ABOUT THE BOOK A preacher's kid with a promising future fails to live up to the church's expectations and pays a keen price for it. His is a two decade journey of ups and downs, failed romances, and early fatherhood that stretches his faith in God to near catastrophic measures. Never fully understanding his niche in life, the preacher's kid is forced to figure it out the hard way, relying only on instinct and happenstance. What he finds is a rapidly changing world that is not only enticing but also self-liberating. His strict upbringing and conservative values have been replaced with a burning desire to express himself freely and confidently knowing that the possibility of Hell's fire would be awaiting him for stepping outside the sanctified box of the church's ministry. The only thing that gives him hope is prayer. Before I Lay It Down is a compilation of short stories, raw instructions and inspirational messages to those who are torn between their spiritual journey and an undefined destiny whose paths have crossed many times. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Anthony Spivey, Sr., graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 2004 with a B.S. in Political Science. He would later add a M.S. in Counseling and another M.S. in Educational Administration. He has been a high school Social Studies teacher for the past 12 years and has been married to Jullette Spivey for the past 18 years. Together they have raised a blended family of seven kids-six of which are college graduates. His life is a testament of perseverance, hope, and love.

There’s Good News for the Weary Call it burnout, a spiritual breakdown, or a personal crisis, the toll of Bill Tell’s decades of successful ministry finally caught up with him. Incapacitated and depressed, he found that the road to recovery began at the cross. To his delight, healing opened new freedoms as he embraced the gospel in new ways. Lay It Down: Living in the Freedom of the Gospel is a bold declaration of the overwhelming grace of God. More than merely saving us in our sin, by grace God delivers us from it, making us new creations and treating us accordingly—no matter what. For a generation of Christians who have learned a gospel of performance and striving, Lay It Down offers the good news of the grace that is already ours in Christ.

Former NFL MVP Player Randall Cunningham knows that God can do miraculous things in our lives-not in spite of our pain but because of it. Weaving together his remarkable story as a Pro Bowl quarterback with the principles of contented living that he's discovered, Cunningham-who is now a mentor and a pastor-comes alongside you to coach you through your own struggles. These truths will give you the courage to let go of the bad choices, career losses, and failed relationships that keep you from going forward. Not only is there hope, but as you lay down your pain, you will find surprising peace and empowerment. Lay It Down will help you move beyond whatever is keeping you from being the person God created you to be.

From the author to the reader: Show-and-Tell was the very best part of school for me, both as a student and as a teacher. As a kid, I put more into getting ready for my turn to present than I put into the rest of my homework. Show-and-Tell was real in a way that much of what I learned in school was not. It was education that came out of my life experience. As a teacher, I was always surprised by what I learned from these amateur hours. A kid I was sure I knew well would reach down into a paper bag he carried and fish out some odd-shaped treasure and attach meaning to it beyond my most extravagant expectation. Again and again I learned that what I thought was only true for me . . . only valued by me . . . only cared about by me . . . was common property. The principles guiding this book are not far from the spirit of Show-and-Tell. It is stuff from home—that place in my mind and heart where I most truly live. P.S. This volume picks up where I left off in All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, when I promised to tell about the time it was on fire when I lay down on it.

For anyone who longs for a consistent prayer life yet struggles with distractions, doubts, or knowing where to start, bestselling writer and beloved speaker Chrystal Evans Hurst offers a simple and heartfelt method for having meaningful conversations with God, one day at a time. The kind of intentional, fervent prayer life we'd like to experience often seems intimidating or just out of reach. Chrystal knows how that feels and shares her own relatable journey through the challenges and joys of deepening her prayer life. Showing up to pray just one day at a time, Chrystal found a simple yet powerful practice that made consistent prayer amazingly doable. A warm and encouraging writer, Chrystal shares the same supportive help she found for talking with God specifically and intentionally throughout the day. With relatable stories and timeless Scripture, The 28-Day Prayer Journey offers three prompts each day to guide you through an easy yet intimate prayer experience. From giving thanks, hearing God, and making requests to simply knowing what to say, Chrystal gives practical explanations and easy steps for the core tenets of prayer, including: Praise and Thanksgiving--offering gratitude to God Repentance--seeking forgiveness from God Asking--presenting your requests to God Yielding--surrendering to God The 28-Day Prayer Journey will strengthen your faith and transform your life with the profound experience of communicating with a loving God. Whether you are new to prayer or well-versed in communication with God, this hopeful and supportive guide will help you experience God's presence in ways you never have before through the practice of meaningful prayer.

Most books out there come from a non-cessationist position and few from the cessationist position. Many of the cessationist ones are written at a very technical level only within the reach of scholars or seminary-trained persons, or they are focused on stirring up the debate instead of clarifying it. For that reason, this is not a study just for academicians, theologians, or scholars; those studies are already out there. This book serves to clearly help the average believer to understand the cessationist position. "This book is intentionally designed for the average Christian reader. However, it will also be profitable for those who have theological training. . . . It is clarifying or explanatory rather than argumentative. I recommend this book for anyone, but particularly for those who are wondering about this very issue." --Dr. Thomas R. Edgar, Distinguished Professor of New Testament (Retired), Capital Bible Seminary; author of Satisfied with the Promise of the Spirit "Frank Benoit's investigation clears up the historical errors that have labeled cessationism, . . . and it raises--with humility, respect, and always seeking a scriptural foundation--a solid argument that justifies the doctrine of cessationism." --Jesús Caramés Tenreiro, Director of the Theological Seminary of the Assemblies of God, Cordoba, Spain "Not by Ignorance was a fascinating read. Thanks to Frank Benoit for all his work. I've heard many of the New Testament issues debated over the years. I'm not sure I had ever thought of the Old Testament as having much to say on the issue, so that was stimulating. I really enjoyed the church-history overview, where he did an excellent job." --Thomas Blanchard, M.Div., TEAM Missionary-France (retired) Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew (retired), Institut biblique de Genève, Switzerland

The days are long, but the years are short. No matter if it’s your child’s first step, first day of school, or first night tucked away in a new dorm room away from home, there comes a moment when you realize just how quickly the years are flying by. Christian music artist Nichole Nordeman’s profound lyrics in her viral hit “Slow Down” struck a chord with moms everywhere, and now this beautiful four-color book will inspire you to celebrate the everyday moments of motherhood. Filled with thought-provoking writings from Nichole, as well as guest writings from friends including Shauna Niequist and Jen Hatmaker, practical tips, and journaling space for reflection, Slow Down will be a poignant gift for any mom, as well as a treasured keepsake. Take a few moments to reflect and celebrate the privilege of being a parent and getting to watch your little ones grow—and Slow Down. Nichole Nordeman has sold more than 1 million albums as a Christian music artist and has won 9 GMA Dove Awards, including two awards for Female Vocalist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Nichole released a lyric video for her song “Slow Down,” and it struck a chord with parents everywhere, amassing 14 million views in its first five days. She lives in Oklahoma with her two children.