GOD WILLS IT! It all started with a Viking raiWhen he is captured and forced into slavery, Aillil the Irishman must pretend to be a priest or die. Better to be a high-value priest than a low-value corpse, he thinks, and so it happens that a failed novitiate (he loved women too well) is taken up by Norway's first Christian lord, Erling Skjalgsson to bring the Word to his people. Ironically, though "Father"Aillil is as phony as a three-dollar psalm, he and he alone must convert a fiercely pagan people to the gentle teachings of Christ¾and they don't want to hear about it. Nor do their "gods," who are all too real, and all too liable to do something horrible to those disturbing their divine peace. It's going to take a miracle for Aillil to succeed, or even survive, but fortunately God (the one true God, not those pagan demon creatures) is on his side. . . . At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). "... many fierce battles, both with men and with sendings from the other gods ... a Norse saga wrapped in a hair shirt . . . introspective and bloody. . . ." ¾VOYA "The book is not for spiritual sissies . . . rowdy action and a realistic look at the human and spiritual costs of religious and cultural conversion." ¾Florida Today

Most people are familiar with the classics of Western literature, but few have actually read them. Written to equip readers for a lifetime of learning, this beginner's guide to reading the classics by renowned literary scholar Leland Ryken answers basic questions readers often have, including "Why read the classics?" and "How do I read a classic?" Offering a list of some of the best works from the last 2,000 years and time-tested tips for effectively engaging with them, this companion to Ryken's Christian Guides to the Classics series will give readers the tools they need to read, interact with, and enjoy some of history's greatest literature.

A DRAFT FROM THE PAST There's something unnerving about the October north wind. It makes a wolf in the wilderness turn southward, in search of dangerous prey. It gets inside people's ears, opening their minds to bizarre ideas. It gets under their skin, inclining them to violence. Of course there's the comet too, a spectacular one, tracked by ordinary people in back yards, and by not-so-ordinary cult members at the top of a makeshift observatory. Something's gusting into Epsom, Minnesota. A witch in her quiet house feels it with dread. A young disc jockey feels it with confusion. A world-famous Norwegian poet greets it with triumph. And Professor Carl Martell listens to its song with worry¾because Martell cannot tell a lie, but he knows one when he hears it. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management). Praise for Lars Walker's Erling's Word: "... many fierce battles, both with men and with sendings from the other gods.. . a Norse saga wrapped in a hair shirt.. . introspective and bloody...." ¾VOYA

Modern-day Christians often bring their own presuppositions and assumptions to the reading of the Bible, not realizing how deeply their understanding of Christ's life and teachings is affected by a 21st-century worldview. In Understanding Jesus, author Joe Amaral delves deep into Jewish history, societal mores, and cultural traditions, closing the gap created by geographical distance and over two thousand years of history. Using a chronological approach to the life of Christ, he guides the reader through significant events such as Jesus' birth, baptism, and crucifixion, pointing out illuminating details that that the Western mind would normally miss. Amaral's premise is that to understand Jesus, we must understand the time and place in which he was born, the background from which he drew his illustrations, and the audience he spoke to. Throughout the book he explores specific terms, places, and events for their significance and shows how they add richness and meaning to the text. Topics include the connection between Jesus and John the Baptist, the annual Feasts and why they are important to modern Christianity, Jewish customs such as foot-washing, clean and unclean foods, paying tribute to political governments, and the significance of various miracles. In Understanding Jesus, Amaral draws back the curtain on a way of life that existed during the reign of the Caesars, and in doing so, reveals truths about the way we live more than two thousand years later, half a world away.

How often do we stop to consider who the God is that we worship? When we draw near and learn more about this God, we become amazed at who He truly is. Join Tony Evans as he dives into the character of our awesome God—one attribute at a time. In God, Himself, we are invited, with unveiled faces, to behold the glory of the Lord—just as the Apostle Paul instructed the Corinthians to do. Dr. Evans offers insights about the character of God that will challenge you to pursue greater intimacy with Him and help you understand more fully what it means to be made in His image. For after all, as image-bearers knowing who He is defines who we are. You’ll learn about attributes like God’s wisdom and word, His sufficiency and sovereignty, and His goodness, grace, and glory that make Him the great God that He is. Dr. Evans also includes activities and challenges to help you know how to both process and respond to learning about God. Find your heart encouraged and your worship enriched as you learn about the beautiful nature of our God, the source of all goodness and life.

Everything has a starting point--your life, your relationships, your education, your career. Sometimes we forget that faith has a starting point as well. For some of us, our faith journeys began in childhood as a set of beliefs handed to us by a parent, teacher, or pastor. Maybe you developed a framework of faith based on personal experience. Or maybe you had no faith at all. Too often, a faith formed in childhood isn't strong enough to withstand the pressures of adult life. But what if you could find a new starting point for faith? Welcome to Starting Point - an 8-session small group conversation about faith (DVD/digital video sold separately). Whether you're new to faith, curious about God, or coming back to church after some time away, it's a place where your opinions and beliefs are valued, and no question is off limits. During the eight sessions, you will: Use this Starting Point Conversation Guide to reflect on central questions of faith and life. Watch the video component each week in preparation or as part of the discussion. Explore and share what you're learning with other people in a conversational environment. Come as you are and build relationships with others as you discover your starting point. SESSIONS INCLUDE: Start Problem Trust Rules Jesus Grace Faith Invitation Designed for use with the Starting Point Video Study (sold separately). Andy Stanley is the founder of North Point Ministries, Inc. (NPM). Each Sunday, more than 36,000 people attend one of NPM's six Atlanta-area churches. To learn more and to access free online resources, visit www.northpointministries.org.