“There I go again, not doing what I want to do and, instead, doing what I don’t want to do. What kind of Christian am I, anyway? Even more: “Who am I, anyway?” Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Many Christians, perhaps most, have wondered the same thing. Glorified Rubble: Rebuilding the True You (The You God Intended in the First Place) is the journey of a man who spent years after he became a Christian wondering it about himself, feeling trapped in a sin he didn’t want nor how to get out of. A sin most of the church didn’t want to address, except to condemn. A sin that made him feel like a second-class citizen, separate from other Christians. But the man knew he was saved and he loved Jesus. Finally determined to break free of the trap, he turned to the Holy Spirit to teach him directly from scripture how to overcome sin as a Christian. To his amazement, he discovered core biblical truths that applied to him and all Christians – core biblical truths much of the church has lost sight of and are shrouded by secular ideas and language. Glorified Rubble: Rebuilding the True You (The You God Intended in the First Place) is more than a man learning how to overcome sin in his life. It’s a clarion call to every pastor, church leader – every Christian – to return to core biblical truths: the systematic unfolding of the Word of God from Genesis through Revelation. The need to replace making church goers with making disciples! A Reformation!
Suicide was moments away until someone knocked on the door. Author Patrick Vandenburgh explains his life story of teenage alcohol and drug addiction gone awry. A Knock On The Door is a gripping story of a normal, middle-class, star athlete turned twice convicted felon. His life is hopelessly lost until an amazing encounter on a dark, country road. The story becomes even more intriguing when the victims offer forgiveness through Christian love. The destiny of friendship was birthed through a tragic event and A Knock On The Door. This story will move you to tears and shouts of joy as you become a participant identifying with the trials and triumphs of life. No Endorsements at this time. Patrick Vandenburgh is currently serving as Senior Pastor of The Fathers House Church in Lena, Illinois. He studied Bible Theology and Christian Education at Wheaton College and received a History degree from Colombia College. Patrick has served as a Youth Pastor, Senior Pastor, and President of an Evangelistic Ministry entitled Saved By Grace. He has traveled nationally and internationally sharing his story with millions at churches, schools, and prisons/jails. His story has twice aired nationally on the television program The 700 Club. Patrick has been married to his beautiful wife, Tricia, for thirteen years. They have five lovely children- Christa (12), Timothy (11), Ezekiel (8), and Katie Grace (6), and a newborn.
“I don’t know how to say what the grace of God is. What I can say is what it’s like for me.” We all know about grace being amazing—after all, there’s a whole song about it—but Patrick Henry reminds us that that’s not all it is. It’s also intimidating, disorienting, demanding, reassuring, and sometimes even just downright mind-boggling. Describing thirty-three different aspects of grace based on his everyday experiences, Henry tells the story of a grace that is wide-ranging and comprehensive—if not always comprehensible. Rather than trying to capture and tame his encounters with God, he lets the mystery of memory speak for itself, exemplifying his mantra that being a Christian is about being “an explorer, not a colonizer.” Flashes of Grace is wise and grounded, earnest and light, faithful and quirky. Henry describes encountering grace in airports, baseball, hazelnuts, and just about anywhere else you can imagine, while engaging with dialogue partners ranging from King Saul and Saint Augustine to Yogi Berra and Captain Picard. For anyone longing to connect (or reconnect) with God, this book provides a surprising journey that broadens perspectives and explores strange new worlds, while loosening stiff spiritual joints so movement can be free and spontaneous.
I intended to ensure this book, further opens the eyes to the truth and light of God. We can see the need for Christianity worldwide and the Irish and people of Ireland are seen to be one of the special lights of God. I also understand that the foundation of holiness and being holy and the foundation of this also seen in Ireland as well. As touch of Gods hand was on me, this helped in the growing of this book. There is one light and that is God, and from book writing to even a trip to Ireland, I was able to elaborate the blessing of God seen through different points I wrote in this book. Points that can be used in the united states and throughout the world.
Popular culture constantly bombards us with the idea that modern scientific knowledge has rendered Christianity obsolete. The common conception is that those who believe in God do so through blind faitha faith that is devoid of proof and in contrast with scientific knowledge. However despite this perception, there are multiple independent scholarly arguments that point toward the existence of a Christian God, including: the weakness of naturalism as an explanation for our world; the congruency of God and modern science, including evolution; the cosmological argument and the beginning of the universe; the intelligent design of our universe; the existence of an objective moral law; the secular sources that confirm the life and events of Jesus Christ; the credibility of the New Testament; and the historical evidence for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While belief in God is not an academic conclusion, God did not leave us without any indications of his existence. These independent arguments build a cumulative case that leads to the logical conclusion that God really does exist, and therefore, Faith Isnt Blind.
