New ebook edition! Pause, take a break, and focus on what really matters: faith, hope, love, God, and family! This volume of Faith Breaks includes 150 insightful reflections of Dr. J. Howard Olds, heard over the radio in Lexington, Louisville, and Nashville for over two decades prior to his death in 2008. This revised edition of Faith Breaks includes a new foreword by Sandy Olds.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of Relationship Goals . . . Will you be remembered as a person who claimed to follow God but liked to play it safe? Or as a person who lived your life out on the limb and trusted God enough to live in crazy faith? Noah looked crazy when he started building the ark . . . until it started raining. It was crazy for Moses to lead a nation of people into the desert away from Egypt . . . until the Red Sea parted. It was crazy to believe that a fourteen-year-old virgin would give birth to the Son of God . . . until Mary held Jesus in her arms. There are many things that seem normal or average today that at one point in time seemed absolutely crazy. Smartphones, Wi-Fi, and even the electric light bulb were all groundbreaking, history-making inventions that started out as crazy ideas. Our see-it-to-believe-it generation tends to have a hard time exercising true faith—one that steps out, takes action, and sees mountain-moving results. Many of us would rather play it safe and stand on the sidelines, but it’s crazy faith that helps us see God move and reveals His promises. In Crazy Faith, Pastor Michael Todd shows us how to step out in faith and dive into the purposeful life of trusting God for the impossible. Even if you have to start with baby faith or maybe faith, you can become empowered to let go of your lazy faith, trust God through your hazy faith, and learn to live a lifestyle of crazy faith. With powerful stories of modern-day faith warriors who take their cues from biblical heroes, Michael Todd equips you to • believe for the impossible • choose hope over fear • be alert to the voice of God • cope with loss and doubt • develop a deeper level of trust in God • speak faith-filled declarations • inspire crazy faith in others God’s not looking for somebody to give Him all the reasons why His plans can’t happen. He’s looking for somebody to believe they will happen. In fact, He has so much He wants to do through you. The question is, Are you crazy enough to believe it?
“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).
Let go of the guilt, shake off the shame, and fend off your fears. God made you to stand strong in any situation, and bestselling author Alli Worthington will show you how. We live in a culture that constantly tells you who you should be as a modern woman. You're told that you aren't enough and that you don't have what it takes to chase your dreams. But it doesn't have to be that way. For the woman who longs to break free from what holds her back, Standing Strong offers a no-nonsense, guilt-free guide to take back your life from self-doubt. In Standing Strong, Alli comes alongside you as you: Eliminate, once and for all, the lies that keep you from being who God made you to be Become an unbreakable woman who finds her strength from God for any adversity Gain strategies for tackling the obstacles of self-doubt, fear, and insecurity Find the confidence to say yes and amen to God's call on your life You can't break a woman who draws her strength from God. You're stronger than you think, and you're worth more than you could ever imagine. Let this book help you cement these realities in your life. Praise for Standing Strong: "The path to fulfilling our God-given purpose is filled with numerous twists, turns, and challenges. In Standing Strong, Alli shows us how to press through our fears, doubts, and self-imposed limitations in order to embark on the exhilarating faith-filled adventure we are each destined to live. This book is full of wisdom, grace, and honesty. I loved it and know you will too." --Christine Caine, Founder of A21 and Propel Women "If your life has been plagued by self-doubt, by feelings of never being enough, Alli has given us a road map to saying yes to who God says we are." --Sheila Walsh, Author of Praying Women and Praying Girls
His Final Words Are Your New Beginning It’s Good Friday. The Son of God is giving up his life. What does he want to say to us in His final hours? What does He tell the people standing at the foot of the cross, to pass down to the ages? He speaks only seven short statements. Words of forgiveness, salvation, relationship, abandonment, distress, triumph, and reunion. Seven statements that mean everything. In Seven-Mile Miracle, Pastor Steven Furtick shows us how Jesus’s last words offer mile markers for our journey in relationship with God. It’s a lifelong journey and it’s not always easy. But Jesus is both our guide and our destination as we travel. Includes questions for reflection and a forty-day reading guide to Jesus’s death and resurrection. A Proven Path for Spiritual Growth From time to time we all feel stuck in our relationship with God and frustrated by life’s setbacks. Jesus faced what could have been the ultimate defeat on the cross. Yet he emerged triumphant through his relationship with his heavenly Father. And he showed us the way so that we could do the same. In Seven-Mile Miracle, Steven Furtick explores how Jesus’s seven last statements on the cross offer a proven spiritual growth path for us. You will experience the Easter message more personally than ever before as you engage the words of forgiveness, salvation, relationship, abandonment, distress, triumph, reunion. After all, we are not simply believers—people who have put our faith in Jesus. We are not simply disciples—pupils who learn from him. We are called to be followers of Christ. This is your opportunity to follow Jesus through his death, and move forward in his resurrection power, starting now.
Is it possible that good things can come out of our broken dreams? Worship leader and recording artist Laura Story’s life took an unexpected turn when her husband, Martin, was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Their lives would never be the same. Yes, with God all things are possible. But the devastating news was that no cure existed to restore Martin’s short-term memory, eyesight, and other complications. The fairy-tale life Laura had dreamed of was no longer possible. And yet in struggling with God about how to live with broken dreams, Laura has found joy and a deeper intimacy with Jesus. In When God Doesn’t Fix It, Laura helps you understand that: We aren’t the only ones whose lives have taken unexpected turns Even heroes of our faith experienced brokenness Despite our flaws and stories, God can use us in extraordinary ways God may not fix everything. In fact, although your situation might not ever change or get better, with Jesus you can. Not because of your faith, but because of the faithfulness of God.
