Kirjahaku

Do we really want the "feel good," "sugarcoated" Christianity that is being offered in so many churches and denominations today? I don't think so. Do we really want a faith that panders to our whims and the popular trends and fads of the day with little regard for the historic and classical Christian faith? I don't think so.... Can't we go forward with as well as go back to the first creed of Christianity? Yes Yes Yes (from the Preface) Has the Apostles' Creed become such a routine part of worship that you recite it with all the passion of reading items on a grocery list? If so, I Believe; Help My Unbelief will help you recapture the heartfelt conviction of a historic article of faith There is a fire in Ron Lavin's belly about the time-tested truths of the Apostles' Creed, which have reassured many Christians in life's travails. He says we need to study this often misunderstood and generally neglected resource more than ever, because it encapsulates what so many people seem to be searching for. Sprinkled with humor and anecdotes, each chapter analyzes a statement from the creed, and includes discussion questions, ideas for digging deeper into the biblical and historical background, and possibilities for further application. And there's a special bonus -- in a fascinating appendix, former missionary Mel Kieschnick shares the remarkable story of how the Apostles' Creed sustained him when he found himself in the midst of the 1989 massacre at Beijing's Tienanmen Square. I Believe; Help My Unbelief is the first title in the Another Look series on the basics of Christianity. Upcoming titles will explore Jesus' parables, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Commandments. These books are excellent for personal enrichment, use with new member or adult Sunday school classes, small group studies, and sermon preparation. A study book on the Apostles' Creed may seem incredibly anachronistic in the early 21st century... ancient creeds and traditional confessional statements are hardly major images on the modern Christian consciousness. Yet Ron Lavin's solid presentation is both timely and instructive. (from the Foreword) Mel Kieschnick Former National Director of Education, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod In these troubled times we need a book based on the firm foundation of scripture, a book that reflects the theological and confessional truths of the church. I Believe; Help My Unbelief is such a work. I commend it to you. Paul Werger Interim Bishop, St. Paul Area Synod (ELCA) Ron Lavin has pastored congregations in Indiana, Iowa, Arizona and California, all of which have grown substantially under his leadership. He is the former Pastor Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, and is a popular speaker at major conferences who is especially well-known for his understanding of the dynamics of small groups and evangelism. The author of sixteen books, Lavin is currently the senior pastor at King of Glory Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Fountain Valley, California.

Ron Lavin writes, "The parables of Jesus pop our preconceptions and misconceptions, upset our equilibrium, and yet comfort us. They are wake-up calls -- each one is like a bucket of cold water thrown in our face." Indeed, the parables are some of the most intriguing and challenging passages in scripture because, Lavin tells us, they "invite us into a new world called the kingdom of God, where we live between the lightning (Jesus' first coming) and the thunder (Jesus' second coming)." Using the concept of the kingdom of God as a touchstone, Stories To Remember analyzes the parables and emphasizes how we can apply their lessons to our modern lives. Like Jesus, Lavin cuts through theological code words to get to the heart of their message in easy-to-understand ways. Structured in two eight-session groupings, Stories To Remember is an ideal group study resource. Each chapter includes "points to ponder" and questions for stimulating discussion. There's also a study guide for digging deeper into the biblical and historical background and tips to assist small group leaders. Stories To Remember is the second title in the Another Look series on the basics of Christianity. I Believe; Help My Unbelief examined the Apostles' Creed; upcoming titles will explore the Lord's Prayer and the Ten Commandments. These books are excellent for personal inspiration, use with new member or adult Sunday school classes, small group studies, and sermon preparation. Sometimes we get too familiar with the "old, old stories" that Jesus told. Ron Lavin's fresh approach brings those parables into our stressful world with renewed power to encourage and to heal. H. George Anderson Former Presiding Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Ron Lavin has a way of peeling off the layers of a parable's intent to bring the reader directly to the point. Merle G. Franke Author of In Other Words Ron Lavin is the author of 17 books, including I Believe; Help My Unbelief and Turning Griping Into Gratitude (CSS). In 2001, Lavin was named Writer of the Year by the American Christian Writers Association, and was named in 2000 to Who's Who in the World (Marquis). He is the former Pastor Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, and pastored five thriving congregations, all of which grew substantially under his leadership. Lavin is a popular speaker on the dynamics of small groups and evangelism.

The Lord's Prayer is undoubtedly the world's most well-known litany of petition and praise -- yet it is precisely because of its familiarity that we often recite it by rote and lose the power and depth of its spiritual yearnings. In this latest installment of the popular Another Look series, Ron Lavin brings the prayer to life with a fresh approach which reminds us that Jesus was teaching his disciples (and us) how to pray and how to live. The first word of the prayer in Luke 11:1-2 -- the Aramaic word Abba, loosely translated as "Daddy" -- clearly indicates the true nature of the kingdom of God. Jesus' use of this term tells us that the Ruler of the universe is not only our strong, dependable Father... but He is also a compassionate and loving Daddy with whom we can have an affectionate, intimate relationship. Structured in eight sessions, Abba is an ideal group study resource. Each chapter is filled with humor and anecdotes, and includes questions for stimulating discussion. There are tips to assist small group leaders, along with two fascinating appendixes that share a personal viewpoint on the Lord's Prayer. Abba is the third title in the Another Look series on the basics of Christianity. Stories To Remember studied the parables of Jesus; I Believe; Help My Unbelief examined the Apostles' Creed; upcoming titles will explore the Ten Commandments and the sacraments. These books are excellent for personal meditation, use with new member or adult Sunday school classes, small group studies, and sermon preparation. In this thoughtful book, Ron Lavin brings into focus both traditional teachings and new insights... He examines each portion of the Lord's Prayer, uniting the theological and practical dimensions of this timeless supplication.... Lavin's pastoral ministry is heavily reflected in his use of memorable stories of ordinary and extraordinary parishioners whose struggles and triumphs are reflected in the understandings of these petitions. (from the Preface) Melvin M. Kieschnick Former Director of Parish Education, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Ron Lavin is the award-winning author of 18 books, including Turning Griping Into Gratitude and Way To Grow (CSS). Lavin was named in 2000 and 2001 to Who's Who in the World (Marquis). He is the former Pastor Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, and pastored five thriving congregations, all of which grew substantially under his leadership. Lavin is a popular speaker and church consultant on the dynamics of small groups and evangelism.

