From Religion To Relationship

In Religion to Relationship, author Mary Combs writes her personal journey from whole-heartedly following a "religion" for decades, before she finally realized there is more to a religion than merely going through the motions. There is a personal, fulfilling, and trusting relationship waiting to flourish with our Creator, but it requires a personal effort from each and every believer. Combs' ultimate desire in writing Religion to Relationship is to motivate readers toward spiritual renewal and change. Her hope is her personal testimony within the pages of Religion to Relationship will help those who may be awakening that they are involved in a religious system that is no different than what the Pharisees were in Jesus' day. Religious systems have become so complicated and have bound the simplicity of the gospel of Jesus Christ with their manmade rules, dogmas, doctrines and manipulative and controlling maneuvers, as well as clever twisting of the scripture. Most churches today are hardly recognizable as the vision Jesus wanted for His church. Religion to Relationship will calm any fear, doubt, or unbelief in the hearts of those who know they are in religious bondage, yet struggle for escape. Mary Combs was born into a Christian home and raised in Los Angeles. She gave her heart to the Lord at six years old and shortly afterward she was called of God to be in ministry. She and her husband have been married over 50 years and been in pastoral ministry in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, New York, New Jersey, California and Arizona. They have also worked on staff at the Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, New York. Currently, they travel and mentor other pastors and leaders in ministry and speak nationwide."

Helping people to understand what it means to be in a relationship with God can be something very hard to do when they don't know what it means to be in a relationship at all. Religion has caused us to fall, in every area of our lives. By living up to man's standards of what it means to serve, it has been wrong for centuries. This book is not, by all means, a one-stop shop. But more so a starting point for a journey that is never ending in our lives. Tired of religions turning you away from a true relationship with God? I hope and pray that you will grasp hold of the keys mentioned in this book to move you from being RELIGIOUS to having a true understanding of RELATIONSHIP.

Are you struggling to accept God’s love? We’ve bought into the lie that we are worthy of God’s love only when our lives are going well. But when life begins to fall through the cracks and things become less-than-perfect, we scramble to present a good front to the world—and to God. God longs for us to deeply believe and know that He loves us and accepts us as we are. He calls for us to remove our mask and establish an honest and deep relationship with Him. When we are our true selves, we can finally claim our identity as His own—Abba’s child. Let go of the pressure of an impostor lifestyle and lean into the life-changing wonder of a truly loving relationship with God. Abba’s Child will light the way to freely accepting your belovedness and being renewed by the reassurance of our Father’s deep care for you—regardless of how perfect your life isn’t. “Honest. Genuine. Creative. God hungry. These words surface when I think of the writings of Brennan Manning. Read him for yourself—you’ll see what I mean!” —Max Lucado, New York Times bestselling author “I pray that Brennan Manning and the timeless voices . . . in this book might offer you hope. May they remind you that you are loved by the Father-Creator Himself. May they sing and speak into your life against the voices that tell you otherwise.” —Jon Foreman, lead singer of Switchfoot

New Expanded Edition - 40% more material. Pursuing Intimacy With God Bible study books & site to help you grow closer to God and enjoy intimacy with God. Our site includes many Bible studies for life and a large variety of Bible study topics. The Bible study book includes Bible study topics on Intimacy With God, Walking With God, How to Pray to God, Prayer in the Bible, How to Study the Bible, How to Seek God With All Your Heart, How to Hear God’s Voice, Meditate on God’s Word, True Worship in the Bible, Praise As A Spiritual Weapon, Praise Is Placing A High Value on God, How to Have Abundant Life, God’s Calling For Your Life, God’s Promises in the Bible, Faith Is Vital For Intimacy With God, Waiting on God, God’s Purpose & Mission For His Church, Revival & Spiritual Awakening, The Kind of Christian & Church God Wants… The PIWG Bible Study Book is ideal for individuals, or for small groups, Sunday School classes, and discipleship classes at your church Pursuing Intimacy With God website: www.intimacywithgod.com God has used the PIWG I & II studies to bless many people: "Words to appreciate I just can't find but please accept my gratitude. The study has really transformed my life and family." - Samuel "The time and effort you sow into reaching thousands upon thousands of people globally has and continues to touch lives and edify the body of Christ. I am thankful to God and to your ministry for your work." - Carlos, South Africa "We want you to know how much this guide has been a blessing to us. We have been using it on a regular basis and I'm sure it will always be a resource in our permanent library. Keep doing what you are doing. This has really changed our lives."- Carrie, US "What an awesome thing that your ministry is sharing with the world. God's word is user friendly, spoken as Jesus did where all can understand and want to learn more of Jesus, study more and do his will. I have never found such detailed shared information of God's word all in one book." - Ruby, US "Thank you so much for your website. I've benefited so much from it and it has helped me so much in my relationship with Jesus! I believe its the no1 thing I need to pursue." - Zsuzsi, Hungary "Your website, what I've read so far is an overwhelming refreshing shower to my spirit. To discover a ministry that focuses on loving God is so utterly a confirmation to me. What could be more important? Fathomless depths. Thank you for your precious hearts." - Julia, US "Just wanted to say thanks for this site. I typed in the search because this is what God has been doing in my life. Drawing me into intimacy." - Stephen, Australia "The material on your website is awesome. Glory to God !" - Ray, US "I am in awe of the study book. I did not expect to receive so much information. Thank you." - Olivia US "I have been blessed by your site & studies." - Dorota, Poland "The study was excellent ! I could understand it. It was done beautifully and simply... God has changed our lives through this study. We are both working for a soft and humble heart." - Nancy, US "Once again I cant thank you enough; your help is much appreciated and I am so grateful towards you for this." - John, Ireland "I will certainly join in praying for this study and for you as you continue to work with it as the Lord directs. Those weeks of study were so very meaningful to me! - Reid, US "Hi, Thank you for publishing this great material." - Johan, South Africa "Praise the Lord. Please I request a copy of your wondrous book." - Meshak, Uganda

