What if your pain and struggles were not punishments to endure--but opportunities to showcase God's glory? Inspired by the story of the blind man in John 9, bestselling author and pastor Samuel Rodriguez shows us that sometimes Jesus makes your situation a muddy mess first--and out of that mess emerges a miracle. With biblical inspiration, scientific findings and true stories, Pastor Sam lays out the practical, hope-infused roadmap for anyone with the audacity to replace fear with faith, wash away the mud of the past and walk through their mess into God's miracle. "A must-read for every believer for the hour we are in."--JENTEZEN FRANKLIN, senior pastor, Free Chapel; New York Times bestselling author "You will never see your situation the same again. I was blessed by this book."--DR. WILLIAM M. WILSON, president, Oral Roberts University "Spiritual vision is essential. Samuel Rodriguez opens our eyes to the reality of seeing the unseen and what matters most. I love this book!"--DR. JACK GRAHAM, senior pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church "A reminder that no matter where you are in your journey, you can expect a miracle."--KEVIN SORBO, actor, director, author "This book is theology on fire."--JESSE BRADLEY, senior pastor, Grace Community Church "Will encourage and empower you. I thoroughly recommend this book."--RUSSELL EVANS, senior pastor, Planetshakers Church "Wow! This fantastic book has unique insights for the Church we need to hear."--PHIL PRINGLE, senior pastor and founder, C3 Church Global Also available in Spanish.

Virginia Woolf, Toni Morrison, Neil Armstrong, Jack Kerouac, Yoda: these are just a handful of the writers and speakers whose words are parsed in this diverting romp through sentences culled from poems, essays, speeches, songs, fiction and film. In chapters titled for distinctive features, such as "U-turn" and "impossibility", master teacher Geraldine Woods deftly reveals the underlying craft that goes into the creation of a memorable sentence. Literature lovers will be delighted to discover new authors and revisit favourite passages from a fresh perspective. And writers who want to stretch their skills by following the prompts in each chapter may well find themselves feeling as Henry James did when he wrote, "I have many irons on the fire, and am bursting with writableness." 25 Great Sentences and How They Got That Way is a must-read book for any resister of grammar-bound, sentence-diagramming analysis who wants to understand the art that lifts a sentence from good to great.

Have Real Conversations With Your Kids About Sex The old ways of having the "sex talk" just won't cut it anymore. Sadly, the number one place today's young people go to for answers about sex is Google. Meanwhile, kids view nearly 14,000 sexual references a year on television, and 70 percent of teenagers have encountered pornography on the Internet. If we want our children to know the truth about healthy sexuality, we need to create a comfortable climate of continual conversations. Jonathan McKee will show you how to move beyond the initial awkwardness of this subject into an ongoing communication with your kids about God's amazing gift of sex. He equips you with what you need to talk openly about dating, temptation, porn, and purity, and you will find answers to tough questions and relevant Scripture on sexual issues. It's normal for kids to be curious about sexuality, and they need to know that their parents are the most reliable source of information. Be the one your kids turn to on this crucial topic. "In a world full of explicit lies, today's kids need parents who aren't afraid to tell them the explicit truth. This book provides parents with the tools they need to have these candid and continual conversations."--Dr. Kevin Leman, New York Times bestselling author of Have a Happy Family by Friday "Jonathan McKee is one of America's premier youth specialists, and this book will help you navigate the rough waters of teaching your kids healthy sexuality."--Jim Burns, PhD, president, HomeWord and author "Parents, take a deep breath. This book pulls no punches. But it will give you exactly what you need to walk alongside your kids at this time when they most need it."--Shaunti Feldhahn, social researcher, speaker, and bestselling author "A thorough, straightforward, and engaging resource that will both equip and inform a parent for effective, culturally relevant, and God-honoring conversations about sexuality and all its implications. It is a critical read in critical times."--Brian Berry, generation ministries pastor, Journey Community Church, La Mesa, California; and author "SO many parents I know don't feel equipped to talk to their kids about sex. This book helps you overcome the (guaranteed) awkwardness of conversations like that, and provides both tools AND motivation. I wish every parent would read it."--Scott Rubin, director of middle school ministry, Willow Creek Community Church "Jonathan McKee provides clarity and practical knowledge so that you and I can do more than just give a nervous 'talk' to our kids; we can be loving and consistent parents for them as well."--Terry Linhart, PhD, educator, author, Bethel College--Indiana "Kids need parents who are educated, aware, and relevant when it comes to sex. Thankfully, Jonathan McKee gives us powerful, poignant, and practical tools to help us win in this delicate and scary parenting arena."--Doug Fields, co-founder of DownloadYouthMinistry.com, youth pastor for thirty years at Saddleback & Mariners Church, speaker, and author "McKee is a frontline youth worker with current and regular interactions with Christian teenagers wrestling with the intersection of their faith and their sexuality. Never condescending, Jon brings his writing style to a subject I wish more parents were talking about with their teens."--Mark Oestreicher, partner, The Youth Cartel and author "Jonathan McKee's book helps us to remember that 'the talk' is a myth at best, and a terrible strategy at worst. A lifestyle of preparation, a strategic series of discussions, and a proactive commitment to conversation is what our kids need, and this book will help any parent to walk with their kids in confidence."--Chap Clark, professor of youth, family, and culture, Fuller Theological Seminary

