New Release Books by Jan Johnson

How do you practice real conversation with God? How can you make your experience of God 's presence part of everyday life? In this six-session LifeGuide® Bible Study, Jan Johnson covers the disciplines of prayer and of practicing God's presence. Going deeper in these areas will help you to draw closer to God in everything you do.

Reading the Bible is one of the most important spiritual disciplines we can engage in. Why is Bible study so significant? How can our attitude and approach affect what we get out of our reading? Learning to immerse ourselves in God's thoughts through study and meditation allows us to go deeper into God's Word and live in a more Christlike way. This six-session LifeGuide from Jan Johnson helps us do just that.

From financiers of the Texas Revolution to contestants in the Pageant of Pulchritude, the shores of Galveston enticed and cultivated a host of memorable men and women. Bishops and bookies, concert pianists and cotton tycoons--all left an indelible print on their remarkable home. Magnolia Willis Sealy and the members of the Women's Health Protective Association reshaped the ravages of the Great Storm into the glories of the Oleander City. The benevolent activism of Norris Wright Cuney transformed the social landscape, while actress Charlotte Walker and painter Boyer Gonzales Sr. extended the island's cultural reach abroad. Jan Johnson keeps company with Galveston's most fascinating characters.

Do you long for depth and authenticity in your relationship with God? Do you want purpose and daily direction but can’t seem to find the right prayer to receive it? When the Soul Listens will guide you away from formulas and step-by-step prayer plans toward contemplative prayer, “the lifestyle that allows you to experience God’s presence,” writes author Jan Johnson. Learn to find rest and guidance in God, opening yourself to God’s presence and direction through this practical approach. If you are disillusioned, experiencing spiritual dryness, or simply looking for the next step in your spiritual growth, When the Soul Listens offers a clear path to a fulfilling connection with God.

Transform Your Quiet Time Today’s world is all about now—a fast-moving, high-speed, on-demand lifestyle. But has this pace changed how we study the Bible? Our relationship with God is a journey, a walk where we grow closer to him each day. So it makes sense that reading and understanding scripture is a continual experience, not just a moment. This innovative devotional is designed to change how you interact with God’s Word. The Message: Solo revolves around lectio divina, or “divine reading,” an ancient approach to exploring Scripture updated for today’s readers. Each devotion delivers a unique, contemplative study that will encourage you to: Read: Uncover biblical wisdom and revelations as you learn to read without the typical limitations that often hinder Bible reading. Think: Immerse yourself in the passages as you place yourself in the story or meditate on words and phrases. Pray: Connect with him through listening prayer and praise as you encounter new ways to communicate with God. Live: Rest, reflect, or act as you discover how to take the Word with you throughout the day. Features include: An introduction to the lectio divina style of study Guided devotions with a day for reflection every week A topical index for finding issues that impact your life Numbered devotions so you can start anytime and never fall behind

Does the fast pace of life in the twenty-first century make it difficult for you to find even a few moments of peace? Do you long to set aside time to be alone with God? Do you wonder how to best spend time in silence and solitude once you have it? What do you anticipate will be the results of creating "quiet time" in your daily routine? In this Bible study guide, Jan Johnson covers the disciplines of silence and solitude. Going deeper in these areas will lead you toward a more interactive relationship with God. You will learn how to hear God's voice and allow him to shape not only your times of quiet but also the rest of your daily routine.

To encounter Jesus daily and have a relationship with Him changes everything; our focus becomes eternal. Experience Jesus in such a way that His love-drenched, others-focused nature shapes your character. The spiritual practices in each chapter will challenge you to go deeper with Him.

Jan Johnson offers an innovative Advent small-group study built around a careful contextual reading of scripture combined with the imaginative reading approach introduced by St. Ignatius. The title Taste and See hints at how readers are invited to experience the stories of the season with their senses. Drawing on that experience of scripture, participants then consider how these stories speak to their own lives.

This book gives you the opportunity to surrender to God’s presence and enjoy just being with Him. Find contentment, peace, and encouragement from practicing spiritual disciplines, and learn simple, tangible insights into practicing God’s presence in everyday life.

