. The Apostle Paul calls the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives sanctification. Life in Tensionreflects on Jesus' Beatitudes in the context of scripture. The Beatitudes serve as an introduction to the Sermon on the Mount and lay out Jesus' priorities in teaching his disciples. Because the sermon serves as a kind of ordination service for the Apostles, the importance of the Beatitudes for the early church, Christian spirituality, and discipleship today cannot be overstated. This prayerbook abstracts the prayers from my book, Life in Tension, for separate distribution. Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, writer, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30+ years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children. Keywords for this book include: prayer, Christianity, spirituality, Beatitudes, faith, and devotion.
Spirituality is lived belief. When we pray, worship, or reach out to our neighbors, we live out our beliefs. Our beliefs structure our spirituality like skin stretched over the bones of our bodies. These beliefs start with faith in God the Father through Jesus Christ as revealed through the Holy Spirit in scripture, in the church, and in daily life. Our Trinitarian theology orders our beliefs. Without a coherent theology, we lose our identity in space and time having no map or compass to guide us on our way. In the end, we focus on ourselves, not God. Christian spirituality starts with God, not with us. In this book are 50 prayers taken from A Christian Guide to Spirituality (2014) by the same author. These prayers are inspired by the Apostles Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer. Reading Prayers will help readers understand Christian spirituality better and nurture their faith. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! The author, Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, writer, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of more than thirty years in Centreville, Virginia and they have three grown children. Keywords: prayer, prayerbook, Christianity, devotion, spirituality, faith, Christian living. For more information: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.
What does it mean to be created in the image of God? This is the core question in Christian anthropology and it is surprisingly important in understanding everything else. Anthropology is the study of human beings, the who question of philosophy. As Christians, our identity is found in Jesus Christ, but exactly what does this imply? Because we are created in the image of God, he is familiar and we immediately recognize him (metaphysics). Because we worship the God who created the universe, we expect the universe to be orderly and worthy of scientific study (epistemology). Because God loves us, we can love those around us who make up God's family (ethics). Our anthropology is accordingly an interpretive key that colors how we see everything else. In exploring this question, Image and Illumination offers over forty devotions containing a reflection, prayer, and questions for discussion. These devotions are organized into these chapters: Introduction, Image, Fall from Grace, Illumination, and Restoration. Cover art is by James Tissot (1836-1902): Moses Adores God in the Burning Bush. French Jewish Museum, New York. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! What are people saying? Image and Illumination is a book you'll want to read and reread, a treasure trove of spiritual insight. Through thoughtful interpretation of Scripture, Stephen applies insight in a way to challenge the believer to a greater appreciation of their faith. Linda Wood Rondeau, Author Stephen as a way of writing that not only brings clarity to these complex theological topics but brings them home to the reader, so they connect with these truths on a personal level. Eric Teitelman, Pastor Stephen has written a series of brief textual expositions on a variety of interesting, important, and sometimes difficult theological issues. Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary Stephen tackles that most basic of human questions: What does it mean to be created in the image of God? Through modern-day examples and scripture, he draws the reader ever closer to the answer found in Christ. Sarah Hamaker, Author Many of us live with the sense that all is not as it should be in this world. That our world is both beautiful and somehow broken. In Image and Illumination Stephen Hiemstra peels back the layers of our modern world to reveal not just what things should be, but what they one day will be through God's work in our world. You will not regret your time immersed in this book. Aaron McMillan, Pastor
Spirituality is lived belief. When we pray, worship, or reach out to our neighbors, we live out our beliefs. Our beliefs structure our spirituality like skin stretched over the bones of our bodies. These beliefs start with faith in God the Father through Jesus Christ as revealed through the Holy Spirit in scripture, in the church, and in daily life. Our Trinitarian theology orders our beliefs. Without a coherent theology, we lose our identity in space and time having no map or compass to guide us on our way. In the end, we focus on ourselves, not God. Christian spirituality starts with God, not with us. A Christian Guide to Spirituality takes the form of 50 daily devotions. Each topic is treated with a scriptural reference, reflection, prayer, and questions for discussion. Occasionally, references are provided for further study. The first four chapters (Introduction, Apostle’s Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Ten Commandments) cover 40 days making them suitable as a Lenten study. Ten additional days focus on the spiritual disciplines and a short conclusion. Reading A Christian Guide to Spirituality will help readers understand Christian spirituality better and nurture their faith. There is no such thing as quality time with the Lord; there is only time. The living God speaks to us in many ways, but especially through scripture. These three sources cited (Apostle’s Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Ten Commandments) are commonly called the rule of faith (regula fidei) and were utilized for nearly two millennia as a means to apprentice the faith. These sources are the heart of the confessions of most Christian faith communities and denominations. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, economist, and writer. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30 years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children. The foreword is written by Neal D. Presa. This book might be classified appropriately in spirituality, Christian living, devotion, faith, religion, and theology.
