Christian life and practice Books

Book SynopsisWomen are worn out. Exhausted. Disappointed and disheartened. Tired of trying so hard to keep it all together, of managing circumstances to keep everyone happy, of doing all the right things so that things will turn out the way we want them to or think they should. No matter how hard we try, there are so many things we can''t control, and in trying to do it all, we''re left fragmented and frazzled.But what if it''s not about what we do or can''t do? What if it''s about who we are becoming as we walk through life''s realities? In When Doing It All is Undoing You, Alyssa Bethke examines how women so often believe we can manage outcomes and do all the right things to make our lives go well, and how challenging it can be when we realize that we can''t control how things turn out. She helps readers understand the difference between the things that are ours to do and the things that are out of our control, and she examines how our striving for approval, balance, happiness,

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Book SynopsisBattle burnout, simplify your life, and change your thinking with #1 New York Times bestselling author and renowned Bible teacher Joyce Meyer. Many of us understand how easy it is for life to become hectic, stressful, and busy. We are overcommitted, have no free time, and feel trapped in the daily demands of life. But there is good news—you don’t have to live this way!   In The Joy of an Uncluttered Life, you will find relief from burnout and unnecessary stress with 100 ways to simplify your life. These doable tips will teach you to set boundaries, stay positive, clear out clutter in your life, deal with other people in healthy ways, and more. Even the smallest things we do in a day have the power to bring about more peace, and this book will empower you to make lasting changes in your life.   Discover a life beyond stress and frustration and develop a mindset of simplicity and peace!  Deriv

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Book SynopsisThe Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Christian Children?s Author So you want to write a children?s book? Not just any children?s book. You want it to be tailored to the Christian market so it has kingdom significance. Or maybe you have already authored and published a children?s book in the Christian market, but you aren?t seeing the sales you had hoped. If either of these describes you, then dive into the pages of this book. Absorb the shared insights of two industry insiders as well as some of their well-published and talented colleagues. Apply their insights to your writing. Experience the satisfaction that comes from effective selling strategies. In Writing and Selling Children?s Books in the Christian Market?from Board Books to YA, learn industry insights from best-selling author Michelle Medlock Adams, whose books have sold more than four million copies, and agent and award-winning author Cyle Young. Together this dynamic duo?along with some of their well-published colleagues?share everything you need to know to write, illustrate, pitch, publish, and market your children?s or young adult book. If you?ve ever wanted to write and sell well, this book will show you how. Check them out at: michellemedlockadams.com and cyleyoung.com.

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Book SynopsisWomen are valued for their ability to bear children in many cultures. The birth process, though supposedly the most painful experience of a woman's life, is seen as a necessary evil to achieve the end goal of children and motherhood.And yet, in the face of a typically masculinized Christianity that nevertheless professes that women are equally created in the image of God, shouldn't childbirth--a uniquely feminine experience--itself shape Christian women's souls and teach them about the heart of the God they love and follow?Drawing on her own experience of giving birth and motherhood--and the conflicting assumptions attached to them, by Christians and the culture at large--Aubry G. Smith presents a richly scriptural exploration of common conceptions about pregnancy and childbirth that will not only help mothers and soon-to-be mothers understand how to think biblically about birth, but also walks them through how to put the ideas into practice in their own lives. Along the way, she shows all readers how to see God's own experience of the birth process--and how childbirth leads to a deeper understanding of the gospel overall.Trade ReviewHoly Labor is a much-needed positive Christian account of childbirth. Aubry Smith's appreciation that "we understand God better when we understand childbirth better" is spot on. Holy Labor is a thoughtful guide to approaching birth with wisdom, grace, and yes, even joy! A must-read for expectant and experienced mothers, as well as anyone seeking a deeper understanding for how the love of God shows up in the meaningful labor of childbirth.--Courtney B. Ellis, pastor for spiritual formation at Presbyterian Church of the Master; writer at CourtneyBEllis.comAs an experienced childbirth educator and doula, Aubry G. Smith has provided a much-needed book on the topic of childbirth from a Christian perspective. She does so in a way that is both biblically and theologically anchored while being extremely practical. Her personal vignettes lace through the book and accentuate vital spiritual practices that deepen one's faith. I cannot wait to refer this book to the expectant moms I know!--Diane J. Chandler, PhD, associate professor, Regent University School of Divinity; author, Christian Spiritual Formation: An Integrative Approach to Personal and Relational WholenessNothing has shaped me and my view of God like the experiences of pregnancy, loss, birth, and raising children. Childbirth is more than a metaphor, it's an altar. With this book, Aubry G. Smith has reclaimed childbirth as a profoundly theological and spiritual partnership with our Creator. Holy Labor will set women free, not only to experience an empowered and Christ-centred childbirth, but to encounter the living God in that experience.--Sarah Bessey, author of Jesus Feminist and Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith

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Book SynopsisHow can we create a connection with loved ones who have died? Rudolf Steiner frequently spoke on death and what happens after we die, offering helpful insights into an area which is often left unexplored, yet which affects everyone. In this insightful book, Arie Boogert explores the connections which exist between the living and the dead through consideration of Rudolf Steiner's meditative verses and prayers, which provide support for family and friends who have lost a loved one. Offering thoughtful, considered guidance on how to come to terms with the prospect of our own death, this book also helps readers to prepare for what happens next. A supportive, clear and helpful companion for readers who have lost a loved one and who are looking to understand their own journey towards the end of life.

