{"product_id":"faith-and-optimism-m-blaine-smith-9780984032235","title":"Faith and Optimism: Positive Expectation in the Christian Life","description":"\u003cp\u003e(Originally \u003cb\u003eThe Optimism Factor: Outrageous Faith Against the Odds\u003c\/b\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThere's a strange connection between the exercise of our faith (wobbly though it may be) and the growth of optimistic hope in our hearts. Outrageous faith, Blaine Smith calls it. And he explains why, as he examines the role of positive expectation in the Christian life.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlaine believes that faith is the most underappreciated benefit in the Christian life today. Christians who do emphasize faith often take it to an unhealthy extreme--just believe anything can happen and God will accomplish it for you. Yet most Christians don't emphasize faith enough, even though it is upheld constantly in Scripture as the means by which we receive the grace of God and every benefit he provides.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn this book Blaine looks closely at what the biblical attitude of faith involves. He concludes that it means an overwhelmingly optimistic view of God and of his willingness to provide the best for each of us. He considers how we can exercise faith in the most authentic sense, by taking challenging steps to realize our personal potential. And he offers practical wisdom on how to: \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003erekindle our optimism when it's lost \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erebound from disappointment \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003edistinguish healthy faith from unreasonable expectations \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efind the heart to make new beginnings \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eovercome our fears of change \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehandle our shifting view of God \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003elet go of problems that aren't ours \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eBlaine Smith's \u003cb\u003eThe Optimism Factor\u003c\/b\u003e, first published by InterVarsity Press, is republished by SilverCrest Books  Praise for \u003cb\u003eThe Optimism Factor\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"A profound, practical and positive exposition of the importance of living our faith, and in the process, seeing our lives both realistically and with the optimism that comes only from surrender to Christ.\" - JACK KEMP, former New York congressman and secretary of HUD\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"Smith helps readers move from discouragement to hope, learning to win through failure.\" - \u003cb\u003eBookstore Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"Read this book and you will find your misconceptions of faith trashed . . . . The twenty-six chapters make this book an ideal daily devotional.\" - \u003cb\u003eMoody Monthly\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eEditors' Choice - \u003cb\u003eFamily Bookshelf\u003c\/b\u003e, 1995\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e M. Blaine Smith\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0984032231\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780984032235\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Silvercrest Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 12\/25\/2011\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 192\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.55lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.51w x 0.44d","brand":"M. Blaine Smith","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46795340480767,"sku":"9780984032235","price":10.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_eb25025f-85b2-4ca8-91ea-150546130ac5.jpg?v=1744947304","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/faith-and-optimism-m-blaine-smith-9780984032235","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}