Maxine James has been broken. When she was just thirteen, an act of unspeakable violence ended the innocence of her childhood. She was abducted and violated on her way home from school. Now twenty-six, the terror of her teen years is never far from her mind. She fears she won't be able to overcome her past to enjoy a normal, healthy relationship with a man. She lives with her sister, Nadine, and her husband, Eric, and even though they are sympathetic to her trauma, home life is a challenge. Nadine's brother in law, Matthew has never been quiet about his feelings regarding his brother Eric's marriage. He has also never been quiet about his dislike of Max, a woman he feels is too outspoken for her own good. Neither of them want to admit the undeniable attraction which is at the root of their animosity, but their siblings know what's really the cause of all that tension. Max and Matthew are persuaded to go on a "pretend" date and the date turns out to be anything but pretend.

Abner Garcia Falero, the son of a renowned pastor, grew up in the shadow of his parents' painful divorce. His life began to unravel at an escalating pace when, as a young boy, he realized that his broken family now lived in the shade of poverty and rejection. Confronted by constant struggle, juvenile delinquency, a life of crime and violence, and an overwhelming feeling of hopelessness, Abner had to choose between life and death. It was the consequences of his decisions that led him to the singular most life-altering encounter he would ever experience. This moment of divine intervention ultimately led him to his destiny-to be a witness of God's tremendous power and grace to rescue a life from the grip of darkness and bring it into the light.

Previously published as House of Mirrors. Driven from his family when his sexuality is exposed, Jonah discovers drama, passion and intrigue in a traveling carnival-and in the enigmatic owner, Rafe Grimstone. The preacher's son and the lord who's rejected his former life in England feel the heat of attraction from the moment they meet. Open-hearted Jonah is willing to risk hellfire and damnation for brief moments of pleasure with Rafe, but the older man is frozen in a past he can't escape no matter how far he runs. As Rafe struggles to choose between responsibilities of his present and his past, mysterious accidents assail the close-knit carnival community. Will the perpetrator be revealed before the traveling show is ruined? And will Rafe finally reveal his true self to Jonah or continue to mask his identity like the changing images in a house of mirrors?

Self-initiation is killing our young men. Without strong mentors, boys are walking alone into a wilderness of conflicting messages about who they should be as men. It's no wonder that our sons are confused about what the world expects from them and what they should expect of themselves. The Intentional Father is the antidote. This concise book is filled with practical steps to help men raise sons of consequence--young men who know what they believe, know who they are, and will stand up against the negative cultural trends of our day. Jon Tyson lays out a clear path for fathers and sons that includes specific activities, rites of passage, and significant "marking moments" that can be customized to fit any family. It's not enough to hope our sons will become good men. We need them to be good at being men. This book shows how fathers, grandfathers, and other male mentors can lead the way.

Over 100,000 copies sold! Coming Out, Then Coming Home Christopher Yuan, the son of Chinese immigrants, discovered at an early age that he was different. He was attracted to other boys. As he grew into adulthood, his mother, Angela, hoped to control the situation. Instead, she found that her son and her life were spiraling out of control—and her own personal demons were determined to defeat her. Years of heartbreak, confusion, and prayer followed before the Yuans found a place of complete surrender, which is God’s desire for all families. Their amazing story, told from the perspectives of both mother and son, offers hope for anyone affected by homosexuality. God calls all who are lost to come home to him. Casting a compelling vision for holy sexuality, Out of a Far Country speaks to prodigals, parents of prodigals, and those wanting to minister to the gay community. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” - Luke 15:20 Includes a discussion guide for personal reflection and group use.

Setting the Captives Free After suffering with suicidal thoughts and addictions for many years, Alfred Flett found himself back in the very church he’d attended as a child. Christianity wasn’t practised in his home, but he was made to attend Sunday school, where he heard the life-changing words of John 3:16. But he eventually dropped out of Sunday school and never returned to church until he was an adult. The path he chose left him a broken young man, and life seemed hopeless. He tried self-help techniques like psychology and counselling, but nothing seemed to help. His need went beyond the physical and emotional. He was running away from his Creator who had made him for a purpose. Have you ever asked yourself: Why am I here? Who created me? What’s my purpose? Alfred found the answer in the person of Jesus Christ. He filled the spiritual vacuum in his life, and He can do the same for you!

"I am the descendant of drinkers and drifters better at passing on their love for the bottle than family history..." Prepare yourself for an unvarnished, harrowing look at one Christian's life. A powerful memoir of knowing and being known by God through the pain of loss, tragedy, and brokenness—Even in Our Darkness explores what it means to fend off doubt and despair, even in the most painful trials. Jack Deere tells the true story of his life growing up near Fort Worth, Texas in the 1950's and the disintegration of his family following his father's suicide. Despite his difficult childhood and an inclination toward the depression that had crushed his parents, Deere describes how he began to wrestle with Christianity and how "God was...slipping in through the crack of an open wound." In his mid-twenties, Jack rose to fame and success as a leading scholar, popular speaker, and bestselling author. But despite being rescued and exalted, Jack was devastated in the years that followed, losing his troubled son to suicide and his wife to alcoholism. Only then did he fully face his own addictions, surrender control, and experience true healing. An authentic story of the Christian life, Even in Our Darkness is like following an experienced guide through a barren country. Like many believers, Deere has had experiences that nearly destroyed him, and he was shown, by grace, how to overcome life's disappointments and learn to hear God speak in unbelievable ways, despite the darkness that surrounds us. "Unmasked, unsettling, and unforgettable . . . this will change the landscape of your soul." —Ann Voskamp, bestselling author of The Broken Way and One Thousand Gifts.

Discover and fulfill your God-given purpose by joining the more than thirty-five million others who have embarked on a spiritual journey that started with this #1 New York Times bestselling book by Pastor Rick Warren. Before you were born, God knew what your life had in store for you. His hope for you is to discover the life he created just for you--both here on earth, and forever in eternity. Let Rick Warren guide you as you learn to live out your true purpose. The Purpose Driven Life is more than a book; it's a road map for your spiritual journey. Combining thoughtful verses from Scripture with timely stories and perspectives from Warren's own life, The Purpose Driven Life will help you discover the answer to one of life's most important questions: What on earth am I here for? Throughout The Purpose Driven Life, Warren will teach you to spend time getting to know yourself and your creator in order to live your life to the fullest. Unlocking your true purpose will also reduce your stress, simplify your decisions, increase your satisfaction, and, most importantly, prepare you for eternity. Designed to be read over the course of forty-two days, The Purpose Driven Life will help you see the big picture, giving you a fresh perspective on the way that the pieces of your life fit together. Every chapter of The Purpose Driven Life provides a daily meditation and practical steps to help you uncover and live out your purpose, starting with exploring three essential questions: The Question of Existence: Why am I alive? The Question of Significance: Does my life matter? The Question of Purpose: What on earth am I here for? Each copy of The Purpose Driven Life also includes thoughtful discussion questions, audio Bible studies that go along with every chapter, and access to a supportive online community, giving you the opportunity to dive even deeper into each life-changing lesson.

Paul tells his personal story as a Pastors son and those of several Pastorschildren. However, this book is not only for Pastors Children. It is for anyone and everyone who desires to learn, un-learn, re-learn, earn and stand tall in the challenging race of life. "Paul is a dynamic and charismatic man. He brings with him a strong presence and a lot of energy. He teaches and he learns. The children of pastors don't always turn out as we might expect. Often, they rebel against their parents. Paul is one of those who didn't rebel. He has many interesting stories to tell in this book!" - Dr Jonathan Joseph, School of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK.