In this fresh look at finding balance between work and sabbath rest, Justin McRoberts leads readers on their journey from false self to true self, discovering that growth and maturity take root in the knowledge of their belovedness in Christ. In his two decades working as a full-time artist and spiritual guide, Justin McRoberts has experienced first-hand the tension between "The Hustle" and "Self Care." In recent years, that conversation has turned to argument as people have suggested that one is more important than the other. But Justin disagrees entirely with such a one-sided approach. Justin says, "My natural posture is not work, nor is my natural posture rest. My natural posture is belovedness, and both work and rest spring from my belovedness, and return me to it." In this book, he uses humorous and poignant stories to help readers discover the deep truths about us being laborers for/with Christ, empowered by the Spirit, as well as worshipers of God the Father. Readers will learn how Sabbath is a gift and a practice that frees us from the anxiety of proving ourselves They are loved and valued by God for who and whose they are—not for what they do Rest is not the absence of work; it is what gives work meaning We can love our world and the people in it through what we do We are not tools in God's tool belt, valued only for our gifts and talents. Nor are we ascetics called to abandon "daily life" to find God in the desert and just sit there. We are beloved by the One who holds all things together . . . including our need to work and our need to rest.

This classic work on the spirituality of caring for the dying is now expanded with moving stories and lessons gleaned from the author's experience as a hospice nurse. Caregivers, friends, and family members often feel unsure of what to say or do as they care for the terminally ill. Midwife for Souls provides insight, showing how the support of one's Catholic faith and the power of prayer can guide one in ministering to a dying person. Written in a style that is poetic and beautiful, practical and credible, this book is essential reading for anyone who accompanies others to the edge of life?and helps in their birthing to eternal life. Midwife for Souls is a pastoral guide for hospice care workers and all who live with or accompany the terminally ill. Kathy Kalina is a registered nurse and a woman of deep faith. She offers sound advice and wisdom that she has gathered from her own personal experience. Although a committed Catholic, her profound understanding of what the dying undergo during their final pilgrimage here on earth makes the book of value to everyone, regardless of religious preference. Key Features: ? OVER 30,000 COPIES SOLD!!! ? Describes the physical as well as spiritual signs of the dying process. ? Special appendices offer prayers and comforting Scripture passages for the dying and their loved ones. ? Revised edition includes a new section of inspiring stories and lessons learned in hospice ministry.

Preaching the Story explores why communication is more effective when sermons are no longer lectures but stories. It explains how to deliver your entire sermon in story form. A practical book for pastors and ministerial students.

Paul E. Miller, bestselling author of A Praying Life, has written A Praying Church to cast a vision and provide direction for a return to the simple yet life-changing practice of praying together.

Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, he gathered his followers around him and said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). In this way, Jesus entrusted the "flame" of the gospel to these men and women and commissioned them to carry it to the world. He promised they would receive supernatural power to help them accomplish this task. The book of Acts records that these followers of Christ took up the challenge and set the world ablaze with the fire of the gospel. But this begs the question . . . who were these people? In reality, most were ordinary men and women just like you and me. They had not received hands-on training with Jesus like the twelve disciples had received. They had not been specially trained in ministry or teaching or serving. They were simply men and women who made themselves available to God and followed the direction of the Holy Spirit as he prompted them to act-and forever changed the world. In Carry the Flame, bestselling author and pastor Jim Cymbala reveals that God is still seeking ordinary men and women-not just pastors or ministry leaders-who will make themselves available to him, follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, and accomplish extraordinary things in this world. He draws on examples of ordinary people in Acts such as Ananias, Philip, and the 120 who waited in the Upper Room-as well as modern-day testimonies-to show how God can use anyone and everyone who simply submits to him and obeys his leading. As you go through this study, you will be challenged and encouraged to likewise take that first step of faith for God . . . and see where it leads. This study guide has everything you need for a full Bible study experience, including: The study guide itself-with discussion and reflection questions, video notes, and a leader's guide. An individual access code to stream all video sessions online (you don't need to buy a DVD!). Streaming video access code included. Access code subject to expiration after 12/31/2028. Code may be redeemed only by the recipient of this package. Code may not be transferred or sold separately from this package. Internet connection required. Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Additional offer details inside.

Follow-up to the bestselling Invest Your Suffering (sales over 6,000 in 3 years), building on that brand; Author a very popular conference speaker all over the UK: at Keswick, EMA, Word Alive, Faith Mission events, UCCF, FIEC, Bible by the Beach, Living Leadership, training events and church weekends; ALL Christians face disappointment, but it's what do we do with it that counts; Especially relevant in situations of grief, illness, infertility, unemployment, violence, exploitation and betrayal, or with difficult children and dysfunctional families; Speaks with grace from the author's own experience (miscarriage, spouse's disability, etc) into life's raw and messy reality; Offers sure-footed theology and pastoral wisdom for the layperson, without being at all glib or trite; Shows how disappointment can lead to personal growth and maturity; God's sovereignty and certain control are ultimately our deep security and solid confidence; Excellent question sections underpin key points