A NEW YEAR HAS ARRIVED! And like the year before it, this new 365 days has come with much anticipation. Many people begin January 1 with goals, hopes, dreams, and perhaps even a plan of action for all that they would like to accomplish. The possibilities for a new year's list of resolutions are endless. Some of the most common include exercise routines, healthier eating, progress at work, and quality time spent with family. Life goals and resolutions can be a great way to begin a year, so long as a healthy balance is maintained. For Christians, the start of a new year arrives with reminders afresh of the glorious promises that God has made to his people through the Bible. For Christians--those who have repented of their sin and received Jesus Christ as their Savior--a new year is a chance for renewed commitments to seek after God and to share the good news of Jesus. The Scriptures below are foundational truths that Christians believe. They are beacons of hope, not only for a new year but also for an eternal future with God. If you have not yet placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ, then these Scriptures bring great news. The gospel of Jesus is that his birth, life, death on a cross, and resurrection to heaven from the grave deliver eternal life to those who turn away from sin and receive Jesus as their Savior. Make this new year the start of an eternity-changing journey toward becoming a child of God! Gospel Scriptures for a New Year "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. . . . The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 3:23; 6:23) "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures." (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world. . . . But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:1, 2; 2:4, 5) "When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7) The Apostle Paul wrote, "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." (1 Timothy 1:15) "[Jesus] committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to [God] who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:22-25) The Light of the Gospel Let these Scriptures sink deep into your hearts. Memorize them. Share them with your friends and family. The gospel--or good news--of Jesus Christ is a bright light to an often-dark world. If you believe the truths that you've just read, it is only fitting that you would want to share the rich hope of the gospel, especially at the beginning of a new year. If you have read these words of good news as an unbeliever, consider taking a first step of faith in Jesus Christ by praying the following: Heavenly Father, I believe that Jesus Christ is your Son, and that he died on the cross to save me from my sin. I believe that he rose again to life, and that he invites me to live forever with him in heaven as part of your family. Because of what Jesus has done, I ask you to forgive me of my sin and give me eternal life. Help me in a way that pleases and honors you. Amen.

This handsome roll-up game combines convenience with style. It features a canvas board and a snap-on vegan leather pouch for storing pieces, and rolls up-just like a Pendleton blanket-for swift storage and easy travel.

How can we explain the difference between the "miraculous" Christianity expressed in the Gospels and the nearly miracle-free Christianity of Paul? In this historically informed study, senior New Testament scholar Graham Twelftree challenges the view that Paul was primarily a thinker and reimagines him as an apostle of Jesus for whom the miraculous was of profound importance. Highlighting often-overlooked material in Paul's letters, Twelftree offers a fresh consideration of what the life and work of Paul might teach us about miracles in early Christianity and sheds light on how early Christians lived out their faith.

It's almost Halloween, and Monster needs to decide what he's going to be. With so many options, how will he ever choose? In this playful, rhyming story, Monster shows young readers that sometimes being different, daring to try something new, and being yourself are the best solutions.Kit includes:

*32-page illustrated Monster Needs a Costume mini book

* Collectible, bendable Monster figurine

Texas High School Hotshots: The Stars Before They Were Stars is a one-of-a-kind book that offers an entertaining look back at the younger years of more than 200 celebrities who attended high school in Texas.

