"Can you believe he is wearing sandals to church?" "I know, and did you see what she brought for potluck? Doesn't see know better?" "Tell me about it, and did you hear that the pastor supports the school board's decision to hire another teacher? How ridiculous! The school doesn't have the money!" Sound familiar? Our church is often plagued with critical comments and a negative spirit. Instead of reaching out to those in the world, we criticize them. And if they do come to church, we are quick to point out their faults in an effort to help them "grow." Of course, we aren't any better with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. We like to point out what we think other people are doing wrong. If we are to finish the work of spreading the gospel to the world, we must unite and cultivate the fruit of the Spirit. We must become like Jesus and banish our critical spirit and let the Holy Spirit develop a loving character in us. Jim Hammer shares personal stories and insights from his own spiritual journey that has brought him Victory Over a Critical Spirit. This is a must read! "Jim has given us a much-needed message. If we could each incorporate its principles into our lives we would bring a new peace and happiness into our families, the church, and the world." June Strong, author of Project Sunlight and Song of Eve "The toxic results of being judgmental are at the heart of why Christianity and its love message have not swept the world. I thank Jim for writing such a sensitive book and for his vulnerability. May God bless you and your Christian walk as you digest and grow in grace by reading this book." Mike Ortel, president, Northern New England Conference

"The Will to Believe" is a lecture by William James, first published in 1896, which defends, in certain cases, the adoption of a belief without prior evidence of its truth. In particular, James is concerned in this lecture about defending the rationality of religious faith even lacking sufficient evidence of religious truth. James states in his introduction: "I have brought with me tonight [...] an essay in justification of faith, a defense of our right to adopt a believing attitude in religious matters, in spite of the fact that our merely logical intellect may not have been coerced. 'The Will to Believe,' accordingly, is the title of my paper."

In this important study Hays argues against the mainstream that any attempt to account for the nature and method of Paul's theological language must first reckon with the centrality of narrative elements in his thought. Through an in-depth investigation of Galatians 3:1-4:11, Hays shows that the framework of Paul's thought is neither a system of doctrines nor his personal religious experience but the "sacred story" of Jesus Christ.

A repackaged edition of the revered author’s moving theological work in which he considers the most poetic portions from Scripture and what they tell us about God, the Bible, and faith. In this wise and enlightening book, C. S. Lewis—the great British writer, scholar, lay theologian, broadcaster, Christian apologist, and bestselling author of Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other beloved classics—examines the Psalms. As Lewis divines the meaning behind these timeless poetic verses, he makes clear their significance in our daily lives, and reminds us of their power to illuminate moments of grace.

for every healthy tree bears good fruit --; Demand #28 : love your enemies--lead them to the truth --; Demand #29 : love your enemies--pray for those who abuse you --; Demand #30 : love your enemies--do good to those who hate you, give to the one who asks --; Demand #31 : love your enemies to show that you are children of God --; Demand #32 : love your neighbor as yourself,