Sent Out

By Don Overstreet

Sent Out is a compelling call to Christians to fulfill their God-given mandate to reach out to a lost and dying world with the Gospel. 

Stressing that the heart of God is “that none should perish” and the will of God is “that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), Don Overstreet takes readers on a journey to discover what it means to be an apostle (or messenger) in today’s world; the character and spiritual discipline required for such service; how to prepare for inevitable challenges; and the importance of each Christian’s call to share the Gospel with everyone, everywhere, in everyway.

Overstreet encourages readers to “become more open to finding out where God is working and run to catch up and join Him in the task.”  Explaining that the words missionary and apostle in Greek mean the same thing, God-sent, Overstreet says the most important tasks of the apostle are to reach people and start churches. 

Speaking from the perspective of one who has had a lifetime of ministry, he discusses how to recognize when God gives a definite call to go to a certain unreached people group or geographical area.  Citing biblical references, as well as contemporary and historic examples of believers God has called to fulfill specific tasks, Overstreet provides practical help and inspiration for those seeking God’s leading in their lives. 

Play Pretty, Jack

By Josh Cassidy

 

Jack had lots of ability, but fear devoured his confidence.  Whether his fear was of swimming or loud noises, the anxiety it produced caused Jack to miss out on a lot in life. As the son of a musician, he had learned to play guitar by the time he reached kindergarten.  Jack was a natural, but once again fear kept him from shining the way God intended. 

 

Then one day Jack’s father invited him to play in his band.  Jack was speechless.  Ever since he began playing guitar, he dreamed that he would one day join his father’s band on stage.  But suddenly he was afraid.  Will fear keep Jack from fulfilling his dream, or will he learn that not giving into fear makes one bold?

 

Play Pretty, Jack inspires children to be bold and not allow fear to cripple their potential.  It encourages them to shine as God made them to shine and “play pretty” in whatever they do. 

Shortly before his father passed away, Pastor Cliff Lea pondered a verse tucked away in the 23^rd chapter of Proverbs: “My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways” (Proverbs 23:26). What did Solomon mean when he asked his son to “give me your heart?” Since we are to give our hearts to Jesus, how are we to give them to our earthly fathers?

In an easy flowing style filled with profound personal stories, Pastor Cliff describes how he “gave his heart” to his father and how the example of his earthly father—Dr. Tommy Lea—is still impacting his life some ten years after his death. Taking from his Dad’s example, he spells out a host of lessons he is still learning from his father. In doing so, he also describes the benefits and vital importance of having a strong heart connection between parents and children.

Sticky Notes & Shoes

 

Hearing from Jesus in the little things in life.

 

Written by: Mary Vigil

Over the next five (5) weeks we are going to walk through life together. We are going to learn, laugh, cry and praise the Lord. We are going to live life with one another. And in the midst of everything we have going on, we are going to open His word and see our lives transformed.

 

My prayer for this book is that it is a tool that helps you discover the ways the Lord is speaking to you. My prayer for you, as I go on and on about my shoes and my passion for office supplies, is that you will laugh, maybe even learn something, and above all, I pray you are able to fall more in love with Jesus throughout our time together. After all, I believe Jesus will use our shoes and our sticky notes to communicate with us on a daily basis.

Sticky Notes & Shoes

 

Hearing from Jesus in the little things in life.

 

Written by: Mary Vigil

Over the next five (5) weeks we are going to walk through life together. We are going to learn, laugh, cry and praise the Lord. We are going to live life with one another. And in the midst of everything we have going on, we are going to open His word and see our lives transformed.

 

My prayer for this book is that it is a tool that helps you discover the ways the Lord is speaking to you. My prayer for you, as I go on and on about my shoes and my passion for office supplies, is that you will laugh, maybe even learn something, and above all, I pray you are able to fall more in love with Jesus throughout our time together. After all, I believe Jesus will use our shoes and our sticky notes to communicate with us on a daily basis.

What if God held the citizens accountable for the unjust policies of their government?  Even more, what if the citizens of the United States faced God’s judgment because the leaders they elected failed to protect the rights of the innocent and helpless?  What if God refused to hear their prayers because they refused to choose leaders who would uphold the most basic transcendent standards of justice?

 

Sobering thoughts indeed.  In this provocative work, Ken Connor and John Revell dare to suggest that there is national culpability for the civil sins of their leaders, and that God views citizens’ failure to address these issues as sinful silence.

