Christian life and practice Books

Book SynopsisPaul Bennett had the perfect wife, the perfect family, the perfect life—until one fateful Christmas brought an unthinkable tragedy. In deep despair, he turns to drinking to drive away the pain, but he only succeeds in driving away his wife. His marriage shattered, his family gone, Paul now despises Christmas. But can the holiday he so detests hold a miraculous surprise? After an accident in which he loses consciousness, he wakes up in the company of the shepherds who will soon travel to Bethlehem to see the newborn Christ in the manger. Can Paul find salvation on the night that forever changed the world? Can he discover the true spirit of Christmas?

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Book SynopsisRichard Bewes first experienced revival as a child, to the sound of thousands of African voices singing. In Under the Thorn Tree, he retells this and many other stories from his lifetime of working and living to further the Kingdom of Christ. Revival comes with the sole pursuit of Jesus – He encompasses everything.Trade ReviewSimple, yet profound … A book to read, and read again. -- Susie Leafe (Director of Reform, Sheffield, and Member of the General Synod of the Church of England)Richard takes us to the heart of true revival ... stirs us to prayer ... warns us against false manifestations ... encourages us with wonderful, untold stories of the Lord's work around the world. -- Alasdair Paine (Vicar of St. Andrew the Great, Cambridge and a trustee of Keswick Ministries.)Richard has ransacked the Bible and the nations to provide us with a bird's-eye (and at times, ring-side) view of those remarkable periods when we glimpse the powers of the coming age as the Lord Almighty works in concentrated spiritual revival. -- Craig Dyer (Associate Pastor, Harper Church, Glasgow and Training Director, Christianity Explored)Richard is both fervently pro–revival and utterly sane. Best of all, it’s a book on revival with the gospel at the heart of it. -- Dale Ralph Davis (Respected Author and Old Testament Scholar)Born out of the family's experience of the East African Revival and passionate about seeing such refreshment and renewal again, Richard Bewes tells the story of God's sovereign work in bringing revival across nations and down the ages. Richard's wealth of biblical wisdom and warmth caused me to plead: "Do it again, Lord, and start with me!" Do read this book and pray for times of refreshing, renewal and, please God, Revival! -- Simon Vibert (Vicar, Christ Church, Virginia Water, Surrey)... mixes history, truth and heart-warming stories to clear our heads and excite our hearts about revival. A great introduction to the subject which should whet your appetite for more. -- Hugh Palmer (Rector, All Souls Langham Place, London)May this book provide a fresh impulse for Christians worldwide to pray for revival in our gospel–starved communities. -- John Woodbridge (Research Professor of Church History and Thought, Trinity International University, Deerfield, Illinois)

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Book SynopsisSometimes life can be difficult and messy, and we just need a little bit of encouragement. Five minutes to refocus our mind on what is important can make a huge difference. Featuring quotes from St. Augustine, Corrie ten Boom, R. C. Sproul and Matt Chandler alongside related Bible verses, this little book is packed full of Gospel goodness. In the muck of life, let this little book point your heart towards the One who can lift us out of the pit.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains two parts. The first is an updated and abriged version of Horatius Bonar’s book The Everlasting Righteousness, first published in 1874. Its central theme is the substitutionary work of Jesus Christ. Bonar shows that, in Jesus Christ, God has provided the only way to deal with the problem of our sin. Because Jesus is the perfect substitute, anyone who believes in him receives a legal pardon from God, and the perfect righteousness of Jesus becomes theirs. This truth has enormous consequences for believers, and Bonar explains some of them in this wonderful book. The second part is an updated version of Regeneration by J. C. Ryle, about the new birth. Ryle addresses what it means to be born again, and what it looks like in the life of a Christian.Trade ReviewBonar and Ryle are both nineteenth–century gospel–infused preachers whose sermons and writings seem timeless. These abbreviated and updated samples should prove soul enriching to whoever reads them. Timeless truths told in effective and engaging ways. -- Derek W. H. Thomas (Senior Minister of Preaching and Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina)The hymns of Horatius Bonar are unique. He could be called the greatest of Scottish hymnists for the amount of hymns written and their rich variety of mood, metre and poetic beauty. But he was also an evangelist and a masterful writer, simplifying the profound and fundamental gospel truths of the Westminster Confession. This book on the imputation of Christ’s righteousness is typical. It opens up the heart of the Christian message of grace. It is conjoined to three messages by a contemporary preacher of Bonar’s, the wonderfully lucid and challenging J. C. Ryle. What a rich and helpful combination. -- Geoff Thomas (Conference Speaker and author, Aberystwyth, Wales)

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Book SynopsisLust is a problem. A big problem. Our sexualised culture, promising freedom and pleasure, is creating a terrible cocktail of abuse, pain, despair, and suffering. The problem is not simply our actions, but our sinful desires. But there is hope. Christ is more powerful than any lustful desire, any temptation. He has defeated death and sin, and his way leads to true freedom.Trade ReviewThis series directly applies biblical truth to urgent matters of human sexuality, and does so with both pastoral sensitivity and theological integrity. All too often the church fails to respond to sexual sin with both compassion and clarity. This series does both, and does so with courage, verve, and an ever–present reminder that Jesus Christ is making all things new. -- David Talcott (Assistant Professor of Philosophy, The King’s College, New York City)Strachan and Peacock confront sexual sin where it begins: in the heart. These men understand that Scripture, by the power of God’s Spirit, is the only instrument that can confront the sinful lusts that reside in the dark crevices of the heart. With biblical precision and pastoral care, Strachan and Peacock demonstrate the connection between heart desires and sinful behavior. You would do well to heed their biblical warning and instruction to tackle sinful actions by practically confronting sinful desires with the truth of God. -- T. Dale Johnson, Jr. (Executive Director, ACBC & Associate Professor of Biblical Counseling, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Missouri)These books are floodlights in the worldly storm. They don’t claim to be exhaustive, but neither are they exhausting. They offer much–needed confidence to regular Christians on pilgrimage in this new dark age. But most of all, this trilogy highlights the compassion of Jesus Christ in the gospel. Read these books, share them with others, and let hope pierce the present darkness. -- Clint Humfrey (Senior Pastor, Calvary Grace Church, Calgary, Alberta)In this straightforward and powerful series, Strachan and Peacock relay a message of hope, transformation, and biblical recalibration because of Christ. These pages are a reveille bugle to wake up a generation sedated by sinful, sexual trajectories. This series is for pastors, parents, and anyone who desires biblical clarity in a world of confusion. -- Rick Holland (Senior Pastor, Mission Road Bible Church, Kansas City, Kansas)Pastor Peacock and Scholar Strachan form a rare combination and a dynamic duo in this thoroughly biblical response to the “strong winds of culture” that are blowing. They offer not just a “battle cry”, but also a “declaration of hope”. -- Tim Cantrell (Senior Pastor, Antioch Bible Church & President of Shepherds’ Seminary, Johannesburg, South Africa)Owen Strachan and Gavin Peacock are men full of biblical wisdom and conviction. And that’s precisely what the church needs in this hour. The authors bring their wisdom and conviction to bear in this work as they engage some of the most pressing issues confronting the church. I heartily recommend this work to every gospel minister—and the church members they serve. -- Jason K. Allen (President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary)Technology often only conspires with our wandering and warped passions to leave us in a state of enslavement and despair. However, this trilogy of books points to God’s word as our only hope through its holistic teaching on sexuality and through the gospel of God’s redeeming grace. I cannot too highly recommend a prayerful study of these books. They might prove a life–saver! -- Conrad Mbewe (Pastor, Kabwata Baptist Church, Kabwata, Zambia; Founding Chancellor, African Christian University, Lusaka, Zambia)Here is an extremely timely book for the cultural crisis in which we find ourselves. Addressing the issue of human sexuality head on, Owen Strachan and Gavin Peacock have delivered a brilliant analysis of the present day crisis over personal sexuality and gender issues. Not only do they make the right diagnosis, they also prescribe the one and only cure for this devastating problem. They offer the transforming power of the saving and sanctifying grace of God. You need to be conversant with the unchanging truths in this book. -- Steven J. Lawson (President, OnePassion Ministries and Professor of Preaching,The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, California)I enthusiastically endorse this biblical sexuality trilogy on lust, homosexuality and transgenderism, written by men of conviction (Strachan and Peacock), who know what God has revealed in His Word and who understand the sinful struggles of fallen humanity. The authors have courageously written about some of the most sensitive issues of our times, denouncing the deviation from God’s original design, while always pointing to the person (Christ) who can give us the victory over such sinful desires and behaviors. If there was ever a generation in need of such a trilogy it is ours. What an insightful and powerful tool this will prove to be for the church of our time. These books are biblical, readable, practical and answer many of the questions many are asking. Every pastor, every leader, in fact, every person who wants to be thoroughly informed about these issues should read this trilogy. -- Miguel Nuñez (Senior Pastor, International Baptist Church, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic)This biblically–centered and theologically–robust series on biblical sexuality is a tour de force. If you struggle with sexual sin, deal with questions about sexuality in your current ministry context, or desire to learn more about such issues, this trilogy of books is for you. -- Dustin W. Benge (Managing Director, Unashamed Truth)The terrible times of the last days are dominated by ‘feel good’ culture which has misled millions onto the destructive super–highway of illicit sex in its different forms. From Scripture, research and the experiences of individuals Peacock and Strachan expose the lies that tried and tested societal norms are bad and ‘follow your heart’ is good. This series is humble and hard–hitting – saying what needs to be said but which many Christian leaders have been afraid to say. However, this is no mere condemnatory diatribe pointing the finger. These pages are full of compassion. There is practical help for those struggling and a triumphant note that though sexual sin is overwhelming the power of the Lord Jesus Christ is greater. This is a very valuable piece of work. -- John Benton (Director of Pastoral Support, The Pastors’ Academy, London Seminary, London, UK)In a world where sex has become everything, anything, and nothing, Strachan and Peacock do a masterful job at helping the church recover and keep a Biblical theology of sexuality. In a sex–crazed world, here are wise words that are timely, truthful, and transformative! -- Philip De Courcy (Senior Pastor of Kindred Community Church, Anaheim Hills, California)

