The evergreen wreath symbolizes eternal life and includes four candles—typically three purple and one pink, with a white candle in the middle that symbolizes the purity of Christ. Various traditions assign different topics to each candle, and the candles are usually given names to remind us of the good news of Christ's birthTo celebrate this season, TGC's editorial team put together 25 devotional readings that use the Advent wreath as a guide to focus hearts and minds on Christ during the month of December. Structured around traditional Advent themes—hope, peace, joy, love, and faith—these reflections will encourage your heart in this season of celebrating Christ's first coming, and longing for his second.

    After his death, the contents of his studio, including thousands of glass negatives, were sold off for five dollars. For years the fragile negatives sat forgotten and deteriorating in cardboard boxes in an open carport. How did it happen, then, that the most implausible of events took place? That Disfarmer’s haunting portraits were retrieved from oblivion, that today they sell for upwards of $12,000 each at posh New York art galleries; his photographs proclaimed works of art by prestigious critics and journals and exhibited around the world? The story of Disfarmer’s rise to fame is a colorful, improbable, and ultimately fascinating one that involves an unlikely assortment of individuals. Would any of this have happened if a young New York photographer hadn't been so in love with a pretty model that he was willing to give up his career for her; if a preacher’s son from Arkansas hadn't spent 30 years in the Army Corps of Engineers mapping the U.S. from an airplane; if a magazine editor hadn't felt a strange and powerful connection to the work? The cast of characters includes these, plus a restless and wealthy young Chicago aristocrat and even a grandson of FDR. It’s a compelling story which reveals how these diverse people were part of a chain of events whose far-reaching consequences none of them could have foreseen, least of all the strange and reclusive genius of Heber Springs. Until now, the whole story has not been told.

    His comrades claim that he saved 100. President Harry S. Truman presented him with the Congressional Medal of Honor upon his return to the United States, for his heroics on Okinawa, and the citation credits him with saving 75 lives, splitting the difference. "From a human standpoint, I shouldn't be here to tell the story," said Doss in an interview with the Richmond Times-Dispatch. "No telling how many times the Lord has spared my life." During World War II, 16,112,556 American soldiers served their country and the cause of the Allies, and only 43 received the Medal of Honor. Doss, who held a powerful allegiance to Christ, and was a devoted member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, became the first conscientious objector to receive the U.S. military's highest honor. Today, he is one of two conscientious objectors to have received it.

     These are not stories that one can say happened by coincidence. No, these Christian testimonials give glory to the supernatural power and love of God that works in our lives when we diligently seek Him. James 4:8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. These short inspirational Christian stories will fill you with faith and renew your hope in knowing that God is near. As you read, you will see with clarity how supernatural things can occur in an instant to set the course of God’s will for our lives. These inspirational God stories testify that Jesus Christ is alive and the Holy Spirit is working mightily in the earth. As you read them, you will be astonished at the amazing things that God has done in one person’s life. This book is the first of a series of books that the author, Jordy Christo, will be releasing which reveal the amazing supernatural God stories he’s been entrusted with. As you read these inspirational short Christian stories you will: Realize that God can literally show up at your doorstep when you need Him most See how God can work through dreams in our everyday lives Understand that the Lord knows our every thought and need, and can deliver exactly what we need, when we need it. Comprehend that God has a plan and purpose for our lives and those can be revealed through prophetic words spoken from modern day prophets See scriptural connections with events that occur in these heartwarming stories See that there are mysterious things God does that we don’t fully understand, but yet we know that God did them Here’s a brief look at what’s in the book: Chapter one: An incredible story of how a young man crawls to the altar because the Lord’s presence is so thick and tangible. Chapter two: See how one answered prayer about playing a musical instrument explodes into thousands of people being touched by the Lord. Chapter three: See how a worldwide ministry was birthed thirty years after it was prophesied in a small church in Florida. Chapter four: This one is called “The Box of Tide-An Amazing Miracle.” A miraculous story birthed in the midst of a very dark time. When you are finished with this Amazing God story you will know without a doubt that God knows your every thought and every need, and can provide exactly what you need, when you need it. You will be astonished at how the Lord orchestrated perfect timing for this event to happen miraculously. Chapter five: God uses a dream to give direction for a present day instance and then years later uses the dream again to bring comfort. Chapter six: This one is a mystery. A grandmother dies and a baby is born, you will agree that God was the one who caused the events to happen just the way they did. Chapter seven: A stranger shares a dream he had approximately 30 years prior that comes to pass. This is an amazing God story. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not distant figurative characters that people conjure up in their imaginations.

