Books published by Zondervan

You've never seen Mary, or her God, like this! Who is this God? Who is he who calls us to surrender and then leads us on a journey of twists and turns, ups and downs, unlike anything we could have ever expected? Who is this God who calls a young girl to birth a Savior and then watch him die on a Roman cross? Who is he who fulfills every promise and yet shatters every expectation?Come, join Mary, Jesus' mother, on a journey of discovery. Hear the angel's call, walk the long road to Bethlehem, give birth in a barn, search for a lost son, kneel at the foot of a cross, and experience the wind of the Spirit. Come, walk with Mary, and find your own journey in hers.Because life rarely turns out the way we planned ...Because we lose the wonder in the disappointments of life ...Because being highly favored does not mean being highly pampered ...Because Mary shows us God-passionate, breath-taking, and unpredictable ...

Some of the most noted, celebrated and godly men in the Bible made some very big mistakes when it came to raising their children. Roland Warren, President of the National Fatherhood Initiative, calls these errors "e;bad dad"e; mistakes. Bad Dads of the Bible examines these mistakes, brings them into a contemporary setting and gives today's dads much needed advice on how to avoid them. Moreover, should a dad unfortunately make some of these mistakes, this book will give him practical advice and an easy-to-follow roadmap to help him repair his relationships with his children before it's too late.This book is unique because it brings to life ancient Biblical narratives and stories and creatively illustrates important fathering principles in a way that is sure to engage today's dads and help them move from inspiration to action. This book also addresses a troubling notion that is held by many pastors and Christian fathers, a notion that has hampered the church's ability to meet fathers at their point of need. There is a shared perspective and misconception that if we can just help men be better Christians, they will automatically be better dads. In other words, the thinking is that good Christian men will equal good Christian fathers.This certainly sounds logical. But, when you examine the lives of so many men whose stories are chronicled in the Bible, you quickly detected a disturbing pattern. Many of them, even men who had deep and abiding hearts for God, made some rather serious mistakes as fathers that often negatively impacted generations. Therefore, if these fathers had problems, why wouldn't fathers today? Warren believes that this is why God made sure that these "e;bad dad"e; mistakes were front and center, consequences and all, in so many of the Biblical narratives. God truly loves fatherhood and fathers and He wanted these mistakes to be easy to find. Yet, few fathers really take the time to examine them or have strategies to avoid them. Hopefully, as dads study the examples of the fatherhood legacies of men like Abraham, David and Eli, men who loved God deeply, they will learn from their mistakes. More importantly, this book can serve as a clarion call for men to take action now to be the fathers that God designed them to be. There is a saying that a wise man learns from his mistakes. This is true. But the wisest man always learns from the mistakes of others.Each chapter includes Reflection, Correction and Connection sections at the end to help dads easily apply what they have read, as well as a "e;Good Dad Promise"e; to pave the way for future good parenting decisions.

Beyond the Broken Church is a collection of heartfelt learnings from Sarah Cunningham, a young adult raised in the faith, about the church she's not always sure she wants to be part of. The book engages concerns of a disillusioned generation head on and offers hope and honest, practical ideas for moving beyond one's frustrations.In the end Beyond the Broken Church tells a story that will be familiar to many: the journey of overcoming disillusionment and staying the course. This revised and expanded version of the popular book Dear Church revisits the existing book with additional chapters, fresh statistics, new insights into why people are leaving the church, and a resource guide for those who care about the disillusioned and want to understand them better. Beyond the Broken Church will be a breath of fresh air to others who have experienced frustration in church as well as an insider's guide for those seeking to understand current trends in church attendance, particularly among the younger generation.

It's never too late to be a better fatherJim Daly, president and CEO of Focus on the Family, is an expert in fatherhood-in part because his own "e;fathers"e; failed him so badly. His biological dad was an alcoholic. His stepfather deserted him. His foster father accused Jim of trying to kill him. All were out of Jim's life by the time he turned 13.Isn't it odd-and reminiscent of the hand of God-that the director of the leading organization on family turned out to be a guy whose own background as a kid and son were pretty messed up? Or could it be that successful parenting is discovered not in the perfect, peaceful household but in the midst of battles and messy situations, where God must constantly be called to the scene?That is the mystery unraveled in this book. Using his own expertise, humor, and inexhaustible wealth of stories, Jim will show you that God can make you a good dad, a great dad, in spite of the way you've grown up and in spite of the mistakes you've made. Maybe even because of them.It's not about becoming a perfect father. It's about trying to become a better father, each and every day. It's about building relationships with your children through love, grace, patience, and fun-and helping them grow into the men and women they're meant to be.

