Bearing God

Biblical Foundations Award Finalist Have you ever wondered what the Old Testament—especially the Old Testament law—has to do with your Christian life? You are not alone. Some Christian leaders believe we should cast off the Old Testament now that we have the New. Carmen Joy Imes disagrees. In this warm, accessible volume, Imes takes readers back to Sinai, the ancient mountain where Israel met their God, and explains the meaning of events there. She argues that we've misunderstood the command about "taking the Lord's name in vain." Instead, Imes says that this command is about "bearing God's name," a theme that continues throughout the rest of Scripture. Readers will revisit the story of Israel as they trudge through the wilderness from a grueling past to a promising future. The story of Israel turns out to be our story too, and you'll discover why Sinai still matters as you follow Jesus today.

St. Ignatius, first-century Bishop of Antioch, called the "God-bearer," is one of the earliest witnesses to the truth of Christ and the nature of the Christian life. Tradition tells us that as a small child, Ignatius was singled out by Jesus Himself as an example of the childlike faith all Christians must possess (see Matthew 18:1-4). In Bearing God, Fr. Andrew Damick recounts the life of this great pastor, martyr, and saint, and interprets for the modern reader five major themes in the pastoral letters he wrote: martyrdom, salvation in Christ, the bishop, the unity of the Church, and the Eucharist.

Imagine yourself with Jesus, in a boat on the sea, as a sudden storm fills the other passengers with fear. When the priest read this Gospel story in Mark 4, Marlena Graves didn’t see herself as the terrified disciples, lacking faith. She wasn’t Jesus, peacefully sleeping through the danger. She wasn’t the wind or the waves. According to Graves, “I was the boat! And then it occurred to me that, like Jesus’ mother, Mary, I, too, am a God bearer.” Journey with Graves and discover these things: We are all vessels that carry Jesus as we journey throughout our lives. Boats are made for the water—they have a mission—and that mission always involves others. Jesus is not disturbed by any storms (or our reactions to them). Our lives, which carry Christ and the gospel, are to bring salvation to others, especially those who have been thrown overboard in life. There is a destination—life with God—at the heart of spiritual formation. As we bear God and go out to sea, God is also bearing us into oneness with him. Bearing God is a short and enthralling read that will awaken you as a disciple of Jesus to a sense of adventure in your calling. Using the metaphor of Christians as vessels for Christ, Bearing God is packed with inspirational lessons and principles to help readers grow in their spirituality. An ideal discipleship resource for churches, small groups, and personal devotion.

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Sample Book Insights: #1 The first and most common mistake with the Old Testament law is to ignore where it appears. Israel arrives at Sinai in chapter 19 of Exodus, but their elaborate deliverance from Egypt takes place in chapters 3–14. If the law were a prerequisite for salvation, then we would expect to see Moses in Egypt making a public service announcement: Hey, everyone, good news! God plans to set you free from slavery to Pharaoh. #2 The climax of a chiasm is not always found in the middle, but the turning point of the narrative is. The flood narrative in Genesis 6–9 is an example of mirror imaging on a smaller scale. The symmetrical ebb and flow of the story matches the rise and fall of the water. #3 The Israelites journeyed to Sinai several times, and the descriptions of the journey are similar each time. God provided them with manna and quail, and they requested water from the rock. After Sinai, the Israelites fought the Amalekites. #4 The first part of the journey for the Hebrews was to leave Egypt and find a new home. They were a mixed multitude, refugees and former slaves, seeking a better life. They left Sinai as a well-organized army, registered and marching tribe by tribe.

ECPA 2020 Christian Book Award Finalist IVP Readers' Choice Award World Magazine Book of the Year Short List Discover this updated and combined edition of two bestselling books! The human body holds endlessly fascinating secrets. The resilience of skin, the strength and structure of the bones, the dynamic balance of the muscles—your physical being is knit according to a pattern of stunning purpose. Now Gold Medallion winners Fearfully and Wonderfully Made and In His Image have been completely revised and updated to offer a new audience timeless reflections on the body. Join renowned leprosy surgeon Dr. Paul Brand and bestselling writer Philip Yancey on a remarkable journey through inner space—a spellbinding account of medical intervention, pain and healing, and the courage of humanity. Discover here the eternal truths revealed by our seemingly ordinary existence. The human body is a window into the very structure of God's creation and a testament to God's glory.

Over 500,000 Sold in Series! Bear fruit for a lifetime through the life-giving habits of Bible reading, prayer, and evangelism. Learn to prioritize and balance them as you blend them together into a unified whole. Combined with the practices and knowledge you gained in books one and two of The 2:7 Series, Bearing Fruit in God’s Family will help you connect everything together: studying, meditating on, and memorizing Scripture, and identifying personally with Jesus. Together, these skills will nourish your soul for a lifetime of fruitful ministry. What is The 2:7 Series? The 2:7 Series is discipleship training with a proven track record. Each installment leads participants through the fundamentals of discipleship to strengthen their walk with God. Book One: Growing Strong in God’s Family Book Two: Deepening Your Roots in God’s Family Book Three: Bearing Fruit in God’s Family Biblically rooted and practically focused, The 2:7 Series develops disciples who experience long-term, life-changing results. Each book includes Bible studies to ground your faith Bible-reading practices to foster consistent habits Helpful illustrations to inform your outlook In-depth teaching on evangelism and prayer to grow a vibrant faith Scripture memory guides to make God’s Word your own “Rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” —Colossians 2:7