Books published by Lucid Books

The truly remarkable stories are not of lives that have gone astray, but of those who have gone astray and have been incredibly redeemed, and wholly healed. That is Cynthia Wenz's story, not of a victim, but of someone who learned the healing God offers everyone, and who chose to fully embrace that healing. At 29, in a flurry of confusion and hurry, Cynthia followed her doctor's urging for a third abortion. But after weeks of exhaustion, she discovered why she was feeling so odd--she was still pregnant. She had been carrying twins, and one of the babies had survived. In Healed for Life, Cynthia shares her life story leading up to and beyond that pivotal moment: a story of family abuse and alcoholism, promiscuity, drugs, two teenage abortions, depression, eating disorders, and toxic relationships. But Cynthia learned that, as heartbreaking as a past might be, God can heal--not partially, but fully--and that everyone who has struggled with pain has a choice: to stay submerged in the hurt, or to walk in the fullness of God's healing.

"He Lived Among Us: A Look at Christ's Life on Earth" is a description of Christ's activities as recorded by the four Gospels. The comments and illustrations in "He Lived Among Us" will help readers develop a deeper understanding of the life of Christ and will enable them to better relate the events of Christ's life to their own lives. After reading this book, the reader will: Gain a clearer picture of the timeline of Christ's life Be inspired by the evident compassion and determination of Jesus Be affirmed and fortified by the reality of Jesus' life Anticipate the assurances promised to the followers of Jesus "He Lived Among Us" delves into the writings of Christ's followers under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Be blessed as you read.

"Biblical scholar Christian Eberhart unpacks the words of institution of Christian communion services by explaining how first-century Christians would have understood "This is my body, this is my blood." Using a conversational style, Professor Eberhart makes his extensive scholarship accessible to a non-academic audience. Readers will find their own experience of communion deepened after reading this book."Rev. Dr. Priscilla Eppinger, Professor of Religion, Community of Christ Seminary at Graceland University All Christians know that Jesus instituted a celebration with bread and wine. It has various different names, such as Last Supper, Lord's Supper, Communion, or Eucharist. Why do Christians today still participate in this celebration? What is its meaning? And what does it tell us about the ministry of Jesus Christ? This book answers these questions by looking closely at the foundational texts in the Bible. It is an invitation to first study relevant New Testament texts on the Last Supper of Jesus. From there the quest for meaning continues to the Old Testament where topics such as Passover, sacrificial rituals, and atonement are investigated. These texts offer decisive clues on how to comprehend forgiveness of sins that is effective during the Last Supper. Moreover, this book shows that the celebration which Jesus instituted was a ritualized meal. Therefore it explores social functions of communal meals in Greco-Roman antiquity. Thus the Last Supper emerges as a powerful symbol that is still relevant today, conveying the love of God and the ideal of an inclusive society.

Being a Christian in today's society is extremely difficult. We live in a world that markets happiness, comfort, pleasure, fun, excitement, self-image, and many other things at an extremely rapid rate. In a world of competing pleasures, these things can make obeying God look draining. It can seem like your own pleasure and God's glory are at odds, and one has to be compromised for the other. How miserable of a life is one that begrudgingly submits to God in obedience? It's extremely miserable and only makes God look like a dictator and not the loving father that He is. "Choose Joy's" aim is to help people understand that our greatest good isn't found in the world and it's competing pleasures but is only found in God himself who invites us into the greatest joy, deepest pleasure, and rock solid peace by our trusting in Him. What you can expect to learn from this book: - Where the greatest satisfaction for humans is found- Why God wants us to obey Him- How to Choose Joy

