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';When opposites attract, sparks fly--like an electrical malfunction. That's what happens when former rodeo queen, Natalie Adams meets the new pastor in Diamond Falls. Upon the death of her father, Natalie returns to the Flint Hills to raise her two half-siblings and run the family ranch, giving up her dreams for the future. She soon realizes her time in college and as Miss Rodeo Kansas is not enough to break the bonds that held her as a girl. Jared Logan, a new pastor in Diamond Falls, is set on making a good impression to his first congregation, but finds that change doesn't come easy for some people. In fact, most in his congregation are set against it. Natalie and her troubled family provide an outlet for his energy and soon become his personal mission project. Having raised her stepbrother and sister from an early youth, Natalie's self-sufficient nature isn't inclined to accept help, especially from a city-boy do-gooder like Jared Logen. Though attracted to him, there's no way she'd ever consider being a pastor's wife. Bible studies and bake sales just aren't her thing. Jared repeatedly comes to Natalie's rescue, forcing her to see him with new eyes. At the same time, Jared's plan to plant Christ's word in Natalie's heart backfires when he loses his own heart to this wayward family. When problems arise in his congregation, he must face his greatest fearsof letting down God, his congregation, or those he loves. His time with Natalie has shown him the importance of standing by those you love, a lesson he chose to ignore in order to please his father years ago. This is put to the test when Natalie faces a battle of custody of her half-siblings against the mother who abandoned them twelve years ago. Natalie's fight for the children turns into a fight for custody of her heart as she learns the true meaning of unconditional love. In turn, Jared must decide which dreams are his ownand whether Natalie is part of those dreams.'

Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is a rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all a great career, a beautiful and loving fiancee, and a fairy tale life ahead of himwhen memories of a high school girlfriend begin to torment him. Lost innocence and one very difficult choice flood his conscience, and he is no longer sure what the future will bring except for this: He must find his old love and make amends. Haunted by the past and confused about the future, he turns to God seeking forgiveness and redemption. Three people must work through the repercussions of a decision made long ago before any of them can look toward a new future.

Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams and secrets. You'll discover how the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle can clash with the ';English' way of lifeand the decisions and consequences that follow. Most importantly, you will be encouraged by the hope and faith of these women, and the importance they place on their families. In A Promise of Hope, the second installment in the Kauffman Amish Bakery series, bestselling author Amy Clipston continues to unfold the tensions, loves, and faith of the inhabitants of Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, and the family bakery that serves as an anchor point for the series. When Sarah Troyer tragically loses her husband Peter, she is left to raise infant twins alone. Overwhelmed and grieving, she lives with her parents in the Amish community of Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania. Sarah is taken completely by surprise when a stranger arrives claiming connections to Peter's pastPeter had told her he was an orphan with no family. From Luke, she learns her husband hid a secret life, one with ramifications that will change her own. Sarah's family, concerned for her and the future of her twins, encourages her to marry again. It should make sense but Sarah's heart says no. She feels trapped. Should she marry a man she doesn't love? Or discover if her growing interest in Luke can be trusted? A Promise of Hope is filled with surprising twists that will grip you to the very last words.

Beloved Bible teacher Margaret Feinberg invites you on a remarkable spiritual adventure to live more courageous and free.The Bible is full of clever plots and compelling stories, laced with historic insights and literary beauty. But despite its richness and depth, many of us struggle to close the gap between the ancient world and our own. What does it mean to know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd when the only place you've encountered sheep is at a petting zoo? How can you understand the promise of a land overflowing with honey when you buy yours in a bear-shaped bottle? Can you grasp the urgency of Jesus' invitation to abide in the vine when you shop for grapes at a local grocery store?Margaret invites you to accompany her on the adventure of a lifetime - across the nation to herd sheep in Oregon, harvest fields with a Nebraska farmer, prune vines in California, and explore hives with a veteran beekeeper in Colorado. Along the way, you'll explore how ancient livelihoods illuminate meaningful truths that apply to life today."e;I asked one question to each person, 'How do you read the Scriptures in light of what you do every day?'"e; she writes. "e;Their answers changed the way I read the Bible forever."e;With her trademark humor and vulnerability, you'll learn the secret of how to live like you have a shepherd, unlock the sweetest promises of God, and discover the gift of divine timing. You'll move from simply reading Scripture to entering stories that can be touched and tasted, smelled and savored. Scouting the Divine will revolutionize the way you understand the Bible - and leave you wonderstruck by the magnificence of God.