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Book SynopsisUnderstanding the person of Christ is central to understanding the gospel. Jenny Reeves Manley unpacks Christ’s divinity and His humanity, before examining more fully Jesus’ work on earth, planned from before the beginning of time. He took our place on the cross set us free from our debt of sin. In the concluding chapters, the author explores further how Christ’s atonement enabled us to be redeemed to God and united to Christ.Trade ReviewJesus Christ is the most glorious person you will ever know. The better you know Him the more you will love Him. Jenny Manley will help you know and worship Christ more as she draws the reader deep into the life and work of Christ. This book is full of deep theology and yet, it is an easy read as it stirs your heart and soul along with your mind. I recommend that every woman should read The Doctrine of Christ, for Every Woman … and then pass it on to other women and men, so that they will grow in their love for Christ, too. -- Matthias Lohman (Pastor, The Free Evangelical Church Munich, Germany)… biblically faithfully and theologically astute teaching about Jesus Christ, but at the same time the book is wonderfully clear and accessible. I rejoice to find a book about Jesus that is theologically profound and practically applicable which the ordinary person can understand. -- Thomas R. Schreiner (James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Associate Dean, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)This is a treasure trove of rich reflection on the most important figure in history. From beginning to end, Jenny uncovers the beauty and relevance of Christ’s person and work. I know Jesus more truly, and love Him more deeply, because I read this book. Get two copies, read it with a friend, and marvel together at our King of glory. -- Matt Smethurst (Editor, The Gospel Coalition)… my heart was warmed as I read about the Lord who suffered and died for me and not only wants me to grow in my relationship with Him, but continues to apply the benefits of His death to make it happen. -- Carrie Sandom (Director of Women’s Ministry, Proclamation Trust)Jenny Manley has done a great job in this book of making accessible an important topic for every Christian today. This books lifts our gaze to how glorious and majestic Christ is, and it will help you worship Him more. I am grateful for this book and know that it will be a great resource for ladies either on their own or in groups. -- Greg Gilbert (Senior Pastor, Third Avenue Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, Author of What is the Gospel? )… excellent … In this careful biblical and theological study of who Jesus is and what He has done for us, Jenny explains the glory of the incarnation and the power and wisdom of the cross that will serve the church well. If you want to grow in your knowledge, love, and trust of Jesus, then this book is a must read. -- Stephen J. Wellum (Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky)… the choicest treasure in the stores of heaven to enrich the church on earth—Jesus Christ Himself. Make no mistake about it, there is theology here—deep theology—but it is made easier to understand through anecdotes and study questions. You will be enriched by it! -- Conrad Mbewe (Pastor, Kabwata Baptist Church, Kabwata, Zambia; Founding Chancellor, African Christian University, Lusaka, Zambia)

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Book SynopsisYou only get to raise your children once and your little ones need to know the big truths of God – Christ, sin, salvation and the gospel. Sing and Play Big Bible Truths is the perfect tool to introduce babies and toddlers to the Bible truths they need to learn now and for later on in life. Bethany Darwin uses the tools of repetition, familiarity and interactive activities to build crucial theological foundations. Features include: Big Truth Song – a toddler friendly big truth lyric set to a familiar nursery rhyme tune accompanied by motion Hear and Learn – a simple story Play and Learn – a quick game or activity Memorize and Learn – a short bible verse with hand motions Eat and Learn – a themed snackTrade ReviewBethany Darwin has an amazing gift for creatively placing big truths in settings that make it easy and very enjoyable for children to see and appreciate just what those truths are. The songs and activities she has devised will delight not only the children, but the parents who will be thrilled to be able to use such an attractive and reliable guide book. -- Bruce Ware (Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky & author of ‘Big Truths for Young Hearts’)What a fun way to get weighty doctrine into the minds and souls of toddlers! We heartily recommend this book. -- John and Keri Folmar (Senior Pastor, United Christian Church of Dubai; Author)… a practical, reusable, fun tool to teach your children gospel truths through reading, singing, playing and even cooking together! It would be great to use in the home, at church or given as a gift. We wish we had a multi–purpose resource like this when my kids were younger. -- John Welkner (Associate Pastor, United Christian Church of Dubai)Bethany is a gifted, God–centered teacher. ‘Sing and Play Big Truths’ is clear, creative, and fun – a great resource to bless our little brothers and sisters in Christ -- Gloria Furman (Pastor's wife, Mom of four, Author of 'Missional Motherhood' and 'Alive in Him')Experienced in leading children’s ministry in churches for over 20 years, Bethany Darwin is an expert at equipping parents with the tools and ideas they need to nurture their children’s understanding and excitement about God. Definitely a needed resource for parents! -- Kate Nel (Homeschool mom of three toddlers)Biblical. Practical. Inspirational. I particularly valued the clarity on the gospel and the age–appropriate strategies for sharing the gospel with this age group. -- Justin Harris (Senior Pastor, Faith Bible Church, Naples, Florida)

