Books by Mark Worthing

The Swimmer is the fifth installment of the Stories of Life series. In it, people from around the world share their extraordinary stories of faith and life. Some tales are humorous, others are entertaining and upbeat. But not all are happy stories. Many writers describe how they were found by a loving God in the midst of doubts and great suffering, and the circumstances don't always get easier. But the message still comes through loud and clear that God is faithful, near and active in the lives of ordinary people. A poignant tale about a swimmer, which points to the extraordinary beauty and vitality of the human spirit, is this year's title story. In all of these stories we discover that there is something extraordinary to be seen when God works in the lives of ordinary people.

Fourth in the Stories of Life series, Papa’s Shoes is a collection of true stories of faith, written by ordinary people who encounter God somehow, somewhere. Some of these stories are set, as you might expect, in hospital wards and graveyards, on mountaintops and in churches. But others take place along city roads, rural roads, manicured gardens, weed-infested ones, home kitchens and fast-food chains. It suggests that there is nowhere beyond God’s almighty presence. Taken together, these stories turn our gaze to the vast immensity of a God who is near us and who cares deeply for his creation. In these stories, God answers existential questions, provides practical solutions, and reminds a family of his love with something as commonplace as a pair of papa’s shoes.