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Book SynopsisObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a relentless condition, the primary symptom being the occurrence of terrifying ideas, images, and urges that jump into a person's mind and return again and again, despite the individual's attempt to remove them. Christians who suffer from OCD may grapple with additional guilt, as the undesired thoughts are frequently of a spiritual nature. Yet people may be surprised to learn that some of the greatest leaders in Christian history also struggled with this malady. What did they experience? How did they cope? Were they able to overcome these tormenting, often violent, obsessions? Where did God fit into the picture? Ian Osborn shares the personal accounts of Martin Luther, John Bunyan, and Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, as well as his own story, in exploring how faith and science work together to address this complex issue.Table of ContentsPrologue: My Search1. Introduction2. Renaissance Anxieties3. Martin Luther: A Monk Crucified by His Thoughts4. John Bunyan: The Pilgrim's Fears of Hellfire5. Saint Thérèse: The Obsessions of the Little Flower6. What Causes Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder? 7. Treating Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 8. Transferring Responsibility to God: The Cure of Luther, Bunyan, and Thérèse9. A Therapy of Trust: Practical Use Epilogue: How Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Saved Christianity AppendicesA. DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder B. The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive ScaleNotes

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Book SynopsisBeing human is a lifelong journey of becoming. This journey defines our humanity, for it is a journey toward our source and our fulfillment, described in Christian theology as union with God. If we remain open to God as our sense of self awakens, we experience a deeper consciousness of being in him. The self that emerges during this process is larger, more enlightened, and whole. David Benner, who has spent thirty-five years integrating psychology and spirituality, presents psychological insights in a readable fashion to offer readers a deeper understanding of the self and its spiritual development. Drawing on a broad range of Christian traditions, Benner shows that the transformation of self is foundational to Christian spirituality. This book will appeal to readers interested in a psychologically grounded, fresh exploration of Christian spirituality; professionals engaged in pastoral care, counseling, and spiritual direction; and students in ministry development and spiritual formation courses. Questions and answers for individual or group use are included at the end of each chapter.Table of Contents1. Human Awakening2. Mapping the Unfolding Self3. Growth and the Lines of Development4. Transformation and the Levels of Development5. Learning from the Christian Mystics6. The Body-Centered Self7. The Mind-Centered Self8. The Soul-Centered Self9. The Spirit-Centered Self10. Spirituality and Awakening11. The Communal Context of Transformation12. Transformation and TranscendenceAppendix 1: Dreamwork for Growth and TransformationAppendix 2: Meditation, Prayer, and Awakening

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Book SynopsisC. S. Lewis is one of the most influential Christian writers of our time. The Chronicles of Narnia has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide and all Lewis's works are estimated to sell 6 million copies annually. At the fiftieth anniversary of his death, Lewis expert Devin Brown brings the beloved author's story to life in a fresh, accessible, and moving biography through focusing on Lewis's spiritual journey. Although it was clear from the start that Lewis would be a writer, it was not always clear he would become a Christian. Drawing on Lewis's autobiographical works, books by those who knew him personally, and his apologetic and fictional writing, this book tells the inspiring story of Lewis's journey from cynical atheist to joyous Christian and challenges readers to follow their own calling. The book allows Lewis to tell his own life story in a uniquely powerful manner while shedding light on his best-known works.Table of ContentsContentsForeword by Douglas GreshamPrologue: A Longing Nothing Can Satisfy1. Infant and Child (1898-1908)2. Schoolboy and Adolescent (1908-1913)3. Young Man and University Student (1913-1925)4. Oxford Don and Reluctant Convert (1925-1931)5. Inkling and Author (1931-1950)6. Husband, Widower, and Brother Once More (1950-1963)Epilogue: Home at LastIndex

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Book SynopsisCovering such timely issues as witness in a multifaith society and political engagement in a pluralistic world, this compelling book highlights things Christians can do to serve the common good. Now in paperback. Praise for the cloth edition Named one of the "Top 100 Books" and one of the "Top 10 Religion Books" of 2011 by Publishers Weekly "Accessible, wise guidance for people of all faiths."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Highly original. . . . The book deserves a wide audience and is one that will affect its readers well after they have turned the final page."--Christianity Today (5-star review)Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionPart 1: Countering Faith's Malfunctions1. Malfunctions of Faith 2. Idleness 3. Coerciveness 4. Human Flourishing Part 2: Engaged Faith5. Identity and Difference 6. Sharing Wisdom 7. Public Engagement ConclusionIndex

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Book SynopsisThe most vital and significant moments in life are moments of encounter. Whether we encounter ourselves, others, or God, these moments let us know that life is meaningful. And presence is what makes encounter possible. When we are truly present, everything that has being becomes potentially present to us. In this unique resource, David Benner invites us to live with more presence so we can know the presence of God more deeply in our lives. Drawing on over thirty-five years of experience integrating psychology and spirituality, Benner examines the transformational possibilities of spiritual presence and encounter in fresh, exciting, and practical ways. He helps readers understand the personal and interpersonal dimensions of presence and encounter, revealing how they mediate Divine Presence and serve as sacraments of everyday life. His rich meditations are presented in a voice that is intelligent, compassionate, and engaging. The book includes end-of-chapter reflection exercises for individual or group use and a foreword by Richard Rohr.Table of ContentsContentsForeword by Richard Rohr, OFM1. The Nature of Presence2. Presence and Absence3. Being Present4. Three Laws of Presence5. Contemplation and Presence6. Discerning Presence7. Clouded Presence8. Luminous Presence9. Presence and Influence10. Encounter and Presence11. Dialogue as Encounter12. Transformational Encounters13. Real Presence, Mystical Encounters14. Encountering Divine Presence