When God comes into our lives, we change. Our new identity in Christ comes into tension with our old identity in ourselves as the Holy Spirit works in our hearts and minds. This tension arises between who we were and who God created us to be, between us and God, and between us and those around us. The Apostle Paul calls the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives sanctification. Life in Tension reflects on Jesus' Beatitudes in the context of scripture. The Beatitudes serve as an introduction to the Sermon on the Mount and lay out Jesus' priorities in teaching his disciples. Because the sermon serves as a kind of ordination service for the Apostles, the importance of the Beatitudes for the early church, Christian spirituality, and discipleship today cannot be overstated. Life in Tension is organized as a devotional. Each chapter offers a reflection, a prayer, and discussion questions. Chapters are organized around the nine Beatitudes in Matthew. This revised edition facilitates ease of reading. It has an updated cover, fewer Greek and Hebrew references, and fewer footnotes than the original edition. Some editing to enhance clarity has also been done. Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy! Key words for this book include: Beatitudes, Christianity, spirituality, Jesus, Bible, devotion, faith. prayer, spiritual growth, discipling, Christian spirituality, devotional, sanctification, and faith. Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, writer, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30+ years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children.
What happens when an online date goes horribly wrong? Luke Stevens meets Abi Ling online and they meet for a quiet summer evening walking around Baltimore Harbor. When they step into a coffee shop, a terrorist team attempts to snatch Abi at gun point. Luke saves the day and pays the ultimate price, but U.S. relations with China preclude him from dying just yet-Abi is the daughter of the Chinese premier. The CIA recruits Luke's father, the divorced Pastor Phil Stevens, to masquerade as his son and flush out the terrorists. Can he remain faithful to his marriage vows in the midst of deception, temptation, and betrayal? Can he find love again?
When God comes into our lives, we change. Our new identity in Christ comes into tension with our old identity in ourselves as the Holy Spirit works in our hearts and minds. This tension arises between who we were and who God created us to be, between us and God, and between us and those around us. The Apostle Paul calls the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives sanctification. Life in Tension reflects on Jesus' Beatitudes in the context of scripture. The Beatitudes serve as an introduction to the Sermon on the Mount and lay out Jesus' priorities in teaching his disciples. Because the sermon serves as a kind of ordination service for the Apostles, the importance of the Beatitudes for the early church, Christian spirituality, and discipleship today cannot be overstated. Life in Tension is organized as a devotional. Each chapter offers a reflection, a prayer, and discussion questions. Chapters are organized around the nine Beatitudes in Matthew. This revised edition facilitates ease of reading. It has an updated cover, fewer Greek and Hebrew references, and fewer footnotes than the original edition. Some editing to enhance clarity has also been done. Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy! Key words for this book include: Beatitudes, Christianity, spirituality, Jesus, Bible, devotion, faith. prayer, spiritual growth, discipling, Christian spirituality, devotional, sanctification, and faith. Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, writer, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30+ years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children.
Our image of God reveals not only God’s character, but our own. Jesus’ parables reveal a God who is intentionally available to those who seek him. They invite the listener to enter the narrative and engage with God one-on-one to expand our understanding of faith and of ourselves. The image of God in the New Testament takes at least three forms: The person of Jesus, Jesus' teaching about the kingdom of God with the parables, and the founding of the church on Pentecost by the Holy Spirit. In this book I will focus on the image of God the Father found in the parables. The authenticity of the parables as Jesus' own words is seldom questioned, in part, because Jesus' parables are unique, a genre unto themselves, but not a typical genre. A typical genre might adhere to a particular structure or story form, but not a parable. Image of God in the Parables is written in a devotional format with a reflection, prayers, and questions for study. Cover art by C. Hiemstra (2023), The Lost Sheep, Used with Permission. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, Ph.D.) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, author, and volunteer pastor. He lives in Centreville, Virginia with Maryam, his wife of more than thirty-five years. They have three grown children.
