Tag: encouragment

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green opens The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read by Christopher Ash.

Leadership will be held accountable by the Lord and much is required of them but if we are not vigilant, we will get so caught up in all we think leadership should and shouldn’t do… (often based on our personal preferences and not scripture) we will forget that our Pastors are people too. Which brings us to today’s feature.

The Book Your Pastor Wishes You Would Read (but is too embarrassed to ask) written by Christopher Ash.

Now, “why would your pastor be embarrassed to as you to read this book”? Because it tells you how to care for them. But, isn’t that the wrong way around? When a friend asked Christopher what he was writing about, he explained that he was trying to write a book about how we care for our pastors. “But surely”, his friend said, “they are supposed to care for us, aren’t they?”

You do need your pastor to look after you, and so do I, Ash writes. We need and should deeply appreciate, those who care for us pastorally, who keep watch over our souls, who love us and pray for us. But we should remember, there also is the aspect of us caring for them.

So, come be a part because what Christopher Ash writes about in this book is a very important topic and widely neglected. You may not have ever thought about it, but Christopher Ash certainly hopes you will.

There is a claim by some pastors and teachers today that “Jesus’ harsh teachings” in The Sermon on the Mount were “aimed at the religious,” and don’t directly apply to us today as born-again believers. Yet,  Matthew 5:1-2 makes it clear that these teachings were for His disciples, and His words formed the very heart and soul of their walk with God for the rest of their lives.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green opens Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Oswald Chambers. “In light of what I believe to be a serious misinterpretation of the scriptures, I want us to look at a different point of view by one of the world’s most beloved Christian authors on the subject of The Sermon on the Mount”…Oswald Chambers.

Because to disregard even some of the words of the Lord Jesus is truly a reckless decision, both practically and theologically and we would be well served to take the time to investigate for ourselves, rather than just accepting this new way of thinking being touted from some pulpits today.

In his book, Studies in The Sermon on The Mount, Chambers gives us insights into one of the most cherished passages of Scripture. This devotional study of the Sermon on The Mount is doctrine in “work clothes”, truth becoming reality, redemption expressed. And as he does in all his works, Chambers reminds us that our focus must be on God alone and not on those among whom we live.

At a time when the church needs an urgent wake-up call and a refreshing encounter with Jesus, the hyper-grace message is lulling many to sleep. Claiming to be a new revelation of grace, this teaching is gaining in popularity, but is it true? Or is the glorious truth of grace being polluted by errors, leading to backsliding, compromise, and even the abandonment of faith?

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green shares Hyper-Grace written by Michael Brown which looks at the major teachings put forth by many adherents of this “great reformation” and prayerfully compares those teachings with the word of God, answering questions such as:

·       How does our sin affect our relationship with God?

·        What is the relevance of the Old Testament to our faith?

·        What does Jesus actually say about grace?

Without watering down the Bible’s true message of grace, Michael Brown gives you the facts, demonstrating the dangers of this seductive message and showing you how to keep from being taken in… As we remember to be watchful in all things and are reminded that small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green pulls “25 Basic Bible Studies” by Francis Schaeffer from the shelf to explore.

Many Christians aren’t getting the grounding in the Word that is needed to build a lasting personal relationship with Christ. They seek out experiences that help them “feel” closer to Christ but haven’t gained the knowledge that will allow them to carry on when life comes to a point, which it does for all of us and more than just once or twice,  where they don’t feel close to God. They don’t feel saved, redeemed, loved or secure.

Many ask if the bible even speaks to the real problems of real people in the real world? Does it offer viable solutions to life’s problems? Absolutely it does, and you can weigh the evidence and decide for yourself in Francis Schaeffer’s-25 Basic Bible Studies, which details what the Bible actually teaches regarding our most fundamental questions about life and God.

So, come be a part as we search out the answers. This book highlights Scripture passages on the central doctrines of Christianity-such as creation, man’s sin and God’s grace, the person and the work of Christ, future events – and briefly explains how each passage supports the biblical teaching on that particular theme. It’s all right there. Laid out simply. You can see yourself what the Bible says – in God’s own words.

A wife has one driving need – to feel loved. When that need is met, she is happy.

A husband has one driving need – to feel respected. When that need is met, he is happy.

However, if either of those needs is not met, things get CRAZY!

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green brings out a classic. Come join us on this 2nd Anniversary episode as Dr. Emerson Eggerichs reveals why spouses react negatively to each other, and how they can deal with such conflict quickly, easily and biblically.

Ask yourself, “What do I really want from my marriage”? Do you want peace? Want to feel close? Want to feel valued? Want to experience marriage the way God intended? Then why not try some Love & Respect?