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Book SynopsisA profound biblical examination of the divine work of sanctification. The mandate for holiness is based in the very character and person of God: we are to be holy because God is holy. His grace never leaves a man where it finds him. Grace always transforms the sinner into a saint—a holy man. God’s will is for His people to be holy, and the explanations of why and how we become holy are throughout the Bible. Explaining the tension between positional and progressive holiness, Joel Beeke and Michael Barrett expound the doctrine of sanctification and show that it is the application of the gospel to our daily lives. If you’ve ever considered why, if we are saved by grace alone, holiness matters, this book is for you. Trade ReviewThe author of Hebrews is insistent: without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Drs. Beeke and Barrett will not settle for anything less than total commitment to pursue holiness, whatever the cost. If you can settle for less, then don’t read this book. But settling for less may cost you dearly. -- Derek W. H. Thomas (Senior Minister of Preaching and Teaching, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina)In recent days, we have witnessed a renewed interest in Reformed theology, and in this we rejoice. But there is one area that has been sadly overlooked and needs to be addressed, namely, the doctrine of sanctification. This book, A Radical, Comprehensive Call to Holiness, provides the necessary antidote to this omission. Well-designed and thoroughly studied, this volume by Drs. Joel Beeke and Michael Barrett is certain to be a valuable and trusted aid in your Christian walk. -- Steven J. Lawson (President, OnePassion Ministries and Professor of Preaching,The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, California)It is genuinely refreshing to find a current book on holiness so vigorous and earnest, concerned to unite faith and life so closely and warmly. Christ-centered at its core, it is sweetly clear in its doctrine and strongly compelling in its demands, while always pastorally sensitive and practically helpful. -- Jeremy Walker (Pastor, Maidenbower Baptist Church, UK)This is the perfect book for those who still think the message of sola gratia is a threat to living a holy life. This is also the perfect book for those who still think that calling for sanctification is a threat to preaching justification. But most of all this is the perfect book for anyone—young as well as more mature believers—longing to live a God-pleasing life. In brief, Drs. Beeke and Barrett have provided us a great tool to assist us in practicing biblical holiness. -- Herman Selderhuis (President, Theological University Apeldoorn, The Netherlands)Anyone who ever teaches you evangelical obedience and holiness has done you the greatest favour on this side of eternity. That is what Joel Beeke and Michael Barrett have done for all of us. In this book, as they have opened up the subject of holiness, they have plumbed the depths of doctrinal and exegetical clarity, spied out the land of practical Christian living, and then soared to the heights of devotional ecstasy. Read this book for your good, for the good of your family, and for the good of your church. You will be glad that you did so! -- Conrad Mbewe (Pastor, Kabwata Baptist Church, Kabwata, Zambia; Founding Chancellor, African Christian University, Lusaka, Zambia)The biblical emphasis of this book, strongly reinforced by excellent Puritan teachings, makes this volume a golden treasury for the modern reader. All who are travellers on the road of true holiness have heaven itself as their sure destination. -- Maurice Roberts (Emeritus pastor, Free Church of Scotland (Continuing), Scotland)I heartily recommend this valuable resource of solid spiritual food at a time when many are tempted to get by on fast-food substitutes. -- Cornelis Pronk (Emeritus Minister, Free Reformed Church, Brantford, Ontario)This book has come to you at this moment to help you magnificently to address your life, and increasingly so, to this incredible end of attaining more and more of the holiness of God. What a goal! What a heavenly purpose for daily living. Pursue it by His sufficient grace! -- Geoff Thomas (Conference Speaker and author, Aberystwyth, Wales)

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Book SynopsisThere are parts of the Bible that I have struggled with, and bits that seemed far removed from my life as a twenty–first–century woman. I have wrestled with them, but as I read, I came to know that God offers more liberation, more freedom, and more fulfilment than I could dare to imagine. Equality for all people is a foundational principle in our culture and embedded in our law. The consensus is clear: all people are equally valuable. However, religion is seen as a stronghold that promotes inequality. There is a widespread belief that the Bible is sexist. Women fear that God does not want their good and instead, he wants to box them in and clip their wings. Our culture believes that they need to forget religion to achieve equality. This, however, is not the case. The principle of equality is established in the first pages of the Bible, and its message exalts and dignifies both men and women. Bible teacher, conference speaker and author Karen Soole shares what she has discovered as she has read the Bible and grappled with it over many years. She takes us through the Bible story from Genesis to Revelation and challenges the reader to decide whether God is offering life and liberation, or suffocation and oppression. It is an invitation to meet and know the God of the Bible, and to view his Word through the lens of his character. Chapter titles include Thirsty Made in God’s Image: Genesis 1 Made for Relationship: Genesis 2 Messing up the Design: Genesis 3 The Fallout How the Story Unfolds From Bad to Worse Worrying Laws Wisdom for All The Broken Bride The Wife Liberation Although this book is about women, it is not ‘only for women’. These things matter to everyone. This book was written for men and women, although it addresses concerns that women face in particular. These concerns are relevant to everyone.Trade ReviewLiberated is a thoroughly biblical exploration of a difficult subject and brings a heady blend of warmth, humour and brutal candor. … This is an important apologetic that the church needs to read and reflect upon carefully, if we are to convince a watching world that ultimate dignity and flourishing is to be found in following Jesus of Nazareth. -- Richard Cunningham (Director of Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF), United Kingdom)… shows how the Bible’s message contains better news for women than that coming from any other source. I hope both women and men will read and discover that the living God truly is a friend of women. -- Peter Dray (Director of Creative Evangelism, UCCF)I wish this book had been around when I was first a Christian, wondering whether a fiercely independent, single, domestically–challenged woman like me could thrive in a faith that some claim oppresses women. Essential reading for both women and men. -- Anne Witton (Content Director at Living Out)Karen shows us again and again that God values men and women equally and gives them both the task of being His image bearers in the world. And Christ Himself, the supreme image of the invisible God, is the one we should look to, because ultimate liberation is found in Him alone. -- Carrie Sandom (Director of Women’s Ministry, Proclamation Trust)I am so grateful for this book. Karen Soole compellingly presents the Bible’s exalted view of women. She also tackles some of those passages in the Bible which many find most challenging. Reading it will fill both women and men with confidence in what it means to be a truly liberated woman in the 21st century. -- William Taylor (Minister, St. Helen's Bishopsgate, London)

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Book SynopsisThere are around 8,000 people incarcerated in Scotland. For 40 years, Prison Fellowship Scotland has been working with prisoners and their families, providing practical help and care, and sharing the good news about Jesus. 40 Years Behind Bars tells the stories of the work of Prison Fellowship Scotland, from the perspective of the people closest to the work – prisoners, volunteers and prison workers, amongst others. These uplifting first–hand accounts give voices to many who are unheard, and an insight into the real difference God makes in the lives of those trapped in cycles of addiction and abuse. From weekly groups where anyone and everyone is welcomed, to the Sycamore Tree course, encouraging victim awareness and restorative justice Prison Fellowship Scotland, and other Prison Fellowships around the world, show the love of God in a tangible way to prisoners and their families. Learn more about the impact this incredible organisation has had in 40 Years Behind Bars. Trade ReviewThe voices of the various parties in this book tell a powerful story of God’s love and grace and the difference His love and grace make. Listen for yourself and be inspired. -- Norm Allen (Founder and President of Touchstone Ministries)This is an informative book marking the first forty years of the work of Prison Fellowship Scotland. I found it encouraging that a hundred volunteers, two staff and a number of local prayer groups support this ministry to 8,000 prisoners in Scottish prisons. Prisoners are hearing of Christ with some now trusting in Christ. -- D. Eryl Davies (Elder, Heath Evangelical Church, Cardiff)… be aware that these voices and stories might just turn your world view upside down, make you thinking differently about faith and restorative justice and perhaps even transform you, just like the stories of Jesus do. -- Yvonne Lyon (Musician, songwriter and recording artist)… for God’s gospel to do its work, for God’s dynamite to explode in lives and to bring about a new creation, it must be shared. … What an encouragement to read in this book the testimonies of lives redeemed and renewed through the gospel. -- Garry Brotherston (Minister, Bishopbriggs Free Church, Glasgow)What a treat to listen to many stories of God’s work. Grace is always amazing but reading accounts like these leads one to the conclusion that some testimonies highlight more than others the power of sin to ruin but where sin did abound, grace does much more abound. -- David Meredith (Mission Director, Free Church of Scotland, Inverness)

