Bücher veröffentlicht von Zondervan

"e;In this new series of books designed for anyone connected to teenagers, Dr. Steven Gerali addresses six daunting and difficult situations that, when they do happen, often leave youth workers and parents feeling unprepared. With a background in adolescent counseling, Dr. Gerali provides valuable resources to help youth workers and parents through some of the most challenging situations they may face. Each book defines the issue, explores how different theological perspectives can impact the situation, offers helpful, practical tips, along with credible resources to help the reader go deeper into the issues they're dealing with. This direct and hard-hitting series will include: *; What Do I Do WhenDeath ComesHow to help teens through the questions and pain that arise when another student dies *; What Do I Do WhenBullying and Violence Hits HomeUnderstanding and addressing the issues of bullying in and out of the youth group *; What Do I Do WhenWe Encounter Sexual and Physical AbuseHow to handle issues of sexual and physical abuse, including practical intervention strategies and legal parameters *; What Do I Do WhenFamilies are Shattered by Dysfunction and DivorceEquipping youth workers to help students pick up the broken pieces and find health and healing in the midst of family breakdown *; What Do I Do WhenSecret Eating Disorders Eat Away at KidsUnderstanding and recognizing eating disorders in order to initiate helping strategies for teens dealing with this issue *; What Do I Do WhenHomosexuality Comes Out of the Closet and Into the Youth MinistryEquipping youth workers to help students navigate the dangerous waters created by this issue, and educate other leaders on how to engage with homosexuality in the church"e;

"e;The book of Romans is rich with spiritual wisdom. By studying Paul's letter to the Romans, your students will explore everything from new life in Christ to how to live a life like Jesus.Through engaging activities and thought-provoking questions that get right to the heart of Romans, your students will see that even though Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, the instructions also apply to them. In 30 studies, your students will find practical applications for their life as they explore the concepts of: * Righteousness* Faith* Salvation* Sacrifice* Freedom* Friendships, and much moreWritten with the busy youth worker in mind, Studies on the Go: Romans provides Scriptural depth and substance to be tackled in a manageable time frame. The questions are real, down-to-earth, and straight to the point to get students quickly into Romans so they can hear God's word on a practical level. Designed for Sunday school classes, youth groups, and small groups, this curriculum is guaranteed to get your students excited about and engaged with the Bible."e;

"e;Everyone makes mistakes. But why make the same ones that other youth workers have already learned tough lessons through? Whether you're a youth ministry volunteer or you've just stepped into a full-time youth ministry position, chances are that you don't know everything...not yet anyway. Here you'll find wisdom from seasoned veterans who have "e;been there and done that"e; so you can avoid the pitfalls they've found themselves facing.With true stories from real youth workers, you'll get the truth that you just don't learn in your seminar classes or volunteer training meetings. With thought-provoking questions, relevant Scripture, and practical applications, you'll learn from some of the common, but avoidable, blunders of youth ministry veterans such as: * Soul care slip-ups* Team building terrors* Relationship errors* Parent problems (or is it problem parents?!)* Programming pitfalls* Budget blunders* Moral minefields* Authority ailments* Crisis controlWhile most people will cover up their mistakes and hope to never be found out, these brave youth workers are laying it all out there so you don't have to make the same mistakes. Let their encouragement and wisdom be your most-read training manual."e;

"e;In an age where teenagers are deeply engaged in virtual communities and social networks, they're still feeling alone and isolated. It may sound all too simple, but the truth is that you have the opportunity to make a profound impact on the lives of students with the simple act of spending time with them, one-on-one. Whether you're a volunteer or the lead youth pastor, getting some students to open up and share their lives can be a challenge. In this practical book you'll learn the importance of connecting with students on an individual basis and get helpful ideas on how to engage a variety of students in meaningful dialogue. You'll explore and learn more about connecting with six different types of students, including: * The "e;No Way"e; Kid * The "e;Not Interested"e; Kid * The "e;Checking Things Out Kid"e; * The "e;Stagnant"e; Kid * The "e;Growing"e; Kid * The "e;Looking for Ministry"e; Kid Connect will walk you through the steps to lead you into relationships with students that go beyond the youth room and impact them into adulthood."e;

With over 800,000 copies in print, If Only He Knew by bestselling author Gary Smalley has long been esteemed as one of the premier books on marriage for men. Smalley helps men understand their wives and meet their needs in order to establish a loving, thriving relationship that will last a lifetime.Newly revised and expanded to reflect up-to-date research and the current cultural landscape for today's modern audience, this book is the perfect guide for husbands who want to love their wives and strengthen their marriages in a way like never before.Using humorous and touching illustrations from his own life, as well as case histories and biblical examples, Gary Smalley maps a blueprint to a better marriage that will have a deep and lasting impact on men and their wives.