Who was Jesus and what was His mission? The Gospels present us with an obvious but profound and compelling thought, that the eternal Word of God became a real man of particular weight and height, with a specific temperament and particular traits of character. He was a Jew, part of a small village community. He became hungry and tired. He felt anger and was moved to compassion. He had a mother and friends. His name was Jesus. How are we to understand this mystery of Jesus being fully God and also fully man? How do we correctly speak of the real Jesus without falling prey to the skepticism that marks the so-called “quest for a historical Jesus”? In The Jesus We Missed, pastor and scholar Patrick Henry Reardon travels through the Gospel narratives to discover the real Jesus, to see him through the eyes of those who knew him best—the apostles, his community, believers who vividly portrayed him in stories filtered through their own faith. Through these living, breathing accounts, we contemplate who God’s Son really was and is—and we understand how he came to redeem and sanctify every aspect of every human life. “In an age that has too often turned Jesus into a symbol or an abstract doctrine, we are long overdue for a reminder that the Lord of history came to us as a humble carpenter from Nazareth.” — BRYAN LITFIN, Professor of Theology, Moody Bible Institute “In his inimitable style, Patrick Henry Reardon surprises us with insights into the humanity of Jesus drawn from the Gospels and made lively by careful attention to historical and literary detail. Here is a piece that joins together critical awareness, theological fidelity, refreshing wit, and manifest devotion.” — EDITH M. HUMPHREY, William F. Orr Professor of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Servants of Christ are in the transformation business. This kind of transformation will only happen if we refuse to be seduced by false idols like success, money, fame and security - to be the church we were called to be. We need to take ownership of the problems around us and work with people who are suffering in order to find solutions and offer lasting change. Patrick travels the globe to find examples. In Bolivia he reports how Christian backing for education projects is allowing families to find a way out of poverty. In London XLP is mentoring young people to turn aside from violence. In Los Angeles a new future is being offered to gang girls. In high security prisons in the UK and US the Spirit is turning lives around. In Belfast's Shankill Road area a group of elderly ladies is cooking meals for men who sit all day in local pubs ... the list is extensive, and inspiring. The common element is that in all circumstances Christ is offering hope. 'As Christians there is no ceiling to the hope we can bring, even when things look bleak,' Patrick says. 'Extreme poverty has been halved in the last 30 years. This book encourages and challenges the church to think and act creatively to eradicate all types of poverty and suffering.
Did Jesus rise from the dead? The question is one on which the truth of the Christian faith turns (1 Cor. 15). If Jesus did not rise, you may as well close down your church! In this volume, prominent Internet apologist James Patrick Holding and a team of Christian authors provide a series of essays defending the Resurrection as a historical event, taking on criticisms from every angle - from that which is scholarly to that which is plain lunacy! With this book, you'll be prepared to meet many of today's greatest challenges to the core event of the Christian faith. "Both the interested reader and especially the student of this subject should find many worthwhile discussions that are easily worth the price of the book." - from the Foreword by Dr. Gary Habermas
From one of the most respected names in Catholic Apologetics, Patrick Madrid, comes the new book How to Do Apologetics: Making the Case for Our Faith. And it couldn’t be more timely. Seismic cultural shifts and increased attacks on religious liberty often place Christians in the uncomfortable position of having to defend their beliefs — even their belief in God — when their Faith is called into question by atheists, agnostics, Protestants, or people from other religions. This book is the apologist’s toolkit covering all the topics you need to understand and apply Patrick Madrid’s own successful approach to giving reasons to believe. Using logic, arguments, and evidence to defend the Truth Apologetics with atheists, moral relativists, and non-Christians Special advice and examples for use with Protestants, as well as lukewarm or inactive Catholics Proven strategies for responding graciously to opponents Making a compelling case for God, Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church What you need to do apologetics well PLUS: Patrick Madrid’s recommended books & CDs, and a glossary of key apologetics terms! Patrick Madrid shows how YOU “can demonstrate confidently and effectively that Catholic teaching is reasonable, consistent, and compelling.”
