Everyone talks about the personal ministry of the Word, but how do we make one-another ministry truly biblical? Gospel-Centered Counseling equips readers to change lives with Christ's changeless truth. It does so by examining life's seven ultimate questions and then guiding readers on a journey that explores the biblical, gospel-centered narrative of: The Word: "e;What is truth?"e; "e;Where can I find answers?"e;The Trinity: "e;Who is God?"e; "e;Can I know Him personally?"e;Creation: "e;Who am I?"e; "e;What makes people tick?"e;Fall: "e;What went wrong?"e; "e;Why do we do the things we do?"e;Redemption: "e;Can I change?"e; "e;How do people change?"e;Glorification: "e;Where am I headed?"e; "e;How does our future destiny impact our present reality?"e;Sanctification: "e;How can I help?"e; "e;How can I change lives?"e;Bob Kellemen builds on the foundation of the written Word and provides a gospel-centered resource for understanding people, diagnosing problems, and prescribing biblically-based solutions.Gospel-Centered Counseling is the first volume in The Equipping Christian Counselors Series, a comprehensive relational training curriculum for the local church that provides a model for equipping God's people to change lives with Christ's changeless truth. This two-volume series weaves together comprehensive biblical insight with compassionate Christian engagement.
What might it mean for public and political life to be understood as an important dimension of following Jesus? As a part of Zondervan's Ordinary Theology series, Vincent E. Bacote's The Political Disciple addresses this question by considering not only whether Christians have (or need) permission to engage the public square, but also what it means to reflect Christlikeness in our public practice, as well as what to make of the typically slow rate of social change and the tension between relative allegiance to a nation and/or a political party and ultimate allegiance to Christ. Pastors, laypeople, and college students will find this concise volume a handy primer on Christianity and public life.
The evangelical church is home to many who claim to follow Christ but who show little evidence of a truly transformed life. Todd Wilson's Real Christian: Bearing the Marks of Authentic Faith biblically defines what it means to be a true Christian, calling readers to look at their own lives and diagnose where they aren't living authentically for God. With a prophetic voice, Wilson looks at how we deceive ourselves into thinking we are really living for God through believing the right things or doing lots of spiritual activities. In contrast, real Christians are marked by five key qualities: broken-hearted joy, a humble disposition, a readiness to acknowledge sin, an ability to live balanced and avoid legalism, and a deep spiritual hunger that drives growth. All of these qualities culminate in the single defining mark of a real Christian-love. To help in distinguishing genuine faith from counterfeit spirituality, Wilson draws upon the gospels, the writings of Paul, and the insights of theologian Jonathan Edwards to help readers understand the necessary marks of an authentic, transformed life, marks that show evidence of a new heart and bear spiritual fruit through the work of the Holy Spirit.
In the past, church leaders have turned to small groups or other kinds of discipleship programs to encourage spiritual growth in their churches. Yet despite good intentions, the deeper spiritual life and transformation they had hoped for remained elusive. STIR calls church leaders to reclaim an essential, biblical truth-that the process of spiritual growth is more than a one-size-fits-all program, it happens best through intentional relationships with others in the body of Christ. Three distinct, sequential stages of spiritual development typically occur as people mature in their spiritual walk with Christ, and they need different kinds of relationships to support their growth through those different seasons. STIR describes those stages-learning together, journeying together, and following together-and shows how progress into and through these stages is best made in the context of relationships that change in nature over time. Readers will learn how to intentionally establish and strengthen the unique kinds of relationships that are catalytic for growth at each stage of their journey. Church leaders will come away with a new paradigm for encouraging spiritual formation in their local church by providing appropriate encouragement and support to people at all stages of growth.
Sink or swim? Paige's engagement to designer Dylan Marceau shocks the fashion world. Although Paige appears to be happy, Erin wonders if it's true love or just a desire for attention and publicity. As Paige's love life takes off, Erin is feeling pressure from Blake to take their friendship to a romantic level. But is she ready? These two very different sisters still have one thing in commontheir fashion TV show and all the drama that comes along with it. As they prepare for a trip to film in the Bahamas, the Forrester sisters discover that paradise isn't all it's cracked up to be. Can they do the right thing in tough situationsand the right thing for each anotherin a business that often encourages the worst?
