Christian Living

Sharon Garlough Brown tells the moving story of four strangers as they reluctantly arrive at a retreat center and find themselves drawn out of their separate stories of isolation and struggle and into a collective journey of spiritual practice, mutual support and personal revelation.

Ruth Haley Barton invites us to an honest exploration of what happens when spiritual leaders lose track of their souls. Weaving together contemporary illustrations with perceptive insight from the life of Moses, Barton explores topics such as facing the loneliness of leadership, leading from your authentic self, re-envisioning the promised land and more.

Amy Sherman unpacks Proverbs 11:10--"When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices"--to develop a theology and program of vocational stewardship. Here is practical help for churches, ministries and other faith communities to navigate the complex process of following Jesus in those places where we happen to prosper.

"Knowledge is indispensable to Christian life and service," writes John Stott. "If we do not use the mind which God has given us, we condemn ourselves to spiritual superficiality." While Christians have had a long heritage of rigorous scholarship and careful thinking, some circles still view the intellect with suspicion or even as contradictory to Christian faith. And many non-Christians are quick to label Christians as anti-intellectual and obscurantist. But this need not be so. In this classic introduction to Christian thinking, John Stott makes a forceful appeal for Christian discipleship that engages the mind as well as the heart.

In this profound exploration of Christian identity, psychologist and spiritual director David G. Benner illuminates the spirituality of self-discovery. He exposes the false selves that you may hide behind and calls you to discover the true self that emerges from your uniqueness in Christ. Freeing you from illusions about yourself, Benner shows that self-understanding leads to the fulfillment of your God-given destiny and vocation.

Following Christ, says John White, is not cheap. The cost is substantial. But the benefits, rewards and joys that come with our commitment to him are well worth the sacrifices that must be made to answer the call to Christ. Take up your cross, and follow Jesus in the only life worth living.

With Playing God, Andy Crouch opens the subject of power, elucidating its subtle activity in our relationships and institutions. He gives us much more than a warning against abuse, though. Turning the notion of "playing God" on its head, Crouch celebrates power as the gift by which we join in God's creative, redeeming work in the world. An essential book for all who would influence their world for the good.

Vocation is following our calling to seek the welfare of the world we live in. And in helping the world to flourish, strangely, mysteriously, we find that we flourish too. Filled with stories of global leaders and ordinary people, Steven Garber's book is for everyone who wants to discover the virtue of vocation.

Businessman and CEO John Beckett calls us to the transformation of the workplace into a place where the kingdom of God is experienced. Through sharing his own story, as well as looking to biblical and modern-day examples, Beckett offers role models who serve as companions on the journey to faithful and fruitful work.

Prayers are windows on eternity. Through the prayers in the Bible we look into the profoundest issues of life and death and into the deepest longings of our own hearts. In this classic book on prayer, John White explores ten prayers from Scripture to help take you near to the Holy One of the universe, the personal God of each person in the world.

Come. Accept Joshua Choonmin Kang’s invitation to walk slowly, paying attention to God's work in you and around you, to walk intentionally, using spiritual disciplines to develop Christlike character, to walk purposefully, experiencing deeper grace and vision. Fifty-two brief readings are ideal for weekly sabbath reflection or daily devotional use.

Live as Followers of Jesus. This is the most urgent call upon God's people. The most indicting critique against the church is its failure to do so. But here is the promise extended to us by Mark Labberton, president of Fuller Seminary: living and practicing who and why we are is our Christian vocation whenever and wherever we may be. Will you answer the call?

Too often we separate our work life from our spiritual life believing we cannot successfully integrate the two. John Beckett believes differently and has built a highly regarded manufacturing business based on biblical principles.

What's at stake in our worship? Everything. In this prophetic wake-up call for the contemporary church, Mark Labberton reconnects Christian worship with biblical justice. From beginning to end, worship must pursue justice and righteousness, translating into transformed lives that care for the poor and the oppressed. Labberton shows how to move beyond the comfort of safe worship to authentic worship that is awake to the needs of the world.