Spirituality is lived belief. When we pray, worship, or reach out to our neighbors, we live out our beliefs. Our beliefs structure our spirituality like skin stretched over the bones of our bodies. These beliefs start with faith in God the Father through Jesus Christ as revealed through the Holy Spirit in scripture, in the church, and in daily life. Our Trinitarian theology orders our beliefs. Without a coherent theology, we lose our identity in space and time having no map or compass to guide us on our way. In the end, we focus on ourselves, not God. Christian spirituality starts with God, not with us. In this book are 50 prayers taken from A Christian Guide to Spirituality (2014) by the same author. These prayers are inspired by the Apostles Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer. Reading Prayers will help readers understand Christian spirituality better and nurture their faith. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! The author, Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, writer, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of more than thirty years in Centreville, Virginia and they have three grown children. Keywords: prayer, prayerbook, Christianity, devotion, spirituality, faith, Christian living. For more information: http://www.T2Pneuma.com.
This trilogy combines three books published previously: A Christian Guide to Spirituality, Life in Tension, and Called Along the Way. Together they chronicle a spiritual journey during the period from 2013 through 2017. The first two books focus on the question—who is God?—while the third book focuses on the question—who are we? The call to faith and ministry is personal but it is also corporal, being informed by the community of faith at one time and in one place. The original books have been reproduced as published. Offering them together makes them available more economically and draws attention to their common purpose. Because spirituality is lived belief, it is important to reflect on what we say we believe and what we actually practice. This reflective process is inherently stressful but it is a normal part of our Christian journey as we prepare in this life for the next. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, writer, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30+ years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children. Key words for this book include: Beatitudes, Christianity, spirituality, memoir, Christian memoir, Jesus, Bible, devotion, spiritual growth, and faith. Other books by T2Pneuma Publishers LLC include: A Christian Guide to Spirituality (2014) Una Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad (2015) My Travel Through Life (2016) Oraciones ( 2016) Prayers (2016) Life in Tension (2016) Prayers of a Life in Tension (2016) Called Along the Way (2017) See: T2Pneuma.com for more details. ****************** What people are saying... Stephen provides a helpful, accessible guide using the classic catechetical structure of the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. - David A. Currie, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (In reference to A Christian Guide to Spirituality) We live in a fallen world. It leads to life in tension, and sometimes a life full of stress. Stephen Hiemstra takes us on a needed tour of the kind of character it takes to face such a life. - Darrell L. Bock, Dallas Theological Seminary (In reference to Life in Tension) Have you ever wondered if the church in America is mortally wounded? Is God really dead as the infamous 1966 Time magazine cover reported? This memoir offers evidence to the contrary. — Aaron Gordon, Pastor (In reference to Called Along the Way)
How do you find love when present loyalties are divided and the past screams for attention? Luke Stevens’ new job as a CIA agent demands attention as he eulogizes his ex-wife and vows to move beyond grief. Ruth Chǔ’s a new life as an American law student busies her days, while her debt to North Korean intelligence haunts her nights. In the midst of an international crisis, can they experience Christmas joy together? The cover art is called Esther’s Gamble by He Qi (www.heqiart.com). Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! What people are saying... As a person who has traveled to Havana, Cuba, on three occasions, I am anticipating reading Christmas in Havana. Having spent a number of days there, I know that the city is filled with history, mystery, and intrigue. Stephen Hiemstra has the ability to capture this mystery and intrigue and much more! Read the book and see what I mean! Percy M. Burns Author of Glorious Freedom Christmas in Havana is a fascinating story that leads to reflection, an adventure of emotions that reflects life itself. Stephen Hiemstra guides us in a enjoyable way through this book to value life. Julio Martinez Senior Pastor Shadai Phoenix Church New beginnings for Phil Stevens and Yong Dae Chû as they accept the past merged with new identities. Pastor Phil, is Luke, an agent with the CIA working to defeat the terrorists who killed his son. Beautiful North Korean, Yong Dae Chû, is Ruth, a law student and model. The final book of a three-book series, Christmas in Havana, by Stephen Hiemstra, concludes the story of loss, grief, and self-forgiveness against the backdrop of international terrorism and human trafficking. It is a fast-moving drama filled with action and romance, grounded in spiritual truth. Sharron Giambanco Business owner and writer
