Series in Spiritual Growth
Books in Spiritual Growth
A Long Retreat
This gorgeously written memoir tells the story of one man's search for his religious calling--a search that led him to the Dominican Republic and Central Europe, to Moscow and the South Bronx, and finally into married life with a woman whose search for God coincided with his own. In 1990 Andrew Krivak--poet, yacht rigger, ocean lifeguard, student of the classics--entered the Society of Jesus. The heart of Jesuit training is the Long Retreat, thirty days of silence and prayer in which the Jesuit novice reflects on the Gospels and tests his desire for the priesthood. For Krivak, eight years of Jesuit formation turned out to be a long retreat in its own right, as he tested all his desires--for poetry, for travel, for independence, for love--against the pledge to do all "for the greater glory of God." And in this deeply affecting book the long retreat becomes a pattern for our own spiritual lives, enabling us to embrace our desire for solitude and perspective in our own circumstances, the way Krivak has in his new life as a husband, father, and writer. The search for God is finally the search for oneself, St. Augustine wrote. Krivak's story pushes past the awful stories of scandal in the Catholic Church to reveal why a modern, forward-looking man would yearn to be a priest. Unlike those stories, it has an happy ending--one in which we can recognize ourselves.
A Prophet's Heart
Have you ever wondered how false prophets become false prophets? Why are so many well-known preachers falling into sin? Can we blame it all on Jezebel? In A Prophet's Heart, Jennifer equips you to: Recognize false prophets Withstand the pressure that comes with true prophetic ministry Understand how the Holy Spirit warns us Steer clear of deception that shuts out the truth And much more! The enemy seeks to pervert prophetic voices at every turn - but he can only use what's in us. Whether it's the spirit of Jezebel, pride, greed or some other issue, prophets and prophetic people need to be aware of the doorways to deception. I don't believe false prophets start off as false prophets. I believe they start off on the right track. Unfortunately, some genuine, God-called prophets end up on the road of deception. Don't let that be you! And don't get taken advantage of by false prophets!
Another Chance at Life
Have you made a mess of your circumstances? Jesus told a story about such a person-and the answer lay in his loving and forgiving father. If you've come to the end of yourself-or simply need a reminder of God's grace and love-this book is for you.
Awaken Your Senses: Exercises for Exploring the Wonder of God(With: Beth A. Booram)
Perhaps you've been missing out. God has given us five senses and a brain with two sides. Yet we often approach God in one way only: through words that are analyzed and processed logically in our left brain. The right brain, however, is the creative, intuitive center--the place that connects most to our seeing, smelling, touching, tasting and hearing, and that roots experiences in our hearts in transforming ways.In Awaken Your Senses, longtime ministers Beth Booram and Brent Bill invite you to engage your right brain in your faith through sensory spiritual practices that position your heart for divine encounter. Readings and a variety of exercises that utilize your whole body lead you to experience God in new ways by tasting chocolate, words, matzoh, Scripture, forgiveness seeing the moon, wisdom, art, glory, your best self touching others, stones, prayers, rubble, Jesus hearing silence, music, pain, footsteps, the Spirit, the news smelling gardenias, life, salty air, home, healing oil, coffee Teaching you to pay attention in love to your surroundings, Booram and Bill will help you open your eyes and ears and nose to a sensuous faith--one in which God can be experienced each day as we live and move and have our being.So whether you're weary, stuck, struggling, growing or on information-overload, the exercises and reflections offered here can bring refreshment--a cold drink of water, a gentle breeze--to your soul. Come experience God with all of who you are, and discover more of who he is.
Becoming New: 100 Days of Transformation through God’s Word
With theme-based daily readings focused on spiritual transformation, this all-new devotional curated by Warren Wiersbe’s grandson offers a 100-day journey through Scripture, helping readers not only understand God’s Word but live it out in the power of the Holy Spirit. A transformative journey through the arc of Scripture, Becoming New invites us to experience a deepened connection to God’s Word, a greater sense of purpose, and a stronger relationship with the Holy Spirit. A beloved Bible teacher known for his BE series and numerous other books, Warren Wiersbe was passionate about God’s Word. Now, in this previously unpublished devotional, Wiersbe calls Christians to “become new” in their relationship with God. With daily, themed Scripture passages, reflections and commentary from Wiersbe, and thought-provoking application questions, Becoming New offers an accessible 100-day experience of spiritual growth. Becoming New is ideal for those seeking profound, lasting change, as Wiersbe’s contagious love for the Bible inspires us day by day to draw closer to God and then share this joy with others.
