Amazing Books

God Wants You Happy: From Self-Help to God's Help

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:56:22 PDT

God Wants You Happy: From Self-Help to God's Help

In God Wants You Happy, Father Jonathan Morris replaces the unsatisfying, fleeting solutions we receive from the New Age self-help industry with the simplicity and depth of authentic Christian spirituality. In his work traveling the world for FOX News and in his parish work in New York City, Father Jonathan could not understand why people were choosing the vague and sometimes harmful advice of the self-help gurus and ignoring the tested and true help the Christian faith offers. He discovered that part of the problem was packaging: people thought the church dealt only in sin and guilt and not help and healing. But what if we reframed God's good news in the same terms as the self-help world?
Morris argues that self-help can only take you so far; what we need is God-help. God Wants You Happy offers a life-long spiritual program that teaches you how to open yourself up to God's loving presence in order to become everything he created you to be—joyful, flourishing men and
women. In other words, God wants you to be happy.
Illuminated with biblical passages and filled with case studies and exercises, God Wants You Happy helps you to:

Open your mind and heart to the all-loving God who wants to help and empower you
Work through the Faith-Hope-Love Cure to rid yourself of self-destructive and self-limiting habits while forming new habits for receiving grace, forgiveness, acceptance, and love
Tap into the natural mechanisms of self-improvement God has already put within you
Discover your divine mission

A lifetime of happiness is at your fingertips and the Creator of the universe wants to help you achieve it.

About the Author Father Jonathan Morris serves as news analyst for the FOX News Channel, where he offers ethical, social, and religious commentary to the news stories of the day. He also serves as parochial vicar at the historic Saint Patrick's Old Cathedral in New York City. Father Jonathan is the author of The Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts.

Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:52:09 PDT

Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived

Millions of Christians have struggled with how to reconcile God's love and God's judgment: Has God created billions of people over thousands of years only to select a few to go to heaven and everyone else to suffer forever in hell? Is this acceptable to God? How is this "good news"?
Troubling questions—so troubling that many have lost their faith because of them. Others only whisper the questions to themselves, fearing or being taught that they might lose their faith and their church if they ask them out loud.
But what if these questions trouble us for good reason? What if the story of heaven and hell we have been taught is not, in fact, what the Bible teaches? What if what Jesus meant by heaven, hell, and salvation are very different from how we have come to understand them?

What if it is God who wants us to face these questions?
Author, pastor, and innovative teacher Rob Bell presents a deeply biblical vision for rediscovering a richer, grander, truer, and more spiritually satisfying way of understanding heaven, hell, God, Jesus, salvation, and repentance. The result is the discovery that the "good news" is much, much better than we ever imagined.
Love wins.

About the Author Rob Bell is the founding pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the author of the bestselling Velvet Elvis, Sex God, Jesus Wants to Save Christians, and Drops Like Stars. A graduate of Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, and Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, Bell speaks to large crowds around the world and has appeared in a pioneering series of short films called NOOMA. He and his wife, Kristen, have three children.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:39:30 PST

God is love. Crazy, relentless, all-powerful love. Have you ever wondered if we’re missing it? It’s crazy, if you think about it. The God of the universe—the Creator of nitrogen and pine needles, galaxies and E-minor—loves us with a radical, unconditional, self-sacrificing love. And what is our typical response? We go to church, sing songs, and try not to cuss. Whether you’ve verbalized it yet or not...we all know somethings wrong. Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn’t working harder at a list of do’s and don’ts—it’s falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same. Because when you’re wildly in love with someone, it changes everything. More Details
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The Hole in Our Gospel: What does God expect of Us?

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 01:06:31 PST

It's 1998 and Richard Stearns' heart is breaking as he sits in a mud hut and listens to the story of an orphaned child in Rakai, Uganda. His journey to this place took more than a long flight from the United States to Africa. It took answering God's call on his life, a call that hurtled him out of his presidential corner office at Lenox-America's finest tableware company-to this humble corner of Uganda. This is a story of how a corporate CEO faced his own struggle to obey God whatever the cost, and his passionate call for Christians to change the world by actively living out their faith. Using his own journey as an example, Stearns explores the hole that exists in our understanding of the Gospel.
Two thousand years ago, twelve people changed the world. Stearns believes it can happen again.

Zeven Network: Zeven in Londonist, Zeven in Austinist

Hope Unseen: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:38:21 PST

Blindness became Captain Scotty Smiley’s journey of supreme testing. As he lay helpless in the hospital, he resented the theft of his dreams—becoming a CEO, a Delta Force operator, or a four-star general. With his wife Tiffany’s love and the support of his family and friends, Scotty’s response became God’s transforming moment. The injury only intensified his indomitable spirit. Since the moment he jumped out of a hospital bed and forced his way through nurses and cords to take a simple shower, Captain Scotty Smiley has climbed Mount Rainier, won an ESPY as Best Outdoor Athlete, surfed, skydived, become a father, earned an MBA from Duke, taught leadership at West Point, commanded an army company, and won the MacArthur Leadership Award. Scotty and Tiffany Smiley have lived out a faith so real that it will inspire you to question your own doubts, push you to serve something bigger than yourself, and encourage you to cling to a Hope Unseen.

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Take My Heart, Oh God: Riches from the Greatest Christian Women Writers of All Time

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 06:34:56 PST

Book Description

AAll women who enjoy reading daily devotionals will be drawn to this beautifully packaged book---Take My Heart, Oh God. Perfect as a great gift for any occasion, each one-page, 150-word devotional exposition references a short, insightful quote from a famous woman writer from history or a woman on today's bestseller lists. Each daily reading includes a Bible verse and seed prayer. This attractive book will challenge, motivate, and stir your heart, encouraging you and all the women in your life through your daily walk.

