Mark Mann seeks to renew discussion of the doctrine of holiness in Christian theology by using the human sciences as a tool for theological reconstruction. He identifies the anthropological presuppositions of the holiness tradition and explores the ways that those presuppositions have led to particular assertions regarding the nature of Christian holiness as that doctrine is affirmed by the holiness tradition. He asks to what extent holiness is possible in this life. How is holiness obtained, and to what extent can people gain knowledge of having acheived holiness? Mann uses the resources of the neurosciences, the sociology of knowledge, and psychology to help answer these questions and to provide constructive theological analysis of these questions.
Learn to let go of your daily toil towards perfection and fall into the lasting freedom of God's grace. As a wife, new mother, business owner, and designer, Emily Ley reached a point when she suddenly realized she couldn't do it all. She needed to simplify her life, organize her days, and prioritize her priorities. She realized that she had been holding herself to a standard of perfection, when what God was really calling her to do was accept the welcoming embrace of his grace. In this four-session video-based study (DVD/video streaming sold separately), Emily—author of A Simplified Life—describes the journey that led to her pursuing a life that allowed her to breathe, laugh, and grow. Along the way, she'll take you and your group through strategies to simplify your lives. Because God so abundantly pours out grace on us, we can surely extend grace to ourselves! This message is for anyone who has been trying to do it all…only to feel like you're burning out. Learn to find joy, acceptance, and clarity in the midst of life's beautiful messes. Sessions include: Let Go of the Perfect Life Surrender Control Build True Community Live in God’s Grace Designed for use with the Grace, Not Perfection Video Study (sold separately).
Should Your Heart Be Tested or Trusted? Many believers are convinced they have a “deceitful” and “wicked” heart that is not to be trusted. Theirs is a faith of duty and obligation—only a faint imitation of the full and abundant life Jesus promised. This provocative book invites you to a radically different approach, an inspiring move from head to heart that affects every aspect of your life: how you handle conflict, how you communicate with and love others, and how you view yourself and God. There’s a place of purity within you where Jesus lives. God calls you to live from this perfect place—not merely from your head, but from your heart. Knowing the perfect you means no more waiting for closeness with God. Knowing the perfect you brings a freedom in Jesus that you’ve never experienced before. “In this captivating book, Andrew Farley and Tim Chalas invite you to celebrate God’s perfect (and accurate!) view of you.” —BART MILLARD, singer/songwriter for MercyMe
Winner of a 2018 Catholic Press Association Award: Family Life. (Second Place). Do you ever feel like a raging tsumani, running through the house like a whirlwind and yelling at the top of your voice while the kids drag their feet and fight with one another as you desperately try to find lost shoes and get out the door on time? Overwhelmed, over-extended, and guilt-plagued? With honesty, humor, and practical wisdom, Getting Past Perfect helps moms overcome Pinterest-inspired perfectionism by replacing your deepest fears and anxieties with a steady trust in God and the freedom to love authentically. If you have ever felt that you were not “enough” as a wife or mom, or if you're someone who struggles to do it all, Getting Past Perfect offers a realistic and reassuring portrait of Catholic womanhood, placing motherhood in the context of every woman's primary role as a child of God. Kate Wicker—journalist, popular speaker, and author of the highly-acclaimed Weightless—shares how she shook off doubt and negative self-perception, finding self-acceptance as a mom and the desire to stop controlling everyone around her. Getting Past Perfect invites you to make this same journey as you learn to embrace the primacy of your role as a daughter of God, even amidst the daily chaos of raising children. Each chapter is designed to debunk the lies and expectations that moms often face, replacing negative self-perceptions with the truths of a woman's true calling. Wicker, a recovering perfectionist, helps you realize: It is perfectly normal to feel like you're in over your head sometimes. You can stop obsessing about what other people think and start focusing on loving yourself and your kids just as you are. Your primary jobs are to let God love you and to love him back. Nurture your prayer life and make time to remember that you are first a daughter of God. It’s important to practice self-care no matter your stage in life. Wicker openly shares how she unwittingly transferred her preoccupation with having the perfect body to being the perfect parent. By honestly sharing her mistakes and triumphs in the trenches of motherhood, Wicker reveals several common falsehoods mothers tell themselves in different seasons of their lives and how speaking the truth can liberate women to become better parents and the truest versions of themselves. Whether you're dealing with endless "why?" questions, unexpected potty emergencies, or even the unanticipated change of a new pregnancy, Getting Past Perfect will help you learn how to lean into God's abiding grace. By closing each chapter with a simple reflection question and prayer, this book provides the tools you need to embrace the messy realities of family life and to emerge from feeling overwhelmed to knowing that you are first and foremost a daughter of God.
