it provides a beautiful, biblical response to so many of our questions ...
341306
Don't be hesitant because of the word supernatural in the title - this book is for all Christians. Quoting John G. Lake in one chapter only to cite John Piper in the next, it provides a beautiful, biblical response to so many of our questions as Christians - questions like why do I read about things in the bible that I don't experience in my own life? A short and yet hearty read on what is available for us as believers when we pursue not the gifts but the One who gives them.
62540
Alan is a gracious teacher as he guides the reader, his dear Padawan through the intricacies of this much needed revelation (meant with an emphasis on the re, as these truths have always been present within Scripture). His call to re-awaken the complete capacity of Christs Church is taken deeper and deeper to reveal the beauty of a design intended from the very beginning of time. Follow Alan on this journey and you will be hard-pressed to not take up the Call adamantly yourself! Then, not only will you understand this beauty, you will receive the tools with which to embrace and live it. Its a beautiful thing when a philosopher boldly explores for deeper understanding and then transfers that to tangible life-transforming practice. I fully believe these truths will do just that. It is exciting, not just for the promise of repairing maladies within the Church, but for the promise of attaining to the full glory of being the body of King Jesus!
2655455
There are so many questions on this subject. This book is delves into a topic with which so many have struggled and provides a sound, scriptural interpretation. This not only applies to divorce in the Christian life, but the Christian life in general. I'll read this again.
2814780
Sondra Sneed's beautiful writing invites the reader into a deeper understanding of and relationship with God.  What To Do When You're Dead records messages Sondra says God told her in a series of conversations. The transcripts include Biblical and scholarly references including the creation story in Genesis, Maslow's hierarchy, truth hidden in plain sight and darkness overcome from the gospels, questioning of God a la Job, and a relationship between God and humankind evolving from duty to love. Thought provoking and worth while read.
2862032
Unlike calendar-based devotionals, this beautiful book is not in date order.  Rather, each page holds a common-sense and/or real-life application of a bible verse in an easily understood and poignant message.  It is physically a beautiful book - the perfect size, attractive and enticing to the reader.  I particularly love the inclusion of a Scripture Index in addition to a Subject Index.  I have already used this several times during family prayer time when I wanted to discuss a particular Biblical passage.  I strongly recommend this book for Christians and those who want a deeper and very applicable devotional.
4264216
This is a beautiful hard covered picture.  The illustrations are stunning and the biblical quotes add a special touch.  The story provides an understanding of some of the questions that we think Mary may have had when being chosen to be the Mother of Jesus.  A book I feel every child or family should have.
3034029
Every Bible believer should be up on giving an appropriate answer to the "difficult" questions of the Bible. There are many reasons for this and if not clear as to why then pick up a copy and quiz yourselves! This volume will go a long ways in combating biblical illiteracy that is so unfortunately common today!
1648378
Jennifer Bird takes a look at our many assumpotions about what the Bible says, and demolishes many of these assumptions.  The book is provocative but thoughtful.  Bible literalists will have an especially hard time with her assertions. Our Bible Study really enjoyed the experience of reading this book.
4346139
Judson Cornwall does an excellent job of explaining that our conversations with our Heavenly Father should be a RESPONSE to what He has already said.  As we delight ourselves in the Lord and in His Word, He will place His desires in our hearts (Psalm 37:4).  If we abide in Him, and His Word abides in us, we will ask whatever we desire and it shall be done for us (John 15:7).

It would be prudent to read this book at least once a year.
320171
Beautiful and inspiring. I truly enjoy using this bible to help guide my life as a Christian. With questions and answers sections, an index of the disciplines, you can't go wrong picking it up every day to study the word of God. I have prayed several times asking for guidance where my answer is always the same. Study His word more. Wonderfully laid out. The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is for the extremely thin pages. I prefer mine to be a little thicker so that I don't have to worry about tears.

As a member of the CWA review crew, I was honored to receive this bible to share my thoughts on. I have passed it on now to a wonderful lady that I believe needed it.
2011179
Mott's book is highly Biblical (the references abound throughout the text) and incorporates a solid understanding of Hebrew culture.  I wholeheartedly agree with the majority of his conclusions, though not with the chapter permitting the Christian to use violence to protect the abused and downtrodden.  (But this isn't the place for my counter-arguments.)

