A MORE CHRISTLIKE GOD: A MORE BEAUTIFUL GOSPEL - by Bradley Jersak

A MORE CHRISTLIKE GOD
A More Beautiful Gospel


Author: Bradley Jersak
Publisher: CWR Press
Published: April 2015


Dr Jersak [PhD] tackles the big question,
"If there is a God, what is God like?" in this new book.

Whether our notions of ‘god’ are personal projections or inherited traditions, author and theologian, Brad Jersak, proposes a radical reassessment, arguing for A More Christlike God: a More Beautiful Gospel. If Christ is “the image of the invisible God, the radiance of God’s glory and exact representation of God’s likeness,” what if we conceived of God as completely Christlike—the perfect Incarnation of self-giving, radically forgiving, co-suffering love? What if God has always been and forever will be cruciform (cross-shaped) in his character and actions?

“In the flesh and blood person of Jesus, we have the only life ever lived that perfectly reveals the true nature of God.” 

A More Christlike God suggests that such a God would be very good news indeed—a God who Jesus “unwrathed” from dead religion, a Love that is always toward us, and a Grace that pours into this suffering world through willing, human partners.  This book presents the challenge to readers to become another of those willing partners.  

Chapters engage readers with challenges to contemplate and prayers to prepare hearts in this journey to know and represent a more Christlike God - a more beautiful Gospel.

ENDORSEMENTS:

"Atonement theology like I've never come across.  Magnificent." - Eugene H Peterson

"This excellent and much-needed book confronts with both open heart and very good mind the major obstacles that we have created for people in their journey toward God! “Why didn’t people teach us this many years ago?” so many of us are saying. I am so very grateful that Brad Jersak is re-opening the door that Jesus had already opened 2000 years ago. It is so terribly sad that it was ever closed."  — Fr. RICHARD ROHR, O.F.M. Center for Action and Contemplation Albuquerque, New Mexico


LOOK INSIDE A MORE CHRISTLIKE GOD:

Sample Pages:

• Foreword by Brian Zahnd
• Contents
• Chapter 1 - p3 to 14
• Pausing to think... pray - p23 to 24
• What is God?
• The Cruciform God
• 'Unwrathing' God
• Endorsements
• Front and Back Cover

 
 

MORE about the Author:

Dr. Brad Jersak (PhD) is a Canadian author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC. Canada.
He is on faculty at Westminster Theological Centre (Cheltenham, UK), where he teaches New Testament and Patristics.
He also serves as adjunct faculty with St Stephen’s University (St. Stephen, NB. Canada).Brad attends Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship and serves as Reader at All Saints of North America Monastery. His heart is to share the good news that God is Love and that God’s love was shown to us perfectly in Jesus of Nazareth. Through his books and seminars, Brad teaches that anyone can learn to hear God’s voice through the simple practice of ”listening prayer.” Those who practice listening prayer find that God’s love heals wounded hearts and empowers them to heal this broken world. Find My Review of Brad Jersak’s foundational book, Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God Who Speaks which trains readers in the ways of “Listening Prayer.” 

CONNECT ONLINE:
Bradley Jersak | on facebook | on twitter | on youtube

PURCHASE:
A MORE CHRISTLIKE GOD by Bradley Jersak - paperback
Book Depository [Free shipping/delivery]

Kindle ebook at Amazon .com   Amazon . ca   Amazon .co.uk












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THE LITTLE BOOK OF CONTEMPLATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY: by Howard J Zehr

THE LITTLE BOOK OF CONTEMPLATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY:

Seeing with Wonder, Respect, and Humility

Author:  Howard J Zehr
Publisher:  Good Books
Publication Date:  March 2005

Fascinating look at photography as a newway of seeing from restorative justice pioneer and accomplished photographer, Howard Zehr. Ignoring the rules absorbed over time, embracing wonder and openness in seeing one's world and self. "Instead of Descartes' stance of doubt..approach life and the world in an attitude of wonder...begins with appreciation rather than suspicion...an openness to possibilities."

Encouraged to become aware of light and shadow; pattern and placement; in composing and in spiritual insights. Journalling the journey of discovery with one's camera as companion.

Zehr's own notes and quotes from various sources inspirit the reader to look anew at the familiar, remaining receptive to what the space is offering. Receive from it. A helpful chart offers definition in comparing typical photography perspective as 'taking' vs photography as 'receiving'. Focus on final product vs process; expose' vs revelation; aggression vs respect. All challenging to personal thought regarding the act of photographing and effects on the results of the act.

