Hope and the Nearness of God

Hope and the Nearness of God
Author: Teresa White
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2021-12-09
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 147298417X

In these days of pandemic, war and political turbulence, hope can seem to be in short supply. But hope is one of the theological virtues and it is far more profound than mere optimism. Today, pessimism and despair seem all too prevalent. What can we do about the poor and starving, about those who seem to be locked in interminable conflict and families weighed down by the consequences of breakdown? Sister Teresa White's book is an antidote to all this and it is written with beautiful simplicity and directness. There is no hiding behind complicated or technical language. In one of the most forceful chapters in the book, the author shows how hope breeds courage and courage breeds hope. But hope is not a matter of wishful thinking. Drawing on St Augustine, the author shows moreover that hope has two essential components. Not just courage but anger as well. The expression of our anger can lead to greater clarity with our discernment and spiritual perception. Hope too can lead us to understand God's solidarity with us in times of sorrow and struggle. Teresa White in this Lent Book draws on inspiration from writers as diverse as Julian of Norwich and Karl Rahner, Elizabeth Barrett-Browning and Henri Nouwen, but throughout the book there is strong scriptural underpinning which the author uses to great effect.

Wonderstruck

Wonderstruck
Author: Margaret Feinberg
Publisher: Worthy Books
Total Pages: 120
Release: 2012-12-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1617951501

Let's be honest: it's far too easy to go through day-to-day life without a sense of the mystery, the marvel, or the awe of God's presence. Have you ever felt your relationship with God isn't as vibrant as you want it to be? Have you ever felt like God seemed far away -- even in the midst of devotions, prayer, and church? We Were Created for Wonder You were created and designed to experience wonder. Woven into the fabric of our humanity is an innate ability and desire for the wonder of God. It's felt in the moments when you watch the sun melt behind the horizon, when you reach out to cradle a baby and smell the sweet scent of new life, when you can't help but smile as you witness two wrinkled souls renew their vows to each other. Such moments remind us we were made for something more than deadlines and debt, carpools and coffee breaks. Yet despite such wondrous moments, we can still find ourselves going through the motions of faith. Whether you're: A long time follower of Jesus or still figuring Him out Unemployed, overly-employed, or an entrepreneur A creator, innovator, or conformist Grumpy, ebullient, grey-haired or bed-head An average Joe or have-a-gym-membership-but-never-go A superhero (of any era), supermom, superdad, super grand, super great grand, or don't feel particularly super at all No matter who you are or where you've been -- if you've lived a life where you've seen it all, done it all, or feel like you're past it all -- God still longs to take your breath away. Isaiah 29:4 records God's desire for you: "Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder." Do you see it? God is busting at the seams to display His glory, power, and might in your life. And He wants to give you the greatest gift of all -- Himself. Yet why do we pass by the wonder of God unaware?

Embracing Justice

Embracing Justice
Author: Isabelle Hamley
Publisher: SPCK
Total Pages: 184
Release: 2021-12-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0281086559

‘In a world where justice is too often about power, Isabelle Hamley shows that God’s justice brings transformation, healing and hope for all.’ JUSTIN WELBY What is justice? It’s a question we encounter everywhere in life and that over the last years has increasingly demanded an answer. In Embracing Justice, Isabelle Hamley invites us on an exhilarating journey through Scripture to discover how we, as churches, communities and individual Christians, can seek and practice justice even when enmeshed in such a fractured world. Full of practical encouragement, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2022 brilliantly weaves together biblical texts, diverse voices, contemporary stories, and personal and group meditations to reveal liberating and imaginative ways in which me may grow in discipleship – and more fully reflect the justice, mercy and compassion of Christ in our lives. With six chapters to take you from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, this Lent devotional for 2022 is essential reading for anyone interested in the issues of justice – from climate and economic justice to gender and racial equality – that are increasingly at the forefront of global consciousness, and the role that Christians and the Church must play in them. Suitable for use both as a single study for individuals and for small groups to prepare for Easter, Embracing Justice will encourage, inform and motivate anyone looking for Christian books about justice. It will help you understand justice from a biblical perspective, and inspire you to seek it in every aspect of your life. Although the world is broken, unequal and violent, the call to reflect God’s own justice and mercy continues to sound like a steady drumbeat, impossible to ignore. Company with Isabelle Hamley this Lent, and discover that we can all join God’s mission of transformation and embrace his justice.

