Fresh Faith: What Happens When Real Faith Ignites God's People [Hardcover]

Jim Cymbala (Author), Dean Merrill (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1999

One thing moves God: faith. Not doctrinal savvy. Not willpower. Trust in God alone stirs him to move miraculously on our behalf. Time and again, Jim Cymbala, author of Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, has seen the power of faith displayed in the lives of the ordinary people in his church -- and in his own life. He has seen drug addicts and prostitutes set free, marriages restored, and sinners transformed by the love of Jesus Christ. All through the kind of radical, living faith described in this book. Read about it -- and discover how fresh faith can change your life, too.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

According to Jim Cymbala, Satan is the "master thief" of our day, robbing us of faith. In Fresh Faith, the inner-city pastor and author of the bestselling Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, challenges despair with the sword of Christian belief. In the wake of Satan's crime wave, Cymbala sees an overriding despondency that leads people to drugs, violence, and suicide. Even among pastors, Cymbala sees a turning away of Christ as "the first love," and instead he finds church leaders who are "hollow shells" of their former zealous selves. The final two sections of his book are devoted to "Getting Past the Barricades" and "Following the Divine Channel," showing readers how belief and trust can restore even the most damaged souls.

While Cymbala isn't the first pastor to try to ignite a fresh fire of faith, he is one of the most qualified. When he took over the leadership of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, the congregation was on the verge of extinction with only 26 members. The church is now 6,000 strong and a nationally recognized example of what a community's faith can do. --Gail Hudson

From Publishers Weekly

This sequel to Cymbala's 1997 success, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire (still holding its own on the hardcover religion bestseller list), manages to offer what few sequels can muster: a "fresh" and invigorating perspective. Cymbala has a real knack for bringing Bible stories to life (King David, with all of his flaws, figures prominently here). The book's short homilies comprise readable chapters on issues such as trusting God, overcoming discouragement and acting on God's promises. Cymbala shares stories from his congregationAincluding of his daughter's miraculous healing and the unforgettable conversion of Amalia, a drug-addicted incest victimAto demonstrate God's power in transforming lives. Cymbala has some hard words for those who rely upon good works in hopes of earning God's approval, which in his estimation demonstrates a grievous lack of faith in grace. He chastises those who profess belief in the truth of the Bible but never read it for themselves; they suffer from "stale" faith because they refuse to be refreshed. On the other end of the spectrum, his message is also for "those Christians who pound the Bible the hardest [but] are the most unbelieving and cynical about God ever doing a new thing in his church." Some of Cymbala's politics may offend readers (one chapter profiles an ex-gay husband and father who renounced his former lifestyle and established a ministry to AIDS victims), but he generally manages to rise above divisive polemics to preach a gospel of truth-telling and ineffable love.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310230071
• ISBN-13: 978-0310230076
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #620,502 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pastor Cymbala does it again!, September 2, 1999

By 

"philhoover" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fresh Faith: What Happens When Real Faith Ignites God's People (Hardcover)

The pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle has done it again! His new book, "Fresh Faith" really does help one to yearn for that freshness of spiritual faith. Pastor Cymbala, not only shares some of the things that are happening in his congregation (and those stories ALONE are breathtaking), but also helps us to understand some of the great biblical stories from the aspect of faith and God's faithfulness.

Don't be mistaken: This is NOT a "Word of Faith" book, and the author quite clearly states that fact. But, if read carefully, it will help the seeking believer to trust God's Word and to have faith inspired in their soul. All the stories and scriptures are inspiring. What is even more inspiring is a TRIP up to the BIG APPLE and a worship experience with this congregation. The only thing better than the book is THE TRIP.

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Fresh Faith" helped refresh my faith in God!, August 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fresh Faith (Audio Cassette)

If the day-to-day problems of life have robbed you, this is the book for you! In his follow-up book to "Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire," Jim Cymbala exposes the schemes the Enemy uses to rob God's children of their past, present, and future joys and blessings. "Fresh faith," or a renewed trusting in God, is rightly high-lighted, even during difficulties.

However, this book does not take problems lightly. It sees them for what they are; yet, it sees God as being greater. He can and should be trusted, especially when things are tough.

If your faith seems dry and stale at times, try "Fresh Faith."

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiration for new believers, January 5, 2000

By 

Angie Rozar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fresh Faith: What Happens When Real Faith Ignites God's People (Hardcover)

This book was a great inspiration to me and my family. It gives many great examples of how god's grace grabs normal people like you and me and won't let go. Mr. Cymbalia puts things in terms to where you don't have to be a college scholar to understand things such as, the power and importance of prayer. My husband and I are new believers in Christ and this book has truly inspired us to continue our search for Jesus Christ.