God passionately longs to be your friend and invites you with an outstretched hand to a life grounded in Divine Friendship.

In Daily Invitations: To A Life Grounded In Divine Friendship, a 366-day devotional, you will be guided daily to accept this invitation through:

• Scripture
• Reflection
• Prayer

However, this newly friendship does not remove you from everyday life. Another feature, the daily practice, will ensure that your friendship with God is grounded in ordinary life - where you struggle at work, you are having health problems, when your relationships are not working out. On taking his outstretched hand into yours, you will discover that you are not alone, and will never be. In fact, you will realise that nothing can separate you from his Divine Friendship.

"Intense. Stunning. Needed. Jillian's words will help you discover beauty in the unexpected."--LESLIE MEANS, creator of Her View From Home "Thoughtful and honest, Jillian's story of transformation reminds us that God is present and pursuing us, even in the most unexpected moments of our lives. Read and be changed."--KAYLA CRAIG, author of To Light Their Way and creator of Liturgies for Parents What if the unexpected is the beginning of becoming your truest self? Jillian Benfield was living life in the spotlight as a TV journalist, but after receiving a life-altering diagnosis for her unborn son, she realized no camera-ready outfit could dress up her grief. Overcoming this unexpected circumstance wasn't an option. She would have to undergo it instead. In doing so, she discovered who she was and who God wanted her to become. In this riveting story filled with grit and grace, Jillian helps you break down the false constructs you've built around God and your identity. You won't avoid your pain, but you'll learn to feel it, in a healing way. And you'll discover how your internal transformation leads to external purpose. No matter what you're going through, you're invited to open this gift: The Gift of the Unexpected

Most people focus on pastoral ministry--the activities, programs, and outreach connected with the life of the church--when considering the work of a pastor. But one of the most important parts of a minister's job is pastoral care--activities such as compassion, healing, sustaining, guiding, and reconciling people to one another and to God. People today earnestly seek a minister who knows their names and cares about their hurts. Foundations of Pastoral Care introduces both clergy and laity to the ministry skills and personal qualities needed to provide effective care for people inside and outside the church. With thorough examination, Professor Bruce Petersen traces the historical development of soul care from the primitive church and on through the centuries to the church of today. In unit one, he introduces the place of pastoral care in the local church. He emphasizes the unique responsibility of church leaders and pastors to provide spiritual guidance while caring for the physical and emotional needs of their people. In unit two, he examines the pastoral care roles clergy are asked to fill--shepherd, counselor, collaborator, and spiritual leader. In unit three, he addresses the need for a pastoral presence in the life of the church, and in unit four, he concludes with a discussion about the pastor's personal life and the importance of personal spiritual formation. Foundations of Pastoral Care provides the fundamental elements pastors and church leaders need to care for people in meaningful, personal ways with the love, compassion, and grace Christ showed during His ministry on earth.

The woman's heart is one of God's most prized creations. Designed in it are three holy desires: To be romanced To play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure To unveil beauty As a mother, how you nurture these core desires of the heart establish a path for motherhood. When your children look to you for comfort and strength, encouragement and advice, you can lead them to the Father because you have discovered the truths he designed into you. In this inspiring book, learn more about your design and how it empowers you to enrich and lead the life of your children.

Journey with your students through 8 weeks of the beatitudes. With both community and individual challenges each week, this study helps students engage the kingdom in every aspect of their lives.This book is available as an e-book! Click here to see other selections available electronically.

In this comprehensive and accessible guide, long-term care expert Stella Henry helps readers navigate the daunting logistics and powerful emotions of making care decisions for an elderly parent or loved one. Drawing from her 36 years as a registered nurse and a nursing home administrator, as well as her experience caring for both her parents (both of whom suffered the ravages of Alzheimer's disease), Henry tackles all the tough issues: spotting the warning signs of dementia, redefining sibling roles, doing a walk-through at an assisted living facility or nursing home, making the move, and coping with "take me home " demands.She also explains the medical, legal, and insurance maze. In a time when almost 10 million Americans currently need long-term care, The Eldercare Handbook is an essential read.