Keri Wyatt Kent invites readers to rediscover the ancient practice of Sabbath in this practical and accessible book. Kent's experiences as a retreat leader and a journalist collide as she offers true, interview-based stories along with scripturally based advice and guidance on how to live in a rhythm of work and rest she calls "e;Sabbath simplicity."e; Based on what Jesus taught about Sabbath and how he practiced it, Kent explores six aspects of Sabbath as Christian spiritual practice: resting, reconnecting, revising, pausing, playing, and praying. These are the antidote to our restlessness, isolation, and our hurried lives, workaholism, and self-absorption. Living a nonlegalistic, sanely paced, God-focused life leads us to freedom and grace, joy and connection. A group study guide is included, making this book an excellent choice for small groups.

The freedom to question-asking and being asked-is an indispensable and sacred practice that is absolutely vital to the health of our communities.According to author David Dark, when religion won't tolerate questions, objections, or differences of opinion, and when it only brings to the table threats of excommunication, violence, and hellfire, it does not allow people to discover for themselves what they truly believe.The God of the Bible not only encourages questions; the God of the Bible demands them. If that were not so, we wouldn't live in a world of such rich, God-given complexity in which wide-eyed wonder is part and parcel of the human condition. Dark contends that it's OK to question life, the Bible, faith, the media, emotions, language, government-everything. God has nothing to hide. And neither should people of faith.The Sacredness of Questioning offers a wide-ranging, insightful, and often entertaining discussion that draws on a variety of sources, including religious texts and popular culture. It is a book that readers will likely cherish-and recommend-for years to come.

In a world addicted to headlines and sound bites, where technology has taught us how to say more with less Jarrett Stevens, a popular pastor and speaker, helps readers understand the deep meaning of their own story, written within the Story of God. And all in just Four Small Words.When it comes to a story as theologically thick and rich with history, metaphor, and meaning, as the Bible, the thought of trying to understand or communicate that story can be overwhelming. However, Stevens believes the essence of the Story of God can be understood, applied, and shared in just four small words.Of. Between. With. In. Using a simple, fresh, and memorable approach to the good news of God's story, Four Small Words not only gives us a better framework for the Bible, but for our everyday lives. Seeing God's big story through these small words allows it to sink deeper into our own lives and to be shared with others in a way that is more memorable and less intimidating.

Are you missing out on one of the most transforming means to a deeper and more vibrant faith? In Soul Friends, Dr. Leslie Parrott explores the intimate stages of a woman's spiritual journey while showing you how soul friendships can deepen and enlarge your faith.God brings us soul-friends to help in our spiritual journey, sometimes in predictable places: small groups, friendships, and mentors. But they're sometimes found in places we don't expect-these "e;hidden guides"e; are people, past or present, whose role in our life may even be hidden from them, but nevertheless, have a deep impact on our growth and vitality. Whether it's a hidden guide, a member of a small group, or a friend we've had for years, these soul-friends all hold the potential to embody grace that enables us to take a next step in the unfolding journey of our faith.Leslie reveals how every woman traverses four stages of spiritual growth-quest, calling, crisis, and communion - again and again. And whatever stage you find yourself traveling right now, you need soul friends to help you move forwardWhen we seize the initiative to connect, together we will form a part of the deep communion that is the sisterhood of the traveling saints, journeying together in our desire to know God, serve him, and love him more deeply. Through story, poem, and reflection, Leslie Parrott reminds each of us of the incredibly intimate, intricate, faith-forming work God does in us through the gift of the women he places in our lives.

We learn who we are as we walk together in the way of Jesus. So I want to invite you on a pilgrimage. Rwanda is often held up as a model of evangelization in Africa. Yet in 1994, beginning on the Thursday of Easter week, Christians killed other Christians, often in the same churches where they had worshiped together. The most Christianized country in Africa became the site of its worst genocide. With a mother who was a Hutu and a father who was a Tutsi, author Emmanuel Katongole is uniquely qualified to point out that the tragedy in Rwanda is also a mirror reflecting the deep brokenness of the church in the West. Rwanda brings us to a cry of lament on our knees where together we learn that we must interrupt these patterns of brokenness But Rwanda also brings us to a place of hope. Indeed, the only hope for our world after Rwanda's genocide is a new kind of Christian identity for the global body of Christ-a people on pilgrimage together, a mixed group, bearing witness to a new identity made possible by the Gospel.