About the Author

Formed in 1988, The Livingstone Corporation partners with Christian Publisher to produce Bible, books, Bible studies, curricula, and other resources.

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Surviving in an Angry World: Finding Your Way to Personal Peace

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:44:43 PDT

Author: Charles F. Stanley

Happiness, Mental Health

The premise of this book is that learning to let go of anger—and ultimately forgiving the offender—will transform the foundation of every kind of relationship we have. Stanley defines anger as "a strong feeling of intense displeasure, hostility, or indignation as a result of a real or an imagined threat or insult, frustration, or injustice toward yourself or towards someone who’s very important to you." Building on this defintion, Stanley...

1. Helps readers identify the signs of anger, so they can identify anger in themselves.
2. Reveals the far-reaching consequences of anger, which encompass the spiritual, emotional, and physical.
3. Teaches readers how to handle anger through thirteen concrete steps.
4. Walks readers through the steps to true forgiveness and the healing power it brings.

With compassion and

a wealth of biblical understanding, Stanley explains that the measure of a person is "the size of thing that makes them angry." He goes on to distinguish between healthy and harmful anger and reminds us that "righteous indignation" is a divine emotion. However, he skillfully explains that misguided anger eats away at ourselves, our relationships with others, and our relationship with God. By helping readers look honestly at the source of their anger, he gently leads them to the ability to truly forgive and find the peace they seek.

About the Author

Dr. Charles Stanley is a New York Times bestselling author who has written more than 35 books, with sales of more than 6.5 million copies. He has been senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1971, and the church now has more than 15,000 members. Dr. Stanley has served two terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention (1984-86); and his outreach ministry--In Touch--reaches nearly 1800 radio and television outlets in more than 50 languages. Dr. Stanley was inducted into the National Religious Broadcaster’s (NRB) Hall of Fame in 1988, and the Religious Heritage of America named him Clergyman of the Year in 1989, an award that recognizes pastors who strive to make Judeo-Christian principles part of America’s daily life.

Grace Notes: Daily Readings with a Fellow Pilgrim

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 07:59:19 PDT

Author: Philip Yancey
From the Back Cover

' 'There is no writer in the evangelical world that I admire and appreciate more.' - Billy Graham Philip Yancey's words---captured in his many bestselling books---have influenced the lives of millions of readers by strengthening their faith, building their hope, sparking their creativity, and challenging their comfort zones. If you're one of those readers, you know personally how his insights have affected your mind and heart. And if you're new to Yancey, you're in for a life-altering experience. These meditations---all drawn from the beloved and bestselling writings of the author---will take you through an entire year of Yancey's insight and imagination, covering a broad range of topics:
* How to rediscover God through the wonders of nature, music, and romantic love * Why grace means you can't do anything to make God love you more or less * What happens when you cut through preconceptions to encounter the 'real' Jesus * How to renew your understanding and practice of prayer * Where you can see God in unexpected people and places * How to cope when life crashes in around you Every day, experience the best from a beloved author who, with freshness, clarity, and energy, has so brilliantly articulated God's wonderful but mysterious relationship with you. '

About the Author

Philip Yancey serves as editor-at-large for Christianity Today magazine. He has written twelve Gold Medallion Award-winning books and won two ECPA Book of the Year awards for What's So Amazing About Grace? and The Jesus I Never Knew. Four of his books have sold over one million copies. He lives with his wife in Colorado. Philip Yancey es editor regional de la revista Christianity Today. Ha escrito once libros premiados con la medalla de oro, entre los que figuran: La Biblia que leyo Jesus y El don del dolor. Sus libros El Jesus que nunca conoci y Gracia divina vs. condena humana tambien recibieron premio como libro cristiano del ano. Ademas, es autor de Alcanzando al Dios invisible entre otros.

The New Moody Atlas of the Bible

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 22:55:54 PDT

Author: Barry J. Beitzel

Book Description

The New Moody Atlas of the Bible integrates the geography of Bible lands with the teachings of the Bible. Dr. Beitzel has blended the topographical and historical in 118 full color, detailed and digitized maps of Palestine, the Mediterranean, the Near East, the Sinai, and Turkey. Learn of God's protection and guidance by following Israel's forty-year sojourn in the wilderness and appreciate the results of the Great Commission to 'teach all nations' by seeing the scope of Paul's three missionary journeys.

All of the graphics are brand new, and every page was substantially rewritten, updated, and expanded to bring you more than one hundred thousand words that provide useful commentary throughout.
Superior photography, comprehensive geographic detail, award winning maps, distinctive theological discussion of geographical matters, and thorough documentation in the form of new indexes and 800+ endnotes set this atlas apart from the field. The New Moody Atlas of Bible Lands is an invaluable asset to Sunday school and home school teachers as well as seminary and Bible college students.

About the Author

BARRY J. BEITZEL (PhD, The Dropsie University; Fuller Theological Seminary; University of Pennsylvania) is professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Trinity Evangelical University in Deerfield, Illinois. His published mapwork appears in the NLT Study Bible, the ESV Study Bible, and the NIV Study Bible. Dr. Beitzel and his wife, Carol, reside in Gurnee, Illinois, and have three grown children.