A lot of genuine, sincere people have honest questions - even doubts - about God, the Bible and Christianity. In this book, Patrick Morley takes you on a tour of four belief systems, or "worldviews" - secular, moral, religious, and Christian - then clearly explains why the Christian worldview makes the most sense.
In this hard hitting and intellectually powerful response to Sam Harris' Letter to a Christian Nation, Michael Patrick Leahy exposes the intellectual dishonesty behind Mr. Harris' brand of Christian bashing atheistic evangelism. Leahy points out in devastating detail the numerous factual misrepresentations in Mr. Harris' book (for instance, debunking Mr. Harris' outrageous claim that 50% of all Americans believe the universe is only 6,000 years old--the facts show the number is 18% at most), and dismantles the simplistic solutions proposed by Mr. Harris. Stop violence by ending all faith ? Easier to try to stop the ocean tides. Limit the rights of Christians to participate in the political process ? In the name of justice then, Harris would oppress Christians, creating a world wide second class of citizens. Follow the model of fascists in Europe in dealing with the threat of Islamic fundamentalism ? Even fellow atheist Christopher Hitchens calls such a solution repugnant. Seekers of the truth from all faiths should run, not walk, to their keyboard or local book store and purchase Michael Patrick Leahy's Letter to an Atheist. Reviews Finally, a strong Christian voice addresses the intellectual dishonesty of atheistic evangelism Christine Schaub, best selling author of The Longing Season, the story of John Newton and Amazing Grace Michael Patrick Leahy skillfully debunks Harris' charge that serious Christians and Islamic radicals should be equally feared; He also exposes the bigotry and distortion typically shown by secularists when addressing Intelligent Design. More importantly, Leahy shows that Harris' proposed utopia, in which religion is caged and tamed by the secularists, hasalready been shown to produce a world that most do not care to inhabit. Ralph Seelke, Ph.D. Professor, Biology University of Wisconsin-Superior Michael Patrick Leahy's book is a substantive critique of the work of Sam Harris in Letter to a Christian Nation. Leahy shows how wrong minded and frankly lopsided Harris' view of reality ends up being. Good intellectual stuff. Dr. Bob Harrington Lead Pastor of Harpeth Community Church, Franklin, Tennessee A must-read for Christians and non-Christians who truly seek the truth about the toughest long-standing issues confronting humanity. Mr. Leahy has used a logical, step-by-step, reasoned, and well-referenced approach to engage and refute an attack on Christian positions and principles. The material is well worth reading and debating. I was especially impressed by the defense of Christians' track record in opposing slavery. With the recent public attention to the life and contribution of William Wilberforce, this chapter could not be more timely. Reginald Finger, MD, MPH Independent medical researcher About the Author Michael Patrick Leahy is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard, and has an MBA from Stanford. His professional career has been in technology marketing. For more information about the author, go to his website at http: //www.michaelpatrickleahy.com .
Hidden in plain sight. Within the Scriptures are truths that our Father in heaven wants to reveal to us. These truths will challenge every human being to reconsider what we thought we knew. Since the dawn of man, theories, math, science, lies, and speculation have been at odds with Gods word. No more! Gospel Earth illuminates all the questions, including the messages that are not preached about on Sundays. The one who seeks to kill and destroy, uses false narratives and fake news to make even bold followers of Christ complacent. Liars beware: Gospel Earth is truth, and the truth will set you free.Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God. (John 8:47)
What do you know about universal salvation? What is its history? Have mistranslations of the Bible created an eternal hell that does not really exist? What prominent persons in Christian history taught this doctrine and which ones worked to destroy it? Is the teaching of universal salvation truly a heresy, or has it been suppressed by church leaders interested in controlling their people by fear? Patrick Seamus O’Hara needed answers to these questions. This book is the result of research in which he went back into Christian history to examine events leading to the suppression of this once-popular teaching in Christianity. Drawing from ancient writings, he looks at problems with Bible translations, political intrigues within the church, and the personal foibles of church leaders which led to the teaching of universal salvation disappearing from the Christian lexicon. The three main objections to universal salvation are the Fifth Ecumenical Council, the Bible, and the writings of the early church fathers. The author examines each one of these and shares from his research the reasons these are not legitimate objections. The universal salvation of God’s immense love is truly the good news of the gospel!
