Find a new sense of hope and security as you witness the thoroughly unpredictable ways God intervened in the experiences of men and women in the Bible. Examining six “But God…” moments in Scripture, popular Our Daily Bread author Bill Crowder focuses your hope on the eternal wisdom and perfect purposes of God in every situation.

For I know the plans I have for you, plans for good and not for evil, says the Lord. . . . Joseph the slave becomes a ruler in Egypt. Corrie ten Boom seems destined to die a prisoner in a Nazi concentration camp, but survives to speak to millions. The apostle Paul encounters Christ on the road to Damascus. Bud Paxon meets Jesus in a Las Vegas hotel suite. A Jewish girl named Esther convinces a king to save her people. A young deaf woman defies the odds and is crowned Miss America---and later is able to hear through the miracle of modern medicine. From the chapters of the Bible and the pages of today's newspaper, Let God Surprise You introduces you to men and women whose extraordinary stories demonstrate how God can turn any situation around and bring good out of even the most difficult circumstances. This book also shows how God answers our prayers---sometimes through unexpected avenues. Heather Whitestone McCallum offers her experiences of amazing grace and divine timing along with stories of biblical and modern men and women that demonstrate how our loving and lavish God is ready to surprise us with his goodness and mercy. No matter what challenges you are facing, these stories will inspire you and remind you that God can do anything with a heart surrendered to him. Let God Surprise You will help you see that God never sets limits on what we can become as long as we are willing to put our faith in a limitless God. God loves to surprise his children in the way he works out the plans he has for us, the dreams he has planted in our spirits. He loves to do the unexpected, even the outrageous. Come with me now as we look at stories of people who chose to believe---and were surprised by this outrageous, outlandish, and loving God we serve. Heather Whitestone McCallum dreamed of dancing as a prima ballerina. But how could a deaf girl from Alabama reach such an 'impossible' goal? By dancing before millions at the Miss America pageant and capturing the coveted crown. What an unbelievable way for God to make a dream come true! This is only one of the inspiring stories you'll find in Let God Surprise You. Heather not only shares stories of the ways God has surprised her, but also brings to life other accounts of men and women who have discovered the surprising and often amazing ways God's grace works in human lives. Whether you are currently experiencing tears or triumph, tragedy or comedy, within these pages you'll find anecdotes and insights that will inspire you to trust the God who delights in helping his children find their hearts' desires. Each chapter of Let God Surprise You is like opening a beautifully wrapped gift from the loving heart of an incredible and wonderful God

The bestselling author's inspiring account of her spiritual journey into discovering the love of God. "Beautifully written . . . the message and challenge of the book is profound. . . . This book will awaken your longing and set you off on your own spiritual journey."—Today's Christian Woman "A joy to read from beginning to end."—Virtue Magazine Sue Monk Kidd explores the thrilling possibilities of God's everlasting love. God's Joyful Surprise makes an important statement about devotion to God rather than activity. Strands of humor and warmth woven throughout make it a joy to read from beginning to end.

Sharing your faith doesn’t have to be complicated. Christians are called to be a witness for Christ in daily life, to surprise people around us with the good news of the gospel. Yet putting that mission into regular practice can seem overwhelming. Author Michael Frost, a renowned expert on evangelism, offers refreshingly simple tactics to make evangelism fulfilling, exciting, and effective. Surprise the World teaches clear and practical tools for making evangelism part of your daily life. This short and easy read covers the BELLS method, along with thought-provoking questions and prompts for applying each habit. You’ll learn about each of the five habits: Bless others Eat together Listen to the Spirit Learn Christ Understand yourself as Sent by God into others’ lives Ideal for personal use or training groups on evangelism, the inspiring lessons in this book will transform your view of evangelism in daily life. “A timely wake-up call for believers. A concise and helpful encouragement to those seeking to live on-mission in their communities.” —Ed Stetzer, author and pastor “Eminently doable, entirely practical, and exceptionally effective!” —Felicity Dale, author of An Army of Ordinary People “If every believer developed a lifestyle that included these 5 habits, I’m convinced a great spiritual awakening would take place.” —Al Engler, mission director of Nav Neighbor