What is the consequence of ignoring one’s better judgment and the advice of friends? Luke Stevens believes he is lucky in love, but the path of least resistance leads to disaster at sea and waking up in a North Korea hospital. But Luke is not alone even as he becomes the object of an international manhunt. Will he find his way out of the Hermit Kingdom? Will his love prevail? Will he learn to trust his better instincts? The cover art is called The Good Samaritan by He Qi (www.heqiart.com). Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, Ph.D.) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, author, and volunteer pastor. He lives in Centreville, Virginia with Maryam, his wife of more than thirty-five years. They have three grown children. What people are saying: The Detour is a highly suspenseful story with twists and turns and flavored with deep faith. This read is definitely a page turner. Elizabeth Smith, Author The Detour is an interesting read that will keep you in suspense until the end. Rui Ma This exciting book is perfect for a plane trip or as a break from daily responsibilities. Hyunok Lee The Detour is a captivating and thought-provoking novel that transports readers into the heart of North Korea. With its engaging characters, compelling storyline, and exploration of social issues, this book offers a unique and immersive reading experience. Wilson McMillan This is fascinating story that I think you will love as much as I do. Ann Westerman From the first paragraph, Stephen Hiemstra’s novella, The Detour, captures the attention of the reader and holds it securely to the end of the book. Remarkably, he shows the reality of persecutions of Christians in our time, a truly thought-provoking message. Sharron Giambanco
Spirituality is lived belief. When we pray, worship, or reach out to our neighbors, we live out our beliefs. Our beliefs structure our spirituality like skin stretched over the bones of our bodies. These beliefs start with faith in God the Father through Jesus Christ as revealed through the Holy Spirit in scripture, in the church, and in daily life. Our Trinitarian theology orders our beliefs. Without a coherent theology, we lose our identity in space and time having no map or compass to guide us on our way. In the end, we focus on ourselves, not God. Christian spirituality starts with God, not with us. A Christian Guide to Spirituality takes the form of 50 daily devotions. Each topic is treated with a scriptural reference, reflection, prayer, and questions for discussion. Occasionally, references are provided for further study. The first four chapters (Introduction, Apostle’s Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Ten Commandments) cover 40 days making them suitable as a Lenten study. Ten additional days focus on the spiritual disciplines and a short conclusion. Reading A Christian Guide to Spirituality will help readers understand Christian spirituality better and nurture their faith. There is no such thing as quality time with the Lord; there is only time. The living God speaks to us in many ways, but especially through scripture. These three sources cited (Apostle’s Creed, Lord’s Prayer, and Ten Commandments) are commonly called the rule of faith (regula fidei) and were utilized for nearly two millennia as a means to apprentice the faith. These sources are the heart of the confessions of most Christian faith communities and denominations. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, economist, and writer. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30 years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children. The foreword is written by Neal D. Presa. This book might be classified appropriately in spirituality, Christian living, devotion, faith, religion, and theology.
If the Bible is an outreach document written by and for missionaries, then the Holy Spirit is the instrument of that evangelical call. The Image of the Holy Spirit and the Church examines the Bible’s description of the Holy Spirit from before Pentecost and the call the church in view of current challenges. Image of the Holy Spirit and the Church is written in a devotional format with a reflection, prayers, and questions for study. Hear the Words; Walk the Steps; Experience the Joy!