In Divine Truth or Human Tradition? the author critically examines the viewpoints and Scripture expositions of prominent evangelical scholars and apologistsincluding Dr. James R. White (author of The Forgotten Trinity), Dr. John MacArthur (President of The Master?s Seminary), Wayne Grudem (author of the widely-read Systematic Theology), Robert Morey (author of The Trinity, Evidence and Issues), Robert L. Reymond (author of A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith), and others According to what has long been considered mainstream Christian orthodoxy, the doctrine of the Trinity (the idea that the one God of the Bible is a singular being made up of three coequal and coeternal persons?) is not only central to the Christian faith, but even necessary for one to accept in order to be counted as a true Christian and be saved. Such a demand on a Christian?s faith has come across as strange and perplexing to many, especially so in light of the fact pointed out by one respected Trinitarian: [The Trinity] is not clearly or explicitly taught anywhere in Scripture, yet it is widely regarded as a central doctrine, indispensable to the Christian faith. In this regard, it goes contrary to what is virtually an axiom [that is, a given, a self-evident truth] of biblical doctrine, namely, that there is a direct correlation between the scriptural clarity of a doctrine and its cruciality to the faith and life of the church. (Millard J. Erickson, God in Three Persons, p. 11. Emphasis added) Understandably, this fact has raised questions in the minds of Christians and truth-seekers alike ever since the doctrine was first articulated in the late 4th century. Many Christians have wondered: How can a doctrine that is not clearly or explicitly taught in the Bible be necessary to accept in order to be a true practitioner of the Christian faith?
Baby Ariella was under water for ten minutes, and the first medical reports stated that she had severe brain damage and most likely would not live. Yet God works in miraculous ways, and with one family and a community’s avalanche of prayers and faith that reached God’s heart, God performed a great miracle. In Ariella’s Miracle, author Patrick J. Lenney captures the tremendous impact that this miracle has had on all involved. As you read the story of Ariella, a family, and a community of faith, you will witness God’s grace and the community’s persistent barrage of the heavens by prayer and prophetic words instrumental in Ariella’s healing. Through this miracle, you can learn about the transforming love of God and why you should ask God for help even if you are struggling with your faith. We can all be encouraged that God’s hand is still present in the world for us, and that he is still performing miracles on a daily basis. This healing can be there for you today, because God said that he is not done. Ariella’s Miracle can help you discover or rediscover the hope and inspiration you need when facing the darkest moments of life.
The skepticism holding sway in our public society practically screams that one cannot be serious and also be Christian. This work exposes the lie to such skepticism. This book adopts the scientific method to demonstrate the underlying facts recorded in the Gospels. The arguments rely solely upon reason and objective criteria to substantiate their conclusions. This fast-paced work by a nuclear engineering executive with more than thirty-five years of experience will defy expectations. Rigorous and systematic, this apologetic work is curated with verve, energy, and wit. It will pique the interests of academics and lay audience alike by answering these questions: •Why is the resurrection a necessary but not sufficient condition for the rise of Christianity? •Who founded Christianity? Hint: it was not Saint Paul, as many suppose. •Why did the church retain all of the Hebrew Bible, even though only a small fraction pertains directly to the New Testament? •How does the church rectify the necessity of justice with the virtue of mercy? •Why did his first followers call Jesus the Christ while fully aware that he did not satisfy the expectations of the Christ in the Hebrew Bible? At the end of the book, readers will ask the same question about Jesus that Jesus asked of the apostles, “Who do you say that I am?”
Sex Au Naturel: What It Is and Why It's Good For Your Marriage by radio host Patrick Coffin is a bracing ride across the landscape of the Catholic sexual ethic. If you're looking for intellectual ammo with which to defend and explain the teaching of Humanae Vitae, or if you reject it altogether, you'll agree that Coffin approaches the topic from a wide array of new and persuasive angles. With humor and enthusiasmand a total absence of moralizingyou'll learn: Why Paul VI's landmark 1968 encyclical was widely rejected a generation ago and why it's gaining new respectability now Where exactly the Bible teaches against birth control The differences between contraception and natural family planning (hint: they're more profound than you think) The meaning of the natural law and how it applies to birth control How the dogma of the Blessed Trinity implicit condemns birth control That every single Protestant denomination rejected birth control until 1930 Why the myth of overpopulation is used against the Church, and how to answer it How faithful adherence to the teaching of Humanae Vitae is causally related to marital happiness and longevity Why it's not too late to start over, even if you've been sterilized How to rely on the ever-present grace of God rather than your own strength in faithfully following this challenging, life-giving aspect of Christian discipleship Much, much more!
Most people want to make a difference, but they feel inadequate. In Better Than You Can Imagine, Patrick Quinn shares four truths: You have a gift that only you can give. Someone has a need that only you can meet. Joy is the journey where the gift and the need collide. The journey will break you … but it will also make you. Through story and biblical insight, Quinn helps readers apply these truths to their lives. Whether it’s time, money, or talent, everyone has something extra to give to others—and God has even more joy to give back.
“All through the Bible, we see stories of bold and brash men who followed God’s call into some incredible adventures. In How God Makes Men, Patrick Morley reminds us that God still makes those kinds of guys.”—Dave Ramsey, New York Times bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio show host God’s Way for You to Become God’s Man Let’s face it—men today are under severe attack. The battle line against biblical manhood is clearly drawn and fiercely contested. More than ever, men who want to follow Christ are asking: • Why is it so hard to live an authentic Christian life? • Who will show me how to thrive as a father, a husband, and on the job? • What should I do when I’m being tested to the breaking point? Fortunately, the Bible preserves crucial details about the powerful lessons learned by men who have already faced and answered these questions. In How God Makes Men, renowned expert on men’s issues Patrick Morley takes you into Scripture for a first-hand encounter with: • Ten epic stories of the Bible’s most talked-about men • Ten proven principles—based on their failures and successes—that show how God works in a man’s life, and how you can cooperate with Him in yours • The huge promise that you can become the man God created you to be Don’t settle for less. Join Patrick on this epic adventure of becoming God’s man. You’ll discover how to prevail in tough times and release God’s power in every area of your life.
In The Five Commandments of Jesus: A New Approach to Christianity, Patrick Amer presents to the ordinary Christian and the theologian alike his new, refreshing, and clear approach to the mission and meaning of Jesus of Nazareth. Amer identifies the five commandments of Jesus as central within the recorded ethical teachings of Jesus. These five commandments show the continued relevance and importance of Jesus in expressing God's will and plan for humankind. The book is clearly written and readily accessible to all readers. Discussion groups across denominations will find that this book meets each reader at the exact point at which we all find ourselves today." Roger Haight, S. J., Union Theological Seminary In this book, Patrick Amer describes his discovery of the five commandments of Jesus. He shows that the commandments are not a random selection of commands. They are an integrated and focused attack on humanity's most deeply embedded anti-social behaviors, those placed there by natural selection. He shows that these behaviors were in ancient times absorbed into humanity's public institutions, and they are still there. The kingdom of God is the community of men and women who live by the five commandments of Jesus, applying them in their personal lives and to public institutions as well. This book examines each commandment to show how it is to be practiced in one's personal life and how it is to be applied to public institutions. By practicing the five commandments of Jesus, the followers of Jesus participate in his redeeming mission and with him save the world.
Catechesis Taken in the sense of the act of teaching and the knowledge imparted by teaching, this term is synonymous with CATECHESIS and CATECHISM. Didaskalia, didache, in the Vulgate, doctrina, are often used in the New Testament, especially in the Pastoral Epistles. The word katechesis means instruction by word of mouth, especially by questioning and answering. New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia We cannot share what we ourselves do not have This quote was often shared by the founder of the Marian Catechist Lay Apostolate, Father John A Hardon S, J. one of the Twentieth Centuries foremost Theologians and Teachers of Traditional Catholicism. This profound teaching was the impetus for my years of studying our Catholic Faith. I ended my classroom Faith sharing with three years of RCIA; Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults, and am very much aware of its shortcomings, due primarily, to imposed time restrictions. Personal circumstances took me out of the classroom, but led to a very active internet ministry from home. This is a book of Catholic Catechesis, a term meaning instruction by word of mouth, especially in questioning and answering [From the Catholic Encyclopedia]. Through an active participation with the Catholic Answers Forum, [PJM], I was made of aware of an urgent need for supplemental instruction to what RCIA programs were able to impart. So I stared a free on-line course to fill in and add to, what RCIA did not have time to cover. We live in very challenging times, as society, and our government seem to have an agenda to destroy Christianity. Abortions, Divorce, and most recently same sex unions that we are told to call marriage, being legalized add to the confusion and the castration of Christianity. This book contains the Lessons from my course: Building Blocks of our Catholic Faith. It is a not a novel, but a series of Lessons introducing, and then proving, most often Biblically, what we Catholics believe and practice, supported with evidence that substantiates and affirms our Catholic Faith, as the One Founded, desired and guided by both Jesus [John 17:18-19] and the Holy Spirit [Mt. 28:18-19]. Mt. 28: 19-20 Going therefore, teach YOU all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded YOU: and behold I am with YOU all days, even to the consummation of the world. This same command applies to me and you. Each of is called to know, practice, share and live the fullness of our Catholic Faith. By Patrick J. Miron A member of the Marian Catechist Lay Apostolate
