Evangelicals are supposed to be experts at telling their story. From an early age you are expected to have a testimony, a story of how God saved you from a life of sin and sadness and gave you a new life of joy and gladness. What happens if you don't have such a testimony? What if your story just doesn't fit the before-and-after mold? What are you supposed to do if your voice is not one usually heard? In these offbeat, witty, and often bittersweet essays, up-and-coming writers tell the truth about growing up female and evangelical. Whether they stayed in the church or not, evangelicalism has shaped their spiritual lives. Eschewing evangelical clichŽs, idyllic depictions of Christian upbringing, and pat formulas of sinner-to-saint transformation, these writers reflect frankly on childhoods filled with flannel board Jesuses, Christian rap music, and Bible memorization competitions. Along the way they find insight in the strangest places--the community swimming pool, Casey Kasem's American Top 40, and an Indian mosque. Together this collection of essays provides a vivid and diverse portrait of life in the evangelical church, warts and all. List of Contributors: Jessica Belt Paula Carter Kirsten Cruzen Anne Dayton Kimberly B. George Carla-Elaine Johnson Megan Kirschner Anastasia McAteer Melanie Springer Mock Audrey Molina Victoria Moon Shauna Niequist Hannah Faith Notess Andrea Palpant Dilley Angie Romines Andrea Saylor Nicole Sheets Shari MacDonald Strong Stephanie Tombari Heather Baker Utley Jessie van Eerden Sara Zarr

Bestselling author Elizabeth George follows her popular teen books (more than 400,000 copies sold), including A Young Woman’s Guide to Making Right Choices, by reaching out to tweens, ages 8 to 12, in A Girl After God’s Own Heart. Upbeat and positive, Elizabeth provides biblical truths and suggestions so tweens can thrive. She reaches out to girls where they’re at and addresses daily issues that concern them, including— building real friendships talking with parents putting Jesus first handling schoolwork and activities deciding how to dress Girls are busy developing new skills and increasing their knowledge as they grow into young women. A Girl After God’s Own Heart shows them how to establish healthy guidelines that honor God, promote their well-being, and help them get the most from this wonderful time in their lives. Perfect for Sunday school, preteen groups, and individuals.

Written as if Jesus is speaking directly to your child's heart, Jesus Calling®: 365 Devotions for Kids is now available in a fun and exciting design for boys, with devotions adapted for each day on the same theme as the adult version of Jesus Calling. Jesus Calling®: 365 Devotions for Kids focuses on the biblical promise of peace we can experience at any time and in all circumstances. With Scripture and personal reflections, the #1 bestselling author brings Jesus' message of peace--for today and every day--to your children. Adapted from the bestselling Jesus Calling, each day's devotion shares the same theme as the adult version, as well as written-out Scriptures. This is a great choice for families to read and discuss during devotional time together. Written as if Jesus Himself is speaking directly to the reader, Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids will engage your kids and help them find lifelong peace in Jesus. Reaching out with peace-filled reminders from the Word of God, these devotions will intimately and gently connect your children with Jesus--the One who meets you where you are. Help your children draw near to Him in Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids.

This delightfully designed devotional--just for your young heart--will inspire and encourage you in your daily faith walk. Dozens of comforting readings offer just the wisdom you need to face the day, along with lovely little reminders that Jesus has a very special message just for you. . . You'll learn that Jesus speaks every day and in every situation--whether you're experiencing hurt, loneliness, anger, sadness, or joy. Each devotional, rooted in scripture and written from Christ's heavenly perspective, will leave you feeling perfectly loved and blessed. For girls 8-to-12.

Growing up fundamentalist and female-and maturing into a feminist By the age of twelve, Susan Campbell had been flirting with Jesus for some time, and in her mind, Jesus had been flirting back. Why wouldn't he? She went to his house three times a week, sat in his living room, listened to his stories, loudly and lustily sang songs to him. So, one Sunday morning, she walked to the front of her fundamentalist Christian church to profess her love for Jesus and to be baptized. But from the moment her robe floated to the surface of the baptistery water, she began to question her fundamentalist Christian faith. If baptism requires complete immersion underwater, what does it mean, she wondered, if a piece of fabric attached to a would-be Christian floats to the top? Does the baptism still count? In this lovingly told tale, Susan Campbell takes us into the world of fundamentalism-a world where the details really, really matter. And she shows us what happened when she finally came to admit that in her faith, women would never be allowed a seat at the throne.

Beautiful Encounters: The Presence of Jesus Changes Everything by Erin Davis is a Bible study designed for girls in grades 7-12.