Christianity in America is experiencing a rapid decline. According to a Pew 2015 Research Report (America's Changing Religious Landscape) those that identify themselves as Christian dropped 7% in just seven years (between 2007 and 2014). Meanwhile, those who consider themselves atheist or agnostic almost doubled (from 3.7% to 7.1%) in the same time period. The trend among young adults is even more dramatic. More than a third of those 37 and under are religiously unaffiliated.
For those who left the faith, we could ask why? How did you come to the point of leaving? There would be a variety of reasons, including 'coverups of scandals, ' 'an abusive family, ' 'lack of answers in times of crisis, ' 'the existence of evil in the world, ' and 'past and present evil done by believers.'
More reasons can be unearthed with a fill in the blank question: Christians are _____. Expected answers include: 'hypocritical, ' 'judgmental, ' 'gossips, ' 'bigoted, ' 'narrow-minded, ' and 'uninformed.'
If we ask them another fill in the blank question: Christianity is ______, possible responses are 'full of rules, ' 'out of date, ' and 'false.'
Of course, these answers will be met with defensiveness and anger from those whose faith remains strong. Nevertheless, the responses are valid reasons for one to doubt and eventually turn away. The question is: 'do believers have answers that go beyond simply quoting a bunch of Bible verses?'
When one is a member of a group, they subconsciously accept an inherent set of worldview assumptions. Some of these may be valid. Others, not so much. When we experience a faith crisis, we begin to question those assumptions; all of them. Everything is up-for-grabs. Even the existence of God is not for sure. So, simply repeating religious dogma with a louder voice will not work. It will not convince; it is bound to fail and drive a person further away.
There are many catalysts that can trigger a faith crisis. In my case, my son's death was a first blow. This was followed by a second blow. I learned about the emotional, physical, and sexual abuse experienced by my wife and other missionary kids at Mamou Alliance Academy in Guinee. Then, we learned of similar atrocities committed by mainstream Christian denominations against indigenous children right up to the second half of the 20th century.
It was time to question everything. How can God allow these things to happen? Does He even exist? What do modern scientific discoveries have to say about evolution and the age of the Earth? Can a book like the Bible really be inerrant, or is it just a collection of ancient writings? The Old Testament is so violent and many of its laws seem so unreasonable. Why is modern Christianity focused on end time apocalyptic prophecies? TV evangelists use God manipulation strategies to prey on the week. So much seems to be emotionally-based wishful thinking.
So, my wife and I spent a number of years working through these issues. Eventually, with much difficulty, we found our way back to faith. The book, 'Wrestling with Faith' presents conclusions that work for us. I have to point out, that our issues might not be the same that others face. Our answers will most-certainly not resonate with everyone.
Nevertheless, we hope that this book will be helpful to those who are still hoping for answers. I believe that a living faith provides meaning to life. When we considered life without faith, we saw emptiness. In my wife's words, a black void to fall into with no way back.
I hope you find the book engaging. In our journey, we've had many interesting open family conversations. Everyone was free to express their hopes, their fears, and their thoughts. May you be able to do the same.
Автор: Tolstoy Leo Название: Thoughtful Wisdom for Every Day: 365 Days of Love, Kindness, Healing, Faith, and Peace ISBN: 195162789X ISBN-13(EAN): 9781951627898 Издательство: Неизвестно Рейтинг: Цена: 19430.00 T Наличие на складе: Есть у поставщика Поставка под заказ. Описание: Inspirational Wisdom for Every Day in a Classic Daybook--"An excellent gift . . . A fine inspirational" (Midwest Book Review) During the last years of his life, Leo Tolstoy kept one book invariably on his desk, read and reread it to his family, and recommended it to all his friends: a compendium of wise thoughts gathered over the course of a decade from his wide-ranging readings in philosophy and religion, and from his own spiritual meditations. Thoughtful Wisdom for Every Day comprises Tolstoy's own most essential ideas about spirituality and what it is to live a good life. Designed to be a cycle of daily readings, this book offers thoughts and aphorisms for every day, following a succession of themes repeated each month--such as God, the soul, desire, faith, our passions, humility, inequality, evil, truth, happiness, and the blessings of love. Comforting, challenging, and inspiring, this is a spiritual treasure trove and a book of great warmth.
Автор: Vanessa Fortenberry Название: Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God ISBN: 195278221X ISBN-13(EAN): 9781952782213 Издательство: Gazelle Book Services Рейтинг: Цена: 22810.00 T Наличие на складе: Невозможна поставка. Описание: The power and purity of a child's praise is unmatched. In the third book of this lauded series, Families Growing in Faith, Grandma, Granddad, We Want to Praise God follows inquisitive children who learn from their loving grandparents that praising God brings joy. Grandparents and their grandchildren, as well as parents, guardians, and caregivers will love the rhyming stanzas and tender illustrations of a child's natural curiosity and growing discovery that we can express praise through the good and the bad; anywhere or anytime; and with singing, dancing, shouting, and clapping. This engaging story will empower children in fostering habits of praise and thankfulness.
