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Why Church Matters
by Joshua Harris"Christians belong in churches--the only places where we can thrive and grow spiritually. In Why Church Matters, Joshua Harris makes this case with wisdom, clarity, and graciousness."--Charles W. ColsonChurch isn't where we go. It's who we are.We were never meant to live our faith in isolation. The church is the place God uses to grow us, encourage us, and use our gifts for His glory. In this honest, personal, and practical book, Joshua Harris shows you why it's time to say yes to church and how to find the right one for you--the place where you can fall in love with the family of God.Includes:What you miss when you miss churchTen questions to ask before you joinHow to get more out of the best day of the weekWhat Readers are Saying:"This book shows the place of great honor that church holds in Christ's heart and encourages us to value what He values. I've bought multiple copies to give away."--Mike Neglia; Cork, Ireland"Josh Harris does an excellent job of addressing our impulse to church hop."--Garrett Watkins; Atlanta, Georgia"When our family was in the midst of a transition, Why Church Matters helped us find the right local church. It will do the same for you."--Andrew Hall; Ilderton, OntarioPreviously published as Stop Dating the ChurchFrom the Trade Paperback edition.
Why College Matters To God: An Introduction to the Christian College (Revised Edition)
by Rick OstranderA brief introduction to the unique purpose and nature of a Christian college education for students, their parents, teachers, and others. This book draws on the insights of a wide range of Christian philosophers, historians, scientists, and theologians, but communicates key concepts in straightforward language and analogies that will connect with today's college students.
Why Courage Matters: The Way to a Braver Life
by John Mccain Mark Salter"Courage," Winston Churchill explained, is "the first of human qualities ... because it guarantees all the others." As a naval officer, P.O.W., and one of America's most admired political leaders, John McCain has seen countless acts of bravery and self-sacrifice. Now, in this inspiring meditation on courage, he shares his most cherished stories of ordinary individuals who have risked everything to defend the people and principles they hold most dear. "We are taught to understand, correctly, that courage is not the absence of fear but the capacity for action despite our fears," McCain reminds us, as a way of introducing the stories of figures both famous and obscure that he finds most compelling--from the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi to Sgt. Roy Benavidez, who ignored his own well-being to rescue eight of his men from an ambush in the Vietnam jungle; from 1960s civil rights leader John Lewis, who wrote, "When I care about something, I'm prepared to take the long, hard road," to Hannah Senesh, who, in protecting her comrades in the Hungarian resistance against Hitler's SS, chose a martyr's death over a despot's mercy. These are some of the examples McCain turns to for inspiration and offers to others to help them summon the resolve to be both good and great. He explains the value of courage in both everyday actions and extraordinary feats. We learn why moral principles and physical courage are often not distinct quantities but two sides of the same coin. Most of all, readers discover how sometimes simply setting the right example can be the ultimate act of courage. Written by one of our most respected public figures, Why Courage Matters is that rare book with a message both timely and timeless. This is a work for anyone seeking to understand how the mystery and gift of courage can empower us and change our lives.
Why Did God Give My Kids Free Will?: He Could've Waited until They Moved Out
by Ken SwarnerDo you sometimes wonder about God&’s plan, specifically why He gave our children free will to do the things they do? More thoughtful and holy thinkers have tackled the question. It&’s a mystery, mostly, but in its raw form, parental mishaps help us get closer to God. Consider: Learning patience while spitwads land in your drinkEmbracing the absurdity of teens wearing shorts in the winterPracticing gentleness as you explain (again) why it is important to restock the toilet paper Regret, humiliation, control … you can let go of these when you laugh and make peace with the idea that God may just have a sense of humor after all. With anecdotes, prayers, devotionals, and reflections, Why Did God Give My Kids Free Will? shows readers the hilarious, spiritual journey of life with kids sure to inspire and unite Christian parents.
Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road?: Christian Identity in a Multi-faith World
by Brian D. MclarenChristians and Muslims together make up about 57% of the world's population today, and by the end of the century they will constitute about 66% of the world's population. More than any other single factor, the wellbeing of our children and grandchildren may depend on how well Christians learn to relate to Muslims - and Hindus, the next largest faith, not to mention Buddhists, Jews, people of indigenous faiths, and the nonreligious. We know how to have a strong Christian identity that is intolerant of or belligerent towards other faiths, and we know how to have a weak Christian identity that is tolerant and benevolent. But is there a third alternative? How do we discover, live, teach, and practise a Christian identity that is both strong and benevolent towards other faiths?In this provocative and inspiring book, author Brian McLaren tackles some of the hardest questions around the issue of interfaith relations, and shares a hopeful vision of the reconciliation that Jesus offers to our multi-faith world.
Why Did Jesus, Moses, the Buddha, and Mohammed Cross the Road?: Christian Identity in a Multi-Faith World
by Brian D. MclarenWhen four religious leaders walk across the road, it's not the beginning of a joke. It's the start of one of the most important conversations in today's world. Can you be a committed Christian without having to condemn or convert people of other faiths? Is it possible to affirm other religious traditions without watering down your own? In his most important book yet, widely acclaimed author and speaker Brian McLaren proposes a new faith alternative, one built on "benevolence and solidarity rather than rivalry and hostility." This way of being Christian is strong but doesn't strong-arm anyone, going beyond mere tolerance to vigorous hospitality toward, interest in, and collaboration with the other. Blending history, narrative, and brilliant insight, McLaren shows readers step-by-step how to reclaim this strong-benevolent faith, challenging us to stop creating barriers in the name of God and learn how affirming other religions can strengthen our commitment to our own. And in doing so, he invites Christians to become more Christ-like than ever before.
Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People: Answers to One of Life's Greatest Moral Questions
by David ArnoldThis simple, comprehensive tool teaches readers that the suffering, distress, and frustration they've encountered are not outside the assistance of God's grace.
Why Do Catholics Do That?
by Kevin Orlin JohnsonIn Why Do Catholics Do That? renowned scholar and religion columnist Kevin Orlin Johnson answers the most frequently asked questions on Catholic faith, worship, culture, and customs, including:* How the Church Makes Laws * The Hard-Fought Genesis of the New Testament * The Cycle of Redemption * A Short Guide to the Meaning and Structure of the Mass * Decoding Symbols of Scripture and the Sacraments * The Calendar as the Image of Christ's Life * The Rosary * The Stations of the Cross * Monks, Nuns, and the Rules That Guide Them * The Pope * The Laity in the Modern World * Saints * Fatima, Lourdes, and the Story of Apparitions * The Vatican: A Holy City * The Sign of the Cross, Christianity's Best-Known Symbol * Candles in Prayer and Liturgy * The Meaning of the Nativity SceneBlending religious history, a deep appreciation for art and culture, and an enlightened reverence for the traditions of the Church, Why Do Catholics Do That? is the definitive resource for any one who wants to learn more about the rituals, symbols, and traditions that can strengthen our faith every day."Johnson offers lucid explanations of a dizzying array of customs and beliefs."--Publishers WeeklyFrom the Trade Paperback edition.
Why Do I Feel Like This?: Understand Your Difficult Emotions and Find Grace to Move Through
by Peace Amadi"Why do I feel this way?" Sometimes life is a mess and we get overwhelmed by all sorts of conflicting, difficult emotions. We might be stressed or weary, anxious or fearful, paralyzed by insecurity or crushed by pain. Worse yet, some well-meaning people invalidate our feelings and tell us to just cheer up and forget our worries. Rather than bypass the reality of our feelings, we need to enter into them and listen to what they're telling us. Psychology professor and personal development coach Dr. Peace Amadi helps us navigate the complexity of our emotions, from discouragement and hurt to trauma and depression. She explains the dynamics underlying what we feel and gives practical resources for living through our emotions in healthy ways. With insights from both psychology and Scripture, this book offers you a clear plan to get your peace and freedom back and find your joy again.
