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Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible
2022-02-20
The Legacy of the King James BibleThe King James Version has shaped the church, our worship, and our mother tongue for over 400 years. But what should we do with it today?The KJV beautifully rendered the Scriptures into the language of turn-of-the-
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The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex (and You Thought Bad Girls Have All the Fun)
2022-02-19
Candid and contemporary, this audiobook gives you a Christian place to turn for answers to your most intimate - and embarrassing - questions. Billions of people have had sex. Far fewer have made love. In The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex, author Sheila Wray Gregoire helps women see how sexual intimacy was designed to be physically stupendous but also incredibly intimate. Whether you're about to walk down the aisle, newly married, or you've been married for decades, The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex will lead you on a wonderful journey of discovery toward the amazing sex life God designed you for. With humor, research, and lots of anecdotes, author Sheila Wray Gregoire helps women see how our culture's version of sex, which concentrates on the physical above all else, makes sex shallow. God, on the other hand, intended sex to unite us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Gregoire walks through these three aspects of sex, showing how to make each amazing, and how to overcome the roadblocks in each area we often encounter. Drawing on survey results from over 2,000 people, she also includes lots of voices from other Good Girls, giving insight into how other women have learned to truly enjoy sex in marriage. Tables and statistics charts included in the audiobook companion PDF download. PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio. ©2012 Shelia Wray Gregoire (P)2012 Zondervan
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The Christian in Complete Armour
2021-12-14
Written in the 17th century by Pastor William Gurnall and compiled into 365 readings by Bell, this collection supplies Christians with a soul-searching supplement to the Bible. Gurnall gives readers eternal knowledge that can be embraced daily, providing extra strength for victory. The Christian in Complete Armour is certainly one of the greatest of all the Puritans' practical writings. This 3-volume paperback set is a modernized abridgement of the Puritan Classic by William Gurnall.
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The Great Sex Rescue: The Lies You’ve Been Taught and How to Recover What God Intended
2021-12-14
The Great Sex Rescue pulls back the curtain on what is happening in Christian bedrooms and exposes the problematic teachings that wreck sex for so many couples--and the good teachings that leave others breathless.
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Healing PCOS: A 21-Day Plan for Reclaiming Your Health and Life with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
2021-12-14
A proven 21-day diet and lifestyle plan to help women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) take back control of their health and resolve their symptoms from a certified health coach and founder of the large PCOS Diva online community. PCOS is one of the most common hormonal disorders, and the most common cause of female infertility, affecting roughly five million American women. Because it’s symptoms are widespread—including stubborn weight gain, acne, mood swings, abnormal hair loss or growth, and irregular menstrual cycles—women suffering from PCOS are often misdiagnosed and treated with "Band-Aid" pharmaceuticals with uncomfortable side effects that only mask PCOS’s root causes. While there is no cure for PCOS, women can learn to control their symptoms naturally. In this welcome guide, Amy Medling shows how to combine an anti-inflammatory and hormone-balancing diet, daily movement, and stress-reducing self-care to successfully treat their PCOS. Grounded in the latest medical research and filled with the knowledge she’s acquired dealing with PCOS herself and working with thousands of women, Healing PCOS offers women small, manageable steps that help alleviate their symptoms and control the inflammation, hormonal imbalance, and insulin resistance that underlie the condition. Amy’s revolutionary program consists of: A 21-day anti-inflammatory, hormone-balancing and gluten-free meal plan, including meal prep and plan-ahead tips to make eating this way simple and fast 85 delicious recipes—half fan favorites and half new dishes Daily self-care exercises, including meditation and journaling prompts Amy has helped tens of thousands of women with PCOS take back control of their health and their lives through lasting, healing, and sustainable lifestyle change. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have struggled with PCOS, her revolutionary program can now work for you.