Lust, greed, pride, arrogance...Where does it all come from? We are facing the same kind of moral decline that was the ruin of countless cultures before us. In a world full of immorality, how do we take the first steps toward change?Every temptation begins with a thought. There has never been a more difficult time to resist temptations of all kinds. Taking your thoughts captive is essential in today's world; the mind can be either evil, according to the ways of the world, or good, as it is transformed to God's will.Laaser invites you on a journey of restoration, obedience, and accountability. Learn about what true obedience to Christ really means and how to incorporate it into our own lives. It is possible to lead a life that is free of evil thoughts.Get ready to be transformed.

Global Reset will open readers' eyes and alert them to how world leaders are using the "Great Reset" agenda to seize pandemics, natural disasters and catastrophes, civil disorder, political unrest, and other current events to reshape every facet of life-all pointing toward the universal economy and godless global government of the Antichrist. COVID unleashed a cascade of consequences that are now reaching far beyond the pandemic itself. Governments have begun leveraging the coronavirus and even the vaccine as a power grab, setting the stage for further intrusions in the future. These accelerants are driving the world to the precipice of fundamental, irreversible transformation. The winds of change are blowing. Tectonic shifts are underway at every level. These realities are alarming by themselves. And yet, there remains a still deeper, more sinister agenda imbedded within. According to prophecies found in the Bible, a one-world government will indeed emerge in the end times. According to the book of Revelation, a future unified government will encompass the whole earth, and Satan himself will be behind it for the ultimate purpose of ruling over all the earth and being worshipped by its inhabitants. While we aren't in the end times, we're on the edge of the precipice. In Global Reset, readers will discover: The "Great Reset" agenda that sets the stage for the end time scenario prophesied in Scripture How China and other great nations are beginning to play a dominant role in international, socioeconomic, and political dynamics Possible scenarios regarding America in the end times and what believers can do to stem the tide of decline God's great reset planned for planet earth and humanity-the millennial reign of Christ Every person's needs for an eternal personal reset that can come only through Jesus Christ Prepare yourself spiritually and arm yourself with information. Find answers to the questions everyone should be asking about current world events and how they may be ushering in Christ's return.

These are the stories you haven't heard on the news. These are the people you will never forget. In the midst of never-ending debates, protests, riots, suicide bombings, and broken peace initiatives, one man came to make a difference. Previously known for his determination to deliver Bibles behind the Iron Curtain, Brother Andrew has spent the last thirty years on a very different quest. Traveling to Lebanon, the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel, Brother Andrew has sought out church leaders and urged them not to flee the violence but to stay and strengthen their congregations to become a force for change. His mission: to bring hope to the believers caught in the crossfire of the most volatile region on earth. "This is a book that invites applause and criticism. It will edify and offend, fostering healthy and much-needed discussion and debate in the Western Church."-Randy Alcorn, author, Safely Home "This man's courage is not just a case of bravado on steroids."-Charisma magazine Brother Andrew began taking Bibles to Christians behind closed borders in 1955. That work has since developed into Open Doors International. He is the author and coauthor of numerous books, including God's Smuggler and The Narrow Road. Al Janssen has cowritten or authored more than twenty-five books. He is chairman of the board for Open Doors (USA) and is director of communications for Open Doors International.

