Christ-Shaped Character: Choosing Love, Faith and Hope

Product DescriptionHonorable Mention for Classic Christian Spirituality, from Byron Borger, Hearts and Minds Bookstore"Three things will last forever?faith, hope, and love?and the greatest of these is love." ?1 Corinthians 13:13 What are the pathways that lead us to God? This is a book about what happens when we find those pathways. You will discover the values and virtues that grow out of our experiences, and practices that encourage us to be with God in specific ways. Spiritual director Helen Cepero writ's: "I've seen that when I reflect on my own life experiences, when I am alert to God's presence, and alive to Christ's love, I grow as a Christ follower, and as a human being living in God's world. This book is an invitation for you not to follow me, but follow Jesus into the stories of your own life. You too, will need to wake up and be willing to walk . . . through your own life." We will follow the journey to God by beginning with three ways of love, then three ways of continuing in faith and lastly, three ways of living in hope. These nine pathways will lead you more deeply into life with Christ.Review"What are we meant to do after we believe? Who are we called to become? Cepero maps out the Christian walk in terms of nine pathways: three each of love, hope and faith. The spiritual direction she provides is both practical and profound. These nine pathways serve as ways that can lead readers into deeper life in Christ." -- Relevant Magazine, May/June 2014"Christ-Shaped Character is more than a book. It is a conversation with a spiritual director, whom you will find a welcoming fellow traveler on the Jesus way. As you read Helen Cepero's work, you will discover her listening attentively to your own story and offering your story back to you framed by faith, hope and love. You will come away with more than principles and practical recommendations for spiritual formation. In pondering Helen's stories and perspectives, you will receive fresh insight into your own story shaped by God's love in Christ. Read carefully and enjoy the conversation." -- Paul Louis Metzger, professor of Christian theology and theology of culture, Multnomah Biblical Seminary"It has been said, 'To pay attention is the beginning of faith, hope and love.' Through the artful telling of her own story, Helen has opened a way for us to pay deep attention to our own lives and to find God at every turn. Here is the voice of a pastor's pastor and one who is deeply skilled in the discernment arts of spiritual direction. Pay attention and be blessed." -- Rev. Dr. David Kersten, dean, North Park Theological Seminary"Helen Cepero just has this evocative way of driving home her main points via compelling stories of faith, hope and love. The book is at once both arresting and revealing! Truly a joy to read!" -- Wil Hernandez, founder and president of CenterQuest and author of a trilogy on Henri Nouwen"Cepero hasn't just written about love, faith and hope, but about actually doing it. She paints a picture of what it looks like to do it and then gives you practices to get you on your way." -- Jan Johnson, author of Abundant Simplicity and Spiritual Disciplines Companion"Biblically grounded and richly illustrated with personal stories, Christ-Shaped Character offers a solid and appealing spirituality. Helen Cepero provides practical and insightful ways of living a vibrant life of faith, centered on a warm and trusting relationship with a God who loves us unconditionally. She shares her story of finding God in the holy ground of ordinary experience with such sensitivity and joy that readers will be inspired to be more attentive to the many ways--sometimes surprising--that God'shows up to lovingly support us in life. I recommend her book enthusiastically." -- Wilkie Au, author of The Enduring Heart: Spirituality for the Long Haul"In Christ-Shaped Character, Helen Cepero, an experienced spiritual director, invit's us to journey together and pon