In this thoughtful and timely book, Bishop Alexander explores his journey through the theological, scriptural, and pastoral aspects of the questions surrounding homosexuality and the Christian faith.
This book is about God’s grace, mercy, and redemption. One man was destined for tragedy and death as he ventured deep into denigration and a life far from God. He ran from God’s purpose for a very long time, but God’s grace met him where he ended up in a psychiatric hospital. God turned this man’s life from destruction into a compelling story of redemption. He can do the same for you! God’s grace (unmerited favor) is available, and it never ends! Mercy is not receiving what we deserve, and grace is receiving what we have not earned. God’s grace is more than enough!
In this thoughtful and timely book, Bishop Alexander explores his journey through the theological, scriptural, and pastoral aspects of the questions surrounding homosexuality and the Christian faith. Writing in the weeks after the General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved the appointment of the church's first openly gay bishop, Bishop Alexander offers a personal view of his changing outlook—from exclusion to acceptance—on this important issue. He also offers thought-provoking perspectives on scripture and tradition. This Far by Grace will prove a vital resource for discussion and reflection by individuals, parishes, and dioceses.
"If your faith is the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."--Matthew 17:20 A clarion call for those who want to have God in their lives every day and not just on Sundays, This Far by Faith offers clear-sighted, friendly advice that will guide readers gently into the new millennium. As the owners of a flourishing company called This Far by Faith Enterprises, Linnie Frank and Andria Hall have started nationwide "Circle of Seven" prayer groups, produce a newsletter called "The Mustard Seed," and conduct lectures and seminars at their Rhode Island retreat center. Now, in This Far by Faith, Frank and Hall share the "Faith Formula" they have developed in their work together, which they use in their own lives to conquer daily obstacles. Through Scripture, original prayers and affirmations, and plain old-fashioned "straight talk," the authors tackle issues ranging from friendship, family, love, marriage, child-rearing, and work, all while underscoring the importance of faith and perseverance as a way of maintaining balance in today's busy world. In chapters such as "What You Won't Do for Love," "Keeping the Home Fires Burning," "A House Is Not a Home," "Jobs, Career, and Callings," and "Give Me That Old Time Religion," Frank and Hall discuss ways to "live in the light."
Grace Thus Far is a story of hope and healing, tragedy and triumph, and one womans journey of extreme faith. Grace Thus Far chronicles the premature birth of twins to recording artist Ginger Millermon, and the ensuing medical struggles of her son, Jarrott. A tiny preemie, Jarrott was never expected to survive and at four months old, Ginger and her husband Joel were asked to take him off life support because the doctors believed, if he lived, he would not have any quality of life. The Millermons refused to give up on Jarrott, and fought to keep him alive. Grace Thus Far will make you laugh, cry, and feel the pain of this family's daily struggle as Ginger shares excerpts from the personal journal she kept while Jarrott was in the hospital. You will be encouraged, moved, and strengthened in your faith.
OVER TWO MILLION COPIES SOLD! It's the most powerful force in the universe, our only hope for love and forgiveness, and a foretaste of eternal life: amazing, radical, life-changing grace. Millions of lives have been changed by award-winning author Philip Yancey's startling exploration of grace at street level. Grace is the one thing the world can't duplicate, the healing force we need, and the key to transforming a broken world. In this revised and updated edition of his personal and provocative book, Yancey offers true portraits of grace's life-changing power. These stories, set in the midst of life's stark realities, evoke such questions as: If grace is God's love for the undeserving, how do I get it? How well are we dispensing grace to a world that knows far more of strife and unforgiveness than it does of mercy? Can grace make a difference in the midst of such atrocities as the Nazi holocaust, and how can it withstand the brutality of hate? With powerful stories, rich theology, and practical suggestions, Yancey challenges us to become living answers to a world that desperately needs to know, What's So Amazing About Grace?
A stunningly innovative visual edition of the award-winning What's so amazing about grace? by bestselling author Philip Yancey. This visual edition takes the text of the Gold Medallion Award-winning original and illustrates its themes and message with provocative full-color photography and illustrations. You'll 'experience grace' as you interact with its engaging visual content.
Is it singing? A church service? All of life? Helping Christians think more theologically about the nature of true worship, Rhythms of Grace shows how the gospel is all about worship and worship is all about the gospel. Mike Cosper ultimately answers the question: What is worship?
At a time when the church needs an urgent wake-up call and a fresh encounter with Jesus, the hyper-grace message is lulling many to sleep. Claiming to be a new revelation of grace, this teaching is gaining in popularity, but is it true? Or is the glorious truth of grace being polluted by errors, leading to backsliding, compromise, and even the abandonment of faith?
Lament is how you live between the poles of a hard life and trusting God’s goodness. Lament is how we bring our sorrow to God—but it is a neglected dimension of the Christian life for many Christians today. We need to recover the practice of honest spiritual struggle that gives us permission to vocalize our pain and wrestle with our sorrow. Lament avoids trite answers and quick solutions, progressively moving us toward deeper worship and trust. Exploring how the Bible—through the psalms of lament and the book of Lamentations—gives voice to our pain, this book invites us to grieve, struggle, and tap into the rich reservoir of grace and mercy God offers in the darkest moments of our lives.