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Book SynopsisWidely respected theologian Gerald McDermott has spent two decades investigating the meaning of Israel and Judaism. What he has learned has required him to rethink many of his previous assumptions. Israel Matters addresses the perennially important issue of the relationship between Christianity and the people and land of Israel, offering a unique and compelling "third way" between typical approaches and correcting common misunderstandings along the way. This book challenges the widespread Christian assumption that since Jesus came to earth, Jews are no longer special to God as a people, and the land of Israel is no longer theologically significant. It traces the author's journey from thinking those things to discovering that the New Testament authors believed the opposite of both. It also shows that contrary to what many Christians believe, the church is not the new Israel, and both the people and the land of Israel are important to God and the future of redemption. McDermott offers an accessible but robust defense of a "New Christian Zionism" for pastors and laypeople interested in Israel and Christian-Jewish relations. His approach will also spark a conversation among theologians and biblical scholars.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction1. Getting the Big Story Wrong2. Does the New Testament Teach That the Church Is the New Israel?3. Those Who Got It Right: A History of Christian Zionism Starting in the Second Century4. Looking More Closely at the Old Testament: Salvation for the World through Israel5. Looking More Closely at the New Testament: A Future for Both the People and the Land of Israel6. Political Objections: What about the Palestinians?7. Theological Objections: Is the First Covenant Obsolete?8. If All This Is True, Then What?9. Six ProposalsAppendix: Covenant and Land in the Old TestamentIndexes

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Book SynopsisAmerica's problem with race has deep roots, with the country's foundation tied to the near extermination of one race of people and the enslavement of another. Racism is truly our nation's original sin. "It's time we right this unacceptable wrong," says bestselling author and leading Christian activist Jim Wallis. Fifty years ago, Wallis was driven away from his faith by a white church that considered dealing with racism to be taboo. His participation in the civil rights movement brought him back when he discovered a faith that commands racial justice. Yet as recent tragedies confirm, we continue to suffer from the legacy of racism. The old patterns of white privilege are colliding with the changing demographics of a diverse nation. The church has been slow to respond, and Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour of the week. In America's Original Sin, Wallis offers a prophetic and deeply personal call to action in overcoming the racism so ingrained in American society. He speaks candidly to Christians--particularly white Christians--urging them to cross a new bridge toward racial justice and healing. Whenever divided cultures and gridlocked power structures fail to end systemic sin, faith communities can help lead the way to grassroots change. Probing yet positive, biblically rooted yet highly practical, this book shows people of faith how they can work together to overcome the embedded racism in America, galvanizing a movement to cross the bridge to a multiracial church and a new America.Table of ContentsContentsForeword by Bryan StevensonPreface: June 17Introduction: You Will Know the Truth, and the Truth Will Set You Free1. Race Is a Story2. The Parables of Ferguson and Baltimore3. The Original Sin and Its Legacy4. Repentance Means More Than Just Saying You're Sorry5. Dying to Whiteness6. A Segregated Church or a Beloved Community?7. From Warriors to Guardians8. The New Jim Crow and Restorative Justice9. Welcoming the Stranger10. Crossing the Bridge to a New AmericaAfterwordIndex

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Book SynopsisForeword INDIES 2020 Book of the Year Award (SILVER Winner for Religion) 2021 Georgia Author of the Year Award (Inspirational) 2021 Midwest Book Award (Silver Winner for Religion/Philosophy) Native is about identity, soul-searching, and the never-ending journey of finding ourselves and finding God. As both a citizen of the Potawatomi Nation and a Christian, Kaitlin Curtice offers a unique perspective on these topics. In this book, she shows how reconnecting with her Potawatomi identity both informs and challenges her faith. Curtice draws on her personal journey, poetry, imagery, and stories of the Potawatomi people to address themes at the forefront of today's discussions of faith and culture in a positive and constructive way. She encourages us to embrace our own origins and to share and listen to each other's stories so we can build a more inclusive and diverse future. Each of our stories matters for the church to be truly whole. As Curtice shares what it means to experience her faith through the lens of her Indigenous heritage, she reveals that a vibrant spirituality has its origins in identity, belonging, and a sense of place.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionPart 1: Beginnings1. Land and Water2. Journeying Stories3. Creation Stories4. My Own BeginningPart 2: Searching for Meaning5. The Problem of Whiteness6. Stereotypes and Survival7. A Heart Language8. Gifts of PrayerPart 3: The Struggle for Truth9. Ceremony10. Ancestors11. Self, Examined12. The Pain of Church SpacesPart 4: Working13. Wake-Up Calls14. When the Church Gets to Work15. Keeping Watch16. Fighting InvisibilityPart 5: Bearing Fruit in a New World17. Finding One Another18. The Future of Decolonization19. Returning20. A New World for Our ChildrenAfterword

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Book SynopsisMenopause is a dramatic but largely overlooked developmental window to the second half of life. Although today's women are more aware of and actively involved in mapping their menopausal journey than generations before, many still do not see menopause as a time of important psychological and spiritual transformation. This book goes far beyond hot flashes and gets to the very heart of the midlife journey, helping women find their unique voice and speak their truth in an era of #MeToo and #ChurchToo. Coming alongside readers as a wise spiritual guide, pastor and theologian Cheryl Bridges Johns identifies seven key developmental "tasks" of menopause and gives practical ways women can embrace each one. She encourages women to view these tasks as gifts as they experience the remarkable physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation that occurs in this stage of life. Written in a warm and conversational tone, this book helps women chart a course for the future, leading them to a renewed sense of identity, a more focused vision for life, and a deeper spirituality. Each chapter includes guided questions for personal reflection and study questions for group discussion.Table of ContentsContents Introduction 1. Puberty and the Relational Self 2. The Gift of Uncovering 3. The Gift of Anger 4. The Gift of the Authentic Self 5. The Gift of Expanded Time 6. The Gift of Spiritual Freedom 7. The Gift of Vision 8. The Gift of Courage Index