Where are we headed? In The Future of the Global Church, Patrick Johnstone, author of six editions of the phenomenal prayer guide, Operation World, draws on his fifty years experience to challenge us with his bold vision of the global Christian church. The Future of the Global Church weaves together the strands of history, demographics and religion to present a breath-taking, full-colour graphical and textual overview of the past, present and possible future of the Church around the world. Through a thought-provoking glimpse into likely scenarios humankind may face in the next 40 years, The Future of the Global Church identifies significant trends that are rarely or never addressed by todays media. The Future of the Global Church highlights the impact of evangelical Christianity over the past two centuries, as well as the astonishing growth of Evangelicalism over the past half century. Johnstone focuses clearly on the unfinished task of world evangelization, with a special emphasis on the worlds 12,000 people groups - especially those that have had least exposure to the Gospel. Finally, Johnstone hones in on the role of the local church in tackling the unfinished task of world evangelization, especially that of reaching the worlds least-evangelized peoples with the Gospel. Inside this work, you will find: Data and extrapolations that highlight likely scenarios for evangelical Christian ministry in the coming four decades. Interpreted overviews of the worldwide impact of the first 20 centuries of Christianity. Comparisons of the impact of Christianity with those of the other world religions. Summaries of the past, present and probable future contributions of the different streams of Christianity. This book examines trends that will have a major impact on the course of world events for a generation to come. God is in controlHe holds the future in His handsyet invites us to be His co-workers. How effective are you and your church or your organization as participants in His plan for the peoples of the world?
Is the difference of male and female to be “completely shaken off” so that men and women are no longer men and women but merely human beings? The great seventh-century saint Maximus the Confessor said yes, but such thinking is difficult if not impossible to reconcile with much else in Christian tradition that obliges men and women to live as either men or women. Origen’s Revenge contrasts the two main sources of early Christian thinking on male and female: the generally negative view of Greek philosophy, limiting sexual distinction to the body and holding the body in low regard, and the much more positive view of Hebrew Scripture, in which sexual distinction and reproduction are both deemed naturally good and necessary for human existence. These two views account for much of the controversy in early Christianity concerning marriage and monasticism. They also still contribute to current controversies over sex roles, gender identity, and sexual ethics. Origen’s Revenge also develops the more Hebrew line of early Christian thought to propose a new understanding of male and female with a firmer grounding in scripture, tradition, theology, and philosophy and with profound implications for all human relationships, whether social, political, or spiritual.
Your Storm Doesn’t Have to Sink You At some point in our lives, we all find ourselves in a boat in the middle of a lake. We might be there due to a job loss or the death of a loved one. Maybe disability, divorce, or financial insecurity has stranded us. Patrick and Ruth Schwenk found themselves feeling battered after five miscarriages and then surrounded by the waves with Patrick’s cancer diagnosis at age forty-three. They were alone. Drifting. And that’s when their transformation began. In this compassionate and powerful book, the Schwenks weave together lessons from their own experience with insightful Bible teaching to remind us that one of the greatest ways God transforms us is through trials. As they unpack why Jesus called the disciples into the middle of a lake when dry ground was so safe and comfortable, they help us understand why the depth of our hurt enables us to experience deep hope; learn to conquer fear to experience the freedom God has for us; and discover how God uses chaos, and not just the classroom, to shape and work through us. Today—in your confusion about God’s intentions, your disappointment over lost dreams, your disillusionment about prayer—God is offering hope. Because Jesus is still Lord over the water. And while he is not moved by the waves, he is moved by you. And this flood might just be a path to abundance. “A powerful reminder that our current reality is not our final reality, and God is Lord over all chaos and suffering!” —Candace Cameron Bure, actress and New York Times bestselling author
As one of the most significant figures in the history of Western civilization, the apostle Paul has influenced and inspired countless individuals and institutions. But for some, he holds a controversial place in Christianity. This engaging book explores why many people have been wary of Paul and what their criticisms reveal about the church and the broader culture. Patrick Gray brings intellectual and cultural history into conversation with study of the New Testament, providing a balanced account and assessment of widespread antipathy to Paul and exploring what the controversy tells us about ourselves.
