The Maturing Church: An Integrated Approach to Contextualization, Discipleship and Mission

Events in our lives, both good and bad, form rings in us like the rings in a tree. Each ring records memories that affect our feelings, our relationships, and our thoughts about God. In this classic work, David Seamands encourages us to live compassionately with ourselves as we allow the Holy Spirit to heal our past. As he helps us name hurdles in our lives—such as guilt, poor self-worth, and perfectionism—he shows us how we can find freedom from our pain and enjoy the abundant life God wants for us. ISBN:2147483647 Author:David A. Seamands

The major difference between achieving people and average people is their perception of and response to failure. John C. Maxwell takes a closer look at failure-and reveals that the secret of moving beyond failure is to use it as a lesson and a stepping-stone. He covers the top reasons people fail and shows how to master fear instead of being mastered by it. Readers will discover that positive benefits can accompany negative experiences-if you have the right attitude. Chock full of action suggestions and real-life stores, "Failing Forward" is a strategic guide that will help men and women move beyond mistakes to fulfill their potential and achieve success.

This enchanting story is about a little girl who grew up on the rocky shores of the Indian Ocean in South Africa. She loved the ocean and she adored her daddy. Their favorite times were spent at the ocean-fishing, swimming, and laughing. He was everything a child could want in a daddy. But then he died!! This true story continues to unfold, as we follow her into adulthood. Although she was happily married, the little abandoned girl inside had never grown up. Feeling abandoned and betrayed by her daddy, she tried to be normal, but the indelible memories haunted her. Twenty years later, the broken little girl inside a grown woman felt an urge to go look for her daddy's ocean, only this time, it would be the rocky shores of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Amid fireflies and majestic sunsets, she found the answer for which her heart was yearning...a new Daddy. And it was amidst the fatherly embrace of this new Daddy-the Perfect Everlasting Father-that she learned to let go of abandonment, condemnation, and shame. She was saved by His Love...and finally became free. This story is not only for those who lost someone, and are struggling with abandonment, but also for those who struggle with non-acceptance, unworthiness, condemnation, shame, and guilt. The Perfect Father sent His Son, Jesus, to set us free from any and all of these negative, destructive beliefs. Do not read this book if you do not want to be changed. ISBN:2147483647 Author:Renee Olivier Faul

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.