The message blew up on social-media, triggering an avalanche of responses running the gamut from encouraged to enraged.In Jesus > Religion, Bethke unpacks similar contrasts that he drew in the poem—highlighting the difference between teeth gritting and grace, law and love, performance and peace, despair and hope. With refreshing candor he delves into the motivation behind his message, beginning with the unvarnished tale of his own plunge from the pinnacle of a works-based, fake-smile existence that sapped his strength and led him down a path of destructive behavior.Bethke is quick to acknowledge that he’s not a pastor or theologian, but simply a regular, twenty-something who cried out for a life greater than the one for which he had settled. Along his journey, Bethke discovered the real Jesus, who beckoned him beyond the props of false religion.

    Imagine a marriage rooted in faith, friendship and mutual fulfillment. Imagine a marriage with amazing sex, but where great sex is only the icing on the cake. This might all sound too good to be true, but it's actually what God designed marriage to be, and He doesn't want you settling for anything less. Having a "Naked Marriage' is about much more than just nakedness in the bedroom (although that's part of the fun). It means being naked emotionally and spiritually as well as physically. It also means undressing all the misconceptions our culture has used to cover God's original, beautiful design for marriage and rediscovering all marriage can be. You and your spouse can have a thriving, Naked Marriage with a lifetime of love and laughter together. This book will show you how. About the Authors: Dave and Ashley Willis have become some of America's most trusted teachers on marriage. Their books, blogs, videos and speaking events reach millions of couples worldwide. They are part of the team at XO Marriage and MarriageToday, which is the largest marriage-focused ministry in the USA. Dave and Ashley have four young sons and live near Dallas, TX.

    It’s Thanksgiving Day and the cubs could not be more excited for pie, roast turkey, and all the trimmings. But Mama reminds them that there are more important things to be thankful for beyond the feast. Papa joins in and teaches the cubs about the many sacrifices that Bears made before them, so that they all can enjoy freedom, faith, and family today! Follow along with the Bear family as they learn an important lesson about thankfulness, and all the things they, and you, can be thankful for everyday!The Berenstain Bears Thanksgiving Blesses:Is an inspiring book from the bestselling The Berenstain Bears brandGently encourages children 4–8 to think about what they can be thankful for in their livesIs a welcome addition to the popular Zonderkidz Living Lights series with over 8.5 million copies sold since 2008X

    These stories are taken from a book that is sacred. As you read these stories, remember they are about real people who lived long ago.Read the stories over and over until you know them well. You will also want to read them from the Bible. Under each picture you will see where you can find that story in the Bible. Have your father, mother, teacher, or friend help you.If you do not know a word, look it up in “Words to Know” at the back of the book. If you do not know a person or place, look it up in “People to Know” or “Places to Know” at the back of the book.To Parents and TeachersThis book will help you teach the scriptures. The “Words to Know,” “People to Know,” and “Places to Know” sections will help you teach the meanings of words in this book and the identity of New Testament people and places. Other helps in this book include the maps, which will also help you to help those whom you teach.As you teach, share your testimony of the Bible. Encourage those whom you teach to seek prayerfully their own testimonies. Their understanding will grow when you read to them their favorite stories from the Bible itself.

    . . yet you will find very thought-provoking. Sidney & Norman uses the simple context of two pigs living next door to each other to communicate a profound truth about how we judge each other and often judge ourselves. On the surface, Sidney & Norman appears to be a picture book that will entertain kids. But this story has deeply moved adult audiences in informal readings, leading to deep-thinking discussions.

    This is the inspiring story of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, a holy young Indian woman who was converted to Christianity by the French missionaries led by Saint Isaac Joques during the 1600s.Kateri's mother was a very devout Christian woman who, after being captured by the Iroquois, was not allowed to baptize her daughter. Kateri's whole family died of smallpox, and she was adopted by a chief who was very anti-Christian. When she was baptized and converted by the missionaries, Kateri became ostracized from the tribe. With the help of the priest, she made a daring escape, and thereafter lived a life devoted to God. Denied her desire to become a nun, she declined marriage and lived as a single woman with deep faith, offering her sufferings and life to Christ. She died at the age of twenty-four and is affectionately known as the "Lily of the Mohawks." Kateri was canonized by Saint Pope John Paul II in 2012.

