Christianity Audiobooks | Religion & Spirituality

The Hope in Our Scars: Finding the Bride of Christ in the Underground of Disillusionment

Aimee Byrd peels back the church's underlying and pervasive theology of power to face the shame that lurks there and find the lasting hope of belonging in Christ. Some things happening in the church these days should provoke our anger. It's racked with scandals of fraud, abuse, cover-up. It's embroiled in racism, misogyny, marginalization, and hatred. The truth is that we have to fight to love Christ's church. Many of us are left wondering what kind of hope can the church offer if its leaders will not care for its wounds, admit their complicity, and move toward true reconciliation with God's people. From the author of Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood comes a passionate plea to work through our disillusionment with the church and rediscover what's true and beautiful about our covenantal union with Christ. Having tread her own path of disillusionment, Aimee Byrd invites us to see Christ among the chaos so apparent in his church. Along the way, Aimee guides us through deeply theological and personal reflections on how we can: - Cultivate healthier forms of trust by recognizing power structures at work. - Understand the limits of authority, and free ourselves from tribes and celebrity culture. - Take appropriate social risks by speaking up when we're uncomfortable. - Rediscover how our stories matter to God. This book is written to those who have been wounded by the church. To those who have suffered abuse at the hands of church leaders and are left with deep scars. To those who are disillusioned or deconstructing their faith, The Hope in Our Scars offers a way forward with a God who walks with us in our affliction and wants to make it into something beautiful.

Aimee Byrd (Author), Aimee Byrd (Narrator)

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Do It Anyway: Don't Give Up Before It Gets Good

In her revelatory debut book, Tasha Cobbs Leonard-Grammy Award winner and Billboard's Gospel Artist of the Decade-shares the transformative power of showing up to hard things with resilient faith and perseverance. In this deeply personal account of Tasha's greatest trials and victories, she proves that the moments when we've got nothing more to give are precisely the moments to press on and do the hard thing anyway. Because waiting on the other side of that decision is our breakthrough and transformation. From Googling how to upload an album to iTunes to later releasing a Billboard Top 10 album, from suffering a heartbreaking miscarriage to bringing home her baby boy, from depression so heavy it held her in bed to mentoring others in finding purpose and joy, Tasha has seen God meet her after every resilient step of faith. Tasha has shared pieces of her journey but never with as much depth and vulnerability as now. With sidebar Do-It-Anyway prompts to the reader, Tasha shares never-before-told stories about - Identifying what risks are worthy of pursuit - Not giving up before it gets good - Being courageous in risk and patient in discomfort - Putting hope into action again With true testimony and conviction, Tasha inspires us toward a bolder way of life with the promise that it will always be worth it on the other side.

Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Author), TBD, Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Narrator)

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The Black Practice of Disbelief: An Introduction to the Principles, History, and Communities of Blac

A short introduction to Black Humanism: its history, its present, and the rich cultural sensibilities that infuse it In the United States, to be a Black American is to be a Black Christian. And there's something to this assumption in that the vast majority of African Americans are Christian. However, in recent years a growing number of African Americans have said they claim no particular religious affiliation-they are Black 'nones.' And of these Black 'nones,' the most public and vocal are those who claim to be humanists. What does it mean to be a Black humanist? What do Black humanist believe, and what do they do? This slim volume answers these questions. Animated by six central principles, and discussed in terms of its history, practices, formations, and community rituals, this book argues that Black humanism can be understood as a religious movement. Pinn makes a distinction between theism and religion-which is simply a tool for examining, naming, and finding the meaning in human experience. Black humanism, based on this definition isn't theistic but it is a religious system used to explore human experience and foster life meaning. It infuses humanism with rich cultural sensibilities drawn from Black experience. As shown in these pages, thinking about Black humanism this way frees readers from making unfounded assumptions and enables them to better appreciate the secular "beliefs," ritual structures, and community formation constituted by Black humanists.

Anthony Pinn (Author), TBD (Narrator)

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Brown Faces, White Spaces: Confronting Systemic Racism to Bring Healing and Restoration

The New York Times bestselling author of Be the Bridge calls people of faith to be a part of lasting change and help heal the racial disparity in our country-together. We might think of systemic racism as an unfortunate part of American history, something that happened back in the day. But the systems were never truly dismantled in our country, leaving artifacts of injustice that continue to affect every aspect of life for Black and Brown Americans. Many of us feel overwhelmed by the problem, unsure how we can make a difference. Yet God calls the church to stand firmly committed to racial reconciliation-and for each one of us to make choices that lead to healing. In Brown Faces, White Spaces, Latasha Morrison-a speaker, bridge builder, and champion for unity-explores nine aspects of American life where systemic racism still flourishes, including education, healthcare, the justice system, entertainment, and the church. Through story, historical context, and present realities, Morrison looks at what it means to recognize and confess the truth about inequities in the system (preparation), commit ourselves to changing the system (dedication), and move into true freedom as a society (liberation). Drawing on rich sociological insights, as well as experiences of family and friends and from her own life, Morrison asks: How does knowing our country's history make a difference in how we live today? How does Jesus's divine act of reconciliation on the cross lead to human liberation from oppression? How might we create systems for all to flourish? This honest, hope-filled book shows us how we can reform historically white spaces and create systems that work for the good of all. Join the bridge-building movement that is listening, learning, and working together for equity in every aspect of our lives. Includes questions for personal reflection and group discussion.

