Real People Real Faith

The characters in Scripture are often portrayed as one-dimensional--as caricatures instead of human beings with real needs, authentic pain, and compelling fears. When their problems are viewed as one-dimensional, so is their faith. Approaching biblical characters in this way can inhibit listeners' ability to hear the biblical witness as relevant to their own lives and can minimize the impact of Scripture on their faith journey. Real People, Real Faith provides practical tools to portray biblical characters as multidimensional human beings who encountered and journeyed with God. Placing high value on historical, cultural, and scriptural contexts, Cindy Halvorson demonstrates techniques for generating holistic characters, particularly by exploring archetypical human reactions and spiritual longings. She shows how the preacher can use this method to reimagine the biblical characters, present figures with whom listeners relate and empathize, and draw portraits of real people whose relationship with God is in many ways like listeners' own--people with whom they may sojourn and grow. When listeners are touched by a biblical character's story and shown how their relationship with God was transformed, they too may experience the Divine's love and care for them.

For Christians seeking to apply their faith to everyday life, Real Faith for Real Life invites readers to answer the call of discipleship and provides guidance and examples of how to do so successfully. Michael Foss, author of Power Surge, encourages readers to rely on six time-tested marks of discipleships that encourage the practice of faith in everyday life: Daily prayer Bible reading Weekly worship Christian service Relationships that encourage spiritual growth Giving in the spirit of generosity Using Bible passages and real-life stories, Foss illustrates how each mark of discipleship enhances and supports the growth of a person's faith journey. This book also includes study questions and journaling suggestions for small group discussion and individual reflection.

You're already in a war. It's time to fight. This book will equip you with tools to protect the five fronts of spiritual battle: your relationship with God, your identity, your family and friends, your church, and the world. Win Your War is a practical marriage, parenting, and relationship book that is grounded in the Word of God and focused on recognizing Satan's role in your life. Mark and Grace Driscoll help you understand the power Jesus gives you to overcome the enemy's attacks. Mark and Grace Driscoll look at the nature of spiritual warfare in response to Adam and Eve. God has a kingdom where His people are governed by the Spirit. Satan has the world, where his people are governed by the flesh. Spiritual warfare is the battle between these two realities in everything, including our identity, temptation, gender, marriage, and emotional well-being. Some years ago Mark Driscoll preached on the Book of Genesis and discovered an unexpected theme about spiritual warfare that works itself out in all of human history: the storyline of the Bible is that there is first a wedding and then a war. Satan did not show up until a man and woman were married and had a ministry call on their lives. The first thing he did was attack marriage and separate men and women. After reading this book, you will uncover the five fronts of spiritual battle: your relationship with God, your identity, your family and friends, your church, and the world. Also Available in Spanish ISBN-13: 978-1-62999-259-4 E-Book ISBN: 978-1-62999-260-0 OTHER TITLE BY MARK DRISCOLL Spirit-Filled Jesus (2018) ISBN: 978-1629995229

The science / faith debate rages on. Yet many leading scientists have an active Christian faith. Here 17 scientists, all esteemed by their peers, tackle two questions: What difference their faith makes to their scientific practice; and What difference their science makes to their understanding of their faith. Contributors include: Francis Collins, Director, Human Genome Project Joan Centrella, Chief of the Gravitational Astrophysics Laboratory, NASA Bob White, Professor of Geophysics, University of Cambridge Alister McGrath, Professor of Theology, King's College London, and molecular biologist Wilson Poon, Professor of Physics, University of Edinburgh

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context. To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections: Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context. Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible. Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved. This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.

Does parish life really matter? Do people really need community anymore? Are there really "sucessful parishes" out there? The authors says a resounding "yes" to all three in this engaging and challenging invitation to parish leaders. She offers essential principles that have evolved from discussions with pastoral leaders in a variety of ministerial settings, as well as careful study of sacred Scripture, theology, Church documents, and current research. She then pulls all the principles together by offering "seasonal renewal" focus points with examples of how the seasons can lead parishioners toward a living relationship with Christ--with Sunday Eucharist at the center. Turning Hearts to Christ is a dynamic and essential planning resource for pastors, parish leadership teams, pastoral staffs, pastoral council members, faith formation, evangelization, and stewardship committee members.

Why do you believe in God? Answering that question might seem hard, but it’s important. And this book can help. This introduction to apologetics offers one hundred devotions that will give you real tools and real answers for why you believe in God and why you trust the Bible. You’ll dig in the dirt to uncover archaeological evidence. You’ll be inspired by stories of real-life defenders of the faith, and you’ll see God’s fingerprints all over creation. So ask the hard questions. Find the answers. And be empowered to defend your faith.