The Sweet Side Of Suffering

Suffering is often a reality people don’t choose. However, they do have a choice in how to respond to it. In The Sweet Side of Suffering, author M. Esther Lovejoy explores the character of God to help readers find a response that sweetens the bitter waters of suffering. This engaging book is written in a narrative voice, sharing biblical truths and practical insights from the author’s personal experiences. Readers can find a message of hope and encouragement as they discover a fresh perspective on strengthening their relationship with God and renewing their confidence in knowing that He is always there.

Thomas turns to the classic writings of well-known Christians to offer a program for rediscovering an authentic Christian spirituality that applies to everyday life's frustrations, problems, and even joys. "Many will be grateful for the forceful sensitivity of this survey of classical insights into our fellowship with God".--J.I. Packer.

Gary Thomas, a popular speaker and the bestselling author of Sacred Pathways, invites readers to reinvigorate their faith journey as he sheds light on refreshing perspectives about prayer, hope, purpose, and the thirst for God and His love. With insight from Gary’s personal journey, readers delve into classic Christian writings from John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Thomas à Kempis, and others, and emerge with practical and unexpected ways to know God more intimately and delight in Him embark on a path of spiritual training that lasts a lifetime experience the joy of a life surrendered to Christ discover kindred spirits in the great Christian thinkers and seekers move toward spiritual growth and understanding Thirsting for God offers companionship and the mentorship of great words, minds, and hearts as readers encounter a fulfilling, transforming relationship with God.

What if God designed marriage to make you holy instead of happy? What if your relationship isn't as much about you and your spouse as it is about you and God? In Sacred Marriage, bestselling author Gary Thomas uncovers the ways that your marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God and with each other. Join over one million others who have already uncovered Thomas's tips for fostering a sacred marriage. Within the pages of Sacred Marriage, Thomas invites you to see how God can use your relationship with your spouse as a discipline and a motivation to love God more and reflect more of the character of his Son. In addition to life-changing insights from Scripture, church history, and time-tested wisdom from Christian classics, you'll find practical advice and techniques to make your marriage happier by becoming holier husbands and wives. In Sacred Marriage, Thomas will give you all of the tools you need to: Turn marital struggles into spiritual and personal appreciation Love your spouse with a stronger sense of purpose Confront your weaknesses and sin in order to grow your relationship with God and with your spouse Partner in the spiritual growth and character formation of your spouse Transform a tired marriage into a relationship filled with awe and respect Thomas reveals that sacred marriages teach us to love God and others well by fostering a healthy sex life, a strong prayer life, and a rich spiritual life. God uses our marriages to help us grow in character, in prayer, in worship, and in service--we just have to recognize that the purpose of marriage is holiness, not happiness. Each copy also includes thought-provoking discussion questions designed to spark conversation between couples and small groups, allowing you to dive deeper into the lessons that Thomas shares in Sacred Marriage. Join the one million others who have already started on their journey to transforming their relationship with their spouses and with their Creator.

Successful senior living doesn’t just happen by itself. Retirement needs a plan and key information to make these rich years happy and healthy ones. This book is intended to help retirees prepare for the aging process and to plan to make good decisions about each of the challenges to age well. Our senior life can be the “golden years,” but healthy living comes when we make responsible life choices. This book is intended to be a guide to make that happen in your life. It is filled with positive suggestions and clues to help you decide to live a wellness lifestyle in your retirement years. This book is built on the concept that we all need to be better decision-makers about the quality of our life as we age. It is based on the assumption as well that we do make self-destructive choices, which can harm our health (i.e., obesity). The message of the book is focused on our need to establish a pattern of making responsible life choices. The content of this resource is full of positive suggestions to accomplish that goal. It is a helpful guide for a successful retirement, but it needs to be read by all adults regardless of age so they are better prepared for living a healthy lifestyle in their golden years. The author also suggests that all of us could benefit enormously if we could gather in community throughout our country to discuss how we can make better choices on these important decisions for our future.

Overwhelming stresses in life can sometimes lead you to the point of walking away from your faith, especially when it appears that those who don’t trust God are prospering. In this discussion of Psalm 73, Bill Crowder examines Asaph’s story of pain, tears, loss, and disappointment. Encouraging you to focus on the condition of your heart rather than the perception of your eyes, It’s Not Fair shows how you can restore your confidence in God and trust Him by focusing on His goodness rather than your circumstances.

The perfect gift for engaged, newlywed, or married couples! This two-in-one book and devotional from bestselling author Gary Thomas helps couples discover how marriage can become a doorway to a closer walk with God and each other. Marriage is much more than a union between you and your spouse. From the love you share to the forgiveness you both offer and seek in turn, it is a spiritual discipline ideally suited to help you know God more fully and intimately. Shifting the focus from marital enrichment to spiritual enrichment, Thomas offers practical tools and techniques to make your marriage happier by becoming holier husbands and wives. This special-edition two-in-one book and devotional includes: Sacred Marriage Starting with the discovery that the goal of marriage goes beyond personal happiness, writer and speaker Gary Thomas invites you to see how God can use your marriage as a discipline and a motivation to love him more and reflect more of the character of his Son. Devotions for a Sacred Marriage A companion to Sacred Marriage, this book of 52 devotions encourages you to build your marriage around God's priorities. From learning to live with a fellow sinner to the process of two becoming one to sharing our lives as brothers and sisters in Christ, Devotions for a Sacred Marriage challenges couples to embrace the profound and soul-stretching reality of Christian marriage.

Hope for Widows offers you connections in your grief, guiding you to see hope, grace, and camaraderie on an unfamiliar path. With personal reflections, questions, and expressions of gratitude, join Marilyn Nutter in recognizing God’s faithful presence in details and unusual places. The 65 readings apply Scripture and relevant quotes to grief and mourning and look with transparency at how widowhood dramatically changes a woman’s life.