Too often, the demands of pastoral ministry in a small community can bury a person's soul under the rubble of countless needs and not enough solutions. These stories, taken from thirty years of ministry in an isolated, desert community with a diverse population, offer points of hope in the middle of struggle for those in similar situations. Although the details of life are random, there is a connection across the stories where grace and mercy brought hope and renewed eyes rested by time in the community. This is no step-by-step program for improvement-just a simple trek alongside others encountering grace and mercy together. Along with sadness there is joy. Coupled with laughter there are points of mourning. Throughout the book is the story unfolds of a pastor who learned to stay and be changed by grace. "Dane Miller wrote the most rewarding and enriching account of a desert oasis in Rest Stop! I learned the idea of reciprocity of confession and forgiveness. This is real living without pretense! It ought to be celebrated by all!" -Isaac M. Kikawada, retired, Near Eastern Studies, University of California, Berkeley "On the Back Side of Nowhere meets life head-on-life that could be described as 'theology with calluses.' It is unscripted, off-key, and covered with spiritual warts. It is pastor-shepherd and a flock of unruly sheep at their most honest." -Nik Ripken, author of The Insanity of God and The Insanity of Obedience, has lived most of the last thirty years overseas with his family.

The lowest of the low points came when she called to beg social services to take her son into care. Totally alone, shoplifting food to survive and still using cocaine, Danniella knew she had to do something. Written with complete frankness, this is the whole story, from the first time she took coke, as a 14 year old, to the horror and shame of her ruined nose, and the near collapse of her relationship with the man who loved her. As her addiction took over her life she lost her friends, family, career and her looks, but when it came to her son, she knew enough was enough. Inspiring and powerful, this is an intensely personal story of the fight back from the edge of death.

A classic science fiction novel from bestselling author Neal Shusterman is back in print. Jason is having a bad day. The kind of day when you just don’t feel like yourself. Only for Jason, it’s not just a feeling. He really isn’t himself. Not anymore. Who is he? That’s the problem. Jason isn’t sure. And it’s not just him. Everyone in town is acting weird. His friends. His parents. Everyone. Billington is usually such a normal town. As Jason is about to discover, nothing will ever be normal again….

A classic science fiction novel from bestselling author Shusterman is back in print. Fourteen-year-old Jason faces an identity crisis after discovering that he is the son of aliens who stayed on earth following a botched invasion mission.

Argues that much of what surrounds Americans is depressing, ugly, and unhealthy; and traces America's evolution from a land of village commons to a man-made landscape that ignores nature and human needs.

God has a plan; the challenge comes in knowing what comes Next. Pastor Mike Tedder challenges readers to find their Next. His approach helps believers and unbelievers alike discover the where and when of God’s plan. Next explains the biggest missteps in anyone’s spiritual journey—missing the right path or traveling at the wrong pace. According to Pastor Mike, it’s easy to take the wrong path, get ahead of God, or to trail behind, despite how essential it is for humanity to partner with God on their journey. His writing encourages readers to find and fulfill the Next God has for them.