Belovedness
Belovedness

Author: James Franklin

Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.

Published: 2020-06-17

Total Pages: 177

ISBN-13: 1640652841

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This thought-provoking book for college students and those who minister with them deals with issues of faith, identity, sex, success, failure, and more, through the concept of belovedness. Every college student’s story is different, but they all have the same questions in common. Who am I? How do I make good choices? What does it mean to be successful? How do I navigate changing relationships with my family, my peers, my significant other? And how do I do all of this faithfully? This book approaches these topics through a fundamental inquiry: “What if I really, truly believed that I was beloved beyond all measure, and how would that influence what I do?” Along with the editors, eight campus ministers from across several denominations contributed to this volume to help students navigate questions of life and faith in the world of high-pressure college campuses. Telling it like it is with wit and wisdom drawn from scripture, tradition, and life experience, this book offers profound and practical reminders of what it is to be beloved.

From Weary to Wholehearted
From Weary to Wholehearted

Author: Callie E. Swanlund

Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.

Published: 2024-05-07

Total Pages: 168

ISBN-13: 1640656790

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An empowering antidote to one of the leading challenges facing clergy and lay ministers today: burnout. Clergy and lay ministry professionals are exhausted. The past few years of collegial loneliness, ever-changing ministry practices, illness and death, and declining church attendance have led many to report finding less joy in their ministry. Suffering the effects of burnout and declining mental health, some clergy are contemplating a radical vocational change, or have already left traditional ministry altogether. From Weary to Wholehearted isn’t a quick fix, but a much-needed companion to remind faith leaders they are not alone, support them through sustainable tools for finding joy and rest, and re-ground them in spiritual nourishment. Swanlund calls readers to show up with their whole heart, vulnerably and courageously. Each section will address a source of weariness, including overwhelm, loneliness, comparison, lack of inspiration, and more. The book incorporates research in the fields of sociology and psychology, as well as Swanlund’s experience as a faith leader, spiritual companion, and Certified Daring Way facilitator. The chapters will contain scripture, personal meditation, reflection prompts, an invitation toward flourishing, and an original prayer. Drawing upon the rhythm of the liturgical calendar, From Weary to Wholehearted begins with the spiritual themes of justice and anticipation in Advent and moves through the sustainable practices invited by Ordinary Time. While not expressly a homiletic or liturgical resource, it will infuse new life into the ministry of emotionally impoverished preachers and lay leaders.

Invitations to Abundant Life
Invitations to Abundant Life

Author: Trevor Hudson

Publisher: Struik Christian Media

Published: 2010-12-15

Total Pages: 222

ISBN-13: 1415310351

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Invitations to Abundant Life ‘How can we live well?’ Trevor Hudson provides a practical guidebook to life as God intends it to be, answering this question by presenting Jesus as our model – the fully alive One who shows us how we can best live in this world – and helping us learn from Him how to live our everyday lives. Invitations to Abundant Life shows how we can live as apprentices of Jesus by exploring the fundamental aspects of his life of faith, including: Discovering who we are Sharing our hearts with God Overcoming the powers of evil Witnessing to the good news Stewarding faithfully what we possess Speaking words of life and power It is an invitation to a new way of seeing and understanding your life and a deeper, more fulfilling relationship with God.

Discovering Our Spiritual Identity
Discovering Our Spiritual Identity

Author: Trevor Hudson

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Published: 2011-03-17

Total Pages: 199

ISBN-13: 0830868569

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Each chapter in this workbook by Trevor Hudson is peppered with "holy experiments," simple practices that bring you into God's presence and help you experience life as his beloved. At the end of each chapter is a set of questions which are ideal for discussion with one or two spiritual friends or a small group. A Renovaré Resource.