Feeling the heat. On the Runway has become a global phenomenon, and when Paige and Erin Forrester take their reality show to London, they get a reception to remember. Bombarded by crazed fans and the flashbulbs and interrogations of the infamous British paparazzi, the sisters know that their lives have changedbig time. Star treatment has its perks, but the girls quickly learn just how scorching life in the limelight can be. Before long, the sisters are stretched close to a breaking point. With zealous paparazzi poised to take advantage of even the slightest whiff of a scandal, the stakes have never been higher.
Big Apple. Bigger Problems. The success of the Forrester sisters' On the Runway TV show lands them a hot ticket to Fashion Week in New York City. Paige is determined to garner the attention of New York's top designers, but her newfound fame threatens to go to her head. Erin wants to help promote the work of some eco-minded designers, but struggles to be taken seriously. Can Paige keep her prima donna behavior in check? Will Erin's involvement hurt the people she's really trying to help? Success in the big city comes with even bigger challenges, and as the pressure grows, so does the drama.
A recipe for success or a design for disaster? Although they're sisters, Paige and Erin Forrester are like oil and water, night and day, denim and silk. Paige is an outgoing fashionista who loves to be the center of attention, while Erin is more comfortable sporting vintage garb and recording the action around her. When a near disaster turns into the opportunity of a lifetime, these two very-different sisters are given the chance to star in their own fashion-TV show. A guest spot on a hot teen-reality series and their first big red-carpet assignment give this unlikely partnership plenty of room for successand even more for failure.
Where is your faith today-first sparks of faith, bright blue flames, radiating heat, raging bonfire, red-hot coals, cooling embers, cold grey ashes? Is your love for God burning so brightly that you are consumed by its passion? Are those who surround you drawn to its radiance and warmed by its heat? Are sparks flying from you, spreading a wildfire faith that ignites passion in others?Or has your passion cooled, your light dimmed, or your fire been quenched?Throughout history God has chosen fire to represent his awesome power, his judgment and wrath, his protection, and his Shekinah glory: the flaming sword guarding Eden, the burning bush, the pillar of fire, the fiery furnace, the chariot of fire, the burning coal, the flame upon the altar, the lake of fire, and the flaming eyes of the Son of Man upon the throne-these are only a few of the images he has seared into our minds that we might know him more fully.God is the source of that first flicker that sparked your faith and one day you will stand in his holy presence, look into the flaming eyes of Jesus, and see his burning love for you face to face. But between that first flicker and that heavenly meeting, there is life to be lived on this earth. The challenge we all face is that life can dim our fire or even quench it, whether by the soggy mist of the mundane, or the quenching downpour of crisis.Carol Kent has discovered that God's Word is filled with the secrets of nurturing his fire in our lives, sometimes painfully so, other times even undetected, refining, purifying, cauterizing, healing, and ultimately reshaping us into the image of his Son.Author and speaker Carol Kent will take you into God's word, and into your own story, to reveal the true power of the fire God has placed in you, to fan the flames of your faith, stir your passion, and embolden you to spark wildfires that will spread to forever change the landscape of this world beyond your wildest imagination.God's fire is in your life. Fan the flames. Burn brightly. Start a wildfire!
On Dee Branch's first date with Johnnie Oliver, a fourth-generation funeral director, she knew she was in for a unique relationship when he had to leave ';for just a minute'and he came back to the car with a corpse.Over twenty years later, Dee was still in love with her charming southern gentleman when he passed away suddenly in 2007. Determined to carry on Johnnie's work, Dee earned her mortuary science degree, only to find herself no longer needed in the family business. So Dee crossed the racial divide in the most segregated industry in America and joined the staff of an African-American funeral home as a single white woman.In The Undertaker's Wife, Oliver draws from her wealth of experience to provide candid and often hysterically funny advice on dying well and surviving the loss of those who have gone before. Her insights on the common ground of grief, survival, and the ever-present faithfulness of God (to all of us, regardless of our race, religious upbringing, or socio-economic background) will help readers prepare for one of life's only certaintiesand do it with wisdom, grace, and a healthy dose of joy.