Are you worried about America? Are you asking, "What can I do? Is hope for America even possible?" Dare to believe that all things are possible. It was for me, and I'm "just a mom." -Jacqueline Arnold Travel with me across America, for God and Country. This is my true story of adventure across America to reach my dream of seeing fifty states by my fiftieth birthday (50X50), in spite of the storms of my life and my circumstances. I started where I was, a single mom with $2.12 and one airline buddy pass, and traveled 16 states in one year. Along the way, I asked God to Ignite America and The Spirit of America for patriotic and spiritual revival from Georgia to Hawaii, from Maine to Alaska, through multiple national parks, and from the four corners of America. My prayer is for America to Awaken--to Rise Up, Wake Up, Stand Up, and Take Action in these perilous times for God and Country. If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray....I will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14) This is a book of EXTRAORDINARY FAITH where I discovered ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE: - A trip across America without finances - A God who can ignite The Spirit of America - A modern-day outbreak of REVIVAL - God's Amazing Grace offered freely to everyone! This is America's Call to Action.This book contains insight into an intimate walk with God that I pray will heal our nation and inspire a generation to fresh revelation.It is time for an American Revolution and a Great Awakening. Wherever you are. Whoever you are. What's holding you back from believing?

The tendency is to think churches with less than 200 people in weekly attendance are ordinary or everyday-conventional wisdom says that bigger is better and Everyday Churches can have only a limited impact. However, Jesus compared the Kingdom to a mustard seed-the smallest of seeds, but with the potential to change the landscape.

"David Steele's Bold Reformer is a book for our times! As we celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, how appropriate to look afresh at ways the bold faith and action of Martin Luther can inspire and instruct our own faith and work. Christians today need strength of character and boldness of conviction. Steele's presentation of Luther's life moves readers to live bold lives that adorn the gospel of grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone."-Dr. Bruce A. Ware, T. Rupert and Lucille Coleman Professor of Christian Theology, Chairman of the Department of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary"Pastoral ministry is often mingled with both blessing and despair. Many pastors experience seasons of opposition that result in discouragement and even depression. David Steele's new work Bold Reformer is an exploration into the gospel-centered convictions of the stalwart reformer, Martin Luther. Luther faced many pastoral hardships during his ministry, but emerged victorious because of his unwavering faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to drink from the refreshing waters of this book and use the life of Luther as an example that emboldens you to stand strong in the midst of the fiery trial."-Dr. Steven J. Lawson, President, OnePassion Ministries, Dallas, Texas THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO CRINGE! On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed the ninety-five theses to the castle door in Wittenberg. One act of courage sparked a theological firestorm in Germany that set the world ablaze in a matter of days. Spreading like wildfire, thousands were introduced to the gospel which is received by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.Bold Reformer: Celebrating the Gospel-Centered Convictions of Martin Luther takes readers on a journey through a remarkable period of church history. It will challenge contemporary readers to learn the lessons of courage, and perseverance. It will inspire a new generation of people to follow Jesus, obey Jesus, and worship the Savior with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. It invites a new generation of Christ-followers to recover the gospel in their generation and make their stand as a bold reformer.

How can church leaders make wise decisions when planning, designing, and constructing their church's facilities? How do church leaders address the needs and wants of the church while staying within their budget? When should they begin planning their future facility? Pastors, elders, and leaders beginning the process of renovation or construction are faced with the questions of where to begin, when to hire professionals, and how to successfully oversee the many details of their building project. In "Church Buildings", PlanNorth Principal Architect Katie Burch draws from extensive industry experience to give church executives the tools and knowledge to successfully lead their church's renovation or new building construction from beginning to end. Leaders will learn useful tips and advice of how to: Refine the vision and purpose for their church Create an informative, clear fundraising campaign Ensure their facilities meet the unique needs of their congregation Creatively work within their church's budget Navigate the terms and processes of the design and construction industries Whether church leaders are just beginning their ministry or are knee-deep in a growing congregation, this book will serve as an excellent reference guide for an organized, informed approach to facilities. Most importantly, leaders will walk away understanding how to ensure their church facility will serve people for decades to come.

God created the home in perfection--to be a place of peace, harmony, and unconditional love. But sin shattered God's plan, and now strife, chaos, and stress frequently trouble the home. Relationships are broken, sex is distorted, finances divide parents, parenting seems impossible, and normal is actually abnormal. How do we navigate our homes through chaos? In "Gospel in the Home," we will examine how the gospel turns chaos back into order. The gospel isn't just a message to be embraced, but a life to be lived--it heals broken people, empowers the weak, clarifies the uncertain, and speaks into every season of life. The only way to restore our families is to have the Gospel in the Home.

