Religion

An insightful journey through all the biblical names of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Beginning in Babel and ending with a burning Babylon, The Name Quest explains the significance that the different names for God have for an everyday relationship with God and for spiritual growth. The names of God are like a rainbow--each name expresses part of the spectrum of the character and attributes of God.

Along the way, the author tenderly answers tough questions:

Which of the Hebrew names of God is His personal name--Yahweh or Jehovah?

What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?

How can we relate to the Holy God and the Judge?

Why is a God of love called the “Jealous God”?

What does it mean to call Jesus the Messiah?

The Name Quest mentions all the names of God in the Bible while explaining their significance in ordinary language. The author weaves together fifteen years of Bible study research with plentiful illustrations and humorous anecdotes. These include lessons learned as a pastor on a Caribbean island. A visit to a Welsh hill farm introduces a chapter about the Good Shepherd. The story of a Hungarian political prisoner illustrates the meaning of Immanuel (or is it Emmanuel?) A rescue from the slopes of an active volcano helps explain salvation and the meaning of Jesus’ Hebrew name Yeshua. Even the clever advertisement on a packet of potato chips offers a lesson about how to grow in faith in God.

Unlike chasing rainbows, the spiritual journey has an end. The Name Quest is a road map for every Christian’s spiritual journey and it points to the destination--being formed into the image of Jesus Christ.

The Name Quest examines God's names in chapters about God's character or things that He has done. Most of God's names reflect His character. For instance a chapter on holiness mentions all the names connected to that attribute. The index of names makes this book an excellent reference tool. People who read part of a chapter a day say it makes a good devotional too. 

“Well Jim, there’s the door; you can either go out, turn left, walk down to the corner, face Eddie, and see if he really intends on killing you: or you can turn right and run for your life; hoping he doesn’t catch you. Either way, your life and ministry here are probably over. You must decide whether to stay and fight for those you love or run away to live another day. No one can make that decision for you, not even me.”

Jim was called of God to leave the college ministry where he was working at the University of Maryland and move to New York City to join with Young Life in their work with violent youth and gang bangers. Never did Jim imagine that when we say we are willing to die for Jesus, that one day he would have to face that ultimate challenge.

"A Bullet for Jesus" is based on a real story. A faced paced thriller filled with danger, romance, joy and tragedy.

A young man with high spiritual values jeopardizes his very life while trying to help those caught up in a world of drugs and violence. What he encounters though will not only change his life, but put his very faith at risk.

God had a defining moment. His Son died on the cross for our sins, changing history and his relationship with mankind. Still, his forgiveness, love and sacrifice are concepts unfamiliar to much of the world. Ignorant of such grace, society bombards us with the daily temptation to measure up or perform. When we fail to achieve the desired results, we struggle to feel God’s grace. This is especially true when life hits us hard through tragedy, unfortunate events and prolonged suffering---we question; we wonder; we misunderstand his amazing grace. This can cause us to battle shame, self-doubt and bitterness.

When dark times come, are you able to find strength in God’s grace?

Do you defeat insecurity, lack of self-worth and guilt through your view of grace?

Have you seen your Lord’s footprints in the sand when you look back at the most difficult times in your life?

Do your struggles and disappointments bring you to a deeper understanding of his grace?

In "Footprints in the Sand: God’s Grace to Women in an Ungracious World", Erica Kim starts with a defining moment in her personal life---the tragic death of her mother---to describe her journey to rediscover God’s grace.

Through poignant true-life stories and teachings about women in the Bible, you will be led from the book of Genesis to the cross to see without a doubt how God has carried each one of us in his arms through every dark and hopeless moment to help you to experience fulfillment and spiritual growth.

The Russian mother asked as she looked into my eyes. I didn’t know what to say. Another mother asked, “Why does God allow innocent babies to suffer and die?”

My heart broke as I listened to these mothers sobbing.

"FAITH: The Abyss We All Face" is a true story of one man’s journey to the literal “Ends of the Earth” where time after time, he heard these and similar questions.

Dr. Bill Becknell has wrestled with the tragic cries of brokenness, pain and suffering in himself and others. They are everywhere, and they challenge our faith. There are no clichés or trite answers to these difficult questions. But despite extreme hardships, pain, brokenness, sacrifices, miracles and even near-death experiences along this road, he found an unexpected treasure… JOY!

No matter how difficult the circumstances, the pain, and the brokenness, God has an unfailing Love that is beyond comprehension.

Brokenness and sorrow are a part of living, and no one can change that. What we do about tragedy in our lives is an issue of faith. "FAITH" is written to encourage all believers not to be afraid to step out into the unknown “abyss of faith.” Non-Believers may also find the stories apply to their lives, because “faith” is something everyone has.

There is no greater JOY than following Jesus, even if He leads you to the “Ends of the Earth.”

is a thrilling firsthand account of the home that awaits Christians when they draw their last breath here on earth. With open arms, Christ welcomes to heaven those who belong to Him. Rarely has this vision been told in such exquisite detail. It will undoubtedly comfort those who have lost loved ones or are near death themselves.

gives hope and encourages faith by sharing the heaven Jesus promised-a real place, magnificent in scope and beauty, permeated with iridescence, and alive with divine energy and love.

