Saint Francis of Assisi is quite possibly the most popular of all Christian saints. Perhaps it is his adoration for all living things or his unrelenting generosity that has made so many people open their hearts to him. Perhaps it is the deep conviction and piety expressed not only by the saint himself, but in his name, in the Franciscan orders throughout the centuries.Whatever the reason, in a world that is quickly developing in a direction diametrically opposite to the saint's own simple asceticism, Saint Francis of Assisi still stirs strong emotions and compassion. How close he found God, in the very nature around him, is inspiring.All books in The Life and Prayers series come complete with a Touch-or-Click Table of Contents, divided by each section. Enjoy.

    I've got enough time on my hands...You invited me to raise whatever objections come to mind, so I'll jump right in. Here's one I've wondered about a lot: how could an all-powerful and all-loving God allow the church to do so much harm to humanity for so long? Isn't this supposed to be His true church, His representation on earth?...To my mind, this alone is quite enough to prove that the church does not possess any true philosophy...Well, you wanted an objection; you've got one. I look forward to your response...Love always, DadIn Letters from a Skeptic Dr. Gregory Boyd and his father Edward Boyd "debate" many other objections to Christianity, the church, and the Bible.• Why is the world so full of suffering? • Does God know the future? • How can you believe that a man rose from the dead? • Why do you think the Bible is inspired? • Do all non-Christians go to hell? • How can I be holy and sinful at the same time?Greg Boyd initiated this correspondence with his father in the hope that his father would eventually come to know Christ. After three years, 30 letters, and numerous phone calls, Edward K. Boyd did just that.Letters from a Skeptic will help you wrestle with the rational foundation of your own faith. It will also help you know how to share that faith with the skeptics you love.

    Start being a Christian.Is your faith for real? How about your walk?If everyone who claimed to love Jesus actually did, this world would be pretty close to paradise. Yet we live in a time when being a poser is not only easy, it's rewarded--especially where Jesus is concerned.But claiming to love Jesus without following him is bogus, fraudulent, and--frankly--it's not you. God has called you to be set apart, to live authentically, to walk a genuine Jesus Swagger. He wants followers, not pretenders.From Christian blogger Jarrid Wilson, Jesus Swagger is about calling out the phony, showing the pretender the door, and letting Jesus in instead. If you are suspicious of your own motivations, your own talk, or even your own Christianity, it's time to be honest, come clean, and get real. It's time to take the Jesus Swagger litmus test and start walking the walk.

    On the contrary, Jamie passionately describes brokenness as a divine gift and a necessary God-ordained path to experiencing true joy and genuine redemption. With surprising transparency, Jamie shares his personal journey of getting unstuck and provides reassuring comfort for those looking to move beyond their pain toward a life of connection and grace.

    That night, something impossible happened up on that mountain. Eternity broke through...Kathy and Joni were neighbors who became best friends as the years passed, and their children grew. Kathy, and her physicist husband Frank, held a pure allegiance to science. Joni and I held only a bold belief in God. Then came the fire.The last six cataclysmic days of October 2003 brought human tragedies in greater number than any firestorm in San Diego's history. Thousands of firefighters drove into the enormous inferno to defend what they could, but nothing could stop that fire. That night, as legions of horrified homeowners fled for their lives, flames the size of skyscrapers began burning directly below Kathy and Frank's five acre horse ranch. With the situation becoming more hopeless by the minute, Joni and our 9-year-old daughter each prayed for a miracle. On Tuesday evening October 28th, 2003, high up in the Cuyamaca Mountains of San Diego, deep within the fiery furnace of the Cedar Fire, there was a colossal manifestation of God's presence. It transformed all of our lives. Both families were shaken by what we saw— it staggered every one of us—believer, and nonbeliever alike. It will be the same for you should you decide to come along..."There are no words to describe how this book affected me. If you are a believer then this book will only reinforce that Miracles do happen everyday and that God is always not only with us but listening to our prayers. If you are a non believer then you should read this and see if you can explain the unexplainable.""Love True Stories, especially when they are about miracles of God. A simple BEAUTIFUL read. Happy ending. God is GOOD""Amazing story, and it's true! I could hardly put it down...cried, laughed, cheered all the way through. It's extremely well written.""All I can say is this is a wonderful true story! A must read for everyone, not just believers!""I cried and cried as I read this powerful true story. If you are in need of encouragement to give you hope on the journey that The Lord has called you on, this book will certainly be beneficial. I highly recommend it.""If you don't believe in miracles, read this book. If you believe in miracles, read this book. An incredible story of faith, prayer, and God's sovereign power over nature.""A powerful, awe inspiring book. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He is almighty and is in control of all things. Glory to his name.""this book is a little slow at first but I can truly say that it changed my life. I am a Christian and have always believed in God's power and His miracles but I have never really seen or heard of any to this extent. God is real and He is in control of everything. Thank you Greg for writing this book.....I really needed it. Especially now.""I've read hundreds of books of all kinds and this is clearly one of the best and most interesting books I have read in years.""I loved it from start to finish, kept me reading and finished it in 2 days, I loved this book.""This is a must read for any one who is willing to open their mind to how great God is and how great His love is. This is a true story that boggles the mind when God does something that there is no explanation of how He did it nor any natural explanation of of how it could have happened. If you are looking for proof that there is a God and that He works in the affairs of mankind then read this book."

