At one time or another, every Christian goes through a period which is referred to as a "desert experience"-a time when they feel forsaken by God, in doubt about what God would have them do, a period of darkness of the soul. Many, during those times, feel they are alone in this experience, but this thought-provoking book shows readers that they are not alone-that in fact, many well-known Christians have been there also. Featuring personal testimonies from each contributor, "The Desert Experience" offers readers encouragement and valuable lessons from those who have made it through the "desert"-lessons of hope, humility, goodwill, and the sovereignty of God -all lessons necessary for the maturing of a Christian.

Being used by God is an adventure you won't want to miss!Major Ian Thomas, a British theologian, teacher, and the founder of Torchbearers Bible Schools, spent seven exhausting years trying to live for Christ when he realized that God actually just wanted to live through Him. He offered this extremely simple advice in considering the Christian life: Go where you are sent, stay where you are put, and do what you are asked.With her trademark warmth and keen sense of humor, esteemed Bible study teacher Jill Briscoe follows Major Thomas's example to help readers learn how to allow God to live through them, finding their mission field to be right before them-in the space between their own two feet. She uses stories from her own life and of other contemporaries to unpack the story of Moses in helping us better understand our true worth and calling. She asks, "What is your Jerusalem, your Judea, your Samaria? Whether you're fifty or fifteen, you are called to be God's light in a troubled world." This classic work is being updated to include conversation starters and Bible study questions at the end of each chapter.

'I like to think of the work of The Holy Spirit in the lives of men and women as art.'Spiritual life is not just a gift; it is a skill we must work to develop. Using Paul's letter to the Philippians as her guide, Bible teacher Jill Briscoe uncovers eight 'spiritual arts' that Christians are called to practice regularly; contentment, intimacy, suffering, simplicity, ministry, tranquility, humility, and harmony.Jill pulls no punches in challenging Christian readers to do their part, Spiritual Arts is a discovery study of practices we need to learn if we are to live life as God intended---full of great joy, deeper intimacy with God, and an exciting impact in the lives of others. With patience, wit, and probing questions, Jill challenges the faithful to a different ethic and a more active, focused way to follow Christ.

For nearly twenty-five years, Elmbrook Church in Waukesha, WI, has supported a variety of ministries by and for women. Today their program stands as a model. Yet, as the authors of Designing Effective Women's Ministries will tell you, it did not happen overnight, but through trial and error. In Designing Effective Women's Ministries, the authors share what worked for them and what didn't. they explain how to start where you are, with what you have, and how to do what God wants you to do. Designing Effective Women's Ministries included tips and techniques for establishing groups and programs that meet the needs of today's women. The book shows how to develop programs that are specifically tailored to your church and your community.

Not everything is within our power to control. But, thankfully, some of the most important things are.
Beloved author Jill Briscoe shares eight concrete choices that are guaranteed to fill your life with love -- the kind of love that lasts. Based on the "love chapter" of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13, the choices shared in these pages will give you the power to love not only God and yourself but to infuse love into every relationship in your life.
You Can Choose a Life of Lasting Love
Choose love through these eight life-empowering choices:
1. The choice to love God
2. The choice to love when love runs out
3. The choice to love those in your church family
4. The choice to love those who drive you up the wall
5. The choice not to love things too much
6. The choice to love when you're provoked
7. The choice to love and trust again
8. The choice to love God up close and personal

Each day presents women with an unending parade of choices. Some are fairly mundane, while others can prove to be life changing. In this new edition of Briscoe's popular book, she addresses the crucial issues that women face on a daily basis.
Using the book of James as a model, Briscoe examines the following choices that most women face:
To resist pain or to use it To gather wealth or to gather grace To speak wisely or to speak foolishly To value our time or to fritter it away To live for ourselves or to live for the Spirit To develop God's gifts or to waste them To persevere or to protest To stand for truth or to abandon it