This book offers updated explanations of the sins of interpretation to teach sound grammatical, lexical, cultural, theological, and historical Bible study practices. "A must for teachers, pastors, and serious Bible students."--Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

Some would say that God will not put on a person more than she can bear, but Paige begs to differ, because she is truly on the edge. One more unexpected and unpleasant occurrence and she'll be free falling. As if physical, mental, sexual, and spiritual abuse from her husband doesn't weigh heavily enough on her, Paige has learned that her best friend and sister in Christ slept with her husband. Thank God for Norman, one of Paige's co-workers. He is there to catch her fall before she hits the ground. But will Norman be there when Paige receives news that may not only push her off the edge, but cause her to jump willingly? In More Than I Can Bear, Paige must decide if she is going to allow herself to drown in the storms she finds herself in, or catch hold of the lifesaver God extends to her.

Scripture reveals a God who meets us where we are, not where we pretend to be. No More Faking Fine is your invitation to get honest with God through the life-giving language of lament. If you've ever been given empty clichés during challenging times, you know how painful it is to be misunderstood by well-meaning people. When life hurts, we often feel pressure--from others and ourselves--to keep it together, suck it up, or pray it away. But Scripture reveals a God who lovingly invites us to give honest voice to our emotions when life hits hard. For most of her life, Esther Fleece Allen believed she could bypass the painful emotions of her broken past by shutting them down altogether. She was known as an achiever and an overcomer on the fast track to success. But in silencing her pain, she robbed herself of the opportunity to be healed. Maybe you've done the same. Esther's journey into healing began when she discovered that God has given us a real-world way to deal with raw emotions and an alternative to the coping mechanisms that end up causing more pain. It's called lament--the gut-level, honest prayer that God never ignores, never silences, and never wastes. No More Faking Fine is your permission to lament, taking you on a journey down the unexpected pathway to true intimacy with God. Drawing from careful biblical study and hard-won insight, Esther reveals how to use God's own language to come closer to him as he leads us through our pain to the light on the other side, teaching you that: We are robbing ourselves of a divine mystery and a divine intimacy when we pretend to have it all together God does not expect us to be perfect; instead, he meets us where we are There is hope beyond your heartache, disappointment, and grief Like Esther, you'll soon find that when one person stops faking fine, it gives everyone else permission to do the same.

The Call to Follow Christ: 6 Disciplines for New & Growing Believers is a foundational discipleship resource that will guide new and growing believers to understand and begin implementing six disciplines into their daily lives. One week is devoted to each of the six disciplines to ground new believers in habits that will last a lifetime. Study is great for small-group settings in homes, churches, or community centers. Leader Guide included. (6 sessions) The Call to Follow Christ is the first of the Growing Disciples Series developed by Claude King, co-author of Experiencing God. Subsequent studies help new and growing believers understand and put into action these 6 disciplines for a lifestyle of faithful and fruitful ife in Christ. The Workbook Includes: Daily, interactive devotions averaging 10-15 minutes Suggestions for small-group meetings & one-on-one mentoring CD with 7 heart-stirring songs by Damaris Carbaugh (frequent soloist with Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir), tied to each study theme. Tips for memorizing scripture, suggested bible study tools, suggestions for praying together, and guidelines for reconciling and forgiving.

The world is full of people who are very certain--in politics, in religion, in all manner of things. In addition, political, religious, and social organizations are marketing certainty as a cure all to all life's problems. But is such certainty possible? Or even good? The Certainty of Uncertainty explores the question of certainty by looking at the reasons human beings crave certainty and the religious responses we frequently fashion to help meet that need. The book takes an in-depth view of religion, language, our senses, our science, and our world to explore the inescapable uncertainties they reveal. We find that the certainty we crave does not exist. As we reflect on the unavoidable uncertainties in our world, we come to understand that letting go of certainty is not only necessary, it's beneficial. For, in embracing doubt and uncertainty, we find a more meaningful and courageous religious faith, a deeper encounter with mystery, and a way to build strong relationships across religious and philosophical lines. In The Certainty of Uncertainty, we see that embracing our belief systems with humility and uncertainty can be transformative for ourselves and for our world.

Combines professional insights along with the author's own experience and insights to speculate on how believers can make sense of their Christian faith when confronted with tragedy and suffering.

Abigail Dodds invites readers to ponder and celebrate God's spiritual and physical provision in Christ through the hands-on art of bread making.