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| christmas sermon joel osteen: The Christmas Spirit Joel Osteen, 2010-11-02 From bestselling author and influential pastor Joel Osteen, a touching and very personal collection that conveys—through his remembrances of Christmases past—the true meaning of Christmas. For many, the Christmas season can be filled with distractions and anxiety rather than the joy and peace it is supposed to bring. In The Christmas Spirit, Joel Osteen offers uplifting and inspiring stories of family and friends celebrating Christmas traditions, and return to the essence of the holiday by practicing the principles taught by our Savior, Jesus Christ. Filled with humorous and compelling holiday memories from Joel’s family and friends, this heartwarming collection will inspire and amuse while enhancing faith in God’s goodness and eternal wisdom. Joel’s unique stories and memories will encourage readers to savor their own Christmas memories, to share them with loved ones, and to create new memories and traditions that will be passed down for generations to come. For those feeling stressed, hurt, or lacking direction this holiday season, these heartwarming stories will serve as a healing balm and a guiding light to a more hopeful and peaceful holiday. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: The Power of Favor Joel Osteen, 2019-12-17 Learn how declaring God's love will bless you with favor and fulfillment in this uplifting book -- perfect for anyone who is determined to find success and spiritual inspiration. God helps you accomplish what you couldn't manage on your own. With His blessings, you stand out in the crowd and get breaks that you didn't deserve. The psalmist said, God's favor surrounds us like a shield. That means that everywhere you go, you have an advantage, a divine empowerment, and a key to open up the right doors. With Joel's encouragement, you'll see how God's goodness uplifts you every day. He wants you to reach new levels of fulfillment, new levels of increase, new levels of promotion, new levels of victory. You have been called out, set apart, and chosen to live a distinctively favored life. When you realize you have been marked for blessings, you will feel the force of His favor and overcome challenges that you can't face on your own. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: A Christmas Spirit Joel Osteen, 2010-12-09 In his first holiday book, Joel Osteen offers uplifting and inspiring true stories of family and friends celebrating Christian traditions during Christmastime. In his bestselling books, It's Your Time and Become a Better You, and in his weekly worship services at Lakewood Church in Houston, Joel Osteen offers hope to millions through his belief in the power of faith and the goodness of God. The Christmas season has become a bustling period for many, filled with distractions and anxiety. Osteen will help readers return to the essence of the holiday, by practising the principles taught by the Child born that day, and by reminding all of what is truly important in life. In the tradition of bestselling books that share Christmas memories and stories to celebrate the essence of the season - the birth of Christ and the hope and love of His message - Osteen's collection of unique stories will illuminate the importance of family and faith, and set readers on the path to a hopeful, peaceful holiday filled with Christian spirit. As always, his words and his practical faith-based advice will be inspiring and insightful, a welcome light in the lives of the faithful at a very special time of year. Influential in the Christian community around the globe, Joel Osteen is a major source of inspiration and an initiator of change for the millions to whom he preaches. This new book of stories from family and friends about Christmas will be cherished by readers everywhere. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Why the Nativity? David Jeremiah, 2021-09 Presents evidence from both the Old and New Testaments to answer twenty-five of the most thought-provoking questions surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: The Feast of Christmas Joseph F. Kelly, 2010-09-01 Many Christians struggle to balance the religious and secular elements of Christmas, but the history of the feast shows that this is nothing new. The religious Christmas has changed over the centuries and, contrary to many critics, is thriving today. This brief, accessible account will explain that: The first Christians did not celebrate Christmas at all. The earliest mention of the feast occurs in the fourth century. In the Middle Ages Christmas moved into northern Europe where it became a major winter festival, competing with the pagan Yule. During the sixteenth century some Christians objected to Christmas because they claimed it had no biblical foundation. In England and New England the Puritans made it a crime to celebrate it! The modern secular Christmas arose in the nineteenth century, but the religious Christmas continued to grow in popularity and meshed well with the developing emphasis on Christmas as a day for family and friends. In today's world, rampant consumerism threatens the religious Christmas, but it continues not only to survive but to flourish, taking on new life and new forms. By tracing these and other aspects of the religious celebration of Christmas through the centuries, Joseph F. Kelly does much more than provide us with interesting facts. He reassures us that though the religious Christmas may not be in its traditional form, it is indeed alive and well, and has a bright and promising future. