Podcasts about counterfeit gods

Do you have a counterfeit God? If you did, I'll bet you'd want to know. In this episode, we talk about Tim Keller's book, Counterfeit Gods, which Mark recently read. Our hearts are idol factories. We look for something that will promise a better life, and we place our hope in it beyond what it can deliver. Counterfeit Gods cannot be resisted by sheer willpower. They must be replaced by something better. There is no substitute for the God of the Bible who loves us and sent his Son, Jesus.

The Old Testament prophet Ezekiel wrote, “These men have set up idols in their hearts.” (Ex. 14:3) I would suggest that those words written thousands of years ago could easily apply to us. Though we may not bow to idols of stone or wood, the issue of idolatry is no less real now than it was in Ezekiel's day. As we begin this series, we're going to consider some fundamental questions: What is idolatry?How do I know what my potential idols are?Why does the Bible make such a big deal about idolatry?Let's start with “what is idolatry?”An idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your attention and affection more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.An idol has such a controlling position in your heart that you can spend most of your passion and energy, your emotional and financial resources, on it without a second thought.  An idol is anything so central or essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would hardly be worth living.  The question isn't IF we have an idol problem. That's a given. The question is, “Which idol is God's biggest rival in my life?” Some potential idols might be: Money SuccessAttractivenessRelationshipsChildrenPleasureCareerChurchSo, how do I know what my idol threat is? These questions might reveal it. Which of these do I find myself thinking about the most? Which one of those do you most fear losing or feel like life might not be worth living without it?Which one of these idols most gives me a sense of identity?Which of these do I look to most to make me feel secure?Which one of these do my efforts and resources most tend to revolve around?Which one of those would other people who know me well say is my most threatening idol?The Ten Commandments begin with a warning against worshiping any gods other than Yaweh. Why? Because it's the key to all other issues. You never break any of the other commands without first breaking the first one.Why does God hate idolatry so much? He hates it not simply because it robs Him of the honor and worship and adoration He deserves, but God hates it because of what it does to us.See, the counterfeit gods have not gone away. They have just changed clothes. They still promise much and fail to deliver. They still get us to sacrifice our lives to them without coming through for us.  And that's why God hates them so much.  They destroy His children.  Text: Ezekiel 14:3; Exodus 20:1-3Originally recorded on November 14, 2010, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

An idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your attention and affection more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.Idols can take on many forms: money, success, power, popularity, or physical attractiveness.  But idols can also take on human form. When you look to a person for the kind of deep affirmation and acceptance that only God can provide, it results not only in pain but in bondage.The Bible graphically illustrates this in the story of Jacob and Leah. Jacob had a twin brother, Esau. Esau was their father, Isaac's favorite—his idol. Because of this, Esau grew up proud, willful, and impulsive, while Jacob grew up cynical, bitter, and conniving. After Jacob deceived his father and received the blessing Esau desired, Esau vowed to kill Jacob. So, Jacob fled for his life. He ended up in his Uncle Laban's house, where he got a job tending sheep. There he met Laban's daughters—Leah and Rachel. Leah had “weak eyes,” while Rachel was beautiful. Jacob was utterly smitten by the lovely Rachel. He had to have her. He would do anything for her. She became his idol. This unhealthy desire consumed Jacob. Rachel was not just the wife he wanted; she was the savior he needed.  Jacob asked her father for her hand in marriage. But Laban deceived the deceiver, Jacob, and after working for seven years, Laban gave him, not Rachel, but Leah. Jacob had to work another seven years for Rachel.Perhaps the greatest casualty in this story is Leah. The daughter whom her father did not want is now the wife her husband did not want. As a result, Leah had a hole in her heart every bit as big as the one in Jacob's heart. And now she tries to fill it with a person. She sets her heart on getting Jacob's love.Genesis 29:31 says that “when the Lord saw that Leah was not loved, he enabled her to conceive, but Rachel remained childless.” The Lord gave Leah sons, and with each birth she thought, “Maybe now Jacob will love me.” But it didn't work out that way.Ironically, after all that pain, Leah is the one who shows spiritual progress in all this. When her last son is born, her response is, “This time I will praise the Lord.” It appears that she has finally taken her heart's deepest devotion off of a person and put it on the Lord. She has dealt with her idol.I look at what God did in Leah, and then I consider what God did for her. If you track the genealogy of Jesus, you will see that of all Jacob's sons, He came through the line of Judah, Leah's son.  God reached out to the girl that nobody wanted, the unloved one, and made her the ancestral mother of the Messiah.  Salvation came to the world, not through the beautiful Rachel, but through the unwanted, unloved Leah.No human can bear the burden of godhood. No person can meet the deepest needs of your soul.Jesus is the only one who can live up to the hopes, dreams, indeed, the expectations that we all have. And only when we place Him in the temple of our hearts in a position of unrivaled prominence will we be in a position to love anyone well. Text: Genesis 29Originally recorded on December 5, 2010, at Fellowship Missionary Church, Fort Wayne, IN

