There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened. I invite you to turn from the dulling effects of food and the dangers of idolatry, and to say with some simple fast: "This much, O God, I want you." Our appetites dictate the direction of our lives - whether it be the cravings of our stomachs, the passionate desire for possessions or power, or the longings of our spirits for God. But for the Christian, the hunger for anything besides God can be an arch-enemy. While our hunger for God - and Him alone - is the only thing that will bring victory. Do you have that hunger for Him? As John Piper puts it: "If we don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because we have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Our soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great." If we are full of what the world offers, then perhaps a fast might express, or even increase, our soul's appetite for God. Between the dangers of self-denial and self-indulgence is this path of pleasant pain called fasting. It is the path John Piper invites you to travel in this book. For when God is the supreme hunger of your heart, He will be supreme in everything. And when you are most satisfied in Him, He will be most glorified in you.

Explores the practice of eating together as Christian worship The gospel story is filled with meals. It opens in a garden and ends in a feast. Records of the early church suggest that believers met for worship primarily through eating meals. Over time, though, churches have lost focus on the centrality of food— and with it a powerful tool for unifying Christ’s diverse body. But today a new movement is under way, bringing Christians of every denomination, age, race, and sexual orientation together around dinner tables. Men and women nervous about stepping through church doors are finding God in new ways as they eat together. Kendall Vanderslice shares stories of churches worshiping around the table, introducing readers to the rising contem­porary dinner-church movement. We Will Feast provides vision and inspiration to readers longing to experience community in a real, physical way.

What do the feasts of the Bible reveal about our place in today’s tired world? In short, everything. From Genesis through Revelation, redemptive history is captured through feasts. Through them, God calls his people to commemorate mercy, delight in grace, and commune with him and with each other. In the process, he proves he doesn’t ration his rich, soul-satisfying love toward us but instead lets it overflow. Invitations to Abundance brings to life the festivities described in the Bible and illuminates how relevant they remain in a modern world defined by isolation and disillusionment. When your heart needs encouragement, these wondrous celebrations remind you why, where, and how you can find security, unity, and hope. Each chapter seats us at a unique feast from Scripture—from the well known to the less familiar—and considers how you can respond worshipfully as a partaker of these celebrations. Invitations to Abundance shows you how to reciprocate God’s initiating kindness and what it means to live knowing God’s table is spread before you.

A SPIRITUAL POWER BAR FOR WOMEN Does this sound like your not-so-daily, not-so-quiet devotional time: I wish I could spend time with God, but who has time? Between getting the kids out the door, working, and everything else that crowds my days, I'm hungry for God, but starving for time. I want practical, biblical answers to my problems but don't have hours to pore over Scripture. I need answers to the questions I'm afraid to ask out loud. Questions like: - God, this is hopeless. Why even bother to pray? - I can't believe she said that to me! Why shouldn't I respond the same way? - God, life is scary. How can I know you've got my back? - Deep down, I know I'm selfish, but if I don't look after myself, who will? - No one appreciates what I do. Why shouldn't I just quit? Hungry for God . . . Starving for Time is a spiritual power bar packed with enough scriptural nutrition to get you through the day. Each devotion begins with a Facetime question and ends with a biblical answer wrapped in a modern day parable. Whenever you can snatch five minutes of quiet reflection, Hungry for God . . . Starving for Time is the perfect devotional resource for the busy you.

Hungry for Worship takes a provocative look at ten specific worship challenges facing churches—regardless of church size—over the next decade. Through a balance of historical perspective, theological truth, and practical experience, pastor Frank Page and associate music dean L. Lavon Gray encourage pastors and those responsible for leading worship to evaluate their worship in light of these challenges. With these practical ideas, pastors and worship leaders can ensure their church is positioned to weather the changes of pop culture and experience healthy worship.

Want to start a Christian weight loss program at your church? The Take Back Your Temple Member Guide gives your support group the wisdom they need to reach their ideal weight and maintain it for life. Includes Christian health scriptures for motivation, delicious recipes, and a survival plan for handling common weight loss barriers like emotional eating, bottomless food pits, and more.