Spiritually Strong is a six-week program designed to help you get in better shape spiritually and physically. As Timothy says, "e;For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come"e; (4:8). This book teaches you how to train yourself in godliness through the implementation of six disciplines-Bible study, prayer, fasting, healthy living, financial stewardship, and serving others.By exercising your spiritual core on a daily basis, you will learn to:Study the Bible and understand what God is saying to you.Pray with power.Incorporate periodic fasting into your life.Honor God with your body through nutritious eating and exercise.Practice good stewardship of the resources God has given you.Serve others in humility as an outward demonstration of God's love.As you learn to submit to God in each of these areas of your life, you'll discover the joy that accompanies self-discipline. Your daily steps of obedience will translate into giant strides in your walk with the Lord.
At your fingertips, powerful prayers from Fern Nichols, the founder of Moms In Prayer International, the movement that has spawned hundreds of thousands of moms around the world to pray for their kids. Every mother will feel encouraged to pray diligently for her children, no matter their age, when she opens the pages of Mom's Little Book of Powerful Prayers and discovers prayers from Scripture for her child's every need: their protection, challenges, health, friendships, character, anger, sadness, fears, and more.
Beyond the Broken Church is a collection of heartfelt learnings from Sarah Cunningham, a young adult raised in the faith, about the church she's not always sure she wants to be part of. The book engages concerns of a disillusioned generation head on and offers hope and honest, practical ideas for moving beyond one's frustrations.In the end Beyond the Broken Church tells a story that will be familiar to many: the journey of overcoming disillusionment and staying the course. This revised and expanded version of the popular book Dear Church revisits the existing book with additional chapters, fresh statistics, new insights into why people are leaving the church, and a resource guide for those who care about the disillusioned and want to understand them better. Beyond the Broken Church will be a breath of fresh air to others who have experienced frustration in church as well as an insider's guide for those seeking to understand current trends in church attendance, particularly among the younger generation.
It's never too late to be a better fatherJim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, is an expert in fatherhood-in part because his own "e;fathers"e; failed him so badly. His biological dad was an alcoholic. His stepfather deserted him. His foster father accused Jim of trying to kill him. All were out of Jim's life by the time he turned 13.Isn't it odd-and reminiscent of the hand of God-that the director of the leading organization on family turned out to be a guy whose own background as a kid and son were pretty messed up? Or could it be that successful parenting is discovered not in the perfect, peaceful household but in the midst of battles and messy situations, where God must constantly be called to the scene?That is the mystery unraveled in this book. Using his own expertise, humor, and inexhaustible wealth of stories, Jim will show you that God can make you a good dad, a great dad, in spite of the way you've grown up and in spite of the mistakes you've made. Maybe even because of them.It's not about becoming a perfect father. It's about trying to become a better father, each and every day. It's about building relationships with your children through love, grace, patience, and fun-and helping them grow into the men and women they're meant to be.
"e;I wish there were something I could do to ease the pain."e;How often do women see a friend in distress or crisis, but feel helpless to really make a difference? Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts takes the mystery out of how to be the hands and feet of Jesus to anyone in need of hope, comfort and care. Kathe Wunnenberg, whose hope-lifting ministry has impacted the lives of thousands, demonstrates simple, practical ways that acts of creative compassion can transform lives. Whether it's encouraging a jobless friend, lifting the spirits of someone trapped in depression, leaving an anonymous gift for a grieving mother, hosting a starting-over shower for a divorced friend, or playing one small part in long-term support for a family in deep crisis, daily opportunities to make a difference in hurting lives are limitless for a Hopelifter. The perfect book for women who want to spread hope in their friendships, workplace, neighborhoods, and homes, and ideal for those in caring roles in churches and ministries.