Why Do Religious Forms Matter?: Reflections on Materialism, Toleration, and Public Reason
by Pooyan Tamimi ArabIn Why Do Religious Forms Matter?, Pooyan Tamimi Arab reflects on the Early Modern roots and contemporary relevance of a materialist perspective on the politics of religious diversity.Taking as a starting point the insight that religions manifest in myriad sensible forms—in architecture, in images, in the use of objects in rituals, and in distinctive ways of speaking—Tamimi Arab traces to Spinoza the material-religion approach prevalent in anthropology and religious studies. It is in Locke’s political philosophy, however, that forms are tied to toleration—understood as a neutrally applied civil right—which Tamimi Arab discusses through contemporary case studies of mosque construction, amplified calls to prayer, and the right to ritual slaughter.Going beyond the Enlightenment criticism and toleration of religions, the book concludes with an inclusive reading of Rawls’s ideal of public reason, which assumes forms of discourse—religious and non-religious—to always be several. Religious forms thus turn out to be indispensable to liberal democracy itself.
Why Do They Dress That Way?: People's Place Book No. 7
by Stephen ScottThis unique book, by a man who has chosen to "dress plain," describes the history and use of hats, bonnets, dresses, overcoats, and other articles of clothing used by the various religious groups who wear plain garb. This is the first comprehensive book about why more than 150,000 persons in North America wear plain clothes for religious reasons. Who are the various people who dress plain? Where do they live? Why do they do it? Where did the plain pattern come from? Don't they ever change? Answers to some common objects to plain dress! Will plain dress survive? Authoritative, yet gentle in tone, this book will be of interest to many readers.
Why Do They Hate Us?: Making Peace with the Muslim World
by Steve Slocum”Effectively countering pernicious, misinformed narratives, this is an essential contribution to interfaith studies." —Publishers Weekly ”Well-researched, cogently argued… avoids clichés and deeply examines the complex relationship between Islam and the West.”—Booklist,starred review ”A clear, concise, and thoughtful introduction to Islam.” —Kirkus With Americans still in shock after watching packed airliners slam into the twin towers, George W. Bush asked America, “Why do they hate us?” After 9/11, the world became more fearful, and acts of terrorism were prominent in the news cycles. In Why Do They Hate Us?, author Steve Slocum takes the spotlight off the extremists and instead exposes the heart of the everyday Muslim through Christian outreach. ”In an era of rampant Islamophobia, Slocum's book is essential reading.” - Todd H. Green, author of The Fear of Islam: An Introduction to Islamophobia in the WestWhy Do They Hate Us? brings the story of Mohammed to life and unveils the storied history of Islam with refreshing detail. Slocum clears up common misconceptions about jihad, Sharia law and the role of women in Islam. He then connects the dots for readers of all faiths between cause and effect for the rise in Islamophobia. Finally, Slocum suggests practical ways to overcome societal fears by face-to-face interaction with our Muslim neighbors.Why Do They Hate Us? is sprinkled with stories from the lives of everyday Muslims and anecdotes from Slocum’s time in Kazakhstan, allowing the reader to catch a glimpse of a different side of Muslims than portrayed in the media.“Before reading this book I knew very little about Islam despite a pastoral career. I now feel like I know much more. It left me with a hunger to befriend Muslims.” - Pastor Martha Freeman, M.Div.
Why Does It Have to Hurt?: The Meaning of Christian Suffering
by Dang McCartneyDan McCartney delves into Scripture to help Christians understand the meaning of suffering and why they suffer. Avoiding trite responses, he moves us to a better knowledge of our heavenly Father's purposes in our suffering and leads us to the rest and peace we have in Jesus Christ.
Why Does Santa Ride Around in a Sleigh?: . . . and Other Christmas Questions
by Kay WoodwardA cool Christmas-themed book for girls and boys that explains the reasons for and the stories behind our festive celebrations and traditions. Why does Father Christmas have three different names? Was there ever really a Good King Wenceslas? Why do we eat mince pies? These questions and many more are answered along with a fun make-and-do Christmas activity. Entertaining and informative, the book is illustrated throughout in black and white.
Why Easter?
by Hannah C. HallBased on the bestselling video series What's in the Bible?, Why Easter? features a foundational faith concept and charming illustrations to help parents teach preschoolers why we celebrate Easter.Clive laughed. ". . .But colorful eggs and fluffy bunnies aren't what Easter is about anyway.""They aren't?" Ian asked. "Why do we celebrate Easter then?"As brothers Clive and Ian dye Easter eggs and discuss their favorite things about the holiday-the Easter pony . . . or is it a bunny . . . or perhaps an Easter chicken?-Clive explains that Easter is about more than colorful eggs and fluffy bunnies. So why do we celebrate Easter? The answer is as exciting as it is wonderful: because of Jesus!
