Helpful Resources

The Challenge of Acts, N.T. Wright

From the renowned author of Into the Heart of Romans, N. T. Wright brings to the book of Acts his expert’s eye on theological nuance and cultural context, distilling it down into an introductory commentary, perfect for anyone looking to take their own reading a little deeper and discover the profound (and often forgotten) potential of the church and the Way of Jesus Christ.

Rediscovering the Holy Spirit, Michael Horton

In this book, author, pastor, and theologian Mike Horton introduces readers to the neglected person of the Holy Spirit, showing that the work of God’s Spirit is far more ordinary and common than we realize. Horton argues that we need to take a step back every now and again to focus on the Spirit himself—his person and work—in order to recognize him as someone other than Jesus or ourselves, much less something in creation. Through this contemplation we can gain a fresh dependence on the Holy Spirit in every area of our lives.

Empowered Evangelicals, Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson

After years of witnessing the sometimes rancorous controversy between the Evangelical and Pentecostal camps, authors Rich Nathan and Ken Wilson suggest it’s way past time to recognize that there’s really only one camp. It is unnecessary to choose between the biblical emphasis of the great Evangelical tradition and the spiritual vitality of the Pentecostal and Charismatic traditions.In this revised and updated edition, Empowered Evangelicals examines the teaching and practice of empowered Evangelical churches and shows both Pentecostals and Evangelicals how to combine the best elements of both congregations.

Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller is a ground-breaking book that examines the meaning behind our pain and suffering and explores how this essential part of the human experience can be only overcome by understanding our relationship with God. 

Not Another Lasagna: How to Truly Help a Grieving Friend by Bethany France and Gwen Kapcia offers practical ideas for helping those in grief: what to say in awkward conversations, ways to use your gifts and talents, the length of time people actually need support, and how to foster a servant’s heart that is warm, genuine, and patient. 

Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier by Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey is about journeying toward greater happiness no matter how challenging your circumstances. Discover how to improve your life right now instead of waiting for the outside world to change.

When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Rabbi Harold Kushner examines one of life’s most difficult questions: Why, God? This classic book is a straightforward and elegant contemplation of the doubts and fears that arise when tragedy strikes, and it offers clear thinking and consolation in times of sorrow.

When Trouble Comes by Phil Ryken explores the hope we have whenever we face grief, pain, broken relationships, sin, or persecution. Drawing from biblical stories, Ryken reminds us that we’re never alone in our pain because God is our very present help in times of trouble.

North Heights Lutheran Church (northheights.church/care) offers confidential, Christ-centered counseling on Thursday evenings for individuals, couples, and families by trained counselors. This vital healing ministry is available to all regardless of ability to pay. Start the intake process by calling 651-797-7484 or sending an email to clinic@nhlc.org. Appointments can be virtual or at the Arden Hills campus.

Arden Woods Psychological Services (ardenwoodspsych.com) in New Brighton is a collective group of independent therapists who value mental health and believe that the inner life is always evolving and deserving of nurturing care at every new landmark along life’s journey. Sessions can be in-person or via telehealth. For those who desire it, Christian-based counseling is also available.

NAMI Minnesota (namimn.org) is the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. They offer online and in-person support groups, classes, advocacy, and resources for children and adults living with mental illness, and help for the families and caregivers who support them. 

Psychology Today (psychologytoday.com) has a searchable database of therapists, programs, support groups, and other resources to help people find a local mental health practitioner. From their homepage, click on “Find a Therapist” in the top navigation bar to search by city, zip code, or name.

Verywell Mind (verywellmind.com) is an award-winning mental health and wellness platform that features a wide variety of resources curated and reviewed by licensed and board-certified experts. Their editorial team is committed to helping people find healing on their mental health journeys through the most current, up-to-date information and advice. 

Christos Center for Spiritual Formation (christoscenter.org) is an ecumenical Christian education center based in Lino Lakes. They maintain a directory of spiritual directors who have completed their two-year Tending the Holy spiritual direction training program. Under “Spiritual Direction” in the top navigation bar, click on “Find a Spiritual Director” to search the directory by location or type of practice.

Grafted Life Ministries (graftedlife.org) is the web home of the Evangelical Spiritual Directors Association (ESDA), a large network of skilled Christian spiritual directors across the U.S. and Canada. Under “Spiritual Direction” in the top navigation bar, select “Find a Spiritual Director” to search the directory.