Each chapter of informed discussion is followed with purposeful exercises to implement and explore the theme discussed. I anticipate more amazing learning by experimenting with his practical activities. Reflecting on the results is the valued takeaway.

Zehr admits, "I have written this book in part to encourage myself to slow down, to heighten my imagination, to renew myself while I gain a new view of the creation and the creator."
The same influencing reasons I chose to read the book. I was not disappointed.

Highly recommended. For information. For inspiration.

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Sunday Thought: Listening with Our Heart

Adonai ELOHIM has given Me the tongue of a disciple and of one who is taught, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He wakens Me morning by morning,

He wakens My ear to hear as a disciple [as one who is taught]. Isaiah 50:4

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Free Audiobook: The Awakening of Hope - Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

The Awakening of Hope: Why We Practice a Common Faith
by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

According to Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, faithful action is always inspired and sustained by common convictions---the basic truths that have sustained God's people throughout every generation. The Awakening of Hope represents Christian faith by beginning with stories of faithful witness and asking, Why? Why do Christians eat together? Why do we fast? Why would we rather die than kill? These are the questions that help us see why creation and the fall, covenant and community, ethics and evangelism, matter. This book is a contemporary catechism, celebrating lives and stories that wouldn't make sense if the gospel were not true.

Going one step further, this project shares the good news of Jesus and the way of life that he makes possible. - GoBible

"In his latest book, The Awakening of Hope, Hartgrove doesn’t get bogged down in ... statements about what Christians should avoid. In fact, he does just the opposite. Jonathan outlines a beautiful manifesto of what Christians are for and dusts off the spiritual practices that have distinguished Christians for centuries. But he doesn’t just dust them off. He digs deep into practices – from fasting to promises to intentional living. Jonathan even goes so far as to live these practices out and comes back to tell us how it went!" - RLC editor



“This book is good news…a magnificent report on lived theology, not just theological ideas and truths, but storied theology, the kind that we find in our Scriptures.” – Eugene Peterson, translator of The Message

Audio Book available FREE during June 2013

via GoBible  Click here to DOWNLOAD NOW!

Author: Jonathan Wilson-HartgroveOriginally Published: 2012Format: Unabridged Normal Price: $14.99 FREE thru June 30th

Connect with Jonathan online
Follow @wilsonhartgrove 
Youtube videos
Patheos Book Club











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Word for Wednesday 5.6.13

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Review: Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God Who Speaks - author Brad Jersak

Can You Hear Me?
is a combination of biblical and historical research, real life experiences, and thirty-three inspiring exercises on "listening prayer." 

The premise is that God speaks to His children far more frequently and naturally than they might expect. Tuning in to the voice of God begins by discovering how well we already hear Him and deepens with practice as we step into prayerful dialogue. 

God desires to transform our prayers into intimate conversations -- real meetings with a living Friend. Readers will become aware that encounters with God are more simple, accessible, and interactive than they ever dreamed.
-Goodreads 

Can You Hear Me? Tuning In To the God Who Speaks
author: Dr. Brad Jersak 
publisher: Fresh Wind Press [Canada] 2003
3rd edition May 2013 

God desires to transform our prayers into intimate conversations, real meetings with a Living Friend. In this book, Dr. Jersak lays out the biblical foundation for the practice of listening prayer. 

CAN YOU HEAR ME? combines solid research, inspiring testimonies, and 33 spiritual exercises–all to help us hear God more clearly. Inside Can You Hear Me?: 

- Learn the simplicity of listening prayer and connect with God deeply and personally. 

- Experience personal meeting places in different rooms of your heart, in God’s Word, and in your world, that you can access freely whenever you need to meet with Jesus. 

- Identify and overcome blocks to connecting intimately with God. Stop the silence! 

- Apply listening prayer in decision-making, parenting, in your local church, and for inner healing. 

- Jesus alone is the wonderful counsellor who delights to answer your questions. 

- Test and Distinguish between God’s voice and all those competing voices.

A life changing book.
Learning to tune in to the God Who speaks...

13 chapters divided into 3 sections include:

I. The Simplicity of Listening Prayer
1. My Sheep Hear My Voice
2. Awakened Hearts: How we hear and see God 
3. God, is that really you? 
4. Was that just my imagination?
II. Encountering God: The Meeting Place of Your Heart
5. The Meeting Place 
6. Meeting God to intercede
7. Overcoming Blocks to Meeting God
III. The Life of Listening Prayer
8. Listening Prayer in Decision Times
9. Listening Prayer with Children
10. Listening Prayer in the Local Church
11. Listening Prayer and Outreach
12. Listening Prayer, Mercy and Justice
13. Listening Prayer for Inner Healing
Epilogue: Do you want to start a fire?