This Sunday we get to hear from Joel Kornegay, one of our elders at RHC. Joel is a chaplain in the Air Force, and we have been blessed to have Joel and Laura at RHC for their time in DC, which is coming to a close at the end of June as they move to their new post. As we so often do at RHC, we will send some of our favorites and best out to bless other churches and invest in other cities. Joel is going to preach from Matthew 16:19-22. It's a passage that is a great extension of our current series in the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus called a young man to the costly discipleship of His Upside-Down Kingdom. ------------------------------------------- Connect with us on Social Media ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Threads⁠ | ⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠Vimeo⁠------------------------------------------- Download our App⁠Apple App Store⁠ | ⁠Google Play Store⁠

In yesterday's devotional I highlighted two questions from Tim Keller's book, Counterfeit Gods.** Today I'm going to highlight two more. They are designed to help us think about our ultimate commitments. Is God number one in our lives, or have we let something or someone else compete for the throne that only belongs to him?1. … Continue reading A perpetual factory of idols

In the fifth week of our series called Counterfeit Gods, Pastor Mel recounts the most famous story of idolatry in scripture: Israel and the golden calf. Preaching through Exodus 32, Mel explains the revelry among the people as Aaron fashioned the golden calf. When Moses saw the people given over to idolatry he shattered the tablets inscribed with God's law on the ground. Moses made the people of Israel burn the statue, grind it into powder, and drink it. The lesson of this practice was to teach them that idols must be completely removed. The message closes with Mel instructing the importance of replacing the void left by idols with faith and affection for Jesus.

In the fifth week of our series called Counterfeit Gods, Pastor Mel conducts an interview with our special guests Aaron and Jaimie Smith. Aaron Smith is a former professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Smiths talk about what life was like leading up to the NFL, how they met, and a little about Aaron's upbringing. They discuss the temptation of creating false gods out of success and control. Aaron and Jaimie recount the harrowing story of their son being diagnosed with leukemia at four years old. For several years they experienced challenges and gut-wrenching pain as they watched their son go through chemotherapy. The Smiths talk about how they relied on their faith in Jesus to carry them through. Their son Elijah made a full recovery and is cancer-free today.

In the fourth message of our series called Counterfeit Gods, Pastor Mel explains the dangers associated with idolizing dreams. This is in reference to ambitions, not dreams you have when you sleep. Preaching through Genesis 22, Mel highlights how the story of Abraham taking Isaac to be sacrificed foreshadows the gospel of Jesus sacrificing Himself on the cross. Abraham had always hoped and dreamed for a son and so Isaac represented a threat of idolatry for Abraham. Once God showed Abraham the wisdom of fearing Him instead of idolizing Isaac, God provided a sacrifice to stand in the place of Isaac, saving him and redeeming him for Abraham. It's good to embrace your loved ones and have aspirations for your future, but these things can become idols if we fail to subordinate them to God.

In the third message of our series called Counterfeit Gods, Pastor Mel details the dangers of idolizing success itself. Part of the key to this message is understanding you don't need to actually be a successful person to be guilty of idolizing success. Anyone who views success or achievement as the ultimate thing holds success as a counterfeit god. Mel preaches through the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 to explain how the commander had faith in his own success to solve an unrelated problem like leprosy. Drawing a juxtaposition between the prophet Elisha and commander Naaman, Mel shows us the differences between a person who trusts in success over against a person who trusts in God.