The Hardest Peace

The Hardest Peace
Author: Kara Tippetts
Publisher: David C Cook
Total Pages: 194
Release: 2014-10-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1434708586

Don’t miss The Long Goodbye: The Kara Tippetts Story on Netflix now, featuring Ann Voskamp, Ellie Holcomb, and Joanna Gaines! Kara Tippetts knows the ordinary days of mothering four kids, the joy of watching her children grow ... and the devestating reality of stage-four cancer. In The Hardest Peace, Kara doesn't offer answers for when living is hard, but she asks us to join her in moving away from fear and control and toward peace and grace. Most of all, she draws us back to the God who is with us, in the mundane and the suffering, and who shapes even our pain into beauty. Winner of the 2015 Christian Book Award® in the Inspiration category.

Mystical Hope

Mystical Hope
Author: Cynthia Bourgeault
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
Total Pages: 118
Release: 2001
Genre: Hope
ISBN: 1561011932

In five interwoven meditations, Mystical Hope shows how to recognize hope in our own lives, where it comes from, how to deepen it through prayer, and how to carry it into the world as a source of strength and renewal.

My Heart Cries Out

My Heart Cries Out
Author: Paul David Tripp
Publisher: Crossway
Total Pages: 393
Release: 2020-08-17
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433556847

This ebook edition contains artwork adapted from the print edition to fit the digital format. "My hope is that this volume will help you to see the Savior more clearly, to understand his grace more deeply, to confess your struggle more honestly, to worship him more fully, and to find in these meditations the motivation to continue to follow the Savior even when he’s leading you into unexpected and hard places.” —Paul David Tripp Best-selling author Paul David Tripp invites you into his personal reflections on his experience of God’s ever-present grace through the ups and downs of his life. He shares his celebrations, disappointments, cries for help, confessions, and confusions in the form of 120 meditations that were written over many years through various joys and struggles. Vulnerable yet pastoral and wise, these meditations in the form of verse showcase how God’s amazing grace intersects with the mundane, unexpected, messy, and beautiful moments of everyday life.

Nearer to God

Nearer to God
Author: Wayman Jr. Ming
Publisher: Chosen Books
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2021-07-06
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1493433431

Eliminate the Spiritual Distance between You and God Do you feel far from God? Perhaps you desire nearness, but you end up filling your calendar instead of communing with the Savior. Wayman Ming Jr. will show you how daily interruptions are divine opportunities to evaluate your life and close the spiritual gap between you and God. If you have become too comfortable in the daily practice of your faith, or you are on a quest to go deeper, this book will help you draw near to your Creator and pursue His heart with passion as you · identify and remove obstacles in finding God · deepen your roots of daily prayer and devotion · find peace and hope in God's presence amid trials · develop spiritual rhythms with the Holy Spirit · hunger for personal revival and spiritual awakening in our culture God is reforming how we think and act as followers of His Son. The Holy Spirit will empower your full pursuit of what matters most and help you align your life with His plans--for your good! "While God's 'interruptions' in our lives often do not make sense to us, He desires that we seek Him in all circumstances: good, bad and ugly. Nearer to God challenges us to see these interruptions as invitations to a closer walk with God."--Pastor Samuel Rodriguez, president, National Hispanic Christian Leadership

Why Do We Hope?

Why Do We Hope?
Author: Daniel J. Harrington
Publisher: Liturgical Press
Total Pages: 132
Release: 2008
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 9780814630853

In this follow-up to his popular book What Are We Hoping For? New Testament Images, Daniel J. Harrington extends his reflections on hope in the Scriptures. He draws us into the striking images of the psalms--the mountain, the sun, refuge, the kingdom, sheltering wings, the olive tree, and the shepherd--to lead us to the discovery that hope is the predominant image of the book of Psalms. Even in their darkest laments, the psalmists remind us that God hears us and will never abandon us. In these brief essays, Harrington opens up the language of forty psalms, explores their literary and historical context, and then ties the psalm to our reading as Christians whose ultimate hope is in Jesus Christ. As we read and reflect on the psalms with Harrington's guidance, we call to mind the ways we experience God and our hopes, both daily and for all time. Drawn into the world of the psalmist and discovering how our experiences often mirror theirs, we too will express our hope in God's love and mercy and in the coming of God's kingdom.

The One Year Book of Hope

The One Year Book of Hope
Author: Nancy Guthrie
Publisher: Christian Large Print
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2012-03-21
Genre: Devotional calendars
ISBN: 9781594154089

A CBA Bestselling Author -- Draws readers closer to God during times of troubleThis book is for anyone who has been hurt in life and would benefit from a hope-filled daily companion. Critically acclaimed author Nancy Guthrie offers insightful daily reflections based on the Word of God to comfort, encourage, and uplift those who are feeling the aches of life -- whether it's because of everyday disappointments or deep losses. Through a year's worth of thoughtful entries, the reader will learn how much God longs to lift us up, carry us through in times of difficulty and uncertainty, and give us true, lasting joy. Each daily step draws you closer to a God who truly cares and the hopeful life he wants you to enjoy.