One day when Kyle was 10 years old, he came sliding outside to the porch I was sitting on. "Momma, what does Heaven look like?" I said, "Well, Bub, I know the Bible says there are streets of gold, and I know there is a big pearly gate. I'm not sure what all the Bible says about it. Go get your Bible, and we'll look it up." I had never considered looking this up before, but Kyle found it very important that day. I knew there was a description, but I didn't know where. I knew there was a pearly gate, but I didn't realize there were gates on all sides of Heaven: North, South, East and West (Rev 21:21). We spent the next few minutes looking at my wedding ring, talking about the streets of gold and different types of jewels one might see. Next, he asked me a question that would change my family and friends' lives. His big blue eyes were worried. He asked me, "How will I find you there?" For years, I have been protective of my children. If we went to Walmart, "This is where you meet me if you get lost." When we went grocery shopping, "You stay here if you get separated from me." At the park, "We'll meet at the swings." I said, "Bubba, can you pick a gate, and remember it even if you live to be 100 years old?" "Yeah" he said. "All right, pick a gate, and if I get to Heaven before you do, I'll be waiting at that gate. If you get there first, you wait for me there, okay?"

From poverty-stricken beginnings to untold riches, from the wilds of the Swedish Empire to the fabulous court of Tsar Peter the Great, within the grim and fabled walls of the Kremlin, Tanya de la Verrière is swept along in a world where women are the pawns and playthings of men, where she must use her wits and her beauty to survive. Desired by many, she gives her heart to one man only, fighting against all odds to finally win happiness.

When you're talking to teens, few things leave an impression like an unforgettable story. Whether it's a humorous page from the history books, a mind-bending whodunit or a fairy tale with a twist, stories cut right to the heart of the matter - and the hearts of your youth group. Now you can grab your group's attention with memorable stories that bring biblical concepts to life with Uncommon Stories and Illustrations. In this must-have resource, veteran youth ministry Jim Burns brings together more than 130 engaging tales to illustrate your message and impact the hearts of teens. Each story is arranged by subject and includes key verses and additional Scripture references as starting points for talks and sermons. Whether you spin a yarn for youth meetings, Sunday School classes, retreats, staff meetings, parent nights, camps, lock-ins or outreach programs, you'll tickle funny bones, provoke thoughtful conversations and open hearts to receive the ultimate Storyteller: Jesus Christ. Includes a CD-ROM with easy-to-print files of every story.

“This beautifully strange book of the mountains is alarming and inspiring."—Samantha Hunt, author of The Unwritten Book A haunting, imaginative, and twisting tale of two sisters and the menacing, unexplained forces that threaten them and their rural mountain community. In 1980s Appalachia, sisters Sheila and Angie couldn’t be more different. While their mother works long shifts at the nearby asylum, Sheila does her best to care for their home and keeps to herself, even when enduring relentless bullying from classmates. Her rambunctious, fearless younger sister, Angie, is more focused on fighting imaginary zombies, and creating tarot-like cards that seem to have a mind of their own. When the brutal murder of two female hikers on the nearby Appalachian Trail stuns their small community, the sisters find themselves tangled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Angie discovers a ripped shirt, soaked in blood; money Sheila’s been stashing away disappears; and a strange man shows up at a local store, trying to barter with a woman’s watch. As the threat of violence looms larger, the mysterious, ancient mountain they live on—and their willingness to trust each other—might be the only things that can save them from the darkness consuming their home. In turns both terrifying and otherworldly, author Alisa Alering opens the door to the hidden world of Smothermoss—a mountain that sighs, monsters made of ink, rabbits both dead and alive, and ropes that just won’t come undone. Unsettling, propulsive, and wonderfully atmospheric, Alering’s stunning debut novel renegotiates what is seen and unseen, what is real and what is haunted.

Robert Tressell's semi-autobiographical novel, 'The Ragged-Trousered Philanthropists', follows the struggle of a house painter to find employment in the fictional town of Mugsborough, based on Hastings. Originally published after Tressell's death, the novel tells a compelling tale of a working-class family trying to avoid the workhouse. The book captures the desperation and misery of a twelve-month struggle to survive, offering a unique insight into the lives of the working poor during the early 20th century. A remarkable and poignant work of social commentary that remains relevant to this day.

Bible study, commentary notes, and journaling questions guide women through James, helping them apply biblical truths to their lives.

Love of a Lifetime By: Theresa Nagy After learning about the death of a close family member, Abby finds herself with too many questions and a set of mysterious initials. As she searches for answers, Abby may find true love as well. With mystery, thrills, and love stories from different ears, Abby’s journey of true love is compelling and will encourage you to never give up on love.