The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller explores the foundation truths of the Gospel by helping us see more clearly the heart of God. He uses the parable of the Prodigal Son(s) in Luke 15 to emphasize the unstoppable searching of God and longing of God for his lost children.
Not only was the younger brother lost, the older brother was just as lost, even through he never left home, he left his father in his heart. And the father in this parable was willing to leave his house to go after both of his sons and bring them back to him - not just geographically, but relationally.
This book is a great read from a great writer and pastor. As we continue in our series "Found," we highly recommend this book whether you're new in your Christian faith or you've been walking with Christ for years.
The Prodigal God
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Renovation of the Heart
Change and Transformation is an ongoing process. It’s all good when God is leading this process by His Spirit. Christians globally need to embrace this transformational path of grace if we are to be salt and light in our world.
“We aren’t born again to stay the way we are. But how many times have we looked around us in dismay at the lack of spiritual maturity in fellow believers?...There’s good news. You can experience significant growth in your Christian walk, shed sinful habits, and increasingly take on the character of Christ.” Willard calls this renovation of the heart or transformation of the human spirit “a divine process that brings every element in our being, working from the inside out, into harmony with the will of God or the kingdom of God.”
Willard shares that the heart and soul is the seat of our lives, and that the process of transformation and change starts with renewing our mind and thought life. He then goes on to talk about renovating our feelings, will and soul by the grace of God. This then emanates towards our bodies, church and social “dimension” or surroundings.
Renovation of the Heart is a must-read for any genuine follower of Christ who wants to see the grace of God at work in this process of spiritual transformation. There’s a regular version and a student version and workbook available as well. Happy reading!
“We aren’t born again to stay the way we are. But how many times have we looked around us in dismay at the lack of spiritual maturity in fellow believers?...There’s good news. You can experience significant growth in your Christian walk, shed sinful habits, and increasingly take on the character of Christ.” Willard calls this renovation of the heart or transformation of the human spirit “a divine process that brings every element in our being, working from the inside out, into harmony with the will of God or the kingdom of God.”
Willard shares that the heart and soul is the seat of our lives, and that the process of transformation and change starts with renewing our mind and thought life. He then goes on to talk about renovating our feelings, will and soul by the grace of God. This then emanates towards our bodies, church and social “dimension” or surroundings.
Renovation of the Heart is a must-read for any genuine follower of Christ who wants to see the grace of God at work in this process of spiritual transformation. There’s a regular version and a student version and workbook available as well. Happy reading!
Living the Resurrection
By Eugene Peterson
Best Selling Author and leading Christian thinker Eugene Peterson explains that the resurrection is not so much a fact to be known but a truth to be lived. “The resurrection of Jesus is not simply proof of his divinity, nor is the event something Christians should celebrate on one day of the liturgical year and then forget. The resurrection has crucial relevance for our spiritual formation every day.”
This book immerses you in the life-changing experience of this biblical event. Peterson reflects upon three aspects of Christ’s resurrection that define our lives and energize our faith:
● Resurrection Wonder – the central focus of our life in Christ is His resurrection
● Resurrection Meals – the invitations to spiritual growth and formation within our usual daily experiences
● Resurrection Friends – the intimate relationships and fellowship that followed His resurrection had new meaning and renewed hope
Using imagery full of beauty, life and biblical revelation, Peterson brings us to the central place of life and faith – the resurrection of Christ. Living the Resurrection is a must read for anyone who is serious about celebrating Jesus’ resurrection life 24/7!
Best Selling Author and leading Christian thinker Eugene Peterson explains that the resurrection is not so much a fact to be known but a truth to be lived. “The resurrection of Jesus is not simply proof of his divinity, nor is the event something Christians should celebrate on one day of the liturgical year and then forget. The resurrection has crucial relevance for our spiritual formation every day.”
This book immerses you in the life-changing experience of this biblical event. Peterson reflects upon three aspects of Christ’s resurrection that define our lives and energize our faith:
● Resurrection Wonder – the central focus of our life in Christ is His resurrection
● Resurrection Meals – the invitations to spiritual growth and formation within our usual daily experiences
● Resurrection Friends – the intimate relationships and fellowship that followed His resurrection had new meaning and renewed hope
Using imagery full of beauty, life and biblical revelation, Peterson brings us to the central place of life and faith – the resurrection of Christ. Living the Resurrection is a must read for anyone who is serious about celebrating Jesus’ resurrection life 24/7!
