Your Story Matters presents a dynamic and spiritually formative process for understanding and redeeming the past in order to live well in the present and into the future. Leslie Leyland Fields has used and taught this practical and inspiring writing process for decades, helping people from all walks of life to access memory and sift through the truth of their stories. This is not just a book for writers. Each one of us has a story, and understanding God's work in our stories is a vital part of our faith. Through the spiritual practice of writing, we can "remember" his acts among us, "declare his glory among the nations," and pass on to others what we have witnessed of God in this life: the mysterious, the tragic, the miraculous, the ordinary. With a companion video curriculum from RightNow Media, this is a "why not" book as opposed to a "how to" book. Leslie asks each of us an important question: "Why not learn to tell your story, in the context of the grander story of God?"

'Like a best friend giving you essential advice. I can’t wait to give this to every writer I know.' Candice Carty-Williams Why do stories matter? I tell stories to make sense of the world as I see it. The world I have lived and experienced, read about and heard about, and what I want it to be. I tell stories to make sense of myself. Nikesh Shukla, author, writing mentor and bestselling editor of The Good Immigrant, knows better than most the power that every unique voice has to create change. Whether it's a novel, personal essay, non-fiction work or short story – or even just the formless desire to write something – Your Story Matters will hone your skill and help you along the way. This book includes exercises and prompts that will develop your idea, no matter what genre you're writing in. It is practical, to the point and focused on letting you figure out what you want to write, how you want to write and why this is the best use of your voice. Accessible and thought-provoking, Your Story Matters will inspire you to keep thinking about writing, even when you don't have the time to put pen to paper.

A 40-day faith journey to awaken your soul, guide you to peace, and embrace the person God made you to be. WHISPERS OF REST a detox for your soul, a peaceful journey inward to the comfort that a deeper awareness of God's love provides. This 40-day devotional guide and journal will refresh your spiritual life, enhance your every day, and help you experience transformational joy. Uplifting words of scripture, devotions on themes of identity, calling, and intimacy, and prompts for prayer and journaling, offer a soul-soothing break from your hectic routine to help you experience a greater connection with God. Includes: 40 "Whispers of Rest" from Scripture40 Relevant DevotionsPrayerful Journaling Prompts and Writing SpacePeaceful Prayers for the HeartOne-Word Prayer Anchors for Each Day.

Each of our stories matter. Not just the good part of our story, not just the happy fairytale endings, but the good, the bad and the ugly! Why, you may ask, would the divorce you went through, the abortion you had, the abuse you endured or other life challenges matter? Because, life matters. Every bit of it is a learning opportunity. Learning from your story; Reveals your character (your strengths and weaknesses) Shows you what areas of your life you need healing in (grief, abuse, tragedies- unresolved emotions) Exposes your life purpose (patterns of things you do or often go back to that you enjoy and are good at, or feelings you have felt periodically about something that makes you feel alive and passionate) If we are not learning as we live life, what are we doing with the valuable wisdom that is available to us and that could also help others? How could this wisdom, based on my life experiences (my story) help me or others? The wisdom you have learned can help by; Providing encouragement and hope (for instance- we can endure, good things happen) Creating connections with others (we have compassion and empathy when we know each others 'real' story) We stop doing what's not working in our lives and do what will work to live a life of purpose, while setting the example for others to follow suit Angela Schaefers has compiled a book of reflective questions, like no other, that will help anyone to learn from their story! Within the pages of this book you will begin the journey of healing from your story, learning your life purpose from your story and discovering why your story matters!

The message "You matter to God" is presented using the parable of the Prodigal Son. Cartoon. Age range: Children, Youth, Adults

Bestselling author, cofounder of Girlfriends in God, and writer for Proverbs 31 Ministries Sharon Jaynes reveals the secret to living a better story: understanding that the worst parts of our past are the very things God uses most. Many people don't like the story God is writing in their lives. The mistakes, failures, tragedies, and circumstances outside of our control linger in our minds and hold us back. How do we come to grips with the pieces of our stories that we wish weren't there? How do we silence the pain of what has been done to us and the shame of what we've allowed to be done through us? In When You Don't Like Your Story, Bible teacher Sharon Jaynes shows us how God untangles our most painful emotions with the fingers of grace, putting his redemption on display. In the hardest parts of our narratives, we get to see God's greatest work--and this changes the ending of our stories. As we overcome shame, offer forgiveness, and use our stories to help others, we find freedom from the past and learn to live in the restoration of the present.

This affirming book takes the mystery out of writing and shows you how to tell your stories easily and simply, by keeping journals, writing fiction and nonfiction, poetry and letters.