Bøger udgivet af FaithWords

"Each of us has innate instincts that drive our actions, our feelings, and our desires. Learning to recognize, understand, and act on those instincts can help each of us reach for the opportunities and step into the purpose for which God has called us. In Connect to Your Calling, a digest based on the 2014 New York Times bestseller Instinct, New York Times bestselling author T.D. Jakes helps readers identity and understand the longings and interests at the core of who we are. He then guides readers to use those passions to uncover their goals, intentions, and purpose. The profound but easy-to-apply lessons in this short book will help you evaluate your gifts and talents, uncover your purpose, and walk boldly into your calling and a life of purpose. Derived from material previously published in Instinct"--

Listeners of Father Carlos Martins' blockbuster podcast, The Exorcist Files--4 million downloads and counting--know something about the Devil's tactics and deceptions used to gain control over humans. In his much anticipated debut book of the same name, Father Martins goes even deeper into the nature of evil and the how to protect ourselves from it. In this pioneering book for believers, nonbelievers, and anyone curious about the supernatural, Father Carlos shares new case files with readers and explains the reason for Satan's presence in each. He identifies some the doorways demons use to gain access, alerting readers to the very real dangers of evil. For each victim, Father Carlos describes the path to healing--all at a very timely moment in human history. With the rise of pagan and occult practices around us, exposure to evil is more prevalent than ever. From Ouija boards to witchcraft and pornography to emotional trauma, we continually encounter demonic activity that seeks to cause pain and destruction in human lives. Because many people are unaware that they have a foot in two incompatible worlds--God's and Satan's--they're blind to the spiritual battle raging around them. By giving a true account of exorcism from his case files in each chapter, Father Martins uncovers the 2,000-year-old Catholic ministry of exorcism and the process of detecting the presence of the Devil, first partnering with psychologists and doctors to differentiate mental illness and pretend ailments from demon activity before utilizing weapons of faith to wage the battle for a person's soul. The Exorcist Files dispels the myths about how evil spirits are acquired and expelled, giving both Christians and the spiritually curious a behind-the-scenes look at the ongoing battle against Satan. As we try to understanding the darkness in our world today, following Father Carlos's experiences within the spiritual realm that lies behind the physical realm of our experience, we gain fresh insight into the nature and behavior of evil in our world.

"With each new day, the Lord offers a new invitation to fellowship and closeness with Him. He never tires of hearing our voice. We can come before Him with our anxieties, our flaws, our hopes, and our joys, because He cares for us. When we pray our way through the day, the Spirit comforts and helps us, and we are able to encourage others and face our days with new strength. There is no better way to start your day than by spending time with the God who longs to know you more and fill your life with the riches of His grace!"--

With this study guide companion to the book What About Me?, you can experience the true satisfaction and power of living unselfishly with #1 New York Times bestselling author and renowned Bible teacher Joyce Meyer.As we go about our daily lives, there is a little voice in our minds that's always asking, "What about me?" Maybe your voice says, "When is it my turn to be noticed at work?" or "When will someone in this family do something for me?" That voice may be whispering to you about your finances, your job, or your friends, but it is always encouraging you to think about something you don't have. And sadly, social media and culture in general lead us to focus on this world's concept of happiness and success-but does it work? Could you be sabotaging your own success? What could you do to get out of your own way? And most importantly, what is God's definition of success? The Bible tells us over and over that the true source of purpose and happiness is a life focused on God and serving others. Instead of asking when it will be our turn to get a raise, be recognized, or finally make it big, it's time to discover there are more important things on which we should be focusing.By walking in this path, we will have more joy, satisfaction, and a closer relationship with God than we could ever imagine!