A God you can know Is God a wrathful judge? A gentle healer? A father? Brother? Friend? In The Relentless Tenderness of Jesus, Brennan Manning brings you to a deeper understanding of the true nature of God. Through poignant and unforgettable stories and challenging observations, Manning helps you stretch your mind and reject simplistic explanations of who God really is. With rich insights you'll see how God can at once be a roaring lion, pacing the globe and seeking you out; and simultaneously a tender lamb, there to comfort you in any time of need. A unique experience, this book will forever change the way you think about God. "As I read these honest, grace-saturated, humbly iconoclastic, distinctly un-sugarcoated but still somehow gentle words, I could taste familiar water, living water that only people who are thirsty for life can enjoy. Read it--and hope again!" --from the foreword by Larry Crabb Brennan Manning is a former Franciscan priest and author of a dozen books including the best-selling The Ragamuffin Gospel. He has lived a faithful life of service to others and to God and shares his intellect and love through the words found in this book.

God created all of us to be in relationship with him and with each other. Yet for those with disabilities, attitudes and systems of ableism create barriers to fully participating in God's kingdom work, as well as leading to deep hurt - and when any members of the body of Christ are not included, we all miss out. In Belonging, Deborah Abbs guides us through nine Bible studies on inclusion. Exploring the deep love and acceptance of our heavenly Father, she shows us what that means for offering love and acceptance to one another. In both Old and New Testament stories and teachings on Christian community we see how God responds in love to those who are often marginalized and excluded. In turn, through these examples and lessons we can see the importance of disability inclusion in church and learn to welcome people of all different abilities. Part of the LifeBuilder Bible Studies series, Belonging features questions that can be used both individually or in small groups. It is a brilliant resource for anyone wanting to understand Biblical teaching on inclusion and acceptance better, and for those wanting to make their church a more welcoming place for those with disabilities.

Our kids are experiencing an unprecedented sense of isolation, interacting virtually in a world that seems ever more fearful with each news cycle. They absorb and internalize the stress and anxiety they see on their parents' faces and on the phone, laptop, tablet, and TV screens that are ever before their eyes. Not surprisingly, their mental and physical health are suffering. As parents, we want to know how we can help. Practical and encouraging, Raising Healthy Teenagers helps you understand the mental, physical, and social toll the past couple years have taken on your kids. Then it offers proven strategies to help your teen get back onto a healthy path by * reducing screen time and increasing green time * learning how to be a social being again * developing strategies to deal with disruptions in schooling * reclaiming a structured day * breaking the cycle of anxiety and depression * and much more

In this 90-day devotional, Walker helps readers keep pace with "Costly Grace," the book that is challenging this generation to renew their commitments to Jesus and his call.

Written by popular Christian singer Crystal Lewis, this devotional book reflects upon the songs on her latest album, Gold--songs that speak of God's faithfulness in the midst of hard times.

Best-selling author Dr. Myles Munroe offers daily practical and biblical advice for women. Based on two of his most popular books, Understanding the Purpose and Power of Women and Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men, this 90-day devotional will help you truly understand your God-given purpose and power as a woman. Each day’s reading includes teaching and encouragement, a Scripture reading from both the Old and New Testaments, and a thought for the day to draw you closer to God and His purposes for you.

Explore the nature and role of women as God intended, addressing such issues as: How is a woman uniquely different from a man? What are the purpose and design of the woman? What are a woman’s emotional and sexual needs? What is a woman's role as a leader? What does the Bible really teach about women? As Dr. Munroe writes, "A woman cannot fulfill her purpose unless she is in relationship with God." Through this devotional, you can deepen your relationship with your heavenly Father and fulfill your potential as an integral part of His eternal purposes.