By Ernest Smith

In the second message of our series called Counterfeit Gods, Pastor Mel preaches about the dangers of idolizing love. Idolatry is making anything other than God the "ultimate" thing. If we look to love or romantic relationships as the thing that will make us feel whole, then we know we have idolized love. No person or relationship was designed to bear the weight of standing in for God. We're comfortable with being loved but not known, and being known but not loved is one of our greatest fears. To be fully known and truly loved is what it's like to be loved by God. Mel preaches through Genesis 29 and makes the case that Jacob's brokenness made him vulnerable to the idolatry of love.

By Ernest Smith

In the first message of our series called Counterfeit Gods, Pastor Mel gives a detailed teaching on idolatry and why it's so dangerous. As human beings, nearly all of our sin is rooted in some form of idolatry. Idolatry is when we make anything other than God the "ultimate" thing in our lives. Tim Keller said, "We think that idols are bad things, but that is almost never the case. The greater the good, the more likely we are to expect that it can satisfy our deepest needs and hopes. Anything can serve as a counterfeit god, especially the very best things in life." Scripture uses three basic metaphors to describe how we relate to idols in our hearts: we love them, we trust them, and we obey them. Idols enslave us because we believe life without them is meaningless.

By Jonny Sharp

By Ernest Smith

|| ABOUT THIS MESSAGE || In Pastor Jerry's message, he highlights the significance of the early church's impact on Ephesus, where Paul's teachings challenged the worship of idols. We're reminded that true transformation occurs not just through words, but through how believers live out the love of Jesus, reflecting it in their actions. He warns against idolatry — putting anything created by God in the place of God — and illustrates how people often seek fulfillment in things like wealth, career, or approval, which only God can truly satisfy. Pastor Jerry left us with this strong message, "If we are going to change the world, we must first be changed."|| ABOUT BEACH CHURCH || We exist to reach, raise up, and release followers of Jesus who change the world. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone is welcome to learn about a relationship with God, whether you're curious or confident in your faith.|| GET CONNECTED || Here at Beach, we are most passionate about seeing people come into a relationship with Jesus! Head over to our website to get connected https://www.beachchurchjax.com/im-new|| FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA ||@beachchurchjax|| SCRIPTURE REFERENCES || Acts 19:21-42

Family is a beautiful gift from God, but when we begin placing our families equal to or above God, we lose sight of the role God intended for family to have in our lives. As we conclude our Counterfeit Gods series, we take a look at the idolization of the American family. What if the solution to the idol of family is not thinking of our families less but integrating them into the Kingdom of God with others in true

Jim Keena | Guest Speaker | January 5, 2024 Referenced Scripture: Acts 17:16-34, 1 Peter 3:15b Reflection Questions:1) In his sermon, Jim shared the story of calling his mother after the birth of their first child. Reflect on a moment when you had the chance to share good news with someone special. What was the good news? Was it easy to tell them? How did that experience make you feel? 2) Generally, sharing good news with others is easy. But is it easy for you to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others? If it's not, why does it feel challenging for you? 3) In Acts 17:16-34, Luke recounts the story of the Apostle Paul's visit to Athens. When he saw the city, we were told, “he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16b). Why do you believe he was so distressed by the rampant idolatry? 4) When you look at American culture, do you see us as a nation “full of idols”? Tim Keller's definition of idolatry helps answer that question. He writes, “What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.” (Counterfeit Gods, xvii) According to his definition, which idols do we see in ourselves and others as worshiping? 5) In Athens, Paul preached the gospel to three distinct groups of people in three separate locations: the Jews in the synagogue (17:17a), philosophers in the marketplace (17:17b-18), and intellectuals at the Areopagus (17:18-31). How did he adjust his approach without compromising the message of the gospel? 6) Who do you know with little or no background in the Bible or the gospel? How would you explain the gospel to them differently than someone from a church background? 7) Bob Pierce, the founder of World Vision, prayed to God, “Break my heart with the things that break Your heart.” What troubles your heart about your friends and our community? What specific needs do you notice? What do you believe God is urging you to do in response? 8) In the sermon, the analogy of a traffic light was used to illustrate the three different responses that those who heard Paul preach the gospel had to his message. Acts 17:32-34 states, “When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, (red light) but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” (yellow light) 33 At that, Paul left the Council. 34 Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. (green light). Why is it important to recognize that responses to the preaching of the gospel can vary widely, from mockery to curiosity and, hopefully, belief? What color is your “stoplight”? 9) Is there someone you think you should share the good news with this new year? What's your next step? Connect: We'd love to connect with you! Fill out our Connect Card to receive more information, have us pray for you, or to ask us any questions: http://journeybozeman.com/connectcard Connect: Get your children connected to our children's ministry, Base Camp: https://journeybozeman.com/children Connect: Our Student Ministry is for High School and Middle School students: https://journeybozeman.com/students Give: Want to worship through giving and support the ministry of Journey Church: https://journeybozeman.com/give Gather: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/JourneyChurchBozeman Gather: Download our app: https://journeybozeman.com/app Gather: Join our Facebook Group to stay connected throughout the week:

