A unique family guide to continue the holiday focus with the journey of the Wise Men as they follow the star. A must-have family guide for your holiday season. Epiphany is January 6.The Path to Epiphany ¿ a 21-day holiday family guide to worship Jesus is a delightful family devotional activity book that captures the wonder and hope of the holiday season. This captivating book takes young readers on a daily countdown adventure from before Christmas Day to Epiphany, incorporating fun holiday poems, short verses, devotions, and engaging activities for the whole family to enjoy.Every day brings a unique activity, be it a craft, game, recipe, or project, allowing children to engage their creativity and immerse themselves in the joyous festivities. From making homemade ornaments to playing fun holiday games, these activities are sure to bring laughter and warmth to your home during the holiday season.The Path to Epiphany is the perfect companion for families who want to celebrate the holiday season through your entire Christmas break in a meaningful and interactive way. So join us on this journey as we count down to Epiphany with the Wise Men and worship Jesus together!
Moonshine makes Tessa Gibbs's father mean, and getting religion makes him cruel and judgmental. Red-headed and determined Tessa is desperate to escape him, his God, and her home in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Tennessee. When a college scholarship provides the key to a new life, Tessa leaves the mountains but finds herself unfulfilled and always reaching for something beyond. Created for a kingdom of which she has no earthly memory, Tessa doesn't know she was part of a failed rebellion against God in heaven and sent to be born on fallen earth. Will she continue to choose her own way and resist all efforts to bring her back to the Kingdom? An intense battle wages to return her soul to God ... and may require an ultimate sacrifice. This intriguing and unforgettable story of love at the intersection of heaven and earth, where relationships are eternal and hard choices determine destinies, examines the questions, answers, and consequences of life lived for self or for God.
21 Days of Encouragement with God's Faithfulness for Moms Take the twenty-one day challenge to discover God's faithfulness for each season of motherhood. Relatable and encouraging stories of God's faithfulness will point you to the ever-present God who promises peace for anxious hearts in times of stress and anxiety in parenting. Do you experience anxiety and stress when you encounter challenges in raising your children? Do you feel overwhelmed by the weight of your children's activities and busy schedules and wonder who you are? Or are you an empty-nester mom searching for a new purpose? Because God has been faithful to us before, we can know He will be faithful again in the future. Journaling pages with space for reflective responses will encourage spending daily time with Jesus in His Word to discover His faithfulness for yourself.
This easy-to-use book of mini-sermons gives Sunday school teachers, pastors, and parents a delightful assortment of lessons that illustrate the gospel of Jesus and living a Christ-like life. Over 150 simple, fun, and understandable mini-sermons can be used alone or as part of a Bible study. These practical and inspirational lessons include: Worldly Possessions-We will never be completely satisfied until we fill that inner craving with God Himself. Search and Rescue-God is dangling a saving lifeline, Jesus Christ. Do we refuse to grasp this lifesaving line, or do we grasp the line so we can be saved? The Best Trade-By faith in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross, He takes our sin away and gives us His righteousness. The best trade in the world! Heading for Heaven-Only by trusting Jesus Christ can we receive our ticket to heaven free of charge. An Old Clay Pot-With Jesus on the inside, we become beautiful on the outside by the work of the Master Potter. Experienced children's worker Celia Reynolds offers her personal collection of mini-sermons, compiled over her fifty years of teaching and leading. May this resource shine the light of Jesus so young and old can catch His rays.
Eighteen-year-old Hilary Bonn was just starting out in life, preparing for college and adventures beyond her small-town beginnings, when leukemia interrupted all of her plans. To help her body fight the ugly disease, Hilary required a stem cell transplant. While she endured PICC lines, pills, and endless precautions against germs, her family encouraged her and one another with Christmas lights, thoughtful words, warm hugs, soft music, action movies, entertaining books, and their abundant love.During this time, Jan Bonn kept family and friends updated of her daughter's treatment and progress through frequent e-mail messages. Love, Jan is a compilation of these messages. Jan's accounts of medical consultations and procedures, the uncertainties of life-changing decisions, and times of expectant waiting are infused with humor, insight, and hope told from the heart of a loving mother and faithful child of God.Love, Jan, Hilary's story of faith, hope, and joy, will inspire and encourage stem cell transplant patients and those who love them.