When a mysterious relic is stolen from a Madrid museum, people are dying to discover its secrets. Literally. U.S. Treasury agent Alexandra LaDuca returns from Conspiracy in Kiev to track down the stolen artwork, a small carving called The Piet of Malta. It seems to be a simple assignment, but nothing about this job is simple, as the mysteries and legends surrounding the relic become increasingly complex with claims of supernatural power. As aggressive, relentless, and stubborn as ever, Alex crisscrosses Europe through a web of intrigue, danger, and betrayal, joined by a polished, mysterious new partner. With echoes of classic detective and suspense fiction from The Maltese Falcon to The Da Vinci Code, Midnight in Madrid takes the reader on a nonstop spellbinding chase through a modern world of terrorists, art thieves, and cold-blooded killers.

Drawing on his Roman Catholic background, personal interviews with Catholics and Evangelicals, and years of research, Chris Castaldo takes readers on a fascinating and practical exploration of the challenges and opportunities encountered by Catholics who become Evangelicals. He examines the five major reasons why Christ's followers often leave the Catholic Church, and shows how to emulate Jesus in practical ways when engaging Catholic friends and family. And, with humor and authenticity, he shares his own faith journey in order to help readers understand and work through their own.For those who are tired of scratching their head in confusion or frustration about how their Catholic background may influence their walk with Jesus, and why on earth their Catholic family believes they've gone off the deep end, Holy Ground offers vast insight and practical help. More than providing historical perspective, theological reflection, and practical lessons, it shows readers how to emulate the grace and truth of Jesus Christ in relating to the Catholic people whom they love.

After losing her fifty-nine-year-old husband to cancer, Dee Brestin wondered if her life was over as well. She ached for God's comfort but felt utterly alone. Then she discovered a secret that suffering souls through the centuries have learned: She began using psalms and classic hymns to speak the truth to her fretful soul. The truths carried by these timeless songsmany of which Brestin includes in this bookcan calm the most fretful spirit. They invite the wounded heart to be quiet before God, to rest like a child in the arms of a loving parent. Each of us must travel down roads of bereavement, betrayal, and broken dreams. The God of All Comfort will help readers find their way into the arms of God. With compassion and spiritual wisdom, Brestin draws on the difficult beauty of her own story as well as her skills as a Bible teacher to offer companionship, comfort, and hope. Data

The Above the Line Series follows two dedicated Hollywood producers as they seek to transform the culture through the power of film. After Chase Ryan returns to his family and a job in his hometown, his best friend and fellow filmmaker Keith Ellison pairs up with former Hollywood heartthrob Dayne Matthews to finish following the dreammaking movies that might change the world. In this Take Four Ebook, filmmakers Keith Ellison and Dayne Matthews have finally inked a deal to have the nation's top young actor star in their current film. But at the same time, the actor takes a very public fall that threatens his reputation among his fan base. Meanwhile, healing happens for Andi Ellison in her relationship with God, her family, and those she loves, but is it too late? The new producers find they must truly act as missionaries in order to help save the film, their families, and the young movie star. Breakthroughs take place that the public will never know about, as the possibility of saving the world through film is finally a very real possibility.

Take a trip to Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, where you'll meet the women of the Kauffman Amish Bakery in Lancaster County. As each woman's story unfolds, you will share in her heartaches, trials, joys, dreams and secrets. You'll discover how the simplicity of the Amish lifestyle can clash with the ';English' way of lifeand the decisions and consequences that follow. Most importantly, you will be encouraged by the hope and faith of these women, and the importance they place on their families. Rebecca Kauffman's tranquil Old Order Amish life is transformed when she suddenly has custody of her two teenage nieces after her "e;English"e; sister and brother-in-law are killed in an automobile accident. Instant motherhood, after years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child of her own, is both a joy and a heartache. Rebecca struggles to give the teenage girls the guidance they need as well as fulfill her duties to Daniel as an Amish wife. Rebellious Jessica is resistant to Amish ways and constantly in trouble with the community. Younger sister Lindsay is caught in the middle, and the strain between Rebecca and Daniel mounts as Jessica's rebellion escalates. Instead of the beautiful family life she dreamed of creating for her nieces, Rebecca feels as if her world is being torn apart by two different cultures, leaving her to question her place in the Amish community, her marriage, and her faith in God.

