Keeping Covenant

"Fierce Marriage" offers great insight from two people who have experienced trials and triumph in the midst of their marriage. In order to explore the common areas of tension in marriage such as communication, sexuality, conflict, time and money Ryan and Selena Frederick share insights from their own journey intermingled with sound Biblical teachings. They declare the truth that a marriage, as blessed by God, is a covenant. Thus it has all the elements of a covenant relationship. These elements help a couple to understand the depth of the love they are called to in the midst of trials and triumph of marriage. This love reflects the love of God as revealed in the various covenants within Scripture. When followers of Christ honestly live out their marriage relationships as a reflection of Christ those relationships become a witness to the amazing love that Christ offers to each one of us. The balance of theological exposition and careful, heartfelt storytelling presented in this text convince the married, growing disciples of Christ to seek to honor Christ through this beautiful God-ordained relationship. The married couple is then challenged to live this out as testimony to God's great grace and everlasting love. The appendix that concludes the text underlines points made within the primary narrative by carefully and completely exploring the Biblical covenants and how God works within those covenants to share His love.
I received this book as part of Baker Books Blogging Program.

To Win as Many as Possible

In "The Cross and Christian Ministry" D. A. Carson offers spirit inspired insight into the direction of ministry that we receive from the book of I Corinthians. He begins by exploring Paul's theology of the cross as foolishness to man, but wisdom to those who follow Christ. The reality of the cross should then inspire our ministry as we preach, f0llow the leading of the Holy Spirit, deal with conflict in our churches, lead our churches in ministry in the world, and become Christians who are called to save all of those in the world. Carson convinces the readers that the cross does not just provide the means for our atonement, but also provides the means for our living in reflection of Christ. When we experience the cross, we should also become Christ like. We should consider Christ's action on the cross and allow that action to guide us as we minister to and among those whom God places in our sphere. The purpose of the cross is to save the lost. Our purpose should be likewise -- all of our actions, all of our preaching, all of our leadership, all of our attitudes should be shaped by this purpose. We are called to win as many as possible as we follow the cross.
I received this book as part of Baker Books Blogger program.