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Good and Angry: Redeeming Anger, Irritation, Complaining, and Bitterness
2021-12-14
Something that matters to you just isn't right. First you see the problem, then you feel it. It starts with a rush of adrenaline and often a rush of words, but it ends with an overwhelming sense of irritation that impacts how we talk to those we live and work with. We know anger affects us negatively, but we don't know any other way to respond when life goes wrong. In this groundbreaking book David Powlison undertakes an in-depth exploration of the roots of anger, moral judgment, and righteous response by looking in a surprising place: God's own anger. Powlison reminds us that God gets angry too. He sees things in this world that aren't right and he wants justice too. But God's anger doesn't devolve into manipulation or trying to control others to get his own way. Instead his anger is good and redemptive. It causes him to step into our world to make wrongs right, sending his own Son to die so that we can be reconciled. He is both our model for change and our power to change. Good and Angry sets listeners on a path toward a faithful and fruitful expression of anger. Powlison offers practical help for people who struggle with irritation, complaining, or bitterness and gives guidance for how to respond constructively when life goes wrong. You, your family, and your friends will all be glad that you listened to this book.
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Something's Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse - and Freeing Yourself from Its Power
2021-12-14
You feel alone and confused―but calling it “abuse” feels extreme and unsettling, a label for what happens to other people but not you. Yet you can’t shake the feeling: something’s not right.
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Rethinking Sexuality: God’s Design and Why It Matters
2021-02-17
This ground-breaking resource challenges and equips Christians to think and act biblically and compassionately in matters of sexuality. Sexual abuse, sex addiction, gender confusion, brokenness, and shame plague today's world, and people are seeking clarity and hope. By contesting long-held cultural paradigms, this book equips you to see how sexuality is rooted in the broader context of God's heart and His work for us on earth. It provides a framework from which to understand the big picture of sexual challenges and wholeness and helps you recognize that every sexual question is ultimately a spiritual one. It shifts the paradigm from combating sexual problems to confidently proclaiming and modeling the road to sacred sexuality. Instead of arguing with the world about what's right and wrong about sexual choices, this practical resource equips you to share the love and grace of Jesus as you encounter the pain of sexual brokenness--your own or someone else's.
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Forgiving What You Can't Forget: Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That's Beautiful Again
2021-02-17
You deserve to stop suffering because of what other people have done to you. Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of unresolved pain, playing offenses over and over in your mind? You know you can't go on like this, but you don't know what to do next. #1 New York Times Bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst has wrestled through this journey. But in surprising ways, she’s discovered how to let go of bound-up resentment and overcome the resistance to forgiving people who aren’t willing to make things right. With deep empathy, therapeutic insight, and rich Bible teaching coming out of more than 1,000 hours of theological study, Lysa will help you: Learn how to move on when the other person refuses to change and never says they're sorry. Walk through a step-by-step process to free yourself from the hurt of your past and feel less offended today. Discover what the Bible really says about forgiveness and the peace that comes from living it out right now. Identify what's stealing trust and vulnerability from your relationships so you can believe there is still good ahead. Disempower the triggers hijacking your emotions by embracing the two necessary parts of forgiveness.
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Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture
2021-02-17
"How did I get here?" These are the words of many Christian men on the brink of burnout or in the midst of breakdown. They are exhausted, depressed, anxious, stressed, and joyless. Their time is spent doing many good things, but their pace is unsustainable— lacking the regular rest, readjustment, and recalibration they need. But there is good news: God has graciously provided a way for men to reset their lives to a more sustainable pace. Drawing on personal experiences—and time spent counseling other men in the midst of burnout—David Murray offers weary men hope for the future, helping them identify the warning signs of burnout and offering practical strategies for developing patterns that are necessary for living a grace-paced life and reaching the finish line with their joy intact.
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When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community from Emotional and Spiritual Abuse
2021-02-17
Why does narcissism seem to thrive in our churches?