God has a Voice and God's 'sheep' know that Voice.  Dr Jersak provides 'tuning in' listening exercises to teach and train our inner 'ears' to hear God's Voice speaking to our inner spirit. Beautiful examples of questions to ask God as the learning begins and develops - just be sure to have your journal ready to record the inspiriting responses!

Loved this transformative book on prayer and have recommended it often to friends on the faith journey.  A perspective that develops the intimacy of relationship that God intends. 

I've gifted this book to each of my children as a resource for building solid life foundations and highly recommend it to Infuse: InSpirit readers.  


Forever grateful to Dr Brad Jersak for taking time to write these lessons - 

May 2013 3rd edition -1st Kindle edition - includes forward by Jason Upton + study guide for each chapter and includes an appendix "The Biblical Basis for Listening Prayer."



Available on  Brad Jersak's youtube channel for listening and learning ..


About the author:  

Dr. Brad Jersak is a Canadian author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC, where he attends Fresh Wind Christian Fellowship. His heart is to share the good news that God is Love and that God’s love was shown to us perfectly in Jesus of Nazareth. Through his books and seminars, Brad teaches that anyone can learn to hear God’s voice through the simple practice of ”listening prayer.” 

Those who practice listening prayer find that God’s love heals wounded hearts and empowers them to heal this broken world. Brad Jersak’s foundational book, “Can You Hear Me? Tuning in to the God Who Speaks” trains readers in the ways of “Listening Prayer.” 

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Review: Hiddeness and Manifestation [Being With God] book 1 author Graham Cooke

Hiddenness and Manifestation is an interactive journal and book number one in Graham Cooke's Being With God series. 

These books are filled with great teaching and interactive exercises, making them ideal for both personal and small group study. 

In Hiddenness and Manifestation, Graham Cooke looks at the seasons of God's presence. Why is it that sometimes God's presence is so overtly with us, yet at other times seems strangely absent? What is God doing during those times? Is it our fault? Has He withdrawn from us for some reason? These are some of the questions that are answered as the "hiddenness" of God is illustrated from the Scriptures. 

An absolute must-read for anyone who is struggling in the dark night of the soul, or feeling distant from the Lord. Incredibly encouraging, gentle, and life-bringing!


Hiddenness and Manifestation: What Is Really Happening When God Doesn't Seem to Be Present? 
author Graham Cooke
publisher Brilliant BookHouse


Yes! light bulbs blazing as Truth expressed and explored.. 
The ebb and flow of God's seasons .
Hiddenness for training - Manifestation for experience. 
ALL beautiful!  Developing God's image in us..

Thank You, Graham, for teaching and training us to see with new eyes of understanding - perspectives we need to live in understanding of God and God's ways; for attending to God's ways that bring Peace, Rest and Joy!

LOVED THIS.   HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. 
GO. Get yourself a copy.  Paperbook or eBook at BrilliantBookhouse.com

Review: Stumbling into Mystery author Dan Wilt

Stumbling Into Mystery eBook
author Dan Wilt
Worship Training.com

I am seriously loving my Theology of Worship course.  So much so, I'm sharing a bit of it with you today. Brief excerpts from the text written by Dan Wilt, "Stumbing into Mystery."

"Shalom is entering the world through the Spirit of God, through the way opened by Christ, and we as his followers are participating in that bringing of wholeness to the world. Empowered by the Spirit of God, we bring peace to the situations that God has given us to influence. Peace of mind, peace of heart, peace of circumstance, peace of government, peace of society, peace of relationships – in all of these arenas we are Christ’s ambassadors." 

An awesome line of thinking to follow.

"As Christ’s ambassadors, every act of forgiveness, reconciliation and hope-giving is now a new creation act – an act of shalom-making, or peace-making. We anticipate the age to come every time we make a choice to act in love, in shalom peace, and not in hatred or bitterness. We welcome and exemplify the age to come every time we as a community gather around one of us who is weak and broken. We bear the age to come every time we participate in bringing beauty into the world, whether it be in a church building or on a pub stage. We participate in acts of the new creation to come when we pray for the sick, care for the poor, pick up the fallen, confront social powers that dehumanize people, and on and on and on." 

What amazing opportunities we have all around us to be bearer's of shalom - God's shalom.  Bringers of hope - the hope with roots.  Roots that go down deep into the soil of God's love.   Hope that inspirits. 

Practical encouragement to be more than audience.  Let's take every opportunity available to us today to BE who we're called and created to be. 

Blessings on your BEING and the DOING that will result...