Answers one of the biggest barriers to belief. Christians are increasingly seen as outdated, restrictive and judgmental when it comes to sex before marriage, cohabitation and homosexuality. In fact for many people, this issue is one of the biggest barriers for them considering Christianity. Sam Allberry, author of many books including Is God Anti-gay sets out God's good design for the expression of human sexuality, showing that God himself is love and that only he can satisfy our deepest desires. It is a great reminder of the Bible's positive blueprint for love, sex and marriage and ideal for giving away to people who may see this as a stumbling block for belief.
The Bible teaches that the goal of the Christian life is to become like Jesus—for our own personal growth and for the sake of others. Every believer needs to ask three big questions: What do I believe? What should I do? And who am I becoming? In Think, Act, Be Like Jesus, bestselling author and pastor Randy Frazee helps readers grasp the vision of the Christian life and get started on the journey of discipleship. After unfolding the revolutionary dream of Jesus and showing how our lives fit into the big picture of what God is doing in the world, Frazee walks readers through thirty short chapters exploring the ten core beliefs, ten core practices, and ten core virtues that help disciples to think, act, and be more like Jesus Christ. This compelling new book can be used in conjunction with the 30-week all-church Believe campaign or read separately as an individual study. Either way, readers will deepen their understanding of what it means to not just know the Story of God, but to live it.
God Is There, and He Cares Bestselling author Stormie Omartian (The Power of a Praying® Parent) teaches little ones ages 4-8 that fear is a natural emotion, and that can they turn to the Lord no matter what they might be afraid of. Children will learn that good fear, the kind that protects them from dangerous situations, is part of God’s plan to keep them safe. And when irrational fears arise, kids will be reminded that their heavenly Father is there to listen and to assist them in overcoming it. God Cares When I’m Afraid covers a variety of common childhood fears, such as bad dreams, the dark, loud sounds, scary people, and many more. In each of these situations, Stormie encourages kids to ask for God’s help and provides a simple prayer they can use to talk to Him, as well as seven simple things kids can do whenever they are afraid. As a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, experience the peace of mind that comes with trusting your precious little one’s fears to the One who can calm the hearts of young and old alike.
Scripture reveals a God who meets us where we are, not where we pretend to be. No More Faking Fine is your invitation to get honest with God through the life-giving language of lament. If you've ever been given empty clichés during challenging times, you know how painful it is to be misunderstood by well-meaning people. When life hurts, we often feel pressure--from others and ourselves--to keep it together, suck it up, or pray it away. But Scripture reveals a God who lovingly invites us to give honest voice to our emotions when life hits hard. For most of her life, Esther Fleece Allen believed she could bypass the painful emotions of her broken past by shutting them down altogether. She was known as an achiever and an overcomer on the fast track to success. But in silencing her pain, she robbed herself of the opportunity to be healed. Maybe you've done the same. Esther's journey into healing began when she discovered that God has given us a real-world way to deal with raw emotions and an alternative to the coping mechanisms that end up causing more pain. It's called lament--the gut-level, honest prayer that God never ignores, never silences, and never wastes. No More Faking Fine is your permission to lament, taking you on a journey down the unexpected pathway to true intimacy with God. Drawing from careful biblical study and hard-won insight, Esther reveals how to use God's own language to come closer to him as he leads us through our pain to the light on the other side, teaching you that: We are robbing ourselves of a divine mystery and a divine intimacy when we pretend to have it all together God does not expect us to be perfect; instead, he meets us where we are There is hope beyond your heartache, disappointment, and grief Like Esther, you'll soon find that when one person stops faking fine, it gives everyone else permission to do the same.
The Road to Freedom is the path of hope for all of us who are stuck. With practical application and inspiration, Johnny Baker shares his story of recovering from alcoholism and offers the truths he has learned from his 25 years with Celebrate Recovery. Baker’s father, John, founded Celebrate Recovery when Baker was 15 years old. Later, Baker became involved with alcohol himself. Even though he saw his parents’ marriage heal and watched his dad become a new person, he had to experience his own journey of healing. Baker began the process of recovery as a young adult. Now he serves on the leadership team of Celebrate Recovery, sharing his testimony of how God brought him back home. In the years since leaving alcohol behind, Baker has witnessed thousands of other lives change through the power of Christ. Whether you are dealing with substance abuse, relational struggles, or eating challenges, or you simply want to let go of what is holding you back in life, you will find answers in The Road to Freedom. In addition to telling his own story, Baker offers ten principles of healing. These life lessons remind you that pain has a purpose, small and steady improvement lasts longer than overnight change, serving others leads to deeper healing, and facing your problems is the only way to heal. The Road to Freedom will help you move from coping with hurts, hang-ups, and habits to the hope and health that only Jesus can bring.
