Born to Shine

James Loftin

Description

More than you have imagined, your life can communicate grace and bring solutions that change the world for God’s glory. Here is a guide.

More than you have imagined, your life can communicate grace and bring solutions that transform the world for God’s glory. Born to Shine invites Christians to review the way we see ourselves and the methods we employ as partners in God’s mission. It looks at the beauty of light, the horrors of darkness, and God’s mystifying method of using fallible Christ followers to bring hope and healing to neighbors near and far. The book provides practical tools to help readers answer the vital question: “How can I best use my prayer, time, finances, strengths, circumstances, and pain to change the world with the love of Jesus?” You are the light of the world. God invites you to reclaim that identity with intentionality, urgency, and excellence.

Sujets

• Religion
• Christianisme
• Christian Living
• Philosophie et théologie
• Giving
• Stewardship
• Impact

Informations

• Publié par: WestBow Press
• Date de parution: 16 novembre 2022
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781664280434
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Endorsements
“James Loftin lifts the curtain on how we can live with clarity and intentionality, unleashing the potential of a life that is aligned with God’s purposes. This is a treasure trove of biblical insight from an experienced guide.” —Steve Richardson, president, Pioneers USA, Orlando, FL
“A must-read. It is creative in its design and expression, using a familiar designation of who we are in such a fresh way that you want to read the next page.” —Maxie Dunnam, author, pastor, and president emeritus of Asbury Theological Seminary, Memphis, TN
“A refreshing call to leave the world of small dreams and embark on a lifetime journey of maximum impact for God’s glory. With a pastor’s heart, a scholar’s keen insight, and the apostolic zeal of one who has spent decades in global ministry, Loftin spells out in practical terms how to be intentional in reclaiming and maintaining our identity as the light of the world.” —Brent Fulton, founder/catalyst, ChinaSource, Sacramento, CA
“The perfect mix of inspiration, practical application, and biblical wisdom. His call to shine stirs my heart to connect to what God is doing in the most strategic way possible!” —Emily Osburne, marketing director, Generous Giving, Orlando, FL
“This is a timely reminder that the light of Christ is within us and a guide for the ongoing spiritual renewal needed to shine in the darkness.” —Kevin Wolley, captain B-767 (retired), FedEx Express, Portland, OR
“The world needs Christians who are strategic and gracious about living out their faith in ways that change lives and communities. This book leads us there.” —Stacia Glavas, founder/CEO, New Life Mission, Melbourne, FL
“This book challenges, emboldens, and provides practical steps for ordinary Jesus followers who hunger to move beyond a consumer faith and maximize their unique impact in the world.” —Chris Goff, pastor, the Hub Church, Thomasville, GA
“The call to be the light of the world has always felt like an unattainable cliché. This is the first book I’ve read that is deep, practical, and effective in helping readers understand the deeper meaning of shining as we follow Jesus.” —Pete Marra, vice president of innovation, the Colson Center, Lexington, KY
“James Loftin forgot more about missions than I will ever know, but he communicates in a practical way for the busy pastor, the overwhelmed missions leader, and others who want to shine but are frustrated.” —Win Greene, author and pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church, New Kingstown, PA
“Using Bible study and real-life stories, this book shows us what we can do and what God expects us to do as the light of the world. It is an inspiration for change, and perfect for small group study. I recommend it wholeheartedly!” —C. Ray Hayes, senior director, Hunter Lewis LLC, and chancellor emeritus of the University of Alabama System, Tuscaloosa, AL
“ Born to Shine delivers inspiration as well as practical ways to live out the mission of Jesus. If there was ever a time for light to shine out in darkness, it is now.” —Tom Cochran, national director of church engagement, Destiny Rescue USA, Palm Bay, FL
“James Loftin reflects on mission not simply as an idea that Christians warmly affirm, but as a practice that requires close attention to how we can be more consistent, strategic, and less selfish ... a helpful resource for individuals, classes, and groups who seek to refine the missional fires of their faith.” —David F. White, author and professor of Christian education, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, TX
“ Born to Shine reminds us that the light within us is not to merely brighten the places where we live. Our shining can reach the faraway dark corners of the world.” —John Johnson, founder and president of His Instruments of Worship, Memphis, TN
“ Born to Shine is a pragmatic and insightful book from a passionate, dedicated, and respectful leader. It helped me revisit my path and refine my future direction.” —Allen Mu, missionary with FMCD, Germany
“Practical, convicting, eye opening, biblically grounded, authentic, and necessary for today’s Christian.” —Christie Smith, family life local guide with CRU, Tuscaloosa, AL
“ Born to Shine is a blueprint to maximize your impact for the Kingdom and help you see your mission from a totally different perspective.” —Patrick Snipes, senior vice president-trading, FHN Financial, Memphis TN
“Filled with timely and provocative illustrations and challenging calls to discipleship, you will be glad you or your small group invested the time to explore and respond to the light ideas offered here.” —Billy Still, author and United Methodist minister (retired), Brighton, CO
“A call to Spirit-filled discipleship which is intentional, strategic, and cross-cultural. There is not a more timely message for the church at this hour.” —John Tanksley, orthopedic surgeon, Hutchinson, KS
“A fresh, insightful, relevant, and important book for all who are longing to shine the light of God into darkness. This book will shed light on the path of your life and ministry.” —Asia Williamson, leadership development catalyst, Lausanne Movement, London, United Kingdom
“I loved the lines ‘Right now, the Spirit is pursuing the abused, the hurting, and those who have never heard the good news. It is God’s nature and mission to chase away darkness with truth, mercy, and grace.’ Born to Shine is helping me face the realities of light and darkness.” —Josh Womack, founder and CEO, Womack Financial, Dallas, TX
“A useful, thought-provoking primer for Christians wanting to live out their faith in ways that illuminate God’s grace as demonstrated in the gift of Jesus.” —Randall D. Noel, attorney, Memphis, TN
BORN TO SHINE
Reclaiming Your Identity as the Light of the World
JAMES LOFTIN


Copyright © 2022 James Loftin.
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
 
This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.
 
 
 
WestBow Press
A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan
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Bloomington, IN 47403
www.westbowpress.com
844-714-3454
 
Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.
 
The cover art and concept as well as the interior graphics and illustrations were provided by Craig Thompson and Disciple Design in Memphis, Tennessee.
 
ISBN: 978-1-6642-8044-1 (sc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-8045-8 (hc)
ISBN: 978-1-6642-8043-4 (e)
 
Library of Congress Control Number: 2022918780
 
 
 
WestBow Press rev. date: 11/16/2022

 
Unless otherwise noted, scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
 
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, represented by Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture taken from The Voice™. Copyright © 2012 by Ecclesia Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version- Second Edition Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
 
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
 
The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips (PHILLIPS) copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Section 1: LIGHT
Chapter 1This Little Light of Mine
Chapter 2Haphazard Light
Chapter 3Light and Life
Chapter 4God as Light
Chapter 5God’s Mystifying Method
Chapter 6Light Mission Status
Chapter 7Selfish Light
Chapter 8Benevolent Light
Chapter 9Strategic Light
Section 2: HIGHER LIGHT
Chapter 10Our Light Journeys
Chapter 11Building a Taller Lampstand
Chapter 12An Excellent Gift
Chapter 13God Is Worth It
Chapter 14Basket Cases
Section 3: MAXIMUM LIGHT
Chapter 15Lantern Maintenance
Chapter 16A Light Prayer
Chapter 17Victorious Light
 
About the Author
Notes

To all those who push forward
in the face of countless obstacles
to announce and exhibit
the unconditional, transforming grace of Jesus Christ
in new ways and in unreached areas.