Witness is a book that acts like a compass within these changing times. For Ron Lavin, individual Christians and congregations need to focus like a laser beam on their witness to Jesus Christ -- and his passion for witnessing comes out on every page. Lavin speaks a clear word in confusing times for many Christians about the power of the church's witness as the heartbeat of the church's life in the world today. Using a broad range of scripture texts, great personal anecdotes, and important theological resources from the emerging mission literature in North America, Lavin weaves together a fascinating tapestry for understanding and doing witness as the missional church points to the reign of God. I welcome any book that both encourages and instructs me about how to become a better confessing Christian. If that is your desire, this book is for you. Richard Bliese President, Luther Seminary St. Paul, Minnesota Ron Lavin maintains that today's Christian believers face the same critical challenge as did the first-century apostles -- the call to witness to people in a corrupt culture by declaring and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Using the book of Acts as a model, Witness takes readers on an in-depth exploration of exactly what it means to be a missional church. Lavin examines the vital importance of witnessing and discusses how we can become vessels for God's work through prayer, repentance, hospitality, koinonia, hope, and encouragement. The call to witness can be difficult (and sometimes even dangerous) -- but planting the seeds of faith often leads to amazing results. Witness is an excellent group study resource that will stimulate discussion, group interaction, and Christian outreach. Ron Lavin is the award-winning author of 25 books, including Turning Griping Into Gratitude, Way To Grow , and the popular Another Look series. The former Pastor-Director of Evangelical Outreach for the Lutheran Church in America, Lavin also served as the pastor of five thriving congregations that grew substantially under his leadership. He is a popular speaker and church consultant on evangelism and small groups.

It's a lovely thought that throughone's congregation we can gain, and also give to each other, help in times ofdespair. Paul wrote to his Thessalonian Christians: "Therefore encourage oneanother ... encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you aredoing" (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 5:11). Ron Lavin illustrates this principleelegantly in the following chapters as he examines the passages in John'sgospel concerning the admonition not to despair. John quotes Jesus as saying to hisdisciples reassuring words such as, "Do not let your hearts be troubled...."Lavin covers the rest John has to say on the subject very well. Do not despairand do read on. JerryL. Schmalenberger President, Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (Retired) Berkeley, California TheBible contains some of the most comforting, reassuring words in history. Manyof these timeless passages can be found in a single book: the gospel of John.Ron Lavin begins his series on the gospels by exploring John's words ofencouragement and how they still speak to us through the ages. The Eaglecan be utilized in a Bible study or support group setting. It can also be usedsimply as a lifeline for people who need a ray of light to shine in their ownpersonal darkness, carrying them on eagles' wings to the light of God'spresence. RonLavin is the award-winning author of over 25 books, including Witness, Turning Griping Into Gratitude, and the popular Another Lookseries. The former Pastor-Director of Evangelical Outreach for the LutheranChurch in America, Lavin also served as the pastor of five thrivingcongregations that grew substantially under his leadership. He is a popularspeaker and church consultant on evangelism and small groups.

We are not in control. That's the message sent to us by the great I Am. He has set all things in motion. He knows our beginning and our end. But still, we often forget and instead choose to walk through this life as though we determine our own steps, our own fates. We can appropriate what God has accomplished. The entire theme of the Bible can be summed up as God's rule over us for our own good. But one aspect makes his dominion unique: He has given us a choice. We can rationalize our sin, or we can personally appropriate the grace and redemption given to us by Jesus' death on the cross. We can be transformed by the Spirit. When we acknowledge that life doesn't work on our own terms, we understand that we are only ever fully equipped to battle the ways of the world when we are armed with the truth, love, and grace of the Spirit. In the eleven sermons for the season after Pentecost (first third) written for Some Things I've Learned Since I Knew It All, Lavin poignantly encourages pastors and congregations to embrace a holy reliance upon the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, reminding us that it is God who changes hearts. Man is merely the vessel. This resource, designed to challenge the believer, is not limited to the pastoral office. Instead, it can also be used for private devotions or small group study, encouraging all readers toward a critical look at our response to the words of Jesus. The sermons in this book are: The Advocate and the Street Where You Live (John 15:26-27; 16:4-15) What Does the Kingdom of God Have to Do With Anything Today? (John 3:1-17) Family Ties and Good-byes (Mark 3:20-35) Some Things I've Learned Since I Knew It All (Mark 4:26-34) Close Calls (Mark 4:35-41) So, You Want to Get Well? (Mark 5:21-43) Without Conflict There Is No Story (Mark 6:1-13) The Pointer (Mark 6:14-29) Chaos and Solitude (Mark 6:30-34, 53-56) Giving Up Control (John 6:1-21) When I AM Speaks, You'd Better Listen (John 6:24-35) Ron Lavin is a popular speaker and prolific writer who served congregations in Indiana, Iowa, Arizona, and California. Membership in his Davenport, Iowa, parish increased by over 2,000, while more than 1,000 new members were baptized during his pastorate in Tucson, Arizona. Ron has written 28 books, including the CSS "Another Look" series: People Who Met Jesus, Abba, Stories to Remember, I Believe; Help My Unbelief, The Big Ten, and Saving Grace.