Walking Through Fire

Walking Through Fire
Author: Vaneetha Rendall Risner
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Total Pages: 273
Release: 2021-01-19
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1400218128

The astonishing, Job-like story of how an existence filled with loss, suffering, questioning, and anger became a life filled with shocking and incomprehensible peace and joy. Vaneetha Risner contracted polio as an infant, was misdiagnosed, and lived with widespread paralysis. She lived in and out of the hospital for ten years and, after each stay, would return to a life filled with bullying. When she became a Christian, though, she thought things would get easier, and they did: carefree college days, a dream job in Boston, and an MBA from Stanford where she met and married a classmate. But life unraveled. Again. She had four miscarriages. Her son died because of a doctor's mistake. And Vaneetha was diagnosed with post-polio syndrome, meaning she would likely become a quadriplegic. And then her husband betrayed her and moved out, leaving her to raise two adolescent daughters alone. This was not the abundant life she thought God had promised her. But, as Vaneetha discovered, everything she experienced was designed to draw her closer to Christ as she discovered "that intimacy with God in suffering can be breathtakingly beautiful."

God and Human Suffering

God and Human Suffering
Author: Douglas John Hall
Publisher: Fortress Press
Total Pages: 228
Release:
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9781451407174

Professor Hall has written a major work on an agonizing subject, at once brilliant, comprehensive, and thought provoking.In contrast to many writers who gloss over one or the other, Dr. Hall is true both to the reality of suffering and to the affirmation that God creates, sustains, and redeems.Creative is his view that certain aspects of what we call suffering -- loneliness, experience of limits, temptation, anxiety -- are necessary parts of God's good creation. These he distinguishes from suffering after the fall, the tragic dimension of life.Unique is his structure: creation-suffering as becomingthe fall--suffering as a burdenredemption--conquest from within.Professor Hall succeeds in moving the reader beyond the customary way of stating the problem: "How can undeserved suffering coexist with a just and almighty God?" He also evaluates five popular, leading thinkers on suffering: Harold Kushner, C.S. Lewis, Diogenes Allen, George Buttrick, and Leslie Weatherhead.

I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die

I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die
Author: Sarah J. Robinson
Publisher: WaterBrook
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2021-05-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0593193539

A compassionate, shame-free guide for your darkest days “A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joy” and “pray more.” So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you. You just want a way out. But there’s hope. In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better. Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.

Contemplation and Midlife Crisis

Contemplation and Midlife Crisis
Author: Rosemarie Carfagna
Publisher: Paulist Press
Total Pages: 207
Release: 2014-05-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1587683202

This book helps the reader in midlife crisis frame his/her experience in spiritual/contemplative terms, and thereby provides a wider context in which to understand and eventually accept it.

The Bible and Mental Health

The Bible and Mental Health
Author: Christopher C.H. Cook
Publisher: SCM Press
Total Pages: 195
Release: 2020-08-30
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0334059798

Is it possible to develop such a thing as a biblical theology of mental health? How might we develop a helpful and pastoral use of scripture to explore questions of mental health within a Christian framework? This timely and important book integrates the highest levels of biblical scholarship with theological and pastoral concerns to consider how we use scripture when dealing with mental health issues.

The Mystery of Suffering and the Meaning of God

The Mystery of Suffering and the Meaning of God
Author: Anson Hugh Laytner
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
Total Pages: 191
Release: 2019-07-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1532675569

The Mystery of Suffering and the Meaning of God is a book written by a skeptical but spiritual person for people who struggle with the subjects of God, divine providence, prayer, and related issues; people who are looking for honest and thoughtful--and sometimes humorous--theological reflections, but no easy answers. A work of creative theology fifteen years in the making, The Mystery of Suffering and the Meaning of God deals primarily with the issue of suffering, starting with the book of Job, and addresses the subject of theodicy before going on to explore related topics of the role of prayer, God concepts, the meaning of revelation, and how we can best live together. Laytner intersperses these penetrating theological reflections with pertinent episodes from his life, starting with the personal tragedies that sparked this book. Trained as a liberal rabbi, Laytner riffs on Jewish themes to offer a universal yet personal response to each of the challenges he discusses. His thesis is this: If you are troubled by the issue of suffering and wonder about God's presence (or lack thereof) in the world, and you find no solace in any of the traditional theodicies, then change your conception of God and God's involvement in the world. Problem solved!

The Divine Presence

The Divine Presence
Author: Sergio Rijo
Publisher: SERGIO RIJO
Total Pages: 89
Release: 2023-11-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

In "The Divine Presence: How to Feel the Presence of God in Your Life," embark on a remarkable journey of faith and spiritual exploration. This illuminating book offers a deep dive into the profound quest to connect with the divine in the midst of our everyday lives. Whether you are seeking a stronger spiritual connection, a sense of inner peace, or a guiding light in times of challenge, this book will inspire and guide you. It delves into the core of spirituality, examining the nature of God, the power of belief, and the practices that foster a sense of divine presence. Through personal stories, practical guidance, and reflections on the mysterious and awe-inspiring aspects of faith, you will discover the transformative potential of living in God's presence. This book isn't confined to one religious tradition; it embraces the universal aspects of spirituality that resonate with people from all walks of life. With chapters that explore prayer, meditation, sacred spaces, scriptures, the role of community, mindfulness, acts of kindness and service, gratitude, and much more, it provides a comprehensive roadmap to deepen your spiritual journey. "The Divine Presence" encourages you to seek ongoing spiritual growth and exploration. It reminds you that your journey doesn't end with the final page; it's just the beginning of a lifelong quest for spiritual connection, understanding, and transformation. No matter where you are on your spiritual journey, this book is a source of inspiration, guidance, and solace. It invites you to embrace the mystery of divine presence, to be open to the inexplicable, and to be in awe of the divine that surrounds you. As you immerse yourself in the pages of "The Divine Presence," may you find inner peace, purpose, resilience, and a profound sense of connection with God. This book is your companion on the path to feeling the presence of the divine in your life, reminding you that the transformative power of spirituality is always within your reach.