In a century marked by two devastating world wars, the fractious fundamentalist-modernist debate, and growing diversity in the church, Orie O. Miller helped to lead Mennonites from rural isolation to global engagement. In this engaging narrative, My Calling to Fulfill describes how Miller led Mennonite work in education, missions, peacemaking, postwar reconstruction, and mental health, and how he helped to mold every major Mennonite agency from Mennonite Central Committee to Mennonite Economic Development Agency. Filled with previously untold stories of Miller’s personal life—his childhood, college years, marriage, and internal conflict between his commitment to his family and commitment to his beloved church—this inspiring and comprehensive biography traces the contours of twentieth-century Anabaptism through the theology and vocation of one of its most influential leaders. Free downloadable study guide available here.
Marion Lamar Simpson has been called a trailblazer and pioneer among individuals and leaders of his community. The late Atlanta City councilman Archie Byron once stated that Marion was born to help improve the conditions, nurturing, and growth of disadvantaged children and young adults.Marion's life story is told and gives the reader detailed family issues that molded him into being who he became. Much information is revealed from his childhood about incidents in his past while growing up in a world that affected him, his friends, his family, and his community.The book details his achievements, challenges, downfalls, and triumphs of life, and the world's state of turmoil and change during his development. Simpson discusses his battle with using drugs and almost giving up on his dream to be a humanitarian. Mr. Simpson experiences an act of recompense with God himself and recognizes that he is able to accomplish an array of goals by the testing of his faith. If Mr. Simpson had not risen above his life adversities, what would have happened to the over seventeen thousand homeless young people he was eventually responsible for overseeing and providing a haven at the Young Adult Guidance Center Inc.?Marion's story will also be of particular interest to those readers who are studying in the areas of social science, social work, and social services, who may have a desire to develop their own support service agency.
An action-plan for self-fulfillment that helps people find their true calling in life This practical and inspirational guide helps Christian men and women of all ages identify and use their God-given gifts to find purpose, direction, and joy in their life and work. Based on their years of counseling and experience, Kevin and Kay Marie Brennfleck offer action-oriented tools and a proven methodology to help readers develop the decision-making skills they need to discover and live the life that God intended, maximizing the synergies between ministry, work, and spiritual gifts. Kevin and Kay Marie Brennfleck (Pasadena, CA) are nationally recognized experts in career counseling, work satisfaction, and productivity. Their Web site, www.ChristianCareerCenter.com, is the most visited Christian career site on the Internet.
All of us have a yearning to understand where we belong in this world. As Christians, most of us understand from Scripture that God has a purpose for each of us and has gifted us differently. But discovering our unique giftedness and where God calls us to use those gifts eludes so many. In his new book, Discover Your Calling: The ABC of Vocational Discernment, Soo-Inn Tan provides biblical and down-to-earth support for those who seek to better understand how God is shaping their lives. Whether you’re a student, entering the workforce, a homemaker, a mid-career worker, or a retiree, discover how God may be preparing you for the continuing challenge and joy of a lifelong walk with Jesus Christ across all aspects of vocation.
I was not elected to serve one party, but to serve one nation. The president of the United States is the president of every single American, every race and every background. Whether you voted for me or not, I will do my best to serve your interests, and I will work to earn your respect. I will be guided by President Jefferson's sense of purpose: to stand for principle, to be reasonable in manner, and, above all, to do great good for the cause of freedom and harmony. The presidency is more than an honor, it is more than an office. It is a charge to keep, and I will give it my all. --George W. Bush, December 13, 2000, Texas House of Representatives In A Charge to Keep, George W, Bush offers readers a warm, insightful, and honest look at the personal and political experiences that have shaped his values and led to his decision to run for president. The George W. Bush who leaps off these pages has his mother's wit and down-to-earth personality, his father's energy and competitive drive, and his own unique style and philosophy. Written with his long term communications director, Karen Hughes, A Charge to Keep is a revealing look into the background, philosophy, family, and heart of our new president.
Why am I here? What is God's call in my life? How do I fit God's call with my own individuality? How should God's calling affect my career, my plans for the future, and my concepts of success? First published in 1997 by distinguished author and speaker Os Guiness, The Call remains a treasured source of wisdom for those who ask these questions. According to Guinness, "No idea short of God's call can ground and fulfill the truest human desire for purpose and fulfillment." In this newly updated and expanded anniversary edition, Guinness explores the truth that God has a specific calling for each one of us and guides a new generation of readers through the journey of hearing and heeding that call. With more than 100,000 copies in print, The Call is for all who desire a purposeful, intentional life of faith.