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Lies Men Believe: And the Truth That Sets Them Free
2021-01-13
FOREWORD 11 INTRODUCTION 15 SECTION ONE: FOUNDATIONS CHAPTER ONE: CROSSING THE BRIDGE WHEN WE GET THERE 23 SECTION TWO: LIES MEN BELIEVE CHAPTER TWO: LIES MEN BELIEVE ABOUT GOD 35 1. God is not a whole lot different from me. 41 2. God isn’t actually involved in or concerned with the details of my life. 44 3. I can earn God’s favor. 48 4. There are many ways to God. 51 5. Church? I can take it or leave it. 54 CHAPTER THREE: LIES MEN BELIEVE ABOUT THEMSELVES 59 6. I’m not responsible for my actions. 63 7. Pleasure and entertainment can satisfy me. 67 8. I’m the master of my own destiny. 70 9. Real men don’t cry. 73 10. I don’t need male friends. 75 CHAPTER FOUR: LIES MEN BELIEVE ABOUT SIN 81 11. Who others think I am matters more than who I really am. 87 12. If I mean well, that’s good enough. 91 13. My sin isn’t really that bad. 94 14. God could never forgive me for what I’ve done. 97 15. I can hide my secret sin since it only hurts me. 100 16. Holiness is boring. 106 CHAPTER FIVE: LIES MEN BELIEVE ABOUT SEXUALITY 109 17. A little porn is harmless. 114 18. What my wife doesn’t know won’t hurt her. 119 19. If I experience same-sex attraction, I should pursue a same-sex relationship. 122 20. I have sexual needs my wife can’t fulfill. 127 CHAPTER SIX: LIES MEN BELIEVE ABOUT MARRIAGE AND FAMILY 133 21. Love doesn’t require spoken words. 138 22. My wife is supposed to make me happy. 142 23. I don’t have what it takes to be the CEO of my home. I can leave that role to my wife. 145 24. I don’t have to grow up. 153 25. If I discipline my kids, they’ll rebel. 157 CHAPTER SEVEN: LIES MEN BELIEVE ABOUT WORK AND WEALTH 163 26. Making more money will make me happier. 169 27. How I spend my time is my business. 172 28. I’m not responsible to be the provider for my wife and family. 176 29. My faith and my work are unrelated. 182 30. I can’t afford to give more money away. 188 CHAPTER EIGHT: LIES MEN BELIEVE ABOUT CIRCUMSTANCES 193 31. I have the right to be angry when things don’t go my way. 199 32. Pain and suffering are always bad. 201 33. The world is rigged against me. 206 34. I can’t help how I react to certain people or circumstances. 211 35. I can run away from God. 216 CHAPTER NINE: LIES MEN BELIEVE ABOUT THE WORLD 221 36. The world is too messed up to bring children into. 228 37. I’m measured by how I compare with other men. 233 38. With everything going on in my life, it’s really not possible to live with integrity. 238 39. Being a Christian is supposed to be cool. 242 40. My death will be the end of my story. 246 SECTION THREE: WALKING IN TRUTH CHAPTER TEN: COUNTERING THE LIES WITH THE TRUTH 253 CHAPTER ELEVEN: THE TRUTH THAT SETS US FREE 267 “If there ever was such a thing as a ‘shortcut’ to the wisdom of the ages, you’re holding it in your hands. This is the kind of wisdom that can only be earned over a lifetime of trial and error, trial and error, and, finally, trial and success.” -Patrick Morley Author, The Man in the Mirror “In 2001, I wrote a book called Lies Women Believe. Since then this message has reached millions of women and been translated into dozens of languages. But I’ve often been asked about a ‘male counterpart’ to the book. When God brought Robert into my life in 2015, I soon realized he was the ideal choice to pen this message for men. You’ll find that reading Lies Men Believe, with its warm, relatable style, is like having a conversation with a good friend. Be prepared, in the process, to grapple with some tough issues. And be prepared to experience the liberating power of the Truth—in your own life, and in the lives of those you influence.” -Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth Revive Our Hearts Teacher & Host; Lies Books Series Editor You are being hunted. Like a seasoned angler, our enemy opens his tackle box and selects the lure most likely to attract his intended prey—usually the one you and I are least likely to consider harmful. Each lie we bite on causes us to feel pain, lose or injure relationships, and miss out on the abundant life that God wants us to have. Lies Men Believe exposes