We are story-making people. We love reading stories—and we love hearing the personal stories of others. We need stories, or narratives, to make sense of our world. And those stories shape our lives. What is the story you have been told about the gospel? About God? About the Christian life? About Jesus? About the cross? About yourself? About heaven? Your answers to these questions will form a story that will determine how your life will go. The answers reveal your ability to trust, to love, to hope—and even your capacity for joy. Any story worth giving the power to shape our lives must pass a simple test: Is it beautiful, good, and true? If it is, then it is a magnificent story—and that is where transformation takes place. From James Bryan Smith, author of the bestselling book The Good and Beautiful God, comes this spiritual formation resource meant to help both individuals and groups understand the magnificent story of Christ in their lives. The field-tested material within includes spiritual practices at the end of each chapter and a group discussion guide. Uncover the true story of beauty, goodness, and truth that will satisfy the ultimate longings of your heart.

When Olivia's gradmother shows Olivia and Ian a cool magic trick, it inspires Olivia to become a great magician! Ian wants to help Olivia in her magic act and "whooli cahooli!"--he makes Olivia disappear...or does he? Kids will love helping Ian search for Olivia in this fun and interactive format.

We are told, “Look out for yourself first” and “Nice guys finish last.” But following that path leaves us feeling isolated and anxious, and can even take us to a place of ruin. This is not a magnificent journey. There is a road to life in the unshakeable kingdom of God, but it's not an easy journey. "We cannot enter into the kingdom unless we take our cross and die to ourselves," writes author James Bryan Smith. "We often assume that this will be painful. And of course it is. But what is the alternative? I can, for example, choose to navigate my life, choose to live as I want, and aim at fulfilling all of my desires. This will result in that despair Kierkegaard wrote of, the sickness unto death. . . . The wisest choice, then, is to surrender." In The Magnificent Journey, the author shows us the better road, the road less travelled, but the road full of riches. Along the way he introduces us to new spiritual practices that will provide the sustenance we need for the deepest, most joy-filled journey of our lives—the journey into the heart of God.

Edward the Magnificent, as he liked to call himself, is a cool kid. Well, I don't know about the cool part, but he was a kid, to say the least. Spoiled to no end by his overly protective mother. Always getting his way, ready to burst into some kind of crying episode at any time. Never wanting any photographs made of himself because we all knew what would happen if someone took one. You guessed it! He cried and he cried. How can any one boy do so much crying! We all couldn't figure out how he had so much success building and creating when all he ever did was cry! Whatever the reason for his weird ways and excessive crying, Edward was able to do more stuff in his childhood than most adults five times his age! His love for food would make anyone think he was an obese kid but not Edward, thin as a stick, a stick with no bark to be exact. Edward and Alex were always up to doing good, but not the Yanklesnack bunch. Always into mischief, never really hurting anyone but mischief just the same. All the distant relatives of Edward, like the Yanklesnacks were always on the verge of doing good like Edward but not all the way. All this creative imagination that Edward possesses, who knows where it came from. It could have been his red hair that made it possible, although it could have been those special ears too! Some might guess there was a little something in those pizza freckles of his. No matter where it came from, God had something special for this young boy to say and do. No matter if you have a sense of humor or not, you have to laugh at this young red-headed, freckle-faced, big-eared kid, ready to go on an adventure at a moment's notice. We can all wonder what Edward is up to. All we can say is, "Where are you going next, Edward? Where are you going next?"

This book is not a work of fiction. Many of the stories actually happened somewhere; well, most of them. The names and events have been adjusted a bit to entertain the audience. The work is for entertainment only. It is not intended to be a work of literature. The book is protected by copyright. However, the ideas included herein may be used at will. Attribution would be appreciated. The book contains no violence, no sex, or no bad language. It may be enjoyed by persons of all ages. The author would like to thank his daughter Kathryn for assistance with the project and for her love and kindness. Thanks for enjoying the book.

Contains activities that analyze the characters in favorite children's books to inspire students in the creation of characters in their own writing.

Prayer and Praises are significant part of Christianity and in Christendom since the very beginning of time on the subject of relationship with God. Take the spiritual vitamin because when life gets rough the rough gets life, but when you pray and praise you will overcome and overtake whatever comes your way. The mountain can be moved with prayer and praises by faith in the Lord. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! Jesus had overcome the world.” He has done His part, do your part by serving, praying and praising the Lord God Almighty. He hears us when we pray and praise; He knows us inside out and outside in. This book will help you very greatly in your relationship with God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.