Todd’s penultimate sermon series is on the topic of Grace and our Resource Centre is currently featuring several books on this topic. These books can be taken out from our Westheights Resource Centre which has a great collection of non-fiction and fiction books, as well as family-friendly DVDs.
- ALTAR EGO: Becoming Who God Says You Are by Craig Groeschel–You are NOT who you think you are. You need to take your idea of your own identity, lay it down on the altar, and sacrifice it. Give it to God. Offer it up. Why? Because you are who GOD says you are. When we place our false labels and self-deception on the altar of God’s truth, we discover who we really are as his sons and daughters. Instead of an outward-driven, approval-based ego, we learn to live with an “altar” ego, God’s vision of who we are becoming.
- BITTERSWEET: Thoughts on Change, Grace, and Learning the Hard Way by Shauna Niequist – Niequist, a keen observer of life with a lyrical voice, writes with the characteristic warmth and honesty of a dear friend: always engaging, sometimes challenging, but always with a kind heart. You will find Bittersweet savoury reading, indeed. “This is the work I’m doing now, and the work I invite you into: when life is sweet, say thank you, and celebrate. And when life is bitter, say thank you, and grow.”
- WHAT’S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE? by Philip Yancey – Grace is the church’s great distinctive. It’s the one thing the world cannot duplicate and the one thing it craves above all else —for only grace can bring hope and transformation to a jaded world. In What’s So Amazing About Grace? award-winning author Philip Yancey explores grace at street level. If grace is God’s love for the undeserving, he asks, then what does it look like in action? And if Christians are its sole dispensers, then how are we doing at lavishing grace on a world that knows far more of cruelty and unforgiveness than it does of mercy?
- I TRIED UNTIL I ALMOST DIED: From Anxiety & Frustration to Rest and Relaxation by Sandra McCollom–Many of us believe that in order to please God, we have to be perfect. In a culture that emphasizes accomplishment and ever-higher goals, we feel driven to do more, achieve more, be more. And we get caught up in the unforgiving treadmill of self-imposed rules, believing that we should, we need to, we must. For years, Sandra McCollom lived in this trap. Finally worn out from striving for perfection but constantly feeling like a failure, one day she prayed in desperation, begging God for help. God answered Sandra by setting her on a life-changing journey to discover the riches of His grace.
- CASE FOR GRACE by Lee Strobel – Lee draws upon his own journey from atheism to Christianity to explore the depth and breadth of God’s redeeming love for spiritually wayward people. He travels thousands of miles to capture the inspiring stories of everyday people whose values have been radically changed and who have discovered the “how” and “why” behind God’s amazing grace. You’ll encounter racists, addicts, and even murderers who have found new hope and purpose. You’ll meet once-bitter people who have received God’s power to forgive those who have harmed them—and, equally amazing, people mired in guilt who have discovered that they can even forgive themselves. Through it all, you will be encouraged as you see how God’s grace can revolutionize your eternity and relationships… starting today.
- GRACE WALK: What You’ve Always Wanted In The Christian Life by Steve McVey–The nearly 200,000-selling Grace Walk has helped thousands of believers leave behind the “manic–depressive” Christian walk: either running around trying to perform to be acceptable to God—or thinking they’ve failed Him again and wondering if they’ll ever measure up. Living the grace walk gets Christians off this religious roller coaster. Using his own journey from legalism into grace, Steve McVey illustrates the foundational, biblical truths of who believers are in Jesus Christ and how they can let Him live His life through them each day.
- EMBRACE GRACE: Welcome to the Forgiven Life by Liz Curtis Higgs –The forgiven life. The grace-filled life. It begins with an embrace. Wherever you are spiritually, whatever you have been through emotionally, you are already enfolded in the arms of One who believes in you, supports you, treasures you. He is waiting for you to embrace him in return. To accept the gift he’s offering you. To listen for the whispered words you’ve longed a lifetime to hear: You are loved. All is forgiven.
- THE GRACE AWAKENING: Welcome to the Forgiven Life by Charles Swindoll–The Grace Awakening calls all Christians to wake up and reject living in such legalistic, performance-oriented bondage. The God of the universe has given us an amazing, revolutionary gift of grace and freedom. This freedom and grace set us apart from every other “religion” on the face of the earth. In this best-selling classic, Charles Swindoll urges you not to miss living a grace-filled life. Freedom and joy-not lists and demands and duties-await all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
- IN THE GRIP OF GRACE by Max Lucado–The way of the world will direct you to try harder and work smarter so that you can take care of yourself and even make yourself successful. But the way of the cross will point toward the place where you stop striving . . . stop pushing . . . stop every self-initiated effort—so that you can fall into the boundless, liberating, refreshing grace of God!
- GUILT-FREE LIVING by Robert Jeffress–This book will show you how to reject the unrealistic expectations of others and to experience God’s approval in every area of your life. Learn the difference between real and false guilt. Start living the joyful, fruitful life God intends for you.