Battling Unbelief

Battling Unbelief
Author: John Piper
Publisher: Multnomah
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2009-01-16
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0307562069

Pastor John Piper shows how to sever the clinging roots of sin that ensnare us, including anxiety, pride, shame, impatience, covetousness, bitterness, despondency, and lust in Battling Unbelief. When faith flickers, stoke the fire. No one sins out of duty. We sin because it offers some promise of happiness. That promise enslaves us, until we believe that God is more desirable than life itself (Psalm 63:3). Only the power of God’s superior promises in the gospel can emancipate our hearts from servitude to the shallow promises and fleeting pleasures of sin. Delighting in the bounty of God’s glorious gospel promises will free us for a less sin-encumbered life, to the glory of Christ. Rooted in solid biblical reflection, this book aims to help guide you through the battles to the joys of victory by the power of the gospel and its superior pleasure.

To Know Christ Jesus

To Know Christ Jesus
Author: Frank Sheed
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Total Pages: 412
Release: 2011-06-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1681495945

This modern spiritual classic by Frank Sheed, the renowned author, publisher and lecturer, is brought back into print for the benefit of new generations of readers to develop a deeper, more profound knowledge of Jesus Christ. Sheed's concern with the Gospels is to come to know Christ as he actually lived among us, interacted with all the various people he encountered from his infancy to his passion and death--the God-man who was like us in all things except sin. Sheed has tried especially to see Our Lord in his effect upon others--seeing how they saw him, trying to see why they saw him so. There is much about Mary and Joseph in their task of bringing up a baby who was literally adorable; about John the Baptist; about Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalen; about Nicodemus; about people we meet only for a moment, like the man born blind and the owners of the drowned swine; and why the Pharisees, not only the worst of them but some of the best, would not accept Christ. Faith, doctrine, prayer, worship--all the content and consequences of Christian belief--rest on the person of Christ Jesus as recorded in the Gospels. In this classic study, Frank J. Sheed employs wide learning, theological sophistication, spiritual insight, and a lucid style to bring the reader to a personal encounter with the living Lord. To Know Christ Jesus has been justly called "one of the most satisfying studies of the Gospel ever made." Frank J. Sheed had a distinguished career as a publisher, lecturer, street-corner evangelist, and popular writer. He and his wife Maisie Ward were the founders of the publishing house Sheed & Ward. His many books include Christ in Eclipse, What Difference Does Jesus Make?, Theology and Sanity, and A Map of Life. "My concern with the Gospels is to see the Face which through all the centuries has looked out from them upon men. The object is not to prove something but to meet someone--that we should know Christ Jesus, know him as one person may know another. As Christians we love him, try to live by his law, would think it a glory to die for him. But how well do we know him?" -Frank Sheed, from the Foreword

Why Jesus Makes Me Nervous

Why Jesus Makes Me Nervous
Author: Joy Jordan-Lake
Publisher: Paraclete Press
Total Pages: 111
Release: 2007-11-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1612614477

Jesus offers grace and mercy but he's also ratcheted up all the rules. Nice as it would be to frame Jesus as fun-loving, or a mercy-dispensing friend, the stories we have about him are a lot more disturbing than that. We hear about celebrations that began as a wake, and about people who didn’t use their talents well being bounced clear out of the club. Jesus clearly thought that following the way of truth involved a lot more than simply avoiding things like murder, stealing, committing adultery or telling lies. When Jesus truly makes you nervous, he is worth living and dying for, and becomes the greatest source of meaning and purpose in life imaginable. "Holiness. Abundance. Forgiveness. Hope. In these musings about ‘ten stained-glass words of faith,’ Joy Jordan-Lake strips away the clichés and church-bulletin nostrums and exposes the honest, challenging, comforting, and yes, sometimes alarming claims that are at the center of Jesus’ life and teaching. This book is downright restorative." --Lauren F. Winner, author of Girl Meets God and Mudhouse Sabbath

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.

Nervous Christians

Nervous Christians
Author: Gilbert Little
Publisher: Moody Publishers
Total Pages: 110
Release: 2013-01-18
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0802488196

In this day of unsettled world conditions, social tensions, and increasing crime and moral laxity, multitudes of people are emotionally disturbed. Christians, unfortunately, are not immune to mental stress, worry, and the assault of care and anxiety. This need not be so, for Christ and His Word offer the answer. Dr. Little, author of Nervous Christians, is a Christian pyschiatrist with many years of experience in dealing with the mental and psychological problems of uncounted men and women. He combines the skill of a trained physician with a dedicated Christian's knowledge of God's Word and God's love. He takes into consideration the factors other psychiatrists weigh, but also considers the part played by Satan the deceiver in the life of troubled Christians. A careful reading of this book will help you to understand more clearly why so many people, even Christians, become disturbed and confused, and how such difficulties can be cured through Christ. You will find the book interesting, enlightening, and most helpful.