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Your Best Life Now Joel Osteen, 2004 |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Rule Your Day Joel Osteen, 2023-09-12 #1 New York Times bestselling author and Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen teaches readers to keep their days full of faith, praise, and victory. You would like to savor each moment, grow into your best life, engage in productive relationships, and see your dreams come to pass. But distractions, delays, and disappointments relentlessly hijack your plans and undermine your good intentions. While you can't control everything that comes your way, you can control how life's unexpected setbacks affect your attitude, emotions, thoughts, and actions. In his latest work, #1New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen shows you how to be intentional and Rule Your Day. With his trademark wisdom and unwavering positivity, Joel reveals six keys for claiming control over each new day. He teaches you how to identify faulty thinking, recast your vision for the future, rise above your circumstances, guard your heart and mind against negativity, and transcend distractions to focus on what matters most. When you work with the tools God has given you and take control of your time, you can bounce back from disappointments, prevent poisonous thoughts from entering your atmosphere, and fully enjoy the bright future that's ahead of you. Don't settle for surviving when you could be thriving--Rule Your Day! |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Christmas in the Crosshairs G. Q. Bowler, Gerry Bowler, 2017 Is there a War on Christmas? This book surveys the history of the world's most popular festival and the never-ending battles it has engendered ever since its hotly-contested invention in the Roman Empire. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Wake Up to Hope Joel Osteen, Victoria Osteen, 2016-04-19 Start each day with a smile using the faith-filled Scripture, prayers, and readings in this uplifting devotional from Lakewood Church's Joel and Victoria Osteen. How you start the day often determines what kind of day you're going to have. When you wake up in the morning, it's easy to lie in bed thinking negative thoughts. You don't realize it, but that's setting the tone for a lousy day. In this devotional, Joel and Victoria Osteen offer an inspiring tool to help you set your mind for a positive, happy, faith-filled day. You will read Scripture, reflect on a daily reading, pray a special prayer, and meditate on a thought for the day -- all with a goal to starting the day off grateful, thinking about God's goodness, expecting His favor, and setting the tone for a blessed, productive day. Just a few minutes each morning can make a big difference. When you wake up to hope, you'll not only have a better attitude but you'll see more of God's blessings and favor. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: A Call to Resurgence Mark Driscoll, 2013-11-05 It’s tempting to believe that the Christian faith is alive and well in our country today. Our politicians talk about God. Our mega-churches are filled. Christian schools dot our landscape. Brace yourself. It’s an illusion. Believe it or not, only 8 percent of Americans profess and practice true evangelical Christian faith. There are more left-handed people than evangelical Christians in America. In this book, Mark Driscoll delivers a wake-up call for every believer: We are living in a post-Christian culture—a culture fundamentally at odds with faith in Jesus. This is good and bad news. The good news is that God is still working, redeeming people from this spiritual wasteland and inspiring a resurgence of faithful believers. The bad news is that many believers just don’t get it. They continue to gather exclusively into insular tribes, lobbing e-bombs at each other in cyberspace. Mark’s book is a clarion call for Christians. It’s time to get to work. We can only do this if we unite around Jesus and the essentials found in his Word, while at the same time, appreciating the distinctives within each Christian tribe. Mark shows us how to do just that. This isn’t the time to wait or debate. Join the resurgence. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Faithful Adam Hamilton, 2022-09-06 From his beginnings as a humble carpenter to his all-important role as the earthly father of Jesus Christ, Joseph's place in the nativity story is sometimes overlooked but contains valuable lessons for all of us. Join Adam Hamilton as he examines Christmas through the eyes of Joseph. Absent from much of the biblical narrative, Joseph never spoke a word, but his courageous actions were crucial to the birth of Christ and God's salvation plan for humanity. As you read this book, you will understand how Joseph's story is much like our own. In life, we encounter circumstances that we would never have chosen for ourselves. At times it can be tempting just to walk away. Joseph provides us a great example of humbly obeying God even when we don't understand and faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides. Exchange your doubt for courage this Advent and Christmas season. The story of Joseph provide us a great example of humbly obeying God even when we don't understand and faithfully moving forward in the strength that God provides. Additional components for a four-week adult study include a comprehensive Leader Guide and a DVD featuring author and pastor Adam Hamilton. Chapter topics include: A Carpenter Named Joseph Whose Child Is This? Raising a Child Not Your Own The Journey to Bethlehem The Rest of the Story |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Has American Christianity