    This book, written by a missions journalist as he traveled throughout twenty different countries, is filled with stories of Christians past and present whose examples of endurance, courage, sacrifice, and humility connect readers with God’s unstoppable work across the world. These heroes are simply ordinary people who have experienced the transformative power of a Savior who is alive and moving—and their stories will inspire readers to take faithfilled risks for the gospel.

    As she traces the metaphor through Scripture, Beth uncovers how every part of our own lives—even the rockiest, most difficult soil—is used by God to make a difference for His Kingdom.Great for small groups or individual study, the Chasing Vines Group Experience is a journey you don’t want to miss.

    Part of one of the most prominent and richest families in America: The du Pont Family. Then, strangely, he started losing his mind. This is what is known: du Pont was a fan of amateur sports and established a wrestling facility at his Foxcatcher Farm. He befriended several Olympic champions--including Dave Schultz, who he murdered. It was a never a question of if he did it; the question is why. What turns an otherwise sane man into a psychotic killer? This page-turning true crime story will take you into the mind of a man who had everything and let it all fall away due to madness and paranoia.

    A simple but powerful book that helps readers develop the faith to see these trials as blessings, rather than curses, ministered by God.

    He returned from his near-death experience with new eyes to see the kingdom of heaven in this life. Now he wants to help you experience heaven on earth today. For years Steve Musick kept his amazing story to himself, afraid no one would believe or understand it. A major allergic reaction had stopped his heart, hurling him into a five-week coma and powerful experience of heaven. After returning to life, he couldn't forget the memory of that vibrant place--and, most of all, the loving words and touch of Jesus. But that was only the beginning. An amazing series of miracles, dreams, and other supernatural events had been set in motion, showing Steve that heaven was close, even in this life. God was calling him to discover echoes of heaven in the here and now--echoes that can happen at any moment, to anyone--that bring overwhelming joy. At last Steve is ready to tell the story of his journey of a lifetime--two lifetimes. In it you'll learn the secret of bringing heaven to earth in your everyday world, and how to nurture a relationship with God so real and intimate that you'll feel his nearness as strongly as Steven did. Experience one man's incredible vision of heaven--and learn how to live in God's presence and power in your own life now.

    This exciting, entertaining account of a Christian family's life in the Middle East offers an inspiring dare to live boldly wherever you are.

    What has kept him willing to see the best? Every time he returns to Iraq he may be saying goodbye to his family for the last time. What do they think? He suffers from MS. How does he remain cheerful despite his physical weakness, and its progression? What does he say to God, alone in his study, late at night? He has been caught up in momentous events. Can he see the hand of God? Looking ahead, can he be optimistic about the future? Where are his sources of spiritual energy? He solicits prayer: why? 'Not everything God calls us to do is painless, ' he comments. 'Much of my work is simply about showing love to the unlovely.'

    

    Like William Clarke Quantrill and "Bloody Bill" Anderson, Samuel Hildebrand was a proud Missouri bushwhacker. In this long out of print book, Hildebrand describes raids and executions his band of men carried out. He remained at the end of the war and unreconstructed rebel and fervent racist. Like many of his southern brethren who fought, he never owned slaves but kept a captured black man with him after the war. This self-serving but fascinating account is a valuable addition to the canon of Civil War literature. In it, Hildebrand claims that others have tried to tell his story but have gotten it wrong, so he has a notarized statement by prominent men included as verification of authenticity. Every memoir of the American Civil War provides us with another view of the catastrophe that changed the country forever. For the first time ever, this long-out-of-print book is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones. Be sure to LOOK INSIDE or download a sample.

    

    It focuses on walking in the divine as a lifestyle, shaping one's attitudes and worldview.