';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 followsfrom his family and his upbringing to the lackluster and even diametrically opposed expressions of faith he encounteredwill 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?

Jesus challenges us to heal the hurting, feed the hungry, include the lonely, and help people find their way back to God. Most people listen to the missional challenge of Jesus as if it were a good motivational talk-something to inspire us, but not something we can actually achieve. Others hear the challenge of Jesus and become frustrated with how little they've done. The mission Jesus gave us was not just meant to inspire us, nor was it intended to frustrate us. Jesus gave us this mission because he wants us to actually do it! Within each person lies a potential movement that could change the world. The beginning of such a movement is simple: you living a life as a Christ follower that is worth reproducing. You will reproduce what you say. You will reproduce what you do. You will reproduce what you don't do. You will reproduce who you are. Each of us has the ability to catalyze a movement that can accomplish the mission of Jesus. Some of us have the ability to impact 10 people; some of us have influence over hundreds, while others have the potential to reach thousands. The Rapidly Reproducing Church will present a Biblical strategy that explains how every Christ follower can successfully "e;reproduce"e; himself and maximize his impact for the kingdom of God. The purpose of this book is to communicate a simple strategy that will engage every Christ follower and challenge every leader to become a reproducing leader. Our hope is that every church will become a reproducing church. This book will lay out a brief, but solid theology for a reproducing strategy and then give very practical "e;how-to's"e; for reproducing Christ followers, leaders, artists, groups/teams, venues, sites, churches and networks of churches. Weaved throughout this book will be the amazing story of Community Christian Church, started by five friends who used these reproducing strategies to grow one of the most influential churches in the U.S and develop a network of reproducing churches.

What is happening to the church in America today? By all appearances, it looks like we are "e;doing' church better than we ever have. Our programs are effective, our pastors are relevant, and our buildings are increasing in size. In the past 30 years the number of mega-churches has increased from under 100 to over 7,500. In the past 10 years the number of multi-site churches has increased from under 100 to over 2,000. By the numbers, these church movements enjoy the national platform, the national voice, and the resources to profoundly impact the Kingdom. But to what end? In spite of the rapid growth of these prevailing church movements we are still losing ground, and the church in the west is in massive decline. Numerous studies and books have been written documenting the flight of members from the institutional church. Yet the local church is Jesus' plan for reaching the world. The strength of the mega-church and multi-site models can be found in a strong emphasis on attracting people to the church, where they have an opportunity to encounter Jesus Christ. Yet many younger leaders are rejecting this model in favor of a more incarnational approach to ministry. These missional communities tend to focus their attention on trying to release people into ministry.In recent years a growing schism has emerged between those calling themselves incarnational leaders and those leading the prevailing church models. But what if we were able to incorporate the insights of both models into a cohesive understanding of the church? Can we bring together the very best of the attractional AND missional models for church ministry?What is needed is not is another book about how to do church better. Our focus on the form church is misguided when the vast majority of unchurched Christians and non-believers aren't moving toward any form of church. Beautifully Sent will give permission for leaders to value existing church forms while catalyzing a missional movement of incarnational people into the world.

Serving as a church leader can be a tough assignment. Whatever your role, odds are you've known your share of the frustration, conflict, and disillusionment that comes with silly turf battles, conflicting vision, and marathon meetings. No doubt, you've asked yourself, "e;How did it get this way?"e;With practical and accessible wisdom, Larry Osborne explains how it got this way. He exposes the hidden roadblocks, structures, and goofy thinking that sabotage even the best intentioned teams. Then with time-tested and proven strategies he shows what it takes to get (and keep) a board, staff, and congregation on the same page. Whatever your situation; from start-up phase, to mid-sized, to megachurch, Osborne has been there. As the pastor of North Coast Church he's walked his board, staff, and congregation through the process. Now with warm encouragement and penetrating insights he shares his secrets to building and maintaining a healthy and unified ministry team that sticks together for the long haul.