Is there anything we want more than control? We think that if we could just get things under control, all our problems would be solved and we would finally be satisfied with our lives. But what if the control we long for isn't even possible? What if it's actually a good thing that so much of our life is out of our control? What if we can get what our heart most deeply desires without being in control? That's what we'll explore in today's sermon. Join us as we wrap up our series, “Counterfeit Gods.” Scripture Reading: Psalm 46 Share: Know someone who needs this message right now? Send them the link! Connect: https://rb.gy/0gguyc Give: https://pushpay.com/g/kindredumc Prayer: https://rb.gy/xwmuok Newsletter:https://mailchi.mp/kindrednc.church/kindreds-latest-9-29-2024

Money is a major source of anxiety for nearly all of us. And our typical ways of dealing with our financial stress often just make our anxiety worse. So in today's sermon, we'll explore: what's really driving our financial anxiety, why our typical solutions don't work, and what we can do to overcome our stress about money. Join us as we continue our series, “Counterfeit Gods.” Get today's sermon notes here.  Scripture Reading: Luke 19:1-10 Share: Know someone who needs this message right now? Send them the link! Connect: https://rb.gy/0gguyc Give: https://pushpay.com/g/kindredumc Prayer: https://rb.gy/xwmuok Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/kindrednc.church/kindreds-latest-9-15-2024

In today's sermon we're talking about our biggest problem in life, what's really causing it, why most of our solutions never work…and most importantly, what we can do about it. Join us as we kick off our new series, “Counterfeit Gods.” Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:1-4 Share: Know someone who needs this message right now? Send them the link! Connect: https://rb.gy/0gguyc Give: https://pushpay.com/g/kindredumc Prayer: https://rb.gy/xwmuok Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/kindrednc.church/kindreds-latest-9-8-2024

“What is an idol? It is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give. ... Anything can be an idol, and everything has been an idol.”— Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods 1 Corinthians 10:1-22

What Does the Bible Say about the Antichrist?https://www.gbcmurrieta.church/content.cfm?id=213&download_id=3040

Judges 17-18 Series: Judges: A Call to Spiritual Renewal

"Counterfeit Gods"Series: Book of Revelation Speaker: Matt CoburnSunday MorningDate: 25th February 2024Passage: Revelation 13:1-18

Tim Keller has written some of the best books I've ever read. This book focuses on the empty promises of money, sex, and power that are so prevalent in our society. This podcast covers his introduction to the book, where he talk about idols we worship today.

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 465 | New Thing Series — Part 20 | “Abraham's sacrifice - Part 2” | Malcolm Cox Introduction A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.' We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Abraham. Today we continue to explore Abraham's sacrifice.  “When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”  “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”” (Genesis 22:9-18 NIV11) Abraham learns a lesson - God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice his son. “God was never going to allow Abraham to kill his son. The command and following episode were not intended to culminate in a murder, but in a repudiation of human sacrifice. In dramatic fashion, God deafeningly proclaims "No!—I do not want this, I will not accept this, this is wrong!" To put it another way, "Abraham, I want you to sacrifice your son—not!" Douglas Jacoby - Abraham learns that human sacrifice is not permitted. - Abraham learns that holding nothing back from God leads to blessings - Abraham learns what it means to love God more than anything else in this world For Reflection Abraham is a great man of faith. “Abraham's agonizing walk into the mountains was therefore the final stage of a long journey in which God was turning him from an average man into one of the greatest figures in history.” Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller. God works the same way today. Our spiritual ‘greatness' is developed through God continuing to call us into new things. We will never know our potential to be a blessing to others — “all nations on earth will be blessed” — if we resist God's call on us to do new, painful things! Conclusion I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.  Please add your comments on this week's topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org. If you'd like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org. Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. "Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

