Treasures of the Transformed Life: Satisfying Your Soul's Thirst for More - Softcover

John Ed Mathison Leadership Ministries

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0687334454 ISBN 13: 9780687334452

Verlag: Abingdon Press, 2006

Inhaltsangabe

Not matter how good life is, most Christians thirst for something more. Although we are people of faith, many of us aren't satisfied. We long for lives that are more fulfilled, more rich, more meaningful, and more joyful. Without resorting to "have-tos," "shoulds," or "thou shalts," Treasures of the Transformed Live helps us identify our individual thirsts and shows us how to experience more than we could ask for or imagine. A great adventure unfolds when we discover the freedom, promise, and rewards that come with committing ourselves to a closer relationship with God through treasures of prayer, presence, gifts, and services. Refreshing, deep, and powerful, Treasures of the Transformed Life encourages us to dive into all God has for us and to live lives that are truly satisfying.This book contains forty days of readings that help us realize that not matter where we are, we are all thirsty for more...the more that only a closer walk with God will satisfy. It can be read as stand alone resource, but is also a key part of the Transformed Giving Stewardship Program developed by John Ed Mathison.

Über diesen Titel

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

John Ed Mathison was senior pastor for 36 years at Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Named National Clergyman of the Year by the Religious Heritage of America, he holds a master's degree from Princeton University and a doctor of ministry degree from Candler School of Theology. He has written five books, including Transformed Giving and Treasures of the Transformed Life. In 2008 he established the John Ed Mathison Leadership Ministries, which is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). More information is available at www.johnedmathison.org.

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Treasures of the Transformed Life

Satisfying Your Soul's Thirst for More

By John Ed Mathison

Abingdon Press

Copyright © 2006 Abingdon Press
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-687-33445-2

Contents

Acknowledgments, 
Introduction, 
Part I: Priming the Pump, 
1: The Need for More, 
2: God Really Does Care, 
3: Great Expectations, 
4: Finding a Niche, 
5: Love Your Neighbor, 
6: Overcoming Obstacles, 
7: Time to Commit, 
Part II: Drawing Water, 
8: Tapping into the Source, 
9: Prayer Defined, 
10: Line of Communication, 
11: Scenario for Prayer, 
12: Standing in the Gap, 
13: Products of Prayer, 
14: Praying with Power, 
Part III: Jumping In with Both Feet, 
15: Pulling Together, 
16: God Our Father, 
17: Brothers and Sisters in Christ, 
18: Family Gatherings, 
19: Where Priorities Lie, 
20: Do Your Part, 
21: Commit to Community, 
Part IV: Pennies in the Fountain, 
22: Maintaining Balance, 
23: Heavenly Treasure, 
24: Keeping Priorities in Line, 
25: Facts and Figures, 
26: A Cheerful Giver, 
27: Faith Is Rewarded, 
28: Riches Beyond Measure, 
Part V: Offering a Drink to Others, 
29: Imitate Christ, 
30: A Life Worthwhile, 
31: Opportunities Abound, 
32: Team Spirit, 
33: A Servant's Heart, 
34: Pleasing God, 
35: Small Price to Pay, 
Part VI: Filling the Bucket to Overflowing, 
36: Where You're Headed, 
37: Spiritual Maturity, 
38: Sharing Your Faith, 
39: A Standard of Excellence, 
40: Claim Your Treasure, 
Giving Your Life to Jesus, 
About the Author, 

CHAPTER 1

the need for more

The next time you're in a restaurant, pay attention to whether the server brings you a glass of water. It used to be that it was standard. You sat down, you got a glass of water, and the server would ask if you'd like anything else to drink.

You'll probably still see two glasses on the table at more formal places, one for water and one for something else; in most restaurants, though, it seems to be either or. There are so many other choices on the menu. You can have a soft drink, lemonade, tea, maybe even fruit tea, coffee, you name it. There are all sorts of ways to satisfy your thirst.

Now, we all know that nothing is quite as good for us as pure water. It helps the body better do its job. It helps wash the junk out, it helps maintain peace in the body's functions, and it makes sure all the essential nutrients get to where they're supposed to go. That's why doctors tell us to drink so much of it every day.