Why Easter? Expanded Edition
by Nicky GumbelPrepare for your guests this Easter with a wonderful evangelistic booklet by Nicky Gumbel. Like Gumbel's Why Jesus?, this booklet is a concise and easy-to-read study of the very real questions surrounding Jesus that people might be thinking about at Easter:Who is Jesus?Why do we need him?Why did he have to die?Why does he matter to my life today?With hearts particularly open in the Easter season, these booklets are an effective evangelistic tool to pass out to guests at your services, sharing the Gospel in a warm and relevant way.Alpha is based on a pattern found in the New Testament of people bringing their friends, family, and work colleagues to meet Jesus. Alpha is an easy way to say to friends, "Come and see, come and explore your questions, come and hear about Jesus, come and see for yourself." Everyone is welcome at Alpha, but the program is designed especially for people who would not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers.
Why Easter Matters Bible Study Guide
by Andy StanleyHave you ever been at odds with God?Have you resisted, defied, or tried to bargain your way out of what you thought God wanted?You aren&’t alone. Scripture documents similar stories.In this Easter Study Andy Stanley looks at some of the people whose lives intersected with Jesus in the weeks leading to his crucifixion. Each of them had an agenda that put them at odds with God and Jesus. As you&’ll see, there&’s a little bit of them in all of us.The Why Easter Matters Study Guide includes session overviews, video teaching notes, discussion questions, personal reflection material, and a leader&’s guide.Sessions include:The High Cost of Following ChristThe Risk of Surrendering to GodThe God Who Can Be TrustedThe Foundation of Our FaithDesigned for use with the Who Needs Christmas / Why Easter Matters Video Study (9780310121121), sold separately. Streaming video also available.
Why Everything That Doesn't Matter, Matters So Much: The Way of Love in a World of Hurt
by Andi Ashworth Charlie PeacockA hopeful and practical model for what it means to be a Christian and a culture-maker in a world of hurt and wondrous possibility, from multi–Grammy winner Charlie Peacock and his wife and author, Andi Ashworth.Do you feel powerless and overwhelmed by the pain and suffering all around you? Have you ever asked, What can I do to mend the world, my family, or my own life? And if I could, why bother? Does my own small part even matter? If so, here comes hope from two guides who are further down the road. Charlie and Andi have written a collection of letters to Christians and spiritual seekers who think deeply and care acutely about the state of the world and their personal spheres of influence.In Why Everything That Doesn't Matter, Matters So Much, beloved and trusted mentors, Charlie and Andi offer you:Thought-provoking explorations into the many facets of Christian culture care and making, from the kitchen to Carnegie Hall.Practical guidance for how to care for and improve the quality of human life, locally and globally, no matter your vocation.A theology of imagination and creativity that provides a framework for all of life.A model for expressing love in marriage, friendship, citizenship, and every kind of work—even in the midst of cynicism, fear, exhaustion, and oppression. It might be said of Christians that our lives are either moving in the direction of the redemption Jesus has on offer, or away from it. Each of these letters is a gentle nudge in the direction of God's powerfully ordinary purpose for each of us, no matter what the future holds, to participate fully in the beautiful, redemptive work of Christ.