"Popular author, speaker, and pastor of Zoe Church in Los Angeles, Chad Veach tackles one of the Christian's greatest foes: an obsession with self. Ego often sneaks up on us in varying forms of narcissism, subtly turning so much of our attention to our needs and desires that we fail to recognize other people's. The Bible depicts the destructiveness of pride-but have we taken note of the rewards of embracing humbleness? Veach reminds us that God wants us to lead satisfied, successful lives with genuine joy and peace, and humility is the path to get there. A self-proclaimed recovering narcissist, Veach has learned the power of humility. He wants to destigmatize the humility journey by normalizing the need for regular ego checks. A quick reset in attitude in any situation will create a delicate balance between self-denial and self-absorption. Pride will draw us into an endless cycle of striving and conniving, defending and deflecting, racing and competing, but the Bible gives the remedy to stop it-by the power of humility. Amongst the alarming and increasing levels of narcissism in society and the Christian church today, Veach delivers a passionate call for making a simple but fundamental shift in perspective that cultivates humility"--

"Encountering the incomparable, immeasurable grace of Jesus is like getting run over by a freight train: you're powerless against it, it takes you where it wants to, you can't do anything to stop it, and it dramatically changes everything. The grace train is the most powerful thing in the universe and also the most beautiful. Grace is one of the most important concepts in Christianity, also it's also one of the most misunderstood, misapplied, and most abused. Run Over By the Grace Train explores the topic of grace: what it is, how we receive it, and how it changes absolutely everything about us. In this deep, spiritually rich book, Joby Martin offers nine key lessons central to understanding God's grace as the central theme of the Christian life. Joby helps readers dig deep into scripture and understand that we are saved by grace alone, grace can't be lost, grace does not condemn, and the sinner and the saint both need God's powerful grace in equal measures. Deep, rich, and life-changing, this book written in Joby's characteristic straight-talk, wry style that entertains as it teaches. Run Over by the Grace Train is an ultimately encouraging, inspiring, and fulfilling look at the power of God's grace"--

Experimenta la verdadera satisfacción y el poder de una vida desinteresada con la autora de éxitos de ventas del New York Times y reconocida maestra de la Biblia, Joyce Meyer.   A medida que avanzamos en nuestro diario vivir, existe una vocecita en nuestra mente que siempre cuestiona: “¿Y qué hay de mí?”. Tal vez algo como: “¿Cuándo llegará mi turno de que me tomen en cuenta en el trabajo?” o “¿Cuándo alguien de esta familia hará algo por mí?”. Esa voz puede estar susurrándote sobre tus finanzas, tu trabajo o tus amigos, pero siempre te anima a pensar en algo que no tienes. Y, lamentablemente, las redes sociales y la cultura en general nos llevan a centrarnos en el concepto de felicidad y éxito de este mundo, pero ¿funciona?   ¿Podrías estar saboteando tu propia alegría, tu propósito, tu éxito? ¿Qué podrías hacer para salir de tu propio camino? Y lo más importante, ¿cuál es la definición de éxito de Dios? La Biblia nos dice, una y otra vez, que la verdadera fuente de significado y felicidad es una vida centrada en Dios y en servir a los demás. En lugar de preguntarnos cuándo será nuestro turno de conseguir un aumento, ser reconocidos o finalmente triunfar, es hora de descubrir la fuente de la felicidad y la satisfacción verdaderas y duraderas.   ¡Al transitar por esta ruta, tendremos mayor gozo y una relación más cercana con Dios de lo que jamás podríamos imaginar!Experience the true satisfaction and power of living unselfishly with #1 New York Times bestselling author and renowned Bible teacher Joyce Meyer.   As we go about our daily lives, there is a little voice in our minds that’s always asking, “What about me?” Maybe your voice says, “When is it my turn to be noticed at work?” or “When will someone in this family do something for me?” That voice may be whispering to you about your finances, your job, or your friends, but it is always encouraging you to think about something you don’t have. And sadly, social media and culture in general lead us to focus on this world’s concept of happiness and success—but does it work?    Could you be sabotaging your own joy, your purpose, your success? What could you do to get out of your own way? And most importantly, what is God’s definition of success? The Bible tells us over and over that the true source of meaning and happiness is a life focused on God and on serving others. Instead of asking when it will be our turn to get a raise, be recognized, or finally make it big, it’s time to discover the source of true and lasting of happiness and satisfaction.   By walking in this path, we will have more joy and a closer relationship with God than we could ever imagine!