Based on over three decades of counseling, as well as scientific and biblical research.  Dr. Eggerichs and his wife, Sarah, have taken the Love & Respect message across America and are changing the way couples talk to, think about, and treat each other.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green takes a look at True Spirituality by Francis Schaeffer.

Are you tired of not seeing results in your own spiritual life and others.? Do you find yourself talking about Christianity, but not living it? IS being a Christian really making a difference in your life? If you are struggling with deeply perplexing questions like this… you are not alone.

After being a pastor for over a decade, Francis Schaeffer, founder of the L’Abri Fellowship found himself wrestling with these same questions and so he decided to go back to the beginning and reexamine his Christian faith.

The result of Schaeffer’s search for honest answers was amazing. So come be a part as we examine his work entitled, “True Spirituality” and take the journey with Mr. Schaeffer as he helps us to learn, “How to live for Jesus moment by moment

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green shares Two Nations Under God by Tom Doyle.

The nations of the world have been given an opportunity to bless or curse Gods’ chosen covenant people… Israel is the place and the Jews are the people. A Nation’s choice decides the health of the nation and determines its destiny.

Though modern Israel’s existence got off to a shaky start, America made a conscious effort to bless Israel and for much of the time period since then, America enjoyed the promised blessing of God.

But later generations seem to have moved away from some of the tenets held by the previous generations. Often deeming them old-fashioned and out of touch with the realities of today’s modern world and global culture.

Certainly, much of America’s youth when they think about Israel (if they even think about Israel) publicly wonder why America should even care about the turmoil in the Middle East…why should America care about Israel? Why should they care about Israel?

So, come be a part as Tom Doyle guides us through the Middle East Maze in his work, Two Nations Under God. As one reviewer put it, He will provide direction, balance, and sanity to an otherwise twisted pathway of claims and counterclaims. But this is not a dusty book.

Doyle populates the book with stories and illustrations from real people he has met in his travels. He ends by focusing on a profoundly relevant question for those living in the United States- “So what?” His call to action applies directly to every Christian and congregation-in our country today. This book can be summarized in three words: relevant, reliable, and readable. It will change the way you think about and pray for the Middle East!

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green takes a look at Culture by A.W. Tozer

“We who call ourselves Christians are supposed to be a people apart. We claim to have rejected(repudiated) the wisdom of this world, and adopted the wisdom of the cross as the guide of our lives. We have thrown in our lot with that One who, while He lived on earth was the most unadjusted of the sons of men. He would not be integrated into society. He stood above and condemned it by withdrawing from it even while dying for it. Die for it He would, but surrender to it He would not.”

In his book entitled Culture-Living as Citizens of Heaven on Earth-   A. W. Tozer tells it like it is: to follow Christ toward heaven is to invite trouble in this world. 

So come be a part as we examine Culture-a small sampling of Tozer’s writings on what it means to be a Christian in a world that is largely uninterested in Christ. And how as Christians we should live in this world while maintaining our identity as citizens of another.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green opens A Pocket Guide to Social Issues by Answers in Genesis.

America is indeed in the middle of a cultural war. The battle lines are drawn around issues that polarize our society, there are many labels that get attached to these ideas, but labels can often be misleading.

In order to understand the issues, it is important to look at them from both sides, but the biblical side of these issues is not well-represented in the media.

Today’s feature covers a variety of topics like: when does life begin? What about stem cells, homosexuality, euthanasia, same-sex marriage, and racism? Where do human rights come from, how do we know what is moral? These questions and others are answered in this compilation of topics and it’s contributing authors will layout both the biblical perspective alongside the secular understanding of the issues.

Because we must know what scripture says and how to address those around us in love and grace while still standing firmly on the Word of God and A Pocket Guide to Social Issues by Answers in Genesis is a great place to start.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green gives insight into a book that helps us “Know the Marks of Cults” by David Breese.

Christianity should not be thought of as a stone wall behind which we cannot get. It is rather the highest mountain top beyond which it is downhill no matter which way one goes. There is nothing greater, nothing higher, and certainly nothing more magnificent than the mountain top of divine revelation in Scripture and in Jesus Christ.

To move beyond that mountaintop in the pursuit of something better is to lose oneself in the crags and crevices of the slopes that fall away from real Christianity. And beyond the crevices of heresy are the fever swamps of the cults, here the serpents and the scorpions wait. But how are we to cope with these cults? There are so many of them… All different. Who has time to study all their weird doctrines in order to refute them?

Today’s author submits that there is no need to get bogged down in the details of this or that cult.