What would happen if every pastor in America shared the vision to disciple every man in his church—can you imagine? No man falls on purpose, yet our culture is suffering from the fallout of the "men problem." Increasingly men are living autonomous and unexamined lives, getting caught up in the frenzy of life, and becoming satisfied with tasteless and powerless Christianity. Now, more than ever, men need unapologetic guidance and strong discipleship. Here's the place to start. In Pastoring Men, Patrick Morley explains proven and practical strategies for discipleship, equipping pastors to effectively reach and disciple all of the men they shepherd. This book will teach you: The state of men in your church—how they are doing, what they want, what keeps them from getting what they want, and what they need The essential factors for successfully discipling men A concrete, sustainable strategy to help you organize your passion for men's discipleship without a lot of new programming. Read and apply Pastoring Men and see men, their families, and your church thrive.
Most people, and even Christians, assume that the existence of disagreement in relationships is painful and unproductive. To that end, they either avoid such experiences or they simply fail to express their honest opinions. Author Patrick Webb reveals that expressing disagreement is essential to reaching one's full potential in their relationships. Dr. Webb provides simple and yet effective strategies, from a biblical perspective, that anyone can employ in order to express disagreement in a productive manner. From engaging in truly honest discussions, to creating productive conflict, Dr. Webb will show the way to true communication and ultimately intimacy through the simple act of Saying Yes to No.
All three Synoptic Gospels tell the story of Jesus's transfiguration. Yet there has been surprisingly little written about this key event, and many readers struggle to understand its significance and place in redemptive history, let alone how it might be applied. Here, Patrick Schreiner provides a clear and accessible study of the transfiguration with an eye toward its theological significance and practical application. Namely, this event points to Jesus's double sonship, revealing the preexistent glory of the eternal Son and the future glory of the suffering Messianic Son. Further, the transfiguration points to Christians' own formation and transfiguration. Schreiner traces the transfiguration theme through Scripture and employs hermeneutical, trinitarian, and christological categories to assist his exegesis, thus challenging modern readings. This enlightening study will be of interest to students, pastors, and serious lay readers.
On December 5, 2011, in the prime of his life, Patrick McGoldrick was diagnosed with ALS—a disease that typically takes your life within three years. For Patrick it was much shorter. Barely one year later, on December 26, 2012, he breathed his last breath.The impact of Patrick's story, both in his living and his dying, spread across the world and thousands leaned in to learn from his journey. Who was this man who would not stop praising God even while everything seemed so unfair? He was a father, a husband, a pastor and a friend to many—and he left a legacy of integrity and changed lives in his wake.Who Do You Trust? is a compilation of sermons that Patrick delivered before he died. Included is his last sermon, preached from a disease-ridden body with slurred speech, but heard by thousands across the world.
For two thousand years countless people around the world viewed reality through a Christian lens that endowed their lives with meaning, purpose, and coherence. Today, in an era of unprecedented secularization, many have ceased to find meaning not only in Christianity but in life in general. In Converting the Imagination, Patrick Manning offers a probing analysis of this crisis of meaning, marshalling historical and psychological research to shed light on the connections among the disintegration of the Christian worldview, religious disaffiliation, and a growing mental health epidemic. As a response Manning presents an approach to religious education that is at once traditionally grounded in the model of Jesus' own teaching and augmented by modern educational research and cognitive science. Converting the Imagination is an invitation to transform the way we teach about faith and make sense of the world, an invitation that echoes Jesus' invitation to a fuller, more meaningful life. It is sure to captivate scholars and practitioners of religious education, ministers seeking to reengage people who have drifted away from the faith or to support young people suffering from existential anxiety, and anyone in search of deeper meaning in their religious traditions or in their own lives. Converting the Imagination was a finalist for the 2021 Lilly Fellows Program Book Award: https://www.lillyfellows.org/grants-and-prizes/book-award/
Thank you for visiting our website. Would you like to provide feedback on how we could improve your experience?
This site does not use any third party cookies with one exception — it uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic.Learn More.