"A generation of American Christian girls was taught submitting to men is God's will. They should not question the men in their families or their pastors. They were told to remain sexually pure and trained to feel shame if a man was tempted. Some of these girls were abused and assaulted. Some made to shrink down so small they became a fraction of themselves. To question their leaders was to question God himself. All the while, their male leaders built fiefdoms from megachurches and sprawling ministries. They influenced political leaders and policy. To protect their church's influence, these men covered up and hid abuse. American Christian patriarchy, as it rose in political power and cultural sway over the past four decades, hurt many faithful believers. Millions of Americans abandoned churches they once loved. Yet among those who stayed, a brave group of women spoke up. They built online megaphones. In Disobedient Women, journalist Sarah Stankorb gives long-overdue recognition for these everyday women as leaders, voices for a different sort of faith. Their work has driven journalists to help bring abuse stories to national attention. Stankorb weaves together names readers know now-Rachel Held Evans, Joshua Harris, Bill Gothard-with new names readers will never forget in order to present a full, layered portrait of where Christian extremism stands in the twenty-first century, and how from within the church women and their allies are challenging that standing. Disobedient Women is not just a look at the women who have used the power of the internet to bring down the religious power structures that were meant to keep them quiet, it's also a picture of the large-scale changes that are happening within evangelical culture regarding women's roles, ultimately underscoring the ways technology has created a place for women to challenge the traditional power structures from within"--

A NATIONAL BESTSELLER! Whether you’re struggling to get started, afraid of making a big decision, or clinging to a path no longer meant for you—this book is the kick in the pants you need to take the next step and go after what you want.Gutsy is your guidebook to uncovering the audacious courage within you and making an impact on this world that only you can make. This book will help you learn to turn off the expectations of others, ask for what you deserve, stick your neck out, and be brave enough to take that next step. This book is for you if: You’ve been putting things off, procrastinating, or feeling stuck You’re done letting the opinions of others hold you back  You’re tired of chasing after approval and hustling for validation You know that you are capable of greatness with a little push You’re ready to take action and become the boss of your own life The gap between where you are and where you want to be is never as wide as you think it is. Gutsy will turn your momentary pause into forward progress with a heavy dose of radical curiosity, audacious courage, and abundant grace.

This guide to living well through all the seasons of life encourages readers to trust God's timing and hold onto hope in the periods of waiting. The trials of life can wear us down. Unexpected events force us to face a new reality and unanswered prayers lead us to a growing frustration about why God doesn’t intervene. We wonder if anything good can come out of this painful, dark, winter season.   Grace Wabuke Klein knows that there is purpose in our darkest days and seasons of waiting. In Flourish, Grace meets the reader in their heartache, disappointment, and pain and gives encouragement and a fresh perspective on the winter seasons we all go through, as well as practical steps to not just survive but to find purpose in the unknown and unexpected.   Drawing insight from her own winter seasons, Grace reveals the divine purpose in each season of our lives. She explains how: Fall is a time of release—a necessary season of letting go of offenses, unhealthy relationships, hurts, bad habits, toxic friendships, pride, unforgiveness and other heart issues before we can ever move on to the next season Winter is a time of unexpected challenges and unknown futures—yet lessons learned in life’s storms are deep and full of growth to shape us and makes us stronger. Spring is a time of new things that require us to be open to new experiences, people, ideas, and perspective—stepping out into the unknown and uncomfortable. Summer is a time when everything is flourishing—we clearly see how each season cultivated a deeper level of faith and spiritual muscles, developing our character and perseverance. Grace discovered there is value and unseen gifts in each season, but only in the hard seasons and storms of life are vital spiritual disciplines developed. Flourish connects with the reader in the tension and storms of life to bring a word of hope.

