Seedbed Resources – serie

The widening of political, racial, generational, and religious differences leads too often to an "us vs. them" mentality. The Sacred Overlap communicates a refreshing vision that embraces tension and shows us how to live in radical love and faithfulness between the extremes that isolate and divide people.The gospels display how Jesus was committed to crossing the either/or waters of the cultural and societal wars of his day. His miracles and parables often broke or ignored religious and political lines that seemed all important. He comforted the disturbed and disturbed the comfortable.Using Jesus' example, J. R. Briggs offers a fresh and relevant understanding of evangelism and discipleship in our present time of extreme polarization. Without sacrificing biblical integrity, The Sacred Overlap is a joyful exploration of the complexity of life in the peace of Christ. With careful discernment, Briggs:Shares creative ways to engage with God's mission of ministering to those who are intrigued by Jesus but turned off by church.Explores what it means to be joyful in the midst of heart-wrenching pain and earthly suffering.Models what it means to maintain a posture of convicted civility which emphasizes both grace and truth.The Sacred Overlap helps readers see how Christians are called to live with their feet firmly planted in two different worlds—in both heaven and earth—living naturally with both the sacred and the ordinary. Only then can a Christian be a faithful witness and disciple of Jesus.

An in-depth look at what it means to be created in the image of God and how our bodies serve as icons that illuminate God's purposes instead of ours.The human body is an amazing gift, yet today, many people downplay its importance and fail to understand what Christianity teaches about our bodies and their God-given purposes. Many people misunderstand how the body was designed, its role in relating to others; and we lack awareness of the dangers of objectifying the body, divorcing it from its intended purpose.Timothy Tennent covers topics like marriage, family, singleness, and friendship, and he looks at how the human body has been objectified in art and media today. For the Body offers a biblical framework for discipling people today in a Christian theology of the body.Tennent—theologian and president of Asbury Theological Seminary—explores the contours of a robust Christian vision of the body, human sexuality, and the variety of different ways we are called into relationships with others. This book will reveal a theological vision that:Informs our self-understanding of our own bodies.Examines how we treat others.Reevaluates how we engage today's controversial and difficult discussions on human sexuality with grace, wisdom, and confidence.For the Body is a call to a deeper understanding of our bodies and an invitation to recapture the wonder of this amazing gift.

Many people struggle to make time for God in their busy schedules or just aren't morning people--this book addresses those issues by helping Christians establish (and stick with) a spiritual morning routine.The practice of waking early to seek God's presence is woven into the fabric of God's word. From the Gospels to the Psalms, from the wisdom literature to the historical narratives, the Bible resounds with the call to seek God early, to set the tone of our day with prayer, and to surrender the unfolding hours to his presence.In The GREAT Morning Revolution, Tara Beth Leach shares how she adopted the ritual of rising early and discovered the transformative power of mornings with God--and she invites you to do the same. With practical guidance, spiritual encouragement, and a structured-yet-flexible approach, she shows you how to find sacred serenity in the early hours that will reshape your perspective and deepen your relationship with God.The GREAT acronym provides guidance for your morning routine and can be adapted to meet your lifestyle and personal needs:Gratitude: Start each day with a grateful heart and recognize blessings that are often overlooked.Reflection: Examine your thoughts, actions, and motivations before a holy and gracious God.Exalt: Praise and honor God's goodness in your life.Ask: Present your requests to God and open yourself up to the guidance that comes from seeking God.Trust: Surrender to God's will, leading to peace and reassurance throughout the day.The book also provides tools for building the discipline needed for habit formation and lasting change.For those who desire a deeper relationship with God but have trouble setting aside time for Him, The GREAT Morning Revolution holds a promise of renewal.