There are those who think that their life is just too far-gone and that they are just "too bad" to be used by God. This simply is not true no matter how young, old, or bad you think you are it is never too late for God. I hope to show you this through this testimony that there is still hope and that it is not about whom we are but who Jesus is. It is not about what we have done but it is about what Jesus has done. Honestly, we will never be good enough but because what Jesus has done, we have been made good enough through Him. Nevertheless, like me as a young person, there are those who have the wrong idea of God and His grace because of lack of knowledge and going off other peoples' relationships with God. It is not until we have a true understanding of God and the character of God and actually start applying His principles and precepts does it start to make a difference in our lives.
A compassionate, shame-free guide for your darkest days “A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joy” and “pray more.” So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you. You just want a way out. But there’s hope. In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better. Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.
As young boy of eight years old raised in an abusive home where there was no love naturally, I was in search of something else. I had heard in church how God was all about love and that He could help me if I would be saved. Sounded good to me! Therefore, I came to God, SO I THOUGHT, I had the wrong idea of God and how He was going to work in my life. As time went on things seemed to start getting worse instead of better there was more abuse and I started spending time in the street instead of home. At the age of fifteen, I was an alcoholic and a chain smoker I had already tried to commit suicide once by this time and by the time I was seventeen I was a full-fledged junkie. I hated God for abandoning me, I thought to myself if this is how it is with God then I am better off without Him, and lived my life accordingly. Later on in my life, I would become a member of a satanic occult and again try to commit suicide. Constantly trying to end my life because I felt I was no good to myself, anyone else and especially God but it just seemed like the more I tried the less I would succeed. God kept interfering, He just would not let me die, I did not know why, and I asked Him God why won't you just let me die? Moreover, that question would change my life forever. I thought it was because He was trying to get back at me but on the contrary, He was going to use me to help those like me. There are those who think that their life is just too far-gone and that they are just "too bad" to be used by God. This simply is not true no matter how young, old, or bad you think you are it is never too late for God. I hope to show you this through this testimony that there is still hope and that it is not about whom we are but who Jesus is. It is not about what we have done but it is about what Jesus has done. Honestly, we will never be good enough but because what Jesus has done, we have been made good enough through Him. Nevertheless, like me as a young person, there are those who have the wrong idea of God and His grace because of lack of knowledge and going off other peoples' relationships with God. It is not until we have a true understanding of God and the character of God and actually start applying His principles and precepts does it start to make a difference in our lives.
The time has come for Pietism to revitalize Christianity in America. Historian Christopher Gehrz and pastor Mark Pattie argue that the spirit of Pietism, with its emphasis on our walk with Jesus and its vibrant hope for a better future, holds great promise for the church today. Modeled after Philipp Spener's Pia Desideria, this concise and winsome volume introduces Pietism to a new generation.
From the author of the national bestseller Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy comes a guide to mental wellness that helps you get beyond depression and anxiety and make life an exhilarating experience! With his phenomenally successful Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy, Dr. David Burns introduced a groundbreaking, drug-free treatment for depression. In this bestselling companion, he reveals powerful new techniques and provides step-by-step exercises that help you cope with the full range of everyday problems. • Free yourself from fears, phobias, and panic attacks. • Overcome self-defeating attitudes. • Discover the five secrets of intimate communication. • Put an end to marital conflict. • Conquer procrastination and unleash your potential for success. With everything you need to know about commonly prescribed psychiatric drugs and anxiety disorders, such as agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, this remarkable guide can show you how to feel good about yourself and the people you care about. You will discover that life can be an exhilarating experience. “A wonderful achievement—the best in its class.”—M. Anthony Bates, clinical psychologist at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in Philadelphia “Clear, systematic, forceful.”—Albert Ellis, PhD, president of the Albert Ellis Institute
If we want to see God in the midst of our struggles, we have to change the way we look for him. There is no denying that miracles, answers to prayer, and abundant blessings testify to God’s presence. When the desires of our hearts are filled, it’s easy to see him. But what about the seasons when he seems invisible? Scripture tells us God never sleeps, but it is easy to feel like he is not attuned to our needs. Shift explores the life-changing truth that when we adjust our lens to focus our eyes on God rather than on what we wish we were seeing in our lives, he reveals himself to us. In fact, those moments when he seems invisible to us are often when others see him the most in us. When Jesus walked the earth, he looked to God for his earthly needs. Jesus had deep a relationship with the Father that fueled his mission, his purpose, and his effectiveness. Scripture tells us that we can have that too. But there is a shift that needs to take place in our hearts and minds. No matter our circumstances, we can see God in our lives—right here, right now.