Jesus: A Biography, from a Believer (Hardcover)

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:17:49 PST

Author : Paul Johnson
Hardcover : 256 pages
Publisher : Viking Adult (March 4, 2010)

Book Description

From the bestselling author and acclaimed historian, a powerful portrayal of the life of Jesus

Is Jesus relevant to us today? Few figures have had such an influence on history as Jesus of Nazareth. His teachings have inspired discussion, arguments, even war, and yet few have ever held forth as movingly on the need for peace, forgiveness, and mercy. Paul Johnson's brilliant reading offers readers a lively biography of the man who inspired one of the world's great religions and whose lessons still guide us in current times.

Johnson's magisterial and revered book A History of Christianity is a masterpiece of historical writing on religion; and in his new book he returns to focus on a central figure in one of the world's dominant religions. Johnson's intelligent and conversational style, as well as his ability to distill complex subjects into succinct, highly readable works, make this book the ideal match of a major historian with a major subject. The result is an accessible biography and an insightful analysis of how Jesus is important in the present era.

About the Author

Beginning with Modern Times (1985), Paul Johnson's books are acknowledged masterpieces of historical analysis. He is a regular columnist for Forbes and The Spectator, and his work has also appeared in The New York Times , The Wall Street Journal, and many other publications.

The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but Living As If He Doesn't Exist

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:55:10 PST

Author : Craig Groeschel Author
Hardcover : 256 pages
Publisher : Zondervan (March 23, 2010)

Book Description

The Christian Atheist, by recovering Christian Atheist Craig Groeschel, is an honest, hard-hitting and eye-opening look into the ways people believe in God but live as if he doesn't exist. From his own lapses in faith as a young man to the painful self-admission he had to make as an established pastor, Groeschel's own journey will immerse you and challenge you into a deeper, Christ-filled life.

From the Back Cover

'The more I looked, the more I found Christian Atheists everywhere.' Former Christian Atheist Craig Groeschel knows his subject all too well.
After over a decade of successful ministry, he had to make a painful self admission: although he believed in God, he was leading his church like God didn't exist. To Christians and non-Christians alike, to the churched and the unchurched, the journey leading up to Groeschel's admission and the journey that follows---from his family and his upbringing to the lackluster and even diametrically opposed expressions of faith he encountered---will look and sound like the story of their own lives. Now the founding and senior pastor of the multicampus, pace-setting LiveChurch.tv, Groeschel personal journey toward a more authentic God-honoring life is more relevant than ever. Christians and Christian Atheists everywhere will be nodding their heads as they are challenged to take their own honest moment and ask the question: am I putting my whole faith in God but still living as if everything was up to me?

About the Author

Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, a pace-setting multicampus church, with over eighty weekly worship experiences in fourteen locations, including an online campus. Craig, his wife, Amy, and their six children live in the Edmond, Oklahoma area where LifeChurch.tv began in 1996. Craig is the author of several books, including Chazown and It.

Church 3.0: Upgrades for the Future of the Church

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:56:13 PST

Author : Neil Cole
Hardcover : 304 pages
Publisher : Jossey-Bass (February 15, 2010)

Book Description

An expert practitioner answers to questions about the burgeoning organic church movement

Neil Cole's best-selling book Organic Church described the fastest growing segment of contemporary Christianity-the so-called organic church. Now in this next-step book, he answers questions about how to deal with theological and organizational issues that come up. He talks about issues such has what to do with finances, children, heresy, leader training, and rituals and ordinances. Without the top-down structure of a denomination, even people who are proponents of this small, house-church model worry that they are not doing it right.

Offers an important resource for anyone involved with or thinking of starting an organic or house church
Addresses practical issues of theology, rituals, doctrinal heresy, how to handle children, finances, and other important questions
Written by an acknowledged expert who is now and has been for over twenty years an organic church planter and practitioner
A new Leadership Network title and follow-up to Organic Church

Church 3.0 offers solid information about organic churches based on Cole's extensive experience in starting, nurturing, and mentoring in the organic church movement.

From the Inside Flap

When Neil Cole's best-selling book Organic Church was first published, it described one of the fastest growing and most innovative segments of contemporary Christianity.

In Church 3.0, Cole makes the argument that Christianity needs more than new programs, buildings, or worship formats. It needs a complete upgrade to a new operating system. The early church shifted to a more institutional form in 300 ad and has been stuck in the 2.0 operating system ever since. We are overdue for the next upgrade. Church 3.0 discusses issues such as how to deal with heresy, how to handle finances, what to do with children, and what to do with worship, rituals, and ordinances. Even the most enthusiastic proponents and practitioners of organic churches often wonder how to handle such matters in a faithful way.

Organic churches demand a shift from a program-driven and clergy-led institutionalized approach to one that is relational, simple, intimate, and viral in the way it spreads. Instead of seeing church as something that serves its people, church becomes people who serve God, one another, and a hurting world. Church is no longer an event to be at, but a family to be part of. Church is not a program to reach out to the world, but a people that bring God with them to the world.

Based on Cole's extensive experience in starting, nurturing, and mentoring thousands of churches, Church 3.0 offers insight and information about how to make this shift to a more organic form of church. Church 3.0 is an insider's look at the important considerations necessary to release spontaneous church multiplication movements in a Western context.

About the Author

Neil Cole is an experienced and innovative church planter and pastor. He is the founder of the Awakening Chapels, which are reaching young postmodern people in urban settings, and a founder and executive director of Church Multiplication Associates. He is the author of Organic Church as well as Search and Rescue, Organic Leadership, and Cultivating a Life for God.

