Pets make us better people.In the United States today, two out of every three households have at least one pet. No longer just companions, pets are a full-fledged part of the family. For some, a pet may be the only family member living in their house. What if faith communities saw this growing reality as an opportunity to create meaningful ministries of care and outreach for millions of people and the animals they love?New Tricks is a groundbreakin...

Being a mother isn’t easy. Sometimes it’s hard to experience a personalconnection with God and community when you are caught up in the chaos ofjust “doing family”.Independent and self-sufficient, authorBetsy Singleton Snyder lived a full and busy life as a pastor,missionary, and wife to a husband who served in the U.S. House of Representatives. She had her first childat age 44, then at 47, she found out she was carrying triplets.Suddenly fi...

How do you find your way through the broken pieces and the pain to peace?In this honest and searching book, New York Times best-selling author Iyanla Vanzant recounts the last decade of her profoundly human journey and shares her own hard lessons to inspire you to put your personal puzzle back together.Part metaphorical teaching story, part wrenching personal chronicle, this phoenix-rising-from-the-ashes tale is about men and money, love and work, ...

Through touching true stories and inspiring insight, Debbie Macomber takes us on a journey to discover the influence others have on us—and the power we have to influence them in turn.Who is on God’s “guest list” for your life…and why? The answers may surprise you.Each of us have “influencers” that have affected our lives—some from a distance, some through word or deed, some through example, be it good or bad. Often we don’t even recognize the deep impact ot...

Don't let your past keep you from a full future.Like every girl, Sarah Jakes dreamed of a life full of love, laughter, and happy endings. But her dreams changed dramatically when she became pregnant at age thirteen, a reality only compounded by the fact that her father, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was one of the most influential megachurch pastors in the nation. As a teen mom and a high-profile preacher's kid, her road was lonely. She was shunned at school, gossiped about a...

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERLife is messy for each of us. But Jen Hatmaker reminds us that it's okay to admit that we're all in the same boat. Join New York Times bestselling author and honorary big sister Jen as she shares hilarious tales, shameless honesty, and unconditional hope for the woman who's forgotten her moxie.We will endure discouragement, heartbreak, failure, and suffering. All of us. And more than once. But we a...

Struggles test us all, but readers will find counsel and reassurance in these devotional stories of faith, strength, and prayer, providing a boost and reminder of God’s ever-present love during difficult times.Life has always been filled with trials, including illness, job loss, grief, addictions, and much more. God never promised that our earthly lives would be without difficulties, but He assured us that He will always be with us to share our burdens. Chicken...

Remarkable True Stories of Miraculous Answers to PrayerMany people pray, but some don't really believe that God is listening. Answers to prayer can be so small and ordinary that they go unnoticed. But every so often we are powerfully reminded that God does indeed hear and answer prayer. What begins with simple faith and a basic prayer from an average Christian ends with an astounding gift from our loving heavenly Father.In this new collection, ordinary peop...

The phrase "I'm spiritual but not religious" has become a cliché. It's easy to find God amid the convenience of self-styled spirituality -- but is it possible (and more worthwhile) to search for God through religion?Minister and celebrated author Lillian Daniel gives a new spin on church with stories of what a life of faith can really be: weird, wondrous, and well worth trying. From a rock-and-roller sexton to a BB gun-toting grandma, a church service attended by animals to a group...

“Shannan’s story feels at once familiar and spectacular, ordinary and exceptional. You will discover that at the same time her words make you squirm, you will wish you lived next door to her. You will want her wisdom and you will want her pickles.” —Jen Hatmaker (from the foreword)Shannan Martin had the perfect life: a cute farmhouse on six rambling acres, a loving husband, three adorable kids, money, friends, a close-knit church—a safe, happy existence.But when the bottom ...

Many wives long to have their husbands choose them all over again. To be their knight in shining armor. Their leader. Their listener. Their lover. In 52 Things Wives Need from Their Husbands, Jay Payleitner, veteran radio producer and author of 52 Things Kids Need from a Dad, offers a bounty of welcome advice, such as "Stir her pots", "Buy sparkly gifts", "Be the handyman", "Stay married", "Kiss her in the kitchen", "Leave your mommy", and "Put her second". A great gift or men's group reso...

Bestselling author and mother of four children Angela Thomas brings her trademark storytelling and biblical teaching to this book of encouragement for moms who, in the daily whir of busyness, long to connect with their kids in new ways.With compassion and creativity, Angela presents 52 inspirations to help moms experience intentional mothering, intentional living, and intentional joy as they:talk to their child as though he is fascinatinglearn to play one vi...