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Book SynopsisDrawing on centuries of wisdom from the Christian ethical tradition, this book takes readers on a journey of self-examination, exploring why our hearts are captivated by glittery but false substitutes for true human goodness and happiness. The first edition sold 35,000 copies and was a C. S. Lewis Book Prize award winner. Now updated and revised throughout, the second edition includes a new chapter on grace and growth through the spiritual disciplines. Questions for discussion and study are included at the end of each chapter.Table of ContentsContents 1. Why Study the Vices? 2. Gifts from the Desert: The Origins and History of the Vices Tradition 3. Envy: Feeling Bitter When Others Have It Better 4. Vainglory: Image Is Everything 5. Sloth (Acedia): Resistance to the Demands of Love 6. Avarice: Possession and Mastery 7. Wrath: Holy Emotion or Hellish Passion? 8. Gluttony: Feeding Your Face and Starving Your Heart 9. Lust: Sexuality Stripped Down 10. The Rest of the Journey: Self-Examination, Spiritual Formation, and the Seven Capital Vices Epilogue Index

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Book SynopsisMany of us tend to live as though Jesus represents the "spiritual part" of our lives. We don't clearly see how he relates to the rest of our experiences, desires, and habits. How can Jesus, the Bible, and Christianity become more than a compartmentalized part of our lives? Highly regarded New Testament scholar and popular teacher Jonathan Pennington argues that we need to recover the lost biblical image of Jesus as the one true philosopher who teaches us how to experience the fullness of our humanity in the kingdom of God. Jesus teaches us what is good, right, and beautiful and offers answers to life's big questions: what it means to be human, how to be happy, how to order our emotions, and how we should conduct our relationships. This book brings Jesus and Christianity into dialogue with the ancient philosophers who asked the same big questions about finding meaningful happiness. It helps us rediscover biblical Christianity as a whole-life philosophy, one that addresses our greatest human questions and helps us live meaningful and flourishing lives.Table of ContentsContentsYour Personal Lord and PhilosopherPhilosophers, Martyrs, and Canoes The Genius of Ancient PhilosophyThe Bible as Philosophy?The Philosophical "Big Ideas" in the Old TestamentThe Philosophical "Big Ideas" in the New TestamentEducating EmotionsA Big Emotional DebateChristianity's Sophisticated SolutionRestoring RelationshipsThe Necessity of RelationshipsChristianity's Renewed RelationshipsBeing Human and HappyHumans, We Have a ProblemChristianity's Whole, Meaningful, and Flourishing Life

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Book SynopsisAuthor AJ Sherrill still remembers the moment when his life was forever changed by a word he didn't even understand at the time: Enneagram. A personality theory that includes nine different "types," the Enneagram has become a popular tool for self-awareness and improvement. But in this book, Sherrill goes deeper, exploring with Christians how the Enneagram can be a pathway to profound spiritual transformation. Sherrill reveals the Enneagram as a tool to unlock new ways of viewing identity, personality, discipleship, spiritual practices, evangelism, and the Bible. Using this fresh approach, Sherrill shows how our true identity is that of a beloved child of God. Recognizing that, we can move confidently into the world expressing this identity through our unique personality. Through Sherrill's detailed spiritual exploration of each type, readers will emerge viewing the Enneagram as a precious gift to following Jesus more closely. Foreword by Chuck DeGroat.Table of ContentsContentsForeword by Chuck DeGroatIntroduction1. IdentityRooted in Belovedness2. PersonalityHow We Cope in a Harsh World3. DiscipleshipSpiritual Practices for Each Enneatype4. ScriptureFinding Your Type in the Biblical Narrative5. EvangelismA Powerful Story of Beauty and Brokenness6. CharacterCreating a Rule of Life for WholenessConclusionAppendix: Additional Enneagram Insights

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Book SynopsisForeword INDIES 2021 Finalist for Religion Religious faith reduces the risk of suicide for virtually every American demographic except one: LGBTQ people. Generations of LGBTQ people have been alienated or condemned by Christian communities. It's past time that Christians confronted the ongoing and devastating effects of this legacy. Many LGBTQ people face overwhelming challenges in navigating faith, gender, and sexuality. Christian communities that uphold the traditional sexual ethic often unwittingly make the path more difficult through unexamined attitudes and practices. Drawing on her sociological training and her leadership in the Side B/Revoice conversation, Bridget Eileen Rivera, who founded the popular website Meditations of a Traveling Nun, speaks to the pain of LGBTQ Christians and helps churches develop a better pastoral approach. Rivera calls to mind Jesus's woe to religious leaders: "They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them" (Matt. 23:4). Heavy Burdens provides an honest account of seven ways LGBTQ people experience discrimination in the church, helping Christians grapple with hard realities and empowering churches across the theological spectrum to navigate better paths forward.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionBurden 1: Sex . . . err . . . Celibacy Is Great!1. The Protestant Sexual Revolution2. The New Sexual OrderBurden 2: Sinners Saved by Grace3. Perverted Identity4. Freud's Lasting InfluenceBurden 3: Folk Devils5. Political Christianity6. Hellfire and JudgmentBurden 4: The Bible Is "Clear"7. Culture and Context8. Double StandardsBurden 5: "Real" Men, "Good" Ladies9. Effeminacy10. EmasculationBurden 6: Made in the Image of God Sex11. Gender Essentialism12. More Than Just Monkeys?Burden 7: Jesus Saves Damns13. Vessels of Wrath14. Grace for Me but Not for TheeA Better Way15. Recentering the Gospel16. Setting Down the Burdens17. Weights of Glory

