The Good and Beautiful God

The Good and Beautiful God
Author: James Bryan Smith
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2009-12-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0830878343

Turning to the Gospels, James Bryan Smith invites you to compare your ideas about God with what Jesus himself reveals about his Father. In this Good and Beautiful Series book, Smith leads you through a process of spiritual formation that includes activities aimed at making these new narratives real in your body and soul as well as your mind.

The Love That Is God

The Love That Is God
Author: Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 121
Release: 2020-08-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1467459259

“God is love is the radical claim of Christianity,” writes Frederick Bauerschmidt at the beginning of this little meditation on the essentials of Christian faith. In a rich yet accessible style reminiscent of C. S. Lewis and G. K. Chesterton, Bauerschmidt breathes life back into that claim, drawing from Scripture, great Christian and non-Christian writers of the past, and his own lived experience to show just how countercultural and subversive Christianity is actually meant to be. Eschewing the abstract and dogmatic in favor of the relational and inviting, he offers something for everyone, from lifelong churchgoers and students of religion to the growing population of “nones” among younger generations who are increasingly seeking spiritual fulfillment outside of institutional Christianity. With further reading suggestions (both scriptural and nonscriptural) at the end of each chapter, The Love That Is God is the perfect starting point of a spiritual journey into deeper relationship with God. Michael Ramsey Prize (2023)

If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk

If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk
Author: John Pavlovitz
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
Total Pages: 266
Release: 2021-09-28
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1646982134

Thou Shalt Not Be Horrible. Imagine for a moment what the world might look like if we as people of faith, morality, and conscience actually aspired to this mantra. What if we were fully burdened to create a world that was more loving and equitable than when we arrived? What if we invited one another to share in wide-open, fearless, spiritual communities truly marked by compassion and interdependence? What if we daily challenged ourselves to live a faith that simply made us better humans? John Pavlovitz explores how we can embody this kinder kind of spirituality where we humbly examine our belief system to understand how it might compel us to act in less-than-loving ways toward others. This simple phrase, "Thou Shalt Not Be Horrible," could help us practice what we preach by creating a world where: spiritual community provides a sense of belonging where all people are received as we are; the most important question we ask of a religious belief is not Is it true? but rather, is it helpful? it is morally impossible to pledge complete allegiance to both Jesus and America simultaneously; the way we treat others is the most tangible and meaningful expression of our belief system. In If God Is Love, Don't Be a Jerk, John Pavlovitz examines the bedrock ideas of our religion: the existence of hell, the utility of prayer, the way we treat LGBTQ people, the value of anger, and other doctrines to help all of us take a good, honest look at how the beliefs we hold can shape our relationships with God and our fellow humans—and to make sure that love has the last, loudest word.

A Place to Belong

A Place to Belong
Author: Megan Hill
Publisher: Crossway
Total Pages: 184
Release: 2020-04-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433563762

Christians know church is important, but sometimes it doesn't seem worth it. An eclectic assortment of people with differing personalities, political views, and parenting styles can make for awkward interactions and difficult connections. What’s the point of putting in the tough work to build relationships? But the Bible says God’s people ought to be bound together. It uses words like beloved, brothers and sisters, saints, and fellow laborers to describe their mutual relationship in the church. In this book, Megan Hill answers a common question of churchgoers: What’s so great about the church? With rich theology, practical direction, and study questions for group use, Hill encourages and equips both first-time visitors and regular members to delight in being a part of the local church—no matter how messy and ordinary it seems today. It is only when God’s people begin to see one another as the Lord sees them that they will truly find a place to belong.

Women of the Word (Foreword by Matt Chandler)

Women of the Word (Foreword by Matt Chandler)
Author: Jen Wilkin
Publisher: Crossway
Total Pages: 94
Release: 2019-08-14
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433567172

“Women of the Word will help all who read it to find their way deeper into the Word of God without having to be seminary educated, a genius, or even an especially good student.” —Kathy Keller We all know it’s important to study God’s Word. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. What’s more, a lack of time, emotionally driven approaches, and past frustrations can erode our resolve to keep growing in our knowledge of Scripture. How can we, as Christian women, keep our focus and sustain our passion when reading the Bible? With over 250,000 copies sold, Women of the Word has helped countless women with a clear and concise plan they can use every time they open their Bible. Featuring the same content as the first edition, and now with added study questions at the end of each chapter, this book equips you to engage God’s Word in a way that trains your mind and transforms your heart.

God Hears Her

God Hears Her
Author:
Publisher: Our Daily Bread Publishing
Total Pages: 508
Release: 2017-08-30
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1627077553

Take comfort in knowing that God hears you. The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel tells of one woman’s personal heartache and trust in the One who could fulfill her desires. She poured her heart out to God, and He heard her. The Our Daily Bread devotions selected for this collection reassure you that God is with you, God is for you, and God hears you. The personal stories and Scripture passages lift you up and remind you that God is bigger than the trials you face.

The Community Life of God

The Community Life of God
Author: Milt Rodriguez
Publisher:
Total Pages: 202
Release: 2009-10-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780978901912

A new way of seeing that the headwaters for all church life and form is the community life of the Father, Son, and Spirit. This is both theological and practical. The corporate life that God lives by (eternal life) is the same that He gives to us. This is a life of loving one another and Jesus said that it comes from heaven (John 17). This community life is both the engine and the fuel for our lives together as believers, the backbone of organic church life.

Being God’S Beloved

Being God’S Beloved
Author: Adrian D. van Breda
Publisher: WestBow Press
Total Pages: 253
Release: 2014-10-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1490853359

Many of us struggle to come to grips with the idea that God loves us. We may know it and believe it in our heads, but getting that into our hearts and into our lives is not easy. Sometimes what we have learned about God makes it even harder to really know that we are Gods beloved. Being Gods Beloved will lead you through forty reflections on what it means to be beloved of God, combining deep spirituality, thoughtful Bible study, and warm pastoral care. The reflections lead you on a journey from before creation, through the Old Testament, into the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and on to the presence of the Holy Spirit. It tells the great love story of God for the Creation over thousands of years. Providing fresh insights into well-known passages, making thoughtful use of word studies, and inviting us to think creatively about God in relation to the world, this book will immerse you in an awareness of Gods love.

Out of a Far Country

Out of a Far Country
Author: Christopher Yuan
Publisher: WaterBrook
Total Pages: 242
Release: 2011-05-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0307729362

Over 100,000 copies sold! Coming Out, Then Coming Home Christopher Yuan, the son of Chinese immigrants, discovered at an early age that he was different. He was attracted to other boys. As he grew into adulthood, his mother, Angela, hoped to control the situation. Instead, she found that her son and her life were spiraling out of control—and her own personal demons were determined to defeat her. Years of heartbreak, confusion, and prayer followed before the Yuans found a place of complete surrender, which is God’s desire for all families. Their amazing story, told from the perspectives of both mother and son, offers hope for anyone affected by homosexuality. God calls all who are lost to come home to him. Casting a compelling vision for holy sexuality, Out of a Far Country speaks to prodigals, parents of prodigals, and those wanting to minister to the gay community. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” - Luke 15:20 Includes a discussion guide for personal reflection and group use.

God Gave Us Love

God Gave Us Love
Author: Lisa Tawn Bergren
Publisher: WaterBrook
Total Pages: 20
Release: 2011-11-30
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0307730840

As Little Cub and Grampa Bear’s fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others… even the seemingly unlovable. In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because… “Any time we show love, Little Cub, we’re sharing a bit of his love.” This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a “God-sized love.”