How to Worship Jesus Christ
How to Worship Jesus Christ, by Joseph S. Carroll, is an essential book for everyone’s library. This classic book literally transformed my devotional life and made me hungry for Christ and Christ alone. What was the ruling passion of Hudson Taylor’s life, of King David, Paul the Apostle, or Amy Carmichael? Was it charity, evangelism, fellowship, preaching, the gifts of the Spirit, prophecy or even miracles? No – not really.
The one ruling passion was worship. They loved their Lord and cultivated that love. Christ was their goal. “To win Christ, to know Christ, to love Christ, to have intimate fellowship with Christ, this was their goal.” But how do you practically worship Jesus Christ? We all desire to know and understand and practice this “great essential,” but find it challenging. Joseph Carroll gives you the practical tools to succeed. Absolute surrender, a pure heart, and making a choice to worship are our part. Once we understand this, we can be unhindered in our worship by using scripture, hymns, and other books to worship Jesus.
Have you made some new year’s resolutions for 2008? If worship is your “one ruling passion” you will never be the same. Jack Hayford believes that the highest and most noble call of the church is worship. May that be our focus this year like never before!
The one ruling passion was worship. They loved their Lord and cultivated that love. Christ was their goal. “To win Christ, to know Christ, to love Christ, to have intimate fellowship with Christ, this was their goal.” But how do you practically worship Jesus Christ? We all desire to know and understand and practice this “great essential,” but find it challenging. Joseph Carroll gives you the practical tools to succeed. Absolute surrender, a pure heart, and making a choice to worship are our part. Once we understand this, we can be unhindered in our worship by using scripture, hymns, and other books to worship Jesus.
Have you made some new year’s resolutions for 2008? If worship is your “one ruling passion” you will never be the same. Jack Hayford believes that the highest and most noble call of the church is worship. May that be our focus this year like never before!
“The Glory of Christmas”
Celebrating Christmas each year is often synonymous with giving and receiving gifts. Have you ever opened a gift and inside was another box? And in that box was another box, and in that box another? The gift Christ has for us is similar to this. However, the gift He has for each of us keeps on giving – for eternity!
“The Glory of Christmas” written by By Charles Swindoll, Max Lucado, Charles Colson will open your eyes to see the wonders and promises of His birth. You will discover that Christmas offers a wonderful message of Christ’s promises to us as Christians: The gift of Christ’s birth, the gift of salvation, the gift of God’s unfailing love, freedom from guilt, victory in life, the gift of comfort and joy, the gift of an unfailing Friend…“The Glory of Christmas” is written to remind us that Christ is the greatest gift of all!
This book is written by three prolific contemporary Christian authors. Christian Book review says, “Three best-selling Christian authors pool their talents for a Christmas collection that highlights the most wonderful gift of all---Jesus Christ. Drawing from the works of Swindoll, Lucado, and Colson, this magnificently illustrated treasury will remind you of all that Christ's gift means: salvation, righteousness, relationship, encouragement, and more.”
“The Glory of Christmas” written by By Charles Swindoll, Max Lucado, Charles Colson will open your eyes to see the wonders and promises of His birth. You will discover that Christmas offers a wonderful message of Christ’s promises to us as Christians: The gift of Christ’s birth, the gift of salvation, the gift of God’s unfailing love, freedom from guilt, victory in life, the gift of comfort and joy, the gift of an unfailing Friend…“The Glory of Christmas” is written to remind us that Christ is the greatest gift of all!
This book is written by three prolific contemporary Christian authors. Christian Book review says, “Three best-selling Christian authors pool their talents for a Christmas collection that highlights the most wonderful gift of all---Jesus Christ. Drawing from the works of Swindoll, Lucado, and Colson, this magnificently illustrated treasury will remind you of all that Christ's gift means: salvation, righteousness, relationship, encouragement, and more.”