Freddy Vest was on the back of a horse, competing in a calf-roping event in front of a crowd when he suddenly collapsed due to a heart attack. He was dead before he hit the ground.
One moment he was sitting on his horse. The next moment he was somewhere else--somewhere beyond description. He had moved on. Without travel, transport, angelic assistance, or the passage of time he was with Jesus, where he discovered firsthand that heaven is a real place and God is a real person and that death is not the end but the beginning of true life.
In "The Day I Died," Vest touches on the transformation from death to heaven and some of the benefits of finding oneself in that place, including: The unforgettable awareness of God's presence The sense of His immeasurable love The freedom from the constraints of time The ease of communication with the Lord The peace and security that attend His presence The understanding that prayers are instantly heard by God.

In this beautifully illustrated book, Cardinal Ratzinger gives us meditations on various Liturgical Seasons and Feasts throughout the year, as well as other interesting spiritual and secular themes. These profound and inspiring thoughts bring his broad theological experience as well as his wide literary interests to his people. Here is a shepherd nourishing spiritually the faithful addressed to his care. Known as one of the most penetrating intellectual defenders of orthodoxy, Cardinal Ratzinger is also highly regarded as a spiritual writer. Covering a wide variety of spiritual topics, Cardinal Ratzinger's thought provoking meditations help the faithful Catholic to "seek that which is above." Among the themes the Cardinal covers include Advent, Candlemas, Mardi Gras, the Easter Mystery, Corpus Christi, Marian Devotion, Vacation & Rest, Peace and Creation. This beautiful hardcover edition also includes a number of striking full color icon illustrations. A perfect Christmas gift, as well as inspirational and instructive spiritual reading for oneself throughout the year.

Nathan Foster was just a child when his father's classic "Celebration of Discipline" brought the spiritual disciplines into the popular evangelical consciousness. More than thirty years later, Nathan made his own journey into the spiritual disciplines. As he sought day by day to develop habits that would enable him to live more like Jesus, he encountered problems both universal and unique. In this engaging narrative, he draws insights from saints of old to uncover fresh ways of living for the contemporary, postmodern Christian.
Through his successes, struggles, and failures, Foster invites readers on a journey of freedom, pain, frustration, and ultimately joy as he learns to rise above selfish desires, laugh at his own failures, and fall in love with God. Those who have read "Celebration of Discipline "will find in Nathan's book creative new ways to practice the disciplines that have been so formative in their lives. Those who are new to the spiritual disciplines will find that developing a vital, interactive, conversational relationship with God is within their grasp. As a result, the holy habits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control are truly possible for all. Includes chapter openings and a foreword from Richard J. Foster.

Despair. Emotional isolation. Self-loathing. Immaturity. Abusive actions. These are just some of the damaging fragments that remain embedded within our personalities, behaviors, and souls when we are broken as children. The memory of the past may seem distant and clouded, but within its scars deep wounds remain that continue to inflict pain upon our adult lives--and often end up spilling into the lives of others. In Broken Children, Grown-Up Pain, Paul Hegstrom, author of Angry Men and the Women Who Love Them, shows us the scars from his broken childhood and shares practical and proven methods for facing and dealing with the pain of the past. By using scientific research, psychological studies, and biblical principles--especially those found in the Jewish model of raising children--he points us to the place of healing where we are finally free to pursue authentic relationships and build healthy emotional intimacy with others. This updated version of Broken Children, Grown-Up Pain is an excellent resource for pastors, teachers, counselors, psychologists, parents, or anyone wounded by an abusive past.

St. Augustine, Thomas Merton, Fredrick Buechner, Evelyn Underhill, A.W. Tozer, G.K. Chesterton, Thomas More, Martin Luther King, Jr., Amy Carmichael, Simone Weil, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Hildegard of Bingen, John Milton, Dorothy Day, Leo Tolstoy, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and more. . .

From nearly two thousand years of Christian writing comes Spiritual Classcs,fifty-two selections complete with a profile of each author, guided meditations for group and individual use, and reflections containing questions and exercises. Editors Richard Foster and Emilie Griffith offer their expertise by selecting inspirational writings and including their own commentary and recommendations for further guided reading and exploration.

With Scripture and personal reflections, bestselling author Sarah Young brings Jesus' message of peace - for today and every day.

In this #1 New York Times bestselling devotional, readers will receive words of hope, encouragement, comfort, and reassurance of Jesus' unending love. The devotions are written as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to each reader and are based on Jesus' own words of hope, guidance, and peace within Scripture--penned by one who loves Him and reveres His Word. Each entry is accompanied by Scripture for further reflection and meditation.

These much-loved devotions will help you look forward to your time with the Lord. Experience peace in the presence of the Savior who is always with you.

This edition is sure to be a favorite in the popular Jesus Calling® line. The eye-catching cover and devotional and journal in one encourage a close relationship with Jesus every day of the year. Readers will receive words of hope, encouragement, comfort, and reassurance of Jesus' unending love.