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Book Synopsis"Smith's sage advice will aid Christians in recognizing the simple joys of practicing their faith."--Publishers Weekly Western culture is in a tailspin, and Christian faith is entangled in it: we do kingdom things in empire ways. Western approaches to faith leave us feeling depressed, doubting, anxious, and burned out. We know something is wrong with the way we do faith and church in the West, but we're so steeped in it that we don't know where to begin to break old habits. Popular pastor and speaker Mandy Smith invites us to be unfettered from the deeply ingrained habits of Western culture so we can do kingdom things in kingdom ways again. She explores how we can be transformed by new postures and habits that help us see God already at work in and around us. The way forward isn't more ideas, programs, and problem-solving but in Jesus's surprising invitation to the kingdom through childlikeness. Ultimately, rediscovering childlike habits is a way for us to remember how to be human. Unfettered helps us reimagine how to follow God with our whole selves again and join with God's mission in the world. Foreword by Walter Brueggemann.Table of ContentsContentsForeword by Walter BrueggemannIntroduction1. Rest2. What Gets in the Way of Rest3. Receive4. What Doesn't Get in the Way of Receiving5. Respond6. What Keeps us from Responding7. A Theology of Childlikeness8. Rest, Receive, RespondAppendix

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Book SynopsisIn this forty-day devotional, Cuban American writer Kat Armas shows us that reading the Bible with fresh eyes allows us to experience God in new and liberating ways. Many Christians today are seeking to disentangle biblical teaching from power structures that marginalize women and people of color. There's a hunger for a new kind of devotional that offers refreshing and relevant ways to connect with God and the Bible--ways that challenge readers to seek out a more liberated and embodied faith. Drawing from personal narrative and Scripture, Armas highlights biblical passages that point toward decolonized themes centered on creation, wisdom, spirit, the body, and the feminine. Sacred Belonging helps us see how Scripture directs us to live a liberated faith, where we belong to God, the earth, and one another.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionCreation1. Sacred Belonging2. The Creatures Teach Us3. The Mountains Groan4. A Wild World beyond Us5. Our Soulful Companions6. Creation Rejoices 0007. A Kin-dom of Reciprocity 8. Earth, Wind, Fire, WaterSpirit9. Ghost Stories10. What Do You Want11. Native Conversations12. Lingering in the Tension13. Arguing with God 00014. The Gift of Dreams15. The Spirit Speaks16. A Deeper DimensionThe Body17. A Disabled God18. Getting Curious19. Breath Prayer20. God Moves In21. Reawakening Your Wildness22. Eyes of Abundance23. A Question of Embodiment24. God amid the CrowdsWisdom25. The Genius Loci26. Eternal Life27. Our Celestial Siblings28. The Cycle of Time29. Rooted in Place30. A New Moon31. The Prophets in Our Midst32. The Cardinal DirectionsThe Feminine33. Pachamama34. The Real Thing35. The Power of the Erotic36. The Breasted One37. Primary Issues38. Uncontrollable Flows39. A Birthing People40. The Sun WomanConclusion

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Book Synopsis★ Publishers Weekly starred review "A must-read for anyone invested in the fate of evangelicalism."--Publishers Weekly Many Christian leaders use their fame and influence to great effect. Whether that popularity resides at the local church level or represents national or international influence, many leaders have effectively said to their followers, "Follow me as I follow Christ." But fame that is cultivated for its own sake, without attendant spiritual maturity and accountability, has a shadow side that runs counter to the heart of the gospel. Celebrity--defined as social power without proximity--has led to abuses of power, the cultivation of persona, and a fixation on profits. In light of the fall of famous Christian leaders in recent years, the time has come for the church to reexamine its relationship to celebrity. Award-winning journalist Katelyn Beaty explores the ways fame has reshaped the American church, explains how and why celebrity is woven into the fabric of the evangelical movement, and identifies many ways fame has gone awry in recent years. She shows us how evangelical culture is uniquely attracted to celebrity gurus over and against institutions, and she offers a renewed vision of ordinary faithfulness, helping us all keep fame in its proper place.Table of ContentsContentsPart 1: Big Things for God1. Social Power without Proximity2. The First Evangelical Celebrities3. Megachurch, MegapastorsPart 2: Three Temptations4. Abusing Power5. Chasing Platforms6. Creating PersonaPart 3: The Way Up Is Down7. Seeking Brand Ambassadors8. The Obscure Messiah and Ordinary Faithfulness

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Book SynopsisChristianity Today 2023 Award of Merit (Culture & the Arts) Midwest Book Review 2023 Silver Book Award (Nonfiction - Religion/Philosophy) How do we become better people? Initiatives such as New Year's resolutions, vision boards, thirty-day plans, and self-help books often fail to compel us to live differently. We settle for small goals--frugal spending, less yelling at the kids, more time at the gym--but we are called to something far greater. We are created to be holy. Award-winning author Jessica Hooten Wilson explains that learning to hear the call of holiness requires cultivating a new imagination--one rooted in the act of reading. Learning to read with eyes attuned to the saints who populate great works of literature moves us toward holiness, where God opens up a way of living that extends far beyond what we can conjure for ourselves. Literature has the power to show us what a holy life looks like, and these depictions often scandalize even as they shape our imagination. As such, careful reading becomes a sort of countercultural spiritual discipline. The book includes devotionals, prayers, wisdom from the saints, and more to help individuals and groups cultivate a saintly imagination. Foreword by Lauren F. Winner.Table of ContentsContentsForeword by Lauren F. Winner  Introduction1. Holy Foolishness2. Communion of Saints3. Creation Care as a Holy Calling4. Liberating Prophets5. Virgin, Bride, Mother6. Contemplative and Active Life7. Sharing in His Suffering8. Ars MoriendiConclusion