The night I was raped, my soul was murdered, and I received a lifelong membership to a club I had not sought to join. I tell you my story with raw and vulnerable honesty to help those who are also "club members." Eight minutes of one dark night in a college campus parking garage changed Amanda's life. After the rape, she spiraled down, battling shame, denial, and the agonizing pain of not being believed. Those eight minutes started a lifelong journey that eventually included forgiveness and walking in freedom and liberty through her faith in Christ. Amanda Collins Johnson courageously shares her testimony of going from merely existing to being able to help those who have survived sexual assault know that living an abundant life in Christ is possible. Insightful tools for understanding the survivor's heart will assist those who love the victims of assault as well as those who advocate for them and minister to them.
Experience freedom from approval seeking and deepen your security in God. A mental and physical health crisis left a pastor's wife exhausted, desperate, and feeling disqualified for service. Cheryl needed a place of rest from her striving for the approval of others. As she laid down her burden of people pleasing, she found her security and significance in God. Learn to live as one accepted by your heavenly Father through the finished work of Christ. Walk in new freedom to live and truly love God and others through practical biblical teaching. Experience the kinship of the testimonies of other women who have experienced finding their identity in God. Discover your value and find rest from striving in God.
Sometimes we just need a sign-and sometimes that sign comes on a personalized six-inch by twelve-inch metal plate. When Catherine "Kitty" Green lost her brother Jerry to suicide, she was grief-stricken. In the midst of her pain, she felt comforted when she saw ROM 8 28 on a license plate on the car in front of her, reminding her that "for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Rom. 8:28 ESV). Since then God has used license plates with God themes in her life-and in the lives of her friends-more than 950 times, to remind her of His goodness. In this unique devotional she shares messages of hope, positivity, and faith she has documented from license plates such as "GD WINKS," B JOYOUS," "PRAZHIM," "NO FEAR", "FLE 2 GOD," and "JC LOVES U." Along with the story of each license plate, the devotional shares an inspirational message on themes of comfort, salvation, prayer, provision, forgiveness, faith, or blessings, accompanied by a relevant song title, action step, and prayer. God is interested in everything we do and shows us His presence in our everyday lives. We often think things that happen to us are coincidences when they are actually gifts from a loving God. -Catherine Green
With the current wars and rumors of wars, and a recent global pandemic, many Christians live in uncertainty wondering if Christ's return could be soon. Jesus told his followers to watch, but do we understand everything this generation should be watching for? After all, all generations have experienced the wars, famines, and earthquakes spoken of in Matthew 24. Is there more hidden in scriptures which the End-Times generation should be specifically watching for? Awake addresses the missing pieces of end-times prophecy, which ultimately challenges today's teachings of ancient traditional beliefs. Daniel was told to seal up words of his visions, as they would not be understood until the time of the end. He was also told, seventy weeks are decreed for his people (Israelites) and his Holy City (Jerusalem). Therefore, Daniel's 70th week pertains specifically to Israel, not the world and its inhabitants. Could our traditional perceptions regarding the books of Revelation and Daniel be amiss? Using a scripture-based view, Awake explores the end-times paradigm addressing foundational errors and assumptions which have misdirected the church's traditional belief system. It presents a more specific view of what Christ wants his End-Times bride to be watching for. This book contains God's loving message to the Ten Virgins-AWAKE my return is imminent.