Why Faith Matters
by David J. WolpeWith the simultaneous rise of New Atheism and popularity of fundamentalist movements, a rational, open-minded debate on the role of religion today is sorely needed. Why Faith Matters is an excellent start – an articulate, nondenominational defense of established religion in America by the man Newsweek named the #1 Pulpit Rabbi in America. David J. Wolpe makes a strong case in favor of faith, replacing both the cold reason of atheism and the virulent hatred of fanaticism with a vision of religion that is informed by faith, love, and understanding. He explores the origins and nature of faith, the role of the Bible in modern life, and the compatibility of God and science. Why Faith Matters shows that there is still a place for God, faith, and religion in today’s world. Named the #1 Pulpit Rabbi in America by Newsweek, David J. Wolpe is a senior rabbi at the Sinai Temple of Los Angeles and a teacher at UCLA. Rabbi Wolpe writes for many publications, including New York Jewish Week, Jerusalem Post, Los Angeles Times, and Beliefnet.com. He has appeared as a commentator on CNN and “CBS This Morning”, and has been featured on the History Channel’s “Mysteries of the Bible.” He is the author of six previous books, including the national bestseller Making Loss Matter: Creating Meaning in Difficult Times. Rabbi Wolpe lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter. “A reasoned argument and spiritual autobiography. Rabbi Wolpe is a graceful writer, an insightful thinker, and a wide reader.” – Jewish Week
Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places
by Kate McCord"Perhaps that&’s the greatest reason why He calls us to dangerous places: so that we will know His astonishing, sacrificial, life-restoring love.&”Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places is about what is lost and what is gained when we follow God at any cost. Soon after 9/11, Kate McCord left the corporate world and followed God to Afghanistan—sometimes into the reach of death. Alive but not unscathed, she has suffered the loss of many things: comfort, safety, even dear friends and fellow sojourners.But Kate realizes that those who go are not the only ones who suffer. Those who love those who go also suffer. This book is for them, too. Weaving together Scripture, her story, and stories of both those who go and those who send, Kate considers why God calls us to dangerous places and what it means for all involved.It means dependence. It means loss. It means a firmer hold on hope. It can mean death, trauma, and heavy sorrow. But it can also mean joy unimaginable. Through suffering, we come closer to the heart of God. Written with the weight of glory in the shadow of loss, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places will inspire Christians to count the cost—and pay it.
Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places
by Kate McCord"Perhaps that&’s the greatest reason why He calls us to dangerous places: so that we will know His astonishing, sacrificial, life-restoring love.&”Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places is about what is lost and what is gained when we follow God at any cost. Soon after 9/11, Kate McCord left the corporate world and followed God to Afghanistan—sometimes into the reach of death. Alive but not unscathed, she has suffered the loss of many things: comfort, safety, even dear friends and fellow sojourners.But Kate realizes that those who go are not the only ones who suffer. Those who love those who go also suffer. This book is for them, too. Weaving together Scripture, her story, and stories of both those who go and those who send, Kate considers why God calls us to dangerous places and what it means for all involved.It means dependence. It means loss. It means a firmer hold on hope. It can mean death, trauma, and heavy sorrow. But it can also mean joy unimaginable. Through suffering, we come closer to the heart of God. Written with the weight of glory in the shadow of loss, Why God Calls Us to Dangerous Places will inspire Christians to count the cost—and pay it.
Why, God? Come and See
by Joel Young Danielle Young Truman BlockerWhy, God? Come and See ... answers difficult questions in a captivating and enlightening manner. These answers make it easier to trust GOD and to love HIM, when you see HIM for WHO HE truly IS. Unique to our book is the fact that most of the questions are answered from three perspectives, the serious Bible student or scholar, the growing Christian or enquiring mind, and the gut-level man-on-the-street.
Why, God, Why?: What to Do When Life Doesn't Make Sense
by Karen Jensen“Why do bad things happen?” “God, I don’t understand!” Heartbreak and loss happen to us all. On New Year’s Day, at the age of thirty-seven, Karen Jensen’s husband died suddenly in his bed, leaving her alone to raise two grieving boys and pastor a bewildered congregation. Despite her strong faith and love for God, she had some serious questions. Has tragedy shaken the foundation of your life? Have you been blindsided by an event you never expected to face? What should we do when we’re going through the dark places in life? …when we’ve lost everything? …when we’re in pain? …when we’re wondering why? With a mix of sharp insight and warm optimism, Karen skillfully combines experience and scripture to guide you through the land mines of doubt and confusion that come with loss. She then provides solid principles for moving forward past the pain and into a brighter future.
Why God Why?: Sermons on the Problem of Pain (Protestant Pulpit Exchange)
by Justin W. TullThis collection of sermons explores the age-old question of why a loving God allows suffering to visit His children. Tull encourages readers to ask why in good times as well as in difficult ones, to examine God's eternal presence in times of blessed joy as well as during sorrow and care. He emphasizes scriptures and anecdotes that illustrate God's comfort and grace during all situations in our lives.