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Book SynopsisChristianity Today 2023 Book Award Finalist (Bible & Devotional) Sheltering Mercy helps us rediscover the rich treasures of the Psalms--through free-verse prayer renderings of their poems and hymns--as a guide to personal devotion and meditation. The church has always used the Psalms as part of its prayer life, and they have inspired countless other prayers. This book contains 75 prayers drawn from Psalms 1-75, providing lyrical sketches of what authors Ryan Whitaker Smith and Dan Wilt have seen, heard, and felt while sojourning in the Psalms. While each prayer corresponds to a particular psalm and touches on its themes and ideas, it is not a new translation of the Psalms or an attempt to modernize or contextualize their content or language. Rather, the prayers are responses to the Psalms written in harmony with Scripture. These prayers help us quiet our hearts before God and welcome us into a safe place amid the storms of life. This artful, poetic, and classic devotional book features compelling custom illustrations and beautiful hardcover binding, offering a fresh way to reflect on and pray the Psalms.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionPsalm 1: River TreePsalm 2: Lord of NationsPsalm 3: Heralds of UngracePsalm 4: Architect of SalvationPsalm 5: The House of GodPsalm 6: God of the LivingPsalm 7: Shield and ShadowPsalm 8: Fashioned from ChaosPsalm 9: Native TonguePsalm 10: Until Evil EndsPsalm 11: The Path to JoyPsalm 12: The Story of MercyPsalm 13: A Voice in the DarkPsalm 14: The Side of the RedeemedPsalm 15: A Hill of the HeartPsalm 16: God of the FeastPsalm 17: Justice PleaPsalm 18: The Dawning of the DayPsalm 19: Night and DayPsalm 20: The Blessing of ChristPsalm 21: Heir of GodPsalm 22: Stripped of GloryPsalm 23: Further Up and Further InPsalm 24: A Fountain Running OverPsalm 25: A Hypocrite HymnPsalm 26: Cloaked in GracePsalm 27: Light and LifePsalm 28: Wind and WordPsalm 29: Living WordPsalm 30: Drawn from Death's DoorPsalm 31: Covenant KeeperPsalm 32: The Face of MercyPsalm 33: The Sound of JoyPsalm 34: Illumined by LifePsalm 35: Strong LordPsalm 36: Patient ChrysalisPsalm 37: You Are WisdomPsalm 38: Shattered PortraitPsalm 39: Saved by GracePsalm 40: A Testimony to SalvationPsalm 41: You See the PoorPsalm 42: Seized by LongingPsalm 43: Christ Who SavesPsalm 44: Broken FamilyPsalm 45: In UnionPsalm 46: The One Safe PlacePsalm 47: Blessed TrinityPsalm 48: King of New JerusalemPsalm 49: Your TruthPsalm 50: Grounded by GratitudePsalm 51: Restorer of Broken ThingsPsalm 52: How Long?Psalm 53: Any One of UsPsalm 54: Living SacrificePsalm 55: Open HeartPsalm 56: When Strength FailsPsalm 57: These Rival PowersPsalm 58: Marketplace of IdolsPsalm 59: Deliver Me from EvilPsalm 60: Rebuilder of RuinsPsalm 61: Journey HomePsalm 62: Quiet WhisperPsalm 63: Good and Sustaining GodPsalm 64: God Will JudgePsalm 65: UnrestrainedPsalm 66: God of All ThingsPsalm 67: Praise, Praise, PraisePsalm 68: At Last!Psalm 69: The Name That SavesPsalm 70: Lord over Death and DarknessPsalm 71: Always an EdenPsalm 72: A Prayer for Those in PowerPsalm 73: This Place We MeetPsalm 74: Remember UsPsalm 75: The Times of Your Knowing

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Book Synopsis"Those at a faith crossroads will want to pick this up."--Publishers Weekly The Gospel Coalition 2023 Book Award (Evangelism & Apologetics) Even those who live by faith sometimes doubt. Those doubts don't have to mean the end of Christian identity. In Surprised by Doubt, Joshua Chatraw and Jack Carson help readers rediscover a deeper faith in the midst of a confusing world. They invite skeptics and doubters to explore the ancient faith for a new perspective on contemporary Christianity. Chatraw and Carson build on C. S. Lewis's metaphor that envisions Christianity as a house with many rooms, suggesting that readers move beyond the cramped attic of reactionary versions of the faith to explore the larger, more ancient main floors of the house. With pastoral care and intellectual rigor, Chatraw and Carson not only help Christians think through the issues confronting them. They also help readers engage their emotional journey of anxiety, fear, anger, and frustration. Readers will discover the wisdom of the past and ways to reimagine a faith that can thrive alongside doubt.Table of ContentsContentsPreface: Confessions of a TheologianPart 1: The Attic1. This Isn't How They Told Us It Would Be2. An Invitation to Explore the House of Faith3. Looking Back to Look at the Attic4. Life in the Attic5. Finding a Better PosturePart 2: Outside the House6. New Atheism7. Optimistic Skepticism8. Open Spirituality9. Mythic Truth Interlude: Before Exploring DownstairsPart 3: The Main FloorPerspective 1: Looking At10. The Historical Foundation11. The Person at the Center12. The Load-Bearing WallsPerspective 2: Looking Through13. Wagering Wisely14. A Window to See ThroughPerspective 3: Stepping In15. "But I Still Can't Believe! Now What?"16. Practicing Your Way through DoubtEpilogue: Praying with the Dead