Jan Johnson guides you through 61 carefully chosen selections from renowned author Dallas Willard’s best-selling book Renovation of the Heart. With each selection, you’ll progress through Dr. Willard’s plan for renovating the complete person. Each provocative reflection includes a thoughtful, meaty selection by Dallas Willard along with Jan’s illuminating personal stories, plus suggestions for making the concepts come alive in your own experience.

Spiritual disciplines connect us to the God who wants to transform our souls. We discover these time-tested practices in the Bible as we look at the everyday ways Jesus related to God. These companion studies and exercises will help you to explore sixteen core practices. Three segments on each practice (a total of forty-eight sessions) allow space to go beyond superficial understanding and to begin to live in a new way. Jan Johnson, a seasoned writer in both the areas of spiritual formation and Bible study, has created a unique mix of inductive Bible study, guided meditation and transformational exercises spanning all the styles of learning and offering something for everyone. You can use this book effectively on your own or with a group. Discover what it means to live in the grace and light of God's transforming presence. Also available: The Spiritual Disciplines Bible Studies series of eight titles offers these studies in six-week guides with notes for leaders included. Explore silence service secrecy prayer listening Bible study Scripture meditation community submission reflection confession fasting simplicity worship celebration

Strong tradition and creativity flourish in the home of Emma Aileen Morgan, a young woman with three sisters who all come of age in the turbulent 1960s. When she moves away from home and becomes a professional dancer, Emma’s physical strength and external confidence thrust her forward. But inside she is carrying emotional confusion rooted in childhood experiences she hasn’t shared with her sisters. An ill-destined marriage, betrayal, and unexpected losses cause Emma to question why her life has brought her so much adversity. The breaking down of her old life cuts a new path. Answers come through inner guidance when she starts remembering and documenting her nightly dreams. Emma chooses to step into an alternative relationship and further changes her life direction by leaving the dance world to study the healing arts. Revelations and metaphysical experiences catapult her onto a conscious spiritual path that transforms the way she looks at the world. Her self-inquiry and change shake the foundations of her intimate partnership. Jan Johnson sheds a light on the stories we tell, the beliefs we cling to, the power of dreams, and the process of spiritual awakening. In this account of her search for her own truth, Johnson offers tools that have the potential to help readers find their own higher understanding.

Which activities give you energy and connect you with God? Do you know what behaviors are life-draining for you, separating you from God? In this book Jan Johnson provides small experiments with simplicity as well as questions for discussion or reflection to help you discover the unhurried rhythms of grace.

Lectio divina is a practice of Scripture reading that treats the Bible not only as a text to be examined, but also as the living Word of God spoken anew to us. Traditionally, Lectio Divina has four separate steps: read; meditate; pray; contemplate. Experienced Bible teacher Jan Johnson presents forty Scripture meditations organised topically, giving us the tools we need to practice Lectio Divina on our own. Each meditation can be used both individually and in group settings, and includes: An introduction to the meditation encouraging a time of quiet preparatory exercise; the complete passage from Scripture with explanations, context, and background to the text, help to enter and absorb the text; space to contemplate the passage, respond to God in prayer and rest in his presence; and an exercise to implement the ideas of the passage in our daily lives. Meeting God in Scripture moves us beyond merely understanding what the text meant in its original context to a direct spiritual encounter with Christ.

An introduction to bird identification and birding for young children with color drawings, poems, facts and descriptions of birds found throughout the United States and Canada

Jan Johnson offers an innovative Advent small-group study built around a careful contextual reading of scripture combined with the imaginative reading approach introduced by St. Ignatius. The title Taste and See hints at how readers are invited to experience the stories of the season with their senses. Drawing on that experience of scripture, participants then consider how these stories speak to their own lives.

