A young professor of religion and philosophy is called to a prophetic ministry on his campus. A prophet is someone who has a unique and distinct message, one who sees into a situation with startling clarity. One who suddenly and unmistakably knows the truth and its implications. One who must speak out in a way that will forever change the reality of the situation. One who speaks truth to power and pays the price. He is forced to make the most difficult decisions of his life. He is challenged to defend the values for which he stands that he has taught to generations of students.
What do you do when you wake up and feel like you're not enough for your life? Or when you look out the kitchen window as dusk falls and wonder how do you live when life keeps breaking your heart? As Ann Voskamp writes, “great grief isn't meant to fit inside your body. It's why your heart breaks.” And each of us holds enough brokenness to overflow—to be given as the greatest story of our lives. In sixty vulnerably soulful stories, The Way of Abundance moves from self-weary brokenness to Christ-focused givenness. Drawing from the critically acclaimed, New York Times bestseller The Broken Way and Ann's online essays, this devotional dares us to embrace brokenness as a gift that moves us to givenness as a way to draw closer to the heart of God. Christ Himself broke like bread, giving Himself to us so we might have a lifelong communion with Him. Could it be that our brokenness is also a gift to the world? This gentle but exquisitely profound book does nothing less than take you on an intimate journey of the soul. As Ann writes, "The wound in His side proves that Jesus is always on the side of the suffering, the wounded, the busted, the broken." Discover how surrendering in unexpected ways is the first step toward receiving what you long for. Discover the good news that your beauty is not in your strength but in your fragility. Discover why your healing shines radiant through your wounds—and how only in brokenness will you ever be whole—and find the way to the abundance you were meant for.
In the summer of 1995, Mary Earle returned from a vacation feeling refreshed and restored from her time away. A few days later, all that changed, when she was rushed to the emergency room with a case of acute and life-threatening pancreatitis. Being ill, she discovered, forces you to learn to live in whole new ways, ones often marked by limitation and fragility. As a priest and spiritual director, Earle began to explore ways in which her own prayer life might help her build a different relationship with her illness. Using the Benedictine practice of lectio divina, or sacred reading, she began to "read" her own illness, and discovered a way of befriending and helping to heal--if not cure--her body and her life. In Broken Body, Healing Spirit, Earle introduces this strategy to others who are hungry to find ways of living more fully despite chronic or serious illness or pain. Her practical, step-by-step approach to "reading the text of our illnesses," and learning to listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us will be of help to those who are currently suffering with disease or limitations, as well as to those who are caregivers and counselors.
Events in our lives, both good and bad, form rings in us like the rings in a tree. Each ring records memories that affect our feelings, our relationships, and our thoughts about God. In this classic work, David Seamands encourages us to live compassionately with ourselves as we allow the Holy Spirit to heal our past. As he helps us name hurdles in our lives—such as guilt, poor self-worth, and perfectionism—he shows us how we can find freedom from our pain and enjoy the abundant life God wants for us.
Resurrect beauty from the ashes of betrayal Wife and mother Cindy Beall’s world was shattered when her beloved husband of nine years confessed his pornography addiction, numerous affairs, and the stunning news that another woman was pregnant with his child. What could have been the end of a marriage instead became a testament to God’s miraculous ability to restore broken hearts and damaged bonds. With the wisdom and healing she’s gained in the twenty years that have passed since her husband’s devastating revelation, Cindy shares her own experience as well as those of couples she’s counselled. Drawing from her intimate knowledge of human pain and God’s power, Cindy shows how you can… seek support, counseling, and prayer after deception has surfaced rebuild trust that’s been eroded by infidelity, addiction, or other transgressions help your family heal from grief and reconcile with any long-term consequences rely on God to pursue forgiveness and move forward in new promises Cindy’s remarkable story, compassion, and grasp of God’s Word will help you trust God with your heartache as you seek His hope and redemption.