Failed? Bryan Wolfmueller, 2016 Wolfmueller sounds the alarm against the false teaching and dangerous practices of Christianity in America. He offers a beautiful alternative: the sweet savor of the Gospel, which brings us to to the real comfort, joy, peace, freedom, and sure hope of Christ. -- Back cover |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Peace for the Season Joel Osteen, 2021-10-19 Ring in the holiday season with #1 New York Times bestselling author and Lakewood Church pastor Joel Osteen and find peace and cheer with this beautiful Christmas devotional. There’s nothing like the joy that comes by sharing our love and what we have with loved ones and friends during the Christmas season. But it can also be a time of stress, worry, and disappointments for many reasons. It’s easy to let our guard down and lose our peace and joy. The good news is that the true Christmas spirit is wrapped up in Jesus, the Prince of Peace. He doesn’t just have peace; He is peace. He gives us peace that passes understanding. We can have peace when things around us aren’t peaceful. When we stay in a position of peace, we aren’t moved by what others are saying or doing or situations that aren’t working out like we want. His peace inside us doesn’t rise and fall with our circumstances. Let Peace for the Season bring you to the place of peace and unending hope. You'll have more passion, more contentment, and more joy than you ever imagined. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Become a Better You Joel Osteen, 2007-10-15 Is this as good as it gets? Or can you enjoy more of what life has to offer? Not only can you live happily every day, bestselling author Joel Osteen suggests you must discover the potential within yourself and learn how to use it to live better, and to help others better themselves as well. God didn't create you to be average. You were created to excel! You have everything you need to fulfill your God-given destiny, and there is no limit to what you can accomplish if you discover how to be a better you! In Become a Better You: 7 Keys to Improving Your Life Every Day, Joel Osteen, America's best-known pastor, will inspire and motivate you to live with more joy, hope, and peace -- truly a life of victory! Joel will help you look deep inside yourself to become a better spouse and parent, a better boss or employee, a better community leader, a better friend -- in short, a better person! Joel Osteen reveals seven simple yet profound principles that when taken to heart will help you become all that God has created you to be. In a straightforward, easy-to-understand style, Osteen explains key biblical values; the text is laced with personal testimonies that will enlighten and uplift you. Each of the seven keys has its own section, complete with a set of practical action points. Thus Become a Better You will guide you in the process of uncovering your hidden resources. Within these pages, Joel Osteen addresses topics such as building your confidence, developing better relationships, finding peace within, and staying passionate about life. Become a Better You will encourage you to reach your unique God-given potential, and will help you to enjoy every day of your life, despite your circumstances. As you incorporate Joel's easy-to-grasp principles into your life, you will be pleasantly surprised at how much more God has in store for you, and how quickly you become a better you! |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Where Do We Go From Here? Bible Study Guide Dr. David Jeremiah, 2021-11-16 Jesus Will Show You the Way Forward Today’s headlines shout of modern plagues, social tensions, economic crises, and rampant depression. Many are asking, “What day is it on God’s prophetic calendar?” Trusted Bible teacher and pastor Dr. David Jeremiah answers this question by opening up the Word of God to reveal what it has to say about the days in which we are living and offer hope to believers. In this ten-lesson accompanying study guide, Dr. Jeremiah deals with ten prophetic issues as current as the morning news. You will thread your way through problems that Jesus predicted—precursors of the Tribulation—and learn what steps you should take to navigate them. Even as the world collapses, you can be sure that the Lord is building His Church! You can say something, do something, pray something, preach something, and live by the convictions of Christ. Each lesson includes: An outline of the main subjects and Scriptures covered during the lesson. An overview of Dr. Jeremiah’s teaching on the topic being studied. Application questions to help both individuals and small groups delve into the content and the Bible. A Did You Know? Section that adds a point of interest to the lesson. This is no time to be discouraged. Your risen and exalted Lord Jesus Christ—your enthroned Savior—knows the way forward. He will show you where to go from here. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: The Gospel in the Stars Joseph Augustus Seiss, 1882 |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Preaching from Memory to Hope Thomas G. Long, 2009-03-19 In this compelling and hard-hitting book, respected preacher and teacher Thomas Long identifies and responds to what he sees as the most substantive theological forces and challenges facing preaching today. The issues, he says, are fourfold: the decline in the quality of narrative preaching and the need for its reinvigoration; the tendency of preachers to ignore God's action and presence in our midst; the return of the church's old nemesis, gnosticism--albeit in a milder form--evidenced in today's new spirituality; and the absence of eschatology in the pulpit. Long once again has his finger on the pulse of American preaching, demonstrated by his creative responses to these challenges. Whether he is calling for theologically smarter and more ethically discerning preaching, providing a method of interpretation that will allow pastors to recover the emphasis on God in our midst, or encouraging a kind of interfaith dialogue with gnosticism, he demonstrates why he has long been considered one of the most thoughtful and intelligent preachers in America today. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Follow the Star T. D. Jakes, 2019-11-05 A collection of the author's favorite Christmas stories offers a series of childhood memories and personal experiences that reflect the season's significance. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Awake & Alive to Truth John L. Cooper, 2020-11-27 |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Prison Journal George Pell, 2021-11-02 Innocent! That final verdict came after George Cardinal Pell endured a gruelling four years of accusations, investigations, trials, public humiliations, and more than a year of imprisonment after being convicted by an Australian court of a crime he did not commit. Led off to jail in handcuffs, following his sentencing on March 13, 2019, the 78-year-old Australian prelate began what was meant to be six years in jail for historical sexual assault offenses. Cardinal Pell endured more than thirteen months in solitary confinement, before the Australian High Court voted 7-0 to overturn his original convictions. His victory over injustice was not just personal, but one for the entire Catholic Church. Bearing no ill will toward his accusers, judges, prison workers, journalists, and those harbouring and expressing hatred for him, the cardinal used his time in prison as a kind of extended retreat. He eloquently filled notebook pages with his spiritual insights, prison experiences, and personal reflections on current events both inside and outside the Church, as well as moving prayers. In this third and final volume, Cardinal Pell''s conviction is overturned by Australia''s High Court, and he is released from prison. As his appeal draws near, he grows in confidence that his case is strong and that his vindication is important not only for his own sake and the Church''s sake, but also for the sake of Australia''s legal system. While continuing his daily readings and devotions, and receiving hundreds of letters with offers of prayers and sacrifices on his behalf, the cardinal ponders the meaning of suffering in the life of the Christian, and he determines to accept with equanimity whatever outcome lies ahead. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Healing Haunted Histories Elaine Enns, Ched Myers, 2021-02-01 Healing Haunted Histories tackles the oldest and deepest injustices on the North American continent. Violations which inhabit every intersection of settler and Indigenous worlds, past and present. Wounds inextricably woven into the fabric of our personal and political lives. And it argues we can heal those wounds through the inward and outward journey of decolonization. The authors write as, and for, settlers on this journey, exploring the places, peoples, and spirits that have formed (and deformed) us. They look at issues of Indigenous justice and settler “response-ability” through the lens of Elaine’s Mennonite family narrative, tracing Landlines, Bloodlines, and Songlines like a braided river. From Ukrainian steppes to Canadian prairies to California chaparral, they examine her forebearers’ immigrant travails and trauma, settler unknowing and complicity, and traditions of resilience and conscience. And they invite readers to do the same. Part memoir, part social, historical, and theological analysis, and part practical workbook, this process invites settler Christians (and other people of faith) into a discipleship of decolonization. How are our histories, landscapes, and communities haunted by continuing Indigenous dispossession? How do we transform our colonizing self-perceptions, lifeways, and structures? And how might we practice restorative solidarity with Indigenous communities today? |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Shopping for God James B. Twitchell, 2007-09-18 Not so long ago religion was a personal matter that was seldom discussed in public. No longer. Today religion is everywhere, from books to movies to television to the internet-to say nothing about politics. Now religion is marketed and advertised like any other product or service. How did this happen? And what does it mean for religion and for our culture? Just as we shop for goods and services, we shop for church. A couple of generations ago Americans remained in the faith they were born into. Today, many Americans change their denomination or religion, sometimes several times. Churches that know how to appeal to those shopping for God are thriving. Think megachurches. Churches that don't know how to do this or don't bother are fading away. Think mainline Protestant churches. Religion is now celebrated and shown off like a fashion accessory. We can wear our religious affiliation like a designer logo. But, says James Twitchell, this isn't because Americans are undergoing another Great Awakening; rather, it's a sign that religion providers-that is, churches-have learned how to market themselves. There is more competition among churches than ever in our history. Filling the pew is an exercise in salesmanship, and as with any marketing campaign, it requires establishing a brand identity. Successful pastors (pastorpreneurs, Twitchell calls them) know how to speak the language of Madison Avenue as well as the language of the Bible. In this witty, engaging book, Twitchell describes his own experiences trying out different churches to discover who knows how to do church well. He takes readers into the land of karaoke Christianity, where old-style contemplative sedate religion has been transformed into a public, interactive event with giant-screen televisions, generic iconography (when there is any at all), and ample parking. Rarely has America's religious culture been examined so perceptively and so entertainingly. Shopping for God does for religion what Fast Food Nation has done for food. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Brands of Faith Mara Einstein, 2007-09-14 Through a series of fascinating case studies of faith brands, marketing insider Mara Einstein has produced a lively account of the book in the commercialization of religion. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Stories of Supernatural Healing Sid Roth, Linda Josef, 2010-12-01 Stories of Supernatural Healing is a multi-faceted account of God’s supernatural dealings with people, as seen through the eyes of eleven named ministers. While healing is the topic most often discussed, worship and intimacy with God are at the heart of each testimony and message. In every case, an example of relationship with God is presented in such a way as to inspire hope, strengthen faith, and illustrate the Father’s desire to heal and restore. Each testimony is unique, specific, and thought-provoking, opening the door for readers from all walks of life to appropriate a deeper relationship with God. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Hot Tub Religion James Innell Packer, 1993 A timely and practical collection of essays and thoughts on contemporary Christian living from a concerned theologian. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Resident Aliens. Life in the Christian Colony Stanley Hauerwas, William H. Willimon, 1989 |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Irresistible Andy Stanley, 2018-09-18 A fresh look at the earliest Christian movement reveals what made the new faith so compelling...and what we need to change today to make it so again. Once upon a time there was a version of the Christian faith that was practically irresistible. After all, what could be more so than the gospel that Jesus ushered in? Why, then, isn't it the same with Christianity today? Author and pastor Andy Stanley is deeply concerned with the present-day church and its future. He believes that many of the solutions to our issues can be found by investigating our roots. In Irresistible, Andy chronicles what made the early Jesus Movement so compelling, resilient, and irresistible by answering these questions: What did first-century Christians know that we don't—about God's Word, about their lives, about love? What did they do that we're not doing? What makes Christianity so resistible in today's culture? What needs to change in order to repeat the growth our faith had at its beginning? Many people who leave or disparage the faith cite reasons that have less to do with Jesus than with the conduct of his followers. It's time to hit pause and consider the faith modeled by our first-century brothers and sisters who had no official Bible, no status, and little chance of survival. It's time to embrace the version of faith that initiated—against all human odds—a chain of events resulting in the most significant and extensive cultural transformation the world has ever seen. This is a version of Christianity we must remember and re-embrace if we want to be salt and light in an increasingly savorless and dark world. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Christianity in Crisis Hank Hanegraaff, 2012-06-18 Nearly two decades ago Hank Hanegraaff’s award-winning Christianity in Crisis alerted the world to the dangers of a cultic movement within Christianity that threatened to undermine the very foundation of biblical faith. But in the 21st century, there are new dangers—new teachers who threaten to do more damage than the last. These are not obscure teachers that Hanegraaff unmasks. We know their names. We have seen their faces, sat in their churches, and heard them shamelessly preach and promote the false pretexts of a give-to-get gospel. They are virtual rock stars who command the attention of presidential candidates and media moguls. Through make-believe miracles, urban legends, counterfeit Christs, and twisted theological reasoning, they peddle an occult brand of metaphysics that continues to shipwreck the faith of millions around the globe: “God cannot do anything in this earthly realm unless we give Him permission.” “Keep saying it—‘I have equality with God’—talk yourself into it.” “Being poor is a sin.” “The Jews were not rejecting Jesus as Messiah; it was Jesus who was refusing to be the Messiah to the Jews!” “You create your own world the same way God creates His. He speaks, and things happen; you speak, and they happen.” Christianity in Crisis: 21st Century exposes darkness to light, pointing us back to a Christianity centered in Christ. From the Preface: “Having lost the ability to think biblically, postmodern Christians are being transformed from cultural change agents and initiators into cultural conformists and imitators. Pop culture beckons, and postmodern Christians have taken the bait. As a result, the biblical model of faith has given way to an increasingly bizarre array of fads and formulas.” |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: It's Your Time Joel Osteen, 2010-10-05 An exciting message about seizing the day from bestselling author Osteen, this work guides readers in activating their faith, achieving their dreams, and increasing in God's favor. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: The Old Man and the See Michael Daigle, 2023-04-30 No About the Book information available at this time. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: People to Be Loved Preston Sprinkle, 2015-12-08 Christians who are confused by the homosexuality debate raging in the US are looking for resources that are based solidly on a deep study of what Scripture says about the issue. In People to Be Loved, Preston Sprinkle challenges those on all sides of the debate to consider what the Bible says and how we should approach the topic of homosexuality in light of it. In a manner that appeals to a scholarly and lay-audience alike, Preston takes on difficult questions such as how should the church treat people struggling with same-sex attraction? Is same-sex attraction a product of biological or societal factors or both? How should the church think about larger cultural issues, such as gay marriage, gay pride, and whether intolerance over LGBT amounts to racism? How (or if) Christians should do business with LGBT persons and supportive companies? Simply saying that the Bible condemns homosexuality is not accurate, nor is it enough to end the debate. Those holding a traditional view still struggle to reconcile the Bible’s prohibition of same-sex attraction with the message of radical, unconditional grace. This book meets that need. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: TP3 Joy Michael Basenese, 2024-01-02 Hard work and sacrifice do lead to success, but it comes with a price. Living in excess and three defining moments rocked Michael's world. Success could not fill the void in his life, not money, not homes, cars, food, alcohol, nor drugs. The first defining moment is a startling revelation of how living out of control is a path to destruction. This epiphany changed him spiritually from the inside out. The second defining moment was his impetus to change physically. His last defining moment came in November of 2021 during a propane grill explosion, burning both legs. This is a message of hope. No matter what you have done, you can overcome. He wrote this book for you. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: The Barbarian Way Erwin Raphael McManus, 2005-02-08 It's time to rediscover the passionate, fearless life that Jesus called us to live. Are you ready to choose the barbarian way? In today's world, where faith often walks the line of comfort and convenience, The Barbarian Way, stands as a thunderous call to break free and experience Christianity as it was truly meant to be - wild, free, and untamed. An acclaimed author and dynamic lead pastor of Mosaic, a Los Angeles church movement, Erwin McManus challenges you to step out of the safety of the familiar, urging you to live with unbridled faith and boldness that will fulfill the deepest longing of your heart. This Christian classic opens up a new way to view your walk with Christ, encouraging you to take risks and liberate yourself from mundane existence. Join an engaged community of spiritual seekers and followers of Christ as you: Challenge yourself to live a more bold faith Satisfy the deepest cravings of your soul Discover a revolutionary way to live as a Christian Brave the unknown, armed with passion With each chapter, Erwin McManus examines Biblical figures like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, and Samson. Viewing their eccentric lives through a lens of vibrant faith, the book reminds us that faith is not a shield against adversity, but a call to meaningful and sometimes challenging contribution. The book aims to dismantle the belief that God's will is a haven of comfort and safety, propelling readers instead towards a life of valor, adventure, and sacrifice. Read The Barbarian Way and ignite the flame within to live out your faith with a radical, barbaric love. This is your moment, your crossroads, your destiny. Choose to live passionately, boldly, fearlessly. Choose the barbarian way! |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Instinct T. D. Jakes, 2014-05-06 Tap into your God-given intuition and start achieving ultimate success with this inspiring #1 New York Times bestseller from Bishop T.D. Jakes. If you have ever felt misaligned, this book is for you. If you have lost the rhythm, the passion, or the thrill of living in alignment, then keep reading. As He did with the very cells that comprise our bodies and the dry bones that were joined together for new life, God has given us deeper instincts to be attracted to those things that fit a higher and better purpose. Never settle for less than God's best for your life. Some people have the courage to move beyond the ordinary, from the methodical mediocre into the revolutionary realization of where they belong. You can have this sense of belonging only when you connect to your core calling. The calling to creativity, the calling to teach, to give, to build, are all part of allowing your instinct to guide you to the something more that you suspect is out there. If you are ready to break through the confines of where you are and discover where you are meant to be, then Instinct is your key!!