In this inspiring parenting book, learn how to create space for your children to get to know God in a way that focuses on trust instead of a list of rigid rules. Most Christian parenting books are ready with exact practices every family should follow in order to raise obedient children. In this obedience-training model, faith is a wall, constructed brick by brick, as adults tell children what to believe and how to behave.   But what if obedience is not the goal of Christian parenting? What if it’s our job as parents to instead help our kids get to know God and discover that God can be trusted?  And what if faith is not constructed brick by brick, but rather woven strand by strand?   Much like a spider’s web, in which anchor strands and internal threads combine to form a unique web, Woven can help children anchor to who God is and have faith practices that are rich, textured, and all their own. Kids need space to explore the Bible, ask big questions, and even change their understanding of God and faith along the way. With Woven, families can nurture the kind of faith that can flex and grow, be broken and repaired. This is the sort of faith that can stand up to the life a child will live, the doubts they will encounter, and the questions that will come up along the way.     So many parents want to pass along their faith, but know that God is so much bigger than the list of do’s and don’ts they were taught about as children. They want to pass along a faith their child doesn’t have to heal from. Woven is the guidebook parents have been looking for. With a deep reverence for scripture and suggested activities to help your family grow in faith together, Woven is for parents who want to go beyond a list of do’s and don’ts and pass along a resilient faith based on genuine love for and trust in God.

"Believing in God's promises is the pathway to a new level of success and a higher level of living. God's plans for you do not involve you dragging yourself through the day, irritable and defeated. His promises include life, growth, and favor. But you can never learn to soar if your eyes are always down on the ground. In this book, you will learn how to keep your mindset fixed on the excellence God has for you. No matter what your circumstances look like right now, you can stay focused and wait with hope for what God has coming. It's never too late to start, so stop settling and start living!"--

"Many of us understand how easy it is for life to become hectic, stressful, and busy. We are overcommitted, have no free time, and feel trapped in the daily demands of life. But there is good news-you don't have to live this way! In The Joy of an Uncluttered Life, you will find relief from burnout and unnecessary stress with 100 ways to simplify your life. These doable tips will teach you to set boundaries, stay positive, clear out clutter in your life, deal with other people in healthy ways, and more. Even the smallest things we do in a day have the power to bring about more peace, and this book will empower you to make lasting changes in your life. Discover a life beyond stress and frustration and develop a mindset of simplicity and peace!"--

"Esa versiâon ideal de ti no es imaginaria en absoluto. En realidad, es tu ser autâentico el que intenta abrirse paso. Tampoco es una versiâon futura de ti mismo lo que tienes que perseguir. El verdadero tâu puede ser nuevo para ti, pero no lo es para Dios. Es el ser que âEl conociâo desde el principio. En ÆRenuâevate!, el pastor y autor de âexitos de ventas del New York Times, Steven Furtick, habla directamente del desafâio de vivir la identidad y el llamado que Dios nos ha dado. En este reciente libro, âel explora y analiza seis mentalidades prâacticas que todos podemos adoptar para pasar de ser quienes somos hoy a donde Dios nos quiere llevar. Estas seis afirmaciones son verdades sobre ti mismo que puedes expresarlas en cualquier momento y en cualquier lugar: No estoy estancado, a menos que me detenga; Cristo estâa en mâi, por lo que soy suficiente; Con Dios, siempre hay un camino y por la fe lo encontrarâe; Dios no estâa en mi contra; âEl estâa conmigo, obrando a travâes de mâi y peleando por mâi; Estar alegre es mi tarea; Dios me ha dado todo lo que necesito para la temporada en la que estoy. Estas frases sencillas, poderosas y memorables cambiarâan tu enfoque, tus sentimientos y tus acciones para alinearlos con la visiâon que Dios tiene de ti. Dios no solo te estâa llamando a ser tâu mismo. âEl te estâa llamando a renovarte, a ser tu nuevo yo: esa persona âunica y poderosa que Dios creâo en ti."--