In this YA contemporary novel from bestselling author Nancy Rue, the issues of abuse and its emotional effects are explored as Bryn O'Connor struggles to find her voice while many of her one-time friends doubt she's telling the truth and her ex-boyfriend won't let go of their past.Bryn has learned to keep her mouth shut. But when a trip to the hospital following a car accident reveals bruises and injuries inflicted by her boyfriend days and months before, her biggest secret is unwillingly unleashed. And though a restraining order is meant to keep her safe from Preston, it seems nothing can protect her from her supposed friends, who refuse to believe Preston is capable of such violence and look to punish her for what happened to him. Making Bryn wonder if finally telling the truth only made things worse.The stress and loneliness leaves Bryn feeling crazyespecially when it seems like the leather book she picked up at the hospital is reading her thoughts. It doesn't help that her visiting grandma, Mim, is convinced surfing lessons and homemade Mexican food will somehow help Bryn regain control and focus away from the bullying messages pinging her phone. Though when Preston breaks the restraining order yet again, and a trial date looms, it's clear the only way out of the tsunami that is her life is to charge in and take control of the waves around her.Boyfriends, Burritos & an Ocean of Trouble: uses a fictional setting to explore the real-life issues of abuse and quieted voices young women facedelves into the concepts of finding your voice, overcoming difficult circumstances, and working past feelings of self-blameprovides an inspirational message for those dealing with tough circumstancesis the second book in the Real Life series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel

From bestselling author Nancy Rue comes a YA contemporary novel that combines coming-of-age drama with a rom-com series of adventures as one girl deals with her complicated family and first love. Jesse Hatcher is used to keeping everything togetherfrom trying to manage her thoughts amidst her ADHD to helping her mom through bipolar ';phases' and keeping the reality of the highs and lowsand their living situationa secret. But when her supposedly dead father, Lou, appears and her mother becomes suicidal, her taped-together life comes undone.Soon Jesse is placed in Lou's temporary custody, where she has everything but control. As she works her Dad-mandated job learning to make sushi with a chef intent on torturing her, she concocts a plan to get back to her real home. But then a cute boy named Rocky and the thrill of riding his motorcycle complicate things, and the book she found seems to have all the answers she doesn't want to hear. Torn between what her mom wants and a life she might actually enjoy, Jesse is forced to make a crazy decision.Motorcycles, Burritos & One Strange Book:features a vibrant and witty protagonist dealing with the realities of a divided family and mental illnessis a Christy award-winning novel that explores the ideas of self-worth and empowermentprovides an inspirational message for those dealing with tough circumstancesis the first book in the Real Life series

Our world is marked by unprecedented degrees of multiculturalism, ethnic diversity, social shifts, international collaboration, and technology-driven changes. The changes are profound, especially when you consider the unchecked decline in the influence, size, and social standing of the church. There is an undercurrent of anxiety in the evangelical world, and a hunger for something new. And we're sensing the urgency of it. We need fresh, creative counterintuitive ways of doing ministry and church and leading it in the 21st century. We need to adapt. Fast. Both in our practices and our thinking. The aim of this book is simple: When we understand the powerful forces at work in the world today, we'll learn how something called The Third Culture can yield perhaps the most critical missing ingredient in the church today-adaptability-and help the church remain on the best side of history. A Third Culture Church and a Third Culture Leader looks at our new global village and the church's role in that village in a revolutionary way. It's a way to reconnect with the historical roots of what Jesus envisioned the church could be-a people known for a brand of love, unity, goodness, and extravagant spirit that defies all conventions. This book is part of the successful Leadership Innovation Series.