The Greatest Words Ever Spoken

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:37:56 PST

Author : Steven K. Scott
Hardcover : 544 pages
Publisher : WaterBrook Press (September 16, 2008)

Book Description
Every Word of Jesus Right at Your Fingertips

Haven’t you wished you could ask Jesus any question and get his immediate help with the biggest problems you face? Now you can.

For the first time ever, all of the statements Jesus made in the New Testament have been brought together and organized under more than 200 topics. When you want to know his will in a specific area of life, or you’re seeking the answer to a perplexing question, or you are desperate for his encouragement, comfort, or wisdom–you can easily find the help you need.

The moment you turn to the appropriate topic heading, you will have access to the breadth of Jesus’ teaching on that subject. You can also use this book as a guide for studying Jesus’ wisdom on any topic of interest, such as prayer, forgiveness, eternity, anger, temptation, relationships, grace, or knowing God.

As you immerse yourself in Jesus’ words, your life and relationships will be transformed, and your faith and spiritual passion will be renewed. Let the greatest words ever spoken bring new vision, power, and joy into your life–one statement at a time.

About the Author

Steven K. Scott is the best-selling author of The Richest Man Who Ever Lived, Mentored by a Millionaire, Simple Steps to Impossible Dreams, and A Millionaire’s Notebook. After failing nine jobs in his first six years after college, he learned the laws of life success by studying the book of Proverbs. As a result, Scott and his business partners built more than a dozen multimillion-dollar companies from scratch, achieving billions of dollars in sales. He is the cofounder of The American Telecast Corporation, Total Gym Fitness, and Max International. Scott is a popular international speaker on the subjects of personal and professional achievement and the application of biblical wisdom to every area of life.

Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear (Hardcover)

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:53:55 PST

Author : Max Lucado

Book Description

Bestselling author and reknowned pastor Max Lucado offers to readers this introductory message to his new book Fearless.

Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.

They're talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn't it be great to walk out?

Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.

Can you imagine your life without fear?

About the Author

Max Lucado, Minister of Writing and Preaching for the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, is the husband of Denalyn and father of Jenna, Andrea, and Sara. On a good week he reads a good book, has a few dinners with his wife, and breaks 90 on the golf course.

Review

"Citing key common fears-violence, overwhelming challenges, sickness and other worst-case scenarios-Lucado offers welcome wisdom about those solely internal battles individuals face daily. People are afraid their lives don't matter; they-re afraid of disappointing God; they're afraid of an afterlife; and they're even afraid God is not real, Lucado says. Skillful as a surgeon, he discerns and identifies the cancer of fear that touches every human being, and with like precision speaks healing words that cut right to the heart. While there exists no fast fix or simple cure for the fear-bound individual, Lucado's tempered counsel and faith-driven remedies will offer day-by-day spiritual medicine of the most potent kind." -Publishers Weekly --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

The Easter Egg (Hardcover)

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:42:06 PST

Author, Illustrator : Jan Brett

Book Description

Jan Brett’s lovable bunny hero, Hoppi, and her remarkable Easter Rabbit will enchant readers as they pore over illustrations filled with dazzling eggs made by Flora Bunny, Aunt Sassyfrass and others.

If Hoppi can make the best Easter egg, he will get to help the Easter Rabbit deliver the eggs on Easter morning. But it is not so easy. Discouraged, he goes into the woods to think when a blue robin’s egg tumbles out of its nest. Hoppi keeps it safe and warm until the baby bird hatches, and when the Easter Rabbit arrives, he chooses the empty blue eggshell to reward Hoppi for his kindness.

Spring is everywhere in gorgeous illustrations framed with pussy willows, flowering vines and flowers. Side borders feature busy rabbits making their unusual eggs and, in a border above, the Robin’s family drama unfolds.

A gatefold surprise reveals the Easter Rabbit.

About the Author

Jan Brett is the author of the New York Times bestselling Gingerbread Friends, The Three Snow Bears, and The Mitten, as well as many other classics. She lives in Norwell, Massachusetts.

The Jesus Storybook Bible

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:16:59 PST

Author : Sally Lloyd-Jones

Book Description

"The Jesus Storybook Bible" tells the story beneath all the stories in the Bible. At the center of the story is a baby, the child upon whom everything will depend. Every story whispers his name. From Noah to Moses to the great King David - every story points to him. He is like the missing piece in a puzzle - the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, as the story unfolds, children will pick up the clues and piece together the puzzle. A Bible like no other, "The Jesus Storybook Bible" invites children to join in the greatest of all adventures, to discover for themselves that Jesus is at the center of God's great story of salvation - and at the center of their story too.

About the Author

Sally Lloyd-Jones has over nineteen years of experience in writing and publishing childrens books. Her story Bibles have achieved combined sales of nearly two million units. Formerly the publisher of the religious division of Readers Digest Childrens Books, Sally now divides her time between writing for young readers and managing her own packaging business, Lloyd-Jones Ltd. Sally is the author of over fifty books for children.

