A lucid depiction of the love between an 11 year-old boy and a Roman Catholic Priest.

Growing up the son of agnostics, John Koessler saw a Catholic church on one end of the street and a Baptist on the other. In the no-man’s land between the two, this curious outside wondered about the God they worshipped—and began a lifelong search to comprehend the grace and mystery of God. A Stranger in the House of God addresses fundamental questions and struggles faced by spiritual seekers and mature believers. Like a contemporary Pilgrim’s Progress, it traces the author’s journey and explores his experiences with both charismatic and evangelical Christianity. It also describes his transformation from religious outsider to ordained pastor. John Koessler provides a poignant and often humorous window into the interior of the soul as he describes his journey from doubt and struggle with the church to personal faith

“A triumph. This novel’s haunting strength will hold the reader until the very end and make Faith and her story impossible to forget.” —Richmond Times Dispatch “Extraordinary.” —Orlando Sentinel From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult (Nineteen Minutes, Change of Heart, Handle with Care) comes Keeping Faith: an “addictively readable” (Entertainment Weekly) novel that “makes you wonder about God. And that is a rare moment, indeed, in modern fiction” (USA Today).

The NIV is the world's best-selling modern translation, with over 150 million copies in print since its first full publication in 1978. This highly accurate and smooth-reading version of the Bible in modern English has the largest library of printed and electronic support material of any modern translation.

No matter what's leading you astray, choose to trust God and pray! You believe there is hope for successfully combating temptation and the choices and habits that leave you feeling ashamed and fearful of the consequences. But you are unsure how to begin fighting back. Victory is indeed within reach when you rely on God's grace and strength. The principles and prayers in this book, inspired and guided by powerful Scripture verses, will help you effectively war against temptation and walk in the freedom God offers every day and in every situation. You will learn the reasons we so easily succumb to temptation, and how God stands ready to intervene so you can succeed and overcome. When you find yourself in a bad place—or even when you think you'll be fine—seek the Lord and pray. This book will get you started with biblical tools and reminders that show how God can guide you safely through your daily battles. This is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4