Our passions exert a powerful influence over us. The Tempter entices us to use these good gifts in ways that God never intended. Yet the more we do so, the more they tighten their grip, making us slaves to their every whim. This Fruit of the Spirit Bible study helps you master your passions. You ll explore self-control in five crucial areas: controlling your tongue, your body, your desires, your appetites, and your finances. The final study looks at what it means to clothe yourself with Jesus Christ. The eight-volume Fruit of the Spirit Bible Studies series not only helps you discover what the Bible says about the vital traits that the Holy Spirit produces in believers, but also moves you beyond reflection and discussion to application. Designed for use in small groups or personal devotions, the interactive format will help you grow in your ability to reflect the character of Jesus. Revised to include: Expanded leader s notes Between-studies applications Suggestions for prayer"

Listening is a valuable - and often neglected - tool for spiritual learning. Talking God invites you to reflect on the personal beliefs many of us hold towards God through listening in on a series of eleven inspiring interviews with people of Christian or 'Jesus-connected' faith. Each of these dedicated spiritual pilgrims give responses to fourteen searching questions about God, Jesus Christ, and Christianity, which offer a wide range of perspectives on issues of faith and spiritual truth. Finding 'unity in diversity' can be difficult. It is only by earnestly trying to hear each other that we can learn to celebrate our differences, while also looking for threads - in the worship of God's love - that bind us together.

Can you really trust in hope? Does hope sometimes feel like a risk that isn't worth taking? Bestselling author, journalist, and former atheist Lee Strobel proves that hope is real, the true Source of our hope, and why we can trust it. In The Case for Hope, Lee Strobel pairs his trademark investigative style with an uplifting message of the hope found in Jesus Christ. Strobel will walk you through why holding on to hope is so crucial, why we can trust in the hope of Jesus Christ, and how that hope can change our lives for the better. Strobel will take you on a journey to discover: how to find hope in a hopeless world the source of real hope the hope of a transformed life hope for today and beyond hope that transcends doubt the hope of heaven hope for every person With more than 14 million books sold, Lee Strobel has already helped millions delve deeper into their faith and examine more deeply the how and the why of what they believe. Whether as a gift of encouragement during a difficult season, a reminder of our true hope at Christmas or Easter, a baptism or new member gift at church, or as a self-purchase when you need a lift in your faith, The Case for Hope is sure to inspire and ignite hope in the hearts of all who pick up this book.

What do you do when it seems like everybody else is getting their dreams and you're not? You don't have to be distressed when Instagram comparison makes you feel like others are more successful than you. Heather Thompson Day shows us what we can do to shape ourselves while waiting, so we are ready when it's our turn. She unpacks instant gratification and peer comparison in a social media world, and teaches how we can cultivate perspectives and practices that will enable us to be more content, patient, and constructive. We can learn to walk slowly and trust God to do his work in us, being more present in our relationships rather than striving for premature image-based success. Your turn will come. Here's what you can do to get there.

Meet the ordinary but unqualified proof that you can accomplish whatever you want to accomplish in life, no matter how impossible it might seem. God planted that passion in your heart and will use it to make your life extraordinary. Against the odds. This is a riveting true story that dares you to dream. Joe Camp showed his film to every studio in Hollywood and couldn't get a distributor. Nobody wanted Benji. Nobody. Zero. The following summer Variety reported that the movie was the #3 box office gross of all movies for the year. In spite of all the folks who were so quick to say: You can't do that! That's impossible! Give up! Quit. Sit down. Shut up. Go away. If it could be done somebody would have done it already. God's hand at work. Up close and personal. And what a story this book is as Joe Camp learns how every devastation that he believed to be surely the end of life as he knew it had to happen exactly as God orchestrated it or there never would've been a Benji. Or six Benji films. And there never would've been a bestselling book changing the lives of horses all across the planet. Or a second love of his life after his Carolyn was called home. God Only Knows is a true story that reads like a spellbinding novel, emotionally involving and packed with suspense while totally shredding our resistance to fully trusting God with our every devastation so that we might see our adversities for what they are: God molding us, strengthening us, teaching us how to get past the multitude of obstacles that any worthwhile dream will throw at us. "My fondest hope is that this book might inspire you to mount a white horse and charge off after things worthwhile, to reach for heights heretofore perceived as unreachable, to adventure into uncharted waters with passion, honesty and God by your side . . . and leave this world a better place for your effort." --Joe Camp

Bestselling author Robert Morgan explores 100 Bible verses that powerfully impacted our leaders during defining moments in American history and reflects upon what these verses mean for us as a nation today. 100 Bible Verses That Made America is a tour through the biblical roots of American history-a powerful exploration of our country's founders, leaders, and the critical moments that laid the foundation for the formation of the USA. Had there been no Bible, there would be no America as we know it. It is the Bible that made America. When George Washington was sworn into office as our first president, he did not place his hand on the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution of the United States, as important as those documents are. Instead, he swore upon and even kissed the Bible to sanctify this important moment. The Bible, Washington knew, had ushered American history to this point. While not every Founding Father was a Christian, each was knowledgeable about the Bible. And while none of them was perfect, many embraced a deep faith in the unfailing Word of God. 100 Bible Verses That Made America contains: Short, devotional-style chapters, each featuring a Bible verse and how it influenced a historical figure Engaging stories spanning from the Mayflower to modern day Vivid segments that emphasize the Bible as the cornerstone of American history Journey with Robert J. Morgan as he shares the Bible's role in the defining moments of American history and its impact on the people of our nation, reminding us of the beauty of faith and country and reigniting our passion for both.