On this episode, we discuss 1st Corinthians 1 and the introduction to Counterfeit Gods by Tim Keller.  You can support the show at Buymeacoffee.com/laymenscup If you are listening on iTunes, please subscribe and leave a review. Laymen on iTunes If you have comments or questions for us, you can email us at laymenscup@gmail.com. Find us on YouTube by searching for LaymensCup. Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell! We are on Facebook at www.facebook.com/laymenscup. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter @laymenscup. It is always our hope to get the Gospel out to as many people as possible and you can help us by sharing the show. Word of mouth is the greatest way we will get the show out to the masses. Thank you. Please pray for us, as we are praying for you. Kemp, Wes, Shaun, Bob, and Ann Our Sponsors Candee Land Creations Navigating Neverland with Amy Carolina Furniture Mart

On this Episode, we discuss Tim Keller's book "Counterfeit Gods." You can support the show at Buymeacoffee.com/laymenscup If you are listening on iTunes, please subscribe and leave a review. Laymen on iTunes If you have comments or questions for us, you can email us at laymenscup@gmail.com. Find us on YouTube by searching for LaymensCup. Make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell! We are on Facebook at www.facebook.com/laymenscup. You can also follow us on Instagram and Twitter @laymenscup. It is always our hope to get the Gospel out to as many people as possible and you can help us by sharing the show. Word of mouth is the greatest way we will get the show out to the masses. Thank you. Please pray for us, as we are praying for you. Kemp, Wes, Shaun, Bob, and Ann Our Sponsors Candee Land Creations Navigating Neverland with Amy Carolina Furniture Mart

Pastor Nathan Hobert begins our Advent series looking at how this one ancient hope leads to present living that changes every aspect of our lives. Resources: NICOT Micah Commentary, "Counterfeit Gods" Tim Keller, Sermon "A King will pass through" Bryan Gregory.

Acts 19:21-41 | Bulletin

Counterfeit gods will ALWAYS disappoint you. I know this from my personal experience. Listen to my live event as I discussed a very personal chapter from my book, “necessary.”, and learn from my mistakes. Who are you running to in times of trouble? What are you turning to when you are discouraged or fearful, etc.?Note: The waitlist for Mindset Mentorship for Personal & Professional/ Entrepreneur & Business Development is located at ZenjaGlass.comWhere to Purchase “necessary.”Available as a paperback worldwide via Amazon.Also available as an audiobook exclusively on ZenjaGlass.com Join My Text Community. Text "Ready" to: (+1) 847-648-9118Where to Find Me:Zenja Glass: https://www.ZenjaGlass.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zenjaglassInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ZenjaGlassFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenjaglass.fb YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/zenjaglassTwitter: https://twitter.com/zenjaglass Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ZenjaGlassPinsListen to Unlocking Greatness Podcast with Zenja Glass on your favorite streaming platform! Now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music/Audible, and More. Visit: https://zenjaglass.com/podcastsNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline:1-800-273-8255 or text/call 988Much love,Z. Unlocking Greatness Podcast with Zenja GlassThank you for listening. To sign up for mentorship, order “necessary.”, request Zenja Glass for a speaking engagement, or perhaps send her a word of encouragement, visit: https://www.ZenjaGlass.com

Romans 1:18-25 // Ben BeasleyOur passage gives us three reasons why we need to be rescued. And that we need to be rescued from the things that God's wrath is directed against. When we refuse to acknowledge God for who He is, when our gratitude goes somewhere else when we show a lack of gratitude, or when we give our attention to false idols or counterfeit gods. Paul's claim here is that if we refuse to acknowledge God as the creator…then our gratitude is inclined to go somewhere other than to God. Paul is essentially saying: that if you don't start with God. If you don't start with the reality that God made the world….Then you are doomed from the beginning. What Paul is alluding to, is that sin from the beginning of its entrance into the world continues on the path of self-deception.Sermon Notes: https://www.bible.com/events/49128953 Prayer Requests: https://ccefc.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/2509/responses/new23.09.03

