Overview

"Do you wish there was a way to reduce your weariness? Do you long for release from your burdens? If you answered """"yes"""" to either question, The Greatest Invitation is for you. Jesus extends to all humanity--regardless of our situation, conditions, or beliefs--an Invitation to give our weariness and burdens to him. This invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 is straightforward, broad, and deep: Come to me, all that are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. This Invitation is offered to every human being. Whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, the adherent of some other religion, agnostic, or atheist, it does not matter. There is no expiration date or limited service area. This handbook for hope presents a practical four-step model for accepting this Invitation; offers real-life stories of people who have been transformed by it; and highlights the gifts that you can receive. Here is your opportunity to experience release from your weariness and burdens and to live into rest, joy, and love. You can develop relationships that are richer and deeper. You can develop the virtues that enable your humanity to shine. You can grow toward becoming the person you desire to be."

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9781666731262

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Reviews

"""Ottsen has given us a wondrous gift. From his deep well of pastoral experience, he offers us Jesus's great invitation: 'Come to me, all of you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens.' He explains in depth what this invitation means, how we can respond to it in our own lives, and what it looks like when we live it out in practice. . . . The Greatest Invitation is practical, positive, and empowering!"" --Edward S. Little, author of Joy in Disguise ""The Greatest Invitation is like a seed: small, but packed with a plan. Clearly and simply written, it is a thoughtful yet practical four-step guide for those who would divest themselves of spiritual burdens. Can we rise above our circumstances and positively transform our lives? This little book lends us hope and provides a pathway to do just that."" --Wendy Isaac Bergin, author of The Threshold of Eden ""Meditating upon the great invitation by Jesus, Ottsen has created a complete set of exercises to help the spiritual pilgrim breathe a new kind of air--one of rest, joy, and love. This will be a resource for spiritual directors and those searching for the peace of Jesus that passes all understanding."" --C. Andrew Doyle, author of Citizen: Faithful Discipleship in a Partisan World ""The Greatest Invitation is skillfully written, spiritually inspired, and has simple skills and techniques to help take the yoke and burdens out of our lives. As a social worker and minister, I loved the individual stories and case scenarios. With so many fighting anxiety, depression, discouragement, stress, suicide, and many other social and spiritual issues, this book is especially timely."" --Randy Wells, Executive Director, Faith Mission, Brenham, Texas ""Simple and powerful. David Ottsen not only exhorts us to embrace the great invitation but provides practical actions for our own journey to joy."" --Sandra Davis, author of Pearls of Leadership Wisdom"

Ottsen has given us a wondrous gift. From his deep well of pastoral experience, he offers us Jesus's great invitation: 'Come to me, all of you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens.' He explains in depth what this invitation means, how we can respond to it in our own lives, and what it looks like when we live it out in practice. . . . The Greatest Invitation is practical, positive, and empowering! --Edward S. Little, author of Joy in Disguise The Greatest Invitation is like a seed: small, but packed with a plan. Clearly and simply written, it is a thoughtful yet practical four-step guide for those who would divest themselves of spiritual burdens. Can we rise above our circumstances and positively transform our lives? This little book lends us hope and provides a pathway to do just that. --Wendy Isaac Bergin, author of The Threshold of Eden Meditating upon the great invitation by Jesus, Ottsen has created a complete set of exercises to help the spiritual pilgrim breathe a new kind of air--one of rest, joy, and love. This will be a resource for spiritual directors and those searching for the peace of Jesus that passes all understanding. --C. Andrew Doyle, author of Citizen: Faithful Discipleship in a Partisan World The Greatest Invitation is skillfully written, spiritually inspired, and has simple skills and techniques to help take the yoke and burdens out of our lives. As a social worker and minister, I loved the individual stories and case scenarios. With so many fighting anxiety, depression, discouragement, stress, suicide, and many other social and spiritual issues, this book is especially timely. --Randy Wells, Executive Director, Faith Mission, Brenham, Texas Simple and powerful. David Ottsen not only exhorts us to embrace the great invitation but provides practical actions for our own journey to joy. --Sandra Davis, author of Pearls of Leadership Wisdom

Author Information

David Ottsen is an Episcopal priest with nearly forty years of experience in pastoral ministry and spiritual direction. He served congregations in Oklahoma, Indiana, and Texas, and for nine years taught in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas's Formation in Direction program. He developed and led quiet days and retreats, as well as preaching and teaching missions. He has been married to Deborah, his beloved wife, for nearly fifty years. He lives in Holland, Michigan.

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