Showing results for "Was" in Christian Living

When Jesus ascended to heaven after His resurrection—victorious, glorified, and seated in authority over all creation—He could have left us with any gift. He had conquered sin, death, and fear. He knew every pain, every worry, every tear we would ever shed. And in that moment of divine farewell, He chose to leave us with one precious gift above all others.

Many Christians think about heaven as a distant place we go after we die. But what if it's a very real kingdom available to us right now, here on earth? In What If Jesus Was Serious About Heaven?, Skye Jethani unpacks what Jesus really said about heaven and how it can transform our faith today.

God took David from the fields where he followed the sheep to become the ruler of Israel. He was overlooked by his father, yet chosen by God. He carried the dream to be king from the day Samuel anointed him, but he did not feel worthy to marry the king's daughter after defeating Goliath. David experienced many amazing moments in his life, yet he also endured many traumas. He was the hero of Israel and then became the hunted villain. He went from leading the armies of Israel to being pursued by the same.

Audiobook narrated by Craig Groeschel. Be inspired to pray boldly, pray powerfully, pray with passion, and trade ineffective prayers and lukewarm faith for raw, daring prayers that will transform your daily life. Do you ever wonder if God answers your prayers? Do you wish you could see the...

In Gay Girl, Good God, author Jackie Hill Perry shares her own story, offering practical tools that helped her in the process of finding wholeness. Jackie grew up fatherless and experienced gender confusion. She embraced masculinity and homosexuality with every fiber of her being. She knew that Christians had a lot to say about all of the above. But was she supposed to change herself? How was she supposed to stop loving women, when homosexuality felt more natural to her than heterosexuality ever could?

The story of Noah is one of the most captivating in all the Bible. Yet most people remember it mainly as a children's story found in picture books and heard in Sunday school classes. But this tragedy really took place - and widely overlooked is Jesus' stunning prophecy that the final days of planet Earth would be just as it was in the days of Noah. His point? That there would be striking parallels between Noah's day and the end times - with warnings of God's imminent judgment upon the world.

Let’s face it. A lot of Christian resources can feel cheesy, out-of-touch, and a little boring. But when Skye Jethani started doodling and writing up some of his thoughts about God, his Twitter and email list blew up. What If Jesus Was Serious? is a compilation of all-new reflections from Skye. He takes a look at some of Jesus’ most demanding teachings in the Sermon on the Mount and pushes us to ask whether we’re really hearing what Christ is saying.

As news reports of the horrific December 2004 tsunami in Asia reached the rest of the world, commentators were quick to seize upon the disaster as proof of either God’s power or God’s nonexistence, asking over and over, How could a good and loving God - if such exists - allow such suffering? In The Doors of the Sea, David Bentley Hart speaks at once to those skeptical of Christian faith and to those who use their Christian faith to rationalize senseless human suffering.

You may have heard the saying that the Gospel of John is shallow enough for a child to wade in, yet deep enough for an elephant to swim—meaning that any literate Christian can adequately understand it, but there is depth of meaning below the surface that is well worth the effort to explore. In the Beginning Was the Word invites you to go deeper.

This inspiring, insightful, and often humorous look at the life of Father Stuart Long is told by his close friend, Father Bart Tolleson. After their relationship began and almost ended with a practical joke, the two men were ordained together and forged a strong, lasting friendship. As the exuberant, edgy Father Stu confronted a rare degenerative disease, the former brawler and professional boxer used every ounce of his declining strength to fight the good fight for souls.

A roadmap to authentic connection and healing for young women experiencing anxiety, loneliness, and shame, from the founder of the immensely popular Me Too, Sister online community. Do you ever secretly wonder if you’re the only one deep in the mess of life, facing circumstances and struggles...

It’s All Under Control is an audiobook for every woman who is hanging on tight and trying to get each day right - yet finding that life often feels out of control and chaotic.

Enter into God's presence with new understanding and excitement when you discover what it means to be an Extravagant Worshiper. Darlene Zschech's passionate love for her Lord is very apparent as she inspires, encourages, and instructs worshipers and worship leaders alike.

Researchers have uncovered the following three trends: First, distrust of institutions, including the church, is at an all-time high. Second, young people raised in the church are leaving at alarming rates and not returning. Third, loneliness and social isolation are at pandemic levels. What’s the connection? It appears that an entire generation is starving for the very thing the church is called to provide but has chosen to look for it elsewhere. Why is this happening?

Sara Gapinski’s raw, inspiring journey from victim to victor illuminates God’s redemptive power. Through heart-wrenching experiences of abuse, loss, and paralyzing fear, Sara discovers an unshakable truth: God’s love conquers all. A testament to divine intervention, Sara’s story shows how faith can overcome trauma, Scripture can provide strength, and music can become a powerful tool for healing.

Deeply influenced by his grandmother's faith and immersed in the fervent spirituality of his church—from fiery sermons to prayers spoken in tongues—author Scot Loyd once believed without question. But as he grew older, that belief began to shift. Confronted by the heavy demands of his religion, the racism that harmed his closest friend, and personal wounds too long ignored, he began to question the version of faith he had been given. The God I Was Given is the story of letting go and searching for something more—a faith that is wider, more honest, and rooted in love.

When we think of Jesus, we usually think of His miracles, His masterful teaching, and His world-changing death and resurrection. But what about the unremarkable moments of Jesus’s life? What about Jesus coming home after a long day at work, navigating a family argument, or going to a friend’s wedding?

When a disaster happens; when personal tragedy strikes; when we are perplexed by world events, Christians begin to doubt that God is either truly good, or truly in control. Christopher Ash faces these questions head on, without flinching at any of the difficulties. First he looks at six different ways people have answered this question both as Christians and from other religions and none. He then reveals the Bible's answer - the revelation of God's character and purposes throughout history.

In this candid book Vanessa vulnerably shares parts of her life story, taking the listener on a journey which began in Africa with trauma from losing her mother at a young age that damaged her identity, to one of healing, wholeness and hope as she discovered identity and purpose in her late fifties. It is a story of restoration and rebuilding that will bring healing to mother wounds and encourage you to look at your own life, using the tools and practical applications for living that she has learned along the way.

The Bible teaches us the real story of Christmas. The problem is people have taken this story and added onto it. Cultures have added on to it. It’s passed through countries, and they’ve tacked on their little spin. We have thousands of years of a Christmas that is built around legends and myths. The Christmas we know is, in places, more a fairy-tale. It’s an inspiring one for sure. But a fairy-tale, nonetheless. This book helps us slow down and unpack the layers so we can see just how beautiful this gift really is.