Through the Red Door
Through the Red Door

Author: Dena Bearl Whalen

Publisher: WestBow Press

Published: 2024-05-21

Total Pages: 116

ISBN-13:

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“... Gripping story of determination, listening, dedication, and commitment. Through the Red Door is a witness to the people of God responding to God’s call. The Holy Spirit convicted individuals whose creative vision and courage awakened a people, a Diocese, a city, churches, and others to respond with compassion and commitment. It’s a story not only of passion but of leadership and equipping God’s people for service.” — The Rev. Dr. R. Scott White, Rector Trinity Episcopal Church, Asheville. Laughter, tears, a stolen guitar tracked down and returned, and music-the songs of lives touched by Jesus Christ in courageous unmasked community, where “give and receive” is exchanged from those on the streets as from those in the suburbs, Through The Red Door is a powerful portrait of Kingdom reality. What a blessing to us all it is to have glimpses into the beautiful lives of those who dare proclaim “He Is Risen” by the way they listen, learn and love. To God be the glory! Sue Carmichael Lay Vicar St. Mary’s Springfield Jacksonville, Florida 1982-2017

The Shift
The Shift

Author: Hanitra N. Ralaiarisedy

Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers

Published: 2020-01-06

Total Pages: 82

ISBN-13: 1625645155

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“Know thyself” is a leitmotiv throughout all great wisdom traditions. Inheriting from this principle, postmodern theories regard self-knowledge as the prerequisite to self-actualization and social transformations. While such a view is undeniably important, it cannot fully represent God’s justice and equity. Indeed, it is not given to everyone to know—or just to desire—to know oneself. This book proposes a Christian alternative to human flourishing. Shifting the paradigm of the ancient wisdom that humanistic psychologists and postmodern tools continue to rely on, Christ puts the existential quest of “who we are” aside. Instead, he leads the faithful towards the actualization of their “gifts,” transforming “uncreated energies” into co-creative opportunities for the betterment of their communities, organizations, and countries, regardless of who they are and how well they know themselves. Christ offers the path to the kingdom of God on earth (proposed in this book as the “nothing” from which creation emerges) and in which everyone has a role to play with no exception. Christ claims, “The kingdom of God is here: choose life and self-knowledge follows. Do not be afraid. I am with you!”

Sawānih
Sawānih

Author: Ahmed Ghazzali

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2014-10-13

Total Pages: 63

ISBN-13: 1317848748

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First published in 1986. The present volume is a complete translation of the Sawanih, written by the Persian Sufi master Ahmad Ghazzali with a commentary by the translator. The title of this book, to Sufis, means the inspirations that a mystic experiences on his journey through the world of the Spirit (c?lam-i r?h) or, as it is sometimes called, the world of Pure Spirits (c?lam-i arwah).

To Be Made Well
To Be Made Well

Author: Amy Julia Becker

Publisher: MennoMedia, Inc.

Published: 2022-03-15

Total Pages: 166

ISBN-13: 1513809733

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How can we be made well? From hurting bodies and souls to hurting relationships and communities, it’s clear that things are not as they should be. Some of us live with varying degrees of physical pain, and others of us harbor the emotional pain of loneliness, shame, and guilt. Looking at our culture more broadly, we see the harm of our social divisions and the unyielding reality and impact of injustice and inequity. The gospels brim with stories of Jesus healing people, but what does that mean for us today? In To Be Made Well, author Amy Julia Becker weaves together her own story with reflections on biblical accounts of Jesus’ healing work, providing fresh insight into both the nature of healing and the pathway to healing, then and now. This book is a powerful invitation to personal, spiritual, and social healing as we reconnect to our bodies and souls, to God, and to our communities. ​ For anyone struggling with pain or loss, for anyone concerned about the things that divide us, this book goes beyond wellness and beyond miraculous physical transformations to explore how we can—personally and collectively—be made well.

We Are Beloved
We Are Beloved

Author: Kristen E. Vincent

Publisher: Upper Room Books

Published: 2019-10-01

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13: 0835818950

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Christians often have the head knowledge that we are beloved, but deep in our hearts do we truly believe it? When we encounter Jesus in scripture, we tend to hear Jesus' words with judgment, thinking we cannot be beloved because we will never measure up to God's standards. Author Kristen Vincent takes us on a journey alongside Jesus that helps break this false understanding and allows us to discover how deeply beloved we are. This 6-week Lenten journey follows stories of Jesus' experience of God's love. The incarnate Son of God was made fully human, which means that Jesus had to fully mature in strength and wisdom to learn that he was beloved. Just as Jesus learned of his belovedness, we, too, can cultivate the wisdom and knowledge that we are deeply loved. Each week begins with a scripture passage, a weekly devotion, reflection questions, an optional prayer bead experience, and a listening meditation. A Leader's Guide for small-group study is also included. Be transformed by God's love this Lenten season.