This autobiographical account by Houston Pastor Jeff Wells describes his struggle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder during his adult years. In 1978, Jeff finished second place in the Boston Marathon, two seconds behind Bill Rodgers. This marked the beginning of his battle with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. OCD affected every area of his life and caused so much pain - at times overwhelming anguish and torment for over 30 years. In the spring of 2011, while Jeff was pastoring a large and thriving congregation, he reached his low point with mental disease and recognized how deeply he needed help. Out of desperation, he cried out to God and with the overwhelming prayer and support of his church, a few key friends and professionals, and especially with the love and support of his wife Gayle, Jeff details his journey to healing. The book is honest and forthright, and will bring hope to the many people who struggle in silence with mental pain and to their families.

YOUR WORK MATTERS. A recent Gallup poll found that over 70% of American workers are not engaged in their work. We spend over 40 years working, but for what? Are we destined to grit our teeth through each day and live for vacation time? We must wake up. God created this thing called work for a purpose and it plays a huge role in His plan for us. It was His first blessing. In Walking Through Walls, Brad Larson reframes the way Christians should think about work and helps the reader integrate their faith and their vocation by tackling the walls that stand in the way. In this book you will learn: - God's design for work and man's purpose in it - The consequence of sin on work (and the good news of work's redemptive trajectory) - What faithful, God-honoring work looks like - How to address the walls that prevent integration of faith and work (faulty assumptions, entitlement, culture, etc.) - A better way forward in regards to leadership, "secular" vocation, and maximizing the gift of time Grab hold of the gift of work. God has great plans for you.

The Biblical imagery of children as arrows is not the typical view we have of our children. After all, an arrow is an offensive weapon designed to hit and penetrate its intended target. What does the psalmist mean then when he writes that children are "like arrows in the hand of a warrior?" If we parents are indeed warriors, how then do we raise our arrow-children in such a way that they will, through their Gospel-saturated lives, make the most impact for the gospel of Christ? In "Raise to Release," Victor and Esther Flores invite readers to consider the implication the imagery of children as arrows has on parenting, world evangelism, and the glory of God. Their prayer is that this book will awaken parent-warriors to build their homes with a clear target, a focused aim, and arrow-children who are shaped and released to have an eternal impact for the fame of our King!

"Elements: Four Priorities of the Modern Day Disciple" is a concise, down-to-earth discussion of the four core elements that drive Lighthouse Church. "Elements" explains how the foundational need for Truth, Worship, and Community supports the Mission of Jesus to reach the lost and make disciples. Based on Lighthouse's commitment to, "Simple Church, Simply Jesus," this book is designed to engage and inspire those who follow Jesus into an active, functional and ultimately, Mission-oriented service.

The story of Jonah is much more than a fun story about a big fish. Jonah shows us that everyone runs from the grace of God. Whether in outright rebellion or self-righteous religion, we all run. But in Jonah we also see a God who chases his rebellious people down and overtakes them with an unrelenting love. Breaking common perceptions of this story, "The Gospel According to Jonah" opens our eyes to the gospel of grace in Jesus Christ, who indeed is the true and better Jonah.

Can a mother continue to live when her child dies? I thought not. I believed this sorrow would bring my death. The years of cancer treatment had been filled with a mixture of uncertainty and hope, an unshakable hope in God's healing. Yet now, the heart beat that had been formed within me had stopped and the gaping wound it had left would surely cause my own heartbeat to cease. Somehow, my lungs continued to take in air and my heart continued to beat. When a child dies, a parent undergoes a rapid free fall into the valley of the shadow of death. Whether through tragic accident, suicide, or prolonged illness, such as Kristen's, the descent into the valley is a headlong dive into the solitary, expansive valley of grief. To me, the valley appeared to be bleak and sunless; I realized I was inside the shadow that death had created. This was a place that I could not possibly traverse on my own. I did not wish to be inside the shadow yet I could see no way out.

