2012 was the hardest and best year of my life. I did not see this crisis coming, but am glad it came before it was too late. Throughout this difficult time I discovered my Heavenly Dad likes me just the way I am. Even though my path went through deep waters, God was with me every step of the way. I discovered I cannot hide my toxic issues for eventually they will leak out and hurt those who are closest to me, primarily my wife and children. The more I comprehend the grace of God, the more I am equipped to confront my own baggage and wounds. I hope this book will encourage and affirm others who are going through similar valleys and tribulations. These hard journeys are normal for the Christian. Every person of note in scripture endured at least one life changing crisis. God uses difficult times to work deep in our hearts, reveal more of Himself, and transform us into the image of His Son. When we draw near to God, let Him bear our burden, ask for help from the body of Christ, and acknowledge our stuff, our recovery will begin. May God help us to do the necessary work of confronting our issues with the help of God and our brethren. For as we do, our wives and children will flourish in a safe home where they can love and honor their husband and father without fear.

"Here in a straightforward and readable way S. Paul Re'emi takes us into the experience of exile in Lamentations, while Robert Martin-Achard takes us behind that moment into Amos's confrontations with Israel which preceded her exile. The commentaries enable the reader to appreciate much of the prayer and the challenge that these two books expressed, and encourage us to see them as not merely ancient texts but theological resources for the modern world." -- John Goldingay St. John's College, Nottingham

Global conflicts, civil unrest, fallen leaders, health crises, financial meltdowns—the world is ripe with strife. When we face unexpected personal crises or when society around us seems to be collapsing, we wonder: Why is this happening? Can God be trusted? Who can I trust to help me follow Jesus through this current crisis? When the Universe Cracks is a sweeping, multifaceted look at the role of crisis in the life of faith from an esteemed gathering of pastors, faith leaders, and experts. You’ll find honest and realistic reflections to help you navigate a present trouble or anticipate changes. Inspired by a global pandemic, these writers examine the whole history of God’s people and offer a fresh perspective for every time the universe cracks. Scholar and church leader Angie Ward facilitates this energizing and fascinating discussion. Thought leaders Jo Anne Lyon, Efrem Smith, Christine Jeske, D. A. Horton, Kyuboem Lee, Marshall Shelley, Matt Mikalatos, Sean Gladding, Catherine McNiel, and Lee Eclov each contributed a chapter. When the Universe Cracks is the first in a series of Kingdom Conversations, books that bring together experts and faith leaders to address the most urgent and perplexing challenges of our time in resonant and redemptive ways for each of us and all of us.

Profound reflections on the cross that help you to meditate on and marvel at the sacrificial love of Jesus. This book can be used as a devotional, especially during Lent and Easter. These profound reflections on the cross from David Mathis, author of The Christmas We Didn’t Expect, will help you to meditate on and marvel at Jesus’ life, sacrificial death, and spectacular resurrection-enabling you to treasure anew who Jesus is and what he has done. Many of us are so familiar with the Easter story that it becomes easy to miss subtle details and difficult to really enjoy its meaning. This book will help you to pause and marvel at Jesus, whose now-glorified wounds are a sign of his unfailing love and the decisive victory that he has won: “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) This book can be used as a devotional. The chapters on Holy Week make it especially helpful during the Lent season and at Easter.

The word crisis comes from the Greek krisis, which literally means decision. When trials, temptations, disasters, personal sin, or anything else bring us to a point of crisis, how we respond - the decisions we make and actions we take - will either reflect a faithful, obedient, God honoring heart or a doubtful, self-centered one. Because crises bring about the need to make many decisions, Christians are afforded opportunities to glorify God by making choices and acting in ways that honor Him. The Biblical Crisis Intervention model presented in this book provides a template upon which the counselor can base his or her crisis ministry. As the world provides temporary solutions to those in crisis, the Biblical Crisis Intervention Model offers an opportunity for those in crisis to find the healing that God offers.

Trusting Jesus is hard. It requires following the unseen into an unknown, and believing Jesus's words over and against the threats we see or the fears we feel. Through the imaginative retelling of 35 Bible stories, Not by Sight gives us glimpses of what it means to walk by faith and counsel for how to trust God's promises more than our perceptions and to find rest in the faithfulness of God.

Know how to pray in the face of crisis

This book is about how to read and study the Bible. This book is about getting the non-Christian to learn how to study the Bible, and this book is for the Pastor and theologian who needs to have their "refresh" button pressed. This book is in fact for anybody desiring to know the Book of ages. If you are new to the Word or are a seasoned teacher. If you do not know where to begin, or you have tried countless times and feel overwhelmed and frustrated, this is the book for you!

With original commentary and insightful direction on finding comforting Bible passages, this work highlights 45 crisis times in which guidance is needed. Each section contains two pages of commentary, one page of quotes and one page of Bible verses.