Our image of God reveals not only God’s character, but our own. Who is Jesus? Is Jesus more immanent (human) or transcendent (divine)? Because we are created in the image of God and Jesus is divine, the church struggles to define Jesus. This impulse can be a genuine attempt to know God better or it can be an insidious attempt to create God in our own image. This struggle is often tinged with a bit of both. The Letter to the Church at Thessalonica was likely the first book written in the New Testament. In a literary sense, the implication is that the Apostle Paul is the father of the New Testament. Paul only knew the Risen Christ and, for him, the divinity of Christ was obvious. By contrast, the Gospels that record the humanity of Christ were written almost a generation later. Thus, the transcendence problem facing postmodern people that fixates on the humanity of Christ is relatively new. My recent book, Image and Illumination (2023), asked the question—What does it mean to be created in the image of God?— focused on Christian anthropology. Embedded in this question is the metaphysical question: Who is God? The New Testament addresses this question with three pictures of God: The person of Jesus, Jesus' teaching about God the Father in the parables, and the founding of the church on Pentecost by the Holy Spirit. In this book, I focus on the Image of God in the Person of Jesus. Hear the Words; Walk the Steps; Experience the Joy!
What happens when an online date goes horribly wrong? Luke Stevens saves the day and pays the ultimate price, but U.S. relations with China preclude him from dying just yet. The CIA recruits his father, the divorced Pastor Phil Stevens, to masquerade as his son and flush out the terrorists. Can he remain faithful to his marriage vows in the midst of deception, temptation, and betrayal? Can he find love again? Author, Stephen W. Hiemstra, is a debut novelist, but has published a Christian spirituality series (5 books), a standalone prayer-book, and numerous research publications while working as an economist.
As Christians, how do we know what we know? This simple question challenges the nature of information, how we learn, decision making, who we are, and who this God is that we worship. If this challenge appears optional; it is not—our post-Christian culture questions every faith assumption. Simple Faithexamines these questions and discusses implications for faith and life. An important implication of this study is that faith plays a critical role into how we think, learn, and make decisions in the context of limited resources and an uncertain future. Even scientific inquiry requires faith, which normally gets hidden in untested assumptions and presumptions about what is interesting to investigate. Often the critical arguments driving our decisions are not cold hard facts, but the stories that we tell in the midst of complex decision environments. The timing of this inquiry is critical. The movement from modern to postmodern thinking has upended most institutions, but especially the Christian church. The separation of heart and mind, which characterizes modern thinking, eroded faith leaving the church in a weak position to adapt to the rapid changes accompanying postmodernism. Ironically, postmodern thinking that values storytelling favors Christian faith because the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the best story around.
When God comes into our lives, we change. Our new identity is in Christ comes into tension with our old identity in ourselves as the Holy Spirit works in our hearts and minds. This tension arises between who we were and who God created us to be, between us and God, and between us and those around us. The Apostle Paul calls the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives sanctification. Life in Tensionreflects on Jesus' Beatitudes in the context of scripture. The Beatitudes serve as an introduction to the Sermon on the Mount and lay out Jesus' priorities in teaching his disciples. Because the sermon serves as a kind of ordination service for the Apostles, the importance of the Beatitudes for the early church, Christian spirituality, and discipleship today cannot be overstated. This prayerbook abstracts the prayers from my book, Life in Tension, for separate distribution. Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, tentmaker, writer, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30+ years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children. Keywords for this book include: prayer, Christianity, spirituality, Beatitudes, faith, and devotion.
When did you first hear God’s call? Called Along the Way describes the author’s faith journey from unbeliever to believer, from cultural Christian to active disciple, from disciple to realization of call, and from seminary to early ministry. Unlike Adam and Eve, this story does not begin the Garden of Eden. If you too have struggled with your faith walk, then this story may offer solace. Even in our baby steps of faith, God promises to walk with us. Hear the words; Walk the steps; Experience the joy! The cover image comes from a woodcut called a Nauis Socialis Mechanicorum (Social Ship of Mechanics) attributed to the artist Albrecht Dürer. This woodcut is better known as the Ship of Fools. Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, volunteer pastor, writer, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30+ years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children. Keywords include: Christian memoir, faith, discipleship, pastoral call, personal memoir, autobiography, memoir, federal service, education.