The third quest for the historical Jesus has reached an impasse. But a fourth quest is underway--one that draws from a heretofore largely neglected source: John's Gospel. In this book, renowned New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg advances the idea that John is a viable and valuable source for studying the historical Jesus. The data from John should be integrated with that of the Synoptics, which will yield additional insights into Jesus's emphases and ministry. Blomberg begins by reviewing the first three quests, reassessing both their contributions and their shortcomings. He then discusses the emerging consensus regarding demonstrably historical portions of John, which are more numerous than usually assumed. Peeling back the layers, we discover in Jesus's ministry an emphasis on purity and purification. The Synoptics corroborate this discovery, specifically in Jesus's meals with sinners. Blomberg then explores the practical and contemporary applications of Jesus the purifier, including the "contagious holiness" that Jesus's followers can spread to others.

Foreword Review's Annual INDIEFAB Book of the Year Finalist How do we explain human consciousness? Where do we get our sense of beauty? Why do we recoil at suffering? Why do we have moral codes that none of us can meet? Why do we yearn for justice, yet seem incapable of establishing it? Any philosophy or worldview must make sense of the world as we actually experience it. We need to explain how we can discern qualities such as beauty and evil and account for our practices of morality and law. The complexity of the contemporary world is sometimes seen as an embarrassment for Christianity. But law professor David Skeel makes a fresh case for the plausibility and explanatory power of Christianity. The Christian faith offers plausible explanations for the central puzzles of our existence, such as our capacity for idea-making, our experience of beauty and suffering, and our inability to create a just social order. When compared with materialism or other sets of beliefs, Christianity provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding human life as we actually live it. We need not deny the complexities of life as we experience it. But the paradoxes of our existence can lead us to the possibility that the existence of God could make sense of it all.

Many men are attracted to outdoor sports because of the time it gives them alone in God's creation--time to rest, reflect, and refresh before returning to the everyday stresses of work, family life, finances, and more. "Faith Afield" is their guide to making this time in God's country last when they return home.
This unique devotional, geared primarily toward men, uses illustrations and principles from hunting, shooting, and fishing sports, giving sportsmen new insights into truths from Scripture and challenging them in their walk with God. Each devotion leaves the outdoorsman with a specific life application on topics such as:
-the importance of authentic living
-putting on the whole armor of God
-overcoming obstacles in life
-the key to avoiding sexual temptations
-focusing on that which is most important
The perfect gift for the hunter, fisherman, or gun enthusiast, "Faith Afield" will challenge men as it brings them closer to God.

The Names Of God LuxLeather Journal makes a thoughtful Christian gift for anyone in your life who enjoys penning their thoughts, prayers, and reflections. The many names of God cover the front of this LuxLeather journal so the writer can see all the beautiful names the Word refers to as their heavenly Father throughout the Bible. This Christian journal will engage your brother, son, daughter, aunt or friend in quiet time with the Lord each time they reach for The Names Of God Journal and read, “I am who I am” at the center of the journal.

The LuxLeather Journal Names Of God has a LuxLeather Flexcover binding with “I am who I am” and the names of God heat-debossed on the cover. With 400 lined pages, the I Am Who I Am Journal features a Scripture verse at the bottom of each inside page, and the back of the brown LuxLeather journal includes the verse from Exodus 34:6, “The Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth.”

Perfect for individual inspiration or as an after-dinner game with friends or family, Haikubes is a set of 63 word cubes that is attractive enough to display on the coffee table. Simply roll the cubes and use the words that come up to create an expressive haiku. Includes two cubes with inspirational cues to help guide the haiku. Everyone's a poet with this latest entertainment from the team behind Cranium.

Fans around the world fell in love with the playful, happy-go-lucky attitude of Mitchiri Neko and now they can bring that feeling to their home or office with colorful, 3D magnetic cats that you can attach to any magnetic surface, or gather together on the included display mat. Kit includes: * 8 colorful, 3D molded magnetic cats * Flocked display mat * 32-page illustrated mini book with character bios and images from the show

At the end of the millenium, writer Ruth Pennebaker was in Texas, trying to keep her husband from blowing up their neighborhood every Fourth of July; rearing a daughter and son from early years into braces and backtalk; and finding out more than she wanted to know about breast cancer. Join this offbeat and funny writer for her views on America, Texas, and one particular and peculiar household.