    On Christmas we give and get presents, we sing songs, and we decorate our homes. But what is Christmas really about? Is our happy holiday a Holy Day? Find out why we place the star on the Christmas tree. Imagine Christmas guests as travelers of long ago. And let the beautiful song Silent Night fill your mind with pictures of the night Jesus was born. Because Christmas is God s gift to us and if we look around and remember, we ll learn to see the real Christmas. This endearing story by bestselling novelist Karen Kingsbury will capture the hearts of children and parents and grandparents will appreciate the applications they can share."

    Bye-bye, diapers!

    The moon stayed up till morning. The geese flew home to celebrate. Polar bears danced.On the night you were born you brought wonder and magic to the world. Here is a book that celebrates you. It is meant to be carried wherever life takes you, over all the roads, through all the years.This debut picture book by Nancy Tillman has touched the hearts of readers of all ages, from the youngest readers, to new mothers, to grandparents. A New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestselling book, On the Night You Were Born is sure to be a beloved addition to family libraries.

    How does a young urban boy prepare? A lovely allegorical story about ecology and caring inspired by the ancient tale of stewardship.While his family readies his townhouse for an approaching storm, boarding up windows and laying in groceries, Noah heads to the back garden, where beetles are burrowing deeper into the bark and mice are stuffing their hole with moss. Quickly and efficiently, Noah sets to work building an ark for them and other backyard creatures -- salamanders and toads, snakes and spiders, even brightly colored hummingbirds. Setting out fistfuls of nuts and leaves, berries and seeds, the boy props a flashlight inside and arranges some miniature furniture for the animals to sit or sleep on. "Come," Noah whispers to his friends just as his mother calls him inside and the dark storm roars in. From an award-winning author and a Caldecott Honoree comes a quietly inspiring story about how taking action on behalf of our fellow earth travelers can help us face fearsome events.

    And we all have things in common too: like sharing fun and laughter on the playground, a sense of curiosity, big feelings, and so many other things that show how we are all more alike than we are different.Ready to celebrate all our likes and differences? So are we! And this diverse picture book—drenched in color and full of laughter and fun—will show you how.One Big Heart is:Written by Emmy-winning ABC News correspondent and The World Is Awake author Linsey DavisA multiethnic, multicultural, multiracial children’s picture book that recognizes our unique differences while celebrating how alike we are as wellAn inspiring story of inclusion and connectionThe perfect read-aloud for kids ages 4–8

    A mysterious silver gift-wrapped box is under one of the trees. The old lot owner notices their intrigue and what he tells them, not only marks the beginning of a new family tradition, but also brings meaning and understanding into their Christmas celebration. In The Legend of the Christmas Tree, children ages 4 to 8 will discover the wonderful story of how the evergreen tree first became a symbol of Christmas and a way to tell people about God. The beautiful illustrations by Bill Dodge add a wonderful richness to the story and help bring meaning to one of our best-loved traditions---decorating the Christmas tree.

    Brother Theophane was soon transferred from the scribe’s room and assigned to make the ink that the brothers used. With his natural curiosity, Theophane discovered that inks could be made from other plants besides the wood bark. Berries and leaves produced other beautiful colors. And soon, the books the monks made were illuminated with colors and drawings.C.M. Millen’s charming story of a young monk who defied the discipline of the monastery and found his own way to express the beauty of the world will inspire young readers to explore their own world and find their own voices.Andrea Wisnewski’s illustrations, inspired by the illuminated letters that the medieval monks created in books like the Book of Kells, bring to life the colors and beauty that surrounded Brother Theophane amidst the plain world of the monastery.

    After the Christmas Cookie Sprinkle Snitcher strikes again, disaster threatens the village in the form of naked cookies until little Nat ventures out to teach the real importance of Christmas and cookie sprinkles.