This set offers two fresh, imaginative presentations that are fun to perform and will get young people excited about being in the Christmas program. The plays can be easily adapted for use by groups of any size -- lines are easy to memorize, and performance time for each is approximately 20 minutes. Bartholomew, The Clueless Shepherd blends the wonder of the nativity story, a young boy's ambition, and a gentle dose of humor into a winning presentation. It tells the touching story of a shepherd boy who initially fails to notice the amazing things happening around him in Bethlehem. But with his father's guidance, Bartholomew gradually becomes aware of the miracle of Christmas and responds to God's eternal love. The Animals? Christmas Pageant recounts the events in the manger from the point of view of the animals -- and do they have personalities with attitude! Perfect for use with middle school or junior high youth, this play has six speaking and several non-speaking roles.

When fifteen-year-old Dana loses the new boy she has a crush on to her manipulating best friend, her talk-show-host parents introduce her to a handsome young tennis star.

Scripture tells us that the words of Jesus made people uncomfortable, confused, angry, repentant, worshipful, and riotous. Today, we read the words of Christ in a steady, even tone and find ourselves wondering if maybe we're missing something. Could it be that we've lost the emotional power of Jesus's words simply because we're too familiar with them? With incredible insight into the surprising and unsettling aspects of Jesus's parables and life, Matt Mikalatos reimagines familiar stories and parables in a modern-day setting, bringing alive for the contemporary reader all the controversy and conflict inherent in the originals. These emotional, sometimes humorous, and jaw-dropping retellings include the stories of the prodigal son, the good Samaritan, the lost coin, the feeding of the 5,000, the death and resurrection of Jesus, and more, asking provocative questions like What would be the modern equivalent of Jesus letting a "sinful woman" wash his feet? Who would be the hero of "The Good Samaritan"? How would Jesus tell the parable of the lost sheep in a city like Portland?

I Saw Him First is a compilation of detailed writings and daily devotional downloads that is scripted and designed for all novice and avid readers alike who endeavor to experience a manifested developmental growth through the catalyst of reading and meditating on God's word. Each daily manuscript presents impactful teachings and tutorials that will provide a dualistic purpose: (1) to empower, enrich, and enlarge palatable appetites for the love and expressed language of God's Word; and (2) to prepare and condition the minds and hearts of all readers for the apex and authentic revelatory intent of God's love--to seek, and see him first in all that we pursue in our daily lives.

"Alarming and hilarious as two cultures meet at the court of President Buchanan." - Gore Vidal

They All Saw A Cat — New York Times bestseller and 2017 Caldecott Medal and Honor Book The cat walked through the world, with its whiskers, ears, and paws . . . In this glorious celebration of observation, curiosity, and imagination, Brendan Wenzel shows us the many lives of one cat, and how perspective shapes what we see. When you see a cat, what do you see? If you and your child liked The Girl Who Drank the Moon, Finding Winnie, and Radiant Child — you'll love They All Saw A Cat "An ingenious idea, gorgeously realized." —Shelf Awareness, starred review "Both simple and ingenious in concept, Wenzel's book feels like a game changer." —The Huffington Post

Across an empty laneway in Paris, through my hotel window, He saw me first.I stopped undressing . . . but only for a moment.The next night, he was waiting for me.He sat there in his expensive suit and watched.No participation.My only acknowledgement was the look of lust in his eyes.It continued until the night before I left, when I found a card under my door.No words. Just a number. So, I texted him.I'd never done anything like it before.It felt so dirty and wrong, but at the same time, I felt alive.He was much older than me, so intimidating and sexy.He made me feel things no man ever has.I was under his spell.The last thing I expected was to ever see him again. WARNING: While this book is best enjoyed going in blind, it does contain distressing themes that may upset some readers. If you think you might be one of those readers, please find the specific triggers listed here: https: //www.goodreads.com/review/show/3598994915

Who was your mother before she was a mother? Essays and photos from Brit Bennett, Jennifer Egan, Danzy Senna, Laura Lippman, Jia Tolentino, and many more. In this remarkable collection, New York Times–bestselling novelist Edan Lepucki gathers more than sixty original essays and favorite photographs to explore this question. The daughters in Mothers Before are writers and poets, artists and teachers, and the images and stories they share reveal the lives of women in ways that are vulnerable and true, sometimes funny, sometimes sad, and always moving. Contributors include: Brit Bennett * Jennine Capó Crucet * Jennifer Egan * Angela Garbes * Annabeth Gish * Alison Roman * Lisa See * Danzy Senna * Dana Spiotta * Lan Samantha Chang * Laura Lippman * Jia Tolentino * Tiffany Nguyen * Charmaine Craig * Maya Ramakrishnan * Eirene Donohue * and many others

A little chameleon successfully avoids a number of dangers by changing colors to match his surroundings.