When Hannah wakes up from a coma pregnant, she must learn who is trying to hurt her, while connecting with her baby's father - the man she's loved for ten years...
Pastor and author J. D. Greear reveals that the secret to a robust, passionate faith isn't getting all the right answers about God, but seeing God as the awesome, glorious, and infinite presence that He is. We like God small. We prefer a God who is safe, domesticated, who thinks like we think, likes what we like, and whom we can manage, predict, and control. A small God is convenient. Practical. Manageable. For us, thinking of God as so infinitely greater and wiser than we are and who would cause us to tremble in his presence is a leftover relic from an oppressive, archaic view of religion. But what if this small version of God we've created is holding us back from the greatest experience of our lives--from genuine, confident, world-transforming faith? In Not God Enough, J.D. reveals how to discover a God who: is big enough to handle your questions, doubts, and fears is not silent is worthy of worship wants to take you from boring to bold in your faith has a purpose and mission for you on earth is pursuing you right now The truth: God is big. Bigger than big. Bigger than all the words we use to say big. Only a God of infinite power, wisdom, and majesty can answer our deepest questions and meet our deepest longings. God is not just a slightly better, slightly smarter version of you. God is infinite and glorious, and an encounter with Him won't just change the way you think about your faith. It'll change your entire life.
“A triumph. This novel’s haunting strength will hold the reader until the very end and make Faith and her story impossible to forget.” —Richmond Times Dispatch “Extraordinary.” —Orlando Sentinel From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult (Nineteen Minutes, Change of Heart, Handle with Care) comes Keeping Faith: an “addictively readable” (Entertainment Weekly) novel that “makes you wonder about God. And that is a rare moment, indeed, in modern fiction” (USA Today).
A best-seller among seminarians and seasoned leaders alike, this 20th anniversary edition offers updated and expanded content for readers familiar with the original as well as those new to the work. In both modest and substantial additions throughout, the expanded edition also features a new Author's Introduction, two fresh chapters on "Cultivating Meaningful Friendships" and "Unleashing Dynamic Creativity," and two original sermons, "Living at a Sacred Pace" and "Stopping, Stepping Back, and Stepping Up Stronger"!
"In this widely acclaimed and highly controversial book, Paul Kurtz examines the reasons why people accept supernatural and paranormal belief systems in spite of substantial evidence to the contrary. According to the author, it is because there is within the human species a deeply rooted tendency toward magical thinking - the "transcendental temptation" - which undermines critical judgement and paves the way for willful beliefs. He explores in detail the three major monotheistic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - finding striking psychological and sociological parallels between these religions, the spiritualism of the 19th century, and the paranormal belief systems of today. There are sections on mysticism, belief in the afterlife, the existence of God, reincarnation, astrology, and ufology. Kurtz also explains the nature of skepticism as an antidote to belief in the transcendental."
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Marry Me by Sundown and Beautiful Tempest brings her “mastery of historical romance” (Entertainment Weekly) to this dazzling Regency-era novel in which a disastrous debutante becomes the toast of the town with a little help from a friend of the Prince Regent’s. Threatened by powerful enemies, William Blackburn, Earl of Ketterham, lives in exile in the Scottish Highlands with his daughter Vanessa. When she comes of age, William urges her to return to her mother in England to make her society debut. Raised with all the advantages and freedom a boy would have, Vanessa doubts she can fit into the world of ball gowns, parties, and high society. Nonetheless, she agrees to return to England, determined to end the vendetta against her father, never imagining the high price she will have to pay. Lord Montgomery Townsend enjoys living on the edge, courting danger as he fixes potentially scandalous problems for the Prince Regent. While hiding out at the home of the Countess of Ketterham, Monty watches a disaster-in-the-making as his hostess tries to prepare her estranged daughter for a match with the pompous son of a powerful family. Puzzled as to why the fiercely independent Vanessa submits to being turned into a puppet and offered up to the arrogant rogue, Monty nonetheless steps in to make her dreams come true. But no good deed goes unpunished and soon he faces more pressing problems, including the temptation to upend Vanessa’s wedding plans so he can marry her himself. Featuring Johanna Lindsey’s “signature blend of witty writing, charmingly unique characters” (Booklist), Temptation’s Darling is a passionate romance with a dash of humor that you won’t soon forget.
Readers of my earlier book--a memoir--may have been left with mixed feelings about it. Perhaps they felt that there was "something" wrong or missing. Maybe there was nothing redemptive about it or it had no "purpose". Maybe it seemed unfinished or was just "off". It was hard to put your finger on. After publication, I eventually came to realize these things, but never quite knew what the exact problem was. I just knew that it was out-of-balance. In 1999, a book that was written by David's oldest brother was published. I didn't read it until maybe seven years later, but when I did, I was instantly free. The book told in some detail what it was like to be a child in the Ruffin house. Time and place notwithstanding, the fact is that the father was extremely cruel to them. At that point, I was able to see David as a victim himself. Reading the details of those horrific experiences freed me of the anger, resentment and bitterness I had harbored for many years over how David had treated me and even our son. In the place of those feelings came a feeling of understanding; yes, even the gift of compassion. I understood that abuse was all he was ever taught; I was more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I forgave him. After all, how is a boy to learn what it is to be a man if he isn't taught by his father's Godly example? Thus, I was led to rewrite my memoir by giving my "testimony" of coming to Jesus in 2004 and by allowing people to know about David's childhood. I was also given other corrections, and title and cover. Now it all makes perfect sense!