the lies that men most commonly believe, and shows you how to combat those lies with the truth. Lies like: Pleasure and Entertainment Can Truly Satisfy Me If I Mean Well, That’s Good Enough If I Discipline My Children, They’ll Rebel. I’m Measured by How I Compare with Other Men. Find out how lies are holding you back from freedom, joy, and intimacy with God and others. Discover the power of the truth. Because once you fully embrace the truth, nothing is ever the Review Clear, engaging, well crafted. And best of all, anchored in the truth. This book is going to be life changing for a lot of men. I hope you’re one of them! Bob Lepine Cohost, FamilyLife Today It was the Greeks who said great communicators embodied logos (content), ethos (ethics or integrity), and pathos (passion). Well, if that be the case, then Robert Wolgemuth has checked all three boxes in this much-needed volume, Lies Men Believe. I found my heart greatly stirred as I read these inspiring words all from a man who has built a lifetime walking with Jesus and living in authentic manhood. You will be a better man after drinking in these words. Bryan Loritts Lead Pastor, Abundant Life Author of Insider, Outsider It took a long time and some unexpected circumstances for there to be a companion volume to Lies Women Believe, but in God’s good and mysterious providence it is here at last. I’m thankful for Robert’s efforts in writing a book that so wonderfully complements Nancy’s. This book will prove to be both a challenge and a blessing to you. Tim Challies Blogger When presented with the opportunity, I didn’t immediately read Robert’s manuscript. Not seeing myself as a “lie believer,” I felt no urgency. Now, I stand corrected—and grateful! Those of us who know Robert regard him as accomplished, gifted, and wise. He’s ready for anything and gracious in everything. As you will discover in this volume, he’s also candid in exploring the challenges men face. Learning from him was like a workout for the soul, leaving me convicted and inspired. There were moments when I flushed with emotion, and others that left me galvanized with resolve. Lies Men Believe is personally relevant to every manand will prompt you to do business with God—as I did. I highly recommend it. Paul Santhouse Publisher, Moody Publishers The most dangerous lies are always the most alluring. They come to us in the guise of the good, the delightful, and the wise (Gen. 3:6). Thankfully, in this insightful and practical book, Robert Wolgemuth not only unmasks those lies, he teaches us how to recognize them for what they are. If only I’d had this book forty years ago! George Grant Pastor of Parish Presbyterian Church Even though the most prominent word on the cover of this book is “Lies,” I know from experience that the most important word can be found in the subtitle. It’s “Truth.” This is a book about truth . . . the power of truth. Truth that sets a man free. And this truth can be found in the absolute reliability of God’s Word, the Bible. Patrick Morley Bestselling author and founder, Man in the Mirror For many years, I have had the privilege of preaching the gospel . . . the good news of Jesus Christ who is, Himself, the Truth. This book, Lies Men Believe, identifies some of the awful things Satan whispers in our ears . . . lies that are shattered because of freedom that God’s grace and His truth provide. I’m thankful to Robert Wolgemuth for putting this in writing and I enthusiastically recommend this book to you. Jack Graham Host of PowerPoint, author, and pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church About the Author PATRICK MORLEY founded Man in the Mirror in 1991 and has since impacted the lives of more than 10,000,000 men worldwide. Since 1986, he has taught a weekly Friday morning Bible study to 150 businessmen in Orlando, Florida. This study is broadcast on iTunes and webcast around the world. Pat also speaks to men daily through the Man in the Mirror radio program. He has written 16 books, including The Marriage Prayer, A Man's Guide to the Spiritual Disciplines and Pastoring Men. Pat lives in Winter Park, Florida with his wife, Patsy. They have two grown children and two granddaughters.
