In this book the authors use stories to take you on a journey that explores the strategies God uses to ensure that we come His way. The stories are often gentle, portraying, for example, the innocence that can occur only in childhood, or the pure joy that is experienced when a child recovering from a brain tumor comes home to stay. But the stories can also be graphically disturbing as is seen in the description of a factory co-worker whose arm is crushed in a massive press or the horrific depiction of the senseless beating of an adolescent child. However, all the stories will show how God acts directly or indirectly in our lives. As you read, you will see Gods unexpected presentation of Himself in the form of a Chicago beggar and His warm presence in the eyes of a younger brother. Other stories reveal that God never gives up on us, placing in our lives people who teach us about the strength, wisdom, compassion, and courage needed to love and finally come home to Him. Unlike what some of us may have been taught about a God of vengeance and power, this book focuses upon a God of compassion and boundless love and upon the patient heart of the Father aching for response, the Lover who without reciprocation continues to love. Chapter after chapter, examples are given to show how God is constantly sweeping and making clear our path to Him. From the time of our birth, we are all on our journey home. In the opinion of the authors, those nudges and bumps we feel on the way are never accidental. They are the prodding and pushing of a God who simply refuses to let us go, a God who is the consummate lover.

I had asked the ultimate question; what is Life before and so now my prayers were being answered. I was about to find out for myself. Never imagined this is how God was going to capture my heart but he did and so the journey begun. This provided insight on how God healed my broken heart as he mended and repaired my being. At first it felt like I went in for an open heart surgery and I was not on any medication so every single thing that was touched on I really felt it. As painful as some of the things done to me in the past felt, I came to understand that was the reason why my Lord was there so I chose to allow Him into my life for healing to begin. It was in Him to give and so a new heart was provided for me to be able to live pain free. As I accepted the gift I was given I felt the heart beat like never before. A tear drop rolled down my cheek and I knew I was transformed. I came to find out it was new life in me. I was coming out a new person, a new being who was no longer conformed to the world but renewed, enlightened & enriched. I woke up and realized I was no longer sleeping beauty as I got the awakening. To me that was healing from the house of heaven. I was now free from heartache, no longer day dreaming but living the dream. The documentary touches on life experiences and showcases a woman's journey as she worked to free herself from oppression rebuilding her life to make it out of the wilderness alive. It turned out to be a journey of a lifetime.

With an array of stories the author affirms that throughout our lives God is there. Sometimes He is there simply enjoying with us the gifts and treasures He has provided. And at other times He is there in our sad and tragic moments, sitting quietly at our side. This book, Snapshots of God’s Caring Presence is a collection of this author’s true and favorite short stories revealing in a multitude of ways God’s caring presence. As you read, you will sit with a barefoot little girl playing joyfully with God as they enjoy the little tadpoles in her long ago pond. In another story you will watch Jose, with God’s guidance, save the life of this book’s author. Still, further as you read, you will observe the women in a poverty neighborhood, fashion and sew little Catherine’s first dress and coat—clothing her mother could never afford. You will listen to the old saw sharpener as he relates God’s wisdom to the neighborhood children sitting with God in the grass near his feet. You will feel the biting, winter-cold wind as along with neighborhood youth you will help put into gunny sacks coal collected from the railroad tracks—coal that will provide heat for the homes of their neighbors. You will savor the joy of God’s work as you sit later with them enjoying coffee around a pot-bellied-stove. Finally, some stories will take you to the edge of our reality. Was God really there? Did I dream it? The stories of the book will flow to and around you, and you will feel God’s caring presence page after page. As noted in the book’s preface, you may not want to read too quickly for every story is intended to provide its own unique flavor.

Father Walter Ciszek, S.J., author of the best-selling He Leadeth Me, tells here the gripping, astounding story of his twenty-three years in Russian prison camps in Siberia, how he was falsely imprisoned as an "American spy", the incredible rigors of daily life as a prisoner, and his extraordinary faith in God and commitment to his priestly vows and vocation. He said Mass under cover, in constant danger of death. He heard confession of hundreds who could have betrayed him; he aided spiritually many who could have gained by exposing him. This is a remarkable story of personal experience. It would be difficult to write fiction that could honestly portray the heroic patience, endurance, fortitude and complete trust in God lived by Fr. Walter Ciszek, S.J.

Shows the importance of the gift of a Bible, how God will search out his 'lost sheep', and how an abusive relationship can be restored. A spiritually-aware child is brought up with no guidance except for a children's Bible. Sexual abuse by her father leads to further abusive relationships. She moves to America to work as a nanny and the downward spiral continues. Despite other spiritual influences, she becomes more aware of God's call on her life. After returning to the UK Deborah gained a degree in Theology from the LST, helped her father turn to Christ and, in so doing, restored their relationship.

No one shapes our heritage or affects our legacy like our mother. Most people know Leonard Sweet, one of the world’s most influential evangelicals, as a sharp cultural critic who helps us see how to get in front of the future rather than be bowled over by it. One of his greatest influences was his mother, a groundbreaking (and sometimes controversial) minister who defied convention while honoring tradition. In this exceptionally personal work, Len Sweet opens his mother’s memory box, and in the process he helps us all embrace the future with confidence while tethering us to a faith that transcends time. Through Len’s experience, we all will better understand and process how our own heritage affects our legacy. An ideal resource for mothers, adult children, and families seeking resources to set up their kids to flourish.

This is a book of powerful short stories. Virtually all of them reveal an emotion filled unforgettable time in the life of a child, teacher, or caregiver. The stories were originally presented orally as parts of keynote addresses. These addresses routinely brought standing ovations for the stories contained within always touched, in a very gentle and humane way, the struggles, successes, and sensitivities that exist in us all. Some stories expose the crushing impact of deprivation and poverty; others reveal honor, empathy, and courage. Still others expose the devastating horrors of prejudice and injustice. Finally, as you complete your journey through these pages you will find that while reading you have been holding hands with the power of believing in self, believing in others, and the power of community. You will not walk away from this book untouched. Its warm and rich stories will stay with you for years to come.