30 April 2012

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is May 13th. Here are some gift ideas for those moms who love to read!

The True Woman by Susan Hunt

Have you sensed God's call to change your world? Do you believe you can be one of those women who, by her virtue, wisdom, dignity, and faith, makes an impact in her home and community?

Maybe you've heard the call but weren't sure how to maximize the opportunities God has given you. Maybe society's definition of "true womanhood"claiming it's about reproductive rights, doing things "your way," assuming the power, and gaining control of your lifehas clouded your view of who you are in Christ. Or maybe you've just been waiting for a little encouragement and inspiration. In any case, author Susan Hunt says, "Start now." And let this book be your encourager and companion.

Through it you will hear how other Christian women are reflecting Christ despite difficult and sometimes tragic circumstancesand how you can reflect Him too. You'll explore what the Bible has to say about your mission and your identity as a true woman of God. You'll learn how to broaden your sphere of influence in the everyday. And you'll discover how to further develop a biblically shaped and Spirit-driven character that people are drawn to.

Begin today not only to draw closer to God, but also to deepen your impact in all you do. This exhortation to biblical womanhood will set your heart on fire and excite you about the unique opportunity you have as a woman of God. An opportunity to make an impact again and again for eternity.

The Organized Heart by Staci Eastin

The fight against chaos is universal, whether it be the outward chaos of disorder and frenzy or the inward chaos of fear and self-criticism. Even if we already know how to do better, something falls apart between our good intentions and getting it done.

Most books on organization just add more rules to your life, whether it be another plan, another calendar, or another method. This book will show you a different, better way that is grounded in the grace of God.

Jesus taught that true change doesn’t come by the addition of more rules, but from the inside out, with a change of the heart that only the gospel can bring. When you identify the heart problems behind the chaos in your life, lasting change can happen. This will not only reduce the stress in your life, but help you be more effective in your service to God.


Radical Womanhood by Carolyn McCulley

Biblical womanhood is not for the weak. In an age that seeks to obliterate God and His authority, modeling biblical womanhood involves spiritual warfare. Radical Womanhood seeks to equip new believers and long-time Christians alike, exposing the anti-God agenda of the three waves of feminism to date and presenting the pro-woman truth of the Scriptures. Illustrated with numerous personal testimonies, this book will dig deep into the Word and show how it can be lived out today. The foundation and core message of Radical Womanhood is consistent with the traditional complementarian teaching on biblical womanhood. However, the target audience, tone, and style are radically different. Most books on this subject take a heavily didactic tone that assumes an awareness of Christian lingo and a high degree of spiritual maturity. Radical Womanhood has the narrative approach appreciated by postmodern readers, but still incorporates solid, biblically-based teaching for personal application and growth.


Women's Ministry in the Local Church by Ligon Duncan & Susan Hunt

Susan Hunt and Ligon Duncan walk through the Scriptures to help readers better understand what it means to have an effective, biblical women's ministry in the church. The benefits of women's ministries are great: training and discipling, evangelizing, and reaching out to the poor and needy. This book, written by seasoned ministry leaders, provides many proven tools to help start a women's ministry in your church.








Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney

Carolyn Mahaney identifies with the challenges facing women in today's world and meets them with the guidance of God's Word. The feminine virtues described in Titus 2 have transformed her life and the lives of countless other women. This book will show you the appeal of being a woman who lives for God and helps others do the same.

04 April 2012

5 Great Books About the Resurrection

Scandalous

How are Christians to approach the central gospel teachings concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus? The Bible firmly establishes the historicity of these events and doesn't leave their meanings ambiguous or open to interpretation. Even so, there is an irony and surprising strangeness to the cross. Carson shows that this strange irony has deep implications for our lives as he examines the history and theology of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection.

Scandalous is the latest addition to the Re:Lit series, which highlights important theological truths in accessible and applicable ways. Both amateur theologians and general readers will appreciate how Carson deftly preserves weighty theology while simultaneously noting the broader themes of Jesus' death and resurrection. Through exposition of five primary passages of Scripture, Carson helps us to more fully understand and appreciate the scandal of the cross.

Resurrection and Redemption

What place does the resurrection of jesus Christ have in Paul's teaching concerning salvation? Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. explains in part one that a change has taken place in Reformed theology's interpretation of the center of Paul's thought -- a change that affects how we should approach Paul"s writings. Gaffin discusses this change and the proper way to approach Paul. Part two uncovers the basic structure of Paul's resurrection theology and shows the central place of Christ's resurrection in the whole of Paul's theology. Part three discusses how Paul develops and uses this resurrection theme in several passages and in connection with the doctrines of adoption, justification, sanctification, and glorification. Gaffin's conclusion presents the implications of this study for the problems and program of Reformed dogmatics.


The Christ of the Empty Tomb

You have to hunt for the message of Easter. After all, this is not the joyous welcoming of a baby with the giving of gifts; this is the brutal death of a young man, stripped of any gifts and dignity. Yet, Jews had prayed for him, hoped for him, looked for him and lived for him for generations. But now the one who said he was Messiah was dead, killed by the very ones who had for so long anticipated his coming. How could this have happened? His disciples had spent 3 years following him. and here they were in despair - but then they found the empty tomb. James Boice, one of the church's master communicators, explains the drama, purpose and events surrounding Easter so that it can become an occasion of spiritual joy.




Spurgeon's Sermons on the Death and Resurrection of Jesus

Experience Jesus’ death and resurrection with Charles Spurgeon, one of the nineteenth century’s greatest preachers. In this collection of over forty sermons, Spurgeon takes us through The Last Supper, Jesus’ passion and death, including Christ’s cries from the cross, up to his glorious resurrection. Drawing us into the scripture text for each sermon, Spurgeon uses vivid word pictures and thought-providing concepts to make his points. His direct, practical style, wide choice of topics, and biblically-saturated discussions offer a wealth of wisdom that is still dynamic and relevant today. Both lay readers and clergy will find treasures here in Lent and Easter—and throughout the year.




Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross

This collection of readings, drawn from the writings and sermons of 25 classic and contemporary theologians and Bible teachers, focuses on the wonder of Christ's sacrifice.

In a culture where crosses have become little more than decorative accessories and jewelry, how easy it is for even the most well-intended Christian to rush from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday without thoughtfully contemplating the cross and all that it means. Yet we miss out on spiritual riches when we do.

So that we all may linger at the cross during the Lenten season—and stay near it the whole year through—editor Nancy Guthrie has compiled this special anthology. It draws from the works and sermons of classic theologians such as Luther, Edwards, Spurgeon, Ryle, and Augustine, and from leading contemporary communicators such as John Piper, R. C. Sproul, Francis Schaeffer, John MacArthur, Skip Ryan, and Joni Eareckson Tada to help readers enter into an experience of Christ's passion and anchor their hope in the power of his resurrection.

Each essay in this collection holds to a high view of Scripture and expounds on a particular aspect of the Easter story using the appropriate Scripture passage from the ESV Bible. These readings are sure to prepare people's hearts for a fresh experience of the cross each and every Easter season.


Articles Pertaining to the Resurrection:

"The Spiritual Resurrection of Believers" by Geerhardus Vos

"The Efficacy and Benefit of Christ's Resurrection" by Wilhelmus à Brakel

"Reversing the Fall and Setting Creation Free" by Vern S. Poythress

"The Resurrection of Christ" by J. Gresham Machen