Bill Robinson helps Christian leaders understand how to provide effective leadership by highlighting five qualities that characterized the leadership style of Jesus. He presents convincing arguments that when leaders emulate these qualities, they will inspire and empower the people they have been called to lead. Reflection and discussion questions and assessment questions make this ideal for group use.Conversational in tone and seasoned with real-life stories from his own successes and failures as a leader, Robinson helps Christian leaders wrestle with four questions that emerge from John's introduction of Jesus, "e;and the word became flesh and dwelt among us...."e; * Jesus dwelt with those he led, how can I be closer to those I lead? * Jesus disciples beheld him, how can I be more transparent with those I lead? * The glory of Jesus was a reflection of his father, am I seeking my own glory? * Jesus led with grace and truth, how can I lead with grace and truth? The Incarnate Leader is indispensable reading for anyone in a position of leadership - whether in a church setting, corporation, school board, or home. The book is packaged as a short one-evening read, similar to other popular business books.

If we are honest, we have to admit that there are many things we don't understand about God. We do not have final answers to the deep problems of life, and those who say they do are probably living in some degree of delusion. There are areas of mystery in our Christian faith that lie beyond the keenest scholarship or even the most profound spiritual exercises.For many people, these problems raise so many questions and uncertainties that faith itself becomes a struggle, and the very person and character of God are called into question. Chris Wright encourages us to face up to the limitations of our understanding and to acknowledge the pain and grief they can often cause. But at the same time, he wants us to be able to say, like the psalmist in Psalm 73: "e;But that's all right. God is ultimately in charge and I can trust him to put things right. Meanwhile, I will stay near to my God, make him my refuge, and go on telling of his deeds."e;

A flowing stream cuts its own channel. -Major W. Ian Thomas, founder of Torchbearers International Over the past sixty years, Stuart Briscoe's life stream has cut a very deep channel. Thousands of sermons preached. Hundreds of thousands of airline miles flown. Seven continents visited. Thousands of church members added and eight churches planted. More than forty books authored. A lifetime of touching his audience with plainspoken, accessible Bible teaching. Now Briscoe looks back over his years to share his accumulated wisdom, with the point that every life matters-and everyone has a significant part to play in the grand cosmic flow of the Spirit. With a reputation built in the twentieth century, Stuart Briscoe has a fresh, vibrant message for twenty-first-century Christians. It is a vision of what one person can be and do, what God can call a single person to accomplish in his name. Flowing Streams is sage. It is poignant. It is Stuart Briscoe's legacy.

You can serve God and his people for a lifetime and do it with passion and joy. You do not have to become another casualty in the growing number of leaders who have compromised their integrity, character, and ministry because they failed to lead an examined and accountable life. The road forward is clearly marked. Leaders must make a decision to humbly and consistently examine their inner lives and identify areas of needed change and growth. Also, wise leaders commit to listen to the voices of those who will love them enough to speak the truth and point out problems and potential pitfalls. Kevin Harney writes, "e;The vision of this book is to assist leaders as they discover the health, wisdom, and joy of living an examined life. It is also to give practical tools for self-examination."e; Sharing stories and wisdom from his years in ministry, Harney shows you how to maintain the most powerful tool in your leadership toolbox: YOU. Your heart, so you can love well. Your mind, so you can continue to learn and grow. Your ears, your eyes, your mouth ... consider this your essential guide to conducting your own complete interior health exam, so you can spot and fix any problems, preserve the things that matter most, and grow as a source of vision, strength, and hope to others.

"e;My six-year-old fusses with her hair for hours. Is this normal?"e;"e;Yesterday my seventh grader was all sunshine. Today she's wearing black and won't leave her room."e;"e;I'm worried my teenager may have an eating disorder."e;In today's complex world, parenting a girl is harder than ever. It takes more than love. It takes insight into the things that make your daughter tick as she grows from childhood to young adulthood.Drawing on the authors' fifty-plus years of combined counseling experience, Raising Girls takes you inside the mind and soul of your girl. You'll obtain seasoned, expert insights on* Your daughter's different stages of development from ages zero to nineteen* How you can effectively relate to her at each stage* What is normal behavior, what isn't, and when and how to intervene* How to deal with self-destructive behavior such as eating disorders, cutting, or experimentation with alcohol* ... and much moreSpiced with stories, humor, and much reassurance, Raising Girls will help you encourage your daughter, challenge her, love her, and help her discover who God is creating her to be.