"e;I wish there were something I could do to ease the pain."e;How often do women see a friend in distress or crisis, but feel helpless to really make a difference? Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts takes the mystery out of how to be the hands and feet of Jesus to anyone in need of hope, comfort and care. Kathe Wunnenberg, whose hope-lifting ministry has impacted the lives of thousands, demonstrates simple, practical ways that acts of creative compassion can transform lives. Whether it's encouraging a jobless friend, lifting the spirits of someone trapped in depression, leaving an anonymous gift for a grieving mother, hosting a starting-over shower for a divorced friend, or playing one small part in long-term support for a family in deep crisis, daily opportunities to make a difference in hurting lives are limitless for a Hopelifter. The perfect book for women who want to spread hope in their friendships, workplace, neighborhoods, and homes, and ideal for those in caring roles in churches and ministries.

The Zondervan Exegetical Commentary series provides a careful analysis and interpretation of the biblical text, rooted in a study of the Hebrew text of the Old Testament and intended to track the flow of the argument in each book and passage.

For so long, Stella was known for her beauty. Now, with her heart stripped bare, she must discover who she really is.Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn't trust beauty anymore after her divorce. Her appearance betrayed her and led to brokenness, so instead of being beautiful, now she tries to make beautiful things, but she always falls short. So she keeps her passion for art to herself and focuses on her interior design work. But if she doesn't get another job soon, she'll be stuck living with her parents.Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no regrets after losing his fiancee. Now he lives life at full speed, striving to see how much he can accomplish. He knows if he slows down, he'll fall apart. So he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town's old theater and is shocked to discover that the designer for the project is his old flame, Stella.Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry and past as they struggle to compromise and work together on a vision for the theater. Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokennessand their unresolved feelings for each otheruntil Chase discovers the hidden parts of Stella, while losing her trust in the process.A near catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force Stella and Chase to realize that they have a choiceto hold on to the shards of their pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful masterpiece from their brokenness.

Combining biblical exegesis with proven economic principles, For the Least of These: A Biblical Answer to Poverty equips Christians with both a solid biblical and economic understanding of how best to care for the poor and foster sustainable economic development.

Lost in translation? Having learned some hard lessons about the costs of recklessness and fame, sisters Paige and Erin Forrester feel ready to take their fashion-focused TV show on location to Paris. Unfortunately, it doesn't take long for many of their good intentions to get lost in translation. An unplanned week of filming at runway model Eliza Wilton's family estate leads to romance, jealousy, and surprises. With cameras rolling, both girls have to be careful or the future of On the Runway could end up as wobbly as Paige's stiletto heels.

New in the Faithgirlz! series, The Beauty of Believing is a 365-day devotional that combines the talents of Faithgirlz! authors Tasha K. Douglas, Mona Hodgson, Kristi Holl, Lois Walfred Johnson, Allia Zobel Nolan, and Nancy Rue, whose words of wisdom will help young girls ages 8-12 to bloom and flourish into the girls God wants them to be.

Purity doesn't mean playing the game of How Far Is Too Far. A pure life is a full lifeone that goes way beyond the ideas of dating, sex, and being a ';good girl,' and focuses instead on what it means to be your true, powerful self.Purity can feel like a dirty word sometimes. After all, who wants to be told what not to do, how not to be, and who not to spend time with? Haven't we proven women are smart, strong, and able to make their own decisions? But the reality is, what we've always been taught about Christian purity isn't 100 percent true. The idea has been twisted over the years into a list of ';don't' rules that have obscured the facts: that purity empowers you to become who you were made to be, and it's about a lot more than sex and dating.Here's the real truth: God designed purity as a whole-life experience, where you have the choice to follow your heart and be true to yourself as long as you're also following his Word. With honest advice, real-life examples, and tools to navigate the temptations and frustrations you face every day (including dealing with those who don't respect your boundaries), Pure Love, Pure Life meets you where you arewherever you areto illustrate why living the pure life isn't as constricting as it sounds, and how it's worth the effort.';This nonfiction book is real and honest, and should be required reading for teenage girls and their parents.' Christian Library JournalPure Love, Pure Life:looks at the idea of purity from a new angle, focusing on the do's instead of the don'tscontains stories from real girls who talk about their own purity decisions, and what being pure means to themis for any girl looking to live a happy, healthy lifeno matter what they have or haven't done in the pasttouches on issues relevant to a #metoo world

Just Sayin' is not your typical 90-day devotional for girls. It's an all-out open space for girls 8-12 to explore and learn more about themselves and their faith, using creative, wacky applications and doodles to teach Bible truths.

