Leadership in Theological Education, Volume 2: Foundations for Curriculum Design

It is just as important to learn how to receive a blessing as it is to be willing to give one. So teaches John Osteen in this eye-opening book. Growing up during The Great Depression, John's mentality was shaped by frugality that seeped even into his spiritual life. When God tried to bless and increase his life, he struggled with receiving the abundance of God. But the Bible shows us example after example of those whom God blesses after they lose everything. God wants to shower us with abundance: Grace for Your Every Need Forgiveness for Every Relationship Righteousness for Every Accusation of Satan Joy for Your Heartache and Pain Provision for Your Every Lack Love to Reach Out to Others Power for Your Weakness The Holy Spirit for Changing the World Abundant Freedom for Every Stronghold Miracles for Your Impossibilities Using practical application and divine verification from the Bible, John Osteen shows readers how to embrace the abundance of God in every aspect of their lives." ISBN:2147483647 Author:John Osteen

This uneven effort by the indomitable Jakes (The Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord) inadvertently contains two discrete books--one on family, and one on personal finance. The sections on family are the best; Jakes compares the ideal Christian family (two parents, one of whom is a stay-at-home mom, and both of whom were virgins when they wed) with the more diverse reality of contemporary America. He quite effectively addresses nontraditional configurations such as blended, one-parent, and grandmother-headed families in a supportive and nonjudgmental tone. Jakes speaks specifically to African-American families like his own, who were left ""emancipated but incapacitated"" after generations of slavery. The finance portion of the book reflects Jakes's desire to avoid preaching the health-and-wealth gospel while simultaneously telling readers that God wants them to be financially comfortable. Jesus, says Jakes, desires Christians to have the kind of worldly influence that only wealth can bring. Much of Jakes's financial advice is typical of other Christian money gurus such as Larry Burkett and Mary Hunt, though without their detailed plans for debt-free living and profitable investing. Jakes stands out with his memorable biblical examples of prudent money management and his clear stance that Christian tithing should be from gross, not net, income.