After your faith has fractured, let what takes its place be the real thing . . . at last. Somewhere along the way, the Christianity you knew began to crumble. You began to suspect your faith was misplaced. Disillusionment set in. Churches hurt you. Their people failed you. Christian institutions were exposed as fake. And in it all, God was silent. Is He gone? Or is God really there, waiting for you to find Him instead of the counterfeits? If you’re walking this difficult spiritual path, Lina AbuJamra understands you. After experiencing the near deconstruction of her own faith, Lina had to rebuild something more solid when the faith she once knew let her down. With her diagnostic style that comes from her training as an ER doc, Lina helps you grapple with questions like: Where is God in my pain? Is this how Christians are supposed to act? Why did my story end up this way? Is this the normal Christian life? Why is it so hard for Christians to love? Let Fractured Faith help you find your way back to God. You just might discover that the real God has been waiting for you all along.
A compassionate, shame-free guide for your darkest days “A one-of-a-kind book . . . to read for yourself or give to a struggling friend or loved one without the fear that depression and suicidal thoughts will be minimized, medicalized or over-spiritualized.”—Kay Warren, cofounder of Saddleback Church What happens when loving Jesus doesn’t cure you of depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts? You might be crushed by shame over your mental illness, only to be told by well-meaning Christians to “choose joy” and “pray more.” So you beg God to take away the pain, but nothing eases the ache inside. As darkness lingers and color drains from your world, you’re left wondering if God has abandoned you. You just want a way out. But there’s hope. In I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die, Sarah J. Robinson offers a healthy, practical, and shame-free guide for Christians struggling with mental illness. With unflinching honesty, Sarah shares her story of battling depression and fighting to stay alive despite toxic theology that made her afraid to seek help outside the church. Pairing her own story with scriptural insights, mental health research, and simple practices, Sarah helps you reconnect with the God who is present in our deepest anguish and discover that you are worth everything it takes to get better. Beautifully written and full of hard-won wisdom, I Love Jesus, But I Want to Die offers a path toward a rich, hope-filled life in Christ, even when healing doesn’t look like what you expect.
What do you do when it seems as if everything around you is falling apart? Have you found yourself in trying circumstances and can't seem to break free from them? Do you feel as if you're being swallowed up by the trials of life? In When All Hell Breaks Loose, Richard Roberts addresses these questions and others, showing you how to survive...and even thrive...in the midst of trouble. Using examples from the Bible of men and women who have gone through hard times, Richard shares tips for overcoming the challenges you face. He tackles issues such as what to do when trouble comes suddenly; how to turn threats into miraculous breakthroughs; what to do when you make a mistake; emotional survival in challenging times...and much more. You'll be inspired to keep standing in faith and moving forward in the Lord until your fiery trial turns into a God-powered victory.
A Table Set for All Nations: Food, Faith, and the Theology of Cultural Diversity explores the rich intersection of theology, culture, and cuisine, revealing how food can be a powerful tool for spiritual unity, reconciliation, and community building. In an increasingly globalized world, where migration and cultural exchange have reshaped the way we eat, this book offers a fresh perspective on how third culture cuisine—the blending of ingredients and traditions from different cultures—mirrors God’s mission to unite people from all backgrounds into one diverse and harmonious body. Through engaging theological reflections, stories of cross-cultural meals, and the exploration of fusion cuisine, A Table Set for All Nations invites readers to see food as a profound metaphor for the Christian calling to embrace diversity and practice radical hospitality. From the significance of feasting and fasting in the Christian tradition to the role of food in addressing colonial histories and promoting racial reconciliation, this book reveals how the act of sharing meals transcends physical nourishment, becoming a sacred expression of love, justice, and inclusivity. Whether you’re a theologian, a food enthusiast, or someone seeking to deepen your understanding of how faith and culture intersect, A Table Set for All Nations offers a compelling vision of how the simple act of sharing food can reflect the richness of God’s global mission and the beauty of unity in diversity. Perfect for individual reflection or group study, this book also includes recipes for cultural and theological reflection, further reading suggestions, and discussion questions to help readers explore the deeper meaning of meals in their own communities. Vincent is a theologian, writer, and cultural commentator with a passion for exploring the intersections of faith, culture, and everyday life. With advanced degrees in theology and religious studies, Vincent has spent years researching and reflecting on the ways in which spirituality informs not only personal belief but also the communal aspects of life, including food, culture, and diversity. A sought-after speaker and educator, Vincent is known for their ability to bring complex theological ideas to life through relatable, real-world examples. Their work emphasizes inclusivity, justice, and the beauty of cultural exchange, especially as seen through the lens of food and hospitality. Whether through essays, sermons, or academic writing, Vincent engages with the idea that God’s love transcends boundaries—of culture, race, and geography—and is best understood when we gather at the table together. In addition to writing, Vincent is active in local community initiatives focused on food justice, sustainability, and intercultural dialogue. Their work and ministry invite people to embrace the richness of culinary diversity as a reflection of God’s creative and inclusive nature. When not writing or teaching, Vincent enjoys experimenting with fusion recipes, traveling to explore global culinary traditions, and hosting communal meals that bring people together from all walks of life.
