Faith That Transforms Us

The truths of our faith are more than words—they are living truths that are meant to make a difference in our lives. Every single revelation of God can be life changing and transforming when we understand it, live it out, and share it with others. This book by Cardinal Donald Wuerl is a positive, uplifting, and joyful presentation of the basic truths of the Catholic faith. With its simple and clear format, it will help Catholics recognize the abundant life awaiting them when they truly embrace these truths. Each chapter examines a section of the Creed through the series of questions: (1) What is the revelation, and what does it mean? (2) How can this truth transform me? (3) How do I live it? (4) How do I share it with others? Each chapter ends with discussion questions and a "Looking for More" section with citations to the Scriptures, the Catechism, and relevant Church documents.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of Relationship Goals . . . Will you be remembered as a person who claimed to follow God but liked to play it safe? Or as a person who lived your life out on the limb and trusted God enough to live in crazy faith? Noah looked crazy when he started building the ark . . . until it started raining. It was crazy for Moses to lead a nation of people into the desert away from Egypt . . . until the Red Sea parted. It was crazy to believe that a fourteen-year-old virgin would give birth to the Son of God . . . until Mary held Jesus in her arms. There are many things that seem normal or average today that at one point in time seemed absolutely crazy. Smartphones, Wi-Fi, and even the electric light bulb were all groundbreaking, history-making inventions that started out as crazy ideas. Our see-it-to-believe-it generation tends to have a hard time exercising true faith—one that steps out, takes action, and sees mountain-moving results. Many of us would rather play it safe and stand on the sidelines, but it’s crazy faith that helps us see God move and reveals His promises. In Crazy Faith, Pastor Michael Todd shows us how to step out in faith and dive into the purposeful life of trusting God for the impossible. Even if you have to start with baby faith or maybe faith, you can become empowered to let go of your lazy faith, trust God through your hazy faith, and learn to live a lifestyle of crazy faith. With powerful stories of modern-day faith warriors who take their cues from biblical heroes, Michael Todd equips you to • believe for the impossible • choose hope over fear • be alert to the voice of God • cope with loss and doubt • develop a deeper level of trust in God • speak faith-filled declarations • inspire crazy faith in others God’s not looking for somebody to give Him all the reasons why His plans can’t happen. He’s looking for somebody to believe they will happen. In fact, He has so much He wants to do through you. The question is, Are you crazy enough to believe it?

The hard work required to make God real, how it changes the people who do it, and why it helps explain the enduring power of faith How do gods and spirits come to feel vividly real to people—as if they were standing right next to them? Humans tend to see supernatural agents everywhere, as the cognitive science of religion has shown. But it isn’t easy to maintain a sense that there are invisible spirits who care about you. In How God Becomes Real, acclaimed anthropologist and scholar of religion T. M. Luhrmann argues that people must work incredibly hard to make gods real and that this effort—by changing the people who do it and giving them the benefits they seek from invisible others—helps to explain the enduring power of faith. Drawing on ethnographic studies of evangelical Christians, pagans, magicians, Zoroastrians, Black Catholics, Santeria initiates, and newly orthodox Jews, Luhrmann notes that none of these people behave as if gods and spirits are simply there. Rather, these worshippers make strenuous efforts to create a world in which invisible others matter and can become intensely present and real. The faithful accomplish this through detailed stories, absorption, the cultivation of inner senses, belief in a porous mind, strong sensory experiences, prayer, and other practices. Along the way, Luhrmann shows why faith is harder than belief, why prayer is a metacognitive activity like therapy, why becoming religious is like getting engrossed in a book, and much more. A fascinating account of why religious practices are more powerful than religious beliefs, How God Becomes Real suggests that faith is resilient not because it provides intuitions about gods and spirits—but because it changes the faithful in profound ways.

