When you're talking to teens, few things leave an impression like an unforgettable story. Whether it's a humorous page from the history books, a mind-bending whodunit or a fairy tale with a twist, stories cut right to the heart of the matter - and the hearts of your youth group. Now you can grab your group's attention with memorable stories that bring biblical concepts to life with Uncommon Stories and Illustrations. In this must-have resource, veteran youth ministry Jim Burns brings together more than 130 engaging tales to illustrate your message and impact the hearts of teens. Each story is arranged by subject and includes key verses and additional Scripture references as starting points for talks and sermons. Whether you spin a yarn for youth meetings, Sunday School classes, retreats, staff meetings, parent nights, camps, lock-ins or outreach programs, you'll tickle funny bones, provoke thoughtful conversations and open hearts to receive the ultimate Storyteller: Jesus Christ. Includes a CD-ROM with easy-to-print files of every story.

A collection of seventeen wonderful short stories showing that the legendary Tom Hanks is as talented a writer as he is an actor. “Reading Tom Hanks's Uncommon Type is like finding out that Alice Munro is also the greatest actress of our time.” —Ann Patchett, bestselling, Pulitzer Prize–winning author of The Dutch House A gentle Eastern European immigrant arrives in New York City after his family and his life have been torn apart by his country's civil war. A man who loves to bowl rolls a perfect game--and then another and then another and then many more in a row until he winds up ESPN's newest celebrity, and he must decide if the combination of perfection and celebrity has ruined the thing he loves. An eccentric billionaire and his faithful executive assistant venture into America looking for acquisitions and discover a down and out motel, romance, and a bit of real life. These are just some of the tales Tom Hanks tells in this first collection of his short stories. They are surprising, intelligent, heartwarming, and, for the millions and millions of Tom Hanks fans, an absolute must-have!

The stories in this booklet are but a cross section of the more than 400 stories that comprise the 10 volumes of: The Bible story.

Includes "The Little Boy's Secret", "The Giant Who Was Afraid of Butterflies", and "The Giant Who Threw Tantrums."

A thrilling middle-grade mystery, The Ghoul of Windydown Vale is from the author of Cleo Porter and the Body Electric. “Don't miss this book! It takes you to another world—and then terrifies you with surprise after surprise. Great ghoulish fun!” —R. L. Stine, author of Goosebumps and Fear Street In this action-packed mystery from award-winning author Jake Burt, Copper Inskeep holds Windydown Vale's deepest and darkest secret: he is the ghoul that haunts the Vale, donning a gruesome costume to scare travelers and townsfolk away from the dangers of the surrounding swamps. When a terrified girl claims she and her father were attacked by a creature - one that could not have been Copper - it threatens not just Copper's secret, but the fate of all Windydown.

Although it is better to give than to receive, giving is harder for most people. Giving is not only good stewardship; it enables the church to help those in need. Respected Christian financial expert Larry Burkett uses God's Word to show the strong biblical basis for giving to and serving in the church. Using benevolence ministries as an example, Burkett explains how God uses Christians to minister in His name. This is accomplished by giving back to God a portion of what He has graciously given.