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Book SynopsisGaming is multi–billion–dollar industry, which has been growing massively in the last few years. It seems that everyone is gaming in one way or another. You might not think that the Bible has anything to say about gaming, but Reagan Rose has written this helpful book on what our relationship with gaming should look like. Track is a series of books designed to disciple the next generation in the areas of culture, doctrine, & the Christian life. While the topics addressed aren’t always simple, they are communicated in a manner that is.Trade ReviewWith pastoral sensitivity and personal experience, Rose provides an excellent summation of the dangers and joys of gaming and how parents and students can learn to redeem the time for God’s glory. -- Dustin W. Benge (Managing Director, Unashamed Truth)Packed with help and hope, there is encouragement here for gamers and their non–gaming family and friends. A real spur to honour Christ online. -- Helen Thorne–Allenson (Director of Training and Resources, Biblical Counselling UK)Video games aren’t sinful, but without godly wisdom gaming can lead to sin. My friend Reagan Rose has given our generation a simple, practical, and biblical game plan that will allow you to enjoy gaming without neglecting the glory of God. -- Costi W. Hinn (Teaching Pastor, Shepherd’s House Bible Church, Chandler, Arizona; Founder and President, For the Gospel)Considering the growing dominance of video gaming as a pastime for young and old, male and female alike, the subject has received very little attention among Christian thinkers and writers. For that reason and others I am thankful for this brief book and it’s level–headed, Bible–based teaching and counsel. -- Tim Challies (Author, ‘Seasons of Sorrow’)With grace and wisdom, he navigates the topic carefully, but truthfully, the scope of this book goes even further. Not only did I finish reading the book with thankfulness, but I was motivated to examine all areas of my life in order to surrender them to the glory of God. Praise the Lord! This book belongs in the hands of every Christian. -- Nate Pickowicz (Pastor, Harvest Bible Church, Gilmanton Iron Works, New Hampshire)… Reagan Rose takes us on a tour of the virtual world of video games, teaching us about its excitements, dangers, and opportunities. I read this book with my son and recommend it to anyone who plays video games or disciples those who do. -- J. Garrett Kell (Pastor, Del Ray Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia)

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Book SynopsisChristian men today are unprepared for the reality and scope of spiritual warfare they face. Some go about their lives naively ignoring the power that spiritual forces like sin and Satan have in their lives. Joe Barnard has written a book to help men not only wake up to the existence of sin in their lives, but, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to tackle it head on. This may seem like a daunting task. Although few would admit it publicly, privately many share the deep anxiety that the resources of the gospel are inadequate to deal with – not the guilt of sin – but the power of sin. Sin may look like an insurmountable problem when measured by the stature of a fallen man, but to God, sin is no more than a weed planted in sand. This book is for men who are willing to fight and it will arm them for the task at hand. Chapter headings Orientation The Rules of War The Fight Against Deception How to Kill Entrenched Passions Four Sins That Are Killing Modern Men Trade ReviewKilling sin is a critical aspect of true discipleship that Christian men neglect at our peril. Here is wise and practical encouragement which, prayerfully and courageously applied, can change our lives for ever. An urgent call to arms! -- Jonathan Lamb (Minister–at–large for Keswick Ministries, IFES Vice President, and former Director, Langham Preaching)Joe Barnard writes that Christian men today are alarmingly unprepared for the daily battle against the lusts and sinful desires in each man’s heart. His book Surviving the Trenches gives you hope that the victory over sin has already been won, but it underscores the deadliness of the battle to claim that victory as a daily personal experience. Surviving the Trenches deals honestly with the battle—it is difficult and dangerous, and there are no shortcuts for easy victories. As the Royal Navy maxim notes, ‘If you want peace, prepare for war.’ Joe’s book prepares men for the battle with an insight that is learned, biblical, challenging, and captivating. From 10 rules for the battle to the lies sin uses against all of us, Surviving the Trenches shoots straight with a clarity that is refreshing and informative. And you will understand the battle you are in and how to persevere to claim the victory Christ has won. You won’t be able to put this book down, and you can’t afford to miss its message. -- Bobby Crotty (Men’s Equipping Director, Watermark Community Church, Dallas, Texas)… maintains that only God saves humanity from the clutches of sin yet perfectly explains how we play a role in waging war with the sin that never stops raging against us. I would highly recommend this book for anyone in a present battle with sin — and that’s pretty much everyone. -- Vince Miller (President, Resolute Men’s Ministry and Bible Studies)… appeals to the consciences of Christian men, offering them a sound biblical theology of sin as well as practical strategies for fighting it. The author targets four specific sins: pride, lust, vanity, and sloth. He exposes their deadliness, but also proclaims the hope every Christian man has in his all sufficient Saviour. -- Charles M. Wingard (Associate Professor of Practical Theology and Dean of Students, Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson, Mississippi)With tactical clarity Barnard describes the Enemy’s devices and presents practical strategies for waging war with indwelling sin. … a call to spiritual arms that should be read by every Christian. -- Reagan Rose (Founder of Redeeming Productivity)… practical, clear, and deliberate. Mortifying sin is not a popular topic today, however, it is as important as ever. Without understanding and applying the principles contained in Matthew 5:27–30, the Christian will not make much progress in their pursuit of spiritual growth. -- Abel Schafer (Pastor, Fellowship Bible Church, Little Rock, Arkansas) Joe is helping us see that when we walk out into this culture every day, we are walking onto a battlefield. Armed with the gospel of Christ, we can be victorious! -- Kent Evans (Author of ‘The Manhood Journey’ and Executive Director of Manhood Journey)Every man needs a battle plan against temptation and sin. Joe Barnard masterfully paints a pathway of how to go to war against sin—killing it—and he does so in a grace filled manner. This book will inspire men to proactively confront the hardest, yet most important fight of your life. Get ready, it just may change your life! -- Josh Jordan (College Pastor, First Baptist Church, Covington, Louisiana)There is a time for straight talking. A time to grab the nettle. A time to rip–off the sticking plaster. This book is written in a similar vain. Joe tackles the subject of men waging war against sin, the flesh and the devil, head on. It is a guttural rallying cry to wake men up to the spiritual battle they are naively dawdling through. This book is very honest. The enemy may be devious, sin may be enslaving and despair may be felt, but the power of the Spirit, the truth of the Word, and the hope of the gospel are more than adequate to bolster resistance and bring renewal to even the most seemingly defeated of saints. I heartily recommend this jugular volume to all men. It will stiffen your spine, strengthen your arm and bring courage to your heart. This book is very hopeful. -- Jonathan Gemmell (Director of Conferences and Resources, The Proclamation Trust, London)Much more than a how–to guide for dealing with sin, Surviving the Trenches will transform your mindset about sin from mere life–management and problem–solving to what sin really is—a life–or–death battlefield. -- Ken Boa (President, Reflections Ministries & author of several books including ‘Conformed to His Image’ and ‘Life in the Presence of God’)… an acute guide to self–diagnosis and critically, sound measures by which to dispense with besetting sin and gain genuine spiritual health. This is a book for men who are fed up with therapeutic fluff and now want to walk the walk. -- David Lyle Jeffrey (Distinguished Senior Fellow, Baylor Institute for Studies in Religion & Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Literature and the Humanities, Baylor University, Waco, Texas)We men need a wakeup call to the deceitfulness of sin, the increasing dullness of the Christian soul, and the beauty of Christ and the joys of holiness. This book delivers on all counts. -- Joe Smith (President, Strengthening the Church)

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Book Synopsis A study of identity politics through a biblical lens, looking at idolatry of the self and the elevations of sexual identity. Our culture is obsessed with identity and it has been the cause of tense interaction with (and within) the Church. Rather than being a new challenge to the Christian faith, however, the identity issue is a very old one; it is fundamentally one of idolatry. Who we are, who we think we are, and how God in Christ restores our knowledge of ourselves in covenant with him, are central Biblical themes. But these things will only appear with clarity if we have the courage to tackle the idolatries of our own age at the root, and stand true to our calling as Christians to worship God and him alone.Trade ReviewAt a time when our liberty to proclaim the Gospel in the West is under increasing attack, Matthew Roberts provides a powerful critique of current thinking. He shows that genuine liberation only comes when we understand who we really are: human beings: created by God, in His image, with unique dignity. This is a timely and important book. -- Sharon James (Social Policy Analyst, The Christian Institute)Roberts helpfully exposes erroneous responses to the issue of ‘sexual orientation’, especially in some quarters of the evangelical church, while bringing us back to the good news of a remedy for sinners of all sexuality stripes. Those who take the time to read this book will find it both enlightening and liberating. -- Jonny Gibson (Associate Professor of Old Testament, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and author of ‘The Moon Is Always Round’)In a world gone dark, the Bible is a lamp and a light; and Roberts is an able guide through the fraught issues of identity and self today as he faithfully holds forth God’s design in his Word for all to find the path to life and godliness. -- Colin Smothers (Executive Director, The Council on Biblical Manhood and Womanhood)