Why does our past pain have a way of terrorizing us and keeping us in fear, while baiting us with the lie that we will never experience healing, freedom, or love? Though many of us can point to patterns of brokenness in our lives, we don't know why they're there. No matter how hard we work, we can't seem to outrun the very things that break our hearts. That's because our everyday setbacks are rooted in our unaddressed wounds. Guided by seminary-trained licensed trauma therapist Kobe Campbell, Why Am I Like This? will help you develop courage as you dare to turn your heart toward your brokenness, uncover uncomfortable truths, and learn how to invite God into your past and present pain as you move from the terror of trauma into the tender embrace of the Father. In Why Am I Like This?, you will: gain an understanding of what trauma and healing really are, explore the roots of your dysfunctional patterns, learn how your trauma shows up in your everyday life, and find trauma-informed, faith-based coping mechanisms to heal your mind and deepen your intimacy with God. You already know that God is good. Here, you'll discover that He's good to you. You already know that God responds to the cry of His children. Here, you'll see just how he responds to your cries of desperation, hopelessness, and despair. Healing won't look like what you thought it will be, but it will come, and it will be beautiful.

Could sharing your faith be the secret to developing your spiritual maturity? For many followers of Jesus, discipleship means doing certain things to deepen our connection with Jesus Christ. But our spiritual growth checklists are often disconnected from the mission of reaching a lost world with the gospel message. Taking a holistic approach that unites evangelism and discipleship, Kevin and Sherry Harney demonstrate how God's plan for our spiritual growth is intimately connected to his mission to the world. In Organic Disciples, the couple lead ordinary followers of Jesus through seven markers of spiritual maturity, showing how simple shifts in our Bible reading, prayer, community life, giving, service, and other biblical practices can connect us with God's work of reaching people with his love. You'll learn: Why true spiritual maturity will always lead believers outward to engage the world with the good news and truth of Jesus. How to overcome the common roadblocks and false narratives that stand in the way of spiritual maturity. How to design a personal pathway of growth to be more like Jesus in character and mission. Along with the Organic Disciples book, churches and individuals can utilize a free, self-directed online tool at OrganicOutreach.com to help each person identify where they are in their growth journey. Also look for eight-session small group curriculum-Organic Disciples Study Guide (9780310139089)-to take congregations and Christians deeper on this journey.

Holy Habits is an initiative to nurture Christian discipleship. It explores Luke's model of church found in Acts 2:42-47, identifies ten habits and encourages the development of a way of life formed by them. These resources, which include an introductory guide, have been developed to help churches explore the habits in a range of contexts and live them out in whole-life, missional discipleship.

A seasoned Bible scholar and an expert in organizational leadership and change offer principles for modern managers and leaders drawn from Paul's dynamic leadership style. In a unique blend of management theory and biblical scholarship, Ascough and Cotton demonstrate that Paul essentially wrote the book on how transformational leaders should operate. Thoroughly grounded in biblical studies and the academic study of leadership--yet written in a clear and readable style--their conclusions will challenge thinking in a variety of organizations.

Sometimes you don t have their attention for very long. Whether you ve planned for a short message or your program has run long, a ten-minute talk is sometimes all you have space for in your youth ministry. So make sure you make it ten minutes that really count If you need to communicate something meaningful in just a little time, 10 Minute Talks has just what you need---more than two dozen ready-to-go, story-based talks. With talks for spiritual growth, targeted at your Christian students, and outreach talks, perfect for any teenager, you ll be prepared to give them a bite of truth that they can walk away remembering. Following the method Jesus used most often, these 10 Minute Talks give you stories that can impact students with one simple point. Each talk gives you the tools you need to make it count, and the flexibility to make it work for your context. Along with each topic and title, you ll find: * The Big Idea * Scripture * The Story * The Transition Statement * Application * Closing Don t get caught with nothing to say---or too much to say in the time you ve got Get 10 Minute Talks and get a meaningful message across quickly "

Helping churches to reconnect and value their environment. A creative worship and activity resource for churches to use outside the church building, Outdoor Church functions in any green space and is suitable for churches in urban, suburban and rural contexts. - Four sessions for each season - Four stand-alone service outlines, one for each season - Material based on Bible stories and parables - All-age activities and seasonal prayers - Indoor alternatives for rainy days

The Doubting Disease by Joseph W. Ciarrocchi brings to the fore the most current information available today on religion and scruples, scrupulosity, and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). In this book he helps us clearly appreciate the interior anguish suffered by thousands of people of faith who have this symptomatology and what we can do about it. As well as offering a concise, helpful understanding of the demographics, etiology and treatment of scrupulosity and OCD, in the Doubting Disease he also addresses the questions: *How does scrupulosity develop? *What are the differences between common and uncommon scrupulosity? *What are some classic and contemporary models of religious scrupulosity? *Where does the issue of scrupulosity fit into the history of pastoral care? *What are some practical ways to target scruples and increase motivation for reduction of scrupulosity and compulsivity? *How and when should persons get help for scrupulosity and OCD? Essential for all persons involved in general ministry, pastoral counseling, and the treatment of religious persons suffering from scrupulosity and OCD, I believe this book will also be of great service for anyone interested in the psychology of religion and the theological topics of "conversion," "discernment," and "sin." --Robert J. Wicks Series Editor