Latasha Morrison (Author), Anita Phillips, David Lee Huynh, Latasha Morrison, TBD (Narrator)

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Finding God's Will for Your Life: Discovering the Plans God Has for You

Each of us was created to live a life that has distinct purpose and that leaves a unique imprint on the world. #1 New York Times bestselling author Joyce Meyer helps us learn how to hear and follow God's voice when He calls us. Did you ever dream about what you would be when you grew up? We think naturally about our purpose because God tells us that He created us to do great things. But how do we know when we have truly found God's calling for our lives? Many people live most of their lives striving to find and follow God's will but still wondering whether they've gotten it right. The many pressures, expectations, and distractions we experience can create confusion and anxiety and cause us to doubt whether we are following God's will or if He even has a plan for us at all. Beloved Bible teacher Joyce Meyer invites us on a journey to confidence, freedom, and peace through exploring the wisdom of what the Bible tells us about God's character and about His love and purpose for us. She also offers practical steps to discovering how to build your trust in God, seek His guidance, and overcome the fear of missing out on His best for you. If you're struggling to have confidence that you can hear God's voice and know what He's created you to be and do, Finding God's Will for Your Life will leave you with more peace and more confidence to live joyfully in God's love and walk the path He has for you.

Joyce Meyer (Author), Jodi Carlisle, TBD (Narrator)

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Are You Praying for the Wrong Thing?: Learning to Ask What God Wants for You, Not Just What You Want

The Bible tells us to pray continually and without ceasing, but what happens when we're waiting for God but discover He's waiting for us? In his first book, pastor and recording artist Travis Greene guides the reader to apply Biblical truths for a fulfilled life. Praying and waiting for God to answer can be confusing. When something--or everything--feels stuck because God doesn't seem to be answering our prayers, what next? Pastor and Grammy-nominated recording artist Travis Greene issues a challenge and asks us to examine our prayers--Are we praying for the right thing? Are we planning and preparing for what we've asked for? Are we praying for our will to grow closer to His? Or do we sometimes treat him like a genie in a bottle? Using Biblical examples, Travis invites readers to reconsider our prayers and - navigate beyond feeling trapped to thriving in God's purposes; - learn to use what's left instead of focusing on what was lost; - be willing to forgive, wait, and work as God allows; and - believe in God's miracles while being a faithful steward of what He has already provided. Sometimes what happens next depends on the choices made right now. And sometimes God has something else in mind for us--something we might never have imagined, or in a way we might not have imagined it! It's possible to press forward into a life filled with joy and expectation for the future! Like the widow who used the oil she had at hand, by using what God has already supplied, Travis encourages the readers that they may be closer to enjoying God's promises than they realize. Management can be a magnet for miracles.

Travis Greene (Author), Travis Greene (Narrator)

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The Joy Challenge: Discover the Ancient Secret to Experiencing Worry-Defeating, Circumstance-Defying

What if you could close the 'joy gap,' that distance between how you feel now and the way you wish you felt? In The Joy Challenge, pastor and bestselling author Randy Frazee shares the secret to experiencing real, lasting joy--and stepping into a life of contentment and purpose. If this sounds familiar, Frazee has good news for you. In The Joy Challenge, he shares the secret to experiencing genuine joyfulness, the kind of resilient happiness that doesn't evaporate in the face of challenges and setbacks. Bringing together research about the science of happiness with the apostle Paul's masterclass on joy in the book of Philippians, The Joy Challenge will help you - discover the vital link between increasing your joy and winning the battle against worry and anxiety; - develop patterns and mindsets of gratefulness and forgiveness that clear obstacles to happiness; and - access the kind of circumstance-defying contentment that opens the door to a truly fulfilled life--even when there's a gap between the life you have now and the life you hope for. As you encounter these easy-to-understand principles, thought patterns, and habits, you'll begin to experience more joy and happiness, transforming your relationships and your outlook for the better. It's time to discover the freedom of a deeply joyful life.

Randy Frazee (Author), Mark Smeby (Narrator)

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The Expectation Gap: The Tiny, Vast Space between Our Beliefs and Experience of God

Untangling our deepest beliefs about ourselves from our most precious beliefs about God Christians experience significant gaps between what we believe about God and what we encounter from God. We believe God loves us, but we struggle to experience it. We believe God is with us, but we struggle to see it. We thought we'd be further along in our faith by now. Often our best efforts keep us stuck in those gaps. In The Expectation Gap, pastor and systems theorist Steve Cuss shows us how to notice stuck patterns that keep us trapped and how we can break free to engage God at a deeper and more fulfilling level. We will always have to mind the gaps, but we can learn to notice the recurring, predictable patterns that keep us stuck and spinning. Cuss offers tangible tools to quiet the inner critic, wrangle chronic anxiety, and relax into God's presence, engaging him in a deeper and more visceral way. Our regular experience of God can become more congruent with our belief about God.