Love Me Anyway

Love Me Anyway
Author: Jared C. Wilson
Publisher: Baker Books
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2021-09-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1493432907

There may be no more powerful desire in the human heart than to be loved. And not just loved, but loved anyway. In spite of what we've done or left undone, in spite of the ways we have failed or floundered. We long for an unconditional, lavish love that we know intrinsically we don't deserve. If you are tired, sad, yet always longing, bestselling author Jared C. Wilson has incredible news for you: that kind of love actually exists, and it is actually something you can experience--whether or not you're in a romantic relationship. In his signature reflective, conversational, and often humorous style, Wilson unpacks 1 Corinthians 13 to show us what real love looks like. Through engaging stories and touching anecdotes, he paints a picture of an extravagant God who not only puts the desire for love into our very souls but fulfills those desires in striking, life-changing ways.

Stress'in

Stress'in
Author: A Word to Encourage
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
Total Pages: 143
Release: 2010-12-18
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1453558608

Listening to people over the years, author A Word to Encourage has heard a lot of emotions that were nonproductive—comments that are based on high stress levels. In her book, Stress’in, she offers healthier suggestions for the anxious, the worried, and the “stressed out” to minimize their stress and grow their faith in God. The period 2008-2011 will be the most challenging time for most people in their lifetime. With this editorial workbook that walks through God’s word, the author hopes to encourage Christians to recommit themselves to God, who will always be faithful to them. Just having hope in Jesus Christ is already one way of decreasing stress. Jesus can bring you out of these hard times and make them stronger and healthier persons. Whether one is a Christian or not, the suggestions that the author makes are applicable to all since they are healthier ways of living and thinking that anyone can follow, to minimize stress while increasing faith in Christ. Stress’in will equip those who are experiencing stressful challenges with recommendations on how they can decrease their stress, worry, and anxiety.

Gospel-Centered Discipleship (Foreword by Matt Chandler)

Gospel-Centered Discipleship (Foreword by Matt Chandler)
Author: Jonathan K. Dodson
Publisher: Crossway
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2022-03-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1433574101

A Gospel-Rich, Reproducible Model for Making Disciples as Jesus Intended Biblical discipleship emphasizes encouragement, repentance, and spiritual growth—essential parts of the Christian life. However, well-meaning believers often struggle to follow Jesus, unaware their views are too legalistic, licentious, or individualistic. How can churches and Christians develop a healthy, successful path to disciple-making? In this second edition of Gospel-Centered Discipleship, Jonathan Dodson presents an effective, Spirit-led model for sanctification. Reminding readers that real discipleship is imperfect yet transformational, Dodson encourages Christians to engage more authentically with others as they grow in faith. Drawing from his own failures and successes while following Jesus, Dodson defines discipleship, describes the heart of a disciple, and gives practical guidance for mentor and peer-based discipleship as Jesus intended. Revised and Expanded: Includes three new chapters and new illustrations Applicable: Shows how discipleship can be practical and gospel-centered Theological: Addresses the Holy Spirit's involvement in discipleship Foreword by Matt Chandler: Author of The Explicit Gospel

Anxiety

Anxiety
Author: June Hunt
Publisher: Rose Publishing
Total Pages: 53
Release: 2021-02-02
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1649380348

The fearful unknowns, unending what-ifs, sleepless nights, and nervousness lead to a sense of impending doom. Then muscles tense, thoughts race, hearts pound, and breath is shortened. It’s anxiety. Anxiety is complex and multifaceted, affecting every area of life. The good news is God invites you to bring your anxiety to him. Discover how God’s Word can help calm the fearful, anxious heart. Discover: Causes: What causes anxiety? Definitions: What are anxiety disorders? What is the connection between anxiety, stress, and depression? Explanations: Myths and misconceptions about anxiety. Practical Applications: How to control your thoughts. How to calm your body. This easy-to-read guide is filled with frequently asked questions, simple explanations, relatable stories, and biblical solutions based on June Hunt’s decades of ministry and counseling experience. It follows the same quick-guide format that has led to the Hope for the Heart series’ success as a trusted source (over 1 million copies sold). Key Features: Digs into Scripture: Find out what the Bible says about anxiety, panic attacks, trusting God, and more. Interactive and Practical: Based on the bestselling Hope for the Heart series (over 1 million copies sold), this trusted counseling guide includes reflection questions, quizzes, and practical steps you can take each day. Relevant and Relatable: It shares real stories and answers tough questions about anxiety. Simple Biblical Foundations for Practical Solutions to Worry Unlike other counseling guides, this quick-reference is laid out in an easy-to-follow format with key principles straight from the Word of God. Relevant Scriptures are outlined and formatted to clearly give you a step-by-step roadmap to help you understand and overcome worry: Look for other titles in the Hope for the Heart series. These mini-books are for people who seek freedom from codependency, anger, conflict, verbal and emotional abuse, depression, or other problems.