For anyone suffering with a debilitating or terminal illness .¿.¿. there is hope! When young mother Gayle Taylor experienced incapacitating symptoms, she didn't expect to spend the next decade fighting for her life. What started as occasional minor weakness suddenly became extreme fatigue, severe respiratory problems, pain throughout her body, mental fog, memory failure, and physical debilitation that made even the simplest of tasks feel monumental. After more than three years of doctors trying to identify her problem, she finally received a diagnosis-lupus, a disease with no cure. As her health deteriorated, Gayle's life became a miserable journey of survival as a prisoner in her own body. But in her darkest valley, as she planned her own funeral, the Lord spoke to her through Deuteronomy 30:19 and told her to choose life. She realized this was not only a battle of the flesh but of the spirit. Through much suffering, surrender, and prayer, God taught her lessons she could learn only by walking through this season. In this journey of faith, the Lord ministered to Gayle and carried her to the mountaintop of rejoicing. This book is a powerful testimony of God's deliverance and healing power-an infusion of hope and joy to inspire you to believe for your own miracle! "In Healed!, Gayle will take you by the hand and walk with you to know Jesus as the Lord who heals." Phil Simun, presbyter and pastor
Cari, a blue tang fish, is different. Joe, a black-and-white jackknife fish who delivers mail at the SeaGalaxy Studio in Guppywood where Cari reviews scripts, tries to take advantage of her kindness because she is different. But Cari depends on Father Whale, who created all the sea creatures, and his son, Guardian Dolphin, to guide her through the sea in the Great Barrier Reef. When Deceiver Shark tries to ruin Guppywood, Joe must choose. Will he be Cari's friend and follow Father Whale and Guardian Dolphin or be lured away by the evil Deceiver Shark and the manipulating pufferfish? Many destinies are at stake. This fun, gospel-reinforcing book helps children eight to twelve choose Jesus over the world's ways.
Action and Adventure Spiritual Warfare Powerful Truths Having escaped from a secret holding cell in the Masonic Temple, missionary Allen Hartman is on the Natchez Trace after rescuing his friend from slavery on a swamp plantation. But when the evil La Marque sends an assassin to kill him and forcibly return Deacon Abraham to captivity, Allen must battle an onslaught of dark spiritual forces. Will Allen withstand this attack of powerful sorcery? Can he clear his name from false accusations by religious leaders? Will he follow the river west to resume his mission and realize a hoped-for future with Moon Cloud, the Arapaho woman he loves? In book three of the Two Rivers Trilogy, Allen Hartman learns that "greater love" has a costly price as he battles evil in the Lord's strength.
For as long as he can remember, Matthew Anderson has felt called to a special purpose in life-a destiny chosen by God. But a frightening health scare has him taking stock of the work and anxiety that have thrown him off course. How can he find his true calling while caring for his pregnant wife, six children, and aging parents . . . and still follow his doctor's orders to avoid all stress? To make matters worse, his older brother, Andrew, is supposed to be running the family's retreat and conference center, a spiritual haven for Christian groups, but he seems to be hiding something. The center may be headed for financial disaster, and Andrew's plans for the family business have taken a dark turn. The Anderson family story from the Beyond Those Hills series continues with Matthew's Journey. This multi-generational saga moves into the twenty-first century as the Andersons face new problems-even as family history repeats itself. But the fact remains that a personal faith in Jesus Christ is the answer in any uncertain times.
For those who feel defeated, have lost all hope, or are ready to give up-this devotional is for you. Na'Kedra Rodgers is a Christian motivational speaker, author, and influencer-a true southern belle with sass. She has experienced heartache, healing, and everlasting hope. She affectionately calls herself OptimisticallyKe as she travels around the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex delivering empowering messages of hope. In Kneeling Earnestly for Transformation, Rodgers explores thirty ways for women to experience God's transforming power. Sharing stories of her life experiences and biblical truth, Rodgers uplifts and encourages broken women, helping them to discover their identity and purpose. Her fresh, relatable stories and zeal will empower and uplift readers, equipping and motivating them to stay in the fight, and her optimistic spirit will help them believe they can overcome. In her authentic, contemporary voice, Rodgers explores: Overcoming anxiety Receiving our comfort from God Delighting ourselves in the Lord Seeing God as our refuge Entering into the intercession of the Holy Spirit Overcoming life's difficulties Finding perfect peace. These thirty devotions begin with a Bible verse relating to the topic, include a thought-provoking question, and end with an encouraging prayer and another scripture passage to bring the reader one step closer to total transformation.