When your worst fear comes true.Someone is watching Kaycee Raye. But who will believe her? Everyone knows she's a little crazy. Kaycee's popular syndicated newspaper column pokes fun at her own paranoia and multiple fears. The police in her small town are well aware she makes money writing of her experiences. Worse yet, she has no proof of the threats. Pictures of a dead man mysteriously appear in her home-then vanish before police arrive. Multisensory images flood Kaycee's mind. Where is all this coming from?Maybe she is going over the edge. High action and psychological suspense collide in this story of terror, twists, and desperate faith. The startling questions surrounding Kaycee pile high. Her descent to answers may prove more than she can survive.

When federal agent Alexandra LaDuca travels to Egypt to investigate the possible sighting of a former mentor, she is thrown into the deadliest game of double cross in her career. An American woman working alone, she must rely on her wits, her training, and her skill with lethal weapons not just to succeed, but also to survive. A CIA agent whom she believed to be dead appears to be alive; and why is he dressing like an Arab and speaking Russian? Tough, savvy, and cool under fire, Alex pushes herself to the limits as she puts her life on the line once again for her faith and her countryall while working with a mysterious new partner who may or may not be trustworthy. This fast-paced contemporary espionage thriller is exactly what Noel Hynd fans have been waiting for, the third and final installment of the Russian Trilogy. It will keep everyone turning pages and guessing from beginning to end.

Finding God's presence in everyday moments is fundamental to every Christian's life. It's also one of the areas that millions of American Christians struggle with most.Popular author, theologian, and pastor Gregory Boyd knows this firsthand. After two decades of teaching, preaching, and welcoming the presence of God, Boyd considers himself a fellow pilgrim with his readers, whom he invites to join him on the journey. Christians will discover the transforming power of God's presence as he distills the teachings of classical spiritual giants such as Brother Lawrence, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, and Frank Laubach in this thoughtful and accessible Ebook. Boyd writes simply and clearly, making his ideas accessible to nonacademic readers. His practical suggestions for implementing the presence of God into daily living move his meditations from purely theoretical to effective, down-to-earth, and doable.Read these meditations prayerfully. Apply the practical suggestions. See the results.Embrace the "e;holy habit"e; of inviting God's presence into your life and experience true spiritual transformation.

Inspired by the award-winning film of the same name.If you were told that a murderer was to be released into your neighborhood, how would you feel? But what if it weren't only one, but thousands?Could there be a common roadmap to reconciliation? Could there be a shared future after unthinkable evil? If forgiveness is possible after the slaughter of nearly a million in a hundred days in Rwanda, then today, more than ever, we owe it to humanity to explore how one country is addressing perceptual, social-psychological, and spiritual dimensions to achieve a more lasting peace. If forgiveness is possible after genocide, then perhaps there is hope for the comparably smaller rifts that plague our relationships, our communities, and our nation. Based on personal interviews and thorough research, As We Forgive returns to the boundary lines of genocide's wounds and traces the route of reconciliation in the lives of Rwandans-victims, widows, orphans, and perpetrators-whose past and future intersect. We find in these stories how suffering, memory, and identity set up roadblocks to forgiveness, while mediation, truth-telling, restitution, and interdependence create bridges to healing. As We Forgive explores the pain, the mystery, and the hope through seven compelling stories of those who have made this journey toward reconciliation. The result is a narrative that breathes with humanity and is as haunting as it is hopeful.

How far will a father go to get back his only daughter? And how will he survive in a legal system that crushes those who can't afford to fight back?Mark Gillen has the storybook life other men dream of, complete with a beautiful wife and an adoring five-year-old daughter. Then his wife announces she's leaving him. And taking their daughter with her. The other man is a famous film director with unlimited funds and the keys to stardom and wealth for Paula. How can Mark begin to compete? But the most bitter blow comes when he is kept from seeing his daughter because of false charges . . . and a legal system ill-suited for finding the truth.Forged in the darkest valley Mark has ever walked through, his faith in God may ultimately cost him everything in the eyes of the family law system. But it is the one thing that can keep him sane-and give him the strength to fight against all odds for what matters most.