Are you standing in the middle of opportunity and being overwhelmed of crazy when you really need calm? Not sure where to start to simplify and bring grace and peace to your home? A Standard of Grace is a gorgeous four-color, joy-inspiring guided journal designed to help you nurture your dreams, discover your hopes, and pay attention to those things you hold dearest to your heart. With quotes, journaling prompts, and Scripture, bestselling author of Grace, Not Perfection and A Simplified Life Emily Ley, encourages you to reach for the life of you want—all while holding to a standard of grace. Both gorgeous and useful, A Standard of Grace will make a lovely gift and keepsake as well as be a powerful tool for both embracing where you are while reaching for your goals and dreams. Through practical, easy-to-follow prompts for journaling and reflection, Scriptures, and inspiring imagery, you'll find an accessible, inspirational journal that to enjoy personally and to share with friends.
As she grows up in a generation that is busier and more distracted than ever, your tween girl will love the fun vibe and practical ideas in Grace, Not Perfection for Young Readers by bestselling author, creator of the Simplified Planner, and organizational expert Emily Ley. Today's fast-paced, technology-driven society affects all ages, but it's taking its biggest toll on our kids. Does your middle grader feel compelled to participate in a ton of activities, be an excellent student, take a perfect photo for every occasion, and be friends with as many people as possible--only to end up exhausted and anxious? Help her adopt a new, life-giving perspective in Grace, Not Perfection for Young Readers. With a colorful interior, plenty of photos, and actionable tips and lists, this young readers' edition of Emily Ley's popular book reminds you and your daughter that God offers abundant grace every day. Emily's ideas include how to . . . Create significant moments rather than orchestrating a picture-perfect life. Pare down activities to what matters most--without FOMO. Simplify life by simplifying three major areas: your space, your time, and your mind. Create effective to-do lists and get through them one step at a time. Perfect for back-to-school, Christmas, birthdays, and coming-of-age celebrations, Grace, Not Perfection for Young Readers is completely reimagined for a younger audience but still includes Emily's signature aesthetic and message. It's a great book to enjoy with your daughter as you find your own new freedom in the adult edition. Timely and engaging, Grace, Not Perfection for Young Readers helps tween girls embrace the most important elements of life, trim off the superficial and superfluous, let go of unrealistic standards, and journey toward adulthood with the right outlook and tools to have a simpler, grace-filled, and happy life.
Christ rejoices when we receive His gifts of forgiveness, salvation, and friendship. This book will help you more fully partake of Christ s grace, peace, hope, love, and rest. The good news of God s grace replaces feelings of guilt, shame, and inadequacy with joy, excitement, and confidence. Reader will gain a better understand the doctrines of grace, mercy, justification, and sanctification. The miracle of justification declares the imperfect as perfect in Christ and heirs of the celestial kingdom. With Christ, you are enough. Christ s amazing grace is sufficient. Jesus is not just good at saving people. He is perfect at saving people. He is a perfect Savior. He is mighty to save. Now that is Good News!
In seven chapters, Willimon examines United Methodism and the ways it has made and continues to make a difference in his life. In an inspiring and enlightening way, he writes of his pride in being part of a church that has grown from one man's experience to a worldwide movement covering the globe with its message. A learning guide for groups and individuals is included. Chapter titles: Because Religion Is of the Heart Because the Bible Is Our Book Because Religion Is Practical Because Christians Are to Witness Because Christians Are to Grow Because Religion Is Not a Private Affair
Books on the Christian life abound. Some focus on spirituality, others on practices, and others still on doctrines such as justification or forgiveness. Few offer an account of the Christian life that portrays redeemed Christian existence within the multifaceted and beautiful whole of the Christian confession. This book attempts to fill that gap. It provides a constructive, specifically theological interpretation of the Christian life according to the nature of God's grace. This means coordinating the Triune God, his reconciling, justifying, redemptive, restorative, and otherwise transformative action with those practices of the Christian life emerging from it. The doctrine of the Christian life developed here unifies doctrine and life, confession and practice within the divine economy of grace. Drawing together some of the most important theologians in the church today, Sanctified by Grace achieves what no other theological text offers – a shared work of dogmatic theology oriented to redeemed Christian existence.