"Stories have always been about us, a mirror in which we can see ourselves-our hopes and dreams, but also our greatest dilemmas." In Once Upon a Time: A Collection of Short Stories for Those Trying to Find Their Way Home, retired clinical psychologist Samuel L. Blumenthal, Ph.D. illustrates gospel truths on the themes of creation, fall, redemption, and restoration, all of which come into clearer focus through the lens of God's perfect love. Sam Blumenthal came to faith in Christ in mid-life, after growing up in a Reform Jewish home in the South. His thirty years as a psychoanalytically-oriented psychologist gives him a unique perspective on the inner workings of the mind and heart. He says, "Since the dawn of man, stories have been pregnant with meaning, much of which has gone unnoticed. But if you are willing to slow down and listen more closely, stories will meet you in the very places you need them and guide you home where you will be healthy and whole." He presents stories to touch hearts and remind us of just how much God desires to be present in our lives. These stories offer us courage to look deeper within ourselves to learn why we think and feel as we do, why we struggle as we do, and what can truly help and redeem us and enable us to find our way home.
A secret shame. A powerful longing. A search for belonging. ¿ This book is indeed a must-read! Christa Armstead's story is a missing puzzle piece of healing, empowerment, and transformation that will fill a space many carry within their souls. Through her deep transparency she provides a road map for moving from pain to purpose, from trauma to testimony, and from isolation to empowerment. Let this book bless you through whatever challenges you're facing. -Dr. Efrem Smith, author of Killing Us Softly and The Post Black and Post White Church, co-lead pastor of Midtown Church ¿ Illegitimate is the journey many have started, and some have accomplished. Illegitimate is more than a search-and-discover mission, it answers many plights that have attacked and ravaged the nation and the world. This wonderful, heart-wrenching, and moving truth-journal addresses the unspoken truths of the damage and residue of pain and suffering that the clergy scandal does not want to address. -Rev. Earl A. Smith, Sr., team pastor, San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors, and author of Death Row Chaplain: Unbelievable True Story from America's Most Notorious Prison ¿ In these pages you will read the powerful true story of one woman's lifelong search for identity and love. The illegitimate daughter of a Catholic priest and an African- American teen, Christa Armstead struggled against poverty, prejudice, and rejection from her father growing up in inner-city LA. Finding the strength to thrive, Christa Armstead persevered. Christa shares her journey with honesty and vulnerability. It will resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they didn't fit in and struggled to find their place in the world. Those who have experienced hardship, trauma, abandonment, or abuse will be pointed to the depth of God's love for them and find hope.
Embark on a thirty day journey with thirty extraordinary women, whose powerful stories and words of hope, resilience, and unwavering faith will fill your heart with divine inspiration.We Get You! 30 Days: 30 Women ¿ 30 Stories ¿ One God, is an invitation to join hands with new friends who have traversed similar trials and circumstances just like you.Each of the thirty soul-nourishing devotions encompasses a verse of encouragement, an intimate personal or Bible-based story, and a practical application of the truth. To further enrich your spiritual experience, four thought-provoking prompts are included for each devotion, focusing on purpose, practice, prayer, and promise.Come along with us, and start your day with a dose of We Get You! to breathe life, hope, peace, and encouragement into your heart and mind. Unleash the power of divine grace and let it lead you towards a deeper connection with our loving Father.
Michael Merker's personal experience with a touring production of the popular musical Godspell, a dramatization of God's Word, led him to experiment with the adaptation of Bible literature into performance material. Through directing and performing these works, he not only grew in his own understanding of the Word but shared the gospel with his audiences and fellow performers. With the desire to spark a movement of committed practitioners who aim to reach the entire world for Jesus Christ, Michael has created a practical guide for others who share his love for theater and discipleship. Depth by Drama is for missionaries, group leaders, pastors, and anyone who wants to create and present Bible-based shows for the evangelism of the lost and the discipleship of performers and others involved in the productions. With the help of this thorough guidebook, readers can discover the great blessings gained from rehearsing and performing the Word of God and biblical literature, both for the actor and the audience. Whether it's for your personal Bible study, an exercise for a group, or a full-scale performance for an audience, this book-along with the Bible-will be all you need to learn how to put together a production based on Scripture. Now, break-a-leg for Jesus!