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Book SynopsisRight views of sin have a tendency to lead us to right views of the Person of the Saviour. But the converse is also true; right views of the Saviour’s person lead to the right views of Sin. The Person of Christ is a wonderful encouragement for Christians today. Despite the difference between this edition’s original publication date, the truths Bonar addresses are timeless. Focusing his structure on topics from the person of Christ as the essence of good tidings to views on Christ and the second coming, Bonar sets out a precedent for heartfelt evangelical exposition of the Gospel via the personal relationship Christians have with the Person of Christ. Trade ReviewThis little book reminds us that salvation is not found in bare belief but enfleshed Deity.Our salvation is a person –­ the Lord Jesus Christ. Bonar’s short chapters stir our affections as we ponder the Lord’s personal beauty and sufficiency. In this book you will behold the glorious King in a fresh way. -- Natalie Brand (Bible teacher and author of ‘Priscilla, Where Are You? A Call to Joyful Theology’)The brevity of this book is no indicator of the immense help it can provide for any who desire to grow in knowing Jesus. With each page, Bonar carefully and consistently lifts up the person of Christ and exhorts us with reasons to keep our eyes fixed on him. My heart was stirred with fresh affection for my Savior, and I pray yours would be as well. -- Matthew Boswell (Pastor, The Trails Church; Hymnwriter; Assistant Professor of Church Music and Worship, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary)This richly Reformed, experiential treatise opens up the great blessings of looking in faith to the person of Jesus Christ. Bonar shows us that from the new birth to one’s passage through death into glory, Christ is everything to the believer. In fact, He Himself, as revealed in His Word and promises, is the essence of our assurance of faith. This book is a great help to any true Christian who longs to grow in the Christian life in full–orbed assurance. -- Joel R. Beeke (Chancellor, Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan)

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Book SynopsisNo one has ever seen God. In fact, the Bible says it’s impossible. And yet, to live the Christian life, you must see God. If we can see God, the very sight of Him will fuel and motivate all the other aspects of our lives. So how do we do it? John Davis delves into the ways that we can see God. We see God in His Word; we see Him in the person of Jesus Christ; we even see Him reflected in one another. Although God remains unseen, He has revealed Himself in a whole host of ways. Our hearts perceive Him in the beauty of creation, and in moments of wonder and transcendence. Davis also gives helpful counsel for when we feel like we can’t see God, or don’t want to see Him. When we behold God’s glory it changes everything about us. In keeping our sight fixed on Him, we reflect Him more and more. John Davis invites us to join him in fixing our eyes on the One who is invisible and look forward to the day when we will see Him face to face.Trade ReviewI sincerely appreciate what John has done on this seldom–addressed subject. He found many relevant angles to develop and unfolded them in ways that are very relevant to Christian thinking and living. I was quite moved many times as I was reading it. -- Jack Cottrell ((1938–2022) Author, pastor, theologian)… captures the biblical tension of the call to spend our lives as Christians seeking what we cannot see as the path to truly know the Triune God. -- Brian Croft (Pastor, Auburndale Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky and Founder, Practical Shepherding)My affections were stirred while reading Seeing the Unseen God, and I heartily commend it. Not only is it thoroughly biblical, but it is also pastorally sensitive. Read this book and let Pastor Davis shepherd you into the presence of Christ, in whose face you will see the glory of the unseen God. -- Samuel G. Parkison (Assistant Professor of Theological Studies, Gulf Theological Seminary, United Arab Emirates; author, ‘Irresistible Beauty: Beholding the Triune Glory in the Face of Jesus Christ’)John Davis’ provocative book goes beyond most authors who have dared to write about “seeing” God. His thoughts are fresh, readable and insightful. They are certain to challenge you to open the eyes of your heart that you might see God in ways you may never have considered. -- Bob Russell (Retired Senior Minister, Southeast Christian Church, Middletown, Kentucky)

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Book Synopsis90–day undated devotional of readings from classic authors throughout church history – Gregory the Great, Richard Sibbes, Hudson Taylor, Charles Spurgeon The Song of Songs paints in our imaginations a physical place where we may spend time with Christ and enjoy his love. The language of human love is intended to evoke an experience of divine love and inspire in us a response of love. It channels our desires to their true end, our Creator and Redeemer. In this 90–day undated devotional Tim Chester has curated a selection of writings from classic authors such as Gregory the Great, Richard Sibbes, Hudson Taylor, Charles Spurgeon, and many others, that will help readers to know Christ’s love better. Spend 90 days in the company of these heroes of the faith and pin your affection on the one who is their Bridegroom and yours. There is commentary on each verse of the Song, with perspectives from a couple of different authors on some verses. Chester has included a thought–provoking question with each reading to help you apply it to your own heart.Trade ReviewThis book takes us back to the beautiful and tender tradition of the classical, christological interpretation, which makes the modern interpretation seem shallow and boring. Highly recommended! -- Craig Carter (Professor of Theology, Tyndale University, Toronto, Ontario)… Tim delves into the writings of Gregory of Nyssa and Charles Spurgeon, Martin Luther and J. C. Ryle, Ambrose and Matthew Henry, as well as many others, to help us think about Solomon’s most famous Song with the cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. An enriching and fascinating read! -- Mitchell L. Chase (Preaching Pastor, Kosmosdale Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky and author, ‘Short of Glory’)Tim Chester has compiled a treasure trove of writings on the ‘most biblical’ of all the books in Scripture, so called because of what it is ultimately about: God’s love for his people; Christ’s love for the church; the love of the saved for the savior. -- Kevin J. Vanhoozer (Research Professor of Systematic Theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Deerfield, Illinois)This collection contains some genuine Gospel gold. Let these writings not only push you into the biblical text, but may they push you prayerfully closer to our wonderful bridegroom too! -- Peter Mead (Director, Cor Deo; Author, ‘Lost in Wonder: A Biblical Introduction to God’s Great Marriage’)

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Book SynopsisDevotional challenges modern readers to take up Jonathan Edwards’ Resolutions In 1722, an 18–year–old Jonathan Edwards began setting down seventy resolutions, personal statements of intent, to which, by the grace of God, he held himself accountable for the rest of his life. He read them prayerfully once a week until his death in 1758. Some examples of these resolutions include: Resolved to be always discovering new ways to Glorify God in my life and increase both my joy in Jesus and that of others. Resolved to give my best every week to grow in the grace of God and to be brought to a new and higher place with Jesus than I was the week before. Resolved, as far as possible, when presented with something wonderful and puzzling about God and His ways, to not delay in opening my Bible and my heart to search and discover all that God has revealed to me about Himself. Resolved to be eagerly seeking out those to whom I can be generous and charitable. Resolved, whenever I hear of or see something praiseworthy in another person to seek to imitate it in my life. John Gillespie here examines each resolution in the light of scripture and encourages modern readers to meditate on how they could apply Edwards’ resolutions to their own lives. Each of the 70 short readings begins with the resolution in question and a passage from the Bible, and ends with a verse or quote to meditate on. The devotionals expound on Edwards’ words and call 21st century Christians to think about how they could apply his resolutions to their lives today. Trade Review … helps us focus our mortal eyes on eternity by reminding us of what it means to live the Christian life. -- Matthew Everhard (Pastor, Gospel Fellowship PCA, Valencia, Pennsylvania; contributor, ‘The Jonathan Edwards Encyclopedia’)The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards is one of the most thought provoking and convicting documents to come out of his illustrious publishing ministry. I’m certain many Christians will benefit from this work. -- Peter Sammons (Assistant Faculty in Theology, The Master’s Seminary, Los Angeles, California; author, ‘The Forgotten Attributes of God’)Read it earnestly, prayerfully, with Edwardsean intensity. I bet God will use it to renovate your life. -- Douglas A. Sweeney (Dean, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama)… will bring to our present–day situation the genius of Jonathan Edwards and apply his Resolutions to the lives we lead. Get ready to be challenged! -- Andy Paterson (Associate Pastor, Charlotte Chapel, Edinburgh; author, ‘Ready?: Evangelism for Everyone’)

