During Beth Stedman's formative years in the late 1940s and early 1950s, she wonders if the families depicted on the weekly television shows-Leave It to Beaver, Father Knows Best, The Donna Reed Show-existed in real life. The fathers in the sitcoms had good-paying jobs. The mothers stayed home and vacuumed in dresses and high heels. The brothers and sisters were respectful and obedient. They lived in perfect harmony in perfect houses in perfect suburbs. Once she was old enough to visit friends, she realized that other families do, in fact, resemble those blissful television portrayals. But hers certainly doesn't. Growing up in her deranged East Coast household, Beth feels like an outsider-but a grateful outsider because her family is riddled with alcoholism, poverty, and an abundance of insanity. Beth has her defenses, though: her faith, a positive attitude, and a penchant for putting a comedic spin on life. She also harbors a secret escape plan and, eventually, the knowledge as to why she has always been the black sheep of the family. Beth survives a deadbeat dad, a defeated mom, an overindulged sister, and a villainous brother to demonstrate that the School of Hard Knocks doesn't have to ruin you for life. If fact, it can almost guarantee success.

My book is an autobiography, which describes my recollection of events and experiences I have encountered throughout my life, from the time I could recall them as a child up to the present time. Some experiences were good, and unfortunately some were bad. It tells about my immediate family, my relatives, all the friends that I have met throughout my life, in all the areas I have lived, as well as at all the places I have worked. Last, but not least, I talk about all the pets I have had from the time I was young, up until the current time. It explains all the bad luck, obstacle courses, trials and tribulations and hardships I endured, and how I was able to overcome them. I sincerely hope that you find my book interesting, as well as enjoyable!

What can the Bible’s most flawed men and women reveal about who God is and how he reaches out to less-than-perfect people? In Less Than Perfect, bestselling author Ann Spangler takes us beyond cardboard cutouts of 38 biblical characters to show us how these were real individuals who had dreams, temptations, and weaknesses just like us. Whether considering the murderous Herodias, the scheming Jacob, or the doubting Sarah, Spangler approaches both familiar and lesser known characters with fresh eyes. We meet each of these individuals again as if for the first time as Spangler offers a dramatic retelling of their lives, insight into the historical and cultural context of their time, and key takeaway points for our lives today. Each chapter includes questions for discussion or reflection, making Less Than Perfect ideal for individual or group Bible study. Entertaining, informative, and inspirational, Less Than Perfect gives you a big picture view of the Bible even as it takes you into the hearts and minds of people with struggles just like yours. As you learn more about the individuals who are part of your spiritual family tree, you’ll discover why God loves to use imperfect people to tell his perfect story of redemption.

"Fourteen-year-old Annie Howard is determined to help her father embrace life once again as the Cold War grips the nation. In the midst of her efforts, she meets and befriends two refugees from Holland, and comes to see the world differently and understand a bit about the nature of sacrifice"--

Most people think talent is genetically determined. Either you can sing or you can't. You get calculus or it's beyond you. You have what it takes to succeed -- or you don't. The truth about human performance is far more encouraging, says Dr. Bob Rotella in Life Is Not a Game of Perfect. Dr. Rotella, the bestselling author of Golf Is Not a Game of Perfect and Golf Is a Game of Confidence, believes that talent, as conventionally defined and measured, plays a secondary role in determining one's fate. Far more important is real talent, a combination of character, attitude, and devotion, which makes greatness possible. And the good news is that anyone can develop real talent. As always, Dr. Bob Rotella speaks from experience. He has made a career of helping people chase and catch their dreams. His authority as a sports psychologist is well known. Golfers from Tom Kite to David Duval to Pat Bradley have relied on him to help them break through to triumphs on the PGA Tour. But Bob Rotella's practice extends beyond the sports world. He is a consultant on performance enhancement to leading businesses such as Merrill Lynch, General Electric, and PepsiCo. He has worked with successful people in businesses ranging from law to entertainment. From hundreds of clients and countless students, Dr. Bob Rotella has learned what works. In Life Is Not a Game of Perfect, he shares what he has learned and what he teaches his clients. Real talent, he explains, is "brilliance of a different sort." It is the nerve to choose a career doing something you love or the ability to learn to love what you do. It is courage, persistence, and determination. It is the ability to handle failure and honor commitments. Whether you think so or not, real talent is within your grasp. In Life Is Not a Game of Perfect, Dr. Bob Rotella will help you make it a decisive element in your life. He can show you how to identify and cultivate the qualities that lead to success, prosperity, and happiness.

As a life long Christian that has had several mistakes and shortcomings, Carroll felt God leading her to put together a devotional book to reach those that don’t fit in the “positive, encouraging” definition. Many hurts and pains, both self-inflicted and inflicted by others, can hurt our perception of God. Using Bible verses as examples, Carroll put together a series of devotions for those that are “Less Than Perfect”.

In 1946, imaginary conversations with President Truman help ten-year-old Annie cope with having to live with her grandmother in Walla Walla, Washington, her uncle's prejudice toward her grandmother's black tenant, and her intense desire for news of her father, a pilot in the Army Air Corps who was reported missing in action.