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No Silver Bullets: Five Small Shifts That Will Transform Your Ministry
2021-01-13
What if I told you that you were only one step away from unlocking new levels of maturity and growth in your church? The myth of the silver bullet still exists because we desperately want it to. We all prefer quick fixes and bandage solutions to the long, hard, slow work that produces real change. So the moment we learn about a new ministry or strategy and see its effect in another church, we run to implement it in our own. Unfortunately, this impulse is usually met by opposition, skepticism, and ultimately rejection. What if the solution isn't a new model or a complicated strategy but a shift in perspective? What if you could keep your church's current vision, values, and model and simply make a few microshifts...leading to macrochanges? This book explores five microshifts that have the potential to produce macrochanges in your church. As you listen you will discover how to integrate these microshifts into the life of your church, starting with the way you disciple. You will finish by developing a plan to structure, communicate, and evaluate these changes to ensure that they take root and pave the way for lasting change and kingdom impact. About the Author Daniel Im is the Senior Associate Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church, a multiplying multisite church focused on reaching 1% of Edmonton for Christ. His latest book is You Are What You Do: And Six Other Lies about Work, Life, and Love. He is also the author of No Silver Bullets: Five Small Shifts that will Transform Your Ministry, and co-author of Planting Missional Churches: Your Guide to Starting Churches that Multiply (2nd ed) with Ed Stetzer. Daniel is a speaker and leader who has traveled to cities like New York, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Seoul to teach, consult, and coach. He co-hosts the New Churches Q&A Podcast as well as the IMbetween Podcast, and his podcasts have been downloaded over 3 million times. He has pastored in five major cities around the world in churches ranging from 100 people to 50,000 people. Daniel has an M.A. in Global Leadership and is a Gallup Strengths Performance Coach. He has led over 500 people through the StrengthsFinder assessment in multiple countries. He is a Maximizer, Learner, Intellection, Developer, and Strategic. Because of their love for the local church, after pioneering and leading the church multiplication initiative for LifeWay, Daniel and his wife, Christina, moved back to Canada with their three children. For more information, visit danielim.com and follow him on social media @danielsangi. Review "While discipling others who will then disciple others is Jesus' master plan, defining maturity is sometimes tricky. I'm grateful that Daniel outlines a research-based, yet practical way, to understand and move people toward Christlikeness. Don't miss this." - Robert E. Coleman, distinguished senior professor of Evangelism and Discipleship, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, author of The Master Plan of Evangelism "Daniel Im is a brilliant young thought leader who in No Silver Bullets offers hope to every leader by showing us five micro shifts that can bring macro changes in our churches. This book is a reality check reminding us quick fixes will not bring lasting change; but a change in perspective can usher in a new day. If you are done with easy solutions and ready for a clear path to lasting change this is the book for you!" - Dave Ferguson, lead pastor of Community Christian Church and author of Finding Your Way Back to God and Starting Over "There may not be a silver bullet when it comes to discipleship, but this book is a must-read bullet to put in the barrel of your disciple-making environments. Daniel Im has created an incredibly insightful and practically helpful work that I will read several times over both alone and with our team. If you're wondering how you or your church can become effective at the mission Jesus gave us, this book is for you." - Jeff Vanderstelt, pastor at Doxa Church, visionary leader of Saturate and The Soma Family of Churches, and author of Saturate and Gospel Fluency "No Silver Bullets is as good a read as the title is honest. Finally a new, young voice enters the fray with clear thinking, rational conclusions, and a radical call. I felt lit up, called out, and calmed down all at the same time." - Hugh Halter, US Director of Forge America and author of The Tangible Kingdom and Flesh "While God will complete in us the good work that He began, there are no silver bullets in our spiritual growth. And there are no silver bullets in discipling and shepherding a church. There are, however, important perspectives we may adopt that will greatly impact how we lead and the direction and development of those we lead. I am grateful for Daniel's work and believe this book will challenge and encourage you." - Eric Geiger, vice president of LifeWay Christian Resources and coauthor of Designed to Lead and Simple Church "I've often said that the quality of a church's leadership is directly proportional to the quality of discipleship. If you fail in the area of making disciples, you will fail in the area of leadership development. Daniel gets this as he examines the systems and pathways for discipleship in the local church. Don't miss out on this important work." - Alan Hirsch, author of numerous books on missional Christianity including The Forgotten Ways and 5Q and founder of 100Movements and Forge "No Silver Bullets is a refreshing effort to help church leaders guide the local church to more effective ministry. Far too many books offer over-simplified solutions and over-reaching promises. In this incredible work, Daniel reveals the necessity for church leaders to focus their efforts to faithfulness to the timeless practices of healthy churches. Every leader church should read and reread this book!" - Kevin Peck, lead pastor of The Austin Stone Community Church and coauthor of Designed to Lead "If the central command of the Great Commission is to make disciples, and you have a plan for marketing, facilities, and organization, but not a plan for discipleship, you have missed the point. Don't miss this important work by my friend, Daniel. In it, he will help you develop a discipleship pathway for your church by leveraging research that I was a part of." - Ed Stetzer, Billy Graham Distinguished Chair of Church, Wheaton College "In this important book, Daniel returns discipleship to the center of the church's ministry. The discipleship process begins in evangelism and progresses all the way through healthy involvement in a local church. Daniel, who practices what he preaches, offers practical, inspiring stories and steps to guide you through every step of this process." - J.D. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina and author of Gaining by Losing --This text refers to an alternate kindle_edition edition.