"In The Beckoning: Examining the Truths That Transformed an Atheist Attorney Into a Believer In God", Michael Minot details his journey from Atheism to Christianity. Engaging and thought provoking, this story provides incite into the inner workings of Michael’s deeply prejudiced atheist mind and the intense struggle that occurred when he encountered God’s truths.

“Encouraging to fellow believers and a revelation to skeptics, Michael Minot's recounting of how he was wooed from atheism to faith is a fascinating read, unique in its approach and thorough in its layout of his case.” --- Jerry B. Jenkins, Writer of the Left Behind series

“An amazing story and superbly written. "The Beckoning" may be one of the most powerful conversion stories brought to print in the last 10 years. Page after page, so many insights I never considered before. And I've been a Christ follower for more than 40 years. An outstanding read.” --- Dr. Larry Thompson, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, Florida

"Making God Part of Your Family" is not just a book of Bible stories. It is a study book. Whether your goal is to spend 10-15 minutes on a dinner-time devotional or bedtime reading with your children, or spend more in-depth study time together once a week, this flexible resource will make it easier to carve out time amidst hectic schedules to study the Bible together, and help you to:

* Develop a better and deeper relationship with God our Father, and his son, Jesus;

* Learn how we are part of God’s family;

* Learn how God expects us to live amidst the joys and sorrows of life;

* Apply practical lessons and eternal truths to the situations you face today.

"The Couple’s Road Trip Guide" uses tales from the road to illustrate how a successful road trip is analogous to the journey of married life.

If you are engaged or newly married and tired of hearing that marriage is hard work, don’t be discouraged. God gave us marriage as a gift, and He wants it to be enjoyable! He blessed us with a wide world to explore with our spouse by our side. Come sit down next to the campfire with Josh and Aminda as they share their road map for making marriage a joy and lifelong adventure.

David Hazelton, with the mind of a high-powered lawyer and the heart of a Sunday School teacher, dives into God’s Plan for Marriage. 

With clarity and conviction, David explores God’s divine blueprint for marriage at the dawn of creation. The Bible’s opening chapters explain that men and women are created equally in God’s image and are given responsibilities that can only be accomplished together. In the sanctity of marriage, the two are to become “one,” which involves a spiritual, emotional, and physical union.

But sin has a devasting effect on marriage. It introduces shame, fear, and guilt that can divide a couple. Instead of oneness, there is a competition for control that distorts God’s creation plan. These issues are beyond human capacity to resolve, requiring divine intervention and guidance.

In God’s Plan for Marriage, Hazelton presents a restorative vision for marriage. This vision is not a human invention but is built on the life and teaching of Christ. God’s Plan for Marriage offers insights into the original design for marriage and practical pathways for couples to reclaim their relationships as beautiful, harmonious partnerships intended by the Creator. 

In Jesus Goes to College, author Mike Veraldi draws on his journey of faith to offer a refreshingly candid perspective on Christianity that breaks free from traditional teachings.

With a deep love for Jesus at its core, Jesus Goes to College unapologetically emphasizes the central commandment to love thy neighbor, pushing people to connect with the heart of Jesus’s message. Mike doesn’t shy away from calling out the church’s shortcomings, challenging the status quo, and separating the profound teachings of Jesus from what he believes are misguided directions from religious institutions.

Jesus Goes to College isn’t the typical Sunday school book; instead it guides people through the journey of Christ and the history and context of the Bible, applying it to current issues. Written as a testament to his own commitment to following Jesus, Mike’s mission was to help others experience the unconditional love of Jesus and the life-changing impact that comes from living life boldly in His footsteps.

Brokenness to Blessings is a powerful testament of redemption and restoration through the radical and healing love of Jesus Christ. 

Janet Lynn Garcia shares her personal journey to illustrate the transformative potential of a restorative relationship with God. 

This inspiring account shatters the misconception held by non-believers, new believers, and even seasoned believers that righteousness can be achieved through deeds alone. Instead, Garcia points to Romans 8:1, emphasizing that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, thereby underscoring the all-encompassing grace of salvation.

Drawing extensively from the teachings in Isaiah 61, she sheds light on the healing process of those who turn to Jesus. The audience are guided towards wholeness through mending relationships with God, self, loved ones, and their future. This transparent narrative offers a powerful roadmap to healing for individuals wrestling with personal brokenness. Garcia's message is unequivocal - redemption and restoration are universally accessible, inviting everyone to embark on this journey from brokenness to blessings.

Devotions on F.I.R.E. guides Christians through the complete Bible in one year by reading assigned daily Scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments. Each day also includes a short devotion based on Dr. Ken Burge’s F.I.R.E. method of Bible study. 

F.I.R.E. stands for

• Familiarity: Learn to ask probing questions and become intimately acquainted with each passage.
• Interpretation: Determine the intended meaning of the text.
• Relationship: Consider the paragraph within its context of the book and beyond, to the whole of Scripture.
• Employment: Consider how God can employ Christians to do His will through their new understanding of the text.

The F.I.R.E. method and the daily devotions will help Christians remember and apply what they read as they fuel the fire in their hearts for God’s Word.