Since forever altering the course of the youth ministry world with his best-selling, groundbreaking book, Purpose-Driven(R) Youth Ministry, Doug Fields' mind-but especially his heart-has been focused on the many unique needs of new youth workers.Doug translated his passion, insight, and vision for his beloved "e;rookies"e; into what you're now reading, Your Fist Two Years in Youth Ministry-hands-down the most comprehensive companion to not only surviving, but also thriving, during the most crucial phase of youth ministry. Employing his renowned wisdom and humor-as if you and Doug were chatting over a long, relaxing meal-the author disarmingly relates stories and principles from his own successes and failures over 20-plus years in youth ministry. In the end, he offers treasure troves of practical advice, all in the hope that new youth workers can travel a smoother path and achieve real longevity in a church culture that all too often chews them and spits them out.Doug covers all-important issues such as:* Dealing with discouragement* Establishing a solid spiritual foundation* Building effective relationships with students* Resolving conflict* Ministering to parents and families* Trailblazing change* Working with volunteers* Defining a realistic job description* And many others!In addition, a chorus of insightful sidebar voices joins your conversation with Doug, among them ministry veterans Jim Burns, Steve Gerali, Mike Yaconelli, Helen Musick, Chap Clark, Marv Penner, Rick Warren, Jana L. Sundene, Bo Boshers, Duffy Robbins, Tony Campolo, and Richard Ross, all who've composed extensive, topical essays for each of the dozen chapters.Your First Two Years of Youth Ministry is a must-have tool for new youth workers, volunteers, seminary professors and students, senior pastors, elders, church boards-even veteran youth workers who've been ministering in unstructured environments and are now asking, "e;What did I miss? What can I still learn?"e;The first two years of youth ministry are never easy. But never fear. Doug fervently assures us: "e;Hang on. Hope's coming!"e;

You may have noticed them-the kids who are hiding their pain under long sleeves or wristbands. Or you might never notice them-the ones who seem to have life together except for the deep secret that they keep hidden beneath their clothes. This is no longer a fringe issue that occurs only in the most extreme cases. The truth is that many teens today are dealing with their emotional pain by inflicting physical pain upon themselves, whether we can see it on the surface or not.While we may never fully understand the motives behind self-mutilation and cutting, we can begin to understand why some teens cut, and more importantly, we can learn how to help. Hope and Healing for Kids Who Cut will take you into the world of self-injury, defining what it is-and what it is not. You'll hear stories from teens and young adults who struggle with the urge to hurt themselves, and you'll learn to recognize the signs of self-injury. In addition, counselor and professor, Marv Penner will help you understand the cycle of addiction, that has become everyday life for so many hurting teens, and he'll give you the tools and wisdom to help a self-injurer find hope and healing.Whether you know someone who is cutting, or you are struggling with this addiction yourself, Hope and Healing for Kids Who Cut is something you want to have in your "e;first-aid"e; kit.

"e;You know the reality: teens don't have much downtime in their lives. Between school, extra-curricular activities, jobs, friends (and youth group!), students these days barely have enough time to do all the things they need to do in a day. It's no wonder that quiet, reflective time in prayer with God is not high on their priority list.With years of experience helping teens encounter God in quiet, contemplative ways, Mark Yaconelli will give you the tools and insights needed to help teens understand why and how to pray, and to guide them towards a life of prayer. You'll find several prayer exercises in this book, based on the praying tradition of the Christian church, along with instructions to help you introduce the prayers to students. Not only are there explorations of classical methods of prayer that involve silence, solitude, and scripture, but you'll also discover more recent forms of prayer that use creative media, music, writing, movement, and acts of compassion. As you help teens bring prayer into their everyday lives, your students will find that they long for those times when they can step away from it all and find rest and comfort in God."e;

What on earth are we missing? Philip Yancey believes we are missing the supernatural hidden in everyday life.In Rumors of Another World, Yancey investigates the natural world and discovers the supernatural hiding in plain view. He grapples with why God made the world and what our role truly is, and seeks to answer the question, "e;How do I live in the natural world while expressing the values of the supernatural?"e;Philip writes, "e;I have come to understand faith as the highest form of integrated encounter. Faith puts together, assembles, re-orders, accepting the entire world as God's handiwork. We live among clues, like rescuers sifting through pieces of stained glass shattered by a bomb, and only with a blueprint or some memory of original design can we begin to connect the shards, to assemble them into a pattern that makes sense of our world."e;Nature and supernature are not two separate worlds, but different expressions of the same reality. To encounter the world as a whole, we need a more supernatural awareness of the natural world."e;Yancey invites readers to join him on a journey of discovery. He challenges us to tune into "e;rumors of another world,"e; and connect the seen with the unseen. He promises that the grace-filled result will be a life of beauty, purpose, freedom, and faith.