Why? Because each cult is guilty of one or more of certain characteristic doctrinal errors. Once you know what these typical errors are, you can know what’s basically wrong with the cold, whatever weird or seemingly rational form it may take.

David Breese presents in his book, Know the Marks of Cults a guide that can be used to point out those doctrinal errors most characteristic of the cults of our time. This is not a study of the cults themselves; they are deserving of no attention. Rather it is an expression of hope that we may develop the spiritual faculty to recognize instantly the marks of the cults.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green continues with the second half of this amazing book, Loved by God, by R.C. Sproul.

With the mastery of a scholar and the heart of a servant, acclaimed theologian R. C. Sproul continues our journey into the very heart of God… contemplating the deepest mysteries of His perfect love.

In in the conclusion of this two-part feature, we will take a closer look at the not only God’s immense love but also His divine wrath and also explore the incredible privilege which allows us to call our God…Father.

Once you discover for yourself the astonishing depth, wonder, and richness of God’s love, you’ll want to share it – and this book – with everyone you know.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green digs into Loved by God By R.C. Sproul

With the mastery of a scholar and the heart of a servant, acclaimed theologian R. C. Sproul takes us on a journey into the very heart of God… contemplating the deepest mysteries of his perfect love.

We will discover with Dr. Sproul as our guide, the threefold nature of God’s love. In his book, Loved by God, we’ll encounter a new and penetrating look at the natures of eros, phileo, and agape loves. And, in this modern-day classic, Sproul will lead us into the deepest dimensions of the beloved 13^th chapter of 1stCorinthians.

Once you discover for yourself the astonishing depth, wonder, and richness of God’s love, you’ll want to share it – and this book – with everyone you know.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green digs into Know Who You Believed by Paul Little.

Do you question whether God knows or cares about you in your everyday life? Would you like to be connected with God? Do you feel you need to know a little more about God before connecting with Him?

If so, come be a part and join author Paul Little as he helps you to closely examine the central truths about God and enable you to know with confidence in whom you believe!

This 3^rd volume was published after the death of Paul Little by his wife Marie Little from a cache of Paul’s files, tapes, and a previous book entitled The Answer to Life. Marie has used Paul’s voice on every page…the thoughts and theology are his. Marie has added some updated terms and references, but whenever she does, she has set them off from the main text.

I so appreciate the work she has done. To me, it is such a blessing that Paul’s wonderful insights were not lost due to his untimely death.

It is not enough to know about God’s Word, ways, and attributes. It is not enough to preach about these, proclaim the Good News, or promote Bible study. What the deciding factor is of whether or not we are in-dwelt by the Spirit of God and on the road to eternal life is that we know God.

This week on Sharin’ Hearts The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green takes a look at “Your Eternal Reward” by Erwin Lutzer.

There may be tears in heaven.  When we reflect on how we lived for Christ, we might weep on the other side of the celestial gates.  Although Christians have been justified by faith, Christ will still judge us for our “deeds done in the body whether good or bad.” How well or poorly we do here might indeed determine our status in heaven for all eternity.

Be prepared to have your understanding of the judgment seat of Christ challenged, provoked, and perhaps permanently changed.  Will you answer the heart of God that is seeking a bride who can sit with Christ on His throne and rule forever or will you be given a rebuke from Christ and have “shame at His coming?”  The choice is yours!!

There is a belief that self-esteem, a good self-image, provides the necessary foundation for a wholesome personality and successful behavior.  This theory is accepted in secular and evangelical society, no longer a theory, but as established truth.

A noted psychologist speaking to a group at a well-known company was asked what impact the self-esteem movement had in today’s world.  The answer was “it was a  complete disaster.”  Paul Brownback has provided us with an explanation and solution to this problem that has misguided so many in our society.

Ginger Green eloquently shares the TRUTH of self-esteem and the author Paul Brownback, graciously provides an analysis of an alternative that may be found in our TEACHING HANDOUTS.

Click here for your  Study Supplement

This week on Sharin’ Hearts: The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green takes a look at a great book by Dr. Caroline Leaf entitled, “Who Switched Off My Brain” giving us some insight into the mystery of our brain function.

An intriguing book by a Christian doctor describing how God formed us to function in easy to read format.  Many drawings and illustrations to further simplify each chapter.  Science with applicational simplicity. Many people who do not understand the battles they fight, found with clarity and new confidence, a smooth path in thinking that is available to those who want to understand how to keep a healthy brain, resulting in a healthy body.  When the body is functioning the way God designed it to be life takes on a new luster and the Spirit can be at ease within us for His leading.  A beautiful combination of spiritual foundation with science agreeing. “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” 2 Corinthians 10:5.