"My First Psalms features fifty psalms beautifully retold by master rhymer Dandi Daley Mackall. Mackall uses sweet, fun language to make God's Word accessible to children ages two to five. Each board book features one simple psalm from My First Psalms."--
God doesn't pull back from your sharp edges. He pulls you close. In Embraced, beloved Bible teacher and bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst offers 100 devotions that will resonate with women in all stages of life by giving you a godly perspective on the issues you face each day. A real embrace indicates an intimate level of closeness. It's not a high five or a casual handshake. The best kind of embrace is when someone we know deeply loves us, flings their arms wide open, and pulls us in close. Through these 100 devotions, daily scriptures, and prayer prompts, you will be equipped to: Begin finding freedom from the struggles that have held you hostage by learning new ways to experience God's love. Surrender your deepest hurts by processing them in a godly way with Lysa, a friend who understands your pain. Hear the Lord speak intimately to your heart by learning how to seek His direction. Release the tension of wondering, If God is near why does He sometimes feel far away? by spending guided time with Him each day. Embraced will be a treasured keepsake for you, and a meaningful gift for those you love, with: An exquisite cloth cover you'll want to leave out for others to see and for easy access Highly designed interior with Scripture, call-outs, and quotes Ribbon marker to keep your place Our hearts were made for this kind of love and security, but for many of us, we know more about the pain of heartbreak and fear than the unconditional love for which we were created. In Embraced, Lysa shares her own struggles, doubts, and heartbreaks while pointing to the ultimate embrace: God opening His arms wide on Calvary through Jesus so that He could pull us close for all of eternity, welcoming us into the safety and hope of His grace, love, and embrace. Look for additional bestselling books from Lysa TerKeurst: Forgiving What You Can't Forget It's Not Supposed to Be This Way Uninvited The Best Yes
Why do we have to wear a mask? Why can’t we see Grandma and Grampa today? And what if I get sick? Children have lots of hard-to-answer questions, and Dr. Scott James uses the true-to-life story of Lucas to help with the answers. As children follow Lucas through his sick day, they will discover how God cares for them and how they can care for others when they are sick. When Lucas wakes up with a sore throat, his parents show that God is always caring for him—even when he doesn’t feel well. They remind Lucas that Jesus is with him even during difficult days, and he can always go to Jesus and ask for help. When he visits the doctor, Lucas also learns how important it is to care for those around him and to make sure that everyone does their best to not let others get sick. This timely book helps parents and caregivers talk with children about illness and how to keep themselves and others safe when sick. Children will learn that although anyone can get sick, that God is caring for them and will be with them through whatever they face. They will also learn how they can show God’s love to their friends and family by helping to keep them safe. God Cares for Me is part of the God Made Me Series which equips parents to have important, impactful conversations with their children, helping them to grow in understanding of God, themselves, and others. Each book in the series contains a special section just for parents and caregivers that provides biblical guidance and offers additional information and talking about the topic addressed in the story.
This is a book about God - a collection of stories, compiled by an engineer, written by people who have met Him and found that it changed their lives. The accounts are gentle, positive, joyful, comforting, and full of lovingkindness. They show us that God is truly our divine parent who loves us and cares for us. "What a wonderful gift this book is! The stories shared within its covers are truly inspirational, miraculous and joyous! Many thanks." Karen Greguras, College English Instructor "Reading this book proved to me that a living, loving God is in and all around us! I read it every night for the consolation and assurance it gives me!" Barbara Naylor, Homemaker "I want the world to know: This is a book to have, to read, to share. I cried upon reading some pages, I was too intrigued to stop reading the other pages. The personal accounts from different people made me feel connected to their stories on a level I haven't encountered yet myself." Kim Losurdo, Human Resources Rep "What a wonderfully comforting book! The stories show that God is not remote from us. He is truly here with us, aware of our needs and guiding us with love and kindness." Kathy Martin, Medical Assistant "The personal accounts in this book will touch hearts, provide inspiration, and amaze. The stories illustrate, in a variety of wonderful ways, the transpersonal connection we have to the Divine. This book is a 'must read' for those who want to be reminded of the miracles that can take place in everyday life." Irene Blinston, Ph.D. "This is the most heartwarming book I've ever worked on. It reminds me once again that God's lovingkindness is always with us." Phyllis Butler Author/Editor