Review

''The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name' disproves the adage that you can't judge a book by its cover. Jago's award-winning cover art is a foretaste of the whimsically insightful and richly colored drawings that await you on every one of the book's 351 pages. The illustrations alone are worth the price of the book....Jago the illustrator, and Sally Lloyd-Jones the author, are a good pair. She brings the same creativity and sense of humor to her telling of the Bible's stories....But Lloyd-Jones's writing isn't cutesy. She has a grasp of the profound. How does one explain to a child the agony of Jesus in Gethsemane, and his prayer of surrender to his Father? Lloyd-Jones does it as well as any biblical commentator....The title and subtitle are even better than the book's delightful illustrations and narrative -- because they provide, in one deft stroke, the interpretive key that unlocks the meaning of the whole Bible. 'The Jesus Storybook Bible' says it all: The Scriptures are not merely a collection of stories designed to teach moral lessons. As Jesus explained to the men walking the road to Emmaus on Resurrection Sunday, the whole Bible is about Jesus. In the words of the subtitle, every story whispers his name....Lloyd-Jones manages to show again and again the presence of Christ in all the Old Testament Scriptures, and the presence of the Old Testament Scriptures in the life of Christ.(Christianity Today )

The Prodigal God Discussion Guide

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 01:41:40 PST

Author : Timothy J. Keller

Book Description

Designed for use with The Prodigal God DVD by pastor and bestselling author Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God Discussion Guide helps churches and small groups plumb the powerful depths of Jesus' best-known parable to explore the story's characters---the younger son, the elder son, and the Father whose lavish love exceeds what either son ever expected.

From the Back Cover

Two sons, one who kept the rules religiously and one who broke them all. One Father who loved both lost sons beyond anything they could imagine. Discover how deep and far God's grace goes in The Prodigal God discussion guide will help you uncover, personalize, and apply life-changing insights from The Prodigal God DVD and book. In six captivating sessions, pastor and New York Times bestselling author Timothy Keller opens your eyes to the powerful message of Jesus' best-known---and least understood---parable.

The Prodigal God is a revelation of the very heart of the gospel: God's radical love for sinners of every kind. Taking you beyond the traditional focus on the wayward younger son, Keller helps you glean insights from each of the characters in Jesus' parable: the irreligious younger son, the moralistic elder son, and the Father who lavishes his love on both. Inside this guide, you'll explore questions for group discussion and personal reflection, and exercises that will help you experience the truths of Jesus' parable in your own life.

The gospel is neither religion nor irreligion, but something else entirely. Whether you're a devout believer or a skeptic, The Prodigal God will challenge you to see Christianity in a whole new way. Session titles include the following: The Parable The People Around Jesus The Two Lost Sons The Elder Brother The True Elder Brother The Feast of the Father Designed for use with The Prodigal God DVD and book.

About the Author

Timothy Keller is senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church, Manhattan: and New York Times bestselling author of The Reason for God. He is also author of Counterfeit Gods and The Prodigal God book, film, and discussion guide.

Mad Church Disease: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:56:47 PST

Author : Anne Jackson

From the Back Cover

Does Working at This Church Interfere with Your Communion with Christ?

That question may have saved author Anne Jackson's life. She believes it could save yours, too. As the daughter of a pastor, Anne saw firsthand the struggles leaders face and the toll it can take on their families. She vowed her life in ministry would be different. Yet, years later, as a church leader, she was hospitalized because stress began wreaking havoc on her body. She had burned out.

Anne developed a website that allowed church leaders to share their struggles. Within a few days, she was flooded with over a thousand responses from people pouring out their stories of pain.
Mad Church Disease, born out of that experience, is a lively, informative, and potentially life-saving resource for anyone in ministry - vocational or volunteer - who would like to understand, prevent, or treat the epidemic of burnout in church culture.

About the Author

Anne Jackson has traveled all over the world using online media to tell stories of those living in poverty. Anyone wielding a computer and an internet connection can contribute something to make the world a better place, yet so many stories are unfinished, just waiting for you to enter the scene.

She is an author, blogger (at FlowerDust.net), speaker, and transformational activist who lives in the Nashville area with her husband, Chris. Her highly-anticipated book, Mad Church Disease - Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic (Zondervan) released in February 2009. Her next book is due to be out in Fall 2010. She is a contributor to the Christianity Today Blog her.meneutics and Deadly Viper Character Assassins, and has written for PurposeDriven.com, Outreach Magazine, Catalyst Groupzine, and a variety of other ink and paper (as well as digital) publications.

Anne is on staff at Cross Point Church and enrolled in the Diploma of Ministry Studies Program at Rockbridge Seminary.

Review

Are you suffering from Mad Church Disease? It is the illness facing church leaders who - despite their best efforts to serve God and his people - are killing themselves spiritually, physically, emotionally or relationally. In the book, Mad Church Disease , popular author and blogger, Anne Jackson, digs into the causes, symptoms and solutions of a wide variety of challenges stemming from church work. Anne should know: she's a pastor's kid and has been employed in churches. I doubt there is anything quite like the dynamics of working in a church when it comes to the pressure it puts on leaders. And Anne captures the experiences and causes of burnout effectively.

The book is deep, but not stuffy. It is funny, but not cynical. It is easy to read, without being simplistic. Anne's writing is poignant and personal, without being tacky. It takes a long, hard look at the difficulties of church work, while asking readers to face their problems.
Ultimately, Mad Church Disease is not just about solutions, it is a solution. It is a tool that can be used by a church staff or by individuals. It contains helpful interviews with church leaders who have lived through Mad Church Disease. And it offers worksheets to start private or group discussions about the issues of personal and spiritual health. Use this great new tool to find and restore healthy margins in your life.
--Dave Kinnaman, President, Barna Group --Barna Group, June 2009

The Apothecary's Daughter (Paperback)

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:40:42 PST

Author : Julie Klassen

Book Description

Lillian Haswell, brilliant daughter of the local apothecary, yearns for more adventure and experience than life in her father's shop and their small village provides. She also longs to know the truth behind her mother's disappearance, which villagers whisper about but her father refuses to discuss. Opportunity comes when a distant aunt offers to educate her as a lady in London. Exposed to fashionable society and romance--as well as clues about her mother--Lilly is torn when she is summoned back to her ailing father's bedside. Women are forbidden to work as apothecaries, so to save the family legacy, Lilly will have to make it appear as if her father is still making all the diagnoses and decisions. But the suspicious eyes of a scholarly physician and a competing apothecary are upon her. As they vie for village prominence, three men also vie for Lilly's heart.