Reflecting on the practice of disciple making in young adult, college, graduate, and local church contexts, Jonathan Dodson has discerned some common pitfalls. For many, discipleship is reduced to a form of religious performance before God. For others, it devolves into spiritual license and a loose adherence to spiritual facts. Both approaches distort biblical motivations for Christian obedience and are in need of reform. By explaining various motivations for discipleship, Dodson charts a biblically faithful, grace-driven alternative. Additionally, he provides a practical model for creating gospel-centered discipleship groups—small, reproducible, missional, gender-specific groups of believers that fight for faith together. This book blends both theology and practice to inspire and equip Christians to effectively fight sin, keep Jesus central, and make gospel-centered discipleship a way of life. Both new and growing Christians will learn to trust the gospel in community as they fight together for holiness as well as how to start gospel-centered community groups in any local church.
“Many people say you can fix a broken marriage, but Mark and Jill show you how.” —Dr. Juli Slattery, psychologist, author, and president of Authentic Intimacy No marriage is perfect. But every marriage can get better. Do you feel like the spark is gone? Like a critical spirit has invaded your marriage? Like you want more intimacy, but something is in the way? You could be suffering from the Perfection Infection. The Perfection Infection happens when we cultivate unrealistic expectations of ourselves and our spouse, gradually leading to intimacy-killing behavior, also known as the “Seven Slow Fades.” That was the case for Jill and Mark Savage, and it eventually led to infidelity. In No More Perfect Marriages they speak honestly about their struggles, how they came back from betrayal, and the principles keeping their marriage strong today. They guide you in everything you need to know to kick the Perfection Infection right out and return to intimacy. In their warm, honest, personable style, Jill and Mark discuss: How the Perfection Infection invades a marriage—even a good marriage How to detect and correct the Seven Slow Fades How to set and communicate realistic expectations What to do if your spouse just won’t change How to guard your marriage from the Perfection Infection for good Hurting marriages can heal, and good marriages can become great. It takes work, yes, but No More Perfect Marriages will give you the insights, language, and roadmap you need for the journey. So start today. GROUP RESOURCES: A leader’s guide is included in the back of the book. FREE video curriculum and additional group resources are available for No More Perfect Marriages at www.NoMorePerfect.com. _____ “[Replaces] the Hollywood mirage of a storybook romance with a healthy blueprint of a real and rock-solid relationships. If you're looking for an authentic story, practical how-to, and hope to build true and lasting love, you've found it." — Michele Cushatt, author, Undone: A Story of Making Peace With An Unexpected Life “… Will empower readers to create healthier responses when facing marital challenges… Excited [to add it] to our recommended resources for couples." — Michelle Nietert, licensed counselor “Vulnerable, honest, and helpful… If you want to improve, save, restore, or renew your marriage, read this book.” — Mike Baker, sr. pastor, Eastview Christian Church, Normal, Illinois “Encouraging and very practical!” — Shaunti Feldhahn, social researcher and bestselling author of For Women Only and For Men Only
The events that occur in the book of Job present readers with a profound question: "Why do the righteous suffer?" Although a direct answer to this question seems important, the book of Job does not set forth such a response. Job never learned the reasons for his suffering. In fact, when God finally confronted Job, he could only put his hand over his mouth and say nothing. His silence underscores the importance of trusting God's purposes in the midst of suffering, because suffering—like all other human experiences—is directed by perfect divine wisdom. In this study, pastor John MacArthur will guide you through an in-depth look at the defining themes and interpretative challenges in Job. Studies include close-up examinations of doctrinal themes such as God's Justice and "A Discourse on Human Frailty." —ABOUT THE SERIES— The MacArthur Bible Study series is designed to help you study the Word of God with guidance from widely respected pastor and author John MacArthur. Each guide provides intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture by examining its parts and incorporates: Extensive, but straight-forward commentary on the text. Detailed observations on overriding themes, timelines, history, and context. Word and phrase studies to help you unlock the broader meaning and apply it to your life. Probing, interactive questions with plenty of space to write down your response and thoughts.