Presidential Praise: Our Presidents and Their Hymns offers the most comprehensive coverage ever written of the influence of hymns on the lives and administrations of America's presidents. Each chapter begins with Michael Williams's concise presentation of each president's path to the White House and his accomplishments and failures as president. C. Edward Spann then introduces how each president regarded music, whether or not he was musical, and music in the White House during each president's administration. These hymns may be related to developments in the life of the president, including his spiritual journey, major decisions he had to make as president, or even his selection of the inaugural Scripture. Spann then tells the story of how the hymn was written, both the words and the music. Presenting this scholarly material in an inspiring manner is part of the delight of the book. In doing so, the book covers a panorama of hymnody from 1614 to the 1980s. After an interpretation of the words, it is demonstrated why the chosen hymns were meaningful to each president. The format of each chapter reveals this special emphasis that can't be found elsewhere.
Have you ever wondered what you were created to do? You may think you have an idea, but aren't positive that you are fulfilling the purpose for which God created you. First of all, you have to find the unique purpose that He created you for. In his new book, Andrew Wommack teaches you how to do just that. Once you find the will of God for...
“Challenging, inspiring and practical.” Bear Grylls “I can’t think of anyone more qualified to write about the significance of knowing your purpose than my friend Ken Costa… His new book, Know Your Why, is absolutely foundational to living a purpose driven life.” Rick Warren “Among the crush and the rush of life, there's no better guide in the pursuit of getting it right than my friend Ken Costa… I highly recommend Know Your Why, and am confident you will see more clearly and live more purposefully after absorbing the wisdom in its pages.” Louie Giglio, Pastor, Passion City Church, Passion Conferences “This is an important and timely book. In a world of seemingly endless options, discerning the voice of God can be an increasingly difficult task. Ken draws on decades of experience to help Christians cut through the confusion and distractions and live lives in tune with God.” Andy Stanley, Senior Pastor, North Point Ministries “There are few people on this planet that I find more fascinating than Ken Costa. His capacity for business is only outweighed by his affection for the local church; and he has beautifully modelled to a generation what it means to live out your calling and build the Kingdom.” Brian Houston, Global Founder and Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church Are you working for cash, a career, a cause—or a calling? “Why do you do what you do?” People work for a variety of reasons. For many, the primary purpose of their work is cash. Their principal motivation is the paycheck that funds their everyday needs. Their work is a means to an end. Others are motivated by ambitions for a career, to move up the professional ladder and expand their experience, becoming more skilled in a particular area. Still others work for a cause, believing in the wider purpose of their work, attempting to make a difference in the world—to leave a mark in some way. All of these are legitimate motivations. However, missing from all three is any sense of the value of work itself. The focus is on the output of the workplace, rather than valuing the input. What we need is calling. Those who see their work as a calling experience a rich integration in their lives. They sense a purpose, a direction to their activities. Work has intrinsic meaning, rather than being simply a means to an end. In many ways this is precisely what the Spirit of God does in our lives. When we are in the flow of the Spirit, we are cooperating fully in our God-given callings. When people embrace their callings, they love their work, can manage inevitable tensions that arise, and are welcomed by their colleagues, who sense that there is something beyond the cash or career objectives. But how do we get there? Know Your Why is written with one objective: to help you find your life’s calling so that you can be more satisfied, fulfilled, and happier at work. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” —John 15:16 NIV
Embrace your identity as God's beloved, step out of your own brokenness, and bring hope to a darkened world. You have a calling to fulfill. Are you ready to take the risk of moving past your past to fulfill it? Christine Caine faced hurdles that seemed insurmountable--abuse, abandonment, and the loss of a child. Yet she decided to answer God's call on her life no matter where it would lead her. Many times, the only thing that kept her going was knowing that she was God's beloved. She was God's chosen. Secure in those truths, she moved beyond her pain so she could live the adventure of bringing God's light and love to others around the world. In this updated and expanded edition of her bestselling book, Undaunted, Christine challenges you to embrace the reality of God's love so you can speak it to others as you live out your own unique calling. As Christine writes, "Love like Christ's can lift you out of betrayal and hurt. It can deliver you from any mess. Love like that can release you from every prison of fear and confusion. And love like God's can fill you up till it spills out of you, and you have to speak about it, share it, spread it around." You already have all you need to bring hope to others. With additional biblical teaching, new stories, and a new epilogue, this updated and expanded edition of Undaunted will awaken you to how God wants to work through you and in you as you dare to become who God created you to be. Also available: Undaunted student edition, video curriculum, and study guide.
