Inspired Reads

Mother is only four-foot-eleven on the outside but eleven-foot-four on the inside, especially at Christmas. Every year she decorates a huge tree and gives an extravagant number of gifts. When life takes a turn for the worst and Mother loses her Christmas spirit, her young sons decide to do something about it. In their attempt to help her, they discover that Christmas is a celebration of God’s extravagant gift to us.

This enduring story is sure to become a classic for children ages four through eight and for anyone young at heart. It is beautifully illustrated by an award-winning artist and follows in the tradition of the bestselling The Polar Express.

Faithful Christian Deidre Clark-Morris is a professional career-minded woman with a loving husband, but no children. Kenisha Smalls has lived in poverty all her life. She has three children by three different men and has just been diagnosed with inoperable cervical cancer. While the meeting between these two women appears accidental, it becomes their catalyst of hope. Neither woman expects the blessing that God has in store for her. While Deidre will guide Kenisha on the path to eternal life with Jesus Christ, Kenisha will teach Deidre how to stand strong against the hard-knocks of life.

“Don’t trust anyone…” whispers Robin’s mother just moments before she dies.

As this intriguing story of suspense unfolds, seventeen-year-old Robin is forced from her California home to live in Wisconsin with an uncle she never knew existed. Here in her mother’s hometown, Robin meets two young men and, while unraveling the secrets of her mother’s past, becomes involved in a treacherous plot, not realizing the importance of untangling her own life if she is to find a direction for her future. Feelings of betrayal and resentment burn strong. Robin’s heart becomes torn as she tries to figure out where she belongs and whom she can trust.

Amidst an atmosphere of mystery, amongst the activities of small-town life, and while exploring an abandoned mansion, Robin not only searches for a treasure map, but – more importantly – discovers the far-reaching consequences of making the right or wrong decision.

[Hot Deal] Courageous Living: Dare to Take a Stand – Save 77%

Courageous Living: Dare to Take a Stand by Michael Catt

In the new film COURAGEOUS (from the makers of Fireproof), four police officers are confident and focused when it comes to facing danger on the job. But leading their families at home in a God-honoring way? That takes courage.

Because it is important to take a faithful, fearless stand in so many areas of life, pastor and COURAGEOUS executive producer Michael Catt offers Courageous Living as a closer look at biblical themes and characters that inspired the greatly anticipated movie.

Catt brings fresh insight to “stories of people in the Bible who displayed great courage when it would have been easier to play it safe… (who) challenge me to keep moving forward. They demand that I examine my priorities and deal with anything that brings fear to my heart.”

Readers will catch a new wind of bravery in the bold accounts of Abraham (“The Courage to Get Going”), Nehemiah (“The Courage to Face Criticism”), and Ruth (“The Courage to Face an Uncertain Future”). There are also growth opportunities in the stirring stories of Moses, Elijah, Joshua, Daniel, Gideon, Nehemiah, Stephen, and Paul and Timothy.

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[Hot Deal] The Christ of Christmas: Readings for Advent

The Christ of Christmas: Readings for Advent by Calvin Miller

More and more people are now looking for ways to celebrate the Advent season. This modern favorite from Calvin Miller, now in a cozy jacketed hardcover edition, features brief everyday devotions for the entire month of December that bring readers back to the very first Christmas. Each devotion includes a full-page Scripture reading, main message, call-out quote, and written prayer. For anyone who desires a longer stay, there’s an additional passage to read from outside the Gospel accounts based on the day’s theme, as well as discussion questions that encourage group study or family time.

Revisit the manger, the miracle, and the meaning of Advent with The Christ of Christmas.

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[Hot Deal] Though Waters Roar – Save 80%

Though Waters Roar by Lynn Austin

Harriet Sherwood has always adored her grandmother. But when Harriet decides to follow her footsteps to fight for social justice, she certainly never expected her efforts to land her in jail. Nor did she expect her childhood enemy and notorious school bully, Tommy O’Reilly, to be the arresting officer.

Languishing in a jail cell, Harriet has plenty of time to sift through the memories of the three generations of women who have preceded her. As each story emerges, the strength of her family – and their deep faith in the God of justice and righteousness – brings Harriet to discovery of her own goals and motives for pursuing them.

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Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life after false accusations landed her in prison, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret?