A brief yet thorough guide to correct, clear writing for the media This text stresses the importance of clear, concise, and accurate writing in a media world that is increasingly web-based. Illustrative and specific real life examples provide guidance for students to improve their writing. By recognizing today’s ever-changing media environment, this text is grounded in the basics of good writing, which is essential to communicators in print, online, broadcast, and strategic communication. This text is available in a variety of formats – print and digital. Check your favorite digital provider for your etext, including Coursesmart, Kindle, Nook, and more. To learn more about our programs, pricing options and customization, click the Choices tab. Learning Goals Upon completing this book, readers will be able to: Understand the basics of good writing Edit and evaluate their own writing Gather information through research and interviewing Note: MySearchLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab, please visit: www.mysearchlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MySearchLab (at no additional cost): ValuePack ISBN-10: 0133829944 / ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780133829945

A Formatio book. Confessing sins is not easy. After all, it is always hard to admit when you are wrong! Why do you need to confess your sins to God? How can confessing sin to God and other people affect your daily life? In this study guide, Jan Johnson covers the disciplines of reflection and confession. Going deeper in these areas will help you to recognize, savor and respond to God's abundant love and forgiveness.

A Formatio book. Serving others can be exhausting. So what is it that motivates you to serve? It's easy to serve for your own glory--to become wrapped up in your own goodness. Yet God challenges you to serve not out of love for yourself but to develop a Christlike love for others. In this Bible study guide, Jan Johnson covers the disciplines of service and secrecy. Going deeper in these areas will help you to avoid prideful motivations and to enjoy partnering with God. You learn to "be" even as you "do."

A Formatio book. You are part of a community, whether it is in the workplace, a family, a church or a circle of friends. But often these communities fall short of what God would have them be. What does God desire for your relationships with other people? How can you build true community? How does God use community to build you into Christlikeness? In this study guide, Jan Johnson covers the disciplines of community and submission. Going deeper in these areas will help you to build true communities with those around you.

Hippie the invisible elephant comes in a crate to a company that makes car parts. Mr. Triplett is the only one who can see him. He has several adventures, and then gets lonely for his home in India.

Readers can explore the disciplines of simplicity and fasting and discover how leading a simple life can help put the focus on what's truly important.

Engaging in worship and celebration is a way of responding to God's love. Readers learn how these disciplines can help them to recognize God's presence in their lives and connect more deeply with God.

From "The Next Generation" and "The X-Files", to "Farscape" and "Enterprise", sci-fi television series in the US have multiplied since the 1980s. Jan Johnson-Smith shows how, in line with national political upheavals, this vibrant and perplexing genre set about expanding the myth of the Western frontier into deep space. She looks at the "sense of wonder" or sublime that infuses much Frontier art and science fiction, and traces a possible historical precedent to the genre in the fabulous and heroic journeys of the Classical epic. She discusses narrative styles and their influences, from the overarching narrative of "Babylon 5" to the episodic formula of "The Outer Limits", considers how experimental series such as "Twin Peaks" challenge conventional structures, and how and why sci-fi television has adopted new technologies. She also explores the juxtaposition of arcane language and technological jargon in modern American sci-fi television, revealing the extraordinarily alien, yet curiously familiar arena it creates.

Community and Submission

Worship and Celebration

Growing Compassionate Kids features practical everyday ways for parents to help their children care about people in need. Jan Johnson, a well-known author who deals with Christian spirituality, helps parents learn to incorporate social outreach and mission into the often-hectic everyday realities of family life.Questions for reflection plus personal and family devotions are included in each chapter. More than half the book is devoted to concrete ideas such as listening to the news with children in a new way, overcoming stereotypes, volunteering as a family, seeking out cross-cultural experiences, and linking up with a child in another nation. An excellent resources section lists organizations and events as well as print, video, and Web sites where parents can gather more ideas.Johnson's treatment is inspiring and grounded in spiritual commitment. Her writing is also tempered by a realistic knowledge of kids' attention spans and interests. As a parent, Johnson has done many of these ideas with her children. Her writing style is down-to-earth, and she is passionately committed to helping parents push beyond expected routines.

In Living a Purpose-Full Life, Jan Johnson explains how women can find their God-given purpose in life. God’s call on a woman’s life isn’t meant to remain a mystery. More than a role, a spiritual gift, or a job she loves, finding her purpose is about knowing who she is: God’s woman in this world. Within these pages readers will discover what purpose in life is, why they need it, and how they can find it. Best of all, each woman will simplify her life by focusing on the things that matter most to her and God, as she becomes the woman he desires her to be.

God's still talking to us. We just need to hear Him.

This Bible study shows women how to transform their lives to begin authentically living the life to which they are called.