A historical and romantic adventure woven around the story of Florence Nightingale.Gervase Howard is in her mid-teens when her working-class mother dies and she must go to live with relatives in service to a wealthy, noble family, outside of London. While learning various jobs, she is drawn to the eldest son, Davis. Her fascination with him grows deeper, but more hopeless, since the two are separated not just by class, but also by Davis's love for Roberta.When Davis announces his engagement, he asks Gervase to join them as Roberta's maid. But instead Gervase becomes a companion to Florence Nightingale and accompanies her when the Crimean War breaks out and she is asked to create a corps of nurses. On the field, Gervase crosses paths with Davis, who has become disillusioned in his marriage and is drawn to her warmth and care. Both know, however, there is nothing more for them than friendship.Upon her return to England, Gervase receives word that Davis has been seriously injured in a fall and is asked to nurse him back to health. As he regains consciousness, he reveals shocking news that plunges them both into danger.

Hope--real hope--for recovery is within reach. This book goes beyond cliche answers and offers meaningful, spiritual, and practical steps to healing and freedom from sexual addiction--or any addiction. With today's rampant availability of Internet pornography, sexual addiction has become a national epidemic that affects an increasing number of Christians, even pastors and priests. As devastating as any drug habit, it brings heartbreak and despair to those it entangles. But there is help for men and women caught in sexual addiction's downward spiral. This book offers a path that leads beyond compulsive thoughts and behaviors to healing and transformation. Speaking from his own experience with sexual addiction and recovery, Dr. Mark Laaser is sensitive to the shame of sexual addiction without minimizing its sinfulness. He traces the roots of the problem, discusses its patterns and impact, and maps out a biblical approach to self-control and sexual integrity. Whether you know someone with a sexual addiction or struggle yourself, Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction points the way to understanding, wholeness, and holiness. Spanish edition also available; previously titled Faithful and True.

Six Ways to Improve Your Balance as a Group LeaderLeading a successful small group is like walking a tightrope. You traverse a taut, exciting line, balancing the dynamic tensions characteristic of every group. Drawing from the concept of "e;polarity management,"e; Bill Donahue and Russ Robinson help you understand and deal with six dynamic areas every group leader must manage in order to create genuine, transforming small group community.Your group is in for unprecedented connection and growth when you harness the interplay between * Truth and Life* Care and Discipleship* Friendship and Accountability* Kindness and Confrontation* Task and People* Openness and IntimacyEffective, life-giving small groups learn how to embrace both ends of each continuum. Walking the Small Group Tightrope will strengthen your sense of balance, help you gain confidence as a leader, and show you how to release the untapped creative and relational energy in your group.

Can God stir revival by his Holy Spirit, even in our culture today? Do we really believe he can? In a day of diminished expectations, A God-Sized Vision: Revival Accounts That Stretch and Stir recounts global examples of prior revivals, beginning with the Reformation and the Great Awakenings. It continues with the Welsh and Azusa Street revivals and those that occurred simultaneously in Asia, followed by the East Africa Revival of the 1930s. More recent revivals in North America that instigated parachurch or evangelistic ministries like those of Billy Graham and the revivals in China, particularly in Henan Province over the last forty years, give further evidence of church renewal. These stories enlarge our hearts, expand our minds, and empower our witness to the power of God at work in human history. Christians with a deep evangelistic commitment who realize that there is more to church growth than field-tested techniques will expand their vision by remembering God's vision, as it has been revealed throughout history. Hansen and Woodbridge mine these stories of renewal to suggest how to get ready for revival today.