From the Back Cover

Lilly Haswell remembers everything--whether she wants to, or not... As Lilly toils in her father's apothecary, preparing herbs and remedies by rote, she is haunted by memories of her mother's disappearance. Villagers whisper the tale, but her father refuses to discuss it. All the while, she dreams of the world beyond--of travel and adventure and romance. When a relative offers to host her in London, Lilly discovers the pleasures and pitfalls of fashionable society and suitors, as well as clues about her mother. But will Lilly find what she is searching for--the truth of the past and a love for the future? Blending romance, family drama, and fascinating historical detail, The Apothecary's Daughter is a novel to savor and share. Discussion questions included. "Klassen has captured the best of Austen and Bronte." --Michelle Griep, Novel Reviews "I highly recommend Lady of Milkweed Manor to anyone who delights in Regency romance." --Tamela McCann, Historical Novels Review

About the Author

Julie Klassen is a fiction editor with a background in advertising. She has worked in Christian publishing for more than twelve years, in both marketing and editorial capacities. This is her first novel. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She enjoys travel, research, books, BBC period dramas, long hikes, short naps, and coffee with friends. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

When You Need a Miracle: Stories to Give You Faith and Bring You Hope

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:40:12 PST

Author : Ann Spangler

Book Description

When life is challenging, each of can benefit from a daily dose of hope and faith. That's what this devotional will bring you---stories of miracles and angels drawn directly from Scripture and from the lives of ordinary people today. Story after story will help you to remember that God is in control and that he still loves you.

From the Back Cover

The awe-inspiring power of God Through stories of angelic encounters and miraculous happenings, you will be reminded that regardless of your circumstances, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

This beautiful collection of devotions draws from two proven favorites--- previously published as An Angel a Day and A Miracle a Day---by bestselling author Ann Spangler. Refresh your faith in the God of miracles. That's what this book is about. God doing extraordinary things for ordinary people.

In a time of anxiety and uncertainty, these stories reveal the surprising power of God's love for you. Bestselling author Ann Spangler shines a light on the God who is far bigger and more merciful than you think the God who deeply cares about you ... the God who generously offers the help you seek.

Whether you are sitting before a cozy fire or taking a break in your frenzied day, reading these devotions will help you draw closer to the only One who is capable of being your refuge in every kind of trouble. Each reflection will remind you that, even in the midst of life's challenges, one thing remains true: You belong to a God who is eager and able to care for you with wisdom, kindness, and unfailing mercy. Drawn from Ann's previously published works An Angel a Day and A Miracle a Day, these devotions open with a Bible verse and close with a prayer. Each will reveal the love of God for everyone who needs a miracle---including you.

About the Author

Ann Spangler is the author of many bestselling books, including Praying the Names of God, Praying the Names of Jesus, and Women of the Bible (co-authored with Jean Syswerda).

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 07:58:01 PDT

Author: Parker J. Palmer

Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (September 10, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0787947350

Product Description

With wisdom, compassion, and gentle humor, Parker J. Palmer invites us to listen to the inner teacher and follow its leadings toward a sense of meaning and purpose. Telling stories from his own life and the lives of others who have made a difference, he shares insights gained from darkness and depression as well as fulfillment and joy, illuminating a pathway toward vocation for all who seek the true calling of their lives.

From the Inside Flap

"Is the life I am living the same as the life that wants to live in me?" With this searching question, Parker Palmer begins an insightful and moving meditation on finding one's true calling. Let Your Life Speak is an openhearted gift to anyone who seeks to live authentically.The book's title is a time-honored Quaker admonition, usually taken to mean "Let the highest truths and values guide everything you do." But Palmer reinterprets those words, drawing on his own search for selfhood. "Before you tell your life what you intAnd to do with it," he writes, "listen for what it intAnds to do with you. Before you tell your life what truths and values you have decided to live up to, let your life tell you what truths you embody, what values you represent."Vocation does not come from willfulness, no matter how noble one's intentions. It comes from listening to and accepting "true self" with its limits as well as its potentials. Sharing stories of frailty and strength, of darkness and light, Palmer shows that vocation is not a goal to be achieved but a gift to be received.As we live more deeply into the selfhood that is our birthright gift, we find not only personal fulfillment. We find communion with others and ways of serving the world's deepest needs.A Compassionate and Compelling Meditation on Discovering Your Path in LifeWith wisdom, compassion, and gentle humor, Parker J. Palmer invites us to listen to the inner teacher and follow its leadings toward a sense of meaning and purpose. Telling stories from his own life and the lives of others who have made a difference, he shares insights gained from darkness and depression as well as fulfillment and joy, illuminating a pathway toward vocation for all who seek the true calling of their lives."Parker Palmer's writing is like a high country stream-clear, vital, honest. If your life seems to be passing you by, or you cannot see the way ahead, immerse yourself in the wisdom of these pages and allow it .

