Called to Cultivate


Book Description

Grasping the dignity and significance of women and work. Women are an integral part in God’s call to work—to create and advance God’s kingdom. But work looks different for each one of us. Whether in the home, with children, or in a professional environment—or some combination of all of these—women are cultivating a world of beauty, truth, and hope. But it’s not easy. We have doubts and dreams … questions and concerns. Chelsea Patterson Sobolik provides a robust theological foundation as she engages with our most pressing questions: How do I glorify the Lord with my work? How do I balance work and life? Is it wrong for me to pursue my career ambitions? What does it mean to be a Christian in the workplace? How do I respectfully stand up for myself at work? How do I discern my calling? Work, whether it’s professional or in other avenues of society, is an act of cultivation that involves developing something or someone to be better. Even if you don’t receive a paycheck, you’re still working. Caring for children and homes, volunteering in our communities, leading a Bible study, or caring for aging parents is God-given work. Chelsea faithfully engages with our questions and provides practical rhythms that women can incorporate into their lives to flourish in their work.




Cultivate


Book Description

A flourishing, fulfilling life is possible—no perfection required! Too many of us think we have to have it all together in order to live a meaningful life. Instead of feeling put together, we end up feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, and exhausted as we try to figure out how to do it all. Author, business owner, and mom to three Lara Casey has been there, too. In Cultivate, she offers this grace-filled advice: we can't do it all and do it well, but we can choose to cultivate what matters Written as part encouragement anthem and part practical guide, Cultivate offers wisdom from God's Word alongside lessons Lara has learned in her own life--and in her garden--giving you the tools you need to: Discern what matters most to you Embrace the season of life that you're in Find the joy and freedom that comes with cultivating what matters Let Lara be your guide as you learn to cultivate what matters, little by little, with the help of God's transforming grace. Praise for Cultivate: "Cultivate is rich soil for the soul! Whether you are a new sprout, just beginning to brave life in the light; a tender shoot fighting for space among rocks and weeds; or a mature plant in need of nurture and pruning, this book will help you thrive. With her characteristic honesty, humility, and patience, Lara Casey uses her spiritual 'green thumb' to gently nudge us toward an intentional life of godliness and growth. If you are ready for a new season of spiritual growth, dig into Cultivate and get ready to bloom!" --Elizabeth Laing Thompson, author of When God Says "Wait"




A Habit Called Faith


Book Description

Today's neurological research has placed habit at the center of human behavior; we are what we do repetitively. When we want to add something to our life, whether it's exercise, prayer, or just getting up earlier in the morning, we know that we must turn an activity into a habit through repetition or it just won't stick. What would happen if we applied the same kind of daily dedication to faith? Could faith become a habit, a given--automatic? With vulnerable storytelling and insightful readings of both Old and New Testament passages, Jen Pollock Michel invites the convinced and the curious into a 40-day Bible reading experience. Vividly translating ancient truths for a secular age, Michel highlights how the biblical text invites us to see, know, live, love, and obey. The daily reflection questions and weekly discussion guides invite both individuals and groups, believers and doubters alike, to explore how faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed, might grow into a life-defining habit.




Cultivate


Book Description

In this informative and accessible book, Morag Barrett shares exceptional knowledge on why a business plan and the newest product mean nothing if you don't have your people aligned to execute the plan. Leaders rarely fail because of lack of technical ability, but do so because they don't cultivate effective working relationships. The people skills, the so-called "soft skills," are what get the "hard goods" delivered. Employees may join organizations because of the brand or the benefits, but they invariably choose to leave because of poor relationships. With pragmatic models and examples, Barrett shows us the four relationship behaviors and their dynamics that are at work in companies--and in life. High-level, smart information abounds in Cultivate, but so, too, does Barrett's generous outlook and philosophy. You will learn to identify Allies, Supporters, Rivals, and Adversaries, and how to turn Adversaries into Supporters and Supporters into Allies. "Reflect on your talents and strengths. Be proud of them. When you are having a bad day (and we all do), this is the time to return to these anchors, to remind ourselves that moments of weakness, moments of missed expectations, are just that--moments. Be an Ally to yourself." The relationship lessons you'll learn in Cultivate will stay with you long after you've finished the book.




The Fight to Flourish


Book Description

What if your struggles aren’t a barrier to thriving but an invitation into your most vibrant days? Discover how to live a life of joy and fullness, even in the midst of disappointment and broken dreams. How can you find a way forward when life throws you sucker punches, when you face obstacles that seem to snuff out your faith, when you lose someone precious to you? It is in the sacred space of pain and promise that we can begin to flourish. Even in the midst of disappointment and broken dreams it is possible to grow, be strong, and draw near to God. In The Fight to Flourish, Jennie Lusko draws on her experiences after the loss of her five-year-old daughter, Lenya, to show you that the ingredients for a fresh and thriving life are right in front of you. Jennie's story will help remind you of how much God loves you, even when life feels unbearable. With grit and grace, Jennie will help you: Discover that flourishing is not an impossible destination but a divine revelation of where you are right now Find relief from the weight of overwhelming circumstances by resting in the realization that God is fighting for you Trust that God is growing you in the gap between your expectations and your experience The word flourish is written all over you and your future. Discover the ongoing strength that Jennie has found and learn to reengage in life with renewed strength and confidence.




Culture Making


Book Description

The only way to change culture is to create culture. Andy Crouch says we must reclaim the cultural mandate to be the creative cultivators God designed us to be. In this expanded edition of his award-winning book he unpacks how culture works and gives us tools to partner with God's own making and transforming of culture.




Cultivate


Book Description

Cultivate is an invitation. It is a call to rhythms of contemplation, creativity and transformation. We believe that digging deep into the soil of your heart with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is essential to living a whole life. Just like a garden requires the planting of seeds and then weeding, watering and waiting, our hearts require the same commitment to reap a harvest of fruit. We believe that Jesus swallowed up our loneliness on the Cross and opened the door for us to walk again in friendship with Him. This truth anchors us and compels us to say ¿Yes¿ to the process of living from the heart.This process takes a lifetime. We encourage you to slow down and savor each part of the journey. Our desire is that you would receive the reward of friendship with God. May these writings, prompts, art and photography inspire everyday moments of connection with Him.




Friend-ish


Book Description

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




Caring for One Another


Book Description

Imagine . . . an interconnected group of people who entrust themselves to each other. You can speak of your pain, and someone responds with compassion and prayer. You can speak of your joys, and someone rejoices with you. You can ask for help with sinful struggles, and someone prays with you. The goal of this book is that these meaningful relationships will become a natural part of daily life in your church. With short chapters and discussion questions meant to be read in a group setting, Ed Welch guides small groups through eight lessons that show what it looks like when ordinary, needy people care for other ordinary, needy people in everyday life.




I Am a Leader


Book Description

What does it mean to be a woman who is called to Kingdom-focused leadership? Angie Ward tackles this complex question with seasoned wisdom, biblical thoughtfulness, and a measured perspective. Women in leadership in the context of the Christian faith is an ongoing conversation. In approaching the topic through the lens of God's calling, Angie Wa..