But you know how it is. Sometimes you look at that glass and think, Nothing special about that. Sometimes it looks plain. Ordinary. You begin to think about how much you'd rather have something else. Something that looks really good and tasty.

We can keep our eyes on the things that look good and tasty on the outside. We can try to satisfy our thirst with coffee, soft drinks, maybe even beer or wine. But all the while, something deep within us is still crying out for the real deal—good, pure water. Nothing will feel right until we get it.

That doesn't just apply to what we drink. Sometimes we can get thirsty in life, too. Sometimes we begin wondering if there's really more to it. If it's really possible to be happier, more content, more satisfied.... Ever been there?

the thirst within

Psychologists tell us that most people in America today are unsatisfied. They don't like their jobs. They don't like where they live. Or others don't like the weather. They don't like their health. In general, they just don't like their lives. They may feel that things are okay as they are. Maybe they don't know anyone who's happier, less stressed, or less busy; so they figure that's just how life is supposed to be. Yet, they don't think anything can change. Someone asks them—or us—how things are, and we reply, "Fine"—even if everything really isn't and we want more out of our days on this earth.

Consider this story about a little girl who sat down to eat her lunch. There was a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk on the table, but she didn't touch any of it. About two hours later, she went to her mother and said, "I don't feel good." The mother asked what was wrong, and she replied, "I've got a stomachache."

At that point, the mother looked over and noticed that the sandwich and the glass of milk were still sitting there. So she said, "Honey, your stomach hurts because it's empty. You need to put something in it. Eat your lunch and you'll feel better."

About that time, the preacher stopped by the house to discuss some church business. As they were talking, he said, "You know, I've had a headache all day long." The little girl looked at him and said, "I know why. It's because your head's empty. If you put something in it, it wouldn't be so bad."

Do you know when the great pain in life comes? It comes when we're empty. It might not be our stomachs or our heads, but it might be our hearts. If your heart and life are empty, that's the worst kind of pain there is.

We get to this point in different ways. Sometimes we come up empty because we realize that we have a thirst deep down inside, but we try to satisfy it with other people, jobs, material things, nice houses and cars, or relationships. They all look good for a while, but that kind of fulfillment never really lasts. It's kind of like drinking a big cup of coffee. It warms us for a while, and the caffeine might even boost our spirits and make us feel pretty good. Sooner or later, however, that all wears off, and we're back in search of another cup.

None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.

—Benjamin Whichcote

Sometimes we come up empty because we've been disappointed. Maybe we're burned out. Maybe we've developed a "been there, done that" mentality, and talked ourselves into believing that the way things are is as good as they'll ever get. Perhaps we just don't know any better. Nobody ever told us the truth about life, so we think our happiness depends entirely upon us, according to what we can accomplish.

If you've ever felt that way, I've got some good news for you. There really is more, and it's ours for the asking. It really is possible to live a full life, one in which you look forward to waking up each morning, one full of joy, faith, and strength.

delusions of self-sufficiency

I once read a story about a lady who went to work at a large mill, where her job was to sew. On her first day, the foreman said, "The most important thing you need to know is this: If your threads get tangled, call me and I'll fix them." He then pointed to a sign on the wall. There, right in front of her, was a reminder: "If your threads get tangled, call the foreman."

The lady sat down and began to sew. Eventually, her threads started to tangle. She thought, I won't bother the foreman; he's too busy. I'll do it myself. She tried to untangle the threads, but they just became more and more tangled. Before long, she really had a mess on her hands.

The foreman came by and said, "You didn't do what you were told, did you?"

She replied, "No. I wanted to do it myself." Then she added, "I want you to know that I did the best that I could."

The foreman responded, "No, you didn't. If you had done the best that you could, you would have called me."

Isn't that what's wrong...

Details zur Ausgabe

• Verlag: Abingdon Press
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2006
• Sprache: Englisch
• ISBN 10: 0687334454
• ISBN 13: 9780687334452
• Einband: Taschenbuch
• Anzahl der Seiten: 322
• Kontakt zum Hersteller: Nicht verfügbar
• Verantwortliche Person: Buchpark GmbH; gpsr@buchpark.de; ; Krügerweg 1; Trebbin; Brandenburg; 14959; Deutschland