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Book Synopsis★ Publishers Weekly starred review "A top-notch Christian look at immigration, humane and full of heart."--Publishers Weekly Many American Christians have good intentions, working hard to welcome immigrants with hospitality and solidarity. But how can we do that in a way that empowers our immigrant neighbors rather than pushing them to the fringes of white-dominant culture and keeping them as outsiders? That's exactly the question Karen González explores in Beyond Welcome. A Guatemalan immigrant, González draws from the Bible and her own experiences to examine why the traditional approach to immigration ministries and activism is at best incomplete and at worst harmful. By advocating for putting immigrants in the center of the conversation, González helps readers grow in discipleship and recognize themselves in their immigrant neighbors. Accessible to any Christian who is called to serve immigrants, this book equips readers to take action to dismantle white supremacy and xenophobia in the church. They will emerge with new insight into our shared humanity and need for belonging and liberation.Table of ContentsContentsIntroductionPart 1: Words and Myths1. Strangers in a Strange Land: The Myth of Assimilation2. The Scarlet Cord and the Myth of the Good Immigrant3. Russian for Beginners: Words MatterPart 2: The Bible and Belonging4. Reading the Bible: Interpretations Have Consequences5. Mi Casa Es Su Casa: The Hospitality of Jesus6. The Land before (Western) Time: A Theology of BelongingPart 3: Dignity and Departures7. Departures: People on the Move8. Ethical Storytelling: Disrupting the Narrative9. The Kin-dom Where Everyone Belongs

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Book SynopsisGod created us to be curious. We innately wonder about the world, one another, ourselves, and our Creator. But fear of the unknown, cultural taboos, technology, or even church leaders can smother our curiosity. Popular writer Lore Ferguson Wilbert has belonged to Christian communities that discouraged curiosity. The point of the Christian life was to have the right answers, and asking questions reflected a wavering faith. But Wilbert came to discover that the Bible is a permission slip to anyone who wants to ask questions. Reflecting her own theological trajectory toward a more contemplative, expansive faith, Wilbert invites readers to foster curiosity as a spiritual habit. This book explores questions God asks us, questions we ask God, and questions we ask each other. Christianity is not about knowing good answers, says Wilbert, but about asking good questions--ones that foster deeper intimacy with God and others. A Curious Faith invites readers to go beyond pat answers and embrace curiosity, rather than certainty, as a hallmark of authentic faith. Foreword by Seth Haines.Table of ContentsContentsForeword by Seth HainesPart 1. Questions God Asks: Living Curiously1. Live the Questions2. Where Are You? Genesis 33. Who Told You That? Genesis 34. What Have You Done? Genesis 35. Where Are You Going? Genesis 166. What Is Your Name? Genesis 327. What Is in Your Hand? Exodus 48. What Are You Doing Here? 1 Kings 199. Where Were You When I Created All This? Job 38-3910. Will You Correct Me? Job 4011. Whom Shall I Send? Isaiah 612. Is It Right for You to Be Angry? Jonah 4Part 2. Questions We Ask God: Listening Curiously13. Why Was I Born? Jeremiah 2014. Why So Downcast? Psalm 4215. How Can I Be Right with You? Job 25 16. Where Are You? Isaiah 6317. Why Do You Hide from Me? Psalm 4418. How Long, Lord? Psalm 1319. Where Can I Go? Psalm 13920. Why Do You Make Me Look at Injustice? Habakkuk 1Part 3. Questions We Wish Someone Would Ask Us: Loving Curiously21. What Are You Looking For? John 122. Do You Want to Be Well? John 523. Where Is Your Faith? Luke 824. Who Condemns You? John 825. Are You Not More Valuable? Matthew 626. Do You Believe I Am Able to Do This? Matthew 927. Who Do You Say I Am? Matthew 1628. Can't You Wait with Me? Mark 1429. Why Have You Forsaken Me? Mark 1530. The Unasked Questions31. Why Are You Crying and Who Are You Looking For? John 2032. Do You Love Me? John 21

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Book SynopsisChristianity Today 2024 Book Award Finalist (Culture and the Arts) "Provides plenty of fodder for those wishing to explore what evangelicalism is and reimagine what it might become. It's an eye-opener."--Publishers Weekly "Akin to enjoying a lively conversation over a cheering yet bracing cup of tea."--Christianity Today (5-star review) "A breathtaking reminder of just how powerful the evangelical imagination has been and how much is lost when we forfeit it."--The Gospel Coalition Contemporary American evangelicalism is suffering from an identity crisis--and a lot of bad press. In this book, acclaimed author Karen Swallow Prior examines evangelical history, both good and bad. By analyzing the literature, art, and popular culture that has surrounded evangelicalism, she unpacks some of the movement's most deeply held concepts, ideas, values, and practices to consider what is Christian rather than merely cultural. The result is a clearer path forward for evangelicals amid their current identity crisis--and insight for others who want a deeper understanding of what the term "evangelical" means today. Brought to life with color illustrations, images, and paintings, this book explores ideas including conversion, domesticity, empire, sentimentality, and more. In the end, it goes beyond evangelicalism to show us how we might be influenced by images, stories, and metaphors in ways we cannot always see.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction: Victorians, Evangelicals, and the Invitation1. Made in His ImageImagination, Imaginaries, and Evangelicalisms2. AwakeningMumford, MLK, Hurston, Hughes, and Other Poets3. ConversionLanguage, Dr. Pepper, and Ebenezer Scrooge4. TestimonyGrace Abounding and "Evangelically Speaking"5. ImprovementThe Puritan Work Ethic, Paradise Lost, and the Price of Progress6. SentimentalitySweet Jesus, Uncle Tom, and Public Urination7. MaterialityJesus in the Window, the Virgin Mary on Grilled Cheese, Gingerbread Houses, and the Sacramentality of Church Space8. DomesticityAngels and Castles and Prostitutes, Oh My!9. Empire"The White Man's Burden," His Man Friday, the Jesus Nobody Knows, and What Johnny Cash Really Knew10. ReformationPardon Me, Reckoning or Rip Van Winkle?11. RaptureOr How a Thief Came in the Night but Left My Chick Tracts Behind