Автор: Harvey Phd Dan Название: Wrestling with Faith: Challenging problematic Bible stories to navigate crises of belief ISBN: 1644389010 ISBN-13(EAN): 9781644389010 Издательство: Неизвестно Рейтинг: Цена: 30580.00 T Наличие на складе: Есть у поставщика Поставка под заказ. Описание: This book is about the how of project management and about how you as a project manager can use a proactive attitude to stay in control, even during difficult situations. It shows you how to become an influencer of the path to the end result, of your environment, of your team and of your effectiveness.Today`s project managers have to meet high expectations. Challenging goals, a strong focus on cost management and lead times, serving the interests of different stakeholders and many dependencies between subprojects make project management an increasingly complex affair - especially in an environment where change and uncertainty have become the new norm. In addition, the creative abilities of knowledge workers have to be optimally utilised, which requires less hierarchical organisational structures and more multidisciplinary collaboration. Having the right project management skills is therefore essential at virtually every level of an organisation.As a result of these challenges, there is a growing demand for comprehensive methods and the popularity of Agile is on the rise. On the other hand, the increased complexity also results in a need for simplicity. That is what this book is about: going back to the basics, being able to combine useful elements from different methods and focusing on the most important aspect of all: the person behind the project manager!This book contains a wealth of practical descriptions with useful examples and anecdotes. Readers are constantly stimulated to internalise the essence and put it into practice in a manner that suits their own style and personality. That is the only way to keep at it, be successful and make others believe in you!The book consists of three parts. Part 1 (chapters 1 to 4) describes how to set up and manage a project. The focus is on the basic principles, the essence of taking control, creating structure and using Agile behavior. Part 2 (chapters 5 and 6) explains how to draw up a plan and schedule in small steps, which results in improved completeness, coordination and support. Finally, part 3 (chapters 7 to 10) covers how to manage the project execution: how to realize the path to the final goal with a strict PDCA rhythm, how to evaluate the quality of interim results and how to keep your team and environment motivated.
Автор: Katie Clark Название: Shadowed Eden: Beguiled: Book One ISBN: 1611164893 ISBN-13(EAN): 9781611164893 Издательство: Gazelle Book Services Рейтинг: Цена: 19950.00 T Наличие на складе: Есть у поставщика Поставка под заказ. Описание: Avery Miles is ready to spread her wings and prove her worth on a church mission trip to Iraq, but when their entourage gets blown off course in a desert dust storm, the group is lost in an inexplicable garden oasis. Along with the luscious fruits and crystal springs, Avery and her friends find poisonous snakes, deadly sink holes, and a group of natives that are almost unearthly--but that's not their biggest problem. No matter which way they trek, they can't seem to leave.
Автор: Buchanan Lela Gillow Название: Sacred Seeds of Redemption: 40 True Stories to Encourage Your Heart ISBN: 163047083X ISBN-13(EAN): 9781630470838 Издательство: Неизвестно Рейтинг: Цена: 15630.00 T Наличие на складе: Есть у поставщика Поставка под заказ. Описание: Lela Gillow Buchanan opens the door of her heart and invites the reader to participate in everyday life situations with her and her family, weaving the premise that God is present in every moment, both the life enhancing and the challenging. What may often appear as trivial, may actually offer a window into a deep, profound truth, subtly bringing light and understanding to the obscure.
Автор: Sommer Marlene Название: Heaven Came to Me: God Revealed Through Compelling and Convincing True Stories ISBN: 1630475653 ISBN-13(EAN): 9781630475659 Издательство: Неизвестно Рейтинг: Цена: 11910.00 T Наличие на складе: Есть у поставщика Поставка под заказ. Описание: Heaven Came to Me is a collection of astonishing true stories of one individual`s compelling interactions with God that will leave you awestruck and your faith reaffirmed.
Автор: Anya Novikov Название: The Circle Girls ISBN: 1611162580 ISBN-13(EAN): 9781611162585 Издательство: Gazelle Book Services Рейтинг: Цена: 18570.00 T Наличие на складе: Есть у поставщика Поставка под заказ. Описание: God will give you blood to drink. . .An ordinary teenager finds out what witch-hunting is all about?in her own everyday world. Deliverance ?Delli? Willis, a normal, almost-sixteen-year-old, finds herself dreaming wild dreams about a girl in 1692 who is also named Deliverance. And then, to Delli?s amazement, the stuff of dreams appears in her classroom unit on the Salem Witch Trials! Is it just a coincidence when 1692 Deliverance finds herself entranced by a mysterious man in the woods, and then Delli finds a new and mysterious neighbor walking through her family avocado grove? Or when her dreams uncover similarities between both mystery men?and more? Delli?s not sure what to believe, but she?s eager to share the handsome newcomer with her circle of friends. What she doesn?t realize is the danger of someone unique entering the closed loop. Fingers point, jealousies surge, lies are cast, sides taken?and people are out for blood. It?s a modern-day witch-hunt that collides with 1692 in ways Delli never dreamed. It will take lessons from her dreamscape and a stand against bullies to tighten Delli?s faith in God and pull her through some trials of her own.
Автор: Clare Revell Название: November-Charlie ISBN: 1611164869 ISBN-13(EAN): 9781611164862 Издательство: Gazelle Book Services Рейтинг: Цена: 19950.00 T Наличие на складе: Невозможна поставка. Описание: When Jim and Staci Kirks parents go missing, he decides to search for them himself. Unbeknownst to him, his sister and their best friend Lou, stow away to join him. It seems so simple on paper, sail from England to the Philippines and find the Kirks. But a hurricane named Erika and a relentless shark conspire against them to make the voyage one of the most perilous trips the teenagers have ever lived. Can they endure the danger? Will they find the Kirks alive or does God have another idea in mind?
Автор: Clare Revell Название: Echo-Foxtrot ISBN: 161116530X ISBN-13(EAN): 9781611165302 Издательство: Gazelle Book Services Рейтинг: Цена: 19950.00 T Наличие на складе: Есть у поставщика Поставка под заказ. Описание: Rescued by the U.S. Air Force, Jim, Staci, and Lou are thrust into another agonizing situation. No one finds it easy to be under adult supervision after being on their own for so long, but without the support of the family, can the teens come to terms with the tragedies that have befallen their families and themselves? How will they cope with what is to come? What will happen to the new addition to their group? Uncertainty is all around, but surely God didn?t bring them this far, together, just to separate them all now?
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