At its beginning Christianity was surprising, powerful, creative, world-shaking. Today in the West it is many times familiar, common, and expected, losing its power to surprise and transform. We have developed societal amnesia and ignorance of what Christianity originally was – and what it still can be. We need to recover the surprise of Christianity. We need to ask the same fundamental questions as the early Christians, which will help us rediscover the surprising power of Christianity in our midst. Focusing on the surprise of the gospel message takes us into the heart of what it is to understand Christianity at all, and thus what it is to remember and relearn the life-giving power and witness that went with being Christian at the beginning. This remembering and relearning can, in turn, surprise us all over again and chart a course for our witness today.

"A magnificent book, bursting with profound spiritual insights, from a man who has quickly become one of the greatest spiritual teachers of our time." --James Martin, SJ, author of Jesus: A Pilgrimage In the year since he was elected, Pope Francis’s simple message of mercy, service, and renewal has spread to every corner of the world. Through his gentle demeanor, selfless actions, and welcoming call for service to others, Pope Francis has captured the attention of a world longing for an authentic message of hope—we want to hear what he has to say. Collected from Pope Francis’s speeches, homilies, and papers presented during the first year of his papacy, The Church of Mercy is the first Vatican-authorized book detailing his vision for the Catholic Church. From how to be citizens of the world to answering God’s call for evangelization, Pope Francis's deep wisdom reminds us that the Church must move beyond its own walls and joyfully bring God's mercy wherever suffering, division, or injustice exists. Named TIME Magazine’s 2013 “Person of the Year,” Pope Francis is helping the Church continue toward an authentic Christianity that is faithful to the Gospel and resonant with the world’s greatest needs. The Church of Mercy encourages each of us to ignite the flame within to help share the light of Christ and revitalize the Church.

Bible storybook that teaches young children about Jesus' return and why it's so surprising.

This book explores the deep and abiding human need for contemplation, for coming to terms with and standing in awe of the nature and character of the God revealed in the Scriptures. When so much is wrong in the world, when our lives are troubled by so many threats, both real and imagined, we must learn to look to God and to see all things, including ourselves, in the light of who he is. A life of faithful contemplation begins to free us from the bad desires, false expectations, and corrupting illusions that bind us against our will and keep us from the fullness promised in the gospel.

John Piper has had a profound impact on countless men and women over his nearly thirty years of ministry. From his online ministry with Desiring God to his preaching ministry at Bethlehem Baptist to his writing ministry in over thirty books, his faithful service has encouraged and challenged many with God's Word. Piper's influence does not stem from his own abilities and accomplishments, but finds its source in his consistent and humble leading of others to Scripture, where the breathtaking glory of God is displayed in all its wonder. We rejoice and are changed as we encounter glorious truths about God in Piper's ministry. It is in this spirit that friends and colleagues of Piper, including Wayne Grudem, D. A. Carson, Randy Alcorn, and others, honor him by presenting essays covering topics central to his ministry: prayer, the sovereignty of God, justification, Jonathan Edwards, Christian Hedonism, and more. Pastors, scholars, and lay leaders will benefit from this tribute to a man who has labored so faithfully for the fame of God's name.

Deepen your relationship with God as you discover your God-given gift of creativity. Creativity is usually defined narrowly and associated only with artists or children. "Creativity is so much more than art making," writes Kincannon. "It is a tool for navigating through everyday experiences to find the sacred in each God-given moment. Those who believe they lack creativity have relegated it to remote regions of their life, burying it under the need for security, approval, and control. However,…creativity does not die; it simply waits to be unearthed and set free." Creativity and Divine Surprise couples insightful meditations with thoughtful exercises that will help you celebrate your divine spark and connect with God. Can't draw a straight line? Color-blind? No worries. If you yearn for God and desire greater awareness of God's presence in your life, you're ready for this book. Through Kincannon's words, you'll see creativity as a source of revelation, joy, healing, and fulfillment, and we all need those things. Ready to dance, draw, paint, take pictures—masterpieces or not? Let the Creator work in you through your creativity, so that you become God's masterpiece.