    God expects us to speak Jesus’ words and experience the same powerful results that He did! For the first time, the world-renowned Bible teaching of Derek Prince has been condensed into a daily devotional. As you seek God and declare these spiritual principles, you will:Receive physical and emotional healingBe free from fear, guilt, and shameRecognize God’s voiceLearn God’s way to financial blessingsFind God’s purpose and plan for your lifeAchieve victory over temptationDevelop faith for the miraculous Begin your day in the presence of the Creator, rest on the truth of God’s Word, and you will experience the joy of seeing Him perform miracles, signs, and wonders in your life!

    To a certain extent, this is natural and good, evidencing our God-given desire for meaning and purpose. However, our longing for significance can easily twist into an insatiable craving for approval, recognition, and praise--and, if left unchecked, this craving will enslave us. In Glory Hunger, pastor JR Vassar challenges Christians to reevaluate their priorities when it comes to leaving a legacy, pointing to the gospel as the key to freedom from the bondage of narcissism and insecurity. Addressing cultural obsessions such as physical beauty and the goal of cultivating a "perfect" digital reputation via social media, this book will help readers refocus on what really matters: living a life marked by the passionate pursuit of God's glory above all else.

    As law enforcement officers, Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, and their partners willingly stand up to the worst the world can offer. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood. While they consistently give their best on the job, good enough seems to be all they can muster as dads. But they're quickly discovering that their standard is missing the mark. They know that God desires to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, but their children are beginning to drift farther and farther away from them. Will they be able to find a way to serve and protect those who are most dear to them? When tragedy hits home, these men are left wrestling with their hopes, their fears, their faith, and their fathering. Can a newfound urgency help these dads draw closer to God . . . and to their children?

    This stirring fable captures a new spirit of Christianity--where personal, daily interaction with God is more important than institutional church structures, where faith is more about a way of life than a system of belief, where being authentically good is more important than being doctrinally "right," and where one's direction is more important than one's present location. Brian McLaren's delightful account offers a wise and wondrous approach for revitalizing Christian spiritual life and Christian congregations.If you are interested in joining a discussion group devoted to a A New Kind of Christian please visit groups.yahoo.com/group/NKOC.

    Can't hear God though the cell phone, the kids, and the endless static of life? Discover over 20 ways God speaks to us, and learn to tune in to the power of divine conversation.This women's Bible study from the Modern Girl's Bible Study series talks about what is really important to you, such as your relationships, work, stress, sexuality, and forgiveness.Leader's guide with discussion questions included.• Personal study between meetings• 5 sessions

    They've asked the same questions. Like you, sometimes they just don't want to believe in hell. But as they write, "We cannot afford to be wrong on this issue."This is not a book about who is saying what. It's a book about what God says. It's not a book about impersonal theological issues. It's a book about people who God loves. It's not a book about arguments, doctrine, or being right. It's a book about the character of God.Erasing Hell will immerse you in the truth of Scripture as, together with the authors, you find not only the truth but the courage to live it out.

    He didn't need to." Eight years before his death, Fred Rogers met author, educator, and speaker Amy Hollingsworth. What started as a television interview turned into a wonderful friendship spanning dozens of letters detailing the driving force behind this gentle man of extraordinary influence. Educator? Philosopher? Psychologist? Minister? Here is an intimate portrait of the real Mister Rogers. The Simple Faith of Mr. Rogers focuses on Mr. Rogers' spiritual legacy, but it is much more than that. It shows us a man who, to paraphrase the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "preached the gospel at all times; when necessary he used words."

    Maybe you've questioned and perhaps even worried if you'll ever again experience love as you did in the beginning--that newness of what it meant to be fully caught up in one another. But what if you could rekindle that fresh sort of love? What if there was a secret to love unending?For the next twenty-one days, journey with Becky Thompson to remember what life was like when you first fell in love with your husband. Each daily challenge, reflection, and prayer will refocus your attention, re-center your heart, reignite the romance, and help you rediscover your marriage in the midst of motherhood.Take the Love Unending 21-day challenge and discover the best way forward is to look back at the beginning.

    Indescribable takes readers on a journey through the vastness of outer space and into the depths of the soul. Modern science allows viewers to see farther into space than ever before, and every step draws them closer to the God who breathed each star into existence. In Indescribable, the authors intertwine devotional insights with remarkable scientific facts that awaken both mind and spirit. As Giglio and Redman write, God turns wonderers into worshipers. Above all, Indescribable is a call to worship—an invitation to know and be known by the God of all creation and to become more passionate worshipers of Jesus Christ.

    Looking to right the balances, Kevin DeYoung presents a popular-level treatment of sanctification and union with Christ, helping readers to see what matters most—being like Jesus. He shows how one can be like Christ in being joined to Christ. The market is ready for DeYoung’s timely book, ready to avoid legalism and ambivalence, and they are ready for someone to articulate the inextricable relationship between grace and holiness.