The unique feature of this scholarly and very readable work is that it examines the way those persecuted responded to hardship: their faith, their worship, their perseverance. With marvellous warmth Raymond Brown shows us the spirituality of these men and women- spirituality centred on Jesus Christ and the Father's love, even in such times. 'Brown dives into the writings of those persecuted and demonstrates the rich theology that could only be written with such depth by those who lived in suffering and found God faithful and satisfying. I highly recommend this book to scholars as well as common sufferers looking for solace in God.' Larry Siekawitch, pastor and author of Balancing Head and Heart in Seventeenth Century Puritanism (Paternoster, 2012) 'At a time when Evangelicals interested in the study of spirituality often overlook the immense resources of their own antecedents, I hope that this book will help to redress the balance.' Timothy Grass, church historian, author and associate editor for the Ecclesiastical History Society

More than a decade ago, Jerry Sittser prayed for the protection of his family, yet three of his loved ones--his daughter, his wife, and his mother--died in an automobile accident. What went wrong? "Why wasn't my prayer answered?" he asks. "It is no longer an abstract question to me. What should we do and how should we respond when our prayers--prayers that seem right and true and good--go unanswered?" In When God Doesn't Answer Your Prayer, Sittser continues exploring the issues he addressed in A Grace Disguised. He asks, "Why doesn't God answer our prayers? What, if anything, can we do about it?" Sittser is intensely committed to exploring the Christian faith, especially when it doesn't seem to "work." In this thoughtful and beautifully written book, he moves beyond easy answers and religious formulas to explore the goodness and greatness of a God who cannot be controlled but can be trusted. When God Doesn't Answer Your Prayer takes an honest and probing look at the problem of unanswered prayer. In doing so, it draws us ever deeper into a relationship with the God who is the end of all our prayers, the object of our faith, the one who fulfills our deepest longings.

Loss is a word that many of us fear, but few of us evade. In a tragic accident, Gerry Sittser lost three generations of his family. This is not a book about one man's sorrow, however, but a moving meditation on the losses we all suffer--and the grace that can transform us.

Most people see trouble as something negative and seek to avoid it whenever possible. But what if it’s those troubles that actually lead to greater blessing and purpose? In The Blessing of Adversity, a retired U.S. Navy admiral and the 62nd chaplain of the U.S. Senate distills the wisdom gained from thirty years as a counselor, theologian, and psychologist. Barry Black offers a blueprint for removing the sting of life’s trials, showing us how to let God use our pain for his glory by blessing others—and how that can actually help heal our own pain. Drawing on Scripture and his own experiences as a counselor and chaplain to some of the most powerful people in the world, Black teaches us how to deal with seasons of God’s apparent silence, offers techniques for staying encouraged in the middle of life’s storms, and shows how to find advantages in adversity.

Many today have been hit with various circumstances in life, such as the pressure of the economy, loss of homes, family, broken relationships and shattered dreams. These are just to name a few of the hardships many face on a daily basis.Sadly to say, there has been a loss of hope and optimism concerning their future. As they struggle to keep their heads above the water; the question resounds WHY? Who has the answer to their questions? Who can mend their broken hearts? Who can fix their broken lives and restore their shattered dreams?The Spirit of Resilience empowers individuals with the knowledge and understanding that regardless of how hopeless and adverse their situations may seem, God has instilled in each of us the ability to bounce back from adverse winds and to recover from them in a quick and smooth manner.The Spirit of Resilience reassures the individual who feel like they are drowning in the sea of life; to be of good courage, because the Master of the sea has both the wind and the waves in his control. He is on board your ship, therefore; you will not die in your storm but live to tell your story!

We are taught that our struggles make us stronger; they help to shape us into who we are meant to be. Yet, how can we ensure that our challenges uplift us rather than bring us down? Based on resilience research, positive psychology, and behavioral science, this book is written as a manual for building resilience. It is intended to offer a better understanding of how to confront life’s setbacks, limiting the possible negative impact of adversity as well as fostering the strengths that exist within all of us — so we can handle the inevitable problems and pitfalls that come our way. Alongside scientific research, Resilience contains illuminating insights from the Torah and its scholars, as well as Jewish spirituality, thought, and history. It also includes personal stories of resilience from different individuals, and practical, evidence-based exercises teaching resilience-building strategies.