Kukulia kwenye nyumba isiyokuwa na baba wa kutegemewa na yenye mama anayekunyanyasa kihisia, ilikuwa rahisi kwa Tom Stewart kuingia kwenye mtego wa kundi la watu wabaya. Huku akizoea desturi ya kufuata ushawishi wa wengine na kutaka uthibitisho kutoka kwa wakubwa wake, Tom alijikuta amenaswa kwenye mwongo wa dhuluma kutoka kwa kiongozi wa kikundi chake cha Maskauti. Kiwewe cha utoto wake kuharibiwa kinamfuata hadi siku za baadaye, ambapo anakumbana na majaribu si haba. Kupitia janga la kiafya, mahusiano yaliyovunjika na kifo cha mtoto wake wa kiume, Tom anashikilia imani yake isiotetereka. Wakati kesi muhimu inapomweka kwenye barabara ndefu ya msamaha na uponyaji, Tom anaanza kuona kusudi la Mungu kwenye uchungu aliokuwa akiupitia. Badala ya kusalia kwenye uchungu, Tom anakabili siku zake za nyuma, akithibitisha kuwa hata katika hali mbaya, Mungu anaweza kugeuza mabaya kuwa mema. Katika kitabu chake cha kumbukumbu ya kuhuzunisha, Tom anawasilisha ujumbe wa tumaini katika mazingira ya madhara yasiyofikirika. Kupaa Kama Tai ni hadithi ya uvumilivu na nguvu ya msamaha, inayotukumbusha kuwa kutokana na neema ya Mungu, kuna uwezekano wa kuinuliwa juu zaidi ya hali zetu za kupondeka. "Katika utoto wake wote, Tom Stewart alikumbana na mwongo mzima wa dhuluma ya kingono kutoka kwa kiongozi wa kikundi chake cha Maskauti Wavulana. Katika kitabu chake dhahiri, Kupaa Kama Tai, anatusimulia siyo tu kisa chake, bali pia anampatia msomaji maarifa ya kutambua ishara za dhuluma na kutoa njia ya uponyaji kupitia imani katika Yesu. Kitabu hiki lazima kisomwe na kila mzazi ili kumsaidia kuwalinda watoto wake na vilevile lazima kisomwe na kila mtu aliyeteseka kama Tom alivyoteseka."- Josh D. McDowell, Mwandishi
Bengay. Increasing hair loss. And pretty wigs. A large number of people struggle with low self-esteem and self-hatred. For singer-songwriter Carol Chisolm, this identity consumed her. Living in the shadows of shame, fear, and captivity, she was a victim of alopecia, an autoimmune disorder that resulted in hair loss. For thirty years she tried every hair-growing product available, and into adulthood, she hid her increasing baldness underneath fancy wigs. Not even her family was allowed to see her bald shame. Until one day, after years-long inner battle, she emerged with a sheer confidence that only God could give, revealing her baldness as a gift from God. She realized that her identity came not from hair products and wigs but from a deep, inner peace, joy, and freedom. If you question your identity, your worth, your purpose, Breaking the Shadows will help you accept your flaws and imperfections, let go of insecurities caused by perceived flaws and imperfections, accept that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, understand that God doesn't make any mistakes, and walk in liberty understanding who you are in Christ. This book will show you how to move out from behind the shadows as it gently and courageously leads you on a freedom path, with action steps to reclaim your inner self. Like Carol, you too can lift your voice and sing, becoming the beautiful, thriving soul you are meant to be.