I don't personally agree with some of Mott's theological foundations, but I found that he did a very good job of making the book applicable to those of us of different theological persuasions.  If you have major questions about the Biblical foundations for "social justice" in the Church, look no further than this book.  It is a wonderful wake up for a Church that likes to excuse itself from having to take action because of an overly-internalized and individualistic faith.
4792033
So Much More is the kind of thoughtful, poetic, and complex response to Christianity that so many of us desire.  Rather than giving answers to life's most challenging questions, Rienstra invites us, as the title suggests, to enter into the ambiguity and complexity of an authentic faith and then sit down and stay awhile.  She does this with wit, beauty and grace, all of which make this book a delight to read.
2192322
This resource does analyzes the anti-gay "clobber" passages from a variety of perspectives. It also presents a sound method for understanding why you and I might hear very different messages when we read the bible. It treats a variety of biblical approaches with respect, though there is clearly a hierarchy of how learned and broad the various approaches are. I used this wonderful resources (and the helpful leaders' guide) in a group which is very welcoming already. Several participants had a profound experience. Though they already felt "OK with God", they came to realize that the bible doesn't even say what they always thought it did. There was also some understanding gained of family members whose biblical approach created alienation.
4442181
Talbott looks at a some of the most difficult questions we face - free will, determinism, suffering, evil & hell. He does so in a clear & gracious manner, citing many relevant Bible passages & peers.

Furthermore, he examines the nature of love in great detail, revealing amazing implications.

Overall I'd suggest it's a book that everyone would find thought provoking, if not life changing, as I found it to be.
4262633
This book answers many questions but I believe this book is for people who seek a deeper understanding of the biblical principles of Christ consciousness.
3865589
We have formal religions around the world; we have personal interpretations of those religions. We have icons, statues, candles, holy days, rituals, holy books.

We have those who walk spiritual paths, who have left the formal path of dogma and seek an immersion into Creation, a different kind of communion with their Maker.

We have those who follow the old ways, here in the States with our Native Americans, in other countries, on other continents, many of those ways immersed in nature, in the balance of yin and yang, in ancient rituals, communion with ancestors, communion with the Creator by whatever name he or she is called.

Mare presents intense interviews with the young, with the old; with believers, with non-believers all based on the very basic question that what if she could give you God's phone number, a direct, no waiting, connection, what would you ask God?

The responses to that question truly run the whole scope of human experience; of human search for meaning in life. Would some chose to not call; would some have multiple questions? Of course, and those questions go to the very core of existence on this planet. You don't want to miss these responses; you do want as you are reading to make some notes of your own. Write down all your questions as you read the responses of others; think about the question and write down what comes to mind. When you finish the book, and you will definitely want to finish the book, look at your questions and break it down to just one question. Ask yourself if you have the courage to dial that number, or would it be impertinent, blasphemousor an incredible communication?

This written expression Mare has gathered for you is priceless. A phone call with God. Are we extending our limited human perspective to God to think he or she sits about waiting for a phone call? Would our questions be answered in a way we
could comprehend, or is our intelligence too limited to understand the immensity of Creation and the interconnection of all of it? Would we literally melt down if we heard the voice of God?

This book makes you think. And possibly, if you reversed this question, and she asked how you would respond if God called you directly, how comfortable would you be with that?

This is a must read, eye opening, thought provoking, important work. Ready to pick up the book, consider the questionindeed, make the call, contemplate the challenge?
2469529
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Appointments With Heaven .This has been such a blessing to me. I too have experienced tragic loss in my life. I have wondered as well, the why's, as all of us do. I've also considered if not for having the promise through Christ that is offered to all of us the terrible fate that we would have. The gift of life is truly precious and our Heavenly Father has given us this gift to begin with. He created us in his image and his likeness. We have the same emotions he has, when Christ was on earth, he grieved with Martha and many others. I think of when Jesus - Yesuha our  Saviour was  dying of the  cross  how the Father allowed his sufferings . It was even foretold in the writing in the Holy profits. In the book of Isaiah 53: 10-12 But it was the Lord's good plan to crush him and fill him with grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have a multitude of children, many heirs. He will enjoy a long life and the Lord's plan will prosper in his hands. When that is accomplished by his aguish he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make possible for many to be counted righteous. For he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among those who were sinners. He bore the sins of many and interceded for sinners.  I had a revelation while reading this book , how could we possibly know the overwhelming grief and anguish Christ suffered on our behalf to give us the gift of life forever in his presence ? And the precious gift of Heaven had we not had our own hearts broken from grief we might have missed the significance of it all. The magnitude of this profound love God has for us. Romans 8: 18-30 says Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even though we as Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently. This book has given me a glimpse of Heaven and we need to constantly remind ourselves and others of this future realty that is ours.