How to Find Your Best FitWhether you grew up going to church twice on Sundays or never set foot in a church at all, finding and sinking your roots into a church community is crucial to your spiritual well-being. Finding the right church home can be a huge challenge, and also a lot of fun.Kevin and Sherry Harney point out that, while no church is perfect, some will fit you better than others. They show what a healthy church looks like, how to handle hot issues facing churches today, and how to determine whether a church's unique worship style will inspire or distract you. Even better, the Harneys help you discover how to plug into a church and experience the joy of giving back.In the words of the authors, "e;Church can be one of the most joy-filled, life-giving experiences you will ever have."e; Practical, encouraging, and true to the Bible, this book is your road map to finding a spiritual community you can really love.

Teenagers - you love them to pieces, but sometimes you feel like the pieces are falling apart. Look no further for the help you need. Boundaries with Teens will help you establish wise and loving limits that make a positive difference in your teen, in the rest of your family, and in you.The teen years: relationships, peer pressure, school, dating, character. To help teenagers grow into healthy adults, parents and youth workers need to teach them how to take responsibility for their behavior, their values, and their lives.From bestselling author and counselor Dr. John Townsend, Boundaries with Teens is the expert insight and guidance you need to help your teens take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions and gain a deeper appreciation and respect both for you and for themselves.With wisdom and empathy, Dr. Townsend applies biblically based principles for the challenging task of guiding your children through the teen years. Using the same principles he used to successfully raise two teens, he shows you how to:Deal with disrespectful attitudes and impossible behavior in your teenSet healthy limits and realistic consequencesBe loving and caring while establishing rulesDetermine specific strategies to deal with problems both big and smallDiscover how boundaries make parenting teens better today!Plus, check out Boundaries family collection of books dedicated to key areas of life dating, marriage, raising young kids, and leadership. Workbooks and Spanish editions are also available.

In a mother's land of milk and honey, the milk is often split and the honey is usually smeared all over the face of the baby in his high chair. Linda Vujnov has been there and knows exactly what it feels like. As she recounts the continuing adventures of parenting her four children, Maddy, Zack, Ty, and Carson, she offers a quirky, down-to-earth perspective on life for mothers who need to be reminded that God's grace is always there, even when things don't work out exactly as you had originally planned. Spilt Milk is a collection of brief, hilarious stories mixed with biblically based applications that will encourage busy mothers in their spiritual journey. Each chapter includes a corresponding Scripture verse intended to support the lesson learned from the experience. Written by a Gen-X mom, these stories remind us that, even in the midst of the questions, the craziness, the wonder of raising kids, and the joy of being a wife, God is right there alongside us to help us cope with life's little messes and mix-ups.

Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is a rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all a great career, a beautiful and loving fiancee, and a fairy tale life ahead of himwhen memories of a high school girlfriend begin to torment him. Lost innocence and one very difficult choice flood his conscience, and he is no longer sure what the future will bring except for this: He must find his old love and make amends. Haunted by the past and confused about the future, he turns to God seeking forgiveness and redemption. Three people must work through the repercussions of a decision made long ago before any of them can look toward a new future.

Beloved Bible teacher Margaret Feinberg invites you on a remarkable spiritual adventure to live more courageous and free.The Bible is full of clever plots and compelling stories, laced with historic insights and literary beauty. But despite its richness and depth, many of us struggle to close the gap between the ancient world and our own. What does it mean to know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd when the only place you've encountered sheep is at a petting zoo? How can you understand the promise of a land overflowing with honey when you buy yours in a bear-shaped bottle? Can you grasp the urgency of Jesus' invitation to abide in the vine when you shop for grapes at a local grocery store?Margaret invites you to accompany her on the adventure of a lifetime - across the nation to herd sheep in Oregon, harvest fields with a Nebraska farmer, prune vines in California, and explore hives with a veteran beekeeper in Colorado. Along the way, you'll explore how ancient livelihoods illuminate meaningful truths that apply to life today."e;I asked one question to each person, 'How do you read the Scriptures in light of what you do every day?'"e; she writes. "e;Their answers changed the way I read the Bible forever."e;With her trademark humor and vulnerability, you'll learn the secret of how to live like you have a shepherd, unlock the sweetest promises of God, and discover the gift of divine timing. You'll move from simply reading Scripture to entering stories that can be touched and tasted, smelled and savored. Scouting the Divine will revolutionize the way you understand the Bible - and leave you wonderstruck by the magnificence of God.