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When God Writes Your Love Story: The Ultimate Guide to Guy/Girl Relationships
2021-01-13
In their most popular book, bestselling authors Eric and Leslie Ludy challenge singles to take a fresh approach to relationships in a culture where love has been replaced by cheap sensual passion. When God Writes Your Love Story shows that God's way to true love brings fulfillment and romance in its purest, richest, and most satisfying form. This new edition includes an extra chapter from Leslie Ludy about the surprises of life after marriage! “I had dreamed of a perfect love story for my entire life. But somewhere in the midst of the endless cycle of temporary romances, my dreams had shattered.” How can I find a love worth waiting for? Lay the foundation now—whether you’ve met your future spouse or not—for a lifelong romance. Bestselling authors Eric and Leslie Ludy invite you to discover how beautiful your love story can be when the Author of romance scripts every detail. Story Behind the Book Eric and Leslie Ludy want to offer an exciting vision of hope, proving that the Author of romance is alive and well and that true and lasting love can become a reality. Using the “four secrets to an amazing love story,” Eric and Leslie present a Christ-centered approach to building a relationship that will stand the test of time. About the Author Eric Ludy As full-time speakers, writers, and musicians, Eric and Leslie Ludy challenge and encourage young adults and singles around the world to pursue holiness in every aspect of their lives. The Ludys live in Windsor, Colorado. Leslie Ludy As full-time speakers, writers, and musicians, Eric and Leslie Ludy challenge and encourage young adults and singles around the world to pursue holiness in every aspect of their lives. The Ludys live in Windsor, Colorado. --This text refers to the paperback edition. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. All the Kens and Barbies sat around the table. (Note: technically, it’s now supposed to be “Blaine and Barbie,” but I still have a soft spot for good old Ken.) Amid glistening smiles and Coppertone tans, the fragrance of Polo, with a hint of Skin So Soft (yes, this was the good ol’ nineties!) wafted through the café booth. I nibbled at my burrito as the conversation around me finally arrived at its ultimate destination. “So, Kevin,” Barbie No. 1 flirted across the table, “tell us who you’re seeing now.” Kevin, the son of a state senator, was used to having eyes upon him. Being a Tom Cruise look-alike has a way of boosting the ego. As he crunched a chip between perfect teeth, an “I thought you’d never ask” smirk found its way across his face. As all of us camp counselors leaned in, eyes bulging with expectancy, Kevin finally revealed the secret in a low monotone: “Her name is…Sandra!” This only added to the excitement and wonder, because no one had any idea who Sandra was. “Is she a babe?” crooned the resident Brad Pitt, alias Mike from Wyoming. Say no more! Swift as the bionicman, Kevin whipped out his wallet. Moments later we all observed a photograph of the “hottest girl on the planet,” as Kevin so proudly referred to her. “Niiice!” came the rumble of approval from Brad Pitt and Matt Damon (Wayne from Denver). “I think she has a huge nose!” grumbled one of the girls under her breath. I continued to pick at my burrito. Barbie No. 2, sitting beside Top Gun, was next in the heartthrob inquisition. She displayed a photo of her boyfriend to cheers of “You go, girl!” from the Barbies and disapproving rumbles about his skinny neck from the Kens, Brads,Matts, and Toms. After a week of having to exhibit saintlike behavior to all the little campers and being superspiritual while around the camp leaders, it was time to let our hair down—time to let the real passions of life come out. I mean, in your late teens and early twenties, you can sing only so many spiritual camp songs before you need an infusion of good old-fashioned romance. One year earlier, talks like this had really litmy fire. I used to love to brag about my love life at camp and exaggerate about my “sexy new girlfriend” in a way that would make all the guys jealous and all the girls insecure. You could say just about anything and get away with it; no one was going home with you to check out your story. I used to crave these