Why We Don't Shoot the Wounded makes the case for the redemption and restoration of fallen church leaders and members, rather than ostracizing them through shame and guilt, or forcing them to permanently step down from their calling within a faith community. The author cites biblical precedents in the lives of leaders in Israel and the Church, and retells the story of the God who seeks to restore, and who calls all of us to become the Church who heals the wounded. Church members, he says, need to be equipped to respond when one of their own "is overtaken by a trespass, to restore such a one with a spirit of gentleness." This is done within the context of naming the sin, lifting the shame, guilt and secrecy surrounding church scandals, and then moving through the process of forgiveness, healing, accountability and restoration. Jim Reynolds holds a bachelor's and a master of divinity degree from Abilene Christian University (1964, 1967), a doctorate from the Graduate Theological University, Berkeley, Calif. (1974), and a law degree from SMU (1981). He has been a licensed marriage and family counselor, and has published numerous articles and books, including Secrets of Eden, God and Human Sexuality (1974), The Lepers Among Us (2007), and The Lavish Hospitality of God (2009). Jim has taught religion, theology, philosophy, and biblical studies at Pepperdine University and the University of Texas, and presently is an adjunct professor at Dallas Christian College. He also does mediation for Dale O'Neall and Associates in Fort Worth, Texas. From 1981 to 2007, Jim was a family lawyer and partner with the Whitaker Chalk law firm in Fort Worth, Texas. Since 1984 he has been pastor of Lake Highlands Church in Dallas, Texas. Jim and his wife, Donna, have two children and eight grandchildren.

A beloved, bestselling classic of humorous and nostalgic Americana--the book that inspired the equally classic Yuletide film. The holiday film "A Christmas Story," first released in 1983, has become a bona fide Christmas perennial, gaining in stature and fame with each succeeding year. Its affectionate, wacky, and wryly realistic portrayal of an American family's typical Christmas joys and travails in small-town Depression-era Indiana has entered our imagination and our hearts with a force equal to "It's a Wonderful Life" and "Miracle on 34th Street," This edition of "A Christmas Story" gathers together in one hilarious volume the gems of autobiographical humor that Jean Shepherd drew upon to create this enduring film. Here is young Ralphie Parker's shocking discovery that his decoder ring is really a device to promote Ovaltine; his mother and father's pitched battle over the fate of a lascivious leg l& the unleashed and unnerving savagery of Ralphie's duel in the show with the odious bullies Scut Farkas and Grover Dill; and, most crucially, Ralphie's unstoppable campaign to get Santa--or anyone else--to give him a Red Ryder carbine action 200-shot range model air rifle. Who cares that the whole adult world is telling him, "You'll shoot your eye out, kid"? The pieces that comprise "A Christmas Story," previously published in the larger collections "In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash" and "Wanda Hickey's Night of Golden Memories," coalesce in a magical fashion to become an irresistible piece of Americana, quite the equal of the film in its ability to warm the heart and tickle the funny bone.

Don't Shoot the Horse" is simply a book of encouragement, offering hope to the reader. Hayess unique way of looking at things will help to inspire Christians to notice the many gifts the Savior bestows daily. (Practical Life)

Darren Hobbs is a recently married, born-again Christian, who thinks he has the perfect life--that is, until he meets Daniel Johnson. Daniel is a rebel who loves to party, and is anything but a Christian. This doesn't stop Darren and Daniel though, for they are attracted to each other despite the fact that Darren is married and Daniel has a long-term girlfriend. It isn't easy for them, for before they know what happens, the boys are soon taken on a journey full of love, pain, and angst while learning from each other that some things you just don't question.

Peggy Rowe is at it again—this time giving a hilarious inside look at her writing career. Peggy Rowe has been writing all of her adult life. In fact, she doesn’t know how not to write—even through those years of constant rejection from publishing houses. But between her tenacity and the encouragement of her family, Peggy’s breakthrough finally came—at the age of eighty! Vacuuming in the Nude is most likely her funniest prose to date as she shares her journey of attending myriad writers’ conferences and honing her ability to see humor in everyday situations. From the family’s beloved dog Shim, who thrived on piles of fresh, warm manure from the horse pasture—to vacationing on the sweltering beach with mosquitos the size of dune buggies—to the challenges of aging, Peggy Rowe delivers a hilarious array of stories that reflect her addiction to making people laugh. Even in her cancer support group, she manages to use her humor to affect others for the good. If Peggy isn’t putting her publisher on hold to finish a game of Mahjongg, she’s at her kitchen table window-on-the-world taking notes for the next story for fans old and new to enjoy.

A beloved, bestselling classic of humorous and nostalgic Americana—the book that inspired the equally classic Yuletide film and the live musical on Fox. The holiday film A Christmas Story, first released in 1983, has become a bona fide Christmas perennial, gaining in stature and fame with each succeeding year. Its affectionate, wacky, and wryly realistic portrayal of an American family’s typical Christmas joys and travails in small-town Depression-era Indiana has entered our imagination and our hearts with a force equal to It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street. This edition of A Christmas Story gathers together in one hilarious volume the gems of autobiographical humor that Jean Shepherd drew upon to create this enduring film. Here is young Ralphie Parker’s shocking discovery that his decoder ring is really a device to promote Ovaltine; his mother and father’s pitched battle over the fate of a lascivious leg lamp; the unleashed and unnerving savagery of Ralphie’s duel in the show with the odious bullies Scut Farkas and Grover Dill; and, most crucially, Ralphie’s unstoppable campaign to get Santa—or anyone else—to give him a Red Ryder carbine action 200-shot range model air rifle. Who cares that the whole adult world is telling him, “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid”? The pieces that comprise A Christmas Story, previously published in the larger collections In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash and Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories, coalesce in a magical fashion to become an irresistible piece of Americana, quite the equal of the film in its ability to warm the heart and tickle the funny bone.