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Book SynopsisUnderstand, confront, and walk in freedom from fear with renowned Bible teacher and New York Times bestselling author, Joyce Meyer.Fear will never entirely disappear from your life, but you can confront and overcome it! Courage isn't the absence of fear; it is moving forward in the presence of fear. Courageous people do what they believe in their hearts they should do, no matter how they feel or what doubts fill their minds. In DO IT AFRAID, Joyce Meyer explains that fear is everywhere and affects everyone. It rules many people, but it doesn't have to be that way. The first portion of this book will help you understand fear and recognize how it works in your life, and the second will help you confront fear. In the third section, you will learn about mindsets that will position you for freedom from some of the most common fears people face.Fear is the devil's favorite tool in the toolbox of schemes he uses to destroy God's good plan for you. He uses it to hold you back and prevent progress in every area of your life. That is why you must take ownership of your problems and open your heart to God. He will help bring light into darkness. If you can understand fear and how it operates, you can be free from it!

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Book Synopsis'Dan's book demonstrates that the future will belong to the peacemakers - the true heroes among us.' - Bear GryllsWhen thirty-three Chilean miners stepped into the light, alive and well, after sixty-nine days entombed in the earth, the world experienced a rare treat - some good news. Was this an anomaly, or are there other untapped glimmers of hope, hidden behind the headlines?Armed with a camera, a notebook, and a perilous sense of curiosity, Dan Morrice embarks upon a global journey to meet the peacemakers - unsung heroes, forging peace in extreme environments, from war-torn nations to disaster zones.From Chilean miners to Syrian refugees, from ex-football hooligans in Britain, to revolutionaries in Israel-Palestine, Dan discovers how the most unlikely people are rediscovering Christian faith and rewriting the fractured history of our time. At the apex of his journey, Dan's interviews lead him on a five-hundred-mile walk across the Negev Desert to find their source of hope first-hand.In a generation tired of divided nations and negative news, Finding the Peacemakers tells the unreported story of a global movement overcoming the odds to build peace in troubled times. 'One of the most inspiring books I have read for many years.' - Baroness Caroline CoxTrade ReviewA very compelling story * Church Times *Dan's book demonstrates that the future will belong to the peacemakers - the true heroes among us. * Bear Grylls, adventurer *This engaging, excellent and insightful book is a great read. It is thought-provoking, heart-warming and potentially life-changing. Highly recommended - read it and share it. -- Revd Canon J.JohnOne of the most inspiring books I have read for many years -- Baroness Caroline CoxThe power of this book is that it's written by an ordinary guy who took a leap of faith and found himself in extraordinary places meeting extraordinary people. -- Dan Green, Founder & Director of Bridges for CommunitiesBe warned, these are powerful stories from radical people: they will challenge you, inspire you and invite you to join them in a brave new world -- Simon Guillebaud, Founder of GLO Burundi and author of Choose LifeDan is no ordinary geography teacher. He is more like Indiana Jones. Overflowing with an adventurous spirit and inquisitive mind, he hunts not for buried artefacts but for buried stories. -- Andy Frost, author of Long Story ShortDan's book is truly inspirational. His journey and insights into the lives, cultures and hearts of people from different countries and continents across the world are an encouraging and awesome read. Miracles are happening all around us. -- Pat Lam, Director of Rugby at Bristol Bears

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Book SynopsisEverything is beautiful in its time. Life is a journey through beautiful and varied seasons, with a dynamic cadence and full of continued discovery. Embrace each season of your life and learn to live into it fully with grace and help from bestselling author Joyce Meyer. As your body and mind change, Joyce shows that we can live abundantly and dynamically by delighting in the journey that God has given to us. When you cast your cares aside and delight in the season you are in, there is a distinct and meaningful purpose to uncover. How to Age Without Getting Old equips us to become wise enough to embrace God's changing grace and the evolution of our calling to the next season of life.

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Book SynopsisDiscover your unique gifts and dare to be different with #1 New York Times bestselling author and renowned Bible teacher, Joyce Meyer.God has given you gifts so you can fulfill His purpose for your life, but if you're like a lot of people, you may not have recognized your talents yet. Start asking God to show you something special about the way He's made you.To some people, He's given a very tender, compassionate heart, and some He has wired to lead others effectively. Others, He has given a gift of being able to communicate clearly, to teach, to make scientific discoveries, or to write beautiful music. Only you can discover all the dynamic gifts He's placed in you.Become Authentically, Uniquely You because God is never going to help you be anyone but yourself. He loves you just as you are. Let God use you, with all your strengths and weaknesses, and transform you from the inside out to do something powerful beyond your wildest dreams.

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'This journey, of course, is not without its challenges . . . And yet facing those challenges also lends enchantment to the journey.' Join Professor Roderick Strange as he presents the core doctrine of the Catholic faith in a warm and accessible way. Using the liturgical calendar as a roadmap for the journey, Roderick invites us to follow Jesus of Nazareth from Advent through the Church's festivals to Pentecost. Through meditative reflection and powerful personal anecdotes, Journey into Light is the perfect introduction for those new to the Catholic faith.

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Book SynopsisAt a time when loneliness and isolation have reached unprecedented levels, it has never been more important for Christians to embrace the practice of hospitality. For many, it is a lost art - a practice we have forgotten, neglected or distorted beyond all recognition. Amid material comforts and rife individualism, practising hospitality can often hold unrealistic expectations and insurmountable pressure. But what if the practice of hospitality was simpler and yet more profound than we imagined? From the simple act of preparing vegetables to the warm welcome of a stranger, co-authors Miranda Harris and her daughter Jo Swinney re-define hospitality for the modern age. Drawing on biblical insights and a deep well of experience - most significantly within the community in the A Rocha family - this is a warm invitation to embrace the loving kindness of others. To be hospitable doesn't require culinary excellence or matching cutlery - it doesn't even require a home of one's own; true hospitality offers a welcome into imperfection and messiness, a place to belong and be embraced. Following the progression of a meal, from its planning to the moment every guest has departed, A PLACE AT THE TABLE is a heart-warming invitation into a life of thoughtful food preparation, shared meals and meaningful conversation.Trade ReviewA Place at the Table is a transparent, insightful and intimate portrait of hospitality. Miranda's newly discovered manuscript, shaped into a finished form by her daughter Jo, records a written legacy of hospitality as it was written on every page of her life together with her husband Peter, their family and the wider A Rocha community all over the world. Miranda was luminous with God's light. This book reflects her light and it is a joy to see it on these pages, over and again. * Sandra McCracken Singer and songwriter *The ideal book offers a compelling message that is vital at this cultural moment; it is crafted in a way that is in step with the content and is authored by someone who embodies the subject. This book reveals how hospitality diminishes relational fragmentation and it is written in such a way that feels as if you are around the table. The meal is made complete when you realise that the hosts are a mother and daughter who have lived as exemplars of generosity. * Rod Wilson Author, psychologist, President of Regent College, Vancouver 2000-2015 *Beautifully written, thought provoking and at times poignant, this book weaves together one family's story of love and rootedness with the wisdom born of experience. Jo Swinney draws on biblical insights, practical examples from her own life and the writings of her mother Miranda Harris to explore how giving and receiving hospitality is at the heart of Christian faith. * Canon Dr Hilary Marlow Girton College, Cambridge *I endorse this book as one who has been treated to Miranda's practice of hospitality. The lasting memory of fellowship over a meal in the garden of the Harris home will always live with me . . . The lifelong practice of hospitality shared here is authentic, of lasting impact and worthy of emulation. * Florence Muindi Founder, President and CEO of Life in Abundance International *This is an emotionally rich and inspiring blend of reflection, story, and journal * Church Times *

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Book Synopsis"'Time belongs not to us but to God,' contends Michel. Lambasting time management strategies that prioritize productivity, Michel argues that readers must instead accept that 'there is always enough time to do what God has planned.' Michel succeeds in putting earthly concerns in cosmic perspective. These insightful musings are worth a look."--Publishers Weekly *** Whether we're trying to find time, save it, manage it, or make the most of it, one word defines our relationship with the clock: anxiety. Yet is productivity really the only grid for the good life? Have you ever imagined a life without hurry, relentless work, multitasking, or scarcity? A life that is characterized instead by presence, attention, rest, rootedness, fruitfulness, and generosity? This is the kind of life we are meant for, says Jen Pollock Michel. But if we want to experience freedom from time anxiety, we have to reimagine our relationship with time itself. In the pages of In Good Time, she invites you to disentangle your priorities from our modern assumptions and instead ground them in God's time. Then she shows you how to establish 8 life-giving habits that will release you from the false religion of productivity so you can develop a grounded, healthy, life-giving relationship with the clock.