What do teen idols, sports teams, and ancient gods have in common? They're all potential American Idols, according to Tim Keller's thought-provoking book Counterfeit Gods. This episode explores the slippery slope of when good things become ultimate things, leading us to unwittingly cast our votes for our very own American Idols. Journey with us as we trek through stories from the book of Daniel, revisit the Golden Calf episode, and scrutinize the struggles with idolatry of the church at Pergamum.Drench yourself in the spiritual darkness of ancient Pergamum, a city devoted to worshiping gods and emperors. Witness the courage of Antipas, who refused to bow to the city's idols, and feel the piercing revelation of Jesus' double-edged sword exposing the idols within us. The episode culminates in a powerful reflection on the redeeming power of Jesus, who not only reveals the idols in our hearts but also invites us to repent and receive the reward of his grace. Will you be brave enough to ask Jesus to illuminate your heart, and strong enough to turn away from your own idols, trusting only in him for salvation? Tune in to find out.

Looking for your next great book? Summer is here, and it's the perfect time to dive into a good book! Join hosts Khalil, Sean, and Jeff in this episode of The Welcome to the Table Podcast as we share our top book recommendations for your summer reading.Which book will you pick up first?

Tim Keller, a prominent Christian author and pastor, has had a significant impact on the practice of biblical counseling. Through his teachings, writings, and leadership, Keller has emphasized the importance of integrating biblical truth with psychological insights. He has also highlighted the need for a holistic approach that addresses the spiritual, emotional, and physical dimensions of human experience. Keller has challenged both counselors and counselees to view the problems of life through the lens of the gospel and to seek hope, healing, and transformation through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. His contributions will undoubtedly continue to shape the field of biblical counseling for years to come. In this episode Jason Kovacs shares some of his story of how Tim Keller influenced him and the Biblical counseling movement. Below are a few of the resources mentioned: 1. Puritan Resources for Biblical Counseling - One of the best overviews of the theology of the Puritans and their contribution to the care of the soul. It may surprise you at how holistic they were. https://ccef.org/puritan-resources-biblical-counseling/ 2. Four Models of Counseling in Pastoral Ministry is a must read for pastors and ministry leaders https://gospelinlife.com/.../four-models-of-counseling.../ 3. "Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering" offers a Christian perspective on dealing with suffering and trauma https://www.amazon.com/Walking-God-through.../dp/1594634408 4. "The Prodigal God" is a helpful resource for those struggling with guilt and shame, emphasizing the transformative power of grace https://www.amazon.com/Prodigal-God.../dp/1594484023 5. In "Counterfeit Gods," Keller examines the idols that we often place before God and offers a path to freedom from their grip https://www.amazon.com/Counterfeit-Gods.../dp/1594485496 6. Keller's teachings on marriage and relationships can also be found in "The Meaning of Marriage.” https://www.amazon.com/Meaning-Marriage.../dp/1594631875 7. A few sermons that have been instrumental and that I have shared with counselees: - Praying Our Tears https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/praying-our-tears-5177/ - The Wounded Spirit https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/the-wounded-spirit-5389/ - The Man the King Delights to Honor https://gospelinlife.com/.../the-man-the-king-delights.../ - Love & Lust https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/love-and-lust-6151/

I pray you enjoy this sample reading from my book, “necessary.“  It is taken from Chapter 3, (Through the Fire). I pray it encourages you to let go of counterfeit gods, because they will alway end up disappointing you. Please learn from my mistakes.Announcement: My book "necessary." is now available worldwide as a paperback via Amazon. It is also sold as an audiobook exclusively on my website: ZenjaGlass.comWhere to Find Me:Website: https://www.ZenjaGlass.comJoin My Community. Text "Ready" to: (+1) 847-648-9118YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/ZenjaGlassTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zenjaglassInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ZenjaGlassFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/zenjaglass.fbTwitter: https://twitter.com/zenjaglassPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ZenjaGlassPinsThis podcast streams on multiple podcast platforms, including but not limited to: Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Pandora, Stitcher, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Overcast, and many more around the world.National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:1-800-273-8255Much love,Z.Unlocking Greatness Podcast with Zenja Glass