Fighting crime by helping criminals and their families. Read five true stories of criminals who are Heart and Soul Survivors. The best way to fight crime is to improve the community. The quality of a community is seen in how it treats its marginalized people. Statistics show that the percentage of marginalized adults in custody is considerably higher than the percentage of their representation in the overall population. Marginalized people include the poor, the mentally ill, the learning disabled, and drug addicts. Warehousing these people is a community's shame. This book is urging a ministry involving volunteers working with criminals and their families. It will provide you with the tools necessary to help some people and thereby reduce crime. Chaplain Elsey writes from his experience and the knowledge gained working with hundreds of these families. Review This book provides the reader with an insightful look into the lives and challenges of criminals, the impact on both themselves and society, and the need for change within our current judicial system. Written from a theological perspective, Dr. Elsey offers the reader a proactive approach in ways to support either themselves, or others, in achieving change and improving outcomes. From heartfelt and moving true life stories, to individual support plans and an inventory for change, Dr. Elsey shares astute observations and insights, encouraging us all to find our own heart and soul Truly engaging and thought provoking and a must read for those interested in understanding and impacting the human condition. By P. Tanner B.Ed. This book as well as Dr Elsey's first book, Angels from Hell, may be purchased from his website -criminalsfamilies.com

Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story Bible: The Bible As One Continuing Story Of God And His People sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Using the world’s most popular modern-English Bible, the New International Version, and printed in the exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface, it allows the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel. Like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption—and this story’s true!

Features:

• Selections from the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV)
• Events, characters, and teachings of the Bible are arranged chronologically
• Short transitions between each chapter to connect the reader to the continuing story
• Timelines of Bible events
• Foreword by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee
• List of characters and who they are
• Discussion questions for each chapter
• Exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print typeface
• 11.5-point print size

Experienced pastor and seminary teacher R. Robert Creech helps pastoral leaders increase their effectiveness by applying family systems theory to congregational life and ministry. Creech introduces readers to the basic concepts of Bowen Family Systems Theory, applies family theory to the work of ministry in church settings, and connects systems thinking to the everyday aspects of congregational ministry, such as preaching, pastoral care, leadership, spiritual formation, and interpreting biblical texts. Each chapter contains discussion questions, and there are five helpful appendixes with supplemental information about Bowen theory.

A must-read for church leaders and members alike, this book outlines 9 essential marks that distinguish a healthy, biblical church. This classic book is now revised with a new preface and additional content on prayer and missions. Fourth edition.

The Alpha Youth Film Series is a perfect way to create an environment of acceptability where students can bring their friends to explore the Christian faith, ask questions, and share their point of view. Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way. The Alpha Youth Film Series is created for audiences 13-18 years old. Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith, and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group, short teaching, and small group discussion. The DVD (sold separately) also includes three training sessions for your small group hosts and helpers and the discussion guide. A Note from hosts Jason and Ben: It is such a privilege for us to share the Alpha Youth Film Series with you! Over the past 20 years, Alpha has been used by churches all over the world to facilitate conversations about faith and Jesus. To date, more than 29 million people have participated in Alpha in 112 languages. For the first time ever, Alpha is customized for teenagers on video. Our dream for the Alpha Youth Film Series is to present the gospel in a clear, interactive, and fun way, and to bridge the gap between thousands of unchurched youth and the message of Jesus.

After hearing the words no one wants to hear--"you have cancer"--Jim Burns set out to articulate the most important principles for a life well lived and now shares them with you as a collection of essential truths for a healthy, balanced, and successful life. What's truly important for leading a life well lived? After being diagnosed with cancer and facing his mortality, prolific author and family-life expert Jim Burns learned what it really means to live a meaningful life from the perspective and practical wisdom only gained from facing death. Now cancer free, those same life-changing lessons continue to guide and enrich Jim's faith, work, and relationships in immeasurable ways. With his conversational style and heartwarming and entertaining stories, Jim brilliantly distills that hard-earned wisdom into 13 simple yet powerful life principles you can put into practice today. Jim will help you learn how to: Break the cycle of being overcommitted and underconnected once and for all Make family the priority you want it to be with an action plan that will nurture your closest relationships Embrace the discomfort of discipline and avoid the pain of regret Incorporate the vital element of fun in your life for connection and relief in even the toughest times Train your mind in reflexive gratitude to rise above negative circumstances. Don't wait any longer. Let these principles guide you into deeper joy, more purpose, and better connection--and start truly living today.