The freedom to question-asking and being asked-is an indispensable and sacred practice that is absolutely vital to the health of our communities.According to author David Dark, when religion won't tolerate questions, objections, or differences of opinion, and when it only brings to the table threats of excommunication, violence, and hellfire, it does not allow people to discover for themselves what they truly believe.The God of the Bible not only encourages questions; the God of the Bible demands them. If that were not so, we wouldn't live in a world of such rich, God-given complexity in which wide-eyed wonder is part and parcel of the human condition. Dark contends that it's OK to question life, the Bible, faith, the media, emotions, language, government-everything. God has nothing to hide. And neither should people of faith.The Sacredness of Questioning offers a wide-ranging, insightful, and often entertaining discussion that draws on a variety of sources, including religious texts and popular culture. It is a book that readers will likely cherish-and recommend-for years to come.

Are you missing out on one of the most transforming means to a deeper and more vibrant faith? In Soul Friends, Dr. Leslie Parrott explores the intimate stages of a woman's spiritual journey while showing you how soul friendships can deepen and enlarge your faith.God brings us soul-friends to help in our spiritual journey, sometimes in predictable places: small groups, friendships, and mentors. But they're sometimes found in places we don't expect-these "e;hidden guides"e; are people, past or present, whose role in our life may even be hidden from them, but nevertheless, have a deep impact on our growth and vitality. Whether it's a hidden guide, a member of a small group, or a friend we've had for years, these soul-friends all hold the potential to embody grace that enables us to take a next step in the unfolding journey of our faith.Leslie reveals how every woman traverses four stages of spiritual growth-quest, calling, crisis, and communion - again and again. And whatever stage you find yourself traveling right now, you need soul friends to help you move forwardWhen we seize the initiative to connect, together we will form a part of the deep communion that is the sisterhood of the traveling saints, journeying together in our desire to know God, serve him, and love him more deeply. Through story, poem, and reflection, Leslie Parrott reminds each of us of the incredibly intimate, intricate, faith-forming work God does in us through the gift of the women he places in our lives.

Drawing on his Roman Catholic background, personal interviews with Catholics and Evangelicals, and years of research, Chris Castaldo takes readers on a fascinating and practical exploration of the challenges and opportunities encountered by Catholics who become Evangelicals. He examines the five major reasons why Christ's followers often leave the Catholic Church, and shows how to emulate Jesus in practical ways when engaging Catholic friends and family. And, with humor and authenticity, he shares his own faith journey in order to help readers understand and work through their own.For those who are tired of scratching their head in confusion or frustration about how their Catholic background may influence their walk with Jesus, and why on earth their Catholic family believes they've gone off the deep end, Holy Ground offers vast insight and practical help. More than providing historical perspective, theological reflection, and practical lessons, it shows readers how to emulate the grace and truth of Jesus Christ in relating to the Catholic people whom they love.

Hope--real hope--for recovery is within reach. This book goes beyond cliche answers and offers meaningful, spiritual, and practical steps to healing and freedom from sexual addiction--or any addiction. With today's rampant availability of Internet pornography, sexual addiction has become a national epidemic that affects an increasing number of Christians, even pastors and priests. As devastating as any drug habit, it brings heartbreak and despair to those it entangles. But there is help for men and women caught in sexual addiction's downward spiral. This book offers a path that leads beyond compulsive thoughts and behaviors to healing and transformation. Speaking from his own experience with sexual addiction and recovery, Dr. Mark Laaser is sensitive to the shame of sexual addiction without minimizing its sinfulness. He traces the roots of the problem, discusses its patterns and impact, and maps out a biblical approach to self-control and sexual integrity. Whether you know someone with a sexual addiction or struggle yourself, Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction points the way to understanding, wholeness, and holiness. Spanish edition also available; previously titled Faithful and True.