"Strengthen your relationships--with family, partners, friends, and others--and find deeper satisfaction by learning to love better. Humans are meant to love and be loved, but so often we fall short at loving well. We take others for granted. We make assumptions. We forget to show our affection. We grow lazy. We so often fail in our relationships with our families, our partners, our friends, and fellow humans because we are lazy in our love for one another, says Keion Henderson, pastor of the mega-church Lighthouse Church in Houston. Lazy love prevents us from experiencing the deep, soulful fulfillment we long to know. It keeps us from being known and enjoyed by those around us. And it stops us from stepping out to give who we are without expecting anything in return. In his new book Lazy Love, Henderson unpacks the four kinds of love mentioned in the Bible-eros, or attraction; phileo, or friendship; storge, or familial; and agape, or spiritual love-and shows readers how each shapes our relationships and our lives. He also encourages readers to uncover the unhealthy practices that often lead to damaged or broken relationships and helps reader break free of the patterns that keep us from loving well. The good news is that each of us can learn to love better and to improve our relationships-with our partners, our children, our friends, our co-workers, and our neighbors. Lazy Love will help readers become better at loving others in all areas of their lives"--

Nik Wallenda, "King of the High Wire," doesn't know fear. As a seventh generation of the legendary Wallenda family, he grew up performing, entertaining, and pushing the boundaries of gravity and balance. When Nik was four years old, he watched a video from 1978 of his great grandfather, Karl Wallenda, walking between the towers of the Condado Plaza Hotel in Puerto Rico, stumbling, and falling to his death because of improper rigging. When Nik heard his father quote his great-grandfather-"Life is on the wire, everything else is just waiting"-the words resonated deep within his soul and he vowed to be a hero like Karl Wallenda. Balance is the theme of Nik's life: between his work and family, his faith in God and artistry, his body and soul. It resonates from him when performing and when no one is looking. When walking across Niagara Falls, he prayed aloud the entire time, and to keep his lust for glory and fame in check, Nik returned to the site of his performance the next day and spent three hours cleaning up trash left by the crowd. Nik Wallenda is an entertainer who wants to not only thrill hearts, but to change hearts for Christ. Christ is the balance pole that keeps him from falling. Nik Wallenda is an entertainer who wants to not only thrill hearts, but to change hearts for Christ. Christ is the balance pole that keeps him from falling.

"We live in an age of noise and it's deafening. Here, learn how to hear God and speak Good News in a way that can be heard. The effects of social media and the news are felt deeply in our day-to-day lives. The countless voices-the pundits, the influencers, the personalities-offering opinions and spewing vitriol nonstop have created a cacophony of chaos. It's difficult to know what's true or who to trust. It's difficult to hear God and be heard. In this book, pastor and author Jay Kim offers thoughtful, concrete guidance for how to listen amidst the noise, hear God, and then speak Good News so to be heard. Drawing on Scripture, social science, and cultural exegesis, Kim helps readers: -Listen through prayer, reading the Bible, and participating in the church -Better understand the environment and effects of social media, news media, and politics -Share the Good News in this environment, encouraging those in your day-to-day life Practical, biblical, and eminently wise, Listen, Listen, Speak is an indispensable guidebook for Christians living in our culture today. It will equip you to not just speak into the chaos with the love of Jesus but more importantly to listen, to one another and to God"--

