Life is not a sprint; it is a distance run, and it demands the kind of conditioning that enables people to go the distance.”—Gordon MacDonald Running Strong Whose heart doesn’t leap at the sight of a beautifullyconditioned runner, effortlessly gliding along, stride-bystride, mile-by-mile? And what runner gets to this place without a thankless—and often lonely—regimen of strategy and self-denial? Isn’t this the perfect metaphor of what your heart is longing for—running life’s race with intentionality and grace? With strength and focus? Well, you can. Veteran pastor and best-selling author Gordon MacDonald says you must develop resilience—the courage and ability to get up when you fall, to keep running when you’re bone-weary, and to keep your eye on the goal even in the murkiest moments. Using the backdrop of his own experiences as a champion runner, MacDonald demonstrates how resilient people Practice spiritual self-discipline to build stamina and grit;Know what’s up ahead, what obstacles they will likely face; andBond with special friends who share their commitment to finishing well.Because he has also run many long, punishing laps in the tough race of life, MacDonald is uniquely qualified to coach and encourage you in developing that resilient spirit—to weather adversity, to finish what you start, and to never be satisfied with anything short of God’s best for you.

    He That is Spiritual defines true Christian living and unfolds the biblical teaching concerning spirituality -- what it is, and how it is secured. Nothing could be more important to Christians than the theme of this book. Its sound teaching corrects many false impressions and presents a scriptural pattern for the full life in Christ.

    Yet award-winning author and musician Michael Card paints a stunning and poignant picture of how violence was the price of grace. Based primarily on passages in Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, the reader is led on an exploration of the suffering and sacrifice it took to achieve our salvation, of Christ's separation from the Father so that we could enjoy intimacy with God, of His desertion so that we'd never have to be alone, of His rejection so that we'd find acceptance, and of His death so that we'd have eternal life. A Violent Grace gives readers a renewed appreciation for God's eternal love and an important reminder that His love came at a terrible cost.

    This powerfully written book has a message which goes to the heart of the contemporary problem in a way that conferences and commissions on evangelism have failed to do. Its expository approach is particularly valuable.

    He assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the evangelistic approaches used by the earliest Christians, and he also considers the obstacles to evangelism, using outreach to Gentiles and to Jews as examples of differing contexts for proclamation. Carefully researched and frequently quoting primary sources from the early church, this book will both show contemporary readers what can be learned from the past and help renew their own evangelistic vision.

    The psalmist was not averse to the taking of vows: “Thy vows are upon me, O God,” he said. “I will render my praises unto thee” (Psalm 56:12). My counsel in this matter is that if you are really concerned about spiritual improvement—the gaining of new power, new life, new joy and new personal revival within your heart—you will do well to make certain vows and proceed to keep them. If you should fail, go down in humility and repent and start over. But always keep these vows before you. They will help harmonize your heart with the vast powers that flow out and down from the throne where Christ sits at the right hand of God.

    The best thing you can do is "forgive and forget". You aren't forgiven until you feel forgiven. In this book, Dr. Jay Adams carefully explores all dimensions of the process of forgiveness.A  He can help you understand biblical forgiveness from beginning to end and apply that understanding to everyday situations ranging from forgiving your straying spouse or prodigal child - and being forgiven by them as well.

    Attention spans are dwindling, noise levels are increasing, and we can't seem to find time for real relationships.The answer to such social fragmentation can be found in small groups, and yet the majority of small groups--at least in the traditional sense--are often not the intentional, transformational community we really want and need. Somehow we need to get our groups off life support and into authentic community.Pastor Brad House helps us to re-imagine what gospel-centered community looks like and shares from his experience leading and reproducing healthy small groups. With wisdom and candor, House challenges us to think carefully about our own groups and to take steps toward cultivating communities that are able to glorify Jesus, bless one another, and participate in the mission of God.

     In an age when prepackaged gospel formulations leave people cold, well-told Bible stories can be used powerfully by God to touch people's hearts and draw them to himself. After ministry in both Western and non-Western contexts, church planter Christine Dillon has discovered that Bible storying is far more effective than most other forms of apologetics or evangelistic presentations. In fact, non-Christians actually enjoyed storying and kept coming back for more. Storying provides solid biblical foundations so listeners can understand, apply and respond to the gospel, and then go on to fruitful maturity in God's service. This book includes practical guidance on how to: Shape a good story, How to do evangelism through storying and How to lead Bible discussions. With particular insights for trainers and those working in crosscultural contexts, Concrete steps for sharing the Story that everyone needs to hear.