Becoming a Next-Level Prophet
Prophets aren't sharpened in an instant. They must go through a "making" process to shape their character and burn off their impurities through experiencing the ways of God. As you explore your prophetic calling, you will understand your prophetic mission--and what it takes to progress through each level on your way to fulfilling your God-given destiny. In Becoming a Next-Level Prophet , author, speaker, and apostolic prophet Jennifer LeClaire encourages and challenges you to sharpen your prophetic edge through obedience, willingness, humility, selflessness, prayer, warfare, holiness, faithfulness, and accountability. She urges you to mature in your anointing and to be a good steward of the gifts with which God has entrusted you, pointing more people to Jesus. As spiritual warfare increases and the world is in desperate need for the clear voice of God, it is crucial that his prophets rise up with power and maturity.
Decoding Your Dreams: What the Lord May Be Saying to You While You Sleep
What is God saying to you in your dreams? Decoding Your Dreams is a beginner’s guide to understanding the true source of our dreams, dream classifications, and even dream symbols. This book answers questions like: Can we control our dreams? I used to dream all the time. Why has my dream life suddenly ceased? Should I pray for the gift of dream interpretation? What does it mean if I see people in my dreams who have already passed away? When do I share a dream I’ve received and when do I keep it to myself? Where does déjà vu fit into the world of dreams? Why should I pay attention to my children’s dreams? There are dozens of mentions of dreams in the Bible. From Abraham to Joseph, from Daniel all the way to Pontius Pilot’s wife, God has communicated with His people through dreams throughout recorded history. Why would God choose to speak to us while we sleep? Perhaps it’s because we are too distracted during the day to sit still long enough for Him to share the deep secrets of His heart. Jennifer LeClaire is convinced God speaks to us in ways that are very personal. At times he may use pictures, memories, impressions, or even a still small voice. Let Decoding Your Dreams help you embrace your Spirit-inspired dreams!
Does God Want Us to Be Happy?
What if we were wired for happiness? If you were to ask a room full of people about how God wants us to live, you’d likely get a wide range of answers. Some people would say he wants us to be holy. Others might claim he wants us to love people and stand up for peace and justice. But chances are, you wouldn’t hear anyone say, “God wants us to be happy.” We all want to be happy, but we may feel guilty for this longing. Isn’t it selfish to pursue happiness? Isn’t it more spiritual to frown than to smile? In a world full of brokenness, is happiness a worthy pursuit? For those seeking to follow Jesus, should this quest be written off as superficial and unspiritual? In Does God Want Us to Be Happy? , New York Times bestselling author Randy Alcorn offers a collection of short, easy readings on one of life’s biggest questions. As he explores what happiness is and how we attain it, Alcorn provides wisdom, insight, and scriptural proof that God not only wants us to be happy―he commands it! (Adapted from the trade book Happiness .)
Fervent Faith: Discover How a Fervent Spirit Is a Defense Against the Devil
Book by LeClaire, Jennifer
Finding God in the Verbs: Crafting a Fresh Language of Prayer(With: Jennie Isbell)
Do you long for deeper communion with God? Spiritual director Jennie Isbell and Quaker minister Brent Bill know how easy it is to lapse into repetitious refrains of prayer: "Our hearts told us that we had lapsed into easy God speak. We weren't reaching deep into our spirits and drawing out living words of praise, confession, concern, intercession and longing. We were tired of speaking in clipped shorthand to God. We wanted to pray in such a way that we showed up with our whole selves." If you have experienced a similar longing, come join the authors on this prayer journey into the deep waters of the Spirit. This book offers companionship and guidance as you begin to notice, consider and deepen your prayer experiences, with refreshing exercises sprinkled through every chapter to offer you a fresh language for prayer. Find God here―in the nouns and the verbs of your conversation.
Flirting with the Forbidden
In our fallen world, temptation is normal. We run into it every day and we all are susceptible to falling victim to its enticements. We're tempted to cheat on our taxes, milk the clock, lust after someone other than our spouse, dishonor our parents, lie to our friends, covet our neighbor's trip to Europe. But just because we must live with temptation doesn't mean we have to let it master us. In Flirting with the Forbidden , bestselling author Steven James reminds readers that we are always just one step away from bowing to temptation, that we all share the same potential and propensity for evil. Combining powerful first-person narratives from Scripture with thought-provoking reflections on temptation, discipleship, and grace, James helps readers grow in discernment and reliance on the Holy Spirit and develop a deeper, more intimate walk with Christ.