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Book SynopsisGet hungry for God's Word Many Bible believers aren't Bible readers, while others devour God's Word and are hungry for more. Whether you've read your Bible multiple times, only tasted bits and pieces, or are ready to finally whet your appetite for the first time ever, these forty daily devotionals will help you to taste and see how good and applicable God's Word is to your daily life. The 40-Day Feast invites you to the table to · learn how to ingest and digest whole passages for yourself · discover the transforming power bound up in your Bible · apply its truths to your daily life · awaken a deep hunger for more of God and less of the things that don't satisfy Now is the time to seek and find what God has to say and how we are to live as a result. Pull up a chair! Welcome to the feast! "Wendy's writing always makes me hungry for the Word of God and eager to grow in my love for its Author. The 40-Day Feast is such a gift! It will whet your appetite for God Himself as you grow to understand His Word."--Monica Swanson, author of Boy Mom and Raising Amazing

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Book SynopsisGod has chosen to reveal himself to humankind in various ways at various times. Each of these encounters occurred in real, physical locations. Even visions--such as Jacob's ladder or John's Apocalypse--came to people in a particular place. Place is inextricably woven into the story of Scripture, and it's one of the most meaningful ways in which we can encounter God today. Linking these locations with Scripture, reflection questions, prayer, and life-changing insight drawn from more than a quarter century of leading travelers through the Holy Land, John A. Beck offers you a devotional like no other. Illustrated with beautiful full-color photos, The Holy Land Devotional features the sites that Christian pilgrims most often visit, allowing you to walk in the footsteps of people like Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Ruth, David, Martha, Peter, and, of course, Jesus. Whether you've been to the Holy Land, are planning a trip, or just want to know more about the land where Jesus walked, this devotional invites you to grow closer to God as you hear him speaking in and through the Holy Land.

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Book SynopsisLust is a man's problem, right? Wrong. When we see lust as an exclusively male issue, it leaves Christian women with nowhere to turn when they struggle with the same things. They suffer silently and feel like they will never be free. Jessica Harris has been there, and she has made it her mission to break the silence, banish the shame, and bring women's struggles into the light of God's grace and forgiveness. She understands that when you suffer in silence, you are building a wall of shame between yourself and God that God does not desire for you. In this authentic and honest book, she shows women a road map for restoration that answers the question "Is there grace left for me?" with a resounding and emphatic "Yes!" For any woman who desires to escape the pull of lust, pornography, and sexual shame, this book is a refreshing drink of water that will quench the fire within and point the way toward freedom.

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Book SynopsisYour camera isn't a distraction--it's your portal to presence As a mother, life often feels like it is passing by in a blur. You take countless pictures trying to freeze time and capture the memories, but in looking back find you barely even remember experiencing the moments. But what if there were a way to preserve your family's story while also becoming fully present within it? Combining the science of memory preservation with photography principles, professional photographer Joy Prouty shows you how to exit survival mode and enter the present moment through the photos you're already taking. With the camera as your magnifying glass for meaning, you'll learn to let go of perfect pictures, embody self-compassion, and rewire your brain to experience more joy in the memories you are making right now. Through human stories, poetic motherly wisdom, and gorgeous full-color photographs, Practicing Presence is your invitation to show up to the practice of fully living.

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Book SynopsisWho you choose to marry is one of the most important decisions of your life. This decision affects everything that will happen to you from that point forward. So how much have you and your significant other prayed together about your shared life to come? The best time to start praying for your marriage is before you say, "I do." This devotional guide helps you learn how to pray together for twelve specific areas of your relationship, including · the purpose of marriage · communication and conflict · spiritual, emotional, and sexual intimacy · understanding your roles and your differences · friendship and romance · money · parenting · and more It may sound like a cliché when you hear the old adage that "couples who pray together stay together," but the reality is that the divorce rate for couples who pray together, out loud, on a consistent basis is less than one percent. Prayer is key to a strong and lasting relationship. The Ready or Knot Prayer Guide shows you how to develop a lifelong habit to sustain a lifelong marriage.

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Book SynopsisA boy doesn't automatically become a man at age 18. What differentiates a man from a boy is the way he lives. A boy lives day to day, wants to be MVP, plays, wants the reassurance of the crowd, and is a predator. A man has a vision for his life, is a team player, works, has the courage to take a minority position, and is a protector. These are the five marks of a man. It's not enough to just know them. A real man aggressively pursues them on a daily basis. Drawing from his own experience and the lives of others, pastor Brian Tome calls on men to examine themselves and take steps in the direction of a fully realized manhood that honors God, respects women, elevates others, and works purposefully for an end greater than their own satisfaction or pleasure. It's time for men to step into their honorable place in the world and lean into a new reality--one defined by strength, purpose, and honor.

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Book SynopsisLiving in a broken world gives us plenty of reasons to armor up, shut down, and numb out. But God wants more for us than just getting by. When we harden ourselves to the world, we not only close ourselves off from the good things God intends for us but close off avenues God wants to work through in others'' lives as well.With deep empathy and encouragement, writer Charaia Rush invites us to experience the countercultural path of staying open and vulnerable to the goodness of God and the miracle of staying tender in a tough world that only God can bring about. In Courageously Soft she helps you to· identify the root of a hardened heart· move from fearful self-preservation to the hope of being held· recognize God''s presence in the midst of pain· replace denial, shutting down, and closing off with abiding trust in God''s love and careIf you have been feeling exhausted, bitter, or beaten down by disappointment

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Book SynopsisIn the dead-end Canadian town of Bleak Landing, twelve-year-old Irish immigrant Bridget O’Sullivan lives in a ramshackle house and dreams of another life, even as the Great Depression rages. Routinely beaten by her father and bullied by schoolmate Victor Harrison, the waifish yet fiery redhead vows to run away and never return. Just a few short years later, run she does—fleeing the unspeakable repercussions of her father’s gambling. In Winnipeg, Bridget lands a job at a garment factory, the first step on her journey to shed her past and begin anew. When her father dies, Bridget—now a striking and accomplished woman—returns home to claim her inheritance. But she has no identification to prove her stake, and no one in town recognizes her—except Victor, who has become a pastor and a candidate for town mayor. Though war has wounded him, his secret affection for Bridget remains, and now he’s the only one who can help her prove her integrity. But can he also prove he’s a changed man worthy of her forgiveness? As Victor preaches of freedom in faith, will his words spark Bridget’s once-hopeless heart and lead her to the life she’s been seeking?