Women comprise at least half the world, and usually more than half the church, but so often Christian teaching to women either fails to move beyond a discussion of roles or assumes a particular economic situation or stage of life. This all but shuts women out from contributing to God's kingdom as they were designed to do. Furthermore, the plight of women in the Majority World demands a Christian response, a holistic embrace of all that God calls women and men to be in his world. The loudest voices speaking into women's lives in the twenty-first century thus far come from either fundamentalist Islam or radical feminism. And neither can be allowed to carry the day. The Bible contains the highest possible view of women and invests women's lives with cosmic significance regardless of their age, stage of life, social status, or culture. Carolyn Custis James unpacks three transformative themes the Bible presents to women that raise the bar for women and calls them to join their brothers in advancing God's gracious kingdom on earth. These new images of what can be in Christ free women to embrace the life God gives them, no matter what happens. Carolyn encourages readers with a positive, kingdom approach to the changes, challenges, and opportunities facing women throughout the world today.

We thirst for purpose, clarity, fulfillment and direction in our lives. How do we go about sorting through all the self-help books, talks and seminars? The common, normal solutions to navigating life are focused on strengths, gifts, and passion. The reality is quite contrarian to what seems to make sense. The revelations is found in the divine fingerprints of all that we are: our life story, what energized and de-energizes us, our rhythms, and even our pain and weaknesses. It's a different way of approaching clarity of life.At the heart of this book is the understanding that a life filled with passion is radically different than what many of us have been taught. Often it's not in the how do we find life but a commitment to a passionate pursuit. Neurologically, if we ask the question how our brains can't tap the new domains, our brains resorts to typical default solutions that are often inadequate. The way to live life to its fullest is found in abnormal rhythms and principles, that have the tension of questions more than answers. It's a place where strategy is important but an ethos where relationships trump vision. The way we are invited to live life to its fullest is found with a contrarian set of beliefs, values and questions. It's not about quick fixes and simplistic "e;solutions."e;. God works through our weaknesses and our failures. Real vision is found through relationships with God and with other people. Obedience is better than passion. These contrarian concepts have been presented and tested in many business and non-profit settings, including Willow Creek's Leadership Summit where Dave gave a keynote address. The tone of this book was established as Dave thought about what he would want to share with his four third culture children and future leaders. It was Dave's heart that they would walk a life where they experienced life to it's fullest, exploring the new and old domains of world that is constantly changing.

Bestselling author Terri Blackstock presents this Ebook of her newest standalone novel, Predator. The murder of Krista Carmichael's fourteen-year-old sister by an online predator has shaken her faith and made her question God's justice and protection. Desperate to find the killer, she creates an online persona to bait the predator. But when the stalker turns his sights on her, will Krista be able to control the outcome? Ryan Adkins started the social network GrapeVyne in his college dorm and has grown it into a billion-dollar corporation. But he never expected it to become a stalking ground for online Predators. One of them lives in his town and has killed two girls and attacked a third. When Ryan meets Krista, the murders become more than a news story to him, and everything is on the line. Joining forces, he and Krista set out to stop the killer. But when hunters pursue a hunter, the tables can easily turn. Only God can protect them now.