 

Connor and Revell raise these prospects in Sinful Silence, presenting biblical principles regarding the heart of God towards the issue of civic involvement. By examining the writings of the prophet Isaiah, they make a compelling case for believers to live up to their political responsibilities and to reflect God’s priorities regarding the participation in the civil process.”

 

Presented in a politically unbiased way, Connor and Revell make a strong and compelling case that breathes new life into the call for Christians to be active within our culture. They encourage believers to be salt and light within our communities and make a profound impact on our great nation.

 

Second Edition: Revised and Updated

Matthew records no fewer than 13 parables of Jesus about the kingdom of heaven. No doubt, the Son of God placed great emphasis on the kingdom, declaring it to be “at hand” and yet coming. Jesus used parables to reveal previously hidden truths about the kingdom, but for many it remains a mystery. When we turn to the Scriptures, we find perplexing and seemingly contradictory teachings about the kingdom, yet it was the primary focus of Christ’s teaching.

What is the kingdom of heaven? Is the kingdom here already, or are we to wait for it? Why did Jesus use parables to describe it? Who’s in the kingdom and who’s not? Why are some cast out of the kingdom? And what can we learn from Jesus’ stories of mustard seeds, pearls and bridesmaids? The Kingdom According to Jesus explores these questions in a simple and compelling way that encourages readers to “seek first the kingdom of God” (Matt. 6:33).

Have you suffered deep losses or feel God has let you down? Some believers turn away from God or maintain a surface relationship. They are trapped in the spiritual ditch of God’s mystery.

Other believers think they know God so well they carry him around in their back pockets, so to speak. They pull him out like a lucky penny expecting him to respond to their bidding. They are comfortably settled into the spiritual ditch of knowing about God.

When we think we know God well, He may surprise us—often in ways we don’t like.  In the book Living Between the Ditches: When God Makes No Sense readers learn to embrace both aspects of God’s nature: We can know God; God is mystery.

Throughout the book the author tells the ?ctional story of 30-something’s Layton and Amy Brooks. Layton journeys from the ditch of knowing about God to the ditch of feeling deserted by God. Stuck between an unreliable God—who Layton thinks has taken away all that he’s known or cared about—or no God at all, Layton struggles with his ex-wife Amy, his young daughter’s upcoming surgery, his father’s death, and his mother’s illness. Layton entices readers to think about spiritual ditches in their lives.

You will examine your own views of God, understand how spiritual ditches hamper your spiritual progress, and determine to stay on the narrow road to God’s house, avoiding the ditches.

In 2007, in Boston, Massachusetts, museum tour guide Lyle McDermott discovers the body of a young girl while fishing in the Atlantic. The body bears an uncanny resemblance to Sierryah Daniels, the subject of a painting that hangs in the museum where he works. But how could that be?  Sierryah was burned at the stake in 1661 after being accused of witchcraft.

 

And even though the girl’s burned hands and feet show ligature wounds, leading Lyle to believe his suspicions might be true, there are still many unanswered questions. Sierryah has been dead for nearly three hundred and fifty years! How would her body end up floating in the middle of the Atlantic?

 

The Legend of Sierryah Daniels, the debut novel from Josh Lawdermilt, takes readers on a journey exploring the bizarre circumstances surrounding Sierryah’s death. You will find that no matter what horrors Sierryah had to face, God was there with her, guiding her every step of the way. Unravel the mystery along with Lyle and discover how Sierryah managed to return to the present day, waiting for her story to be told.

Wake up the champion in you!

Powerful, motivational, and encouraging are just a few words that describe storm champions. 

 

Have you ever been through a storm, and you asked yourself, God where are you in this?

Have you ever stayed up all night trying to find the purpose for your storm?

 

This book is going to help equip you and make sense of some of the major storms, that’s in your life. No matter who you are and where you find yourself in life’s journey, at some point we all encounter storms. We must fully take authority, by standing on God’s word and truly believe that there is no storm, that’s bigger than God.

 

Toby Ellison wants you to know that this book is not just for adults, but it is also an easy read for teens. This book will challenge you and build your relationship with God. In it you will discover that.

 

* A storms champion is more than a conquer.

* You will never complete your mission if you give into your storms.

* When you’re not thinking about God, He’s thinking about you.

 

Prophet Toby Ellison ministers full-time nationally and internationally. Throughout his ministry he has  witnessed many signs and wonders and has  motivated people to draw close to God.  His message crosses denominational lines and racial barriers. With his prophetic ministry and unique style of preaching, many lives have been and will continue to be radically changed.  His love for God and for people is why many call him a compassionate preacher.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky_JSRk0a_o

Hippie Come Home is the account of Steve Drake’s life journey from hippie to pastor. The son of a Christian plumber and a waitress mother, Steve grew up as a youngster with very little self-esteem. With little tutelage from his parents, he scored poorly in school and set a pattern for failure that would follow him until his early twenties.

