Life Growth

The heart of man is his worst part before it is regenerated, and the best part afterward. It is the seat of principles, and the fountain of actions. The greatest difficulty in conversion is to win the heart to God. The greatest difficulty after conversion is to keep the heart with God. For out of it [the heart] are the issues of life. In other words, the heart is the source of all vital operations; it is the origin of both good and evil, just as the spring in a watch that sets all the wheels in motion.

The path of following Jesus is an ancient and storied spiritual tradition. Yet many believers are not familiar with the three major forms of prayer and the three stages of spiritual growth that exist to bring them closer to God. In his most personal book yet, Brant Pitre, PhD, draws on the riches of the Bible, the words of Jesus, and the writings of mystics across the centuries to shed light on the mystery - and wonder - of the spiritual life.

No matter what life has been like, at some point or another we all have the same question: Why does God allow bad things to happen? Grief, loss, and trauma affect each of us, and there are times it feels like the pain will never end. Yet hope, healing, and inner peace are not only possible, they are promises that our good God has made—and will keep. In this compassionate book, licensed counselor and domestic violence survivor Kimberly Haar leads you through a transformative journey of healing.

It has been said that this work by Henry Scougal was "almost universally praised by the leaders of the Great Awakening". It is a piece of literature that has been used by God to influence the souls of men for the glory of Christ. Regardless of the times we live in, the great works of the men of God of old are still applicable today. In an age of lukewarm believers, we need the fire of God to burn us afresh and give us a clear vision of his holy will.

Andrew Murray was a 19th-century writer whose words still inspire today. The wisdom in these books will encourage and equip you to live a life of humility, surrender, and prayer, bringing you closer to the one who created you and longs to be with you.

In the first half of life, we are naturally preoccupied with establishing ourselves; climbing, achieving, and performing. But as we grow older and encounter challenges and mistakes, we need to see ourselves in a different and more life-giving way. This message of falling down - that is in fact moving upward - is the most resisted and counterintuitive of messages in the world's religions. Falling Upward offers a new paradigm for understanding one of the most profound of life's mysteries: how those who have fallen down are the only ones who understand "up".

The Life You've Always Wanted offers modern perspectives on the ancient path of the spiritual disciplines. But it is more than just a book about things to do to be a good Christian. It's a road map toward true transformation that starts not with the individual, but with the person at the journey's end - Jesus Christ.

In The Secret to the Life of John, best-selling author and prophetic teacher Joseph Z delves into the extraordinary life of the Apostle John to reveal the key that empowered him to outlive persecution, endure trials, and become known as the Apostle of Love. This transformative revelation will revolutionize your walk with God and unleash His miraculous power in your life.

Join the millions who have learned how to take control of their lives by setting healthy boundaries with their spouses, children, friends, parents, co-workers, and even themselves—in order to live life to the fullest. In Boundaries, Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend share the lessons they've learned in their years of practicing psychology and studying the patterns and practices that support clear biblical boundaries. You'll learn the ins and outs of setting the boundaries that will transform your daily life.

If you'd like to embark on a lifelong quest for godliness, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life will help you on your way. Based on the rich heritage left us by the early church fathers, the Puritan writers, and Jesus Christ Himself, this book takes you through a carefully selected array of disciplines including Scripture reading, prayer, worship, Scripture meditation, evangelism, serving, stewardship, Scripture application, fasting, silence and solitude, journaling, and learning.

Author Bruce Wilkinson shows you what Jesus said about God's plan to reward you in eternity for what you do for Him today. What you'll discover will unlock the mystery of God's power, plan and will for your life. And you'll begin to live with the unshakable certainty that what you do today matters...forever!

Finding one's calling is not just about finding something we can do - it is about finding what we can't not do. "Let your life speak" is a time-honored Quaker admonition to live one's life as witness to the deepest truths one knows. But as Parker Palmer explains, those words can also mean "listen to your life, and let it tell you what your truth is."

Stress happens. We all feel it. It steals our joy, interrupts our sleep, affects our relationships, and wears us down. We can't escape the things and people that cause it. We can't medicate it away. So we must deal with it. But how? How do we attain peace in life?

"Perhaps God isn't giving me the plan because He wants to be the plan." This was the aha moment for Mike Donehey after years of wrestling with his obsession to know God's specific plans for his life. He came to the realization that waiting for absolute certainty from God before making decisions may seem uberspiritual, but it can lead to a life of intense stress, paralyzing fear, and crushing regret - just the opposite of the freedom granted to those living a Christ-filled life.

Every one of the Ten Commandments is relevant today. Some think of these commandments as the Law of Moses, now replaced by God's grace and mercy, but a closer look reveals that we can't willfully break a single one of the commandments and live. Every one of the commandments wholeheartedly obeyed will produce fruit of righteousness, peace, and spiritual prosperity. Society says "do whatever you want", but a careful study and application of this set of "life principles" will provide boundless fruit for the righteous.

Building on the premises of Power Thoughts and Living Beyond Your Emotions, Joyce Meyer examines the tremendous power of words. - which are the vehicles that convey our thoughts and emotions - and provides a series of guidelines for making sure that our talk is constructive, healthy, healing and used to good results. In a "Dictionary of God's Word" at the end of the book, Joyce provides dozens of scripture verses, arranged by topic, that she recommends reading and saying out loud as one way of using and claiming healing words.

Do you long for an intimate relationship with your Creator, but He seems elusive? Perhaps it is because something utterly essential is missing—the fear of the Lord. Don’t let this frighten you. Fearing God is very different than being afraid of God. It’s the key to everything.

In this noisy, distracting world, it is difficult to truly hear. People talk past each other, eager to be heard but somehow deaf to what is being said. Listening is an essential skill for healthy relationships, both with God and with other people. But it is more than that: listening is a way of life. Adam McHugh places listening at the heart of our spirituality, our relationships and our mission in the world. God himself is the God who hears, and we, too, can learn to hear what God may be saying through creation, through Scripture, through people.

Following the Sermon on the Mount, this follow-up to The Good and Beautiful God guides us to look behind character flaws and to replace our false beliefs with Jesus' narratives about life in the kingdom of God.

♥ What if you could set yourself free from the trauma and pain of the past…with one simple prayer? ♥ Sounds impossible, right? In this powerful book from the #1 bestselling author of Becoming the Woman God Wants Me To Be, you’ll discover a proven process that will heal your heart and make your spirit soar with hope. This Bible study devotional for women is for you if: ✓ Someone betrayed you…and you need the courage to trust again. ✓ You’re holding on to past hurts. ✓ You don’t understand why God let certain things happen to you. You’ll be amazed to discover exactly how...