Embracing Obscurity


Book Description

Argues for a life based on humility, service, and sacrifice instead of the accepted worldview of a life valuing fame and recognition.




Love Wins


Book Description

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.




Passport to Heaven


Book Description

“You have a call, Elder Wilder.” When missionary Micah Wilder set his sights on bringing a Baptist congregation into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he had no idea that he was the one about to be changed. Yet when he finally came to know the God of the Bible, Micah had no choice but to surrender himself—no matter the consequences. For a passionate young Mormon who had grown up in the Church, finding authentic faith meant giving up all he knew: his community, his ambitions, and his place in the world. Yet as Micah struggled to reconcile the teachings of his Church with the truths revealed in the Bible, he awakened to his need for God’s grace. This led him to be summoned to the door of the mission president, terrified but confident in the testimony he knew could cost him everything. Passport to Heaven is a gripping account of Micah’s surprising journey from living as a devoted member of a religion based on human works to embracing the divine mercy and freedom that can only be found in Jesus Christ.




A Grief Observed Readers' Edition


Book Description

"In April 1956, C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia, married Joy Davidman, an American poet with two small children. After four intensely happy years, Davidman died of cancer and Lewis found himself alone again, and inconsolable. In response, he wrote this journal, freely confessing his pain, rage, and struggle to sustain his faith. In it he finds the way back to life. Now a modern classic, A Grief Observed has offered solace and insight to countless readers worldwide. This new edition includes the original text of A Grief Observed alongside specially commissioned responses to the book and its themes from respected contemporary writers and thinkers: Hilary Mantel, Jessica Martin, Jenna Bailey, Rowan Williams, Kate Saunders, Francis Spufford and Maureen Freely." --Publisher description.




Christ's Wisdom and the Unholy Prophets


Book Description

Happiness and contentment have been very difficult, if not impossible, for people to find throughout human history. People have turned to religion for the answers to their deepest questions but have often found the answers to be lacking. William Moreira, a lifelong student of religions, tells you what he has learned from his life and his own personal tragedies. He has now found happiness and contentment and explains how you can find it, too. This book explains: • Why Christ’s real message to mankind has been ignored. • Why religious leaders don’t want you to know the truth behind the Bible. • Why death does not separate us from our loved ones. • How we can understand the real reasons for our suffering. • What to do when your life is not working.




I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die


Book Description

A compassionate, shame-free guide for your darkest days “A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joy” and “pray more.” So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you. You just want a way out. But there’s hope. In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better. Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.




Audacious


Book Description

Thirty years in the making, Audacious is a deep dive into the message that has compelled Beth Moore to serve women around the globe. Glancing over the years of ministry behind her and strengthening her resolve to the call before her, she came to the realization that her vision for women was incomplete. It lacked something they were aching for. Something Jesus was longing for. Beth identifies that missing link by digging through Scripture, unearthing life experiences, and spotlighting a turning point with the capacity to infuse any life with holy passion and purpose. What was missing? Well, let's just say, it's audacious and it's for all of us. And it's the path to the life you were born to live.




Kingdom Driven Leader


Book Description




Embracing Love


Book Description

Have you felt confused and isolated in relationships? Have you felt lost in conflicted relational chaos? Do you feel an emotional disconnection between you, others, and God? If so, keep reading Embracing Love invites us to explore what it means to love others well, live beyond fear, and embrace an authentic life. Through the authors personal story and those of others, we will understand the intricacies of giving and receiving love. This book is for those who are tired of hiding, willing to risk being exposed, and desiring to be transformed by Gods embracing love. Embracing Love dares you to discover the other side of just living in loveless, chaotic, and disconnected relationships. I heartily recommend Embracing Love to you. Steves content immediately connects with my world. I was informed by his insight and comforted by his grace as he opened these subjects. Rev. Dr. Mike Moses, lead pastor of Lake Forest Church and board member and adjunct faculty at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary Steve Benson leaves no stone unturned, and you will marvel at how deeply he makes you look into your soul as you begin the process of seeing yourself, your spouse, and God in a complete and loving light. Embracing Love is a book that opens you up to giving as well as receiving lifes greatest giftlove. Coach Mike Sherman, former Green Bay Packers head coach Embracing Love is full of insightful discoveries of relational problem solving through a biblical filter. It had my attention from the beginning to the end. John Schlitt, singer, songwriter, and lead vocalist for the Christian rock band Petra




Will I See My Pet in Heaven?


Book Description

Friar Jack wants you to know: God loves and cares for all creatures, including and especially those we are closest to! "Today at school, one of the kids told me that only humans go to heaven," my young friend, Eva Maria said. "I almost started to cry. Is that true, Friar Jack?" She went on, "My dog Daisy is my best friend. When I go home she jumps into my arms and licks my face. Wouldn't God want her to be with me in heaven?" Eva Marie looked at me, waiting for my answer. . . “We don’t know everything God has planned for us in heaven,” I told Eva. “But there are many good reasons for you to believe that your dog, cat, fish, hamster, snake, ferret, iguana—or any other creature that God created—will go to heaven when it dies. God has given us clues and hints in stories from the Bible and in the teachings of my favorite saint, Francis of Assisi…” This charming book is the children’s edition of the Paraclete bestseller, I Will See You in Heaven (more than 25,000 copies sold). It comforts and explains to children that God loves and cares for all creatures, including and especially those we are close to. Includes a presentation page for gift-giving.