Much like a driver can step out of the car, we are not our biocomputer. The Self is something far greater and more mysterious. Rooted in his extensive knowledge of neurophysiology, neuroanatomy and electronics and developed through personal experimentation in the sensory isolation tank which he invented, Lilly presents a method for learning to manipulate--to drive the bio-robot, which is our vehicle here on Earth. robots. This manual shows how to step out of the mind-body and find out who we really are.

Most Christian parents know that the best way to leave a God-honoring legacy to their family is to nurture their children's faith . . . but many don't know where to start! This new resource from Jim Burns, founder of HomeWord, will equip parents to start important conversations with their kids--family time with an eternal impact. Faith Conversations for Families makes it easy to invite God into quality family time. Each section outlines an easy-to-follow dialogue, which is flexible for children of different age groups. In addition, suggested activities and exercises make spiritual formation adaptable for kids with varying learning styles. The six family-friendly topics included in this book are: Who Is Jesus and Why It Matters: Help parents talk with their kids about why His life, death, and resurrection are so important. What Prayer Is All About: Parents can introduce vibrant conversation with God into their family's time together. What It Means to Be Christian: Parents can lead their kids toward a faith commitment and spiritual growth, through open communication and exciting biblical expression. A Strong Family: Parents can teach, guide, and strengthen healthy bonds within the family. Loving and Serving Others: Parents can talk with their children about servant leadership and self-sacrifice and be challenged to serve in and outside of their home. Building Morals and Values: Parents can help their kids discern and navigate cultural influences that run contrary to a biblical worldview. In the heart of every Christian parent is a desire to help their children grow spiritually. Faith Conversations for Families helps parents make that desire a beautiful reality.

Deepen your family's relationship with your grandparents using this beautiful deck of conversation cards. These conversation starters will help your family spark discussions with your grandmother or grandfather about their favourite memories and wisdom they've gained over the years. If you're eager to learn more about their lives and experience, but don't know where to begin, this deck will help you ignite the conversation. Thoughtfully designed by bestselling author Korie Herold, Meaningful Conversations with My Grandparents is the perfect gift for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, or any time of year. It's also designed to look beautiful on a dining table or coffee table even when not in use. Cards include questions, such as: Early Childhood: What was your house like growing up? What were your favourite toys or playtime activities? School Years: What did you think you wanted to be when you grew up? What were you like as a teenager? Work and Travel: What was your first job? What family vacations do you remember the most? Love and Family: What's your best relationship advice? How did you feel when you found out you were going to be a grandparent? Character and Values: What do you value most in life? What family values do you hope to pass down? Hypotheticals and Curiosities: What's something you wish you had done differently? What's the best advice you ever received? Special features include: Elegant designed box with gold foil Gold foil and hand-drawn illustrations printed on matte paper and heavy cardstock Carefully-developed designs and prompts allow to you reflect and remember "We are not taught how to have meaningful conversation," says author Korie Herold. "That's a skill gained over time, and it's my mission to help you learn it." The Meaningful Conversations with Grandparents deck can be used as a standalone item, or as a companion to the guided journals Grandma's Story and Grandpa's Story. Use the conversation cards to start discussions around the dinner table, and then if you're so inclined, purchase one of the guided journals to document your grandparent's answers as you go along.

You Can Find Freedom From Your Past Like Jacob, who in the book of Genesis tricked his father into giving him his brother's blessing, we all struggle with our own painful choices. Often our attempts to fix our missteps result in an even more complicated web of destruction. Is it possible to escape the unending tangle of guilt and shame? Is there a better way toward wholeness? In Your New Identity, Dr. Neil Anderson demonstrates that the two most important beliefs every Christian should possess is knowing who our heavenly Father is and who we are in Christ. This second of eight Victory Series studies will help you understand God's nature and character, and guide you to lay aside former ways and embrace your new life as a child of God. This study, with six sessions, can be used individually or in a group, and includes a leader's guide, along with illustrations and questions for deeper reflection and practical applications. God is full of grace and mercy; He makes right what we in our fallen nature have made wrong. In Your New Identity, you will discover that, as Jacob learned, an encounter with the living God will change your life . . . forever.