Dare U 2 Open this Book is not your typical 90-day devotional for guys. It's an all-out open space for guys 8-12 to explore and learn more about themselves and their faith, using wacky applications and doodles to teach Bible truths.

Discovering Romans: Spiritual Revival for the Soul is a popular-level guide by outstanding Bible teacher S. Lewis Johnson, opening up the motivating truths found in the apostle Paul's powerful letter to the Romans.

In the third installment of the Soul Surfers Series, Storm, a car wash and a surf-a-thon with inflatable toys seem like great fundraisers for a mission trip for Bethany's youth group. But an unexpected and life-threatening challenge for Bethany and her friend Holly brings a mysterious twist to the plans for Mexico.

Bethany usually gets along with everyone, but in Burned, book two of the Soul Surfer Series, fourteen-year-old Bethany thought she was going to Samoa with her family to surf---but it turns out God has much more planned for her when she meets an angry, young man and helps him learn to love again.

Book four of the Soul Surfers Series, Crunch follows Bethany while on a mission trip with her youth group to Mexico, where she meets a soccer-loving little boy who captures her heart and helps him discover the father of his dreams. But because of a promise she makes to him, Bethany's competition in a prestigious surf contest is threatened.

Riley Mae is off and running---this time to Kenya, Africa---in the third book in the Faithgirlz! Good News Shoes series. Adjusting to a new culture and training for the Sole Fire campaign brings challenges, growth and eventually joy as Riley begins to understand that God has a plan to use her.

King George and His Duckies encourages sharing with others. Another VeggieTales classic with Bob and Larry, King George learns that being selfish isn't right and decides to share his ducks with the children of his kingdom. Reformatted into the popular 8x8 softcover edition with the addition of a sticker page.

Praise for Code of Silence: ';Deliberate, plausible, and gritty whodunit.' Booklist Starred ReviewTaken!A detour through the park leads Cooper, Gordy, Hiro, and Lunk straight into a trap, and Gordy is abducted!For the kidnapper, it's all a game, a way to settle an old score, with no one getting hurt. But evil has a way of escalating, and once his identity is discovered, the rules change.Despite the best of police efforts, the hours tick by without a clue or a ransom call, leaving everyone to their own fears. Gordy is gone. Cooper descends deeper into a living nightmare, imagining the worst for his best friend and cousin. Hours stretch into days, and talks of a memorial service begin to surface. But Cooper still feels his cousin is alive and develops a reckless plan, changing all the rules. Now the one who set out to rescue his friend needs to be rescued himself. Sometimes rescuing a friend from darkness means going in after them.

Oden shows that Wesley displayed a remarkable degree of internal consistency in his teachings over sixty years of preaching. The book helps readers to grasp Wesley's essential teachings on pastoral care in an accessible form so that the person desiring to go directly to Wesley's own writings will know exactly where to turn.

Christology, Ancient and Modern brings together proceedings from the first annual Los Angeles Theology Conference. This work surveys the field and articulates the sources, norms, and criteria for constructive theological work in Christology.

In book two of the Merlin Spiral series by Robert Treskillard, the hunted Merlin takes young Arthur to find refuge from the soldiers who believe the young king was kidnapped. Betrayed and enslaved, Merlin must fight for his freedom and sail to the lands of eternal darkness to save Arthur's life. Can he cleanse the world from this ancient evil?

This book helps people understand twelve common false assumptions about Christianity that cripple their faith.

This biography for kids about Billy Graham showcases a true hero of the faith by exploring his life, his conversion, and his ministry.

Meet Sophie LaCroix, a creative soul with a desire to become a great film director someday, and she definitely has a flair for drama! Her overactive imagination frequently lands her in trouble, but her faith and friends always save the day.

Three books in one, this AirQuest Adventure bindup by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jerry Jenkins combines pulse-pounding suspense, nonstop action, and a message of hope amidst tragic circumstances. Travel with twelve-year-old Chad, his younger sister, Kate, and their fighter pilot father, as the three span the globe helping those in need!

Meet Sophie LaCroix, a creative soul with a desire to become a great film director someday, and she definitely has a flair for drama! Her overactive imagination frequently lands her in trouble, but her faith and friends always save the day.