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Book SynopsisToday we are all stretching ourselves more than ever to live up to life's seemingly endless demands, so why do we still feel we are less than enough? Mattie James- mother, influencer, and CEO-believes that living a beautiful life amidst the chaos and pressures is possible. All it takes is a little everyday MAGIC.In this book, Mattie shows you how, helping you to evaluate the tasks and decisions you face in your daily life to make sure everything in your life is MAGIC: * Meaningful* Aesthetically pleasing* Goal-oriented* Intentional* Consistent This honest and practical guide offers tools, insights, and encouragement to help you center yourself within the minutiae of everyday life and evaluate tasks to become intentional about everything you do. Mattie shows readers how to be more efficient by making big decisions in the morning, batching household chores for maximum effectiveness, and deciding which tasks to tackle yourself and which to hire out. She also shows you how to provide healthy meals for your family with minimum hassle, eliminate clutter and stress in your home to make space for the heart, and ultimately make your life, career, home, and family a reflection of what makes you whole. The work required to change your life has been inside you all along. It's not deep, just deliberate. This book begins your journey to connect with yourself so that you can prioritize your own reasons for everything you do.

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Book Synopsis*A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!*For most of our lives, we are encouraged to trudge along the well-worn paths of those who have come before us. We learn the rules - in our families, in our schools, in our workplaces, in our churches - and most of the messages we receive tell us that following the rules will allow us to arrive at the lives we desire. But when change becomes not only desirable but also urgently necessary, this way of being no longer serves us. In fact, in every human endeavour, every major leap forward, has involved a cataclysmic challenge to existing ways of thinking and being. Breakthroughs, by definition, run against the grain and almost always encounter scepticism and opposition. In this book for leaders, thinkers, doers, and creators, Bishop T.D. Jakes illuminates the pathway to encouraging and unleashing disruptive thinking and provides the wisdom and practical skills we need to evolve our most original and potentially transformational ideas from vision to reality. Through his insight into how our minds and emotions work and through his experiences as a pastor, entrepreneur, and creator, Bishop Jakes leads us into a new way of relating to and transforming the world around us for good. Disruptive Thinking will show you the mindset and the tools you need to create ground-breaking and meaningful change in your own life and in the world around you.

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Book Synopsis*A COMPANION TO THE BOOK DISRUPTIVE THINKING* For most of our lives, we are encouraged to trudge along the well-worn paths of those who have come before us. We learn the rules - in our families, in our schools, in our workplaces, in our churches - and most of the messages we receive tell us that following the rules will allow us to arrive at the lives we desire. But when change becomes not only desirable but also urgently necessary, this way of being no longer serves us. In fact, in every human endeavor, every major leap forward, has involved a cataclysmic challenge to existing ways of thinking and being. Breakthroughs, by definition, run against the grain and almost always encounter skepticism and opposition. In this book for leaders, thinkers, doers, and creators, Bishop T.D. Jakes illuminates the pathway to encouraging and unleashing disruptive thinking and provides the wisdom and practical skills we need to evolve our most original and potentially transformational ideas from vision to reality. Through his insight into how our minds and emotions work and through his experiences as a pastor, entrepreneur, and creator, Bishop Jakes leads us into a new way of relating to and transforming the world around us for good. Disruptive Thinking will show you the mindset and the tools you need to create groundbreaking and meaningful change in your own life and in the world around you.

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Book Synopsis*A COMPANION TO THE BOOK 15 Ways to Live Longer and Healthier*Are you ready to live with more joy, less stress, and improve virtually every aspect of your life with this helpful study guide?What if a healthy, abundant, joyful, faith-filled life is within reach? What if you could increase your energy, vitality, and happiness, and stop dragging through the day, living discouraged and depressed, and settling for less than the life you want?In the15 Ways to Live Longer and Healthier Study Guide, New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen, with his trademark wisdom and encouragement, helps you to discover greater success, stronger relationships, tame stress, and find real happiness. He shows that the key to good health, longevity, and abundance is to keep your soul healthy by focusing on your attitude, your thoughts, and your emotional well-being. With this study guide, he shows you how to:- Stay positive toward yourself;- Deal with difficult people;- Let go of control;- Choose to be happy;- Unclutter your mind;- Live in the present;- Tame the tongue; and- Take care of yourself.Start today to make a real change that lasts. Not just for a week, a month, or a year but for the rest of your life.

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Book SynopsisEmbrace the gift of faith, the vision of your greatest dreams, and the courage to step into the unknown with Joel Osteen's essential book about the incredible power of belief.One of the greatest abilities God has given each of us is our ability to believe. When you believe, you ignite the promises of God and the surpassing greatness of His power is released. When you believe, supernatural doors will open, you'll defeat giants, you'll accomplish dreams much bigger than you thought. When you believe, no disappointment, no setback, no injustice, no illness, and no person can stop Him from taking you where He wants you to go.This compact digest by #1 New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen helps readers stay anchored to hope when they don't see any sign of what they're believing for, to dare to be bold and step into the unknown, to pray big, and to experience the incredible power of believing.

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Book SynopsisThe Bible. You've heard of it, yes? Maybe something about David and Goliath or Noah's ark, or a baby in a manger? What if I told you there was tons of stuff in the Bible that you've never heard about? Things like talking donkeys, self-conscious magicians, and kings who think they're cows. The Bible is a curious book full of deeply flawed people and a God who refuses to give up on them. Don't believe me? Look for yourself.In these 60 devotions, we examine these unique stories, the circumstances and biblical truth around them, and what they reveal about the heart of God.

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Book SynopsisLive from a place of abundant peace in the midst of life's everyday worries and stress with #1 New York Times bestselling author and Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen.The opposite of peace is worry and stress. Both are thieves that rob you of your sleep, joy, creativity, and good decisions. If you allow them into your mind, they can even can even keep you from your destiny. But if you learn how to change your automatic responses to these struggles and give your problems to God, He can go to work in your life. If you're tired of living in tension and anxiety, then it's time to change. In Peaceful on Purpose, you will discover that you weren't designed to carry the heavy load yourself: step back to let God step in. Find peace so that you can stop worrying about your health, job, finances, or relationships.Life may be chaotic all around you, but you can live grounded in a calm spirit by drawing on scriptural examples and Joel's insightful personal experiences to find fulfillment. Learn how to give it to God so that He can exceed your expectations.

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Book SynopsisUnleash your can-do attitude and find power in your mindset with renowned Bible teacher and #1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer.Joyce Meyer has a knack for coining phrases (Joyce-isms) and one of her best loved is "Where the mind goes, the man follows." Meyer provides keys for "powerful thinking," giving the reader an ability to use the mind as a tool to achievement.In Powerful Thinking, a book small and portable enough to fit in a purse, suitcase, backpack, briefcase, or even a pocket, she outlines a flexible program to turn thoughts into habits, and habits into success. Sections include: * The Power of a Positive You * Keeping Your Attitude at the Right Altitude* The Power of Perspective* More Power To YouNobody has more of a "can-do" attitude than Joyce Meyer. Now you can, too!

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Book SynopsisRelease the negative thoughts and feelings that are weighing you down with #1 New York Times bestselling author and Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen.It's easy to go through life holding on to things that are weighing you down. Guilt. Resentment. Doubt. Worry. The problem is when you allow these things in, they're taking up space for the good things that should be there. Imagine your life is like a container. You were created to be filled with joy, peace, confidence, creativity. But if you allow worry, shame, and other negativity in, it pushes out good thoughts. Life is too short to go through it with negative things holding you down.The Scripture says, "Give no place to the enemy." Give no place to worry. Give no place to bitterness. You control what's in your container. You control what you think about, what you choose to allow in. Every morning when you wake up, you need to empty out anything negative from the day before. Empty Out the Negative will help you disregard the ridiculing voices in your head and instead hear God and his grace. Empty out the negative, and God will fill you with good.

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Book SynopsisRelease the negative thoughts and feelings that are weighing you down and make room for the good things you should have in your life with #1 New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen.You were created to be filled with joy, peace, confidence, and creativity. But it's easy to go through life holding on to things that weigh you down-guilt, resentment, doubt, worry. When you give space to these negative emotions, they take up space that you need for the good things that move you toward your destiny.How much room are you giving to shame, to regret, to being against yourself? Whatever it is, it's too much. Life is too short for you to live bitter and discouraged, letting your circumstances hold you back. Every morning you have to empty out anything negative from the day before and put on a fresh new attitude. Power up and get your mind going in the right direction, and you'll step into all the new things God has in store for you.

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