What does it mean to be created in the image of God? This is the core question in Christian anthropology and it is surprisingly important in understanding everything else. Anthropology is the study of human beings, the who question of philosophy. As Christians, our identity is found in Jesus Christ, but exactly what does this imply? Because we are created in the image of God, he is familiar and we immediately recognize him (metaphysics). Because we worship the God who created the universe, we expect the universe to be orderly and worthy of scientific study (epistemology). Because God loves us, we can love those around us who make up God's family (ethics). Our anthropology is accordingly an interpretive key that colors how we see everything else. In exploring this question, Image and Illumination offers over forty devotions containing a reflection, prayer, and questions for discussion. These devotions are organized into these chapters: Introduction, Image, Fall from Grace, Illumination, and Restoration. Cover art is by James Tissot (1836-1902): Moses Adores God in the Burning Bush. French Jewish Museum, New York. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! What are people saying? Image and Illumination is a book you'll want to read and reread, a treasure trove of spiritual insight. Through thoughtful interpretation of Scripture, Stephen applies insight in a way to challenge the believer to a greater appreciation of their faith. Linda Wood Rondeau, Author Stephen as a way of writing that not only brings clarity to these complex theological topics but brings them home to the reader, so they connect with these truths on a personal level. Eric Teitelman, Pastor Stephen has written a series of brief textual expositions on a variety of interesting, important, and sometimes difficult theological issues. Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary Stephen tackles that most basic of human questions: What does it mean to be created in the image of God? Through modern-day examples and scripture, he draws the reader ever closer to the answer found in Christ. Sarah Hamaker, Author Many of us live with the sense that all is not as it should be in this world. That our world is both beautiful and somehow broken. In Image and Illumination Stephen Hiemstra peels back the layers of our modern world to reveal not just what things should be, but what they one day will be through God's work in our world. You will not regret your time immersed in this book. Aaron McMillan, Pastor
Our journey in Christian ethics starts with God in whose image we are created. Creation begins with birth and continues as we mature. Our character matures, shaped by the example of Christ under the mentorship of the Holy Spirit through the family and the church. Christian leaders reach full maturity once they able to mentor others—we are blessed to be a blessing. Living in Christ focuses on explaining, not justifying, Christian ethics. At a time and in a place where people scoff at developing a theological understanding of their faith and refuse to teach Christian morality, ethics is almost a lost art. At the heart of the ethical dilemma is a tension between theological principles that can only be resolved the guidance of the Holy Spirit. How do you practice forgiveness for sinners who refuse to confess their sin and force you to bear its consequences? In this context, ethics is less a philosophical discipline that a recognition of our own limitations as Christians and the need for divine intervention. Ethical thought and action always involve interpretation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is thus ironic that a book on Christian living should have an outward focus on God rather than an inward focus on what to do and not do. This interpretative element colors how we view character formation, the community of faith, leadership, and the many special issues that arise in daily life. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy!
God’s mercy carries us day in and day out. His love comes to us everyday through simple things—unexpected beauty in a garbage heap; encouragement from a stranger; sunshine bursting through a thunder-shower. Is it any wonder that the Apostle Paul admonishes us to pray without ceasing? (1 Thes 5:17) In doing so, we model what was first modeled to us. Prayer might be called the language of the heart. Yet, because emotion and thinking are inseparable in the biblical tradition, our heart’s language is both highly emotive and deeply theological. And because our identity is in Christ, our heart’s language is also both immanent and transcendent. The Holy Spirit is both the author and recipient of our prayers. Even ordinary prayers can do extra-ordinary things. This book, Everyday Prayers for Everyday People, assembles 99 weekly prayers composed from September 2016 through September 2018 by author, Stephen W. Hiemstra. These prayers have been organized into a dozen topics: presence and protection, faith, church, Sabbath rest, adoration, healing, holidays, strength, family, intercession, seasons, and lamentations. The single longest topic is holidays with fourteen prayers. Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy! Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, PhD) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, volunteer pastor, author, and speaker. He lives with Maryam, his wife of 30+ years, in Centreville, VA and they have three grown children. The cover shows an image of Threadpainting; “Sisters” (2005) by Sharron Deacon Begg of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. Other books by author include: A Christian Guide to Spirituality Una Guía Cristiana a la Espiritualidad My Travel Through Life Oraciones Prayers Life in Tension Prayers of a Life in Tension Called Along the Way Spiritual Trilogy Visit T2Pneuma.com for more details.
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