Steve Cuss (Author), Steve Cuss (Narrator)

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The Storied Life: Christian Writing as Art and Worship

When writers write, they are getting in touch with the image of God in them. This is true in some way of all artistry, but writers especially create worlds, characters, histories, and transformation--all ex nihilo ('out of nothing'). In The Storied Life, veteran author Jared C. Wilson explores the ins and outs of writers and writing, exploring the myriad ways the craft is more about transformation than simply communication. From decades of experience and with his signature wit, Wilson brings well-earned insight, autobiographical reflections, and meaningful meditations to the topic of writing as a way of life and as a way of worship, showing how the concept of Story--our personal stories and God's grand story of redemption--shapes fiction and non-fiction writers alike. Chapters focus on topics like: - The liturgy of story. - Writing as a spiritual act. - Perseverance and endurance. - Writing as a calling. - Promotion, publishing, and platform. Whether you're a long-time writer or a beginning author, a daily journaler or an occasional dabbler, The Storied Life will help you improve your craft. It will lead you to think more deeply about the disciplines and dispositions needed to write for transformation.

Jared C. Wilson (Author), Adam Barr, TBD (Narrator)

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Your Life is God's Story: Trusting God’s Plan Through Life’s Ups and Downs

Biblical stories and powerful testimonies that encourage faith in God's plan for your life. In Your Life is God's Story, pastor and teacher Tim Dilena guides readers through the faith-building journeys of eleven Bible characters whose ordinary and painful experiences led to unforeseen results. Alongside the Bible stories are powerful testimonies from Tim and people in his life. Your Life is God's Story gives readers a new set of lenses to view experiences and events in life with hope. The hope is seeing how God gets ordinary people to their intended destinies. Readers will gain a renewed passion for persevering through life's challenges to trust God's process. Together, they illustrate how God has a perfect plan for everyone. Your Life is God's Story includes: - Stories from 11 biblical people whose destinies were unclear throughout most of their lives - Experiences of ordinary believers who have trusted the process, living through big trouble and getting to the other side to give praise to God - Questions for further reflection and study at the end of every chapter

Tim Dilena (Author), L.J. Ganser (Narrator)

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The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life

For decades, cold-case homicide detective J. Warner Wallace investigated the causes behind deaths and murders, chasing one lead after another for months as he attempted to solve the case. Several of these cases remain open, unsolved mysteries. Wallace also investigated the most notable death in human history--the death of Jesus Christ--and it transformed him from an atheist into a follower of Jesus. Investigating death, surprisingly, taught him a great deal about life and the nature of people. In The Truth in True Crime, Wallace explores the clues lying behind our human nature as he uncovers fifteen life-truths gleaned from both contemporary murder investigations and ancient Biblical wisdom. Every chapter introduces you to an investigation of a death as Wallace and his partner Rick chase down leads and along the way learn guiding principles to help us to thrive and flourish as human beings created in the image of God. These fifteen attributes of human beings have been confirmed by modern sociological studies, but were first described on the pages of Scripture. Even if you don't believe in God, these are valuable insights into our human condition, helping you better understand your own identity and the identity of your Creator.

J. Warner Wallace (Author), Alisa Childers, J. Wallace, TBD (Narrator)

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The Darkness Has Not Overcome: Lessons on Faith and Politics from Inside the Halls of Power

Former special assistant to the President of the United States, New York Times bestselling author, and evangelical Christian Cliff Sims shares the lessons he learned on faith, politics, and the Christian witness while working in the halls of power. American life today is consumed by politics. Even our churches are tearing themselves apart over political candidates, cultural flashpoints, and debates about whether certain pastors are vessels for the Holy Spirit or an unholy political agenda. So how should Christians approach our lives in this time of strife and division? How should we engage in politics and respond when we find that our beliefs are at odds with the culture? And how do we keep our focus on eternity when the present attractions of the world are there in front of us at every turn? Cliff Sims, the son of a Baptist minister and man of deep Christian faith, has walked the halls of power, serving as a Special Assistant to President Trump and Deputy Director of National Intelligence. While working at the highest levels of the American government, he experienced firsthand the cutthroat world of power politics, an environment that can test the character of any follower of Jesus, and he wrestled continually with how to live out his faith. In this book, Cliff shares hard-earned wisdom from his time serving in government, giving Christians lessons on how to live faithfully and with integrity. Recounting stories from the West Wing, Air Force One, and top secret bunkers, Sims offers practical advice and biblical insight on how to let the light of Christ shine in our dark world, regardless of our politics. The Darkness Will Not Overcome is a must-read for every Christian who has found themselves exasperated by politics, fearful about the future, or discouraged by the times in which we live.

Cliff Sims (Author), Cliff Sims, TBD (Narrator)

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Christianity Audiobooks in Religion & Spirituality