Daily Devotions for Your Grief Journey provides comforting and encouraging devotions for the first year of the grief journey. Each month begins with a short personal reflection by the author related to the month’s theme, followed by a Preparation Scripture and meditation that set the stage for the next four weeks. Each brief daily meditation includes Scripture, a thought to consider, a prayer, and words of assurance. Space is provided at the end of each month for recording the inmost thoughts and feelings along the journey of grief. Daily Devotions for Your Grief Journey can be used as a stand-alone devotional or part of the eight-week support and ministry program, Beyond the Broken Heart. In this program, author Julie Yarbrough chronicles her personal experience combined with a deep love of Scripture and years of leading grief support groups to create an authentic and deeply personal exploration of the grief journey. "Julie Yarbrough has walked through the valley of the shadow of death and experienced the pain and anguish of great grief, and she knows firsthand the comfort and strength that only God can provide. I commend this remarkable grief ministry program to you highly." James W. Moore, Pastor in Residence, Highland Park United Methodist Church, Dallas, Texas "With wisdom informed by her own experience and a warm regard for those who grieve, Julie Yarbrough guides the brokenhearted on an honest journey toward acceptance and hope. A refreshingly excellent resource for grief support." Stephan Bauman, Senior Minister, Christ Church New York City "Julie Yarbrough weaves understanding, care, and comfort together in such a way that the seemingly intolerable becomes tolerable, one breath at a time. This resource provides everything you need to promote, establish, and conduct grief groups throughout the year." Judith Bone, Director of Adult Discipleship, Brentwood United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tennessee
For many people, remaining optimistic and feeling positive about themselves and their lives is a constant battle—especially when circumstances are difficult and life is hard. For others, negativity is something that only sneaks up from time to time, yet still wreaks havoc in their hearts. Regardless of the root causes, once pessimistic thoughts permeate our minds, our feelings and emotions begin to control us instead of us controlling them. Eventually it doesn’t seem possible to stay positive, happy, and full of joy, and negative thought patterns shake our faith, causing us to sink emotionally, mentally, and spiritually over time. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Despite what storms roll in, hearts anchored in God don’t sink. When we change the way we think, we can change the way we feel and live, even if our circumstances remain the same. Intentionally embracing the opportunity to experience a transformed heart and a renewed mind opens the door for a changed life, because a positive mind will always lead to a more positive life. In Unsinkable Faith, author and Proverbs 31 Ministries speaker Tracie Miles offers hope for women who struggle with negativity. Each chapter explores Tracie’s and other women’s personal stories, showing how they rose above their circumstances by transforming and renewing their minds. Unsinkable Faith is a breath of fresh air for anyone longing for a heart full of joy, an unbreakable smile, and a new, more optimistic perspective on life. This book will equip you to: Replace pessimism with positive thinking by becoming the captain of your thoughts; Learn how true joy and happiness are based on choice, not circumstances; Overcome unhealthy habits of negative thinking by intentionally implementing three easy mind-renewing steps; Stop feeling hopeless and pitiful, and start feeling hope-filled and powerful instead; and Discover that when you change the way you think, you change the way feel, and in turn you can change your life completely.
Julia Sumnicht was an ambitious 21-year- old junior at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse when her lofty dreams and life would end abruptly on March 15, 2010. Julia's mysterious death during her spring break in Miami Beach, Florida, left unanswered questions and her family devastated. The Sumnicht family would suffer further disappointment when the justice system crushed their hopes of bringing closure to Julia's death. In 2014, a nationally recognized investigator would confirm important information about Julia's death but would leave further disillusionment. Investigative findings would point circumstantial evidence to two suspects who were with Julia in her last hours. Faced with one challenge after another, Julia's mother, Marie Sumnicht, would not be deterred in her search for resolution. A soul-searching journey would lead Marie through the depths of despair and toward a place of healing she never thought possible. Beyond Broken Mission * To empower bereaved parents and provide a roadmap of life truths.* To guide families through sudden loss from senseless acts of injustice, and give them hope and peace. * To passionately advocate date rape drug prevention and to provide steps for young people to avoid senseless deaths such as Julia's.