A woman's faith in God is challenged by the first question Satan asks Eve in the Bible: "Did God really say you can’t eat from any tree in the garden?" That seed of doubt and the story it begins to unfold breed a concept of fear still haunting each of us on some level every day-the idea that our actions could ruin something beautiful, and God might not have control of things. In What Women Fear, acclaimed writer and speaker Angie Smith admits, "fear is a major part of my testimony" and talks openly about her treatment for anxiety as a child. Giving a voice to the problem, she says, "I truly believe every single one of us struggles with some type of fear, whether it's fear of flying or fear of being 'found out.' Maybe you don’t worry about dying, but you get sick thinking about the fact that you might fail." Rather than suggesting that those who truly love the Lord would never fear, Angie blends her own experiences with those of men and women from throughout Scripture to help us start dealing more effectively with these true, human emotions. Whether it’s a constant "What if?," a nagging fear of abandonment or betrayal, fear of your own or someone else’s death, fear of trusting God's plan, or even the fear that God's existence is a lie, Angie will walk you through stories of others who have simultaneously loved God and struggled with fear. Join Angie and discover how to let Jesus redeem this struggle as only He can, that He will be glorified, and you will be transformed! Endorsements Angie Smith has the rare gift to write a non-fiction page-turner as good as any fiction book I've read. As her words tumbled out in raw honesty, fresh hope spread before me. Her teachings on fear are comforting, practical, and gut honest. I can't wait for you to read this life-changing book. What Women Fear is one of my favorites this year. Honestly, I think it will stay next to my bed for a very long time. Lysa TerKeurst, New York Times best-selling author of Made to Crave You don't have to be around Angie Smith very long to fall in love with her. She is funny and transparent with a passionate love for Christ. In What Women Fear Angie holds up a mirror so that we can see ourselves from every angle, the thoughts we display on the front shelves of our lives and those we hide. The greatest gift tucked into this book is the overwhelming picture of the mercy of our God who understands our fears and invites us to stand beside Him in the rain and let His love wash us clean. Sheila Walsh, author of The Shelter of God's Promises Whatever high wire you’re walking right now, there really is nobody you want at the other end of the line like Angie Smith. And this rare gem of a book is like a steadying, sure hand taking you right into His presence in ways you never imagined. Vivid, profoundly biblical, yet girlfriend real with just-the-medicine-you-need-funny, every page is reviving hope for every woman. Simply, Angie Smith is a Bible teacher for such a time as this. Ann Voskamp, New York Times best-selling author of One Thousand Gifts

How to Overcome Unbelief in God without a Doubt ... Personal Faith Transformation Do you have secret doubts about God? Do you struggle with your own faith and beliefs? Does skepticism sneak into your mind and jeopardize your faith? No matter if you’re a believer or non-believer, you’re not alone if you feel like others may challenge your own belief in God. If you discover your faithfulness is lacking, or maybe you want to take a closer look at your faith, then I’ve got good news for you... Inside Faith Transformation, you’ll: · Learn a five-step clear path and solution to transform your beliefs, build your faith, and apply his teachings every day in your own life. · Receive an offer for a personal “Faith Transformation,” helping you to remove inner doubts, nagging skepticism, or even limiting beliefs holding you back from the true glory God has to offer you. · Discover why he willingly gave his life to save you – love. · Increase knowledge to the answers you desire and give you the reassurance your soul craves when it comes to your own belief and faith in God. If you’re ready to walk confidently in your own faith in God and His Word, remove all self-doubt, and commit to leading a godly life of inspiration, motivation, and abundant love ... Then this life-changing book is the beacon of light you’ve been seeking during this time of darkness. Faith Transformation is much more than just another book; it’s a faith breakthrough. Follow me on BookBub!

The Bible says that in the last days, people would have a form of godliness but deny its power (2 Timothy 3). The power denied is that required for true conversion, i.e., transformation. This book is meant to affirm those that profess the Christian faith that when we are justified by Christ in the process of salvation, it comes with the power of the Holy Spirit, who indwells us and seals us; his power leads to a compulsory sanctification as evidence of true salvation because the goal of God in the beginning remains the same, which is to create man in his own image. Transformation is the mandatory process of the Holy Spirit conforming us into the spiritual and moral likeness of Christ, and it is completed only when we are glorified in heaven.

In this astounding account, a leading sociologist demonstrates that religion in America has become so tamed and softened that it hardly serves any of its original functions.

“If you want to discover new ways of entering the Bible, and letting it enter you, you will find no better guide than Richard Foster.” — Lauren F. Winner, Duke Divinity School, author of Girl Meets God “Foster’s work is not for those readers who are seeking quick answers or a behavioral checklist of what the Bible says they should do. Rather, it is a deep reflective guide to spiritual rumination and growth.” — Publishers Weekly Richard Foster, the beloved, bestselling author of Celebration of Discipline, Streams of Living Water, and Prayer, shows the intimate connection between Scripture and spirituality, revealing the secrets to living the “with-God life.”