In The End of Religion, Bruxy Cavey shares that relationship has no room for religion. Believers and seekers alike will discover anew the wondrous promise found in our savior. And Christ’s eternal call to walk in love and freedom will resonate with readers of all ages and denominations.

When people are interested in the spiritual life they are, 'de facto', saying: I deeply value relationships - relationships with themselves, others, and God. Spirituality and an appreciation of the relationships they have go hand in hand.Given this, when we turn to contemporary psychology, the school of thought which seems so naturally relevant and supportive to those interested in spiritual maturity is object relations theory. However, since this sophisticated approach to understanding the human person is quite complex in that it stands on the psychological shoulders of a great deal of previous psychoanalytic thought and practice, to mine this theoretical jewel and apply it to further the appreciation of one's own or someone else's spiritual life has been quite difficult for most people. And so, the development of a basic work on object relations theory and the spiritual life has been sorely needed.With this in mind, Michael St. Clair, the author of the widely-read and respected book 'Object Relations and Self Psychology', and a person possessing extensive theological background as well as graduate-level teaching and clinical experience in pastoral counseling and the integration of psychology and religion, was asked to prepare a book on the topic.The result is a volume that presents not only principles that are understandable and enlightening, but also psychological illustrations that offer a clear connection with religious experience. In addition, although St. Clair doesn't skirt the issues and controversies or subtle nuances that are open to question when one attempts an integration of psychology and spirituality from a particular vantage point, first and foremost this book is a practical work. In this regard it serves to be stimulating in one's reflection about the spiritual life: one's own and that of those persons who come to us for guidance.This volume provides a real service to those of us who wish to see in an intelligent way what contributions modern psychology from an object relations perspective can make to our efforts to walk honestly and faithfully with God as we walk with others.

The New York Times bestselling author and trusted spiritual adviser offers a follow-up to his classic Care of the Soul. Something essential is missing from modern life. Many who’ve turned away from religious institutions—and others who have lived wholly without religion—hunger for more than what contemporary secular life has to offer but are reluctant to follow organized religion’s strict and often inflexible path to spirituality. In A Religion of One’s Own, bestselling author and former monk Thomas Moore explores the myriad possibilities of creating a personal spiritual style, either inside or outside formal religion. Two decades ago, Moore’s Care of the Soul touched a chord with millions of readers yearning to integrate spirituality into their everyday lives. In A Religion of One’s Own, Moore expands on the topics he first explored shortly after leaving the monastery. He recounts the benefits of contemplative living that he learned during his twelve years as a monk but also the more original and imaginative spirituality that he later developed and embraced in his secular life. Here, he shares stories of others who are creating their own path: a former football player now on a spiritual quest with the Pueblo Indians, a friend who makes a meditative practice of floral arrangements, and a well-known classical pianist whose audiences sometimes describe having a mystical experience while listening to her performances. Moore weaves their experiences with the wisdom of philosophers, writers, and artists who have rejected materialism and infused their secular lives with transcendence. At a time when so many feel disillusioned with or detached from organized religion yet long for a way to move beyond an exclusively materialistic, rational lifestyle, A Religion of One’s Own points the way to creating an amplified inner life and a world of greater purpose, meaning, and reflection.

In today's "Christian" world we often hear, "This is what you need to do to be saved..." However, numerous churches in any town in America will say they have the truth when their doctrines differ greatly from each other.Which church's teaching are we to believe? People are turned off by religion. The same phrases are used by each religious persuasion. The more religious our society gets, the less people are finding a true relationship with Christ.These are troubled times and our identity with Jesus Christ will be declared by who we are and how we live rather than by a list of do's and don'ts or God talk. Author Danny Griffin demonstrates God's love and grace to mankind through practical, shoe-leather, living in a broken world and broken lives. He is an encourager and builder of the faith which every believer should possess in their daily walk. Our walk should be about Jesus not Me-sus. Learn from Danny's life lessons and practical teachings. You will find his book to be encouraging, uplifting and energizing as you seek to live with God's blessings.