Having abandoned the faith of his family, Steve’s life spiraled into a declining road to nowhere. His father later told him, “Son, I used to lie in bed with your mother at night and say, ‘Evelyn, that boy will never make it; he’ll never make it.’”

In the aftermath of a devastating night, God offered Steve a second chance. From that point onward, Steve began to grasp his new identity in Christ and recognize that all things are possible through Him. Understanding that his life had meaning and purpose, he charted a new course that led to Bible college and two seminary degrees, followed by pastorates in four states and teaching at a leading seminary to his current responsibilities at LifeWay Christian Resources.

Hippie Come Home will help you understand how God’s strength is perfected through our weakness. If you question whether there is anything about your life that is commendable and can be used by God, this book is for you.

     Do you seek to be successful in all parts of your life, especially your business? During his forty-six-year career with Lanier, the author rose from an entry-level repairman to the Chairman and CEO of the company. During his tenure, the revenues grew from $2 million to $1.4 billion. In From the Shop Floor to the Top Floor: Releasing the CEO Within, author Wes Cantrell not only offers a fresh look at realizing purpose and finding success in life, but he shares how Biblical beliefs can change your thinking about the relationship between God, success, wealth, and you. Cantrell maps his journey from the shop floor to the top floor with personal examples and lessons that he learned along the way. 

    Cantrell presents 7 Keys that unlock the doors and facilitate your upward movement in any vocation and guide you to releasing the success potential the Lord has placed within you. Your purpose will become clear when you take responsibility for your personal development and focus on how your thinking and development must align with the Scripture.

    Success is unique for everyone in God’s world. Cantrell’s lessons and experiences will assist you in understanding God’s plan for you. God takes interest in your success, be it business or elsewhere and while you may not become the CEO of a large company, you can certainly become the CEO of your own life.

Mount Everest has fascinated mankind for centuries. Some have been motivated by the majestic beauty, many compelled by religious superstition, others by the overwhelming physical, mental, and emotional challenge of standing atop her peak.

This book visually chronicles the trek of leaders, both men and women, in their attempt to traverse the arduous trails leading to the base camp of Everest at nearly 18,000 feet. The treks were coordinated by Oxygen For Leaders, a division of Cool Springs Resources, Inc., based in Franklin, Tennessee. For more information:

www.OxygenForLeaders.com

The twenty-first century is witnessing the emergence of a “new atheism” advocated by pundits such as Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins. In The Impossibility of Atheism, author Clayton Sullivan shows that arguments theists have used in the past to counter atheists' contentions about the nonexistence of God do not work with today’s version. A new tactic is required.

Sullivan provides a more effective method of countering new atheism in The Impossibility of Atheism. His method is based on the work of the ancient philosopher Parmenides. According to Parmenides, it is impossible for the mind to think about something that does not exist. Sullivan contends, therefore, that atheism is fraudulent or intellectually bankrupt because atheists, ignoring Parmenides, do not understand that it is impossible to think about God if He does not exist.

Let Sullivan help you learn more about how the theories of an ancient philosopher make it impossible for someone to be an atheist. He also explains why, despite that fact, some people cling to atheism. Sullivan also shows that not all atheists are alike. In fact, there are some atheists he admires. Still, any person who reads this book will realize theism (a belief in God) is a cogent belief that should not be ridiculed.

As you swim through the swamps of life, sometimes it feels like you’ve got alligators chomping at your toes. It is during these tough times when we need to remember that God is still in control and that He will help lift us out of the murky waters threatening to pull us under.

 

It’s Hard to Drain the Swamp When Yer up to Yer Ears in Alligators is the story of pastor’s wife Rockie Sue Fordham. Rockie has had her share of trials and tough times. She has felt the weight of despair in difficulty, and yet, she has prevailed, through the power of Christ. Rockie shares her belief that no matter what happens—good or bad—God is in control, and “all things work together for good for them that love the Lord.”

 

It’s Hard to Drain the Swamp When Yer up to Yer Ears in Alligators is not a book about discouragement but one that seeks to encourage. Rockie’s stories deal with the real, difficult issues of human life in a comical and unthreatening manner, teaching that laughter always outweighs the tears. The book reaches out to the reader, willing you to keep on swimming. Keep on fighting sadness, sin, and anguish, because the Lord is victorious, and He will carry us all to shore.