The Party Crasher: How Jesus Disrupts Politics as Usual and Redeems Our Partisan Divide by Joshua Ryan Butler

In this insightful, nonpartisan roadmap toward faithful political engagement and ultimate allegiance to Jesus, pastor Joshua Ryan Butler diagnoses the roots of political conflict tearing apart the church and prescribes a practical and prophetic way forward.

Have you noticed a deeper level of political division in your community or church? If so, you’re not alone. This powerful, accessible book exposes the religious nature of modern political movements and how they compete with faithfulness to Christ.

Rather than retreat from the political realm, The Party Crasher will help you understand the politics of our age and equip you with the wisdom to faithfully navigate them. Key takeaways include:

•  How to develop a Christian posture for political life and promote unity in the church.
• When to be bold.
• How to identify and repent from our political idols.
• How the way we worship can help us avoid division.

This is not a book about putting politics aside, it’s a book about putting politics in their place so that we might be better disciples of Jesus in whichever party or place we find ourselves.

The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics by Curtis Chang and Nancy French

For the exhausted, the hurting, and the faithful, The After Party helps reframe our political identity away from the what of political positions and toward the how being centered on Jesus.

This paradigm-shifting book complements The After Party Project—a six-part, video-based, highly interactive curriculum that provides churches, small groups, and individuals with an on-the-ground, biblically based approach to a very complex topic.

In today’s political environment, faithfulness to a biblical how of political engagement shines as a radical challenge to both the Right and the Left. If you worry about what politics is doing to your community, your family, and your own well-being, The After Party will transform your political imagination.

It’s time for us to go beyond party politics and—as Christians—believe in the true “party” yet to come.

Jesus and the Powers: Christian Political Witness in an Age of Totalitarian Terror and Dysfunctional Democracies by N.T. Wright and Michael F. Bird

An urgent call for Christians everywhere to explore the nature of the kingdom amid the political upheaval of our day.

Should Christians be politically withdrawn, avoiding participation in politics to maintain their prophetic voice and to keep from being used as political pawns? Or should Christians be actively involved, seeking to utilize political systems to control the levers of power?

In Jesus and the Powers, N. T. Wright and Michael F. Bird call Christians everywhere to discern the nature of Christian witness in fractured political environments. In an age of ascending autocracies, in a time of fear and fragmentation, amid carnage and crises, Jesus is king, and Jesus’s kingdom remains the object of the church’s witness and work.

The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture Has Been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here  by Kaitlyn Schiess

How do Bible passages written thousands of years ago apply to politics today? What can we learn from America’s history of using the Bible in politics? How can we converse with people whose views differ from our own?

In The Ballot and the Bible, Kaitlyn Schiess explores these questions and more. She unpacks examples of how Americans have connected the Bible to politics in the past, highlighting times it was applied well and times it was egregiously misused.

Schiess combines American political history and biblical interpretation to help readers faithfully read Scripture, talk with others about it, and apply it to contemporary political issues–and to their lives. Rather than prescribing what readers should think about specific hot-button issues, Schiess outlines core biblical themes around power, allegiance, national identity, and more.

Readers will be encouraged to pursue a biblical basis for their political engagement with compassion and confidence.

Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt by Arthur C. Brooks

Divisive politicians. Screaming heads on television. Angry campus activists. Twitter trolls. Today in America, there is an “outrage industrial complex” that prospers by setting American against American, creating a “culture of contempt”—the habit of seeing people who disagree with us not as merely incorrect, but as worthless and defective. Maybe, like more than nine out of ten Americans, you dislike it. But hey, either you play along, or you’ll be left behind, right?

Wrong.

In Love Your Enemies, social scientist and author of the #1 New York Times bestseller From Strength to Strength Arthur C. Brooks shows that abuse and outrage are not the right formula for lasting success. Brooks blends cutting-edge behavioral research, ancient wisdom, and a decade of experience leading one of America’s top policy think tanks in a work that offers a better way to lead based on bridging divides and mending relationships.

Brooks’ prescriptions are unconventional. To bring America together, we shouldn’t try to agree more. There is no need for mushy moderation, because disagreement is the secret to excellence. Civility and tolerance shouldn’t be our goals, because they are hopelessly low standards. And our feelings toward our foes are irrelevant; what matters is how we choose to act.

Love Your Enemies offers a clear strategy for victory for a new generation of leaders. It is a rallying cry for people hoping for a new era of American progress. Most of all, it is a roadmap to arrive at the happiness that comes when we choose to love one another, despite our differences.