Starting over...it's not as easy as it sounds, is it? But, you've made it through the pain of divorce, and you are eager for a new beginning. God stands ready to help-He is the God of possibilities. As you look toward the future, you may begin to ask questions about what a new life might look like. Will I ever remarry, you wonder. Do I want to remarry? There are other questions: How much time should pass after a marriage ends before it's wise to explore a new friendship or romance? Am I ready-emotionally, spiritually, financially? Is my family prepared? Do I need to be completely put-back-together before I can think about dating again or being remarried? Dave and Lisa Frisbie have spent 20 years studying the post-divorce family, and have been dubbed 'America's Remarriage Experts.' In Dating After Divorce, they share stories of adults who chose to remain single after divorce and explore why that choice might make sense for you. They also share stories of people who chose to begin dating and eventually to remarry. Dating after Divorce will help you gauge your readiness and evaluate your options, as you move forward to discover a new life and embrace all God has in store.Reviews'Everyone who reads this new book will understand very quickly that they are not alone, and will receive help from the practical steps outlined along with Godly inspiration. I highly recommend their books and also would encourage you to invite them to come and speak at your church.'-Gary Van Derford, Pastor, North Coast Church, Vista, California'The increasing percentage of divorced adults requires critical intervention. Dr. David & Lisa Frisbie are bringing much-needed redemptive strategies into focus. In this excellent new book, they are helping to provide answers for today's questions.'-Dr. Paul G. Cunningham, General Superintendent Emeritus, Church of the Nazarene

We've all heard the question "what would Jesus do," but have you ever wondered what he would undo? The New Testament is filled with Jesus undoing anything that causes separation between God and the people he loves. What would Jesus undo in today's culture? The answer is a lot.

The Book of Forgiving, written together by the Nobel Peace Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and his daughter Revd Mpho Tutu, offers a deeply personal testament and guide to the process of forgiveness. All of us have at times needed both to forgive and be forgiven - whether small, everyday harms or real traumas. But the path to forgiveness is not easy, and the process unclear. How do we let go of resentment when we have been harmed, at times irreparably? How do we forgive and still pursue justice? How do we heal our hearts, and move on? How do we forgive ourselves for the harm we have caused others? Drawing on his memories of reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has identified four concrete steps to forgiveness through which we must all pass if we are to reach our destination: 1) Admitting the wrong and acknowledging the harm 2) Telling one's story and witnessing the anguish 3) Asking for forgiveness and granting forgiveness 4) Renewing or releasing the relationship Each chapter contains reflections and personal stories, as well as exercises for practising each step of the path. The Book of Forgiving is a touchstone and tool for anyone seeking the freedom of forgiveness: an inspiring guide to healing ourselves and creating a more united world.

A unique and validating look at the tension you feel between disillusionment and a desire for truth, Searching for Enough helps you see your doubt not as an emotion to fear but as an invitation to be followed. Do you ever find yourself thinking, "I'm not enough, and I'm never going to be. And I know I'm not supposed to say this, but God's not enough for me either." Whether or not we attend church, deep down we wonder if the biblical story of faith is really enough for the complexity of the world in which we live. We fill our lives with other things, hoping that maybe the next experience or accomplishment will complete us. Yet with every goal we reach, we still feel discouraged and anxious. In Searching for Enough, Pastor Tyler Staton draws on ancient and modern insights to introduce us, as if for the first time, to Jesus' disciple Thomas: history's most notorious skeptic. Like Thomas, we are caught between two unsatisfying stories: We want to believe in God but can't reconcile his presence with our circumstances and internal struggles. But what if there's a better story than shame? What if there's redemption so complete that there's nothing left to hide? What if there is a God who can heal your resentments, fears, and loneliness in such a profound way that you feel whole? From a place of spiritual companionship and deep authenticity, Tyler shows us that it is not an empty tomb that will change our lives, but the presence of the living God. Whether you are a distant skeptic, an involved doubter, or a busy but bored Christian, Searching for Enough invites you to find enough in a God who offers the only promises that never disappoint.

Kathleen Long Bostrom and Peter Graystone provide the ultimate to do list: ninety-nine things that everyone should experience during their time on earth. From the sublime (watch the sun rise), to the wonderfully silly (ride a roller-coaster!), the activities presented will breathe new life into readers' lives while opening them up to new spiritual experiences.

Each entry provides a description of the activity, what the reader can expect to gain from it, and how much of a time commitment it will require. Blank space is included to record memories of and thoughts about the experience.