Once upon a time, there lived a man and a woman in the garden Paradise, where they were terrifically happy. Their names were Adam and Eve, and God made them.He made them in his image--like little mirrors to reflect his glory. And like everything else God made, he made them good. It was a wonderful time to be God's children in his wonderful world. But things didn't stay happy and wonderful for long. One terrible day, Adam and Eve sinned. They ate from the only tree in the garden that God had declared off-limits. Adam and Eve had disobeyed God's word; they believed the lie of the devilish Snake instead of the truth. God made Adam and Eve go away from the garden Paradise. It wasn't possible for people so bad to live in Paradise with a God who is so good. But God made a promise. He promised Adam and Eve that one of their children would someday crush the head ofthat nasty Snake.The Snake Crusherwould put things right. Sadly, things got a lot worse before they got better. After sin entered the world, everything fell apart. Nothing was the way it should be. The people who were born after Adam and Eve just couldn't get things right. They almost never did well at obeying God's commands. Still, God made more promises to his people about the Snake Crusher--but people never listened for long. Sin and the Snake seemed to be winning. Until suddenly--they lost. And so we come, after all those downs and not many ups, to a manger in the little town of Bethlehem. This is where we meet the Snake Crusher--born as a baby, with animals and stinky shepherds and singing angels all around. No one understood it completely at the time, but when Mary gave birth to baby Jesus, God was giving his people a new beginning, just as he promised. As Jesus grew up, there were many surprises. His miracles were remarkable. His teaching was unlike anything anyone had ever heard. But the biggest surprise was that this Chosen One of God was chosen by God to die.The One destined to crush the Serpent would first be crushed himself. When Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, died on the cross that Friday afternoon, it seemed to be a shocking evil beyond belief. It was the worst thing that's ever happened in the world. But it was also the best thing that's ever happened. Just as we would expect from God! And just as God planned it. We suffer for sin--so our Savior Jesus suffered for us. We break promises--so God was keeping his. We run from God--so he came to us. The biggest story ever is the story of God doing what we can't, to make up for our doing what we shouldn't. Jesus suffered for our sin that we might share in his sinlessness. God had kicked his people out of Paradise--then did everything it took to bring them back again. Things had fallen apart so they could come back together. As you may have heard, the Snake Crusher who died on the cross didn't stay dead. He couldn't!Death had no claim on him. So on the third day, God raised him from the dead. A whole bunch of people saw the risen Jesus, and ate with him, and told their friends (just as we should tell our friends) that Jesus is really alive. Forty days later, God lifted him up into the sky and gave him the seat of honor at his right hand. Because Jesus's work was done, he sat down. And God gave him the name above all names, so that at the name of Jesus everybody and everything would start to sing and shout and worship. The Snake Crusher is coming back again to wipe out all the bad guys and wipe away every tear. He's coming to make a new beginning and to finish what he started. He's coming to give us the home we once had and might have forgotten that we lost. So keep waiting for him. Keep believing in him. Keep trusting that the story isn't over yet. God's promises never fail and the Promised One never disappoints. One day we will see him. One day we will be with him.One day there'll be nothing but the best days--day after day after day. Forever and ever, it will be a wonderful time to be God's children in God's wonderful world. If you believe in Jesus and believe that this story is true, talk to God and say something like this: Dear God, thank you for loving me so much that you sent your Son Jesus to take away my sin. I'm sorry for the bad things I've done. Please forgive me and help me to love and trust you more every day. Amen.

When you are at the end of your proverbial rope, your mind and heart may be filled with questions about how such difficulties fit in with God's plan for your life. It is during those times that you need straight talk and forward-thinking principles.

In "The God of How: Understanding How Trials, Transitions, and Triumphs Fit into God's Plan for Your Life," Dr. Preston Williams II seeks to help you understand God's involvement in life's many transitions. Through true-life stories and biblical references, you can come to understand the key points of change, including submitting to God's process, examining your options, acknowledging your resources and support systems, and maintaining confidence in yourself and in God's track record for success.

As you make your way through the personal stories and spiritual reflections included in this study, you can begin to see life situations from a purposeful vantage point. Be inspired to follow your dreams by seeing the world through God's eyes and prepared to confront the rapid and complex life challenges and transformation in the twenty-first century.