love chats, but something about Eric Ludy had changed—something big. Something that made me want to slide under the table when all those inquisitive eyes turned my way. I’ll never forget the moment. There I was, my fork poking at the jalapeño stranded on the corner of my plate and my mind screaming over and over, Please don’t ask me…please don’t ask me. They asked. “So, Eric, tell us about your exciting love life!” All the periwinkle, emerald, and dark brown eyes were twinkling at me with expectation. I gulped. “Uhhhh,” I mumbled.My palms were sweaty.My tongue was dry and thick, like I had a felt eraser in my mouth. Finally, I found my voice. “Uhh, I uhh, actually, uh, I am waiting on God.” But to be honest, it didn’t really come out as clearly as I just wrote it.The last part of my sentence mumbled under my breath, sounding something like, “Ima waying on Gaw.” I hoped a brief answer would encourage them to move on to Elle Macpherson (a.k.a. Kayla from Utah) seated next to me, poised and ready with a photo of her hunk. The plan backfired. They became even more interested. “Uh, I think we missed that, Ludy,” Tom Cruise sarcastically challenged. “Was that a girl’s name or some kind of Chinese food?” After the laughs subsided, I began again, this time a little more clearly. “I know this may sound strange, you guys, but I’ve decided that I won’t give my heart to another girl until God shows me it’s my wife.” I have often wished I could have been more eloquent, that I could have made my resolve sound a little more appealing to my audience, now staring at me with mouths ajar. But I guess God wanted me to know that I was following a different path, that I was not to seek the approval of the Kens and Barbies of this world but simply to honor and love Him. It was a lonely moment. Silence filled our corner of the restaurant, and all eyes focused on the jalapeño I was ruthlessly stabbing to death. “That’s…interesting!” Barbie No. 1 awkwardly noted, her eyes large with disbelief. Wayne from Denver was not quite as subtle in his disapproval. “Oh, give me a break!” he exploded in disgust. “How in the world do you expect to find someone, Ludy, if you’re not out there looking?”His words incited a chorus of yeahs and exactlys from around the booth. After a moment of reflective silence, I took a deep breath and stated, “I believe that if God wants me to be married”—another deep breath—“He will pick her out for me.” A dark cloud settled over the entire group and rained down bewilderment in the form of pursed lips and rolled eyes. I glanced up from my tortured jalapeño to discover a long bony index finger pointing at me, about twelve inches from my nose. Kevin used that finger like Clint Eastwood used a gun.He didn’t shoot to maim—he shot to kill. His bronzed face had turned red with annoyance, and his lips were quivering with indignation, like a lava pool ready to explode. After three long seconds, he finally erupted. “I totally disagree with you!” he fumed, his index finger still targeting my right nostril. “God doesn’t want us hanging around nagging Him about something like that!” A few “amens” from the crowd textured his passionate sermon. He continued. “I believe God wants us to pick,” he preached, “and then He blesses our choice!” He paused and then came to a climactic finish: “It’s sappy Christianity like yours that gives us Christians the image of helpless orphans! It is absolutely ridiculous to think that God would care that much about your love life!” The finger held fast for another few long seconds, then slowly dropped as if to say, You show any sign of life, and I’ll shoot again! I was the ultimate bummer to their titillating conversation. If ever you want to drain the juice right out of romance, just bring God into the picture. I had committed the unpardonable camp counselor sin, and all the eyes around the table were letting me know it. Growing up, I had always gotten along with everybody. I knew how to be liked by the crowd and not offend anyone. I was careful to say the right thing in order to avoid disagreements. Eric Ludy had never been known for his backbone…well, except maybe in championing the Denver Broncos. But when it came to things that really mattered, I was just plain spineless. This was one of the first times in my life I can remember actually standing up for something I believed in (that