Most Christians have heard of the rapture, but what is the "secret rapture"? Is there biblical evidence to support this theory? While maintaining a firm foundation in the Thessalonian Epistles, Dennis Farrell cites numerous sources who hold varying doctrinal interpretations as he explores these questions and more: Is there biblical support of a "secret" rapture? Will the second coming of Christ happen in one stage or two? Why is it critical that we read Scripture in context? Is the rapture of the church imminent? Whether you're an evangelical Christian who knows a little about prophecy, or someone who likes to study the Bible more deeply, The Late Great Secret Rapture will deepen your understanding of the distinction between a two-stage and a one-time second coming.¿
Emerald is visiting her grandparents' farm . . . and there's so much to see, hear, smell, taste, and touch! Puffy clouds, juicy fruit, dancing daisies, and playful puppies fill her day. And everything has been made by God, our creative Father! Even a sudden shower can't put a damper on creation when it's followed by a glorious rainbow! Because Our Creative Father is the One who made the heavens and the earth . . . and each of us too. Little ones will love exploring the outdoors with Emerald and learning about God our Father as they too enjoy the wonders of nature through their senses.
Tuve una pesadilla anoche. Estaba pidiendo ayuda a gritos, PERO NADIE ESCUCHO¿ MIS SILENCIOSOS GRITOS. Al crecer en el hogar de un padre ausente y una madre emocionalmente abusiva, Tom Stewart, era un blanco fäcil para un depredador. Condicionado por la sumisiön y desesperado por la afirmaciön de las figuras de autoridad, Tom cae presa de toda una de¿cada de abuso por parte de su li¿der Boy Scout. El trauma de su infancia robada lo persigue en su futuro, donde se encuentra aün con mäs pruebas de las esperadas. A trave¿s de una crisis de salud, relaciones rotas y la trägica pe¿rdida de un hijo, Tom se aferra a su fe inquebrantable. Cuando una demanda histörica lo coloca en el largo camino hacia el perdön y la sanaciön, Tom comienza a ver el propösito de Dios para su dolor. En lugar de refugiarse en la amargura, Tom se enfrenta a su pasado, demostrando que incluso en las peores circunstancias, Dios puede convertir el mal en bien. En sus desgarradoras memorias, Tom transmite un mensaje de esperanza frente a un dolor impensable. En alas de águila es una historia de perseverancia y del poder del perdón, que nos recuerda que, por la gracia de Dios, es posible superar nuestro quebrantamiento. A lo largo de su infancia, Tom Stewart experimentó una década de abuso sexual por parte de su líder Boy Scout. En este libro tan transparente, En alas de águila, no solo comparte su historia, sino que también equipa al lector para reconocer las señales de abuso y proporciona un camino hacia la sanación a través de la fe en Jesús. Una lectura obligada para todos los padres, para ayudar a proteger a sus hijos, y para todas las personas que sufrieron como lo hizo Tom. -Josh D. McDowell, autor
What kind of¿Reckless Yes¿ would you embrace if you knew for certain your¿yes¿ could change the eternal destiny of people all around you? We're all on the brink of eternity-what are you waiting for? Humans live an average of 26,703 days on planet¿earth, but we will live an infinite number of days in our chosen eternal destination. Many of our earthly days are marked with the ups and downs of joy and pain, sometimes leaving us to wonder if there could be purpose in our hardships. After a shocking diagnosis in 2007 sent her life in an unexpected direction, Johnna Hensley had a decision to make. Though she had walked with¿God for nearly two decades, she had to choose whether she would follow His leading on a strenuous journey to find the narrow gate that leads to eternal life; or would she take the easy, wide path offered by the temporal world? As she chose to say yes to selfless love, through God's guidance, she discovered this was the first of many forks in life's road that would ultimately lead her to a life full of adventure, surprises, and sometimes, even hardships. Inspiring and¿encouraging, this true story of one family's journey is intertwined with¿relevant teaching of who God is and¿why we can trust Him in the midst of life's chaos. Through relatable storytelling, wit, and wisdom, readers will be¿challenged¿to shift their perspective toward God's eternal adventure. In¿Reckless Yes, Johnna brilliantly weaves together biblical examples with a recounting of her own life. Her masterful storytelling¿serves as a gentle reminder of the beauty that unfolds through even the darkest of days when we boldly acquiesce to a life lived at the feet of Jesus. ¿-Erin Cuccio, author of Unraveled and podcast host of Room for Lovely
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