Do you sometimes feel like you live to exist? Does one day seem to run into the next without much meaning? Do you want more out of life? God desires for us to live each day with meaning. From the moment we wake up, God waits for us to connect with Him. His voice calls, but do we listen? In "Sold Out: Live for Jesus," Carla McDougal encourages readers to find purpose in life by drawing nearer to Jesus in real and practical ways. As in "My Prayer Chair," her heartfelt messages and analogies bring laughter, tears, and understanding to God's Word. Be inspired to live in victory and sold out to Jesus through your thoughts, words, and actions. "Sold Out" not only nourishes the soul but also ignites a purpose for living.

If you're reading this book because you are thinking about starting a business and you just want some quick tips on how to be successful, then put this book back on the shelf and move on down the aisle, because this book isn't for you. But if you picked up this book because you are ready to get serious about success, you're ready to do one of the hardest things you'll ever do in your life, and you have the stamina to see it through to the end, then open the front cover and start reading. Every Man's Guide to Business - How to Get Off the Couch and Get Serious About Success is a quick read, because you don't have time to read a giant business book filled with a bunch of theory you're never going to use. It's practical and provides hands-on action steps using real-life anecdotes from a man who has lived a lifetime creating and selling businesses. Robert S. Lott's down to earth, tell it like it is, take no prisoners style, makes Every Man's Guide to Business a fun read that will give you just the right kick in the pants you need to start and run a successful business.

The Vanguard are the forward force in an Army. The Vanguard are the leaders of innovation. The Vanguard sit on the front lines preparing the way. Highly adaptive, pro-active and willing to innovate at a moment's notice. What if these were the essential qualities of the Church living out the great commission? What if instead of playing defense we decided to shift our focus from rear guard and become the Vanguard? The good news of Jesus has only one direction. The gospel moves forward. The Church should herald that good news with the same passion and vigor that Christ did the first time he proclaimed truth. This short book is a word of encouragement, to herald the gospel of Jesus with a Vanguard heart.

Authentic Faith is an easy to read tool for any person to examine their faith in God. The Bible tells us that we are forgiven and given eternal life by faith, and so we need to find out if our "faith" is what the Bible says it should be. When you read Authentic Faith you will find the pages filled with Scripture and easy to understand commentary on the nature of true, biblically authentic faith. Counterfeit Christianity is all too common, and Authentic Faith is a tool to confront unbiblical and ineffective faith with the truth of God's Word.

Greatness. Every man's ambition. We want to be great at our jobs. We desire to have great possessions. We long to accomplish great feats. We aspire to make a great impact in our local churches and communities, and around the world. Oh, and if we get a great woman along the way, that would be, well, great too. But what about being a great husband? For those of us who cross the marital threshold, that is one of God's purposes for our lives. And thankfully He hasn't left us to figure out how to become one on our own. In Husbands by Design, Ed Johnson III lays out God's blueprint - the Bible - showing the specs on what it looks like and what it will take to be great, godly husbands for the glory of God in Christ.

This is the story of a journey. A journey to be free. Our Healer says, I will take all that the enemy has done to hurt and break and destroy. And I will show you that you are My beautiful child.

As a mental health professional and advocate, I found such value in this incredible book. Contrasted with her award-winning last book, Lisa takes a poignant and below-the-surface look at how clutter and chaos reflect our inner struggles and the need to fill a void. Uncluttered gives a profound, sensitive and clarifying look at the world of disorganization and how our environment plays such an important part in our mood. Lisa shares stories of her personal experiences in her world of organization along with an epiphany of knowledge about how this impacts her intimate world of self-discovery. She gives her clients a voice contrasted with her own in her unique approach of battling the age old struggle of chaos versus inner peace. A must read for anyone who seeks a journey of peace in a disorganized world. -Teresa Cox Reading, RN

My Prayer Chair - A Living, Walking, Breathing Relationship with Jesus How often do you communicate with Jesus? Every day or just in times of need? Do you view prayer as a privilege or a last resort? My Prayer Chair encourages the reader to engage in an ongoing conversation with God - seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. Expect splashes of humor and heartfelt stories mixed with encouragement, scripture and prayer challenges. Carla's grandmama is the inspiration behind My Prayer Chair. Her love, trust, and ongoing communication with Jesus played an important role in molding Carla's prayer life. Throughout My Prayer Chair Carla challenges the reader to develop a moment-by-moment living, walking, breathing relationship with Jesus!