This book is about an all-American golden boy—a preacher’s kid, a youth minister, and an extremely gifted basketball player. He never drank or smoked and remained celibate until he got married. On his way to college, he was hit by a drunk driver, which, in turn, ruined his basketball career. While he was able to forgive the driver, he began a backslide. He started snorting cocaine and basically lead a double life. Regretfully, he was involved in a tragic car accident, killing his only daughter and some passengers in the car that he had struck: a pregnant woman and her unborn baby, leaving her only son motherless. While in prison, Eugene had two failed suicide attempts and begged the judge to give him the death penalty, but God had another plan for this man’s life. Like Job in the Bible, he had lost and suffered a lot. Everyone hated him, and some wanted to kill him. He prayed without ceasing, and God answered his prayers. All those who hated him came to his sentencing and spoke on his behalf. Then, like in Job 4:10, God made him more prosperous and gave him twice as much as he’d had before. God sent him to theology college, where he received his master’s degree and again began mentoring kids. He became the pastor of a church, an evangelist, and a missionary who traveled the world doing God’s will.

Scripture reveals a God who meets us where we are, not where we pretend to be. No More Faking Fine is your invitation to get honest with God through the life-giving language of lament. If you've ever been given empty clichés during challenging times, you know how painful it is to be misunderstood by well-meaning people. When life hurts, we often feel pressure--from others and ourselves--to keep it together, suck it up, or pray it away. But Scripture reveals a God who lovingly invites us to give honest voice to our emotions when life hits hard. For most of her life, Esther Fleece Allen believed she could bypass the painful emotions of her broken past by shutting them down altogether. She was known as an achiever and an overcomer on the fast track to success. But in silencing her pain, she robbed herself of the opportunity to be healed. Maybe you've done the same. Esther's journey into healing began when she discovered that God has given us a real-world way to deal with raw emotions and an alternative to the coping mechanisms that end up causing more pain. It's called lament--the gut-level, honest prayer that God never ignores, never silences, and never wastes. No More Faking Fine is your permission to lament, taking you on a journey down the unexpected pathway to true intimacy with God. Drawing from careful biblical study and hard-won insight, Esther reveals how to use God's own language to come closer to him as he leads us through our pain to the light on the other side, teaching you that: We are robbing ourselves of a divine mystery and a divine intimacy when we pretend to have it all together God does not expect us to be perfect; instead, he meets us where we are There is hope beyond your heartache, disappointment, and grief Like Esther, you'll soon find that when one person stops faking fine, it gives everyone else permission to do the same.

This is the true story of how Maria overcame domestic violence, sexual abuse, gang violence, and drug dealing. I ended up in prison for my crimes. Through the grace of God, I changed my life, and if I can change, anyone can change. Anything is possible through the grace of God.

Even though we cant control where were born or how were raised, there is nothing stopping us from achieving our goals in life. For Thomas Dykes Sr., born in South Philadelphia and raised in an African American family in the 1950s, his belief and faith in God would bring him through challenges and propel him toward a successful, fulfilling life. In What God Has Brought Me Through, author Thomas Dykes Sr. shares his inspirational story of faith, determination, sacrifice, and commitment. Opening with vignettes of his early years growing up in the inner city, Thomas invites us to see the way his parents instilled good family values into his and his siblings lives. This foundation would go on to help him be successful at school, paving the way for his eventual service to his country in the US Navy before going on to lead a rich and fulfilling life, both in career and in family. Thomas never realized what he would achieve as a young man born and raised in the inner citynot to mention facing all the obstacles and challenges he would experience later in his adult life as well. But with faith and trust in God, he was able to achieve so muchand others can do the same, but only if they believe in themselves and in God.

I want to thank God and the Lord Jesus Christ for using me to write such a great story. I was in the music business for twenty-six years and had only minor success and I retired from the business with the satisfaction that I gave it my best effort, but also a what if I would have made it sigh in my heart. I loved God and served him for many years, but nothing could prepare a person for something like this. The table cracking during the writing sessions reminded me of a teacher hitting the desk with a ruler to get the class to be quiet. Make no mistake about it the good Lord loved for me to sing to him the different gospel songs that I mentioned in the book and even some of my own songs from time to time but playing around and joking were not taken kindly of when it was time to go to work. I was disobedient one time during the process and I felt a burning pain in my foot after one of the writing sessions that I talked about in the God will not be mocked chapter of the book. The bottom line is we really are made in the image of God and we were intended to dwell with him on a daily basis. My point is that the veil was gone. That's how close we are to God. We think of God in some faraway place and he is, but he is also right beside us and he really wants to commune with us as a Savior who understands what we go through and feel. I want to thank everyone that helped me along the way especially my fiancée, Diamond. I also want to acknowledge my roots from southern Virginia to my current home in Fort Washington, MD. The events in my journey were incredible, but the main point was what my Savior Jesus Christ told me on the day he blessed me to have his spirit, "Tell my children to get right. I am coming back soon." Look at the events in the world now. Hey children of God, get right.

Storms of life pressing you down? Threatening clouds approaching? Are you in strong wind and pouring rain? Didnt have time to prepare? Relax, it is not too late to seek shelter! Know that there is One who desires to protect and shelter you in your storm. The author invites you to journey with her as she shares her storm experience with you. Experience her divine transformation from darkness to light; from deceit to truth; from ignorance to enlightenment. Go with her as she testifies of Gods out-pouring of grace and mercy on her and hers. See how God not only lovingly protected and guided her, but showed favor while escorting her through unseen dangers. Read how multiple blessings were extended even in the midst of her storm, once she decided to ride it out in His arms. Realizing that the price for this ride was pre-paid, she vowed, to share the experience with you. See how the choice to claim the inheritance that Jesus left for her led to victory. Whosoever desires is invited to take advantage of this free ride. All that is required is a little faith.