wasn’t orange and blue). Ironically, I didn’t even know exactly what I was talking about. Just twelve months before, I, too, would have “totally disagreed” with what I had just said. But over the past year, God had been challenging me to apply my Christianity to every area of my life.Was it ridiculous to think God would be interested enough in my love life to direct me to the girl He wanted me to spend my life with? I shifted in my seat, stabbed my jalapeño one last time, and spoke. “All I know,” I said, “is that every time I’ve tried to find someone myself, I realize in the long run that I have horrible taste.” All eyes were wide with amazement as I concluded, “Kevin, if God had ten women line up in front of me and said, ‘Eric, you pick,’ I would fall flat on my face before Him and say, ‘God, you know me better than I know myself…You pick! ’ ” I’ll bet no one present other thanmyself remembers that scene.To them it was probably just the ramblings of a lunatic named Ludy. But for me it was a defining moment. It was almost as if God was saying, “How seriously are you going to trust Me, Eric?” So there it was, in front of the babes and the big egos, that God challenged me to officially trust Him with the “pen” of my life. I had held onto that pen for twenty years, and now, over a chicken burrito and a mangled jalapeño, I handed it over to the great Author to allow Him to work His wonders. I’ve never regretted it for a moment.
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Lead: 12 Gospel Principles for Leadership in the Church
2021-01-12
The church has a leadership crisis. Best-selling author Paul David Tripp suggests that lurking behind the failure of a pastor is a weak leadership community.
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Interview with Jack Welch
2021-01-11
Here is the Summary
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Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament
2021-01-09
Lament is how we bring our sorrow to God—but it is a neglected dimension of the Christian life for many Christians today.
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The DNA of Relationships
2020-04-10
"Life is relationships; the rest is just details." We are designed for relationships, yet they often bring us pain. In this paradigm-shifting book, Gary Smalley unravels the DNA of the three great relationships: with God, others, and ourselves. All relationships involve choice. Gary exposes a destructive "dance" that characterizes nearly every relationship conflict, and offers five new dance steps that will revolutionize relationships. The DNA of Relationships, the cornerstone audiobook in Gary Smalley's relationship campaign, will revolutionize the way you relate to your spouse, family, friends, and coworkers. ©2004 Dr. Gary Smalley (P)2004 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
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This Momentary Marriage: A Parable of Permanence
2020-03-02
Reflecting on 40 years of matrimony, John Piper exalts the biblical meaning of marriage over its emotion, exhorting couples to keep their covenant for all the best reasons.
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Designed to Lead: The Church and Leadership Development
2020-03-02
Most churches merely exist. Many churches do not develop leaders intentionally and consistently. When leaders emerge from some churches, it is often by accident. Something is missing. Something is off. Authors Eric Geiger (author of the best-selling Simple Church and Creature of the Word) and Kevin Peck argue that churches that consistently produce leaders have strong convictions to develop leaders, healthy cultures for leadership development, and helpful constructs to systematically and intentionally build leaders. All three are essential for leaders to be formed through the ministry of a local church. From the first recordings of history, God has made it clear that he has designed creation to be led by his covenant people. More than that, he has decided what his people are to do with that leadership. Whether you are called to lead in your home, in the marketplace, in God's church, or in your community, if you are called by God you are called to lead others to worship the glory of God in Jesus Christ. God has designed his people to lead.
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