The Restored Life

When the challenges you've faced threaten to destroy your life, how do you find your way back to the truths you thought you believed? I Am Restored tells the untold story of how Lecrae's past nearly ruined his future--until he learned that the wounds we carry can have the potential to be unlikely guides to healing and freedom for ourselves and others. Throughout I Am Restored, Lecrae documents the shattering yet hopeful story of how he faced the scars of his past--sexual abuse, physical trauma, addiction, and depression--and emerged more fully human than ever before. With remarkable transparency and vulnerability, Lecrae reveals that at the height of his professional success, his life was spinning out of control, driven by a past that he had never confronted and a religious perspective that was incapable of meeting the challenge. I Am Restored takes an unflinching look at the personal and public spaces that are too often at the societal core of our pain and heartache--culture, politics, family, church, and more--and teaches us that forgiveness can be the birthplace of the life that God has created for us. Throughout this powerful, deeply personal account, Lecrae shares the life lessons he's learned about: Confronting the pain and trauma that has shaped your story Breaking the cycle of sin and shame and embracing joy and authenticity Finding hope and healing in the midst of chaos The simple practices that can change your mental, emotional, and spiritual health Leading a life that's bursting with creativity and true freedom I Am Restored is a hopeful, inspiring charge to start your journey to lasting healing today. No matter what your past has held, God is near you, he hears you, and he's not done writing your story.

A book for anyone trying to recover relationship breakdown, separation or divorce

New York Times bestselling author John Eldredge offers readers a breathtaking look into God’s promise for a new heaven and a new earth. This revolutionary book about our future is based on the simple idea that, according to the Bible, heaven is not our eternal home--the New Earth is. As Jesus says in the gospel of Matthew, the next chapter of our story begins with "the renewal of all things," by which he means the earth we love in all its beauty, our own selves, and the things that make for a rich life: music, art, food, laughter and all that we hold dear. Everything shall be renewed "when the world is made new." More than anything else, how you envision your future shapes your current experience. If you knew that God was going to restore your life and everything you love any day; if you believed a great and glorious goodness was coming to you--not in a vague heaven but right here on this earth--you would have a hope to see you through anything, an anchor for your soul, "an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God" (Hebrews 6:19). Most Christians (most people for that matter) fail to look forward to their future because their view of heaven is vague, religious, and frankly boring. Hope begins when we understand that for the believer nothing is lost. Heaven is not a life in the clouds; it is not endless harp-strumming or worship-singing. Rather, the life we long for, the paradise Adam and Eve knew, is precisely the life that is coming to us. And that life is coming soon.

Discover God's blueprint for restoration in the book of Ruth. If distress is your story...and restoration your hope...this book is for you.

"Experience the live you were meant to live ... Restored, in Christ."--Back cover.

New church voice Eric Mason addresses the cultural and spiritual crises within manhood head-on, presenting a gospel-centered vision that points men back to God's original intent for their lives.

Imagine a world in which every person's pain makes them better not bitter, kind rather than angry, and selfless instead of greedy and insecure. There is messiness in each of our stories, but we can use that mess intentionally to craft a life that points to God and proclaims his glory. In Restored, prominent pastor and speaker Chris Brown recounts some of the extraordinary tragedies and trials he has experienced, including homelessness, violence, abuse, drugs, and the loss of loved ones. Reflecting on these difficult times in his own story, Chris shares his hard-won countercultural perspective on pain, offering practical tips to inspire those of us who feel disqualified or discouraged by our circumstances. No matter how messy it was, our past is a gift because it paves the way for us to develop the unique Christ-honoring message the world needs us to share.

I try to take a walk five days of every week. The course is approximately three and one-half miles and crosses some beautiful terrain in the valleywhere I reside. It goes one direction and then reverses itself. During one part of the walk, the wind will be behind me, assisting by allowing me tomove at a faster and brisker pace. It is always enjoyable when this happens, as I appear stronger and quicker than normal. When the course reverses itself, the wind is in my face. Now, this experience changes. Instead of assisting me, I am now walking into a headwind, slowingmy speed and making the exercise more difficult. I actually go slower, taking longer to progress. This “breeze” is always present in our life on Earth. There are periods when we feel we are “hitting stride,” moving quickly and seeing good results. Then there are times when we are either stuck or moving at a snail's pace. We get frustrated and just want the direction to change.Interestingly, the breeze is not the issue. It's the walk that is important. While the wind will always be there, its direction often changes and it is not always predictable. What is necessary is to stay on course and complete the journey. How I walk, regardless of the direction of the wind, is what counts. There should be a consistency in my step that doesn't change, regardless of the impact of outside forces. I should anticipate a higher level of energy and satisfaction as a result of competing and completing, despite the obstacles incurred or assistance received. The Restored Life is about that walk. It discusses what life should be and provides insight into the blessings and obstacles we will face. It is about the excitement and enthusiasm we receive as we stay on course and experience the results. And it highlights the choices we must make, so the experience will be our highest and greatest enjoyment. Take this journey and allow the breeze, though ever-present, to always be an asset in this wonderful experience called “life.” Live the lifethat God has prepared and Christ has restored. Enjoy it “to the fullest!”