"Life is filled with obligations-tasks, duties, and dos and don'ts-and when we meet them, we feel a sense of accomplishment. As a result, we often look for meaning or happiness in our performance. We try to earn our way through life. We try to earn favor with God. But what we find instead is constant striving, weariness, and fear. In this book, Pastor Robert Morris shows that we don't need to live this way. What we truly want has been given to us. We just need to be aware of these gifts. Looking in-depth at the life and teachings of Jesus, Pastor Morris reveals anew God's amazing grace. He shows its sheer abundance, its lavishness, and extravagance, and he explains what happens in our day-to-day lives when we fully understand it. Exploring the blessings we have now-access to God's love, favor, and approval-Pastor Morris teaches us how to find rest, gratitude, fruitfulness, confidence, joy, and the list goes on. In other words, Grace, Period. is a clear and compelling roadmap for arriving at an end to shame and striving. It is a guide for finding and enjoying the abundant life God sent Jesus to purchase for us. A life given to us by grace-only grace"--

Are you exhausted by life and constant striving? Are you stuck in cycles of shame or anxiety? Pastor and bestselling author Robert Morris shares the only solution—grace, period. In life, we often look for fulfillment in our performance. We try to earn our way to happiness by achieving goals and meeting obligations. We try everything we can to earn favor with God. But what we find instead is disappointment, fear, and weariness. In this companion study guide to Grace, Period., Pastor Robert Morris shows that we don’t need to live this way. What we truly want has already been given to us—we simply need to receive it! Looking in-depth at the life and teachings of Jesus, Pastor Morris reveals the beauty and perfection of God’s amazing grace. He uncovers its sheer abundance, lavishness, and extravagance, and explains what happens in our day-to-day lives when we fully accept it. Exploring the blessings we have now—access to God’s love, favor, and approval—Pastor Morris teaches us how to find rest, gratitude, fruitfulness, confidence, joy, and the list goes on. In other words, Grace, Period. is a clear and compelling roadmap for arriving at an end to striving and shame. It’s a guide for finding and enjoying the abundant life God sent Jesus to purchase for us. A life given to us by grace—only grace.

How We Love Matters reimagines discipleship by begging us to acknowledge that racism exists in the Church. But we can disciple it out.It is not an accident that racism is alive and well in the American church. Racism has, in fact, been taught within the church for so long most of us don't even recognize it anymore. Pastor Albert Tate guides all of us in acknowledging the racism that keeps us from loving each other the way God intends and encourages siblings in Christ to sit together in racial discomfort, examining the role we may play in someone's else's struggle. How We Love Matters is a series of nine moving letters that educate, enlighten, and reimagines discipleship in a way that flips the church on its head. In these letters that include Dear Whiteness, Dear America, and Dear Church, Tate calls out racism in the world, the church, within himself and us. These letters present an anti-racist mission and vision for believers to follow that helps us to speak up at the family table and call out this evil so it will not persist in future generations. Tate believes that the only way to make change is by telling the truth about where we are--relationally, internally, and spiritually. How We Love Matters is an exposition of relevant Biblical truth, a clarion call for all believers to examine how they see and understand each other, and it is a way forward toward justice, reconciliation, and healing. Because, yes, it is important that we love each other, but it is even more important how we love each other.

In this companion study guide to the New York Times bestselling Do the New You, follow along with pastor Steven Furtick as you discover your God-given identity and grow into the person God designed. Do you ever get a glimpse of yourself that is exactly who you want to be, but always seems just out of reach? The happier, kinder, less stressed, more courageous you? The ideal version of you isn't imaginary at all. It's actually the authentic you trying to break through. And it’s not a future version of yourself you have to chase. The true you may be new to you, but  it’s not new to God. It's the you he knew all along.   In Do the New You, New York Times bestselling author and pastor Steven Furtick speaks directly to the challenge of living out your God-given identity and calling. He explores and unpacks six practical mindsets everyone can adopt to get from who you are today to where God is taking you. These six statements are truths you can speak over yourself any time and anywhere:    • I’m not stuck unless I stop. • Christ is in me. I am enough.  • With God there's always a way and by faith I will find it. • God is not against me, but he's in it with me, working through me, fighting for me. • My joy is my job. • God has given me everything I need for the season I’m in.    These simple, powerful, memorable phrases will shift your focus, feelings, and actions to align with God’s vision of you. God isn’t just calling you to do you. He’s calling you to do the new you—the unique and powerful person he created you to be.

