The Soul's Slow Ripening

The Soul's Slow Ripening
Author: Christine Valters Paintner
Publisher: Ave Maria Press
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2018-09-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1932057110

What does God want for your life? Christine Valters Paintner, bestselling Catholic author and online abbess for Abbey of the Arts, uses reflections, stories, guided activities, prayer experiences, and a variety of creative arts to help you patiently and attentively listen to God’s invitation. Everyone wants to understand God’s will for their lives. Christine Valters Paintner shares one of the most ancient paths to understanding from her study of monasticism and immersion into Celtic spirituality while living in Ireland. The Celtic way, which Paintner distills into twelve practices, offers discernment that focuses on the environment rather than the intellectual focus present in other forms of discernment. It allows for what Paintner calls the “soul’s slow ripening,” coming into the fullness of our own sweetness before we pluck the fruit. Each chapter begins with a story of a particular Irish saint—some well-known like Patrick or Brigid, others less so, such as Ita and Ciaran—and then introduces a helpful practice for discernment that the saint’s life illustrates. Paintner explores the call of dreams, the importance of thresholds, the practice of peregrination (wandering for the love of God), walking the rounds, learning by heart, soul friends, blessing each moment, and the wisdom of the landscape and the seasons. Readers are invited to explore these concepts through photography and writing. She invites us to contemplative walks with specific themes along with poetic writing prompts for expression. As you explore an alternate way of discerning a spiritual path—one which honors the moment-by-moment invitations and the soul’s seasonal rhythms—you will discover that this book will help you become more aligned with creativity and wholeness.

Seek First

Seek First
Author: Jeremy R. Treat
Publisher: Zondervan
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2019-04-09
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310586038

FIND WHAT MATTERS MOST. BUILD YOUR LIFE AROUND IT. In an age of distraction, everyone is looking for something that gives purpose and perspective on life. Jesus says it's the kingdom of God. But the kingdom is not just another religious idea. Rather, God's loving reign brings clarity and coherence to all of life - identity, work, play, relationships, justice, character - in a way that is profound and practical. Seek First brings theology to the streets, giving a vision for the kingdom that will truly change your life. "Treat presents the message of the kingdom in a way that gives us a grander vision for life, whether in the workplace or on the basketball court." - CHRIS BROUSSARD, NBA analyst and sports broadcaster "Few books do as good a job as this one in showing us how giving up everything for Christ and his kingdom is the pathway to our greatest gain. Seek First is a gem!" - SCOTT SAULS, author and senior pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church "With insight and passion Treat reveals why we ought to reorient our lives and reprioritize our loves . . . practical and powerful." - MARIELLE WAKIM, editor, Los Angeles magazine "A prophetic and urgent note to the generations . . . a clearly written and much-needed book!" - KEVIN J. VANHOOZER, professor, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

The Case for Christ

The Case for Christ
Author: Lee Strobel
Publisher: ReadHowYouWant.com
Total Pages: 510
Release: 2010-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1458759202

The book consists primarily of interviews between Strobel (a former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune) and biblical scholars such as Bruce Metzger. Each interview is based on a simple question, concerning historical evidence (for example, "Can the Biographies of Jesus Be Trusted?"), scientific evidence, ("Does Archaeology Confirm or Contradict Jesus' Biographies?"), and "psychiatric evidence" ("Was Jesus Crazy When He Claimed to Be the Son of God?"). Together, these interviews compose a case brief defending Jesus' divinity, and urging readers to reach a verdict of their own.

A Stranger in the House of God

A Stranger in the House of God
Author: John Koessler
Publisher: Zondervan
Total Pages: 227
Release: 2009-08-30
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0310864216

Growing up the son of agnostics, John Koessler saw a Catholic church on one end of the street and a Baptist on the other. In the no-man’s land between the two, this curious outside wondered about the God they worshipped—and began a lifelong search to comprehend the grace and mystery of God. A Stranger in the House of God addresses fundamental questions and struggles faced by spiritual seekers and mature believers. Like a contemporary Pilgrim’s Progress, it traces the author’s journey and explores his experiences with both charismatic and evangelical Christianity. It also describes his transformation from religious outsider to ordained pastor. John Koessler provides a poignant and often humorous window into the interior of the soul as he describes his journey from doubt and struggle with the church to personal faith

If You Have Confusion and Emptiness in Your Heart, Seek the Light of the Truth (II)

If You Have Confusion and Emptiness in Your Heart, Seek the Light of the Truth (II)
Author: Rev. Paul C. Jong
Publisher: Hephzibah Publishing House
Total Pages: 448
Release:
Genre: Bibles
ISBN:

CONTENTS 1. How to Pray According to the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15) 2. By What Kind of Faith Can We Receive the Remission of Sins Now? (Leviticus 1:1-9) 3. How Has Jesus, the Son of God, Saved Us from the Sins of This World? (Romans 3:25-31) 4. Salvation Fulfilled According to God’s Will (Matthew 11:25-30) 5. Has the Lord Truly Given Us the Remission of Sins and Resurrection? (John 11:1-42) 6. Receive God, Who Is the Word (John 1:1-18) 7. The Lord Wants Us to Be the People of Faith Like Joseph of Arimathea (Luke 23:50-56) 8. The Lord Has Cleansed Our Hearts (John 2:13-22) 9. The Lord Who Became the Sin Offering of Atonement (Isaiah 53:7-12) 10. God’s Providence That Saves Us from Our Sins (Jeremiah 31:31-34) 11. Which Gospel Should We Believe in to Reach Spiritual Maturity? (Exodus 32:25-29) This book explains how much the Nicene Creed, produced at the Council of Nicaea in Late Antiquity, has had a bad influence on Christians today. In this age, in order to meet the truth of being born again, you must study a little more. And you need to know more deeply about the creed of faith that you have believed so far. Now you must find in this book the meaning of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist that was omitted from the Nicene Creed. So, it should be an opportunity to receive true salvation and peace in your heart. Now you will discover the true value of the gospel of the water and the Spirit in the baptism that Jesus received. You will come to know more deeply and clearly how the Word of the baptism Jesus received from John the Baptist has affected your soul and you will therefore give glory to God by faith. The New Life Mission https://www.bjnewlife.org

Adorned

Adorned
Author: Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Total Pages: 437
Release: 2017-02-07
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0802492851

OVER 100,000 COPIES SOLD! Winner of the 2018 Christian Book Award® (Bible Study Category) Known for her wisdom, warmth, and knowledge of Scripture, Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth has encouraged millions through her books, radio programs, and conferences. Now she’s back with a legacy work on Titus 2 and its powerful vision for women: Woman to woman. Older to younger. Day to day. Life to life. This is God’s beautiful plan. The Titus 2 model of older women living out the gospel alongside younger women is vital for us all to thrive. It is mutually strengthening, glorifies God, and makes His truth believable to our world. Imagine older women investing themselves in the lives of younger women, blessing whole families and churches. Imagine young wives, moms, and singles gaining wisdom and encouragement from women who’ve been there and have found God’s ways to be true and good. Imagine all women—from older women to young girls—living out His transforming gospel together, growing the entire body of Christ to be more beautiful. This is Christian community as God designed it. Read this book and take your relationships to new depths, that your life might find its fullest meaning as you adorn the gospel of Christ.

Friend-ish

Friend-ish
Author: Kelly Needham
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Total Pages: 220
Release: 2019-08-27
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1400213525

For so many of us, our friends are like family members--we lean on them through our highest highs and our lowest lows--but sometimes those friendships don't turn out quite as we hoped. Bible teacher Kelly Needham debunks our world's constricted, narrow view of friendship and casts a richer, more life-giving, biblical vision for friendship. In Friend-ish, Kelly Needham reminds us that we were called to more than halfhearted friendships and lukewarm connections. We need something more stable, secure, and sacred. We were designed for real friendship--but the difficult truth is that too many of us are settling for less. Kelly deconstructs what Scripture says about the gift of friendship and takes a closer look at the distorted view that most of us have instead. As she shares the lessons she's learned from experience, Kelly paints her own glorious vision of what Christian friendship could look like. With hard-fought wisdom, a clear view of Scripture, and a been-there perspective, Friend-ish teaches us how to: Recognize symptoms of idolatry and toxic dependency Boldly ask for what we need from our community of friends Understand and address the problems that arise in friendship--from neediness to discord Recognize when it's time to end an unhealthy friendship Reorient toward the purposeful, loving relationships we all crave that ultimately bring us closer to God Find the friends you need and start to become that friend for others Join Kelly as she challenges you to view your chosen family in a new light, gain a vision of friendship according to Jesus, and finally enjoy friendships as God intended.

The Reed of God

The Reed of God
Author: Caryll Houselander
Publisher: DigiCat
Total Pages: 126
Release: 2023-11-26
Genre: Religion
ISBN:

The Reed of God is an inspirational classic written by a British Roman Catholic ecclesiastical artist, Caryll Houselander. This book contains a beautiful meditation on Mary, Mother of God and so much more. Reading this book will bring you closer to Our Blessed Mother, and hence, to Christ Himself. Filled with lyrical prose and touching analogies, the author shows how Mary was the "Reed of God" and that we are all vessels waiting to do God's work, and carrying Christ within us.

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.