ISBN: 9781589301610

Everyone wants to be happy. Yet there are Christians who experience life little different from that of unbelievers, and serve God out of fear, guilt, or duty. Though committed to Christia… Meer...

Everyone wants to be happy. Yet there are Christians who experience life little different from that of unbelievers, and serve God out of fear, guilt, or duty. Though committed to Christian ideals and active in local congregations, their day-to-day living is a joyless discipline or even a burden. As I approached retirement from teaching at an evangelical college, I became increasingly interested in providing a biblical model for life that might benefit these people. The reading, reflecting, prayer, and writing that became part of this journey have significantly impacted my own relationship with God, and I offer this book as a message of hope and confidence in your Quest for Quintessence. The subject-line of this writing demonstrates that Christians must have a proper understanding of both God and ourselves. First, God's unconditional love for us must become the cornerstone of all our beliefs and living. Second, we must understand that we are damaged sinners who can contribute nothing toward The Good Life, and must trust God's plan to effect it in us through his Son and the Holy Spirit. The central section of the manuscript identifies four key elements of this abundant life-loved, intrepidity, peace, and freedom-and explores a proper understanding of each of these. The closing three chapters demonstrate that surrender is the one thing God requires of us in order to realize growth in each of these pre-eminent life virtues. The surrendered life is the one that produces richness of living both here and in heaven, when quintessential living will replace the quest for it. Quest for Q: The Life You've Been Looking for Bobo, Truett, Selah Publishing Group<