About the Author

PARKER J. PALMER is senior associate of the American Association for Higher Education and senior advisor to the Fetzer Institute. In 1998, he was named one of the thirty most influential senior leaders in higher education. Author of such widely praised books as The Courage to Teach and To Know As We Are Known, he holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He is a member of the Religious Society of FriAnds (Quaker) and lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation

The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 21:42:03 PDT

Author: Randy Alcorn

Hardcover: 128 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Books (September 6, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590525086

Book Description

Flip-Flop Your Concept of Giving!

Bestselling author Randy Alcorn introduced readers to a revolution in material freedom and radical generosity with the release of the original The Treasure Principle in 2001. Now the revision to the compact, perennial bestseller includes a provocative new concluding chapter depicting God asking a believer questions about his stewardship over material resources. Readers are moved from the realms of thoughtful Bible exposition into the highly personal arena of everyday life. Because when Jesus told His followers to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” He intended that they discover an astounding secret: how joyful giving brings God maximum glory and His children maximum pleasure. Discover a joy more precious than gold!

Priceless treasure is within your reach. And with it, liberating joy.

In Randy Alcorn ’s The Treasure Principle, you’ll unearth a radical teaching of Jesus—a secret wrapped up in giving. Once you discover this secret, life will never look the same. And you won’t want it to!

Pull Out Section:

Do it. Ask God what’s on your mind…. Open my eyes, Father. What am I holding on to that’s robbing me of present joy and future reward? Discover the all-new prayer guide inside!

“Supercharged with stunning, divine truth! Lightning struck over and over as I read it.” John Piper , Senior Pastor, Bethlehem Baptist Church , Minneapolis

“The Treasure Principle will change your life! This book is destined to become a classic.” Howard Dayton , Co-CEO, Crown Financial Ministries

“The Scripture passages and illustrations really ring true. Just what I needed!” Hugh Maclellan , President, The Maclellan Foundation

“I enthusiastically endorse The Treasure Principle. I hope millions will read it.” Ronald W. Blue , Founder and CEO, Ronald Blue & Company

Story Behind the Book

After years of writing and teaching on the theme “God owns everything,” in 1990 Randy Alcorn was sued by an abortion clinic (for peaceful, nonviolent intervention for the unborn). Suddenly he had to resign as a pastor and was restricted to making minimum wage. Legally unable to own anything, Randy gave all his book royalties to missions work and need-meeting ministries. He and his family have experienced the reality of The Treasure Principle—that God really does own everything, takes care of us, and graciously puts assets into our hands that we might have the joy and privilege of investing in what will last for eternity.

About the Author

Randy Alcorn is the founder and director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (EPM). He is the bestselling author of twenty books, with over one million in print, including the novels Deadline, Dominion, Lord Foulgrin's Letters and the Gold Medallion winner Safely Home. His fourteen nonfiction works include ProLife Answers to ProChoice Arguments, and the stewardship classic Money, Possessions and Eternity. He and his wife, Nanci, live in Gresham , Oregon , and have two grown daughters, Karina and Angela. He enjoys hanging out with his family, biking, tennis, research, and reading.

The Treasure Principle: Unlocking the Secret of Joyful Giving (LifeChange Books)

For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 20:05:33 PDT

Author: Shaunti Feldhahn

Hardcover: 208 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Books (July 28, 2004)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590523172

Book Description

What’s going on in a man’s mind? From their early days, every woman has struggled to understand why males behave the way they do. Even long-married women who think they understand men have only scratched the surface. Beneath a man’s rugged exterior is an even more rugged, unmapped terrain. What bestselling author Shaunti Feldhahn’s research reveals about the inner lives of men will open women’s eyes to what the men in their life—boyfriends, brothers, husbands, and sons—are really thinking and feeling. Men want to be understood, but they’re afraid to “freak out” the women they love by confessing what is happening inside their heads. This book will guide women in how to provide the loving support that modern men want and need. The Truth About His Inner Life He Desperately Wants You to Know What's going on in there? Ever been totally confused by something your man has said or done? Want to understand his secret desires and fears, his daily battles that you know nothing about? In a woman-to-woman conversation you’ll never forget, Shaunti Feldhahn takes you beneath the surface into the inner lives of men. This book is about the things we just don’t ‘get’ about guys. With findings from a groundbreaking national survey and personal interviews of over one thousand men, For Women Only is full of eye-opening revelations you need to not only understand the man in your life, but to support and love him in the way he needs to be loved. Grounded in biblical hope, you will discover how to love your man for who he really is—not who you think he is. Story Behind the BookI had no idea how clueless I was about men until I interviewed a bunch of them for my last novel. Initially, I just wanted a little insight so I could write my main (male) character. But pretty soon I found myself astonished, over and over again blurting out, “That’s what you’re thinking?” So I did more interviews. After the novel hit shelves, dozens of women told me they also had been astonished by what I included. Clearly I wasn’t the only one who needed more insight on this! To lay the groundwork for this nonfiction book, I wrote out the half-dozen things from these interviews that had most surprised me—things that appeared to be universal to most men—that women desperately needed to know. I conducted a professional national survey of men to test my findings. Yep—the survey substantiated every single one. These findings are fascinating—and they have already changed my life and marriage. I can’t wait to share them!

About the Author

Shaunti Feldhahn started out as an analyst on Wall Street and ended up a surprise bestselling author, encouraging the Christian community toward service and outreach with the #1 bestseller Y2K: The Millennium Bug - A Balanced Christian Response. Also an author of message fiction, Shaunti is a newspaper columnist on women's issues, contributing the conservative opinion for the Atlanta Journal- Constitution's popular online "Woman to Woman" column. Shaunti and her husband, Jeff, are active leaders in their church, leading a home group that encourages married couples toward greater intimacy with God and each other

For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men

For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:48:32 PDT

Author: Shaunti Feldhahn ,Jeff Feldhahn

Hardcover: 192 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Books (April 3, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1590525728

Book Description

Finally—You Can Understand Her!