Combining biblical exegesis with proven economic principles, For the Least of These: A Biblical Answer to Poverty equips Christians with both a solid biblical and economic understanding of how best to care for the poor and foster sustainable economic development.
Lost in translation? Having learned some hard lessons about the costs of recklessness and fame, sisters Paige and Erin Forrester feel ready to take their fashion-focused TV show on location to Paris. Unfortunately, it doesn't take long for many of their good intentions to get lost in translation. An unplanned week of filming at runway model Eliza Wilton's family estate leads to romance, jealousy, and surprises. With cameras rolling, both girls have to be careful or the future of On the Runway could end up as wobbly as Paige's stiletto heels.
Just Sayin' is not your typical 90-day devotional for girls. It's an all-out open space for girls 8-12 to explore and learn more about themselves and their faith, using creative, wacky applications and doodles to teach Bible truths.
Dare U 2 Open this Book is not your typical 90-day devotional for guys. It's an all-out open space for guys 8-12 to explore and learn more about themselves and their faith, using wacky applications and doodles to teach Bible truths.
Discovering Romans: Spiritual Revival for the Soul is a popular-level guide by outstanding Bible teacher S. Lewis Johnson, opening up the motivating truths found in the apostle Paul's powerful letter to the Romans.
In the third installment of the Soul Surfers Series, Storm, a car wash and a surf-a-thon with inflatable toys seem like great fundraisers for a mission trip for Bethany's youth group. But an unexpected and life-threatening challenge for Bethany and her friend Holly brings a mysterious twist to the plans for Mexico.
Bethany usually gets along with everyone, but in Burned, book two of the Soul Surfer Series, fourteen-year-old Bethany thought she was going to Samoa with her family to surf---but it turns out God has much more planned for her when she meets an angry, young man and helps him learn to love again.
Book four of the Soul Surfers Series, Crunch follows Bethany while on a mission trip with her youth group to Mexico, where she meets a soccer-loving little boy who captures her heart and helps him discover the father of his dreams. But because of a promise she makes to him, Bethany's competition in a prestigious surf contest is threatened.
Riley Mae is off and running---this time to Kenya, Africa---in the third book in the Faithgirlz! Good News Shoes series. Adjusting to a new culture and training for the Sole Fire campaign brings challenges, growth and eventually joy as Riley begins to understand that God has a plan to use her.
A new addition to the Faithgirlz line, Samantha Sanderson At the Movies introduces us to Sam Sanderson, an independent, resourceful, future award-winning journalist, and her best friend Makayla, two 7th graders who enjoy shopping, texting, going to the mall, the skating rink---and sniffing out the next big mysteries to report in the school paper.
Praise for Code of Silence: ';Deliberate, plausible, and gritty whodunit.' Booklist Starred ReviewTaken!A detour through the park leads Cooper, Gordy, Hiro, and Lunk straight into a trap, and Gordy is abducted!For the kidnapper, it's all a game, a way to settle an old score, with no one getting hurt. But evil has a way of escalating, and once his identity is discovered, the rules change.Despite the best of police efforts, the hours tick by without a clue or a ransom call, leaving everyone to their own fears. Gordy is gone. Cooper descends deeper into a living nightmare, imagining the worst for his best friend and cousin. Hours stretch into days, and talks of a memorial service begin to surface. But Cooper still feels his cousin is alive and develops a reckless plan, changing all the rules. Now the one who set out to rescue his friend needs to be rescued himself. Sometimes rescuing a friend from darkness means going in after them.
Oden shows that Wesley displayed a remarkable degree of internal consistency in his teachings over sixty years of preaching. The book helps readers to grasp Wesley's essential teachings on pastoral care in an accessible form so that the person desiring to go directly to Wesley's own writings will know exactly where to turn.
Christology, Ancient and Modern brings together proceedings from the first annual Los Angeles Theology Conference. This work surveys the field and articulates the sources, norms, and criteria for constructive theological work in Christology.
This book helps people understand twelve common false assumptions about Christianity that cripple their faith.
This biography for kids about Billy Graham showcases a true hero of the faith by exploring his life, his conversion, and his ministry.
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