Raised in a secular family but increasingly interested in the relevance of faith in our modern world, A.J. Jacobs decides to dive in headfirst and attempt to obey the Bible as literally as possible for one full year. He vows to follow the Ten Commandments. To be fruitful and multiply. To love his neighbor. But also to obey the hundreds of less publicized rules: to avoid wearing clothes made of mixed fibers; to play a ten-string harp; to stone adulterers.The resulting spiritual journey is at once funny and profound, reverent and irreverent, personal and universal and will make you see history's most influential book with new eyes.Jacobs's quest transforms his life even more radically than the year spent reading the entire "Encyclopedia Britannica" for "The Know-It-All." His beard grows so unruly that he is regularly mistaken for a member of ZZ Top. He immerses himself in prayer, tends sheep in the Israeli desert, battles idolatry, and tells the absolute truth in all situations - much to his wife's chagrin.Throughout the book, Jacobs also embeds himself in a cross-section of communities that take the Bible literally. He tours a Kentucky-based creationist museum and sings hymns with Pennsylvania Amish. He dances with Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn and does Scripture study with Jehovah's Witnesses. He discovers ancient biblical wisdom of startling relevance. And he wrestles with seemingly archaic rules that baffle the twenty-first-century brain.Jacobs's extraordinary undertaking yields unexpected epiphanies and challenges. A book that will charm readers both secular and religious, "The Year of Living Biblically" is part Cliff Notes to the Bible, part memoir, and part look into worlds unimaginable. Thou shalt not be able to put it down.

    However, instead of being petrified by the apparition, Mary decides to help the hideous beast by giving him a makeover. In the process, it is Mary who undergoes the biggest transformation.

    Through this provocative project, the founder of PreachersNSneakers is helping thousands of Jesus followers wrestle with the inevitable dilemmas created by a culture obsessed with image and entertainment.In PreachersNSneakers: 9 Questions to Help You Live Your Faith in an Age of Capitalism, Consumerism, and (Wannabe) Celebrity, the author boldly confronts many of the difficult questions plaguing countless Christians’ minds, such as:Should pastors grow wealthy off of religion, and why do we get so angry when they do?Is it okay to stoke envy among others with curated “lifestyle” images on social media?Do we really believe that divine blessings are monetary, or is that just religious wallpaper to hide our own greed?Is there space in Christendom for celebrities like Kanye and Bieber to exist without distorting the good news?What about this: Is it wrong for someone like this author to call out faith leaders online and leverage “cancel culture” to affect change?PreachersNSneakers will navigate these challenging questions and many more with humor, wit, candor, and a few never-before-published hijinks. Each chapter will explore the various sides of the debate, holding space for readers to make up their own minds. The book will doubtlessly become a staple for church small groups, college ministries, and book clubs, emboldening struggling believers who want to live a more genuine faith.After all, the Lord works in mysterious colorways.

    Frank Baum has been captivating the hearts of the young, and not so young, for over a hundred years.This delightful compilation includes all fifteen books written by L. Frank Baum:The Wonderful Wizard of OzThe Marvelous Land of OzOzma of OzDorothy and the Wizard in OzThe Road to OzThe Emerald City of OzThe Patchwork Girl Of OzLittle Wizard Stories of OzTik-Tok of OzThe Scarecrow Of OzRinkitink In OzThe Lost Princess Of OzThe Tin Woodman Of OzThe Magic of OzGlinda Of OzPerhaps there is no better, or fitting, introduction one could give to this compilation than the author's note that Baum himself writes in his very first book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." Here he reveals the true intention of his work. Folklore, legends, myths and fairy tales have followed childhood through the ages, for every healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal. The winged fairies of Grimm and Andersen have brought more happiness to childish hearts than all other human creations. Yet the old time fairy tale, having served for generations, may now be classed as "historical" in the children's library; for the time has come for a series of newer "wonder tales" in which the stereotyped genie, dwarf and fairy are eliminated, together with all the horrible and blood-curdling incidents devised by their authors to point a fearsome moral to each tale. Modern education includes morality; therefore the modern child seeks only entertainment in its wonder tales and gladly dispenses with all disagreeable incident. Having this thought in mind, the story of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" was written solely to please children of today. It aspires to being a modernized fairy tale, in which the wonderment and joy are retained and the heartaches and nightmares are left out.

    The animals in the forest are playing hide-and-seek, and everyone is found--except for the biggest one of all! Where, oh where, could Bear have gone? One thing is certain: Bear's friends will do whatever it takes to find him.Lesléa Newman's rhythmic text and Valeri Gorbachev's charming illustrations will make every child eager to join this playful search for the missing Bear.

    At Bear Country Airport, Papa uses a balloon to demonstrate how a jet plane works.  Soon Brother, Sister, and their friends begin designing and making their own models.  The aerodynamic craze leads ultimately to Bear Country balloon-powered tournament and flying circus!  The Do-It! section explains how to construct and fly all sorts of balloon-powered jetcraft.

    This early reader superhero fiction all starts when Madison is forced to stand up to a bully, when she hears her mother's voice giving her a talking-to about not standing up for herself. There is no one behind Madison. But she does what her "Mom's voice" tells her to do, anyway. She stands up for herself. Back home, things go from weird to weirder. Either Madison is going cuckoo, or her Mom has X-Ray vision, Octo-arms, a stretchy neck, super speed, telepathy, and more! This is a loving tribute to the amazing women everywhere that nurture their households... and the kids that look up to them. If you and your kids love movies like "The Incredibles", and enjoy stories about strong female characters, you'll LOVE "I Think My Mom's a Superhero"! This read along picture book for children is full of belly laughs and warm family moments that you and your little one will cherish. --- Here's what people are saying about our Brave Little Heroes adventures: Colorado Living says: "Bolaji has found a great way to help, inspire and teach... Thanks for tackling this subject for the benefit of kids! :)" Shannon Bynes says: "I read this book to my 4 year old daughter tonight and she smiled or giggled all the way through it. That’s a winner!" I Am A Very Lucky Man says: "I really loved this book; your child will ask you to read it again and again. The graphics are eye popping. It’s easy to read, and great for your child’s self-esteem. I love the imaginative aspect of the book!" Mike Young says: "This is a humorous, short children’s book that is great for bedtime! I am especially fond of the great artwork and the message behind the story. Definitely a keeper for me." Chedy Abboud (Amsterdam) says: "Bolaji has done a good job presenting children the better side of what we humans are. A story without the usual violence is what kids need to hear today. Keeping them away from horrible things on TV. I recommend this to all parents as a nice book for their children." --- Here's what to do next, Moms: 1. Scroll up, 2. Click the buy button, and 3. Watch as you and your kids giggle and cheer through this hilariously wacky adventure! --- Paul Coleman said: "In the world today I think we need all the positive stuff we can get. I love the "can-do" attitude of this book. We can make our lives and the lives of others better. We simply need to decide to do it, be brave, and take action." --- Here's what to do next, Moms: 1. Scroll up, 2. Click the buy button, and 3. Watch as you and your kids giggle and cheer through this hilariously wacky adventure! Thank you for the privilege of being a small part of your child's favorite memories with you. We cherish that role, here at Brave Little Heroes. And we won't let either of you down. Bolaji O. Chief Storyteller at Brave Little Heroes

    Washington had an incredible passion for learning. Born a slave, he taught himself to read. When the Civil War ended, Booker finally fulfilled his dream of attending school. After graduation, he was invited to teach in Tuskegee, Alabama. Finding many eager students but no school, Booker set out to build his own school—brick by brick. An afterword gives detailed information on how the school was built.

    It was always winter in the garden, for no other season would venture there. Then one morning, a special child brought Spring back, and the giant's heart melted along with the snow.

