https://tienda.upperroom.org:443/contributors/max-o-vincentMax O. Vincent, author of Because of This I Rejoice: Reading Philippians During Lent, is senior pastor of St. James United Methodist Church in Atlanta. He is married to Kristen Vincent, and they have one son, Matthew. Max and Kristen coauthored Another Bead, Another Prayer, a collection of devotions and prayers to use with Protestant prayer beads. A Georgia native, Max holds Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Duke Divinity School and a bachelor's degree in Religion from Wofford College. He studied for one year at the University of Bonn in Bonn, Germany. In addition to serving as pastor of United Methodist congregations in North Carolina and Georgia, Max served for 4 years as a chaplain for the brain injury unit at Shepherd Center in Atlanta. He enjoys teaching workshops on prayer and spiritual disciplines. Max enjoys reading theology, preaching, golf, college basketball, and Girl Scout cookies.https://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/good-news-of-great-joy-2<p>It's hard to imagine Advent or Christmas without music, and that goes beyond popular carols and handbells. Author Max Vincent invites readers to discover the music in the biblical story of Christmas. Four canticles ("little songs") precede, announce, and celebrate the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. These canticles invite readers to pause and consider the deeper meaning of the events surrounding his birth.</p> <p>In <em>Good News of Great Joy</em>, 24 daily readings explore the context, content, and spirituality of these canticles. Each of the four canticles has six daily readings. The daily readings include practices and questions to encourage further reflection on these little songs. In addition, the book provides a Leader's Guide for group study.</p> <p>Luke's canticles were some of the earliest songs of the church and are still prayed daily in some Christian traditions. Vincent encourages readers to pause and notice God's comforting presence as they reflect on these joyous songs of Advent.</p>Fri, 20 May 2022 15:39:26 GMThttps://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/good-news-of-great-joy-2https://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/because-of-this-i-rejoice-3<p>For too long Lent has been thought of as a season of self-sacrifice and discipline that sounds to many Christians like a list of spiritual chores. Lenten disciplines become the spiritual equivalent of New Year's resolutions to lose weight, be healthier, or practice better money management. These promises are easily made and often quickly broken, leaving us feeling like we do not measure up to what we should be.</p> <p>In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul joyfully turns to spiritual practices that draw him closer to God amid persecution and imprisonment. These practices keep Paul connected to a sense of God's power and presence. Joy flows from Paul and becomes a vital part of his relationship with the Philippians.</p> <p><em>Because of This I Rejoice</em> is a 6-week study of Philippians that explores what Paul teaches about joyfully practicing spiritual disciplines. The intent of these disciplines is to help us focus less on ourselves and more on God. This Lenten study invites us to engage in the same spiritual practices as a way to grow closer to God and allow joy to flow through our lives.</p>Sat, 14 May 2022 01:39:49 GMThttps://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/because-of-this-i-rejoice-3https://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/another-bead-another-prayer-3<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> Prayer beads are sold separately. Purchase online at <a href="http://www.prayerworksstudio.etsy.com/">www.prayerworksstudio.etsy.com</a>.</p> <p>Yes, it's really okay for Protestants to use prayer beads! Kristen and Max Vincent invite you to pray from your heart with these 28 devotions designed for use with prayer beads. <em>Another Bead, Another Prayer</em> begins with a brief explanation of Protestant prayer beads for readers who are unfamiliar with them. The devotions are grouped by 4 types of prayer: praise, confession, intercession, and thanksgiving. Other features include:</p> <div style="margin: 5px 15px;"> <ul> <li>A Leader's Guide</li> <li>Simple instructions for making prayer beads</li> <li>Tips for writing your own prayers</li> </ul> </div> <p>This is an excellent resource to help you concentrate in prayer as well as learn new ways to pray. Also a strong option for retreats. Length of study: 4 to 12 weeks.</p>Sat, 14 May 2022 01:02:41 GMThttps://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/another-bead-another-prayer-3https://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/because-of-this-i-rejoice<p>For too long Lent has been thought of as a season of self-sacrifice and discipline that sounds to many Christians like a list of spiritual chores. Lenten disciplines become the spiritual equivalent of New Year's resolutions to lose weight, be healthier, or practice better money management. These promises are easily made and often quickly broken, leaving us feeling like we do not measure up to what we should be.</p> <p>In his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul joyfully turns to spiritual practices that draw him closer to God amid persecution and imprisonment. These practices keep Paul connected to a sense of God's power and presence. Joy flows from Paul and becomes a vital part of his relationship with the Philippians.</p> <p><em>Because of This I Rejoice</em> is a 6-week study of Philippians that explores what Paul teaches about joyfully practicing spiritual disciplines. The intent of these disciplines is to help us focus less on ourselves and more on God. This Lenten study invites us to engage in the same spiritual practices as a way to grow closer to God and allow joy to flow through our lives.</p>Thu, 05 May 2022 20:46:06 GMThttps://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/because-of-this-i-rejoicehttps://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/good-news-of-great-joy<p>It's hard to imagine Advent or Christmas without music, and that goes beyond popular carols and handbells. Author Max Vincent invites readers to discover the music in the biblical story of Christmas. Four canticles ("little songs") precede, announce, and celebrate the birth of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. These canticles invite readers to pause and consider the deeper meaning of the events surrounding his birth.</p> <p>In <em>Good News of Great Joy</em>, 24 daily readings explore the context, content, and spirituality of these canticles. Each of the four canticles has six daily readings. The daily readings include practices and questions to encourage further reflection on these little songs. In addition, the book provides a Leader's Guide for group study.</p> <p>Luke's canticles were some of the earliest songs of the church and are still prayed daily in some Christian traditions. Vincent encourages readers to pause and notice God's comforting presence as they reflect on these joyous songs of Advent.</p>Thu, 05 May 2022 20:35:27 GMThttps://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/good-news-of-great-joyhttps://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/another-bead-another-prayer<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> Prayer beads are sold separately. Purchase online at <a href="http://www.prayerworksstudio.etsy.com/">www.prayerworksstudio.etsy.com</a>.</p> <p>Yes, it's really okay for Protestants to use prayer beads! Kristen and Max Vincent invite you to pray from your heart with these 28 devotions designed for use with prayer beads. <em>Another Bead, Another Prayer</em> begins with a brief explanation of Protestant prayer beads for readers who are unfamiliar with them. The devotions are grouped by 4 types of prayer: praise, confession, intercession, and thanksgiving. Other features include:</p> <div style="margin: 5px 15px;"> <ul> <li>A Leader's Guide</li> <li>Simple instructions for making prayer beads</li> <li>Tips for writing your own prayers</li> </ul> </div> <p>This is an excellent resource to help you concentrate in prayer as well as learn new ways to pray. Also a strong option for retreats. Length of study: 4 to 12 weeks.</p>Thu, 05 May 2022 20:08:43 GMThttps://tienda.upperroom.org:443/product/another-bead-another-prayer