Most church leaders are passionate about their calling to "e;go and make disciples."e; However, despite their most creative thinking, diligent efforts and rigorous assessments, year after year they arrive at the end of a ministry season with no way of knowing for sure whether they have succeeded or failed in their calling. "e;I want to serve God,"e; the refrain goes, "e;and on most days, I believe I'm doing what I'm called to do. But what if my approach is off-track? What if the work we're doing as a church doesn't really help people grow at all?"e; The only indicators of success most leaders have are numbers. Is attendance up? Are giving trends on the rise? Are we baptizing more people this year than last? Numbers are helpful, but they still come up short. Numbers may tell leaders how active their congregants are, but they reveal very little about whether or not anyone's heart is changing as a result. Leaders need more than numbers to help them assess their efforts and make strategic ministry decisions. The crux of spiritual growth is not how busy people are with spiritual activities but how engaged they are with Christ. How close is a person to Christ? Are they fully surrendered to his will and his teaching? Do they prioritize faith in their daily lives? Are they growing in their love of God and others? In order to answer these questions, leaders need more than numbers; they need to see inside people's hearts.In 2004, Willow Creek Community Church completed research that would eventually become the REVEAL Spiritual Life Survey. Based on those initial findings, as well as data from more than 150,000 congregants in 500 churches, the REVEAL team discovered a way to see inside the hearts and minds of congregants. The Christ-Centered Heart presents discoveries not from a hypothetical, theoretical or opinion-driven point of view, but from an empirical one. By linking biblical principles with spiritual attitudes and behaviors, REVEAL research The Christ-Centered Heart provides a foundational understanding of this new lens for spiritual growth and presents findings from the latest REVEAL research. Focusing on Jesus' definition of spiritual growth as increasing love of God and others (Matthew 22:36 - 40), the book draws on compelling stories of real people as well as engaging charts and graphs to illustrate key concepts and insights. It includes four parts: PART ONE: The Heart of the Matter explains the brutal truth about spiritual growth and an orientation on how REVEAL takes us "e;inside"e; the hearts of congregants.PART TWO: The Spiritual Continuum identifies the five segments of intimacy with Christ and describes people with "e;closed hearts,"e; who are Far from Christ; people with "e;searching hearts,"e; who are Exploring Christ; people with "e;open hearts,"e; who are Growing in Christ; people with "e;engaged hearts,"e; who are Close to Christ; and people with "e;surrendered hearts,"e; who are "e;Christ-Centered."e;PART THREE: Spiritual Movement details the distinct spiritual catalysts that move people toward increasing intimacy with Christ. This includes four spiritual movements: from rejection to searching for Christ; from searching to accepting Christ; from growing in Christ to becoming close to him; and from close to Christ to becoming Christ-centered. We name two primary barriers to spiritual growth-becoming "e;stalled"e; along the journey toward intimacy with Christ, and becoming "e;dissatisfied"e; with the church's ability to lead people there.PART FOUR: Spiritual Leadership presents five key findings based on REVEAL's proprietary "e;Spiritual Vitality Index,"e; which ranks a church's effectiveness in helping people grow. The findings explain the importance of getting people moving once they express interest in knowing Christ; embedding the Bible in everything the church does; creating ownership on the part of the Christ-follower; pastoring the local community rather than merely "e;doing ministry"e; inside the church's four walls; and re-establishing

Words matter. Words can build up, or words can tear down. As parents and church leaders, do we use our words well? Words Kids Need to Hear offers compelling, yet simple ways to build up the hearts of children through meaningful and well-chosen words. What children hear from adults they trust makes a significant impact-now and for years to come.Words Kids Need to Hear offers an easy-to-follow learning path. Each of the seven chapters focuses on a single statement kids need to hear from parents, children's workers, and other close adults. These seven statements are simple to share, yet guaranteed to make a profound impact on a child's life. They are:* I Believe in You* You Can Count on Me* I Treasure You* I'm Sorry, Please Forgive Me* Because* No* I Love YouEach chapter seeks to educate first, equip, and then motivate to action. Words Kids Need to Hear helps parents and children's workers use words to build up the hearts of elementary-age children, resulting in closer parent-child relationships that pave a path toward a relationship with God.

Am I making a difference?Does my life matter?"e;How can I make a difference when some days I can't even find my keys?"e; asks award-winning author Leslie Parrott. "e;I've never been accused of being methodical, orderly, or linear. So when it came to considering my years on this planet, I did so without a sharpened pencil and a pad of paper. Instead, I walked along Discovery Beach, just a few minutes from our home in Seattle."e;Strange, though. All I seemed to ever bring home from my walks on the beach were little pieces of sea glass. Finding these random pieces eventually became a fixation. And, strangely, with each piece I collected, I felt a sense of calm. What could this mean? What was I to discover from this unintentional collection?"e;In this poignant and vulnerable book, Leslie shows you how each hodgepodge piece of your life, no matter how haphazard, represents a part of what you do and who you are. While on the surface, none of these pieces may seem to make a terribly dramatic impact, Leslie will show you how they are your life and how when they are collected into a jar-a loving human heart-they become a treasure.

Men know all about their need for sexual purity. What they want is a plan that will enable them to attain it. In the midst of a culture that shouts "e;Sex!"e; from every corner, men need a friend to talk honestly about how to master lust and achieve control over this crucial area of their lives.Bill Perkins details a proven biblical strategy for sexual integrity. He shows men how to achieve a purity that will flow from their relationship with God and strengthen their self-respect, the sanctity of their marriage, and the security of their families. Perkins unfolds a three-part plan that will lead men to victory.Updated to address current needs and cultural trends, When Good Men Are Tempted includes the latest information on Internet pornography. It also features "e;Take Action"e; strategic steps and questions suitable for individual reflection or discussion in small groups.