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Book Synopsis★ Publishers Weekly starred review "A nuanced look at America's legacy of scriptural language."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) Christianity Today 2024 Book Award Finalist (Politics and Public Life) How do Bible passages written thousands of years ago apply to politics today? What can we learn from America's history of using the Bible in politics? How can we converse with people whose views differ from our own? In The Ballot and the Bible, Kaitlyn Schiess explores these questions and more. She unpacks examples of how Americans have connected the Bible to politics in the past, highlighting times it was applied well and times it was egregiously misused. Schiess combines American political history and biblical interpretation to help readers faithfully read Scripture, talk with others about it, and apply it to contemporary political issues--and to their lives. Rather than prescribing what readers should think about specific hot-button issues, Schiess outlines core biblical themes around power, allegiance, national identity, and more. Readers will be encouraged to pursue a biblical basis for their political engagement with compassion and confidence.Table of ContentsContentsIntroduction: Is That Your Bible?1. A City on a Hill: An American Legacy of Puritan Biblical Interpretation2. Submission and Revolution: Romans 13 and American Identity3. "The Bible through Slave-Holding Spectacles": The Bible in the Civil War4. Your Kingdom Come: Social Gospel Hermeneutics5. A Stick of Dynamite: Civil Rights and Scripture6. Magic of the Market: The Hermeneutics of Small Government7. Late Great United States: Biblical Eschatology in the Cold War8. Prayer, Politics, and Personal Faith: George W. Bush's and Barack Obama's Use of Scripture9. "Give unto Caesar What Is Caesar's": Evangelicals and Trump10. Seek the Peace and Prosperity of the City: Jeremiah 29 and Political TheologyConclusion: The Promise and Peril of Biblical References in Politics

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Book SynopsisFrom informal versions of the Rule of St. Benedict to Twelve-Step groups and Weight Watchers, the basic human need for guidance and structure in the quest for wholeness is palpable and real. Out of her long experience as a spiritual director, mentor, and teacher, Margaret Guenther offers a warm and sensible guide for "the rest of us" -- singles, couples, parents, extended families, members of churches -- to create a helpful and balanced rule of life to help us in our search for faith. She explores ancient and contemporary meanings for the classic vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, along with the distinctively Benedictine ethos of stability and conversion, pointing out the pitfalls of each. A series of short essays follows on the different elements of a rule of life -- such as authority, money, pleasure, stinginess, friends, enemies, and living through hard times. The final chapter gives practical ideas for crafting a rule of life that encourages each of us to grow, stretch, and flourish.

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Book SynopsisThis book contains powerful warfare prayers and decrees taken from Scripture that will break the powers of darkness and release the blessings and favor of God. This prayer tool includes an introduction to spiritual warfare and biblical principles for praying to overcome demonic influence and oppression.Readers will learn specifically how to release the fire of the living God to: Preach Prophesy Heal the sick Cast out demons

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Book SynopsisBeat the devil at his own game and wage warfare with confidence!There is a spiritual battle going on, and prayer warrior and intercessor Cindy Trimm has given you a manual to wage effective warfare. The Rules of Engagement helps you recognize the spirits that operate in the kingdom of darkness and gives you declarations for engaging them armed with God's power and authority.

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Book SynopsisWho you think you are is not as important as who God says you are... Many of us wrestle with the gap between our weaknesses and our dreams, between who we are and who God says we are meant to be. We feel unqualified to do God?s work or to live out the calling we imagine. But God has a way of using our weaknesses for good. In fact, God loves unqualified people. In(Un)Qualified,Pastor Steven Furtick helps you peel back the assumptions you?ve made about yourself and see yourself as God sees you. Because true peace and confidence come not from worldly perfection but from acceptance: God?s acceptance of you, your acceptance of yourself, and your acceptance of God?s process of change. This is a book about understanding your identity in light of who God is. It?s a book about coming to terms with the good, the bad, and the unmentionable in your life and learning to let God use you. It?s about charging into the gap between your present and your hopes and meeting God there. After all, God can?t bless who you pretend to be. But he longs to bless who you really are; a flawed and broken person. Good thing for us that God is in the business of using broken people to do big things. Being unqualified is God''s favorite qualification... Our culture tells us that the answer to our failures is to fix them. The solution to our weaknesses is to hide them. The secret to our success is to appear as flawless as possible. But God?s qualifying system is different than the world?s. So is his view of our weaknesses, our purpose, and our true selves. In(Un)Qualified,Steven Furtick explores who God is as the great ?I AM,? and then helps us discover our own identity. Delving into the story of Jacob, Furtick invites us to acknowledge our weaknesses and ask God to work through them. The truth is, God has created us to be more, to accomplish more, and to love life more than we ever thought possible. But to become who he has called us to be, we must embrace who we are right now.(Un)Qualifiedequips us to face obstacles and failures without losing a sense of purpose. We can have a thriving sense of hope that God is working in us and through us, not in spite of our weaknesses but often as a direct result of them.

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