Women: complicated and impossible to understand? Do you love and want to please the woman in your life, but just can’t seem to figure her out? That was before For Men Only. Now at your fingertips is the tool that will unlock the secret to her mysterious ways. Through hundreds of interviews and the results of a scientific national survey of women, this book demonstrates that women are actually not random and that they really can be systematized and “mapped.” In fact, much to men’s delight, this book shows that women are actually quite easy to understand and please—as long as you know what it is they need. This simple map will guide you to loving your wife or girlfriend in the way she needs to be loved.

Finally. You Can Understand Her!

Women: complicated and impossible to understand? Have you given up trying to “get” the woman in your life? If so, you are in for a pleasant eye-opener: She can be understood. Even better—you can make her happy. Which will make you happy. The bestselling author of For Women Only teams with her husband to offer men the key to unlocking the mysterious ways of women. Through Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn ’s national scientific survey and hundreds of interviews, For Men Only reveals what you can do today to improve your relationship. And believe it or not, as Jeff assures men, “It’s not splitting the atom.” What makes her tick? What is she really asking (but not actually saying)? Take the guesswork out of trying to please your wife or girlfriend and begin loving her in the way she needs. Easily. For Men Only is a straightforward map that will lead you straight into her heart.

And for every guy who rarely reads a manual: Quick-Start Guide Included!

“When we featured Shaunti’s book For Women Only on FamilyLife Today , the phone rang off the hook! When Shaunti and Jeff come back on our broadcast, I’m buying some more phones. This is fresh and relevant—good stuff for every marriage. Read it!”

Dennis Rainey President, FamilyLife

Story Behind the Book

“As I was writing For Women Only to help women understand the inner lives of men, over and over I heard that men wished there was a way to understand their wives, but they felt it was probably impossible. I heard from them, ‘You are writing this little slim volume about men, but if it was about understanding women, it would have to be the size of an encyclopedia! Women are random and complicated!’ These men were surprised and encouraged when I assured them that women are neither random nor complicated, and we can be understood. Men just want to love their wives well, and For Men Only will help them do that.” —Shaunti Feldhahn

About the Author

Shaunti Feldhahn is a bestselling author, newspaper columnist, and public speaker. She holds a master's degree in public policy from Harvard University and has worked on Wall Street and Capitol Hill. Shaunti is a nationally syndicated weekly columnist on women's issues for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jeff Feldhahn is the president and CEO of World2one, a tech company that he helped found in 1999. Also an attorney, he graduated from Harvard Law School and has worked at law firms in New York and Atlanta specializing in corporate law and nonprofit organizations. Shaunti and Jeff are active leaders in their church and enjoy encouraging married couples toward greater intimacy with God and each other.

For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women

Intimate Issues: 21 Questions Christian Women Ask About Sex

noreply@blogger.com (cdaoruang) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:31:55 PDT

Author: Linda Dillow ,Lorraine Pintus

Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: WaterBrook Press (April 6, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1578561493

Book Description

Intimate Issues answers the twenty-one questions about sex most frequently asked by Christian wives, as determined by a nationwide poll of over one thousand women. Written from the perspective of two mature Christian wives and Bible teachers–women who you’ll come to know as teachers and friends–Intimate Issues is biblical and informative: sometimes humorous, other times practical, but always honest. Through its solid teaching warm testimonials, scriptural insights, and experts’ advise, you’ll find resolution for your questions and fears, surprising insights about God’s perspective on sex, and a variety of practical and creative ideas for enhancing your physical relationship with the husband you love. With warmth and wisdom, authors Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus speak woman to woman: examining the teachings of Scripture, exposing the lies of the world, and offering real hope that every woman’s marriage relationship can become all it was intended to be in God’s design. From the Inside FlapIntimate Issues answers the twenty-one questions about sex most frequently asked by Christian wives, as determined by a nationwide poll of over one thousand women. Written from the perspective of two mature Christian wives and Bible teachers–women who you'll come to know as teachers and friends–Intimate Issues is biblical and informative: sometimes humorous, other times practical, but always honest. Through its solid teaching warm testimonials, scriptural insights, and experts' advise, you'll find resolution for your questions and fears, surprising insights about God's perspective on sex, and a variety of practical and creative ideas for enhancing your physical relationship with the husband you love.
With warmth and wisdom, authors Linda Dillow and Lorraine Pintus speak woman to woman: examining the teachings of Scripture, exposing the lies of the world, and offering real hope that every woman's marriage relationship can become all it was intended to be in God's design.

About the Author

Linda Dillow is the author of several books, including A Mother’s Journey, Calm My Anxious Heart and the best-selling Creative Counterpart. A sought-after speaker, she ministers at women’s conferences across the United States, Europe and Asia. Linda is the mother of four grown children and grandmother of two. She and her husband, Jody, lived overseas for 17 years and now make their home in Monument, Colorado.

Lorraine Pintus is a freelance writer, conference speaker, Bible teacher and ministry worker. Her articles have appeared numerous magazines, including Decision, Discipleship Journal, and Focus on the Family. She is also the author of Diapers, Pacifiers and Other Holy Things. Lorraine and her husband Peter are founders of Hearts at Home Ministries, a Christian training and development organization. They live with their two children near Colorado Springs.

Intimate Issues: 21 Questions Christian Women Ask About Sex

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