"New York Times bestselling author and pastor Steven Furtick shows readers how to find their God-given identity and to grow into the person God designed them to be all along."--]cProvided by publisher

"Modern culture often sells us lies, a series of counterfeits that masquerade as truth. They promise to bring success, affirmation, fame, and even riches-all of the things that we think will make us happy. Yet none of these things will ultimately fulfill us, and believing these lies can lead us down the path of destruction. Joshua Broome knows this firsthand. He had a successful career in the adult film industry, making lots of money and achieving notoriety and all the markers of success. And yet he felt empty inside. After hitting rock bottom, he cried out to Jesus ... and it was only then that he was fully redeemed. In 7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life, Joshua examines seven things we are told will make us happy and shows how each of them points us back to our need for God. Using his own journey as a point of reference, 7 Lies That Will Ruin Your Life pairs his personal experiences with Biblical truths, demonstrating both how we can be deceived and the healing truth that comes when we realize that Jesus really is enough"--

"Angie Orth should have at least 2.5 kids by now-everyone else back home did. Despite a successful PR career in New York, Angie was failing at the role she was born to play: submissive wife and grandchild incubator. Without a photogenic family and Instagrammable spirituality, folks were starting to wonder if Jesus even liked her. With her 30th birthday looming, she was at a crossroads. Should she hightail it home to find a man like a good girl or run the rat race in NYC and hope for the best? Orth chose Plan C: escape! She quit her job, launched a travel blog, and booked a one-way ticket to the South Pacific while her Southern family gnashed their teeth in protest. But the timing couldn't have been worse for a solo trip. She dodged tsunamis and earthquakes, revolutions, grabby men, and incessant DMs from her worrywart relatives in a journey spanning five continents. In the midst of global misadventures, Orth's hilarious, vulnerable journey of faith and wanderlust shows that God is so much more creative than society's expectations for women. Buckle up for this sassy, relatable memoir about living life unscripted, yet still on mission. By the time readers turn the last page of Flirting with Disaster, they'll feel empowered knowing God's plan is better than anything we think we want-or are supposed to want-for our lives. And they'll be ready to take on the world in their own way"--

"Donna Freitas wants to believe. Raised Catholic, she sang songs about Jesus as a child and lived in a house where nuns and priests were regular guests, yet she found herself questioning the faith of her family, examining the reasons none of it added up, and distancing herself from the God of Christianity. Despite her questions-or perhaps because of them-she made a career out of trying to understand God, pursuing a Ph.D. in religion and writing books about Christianity for a living. But even as she taught college students about mystics, theologians, and others who wrestled with God, she was never able to embrace a faith of her own, no matter how hard she tried. In this searingly honest and deeply personal book, Freitas retraces her roundabout path up and out of the wilderness toward hope, and her dogged-and ongoing-search for faith. She talks about her experience with the Catholic abuse scandal; about being embraced as a speaker at hundreds of evangelical colleges; about how the death of her mother and the loss of her marriage made her question everything she thought she knew about love; how she cannot reconcile the ways the concept of God makes absolutely no sense; and how she cannot stop trying to believe, despite it all. Real, raw, and beautifully-written, Wishful Thinking is a powerful story about the author's search for belief in God, and of finding God in the most unexpected places"--

"Stacy grew up watching her grandmother cook the same way other kids watched cartoons. The Love Language of the South is a memoir of southern culinary culture, regional traditions, and easy-to-follow recipes. More than eighty recipes and dozens of hospitality tips give entertaining tools for novice and experienced hosts alike. Featuring an index designed to help cooks with meal planning, and find content by course, this cookbook will make cooking fun and productive. Or you might go straight for the southern classics, like Hoppin John, Bacon Cheddar Biscuits, Pimiento Cheese, and Cornmeal Fried Okra."--