    What she discovered changed her—and it will change you too.Drawing on the best in recent scholarship and using her well-honed literary expertise, Evans examines some of our favorite Bible stories and possible interpretations, retelling them through memoir, original poetry, short stories, soliloquies, and even a short screenplay. Undaunted by the Bible’s most difficult passages, Evans wrestles through the process of doubting, imagining, and debating Scripture’s mysteries. The Bible, she discovers, is not a static work but is a living, breathing, captivating, and confounding book that is able to equip us to join God’s loving and redemptive work in the world.

    It falls to her to keep all the church mice safe and out of sight.But when a few parishioners report mouse sightings, Hildegarde and the rest of the church mice must face a most dreadful consequence: the Great X. To complicate things, a ceremony called the Blessing of the Animals is fast approaching. Saint Bartholemew’s will soon be filled with pets . . . including cats!Oh, dear. Within the stately stone walls of the church, life is not as serene or safe as one might think. It will take the courage and patience of a—well, of a saint—to keep this scampering, squeaking tribe of Hildegarde’s intact

    If you could have any animal's eyes, whose would you choose?What if you woke up one morning and your eyes weren't yours? What If You Had Animal Eyes? -- the next imaginative book in the What If You Had series -- explores what would happen if you looked in the mirror and saw a pair of animal eyes instead of your own! From the chameleon's eyes that can point in different directions, to the colossal squid's eyes that shine in the dark, discover what it would be like if you had these special eyes -- and find out why your eyes are just the right ones for you!

    But, at the last moment Sotare, an angel, rescues him and is later permitted to appear to Mark in the Garden. The two dialogue about God, life, death, good, evil, the spiritual realm, and the nature of truth. However, all is not well. The demons are watching and powerful evil forces are sent to kill and destroy those who are close to Mark and those who are praying for him. As Sotare teaches Mark, he is given answers to his questions -- but they do not come easily. He must face his greatest challenge in order to learn his greatest lesson. The battle over Mark unfolds in both the spiritual and physical worlds as angels are sent to battle against the evil forces that are seeking to destroy. True victory is never easy. REVIEWS "In the league of Frank Peretti's This Present Darkness, and Piercing The Darkness, and also Graham Carter's No Eye Has Seen, even Randy Alcorn's Ishbane Conspiracy and Lord Foulgrin Letters." -Peter Younghusband "If you have read "The Shack" and somehow come away believing you have read sound Biblical theology, think again. Whereas "The Shack" has you coming away feeling...whatever, "The Influence" not only challenges you intellectually and spiritually, it does so while espousing SOUND Biblical theology in a thrilling and engaging manner. "The Influence" leaves you feeling truly inspired! In other words, "The Shack" is to Chinese food what "The Influence" is to a good old-fashioned, homemade meat and potatoes dinner with all the trimmings; including your pie a la mode with a cherry on top for dessert." -Amazon Reviewer "This was a great story involving "Good vs Evil". For fans of Frank Peretti's "This Present Darkness" and "Piercing the Darkness" books, this is a must-read. Has a great climatic ending that leaves you wanting more. I hope Matt Slick writes another one of these stories or comes up with a sequel." -Amazon Reviewer * * * * Note: the current edition is the revised and re-edited version. THE INFLUENCE is for readers who enjoy Ted Dekker, Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, christian books & bibles literature & fiction classics & allegories, literature & fiction religious & inspirational fiction, christian suspense, genre fiction religious & inspirational mystery, suspense visionary fiction, biblical, religion & spirituality christian books, occult dark vengeful, psychological, literature & fiction religious & inspirational fiction mystery, biblical fiction

    Hoopeyloops? A crazy, odd man or an artistic genius? Join Mr. Hoopeyloops as he reveals a special surprise for the townspeople. In this colorful children's book, children will learn to see life and people a little bit differently. They will understand that just because someone is different, it doesn't mean he is strange. Enjoy the surprise!

    What the animals did not know was that they were the Keepers of Wyrm, monster of evil long imprisoned beneath the earth ... and Wyrm, sub terra, was breaking free.