This tender story about fresh starts will charm readers as all of Melody Carlson’s Christmas offerings do. Full of redemption and true holiday spirit, Christmas at Harrington’s will be readers’ newest Christmas tradition.

This bold retelling of Luke 1–2, based on Eugene Peterson’s Message translation, reads like a novel and invites readers to experience the Nativity with fresh wonder.

To Eugene Peterson’s The Message Bible translation, John Blase adds his own storytelling voice, exploring the familiar events from multiple first-person viewpoints. What emerges is the intimate story of unlikely people – a frightened teenaged girl, a worried carpenter, a collection of senior citizens, a disillusioned young shepherd – meeting up with the divine as they bumble and stumble toward the realization that the little one just born is the One.

This retold story of Word made flesh invites readers to react appropriately – with eyes opened wide in wonder, jaws dropped in amazement, and hearts rejoicing. The beautiful design and Amanda Jolman’s lively line drawings make this book a fitting gift as well as a Christmas tradition that families will treasure for years to come.

When one plus one equals thirty-one…

It happens every day.
Guy meets grandpa–and girl.
Guy knocks grandpa off ladder
Guy kisses girl to make it “all better.”
Every day. For a month.
Just your normal, average, all-American romance…

Meet Chessie and Carson. She goes “all out” for Christmas (and every other holiday including Columbus Day, Cinco de Mayo, and Flag Day); he doesn’t own a single thing that could be considered decorative–unless you count the stickers he stuck to his dresser back when he was three.

Neither of them have ever had a serious relationship; both are opposed to frivolous expressions of affection. How on earth did they get tangled up in a “kiss-a-day-during-December” pact?

[Hot Deal] Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul – Save 90%

Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul by Jack Canfield

Christian women who make God and family a priority in their life will love Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman’s Soul, an affirming collection of stories that share the miracles that are possible when their hearts are open to God.

This wonderful new addition is filled with compelling real-life accounts of how women from all denominations were buoyed by their faith during incredibly challenging circumstances: amazing women who maintained faith in God’s divine plan instead of succumbing to fear and doubt; caring women who offered compassion instead of criticism when others needed help; and dedicated women who chose the righteous path when there was an easier one to take.

With chapters on God’s Healing Power, Friendship, Making a Difference, Challenges, A Matter of Perspective, Miracles, Insights and Lessons, and The Love of a Family, this faith-filled collection will encourage Christian women to follow Jesus’ example on their walk through life.

Like a favorite passage from Scripture, this book will offer hope, support, and inspiration to Christian women.

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[Hot Deal] When Strawberries Bloom – Save 82%

When Strawberries Bloom by Linda Byler

Lizzie’s dream of teaching school has finally come true. She loves the brand-new school building, the sound of the children singing, and the independence she has in the classroom. Even the occasionally unruly boys can’t ruin the excitement she feels each morning when she starts the school day.

But at home things are in turmoil again. What do Dat’s sudden health problems mean for the future of their farm? And what about Lizzie’s future? Emma and Mandy are so certain that Joshua and John are their perfect matches, but Lizzie doesn’t know what to think about Stephen and how he might fit into her life.

What will Lizzie decide? Will she continue to teach school? Or will she give up that dream so that her wish for marriage and a family can come true?

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[Hot Deal] The Hallelujah Side – Save 87%

The Hallelujah Side by Rhoda Huffey

“It had been a Second Coming sky all day, which meant they might be in heaven by this evening.”

So begins the uproarious and tender tale of Roxanne Fish, daughter of Sister Zelda Fish and Pastor Winston Fish of the First Assembly of God Church of Ames, Iowa, who believe fervently in the imminent return of Jesus to take the Christians up to heaven. The Fishes’ older daughter, Colleen, wants no part of their exuberant faith (“Where are you going, young lady?” “To find my real family!”), but Roxy longs to be saved even as she fears her sinful desires, such as marrying Elvis Presley when she grows up. If she grows up.

Roxy lives in a world populated by angels with blue noses and demons who follow her around whispering “God doesn’t like you.” And sinners, sinners everywhere, easily identifiable by their makeup and capri pants and knowledge of television programs. Her soul’s journey through this wicked world to her own particular salvation – with an assist from the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin – is unforgettable.

Rhoda Huffey’s affection for her characters shines in every line. She handles large themes with a sure hand, perfect comic timing, and an utter originality that make The Hallelujah Side a joy.

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