--EndFragment-- |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Think Better, Live Better Joel Osteen, 2016-10-04 Change your life, reprogram negative thinking, and lead a more blessed, fulfilled life with these everyday lessons from Lakewood Church pastor and #1 New York Times bestselling author Joel Osteen. Your mind has incredible power over your success or failure. Think Better, Live Better offers a simple yet life-changing strategy for erasing the thoughts that keep you down and reprogramming your mind with positive thinking to reach a new level of victory. As a child of the Most High God, you are equipped to handle anything that comes your way. To claim your destiny, start thinking about yourself the way God does and delete the thoughts that tear down your confidence. When you train yourself to tune out the negativity and tune into your calling, you'll begin to live the wonderful plans God has made for you. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Espíritu Navideño (A Christmas Spirit) Joel Osteen, 2010-11-02 Para muchos, la temporada navideña está llena de distracciones y ansiedad en lugar de la paz y alegría que debería traer. En Espíritu navideño, Joel Osteen nos cuenta inspiradoras historias de familiares y amigos que celebran la Navidad y ayuda a los lectores a regresar a la verdadera esencia de las navidades a través de la práctica de los principios enseñados por Jesucristo, cuyo cumpleaños celebramos ese día. Con estas historias Joel nos recuerda lo que es realmente importante en la vida. Lleno de los encantadores y divertidos recuerdos de sus familiares y amigos, este conmovedor libro inspirará y divertirá a los lectores mientras fortalece su fe en la bondad y en la eterna sabiduría de Dios. Las historias contenidas en Espíritu navideño muestran cómo la Navidad cristiana es en realidad una celebración de la familia: la familia de Dios, nuestra propia familia y la diversa familia global. Amigos y familiares comparten, tanto de cerca como de lejos, su fe y sus tradiciones cristiana: Ríen juntos. Se apoyan mutuamente. Demuestran que la mejor forma de superar el dolor y la soledad es acercándose a otros que también estén tristes y solos. Las historias y los recuerdos únicos de Joel invitarán a los lectores a disfrutar de sus propios recuerdos navideños, a compartirlos con sus seres queridos y a crear nuevos recuerdos y tradiciones que serán pasadas de generación en generación durante muchos años más. Para aquellos que se sienten estresados, dolidos o perdidos durante esta temporada navideña, estas inspiradoras historias servirán de consuelo y de guía para tener una temporada navideña llena de esperanza y paz. Durante la última década, numerosas publicaciones han considerado a Joel Osteen como el Cristiano Más Influyente de América y en 2006 fue nombrado como una de Las Personas Más Fascinantes según Barbara Walters. Considerado como “la voz de la esperanza en los Estados Unidos”, Joel es uno de los pastores más respetados de los Estados Unidos. Cada semana, 43.000 personas van a las ceremonias que oficia en Lakewood Church en Houston, y su programa semanal de inspiración es visto por 7 millones de personas en los Estados Unidos, además de docenas de millones de personas de más de 200 países en todo el mundo. Este nuevo libro con las historias navideñas de sus familiares y amigos será atesorado por los lectores en todas partes. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Choosing the Extraordinary Life Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2018-09-04 Too many of us settle for a listless life of mundane routine. We long to discover a greater purpose for our lives, but we don't know how. Dr. Robert Jeffress has an encouraging message for people looking for something more. God not only wants us to enjoy an extraordinary life, he has provided a roadmap for doing so. In this inspiring and motivating book, Dr. Jeffress reveals seven secrets from Elijah that result in a life marked by significance, satisfaction, and success, including - discovering your unique purpose in life - waiting on God's timing - learning how to handle bad days - and more For the overworked parent feeling trapped at home, the businessperson feeling unfulfilled in a stagnant career, the Christian worker ministering in obscurity--for anyone who wonders if there's more to life--God's Word reveals seven secrets for experiencing a truly extraordinary life. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Lament for a Son Nicholas Wolterstorff, 1987 A loving father explores with honesty and intensity all facets of his grief at the death of his 25-year-old son. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Holy Yesterday Mythical Tomorrow Ricky Firman, 2025-02-01 From fiery sacrifices to viral memes, the divine narrative of humanity has been anything but dull. Holy Yesterday Mythical Tomorrow: How Religions Become Myth is a bold, darkly comedic exploration of the lifecycle of faith and a thought-provoking follow-up to Ricky Firman’s acclaimed book, Holy Olympics: Religions War for Relevance and Dominance. While Holy Olympics tackled the competitive struggle of religions to assert their dominance in a modern world, this sequel shifts focus to the inevitable transformation of those same faiths into mythology. In this latest work, Ricky examines how gods are born from humanity's fears, ignorance, and creativity, only to be retired to the realms of myth when time, progress, and logic outpace their relevance. This book dissects the rise and fall of deities across civilizations—from the grandeur of Zeus’s thunderbolts to the eerie rituals of Mesoamerican gods—and speculates how the gods worshipped today might fare in the distant future. With biting wit and incisive commentary, Ricky connects the sacred to the satirical, revealing the absurdity of divine politics, the commodification of faith, and the endless human quest for meaning. As humanity marches forward with science and technology as its new priests, Holy Yesterday Mythical Tomorrow ponders the cosmic irony of how ancient beliefs persist in the age of information. The book culminates in a speculative, hilarious vision of what the gods of tomorrow might look like in a world ruled by AI, aliens, and billionaire messiahs. Whether you're a skeptic, a believer, or something in between, this book will provoke, entertain, and challenge your view of religion and its inevitable transformation into myth. Because, in the end, the sacred and the absurd have always been partners in humanity's eternal cosmic joke. |
| christmas sermon joel osteen: Salvation with a Smile Phillip Luke Sinitiere, 2015-11-13 Joel Osteen, the smiling preacher, has quickly emerged as one of the most recognizable Protestant leaders in the country. His megachurch, the Houston based Lakewood Church, hosts an average of over 40,000 worshipers each week. Osteen is the best-selling author of numerous books, and his sermons and inspirational talks appear regularly on mainstream cable and satellite radio. How did Joel Osteen become Joel Osteen? How did Lakewood become the largest megachurch in the U. S.? Salvation with a Smile, the first book devoted to Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen, offers a critical history of the congregation by linking its origins to post-World War II neopentecostalism, and connecting it to the exceptionally popular prosperity gospel movement and the enduring attraction of televangelism. In this richly documented book, historian Phillip Luke Sinitiere carefully excavates the life and times of Lakewood’s founder, John Osteen, to explain how his son Joel expanded his legacy and fashioned the congregation into America’s largest megachurch. As a popular preacher, Joel Osteen’s ministry has been a source of existential strength for many, but also the routine target of religious critics who vociferously contend that his teachings are theologically suspect and spiritually shallow. Sinitiere’s keen analysis shows how Osteen’s rebuttals have expressed a piety of resistance that demonstrates evangelicalism’s fractured, but persistent presence. Salvation with a Smile situates Lakewood Church in the context of American religious history and illuminates how Osteen has parlayed an understanding of American religious and political culture into vast popularity and success. |
Holidays and Celebrations - JW.ORG
The World Book Encyclopedia (1982) observes under “Christmas”: “During the 1600’s . . . Christmas was outlawed in England and in parts of the …
Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? - Grace to Y…
The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25 was made sometime during the fourth century by church bishops in Rome. They had a specific …
Should Christians celebrate Christmas? - Grace to You
Christmas is chiefly about the promised Messiah who came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). The holiday provides us with a wonderful …
Christmas Prophecies Fulfilled - Grace to You
Subject to Import Tax. Please be aware that these items are sent out from our office in the UK. Since the UK is now no longer a member of the EU, you may …
Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Celebrate Christmas? - JW.ORG
Myth: You miss out on the “Christmas spirit” of generosity, peace on earth, and goodwill toward men. Fact: We strive to be generous and peaceable …
Holidays and Celebrations - JW.ORG
The World Book Encyclopedia (1982) observes under “Christmas”: “During the 1600’s . . . Christmas was outlawed in England and in parts of the English colonies in America.” Since …
Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25? - Grace to You
The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25 was made sometime during the fourth century by church bishops in Rome. They had a specific reason for doing so. Having turned …
Should Christians celebrate Christmas? - Grace to You
Christmas is chiefly about the promised Messiah who came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). The holiday provides us with a wonderful opportunity to share this truth. …
Christmas Prophecies Fulfilled - Grace to You
Subject to Import Tax. Please be aware that these items are sent out from our office in the UK. Since the UK is now no longer a member of the EU, you may be charged an import tax on this …
Why Don’t Jehovah’s Witnesses Celebrate Christmas? - JW.ORG
Myth: You miss out on the “Christmas spirit” of generosity, peace on earth, and goodwill toward men. Fact: We strive to be generous and peaceable every day. ( Proverbs 11:25; Romans …
What is the real meaning of Christmas? - Grace to You
Christmas is not about the Savior's infancy; it is about His deity. The humble birth of Jesus Christ was never intended to conceal the reality that God was being born into the world. But the …
The Real Meaning of Christmas - Grace to You
Subject to Import Tax. Please be aware that these items are sent out from our office in the UK. Since the UK is now no longer a member of the EU, you may be charged an import tax on this …
The Theology of Christmas - Grace to You
Dec 20, 2009 · To put it mildly, Christmas is a little bit confusing to the watching world, I’m pretty sure. I never really get over that. Year after year, I’m struck by the paradoxes of Christmas, the …
Why do so many people miss the real meaning of Christmas?
Because although many celebrate Christmas every year, most don't know what it's about. In spite of all the media promotion of Christmas, the majority of people will miss it because it has …
The Real Meaning of Christmas - Grace to You
May 25, 2018 · John MacArthur’s study The Real Meaning of Christmas helps you think of Christmas in a whole new way—in part because it looks at Bible passages you probably don’t …
