JourneyForth: Inspiration Through Every Page

In The Seventh One, a fiction by Elizabeth Yates, Tom Wilson passes through life possessing in turn seven dogs. Each of these "best friends" comes with its own gift, such as comfort when Tom feels life’s deepest wound and purpose when it’s time to move ahead. Bre’er, Tag, Laird, Dawn, Victor, Nell, and Una are all very different dogs, and in these heartwarming tales of their lives, each dog offers Tom love in a different way.

In The Spelling Window, a picture book by Dawn. L. Watkins and illustrated by John Roberts, Shelly learns how to be a friend to her deaf neighbor Seth after an accident causes her to re-evaluate her actions.

This book is a welcome return to the central theme of the heavens, the “glory of God.” Has modern astrology, in its effort to read the stars, missed their message entirely? Can it be that what the heavens communicate is far more glorious, far more intimate than what the casual observer has ever dreamed? From asteroids to the star of Bethlehem, The Stars Speak reveals not only the Creator’s grand and masterful designs but also His matchless and loving condescension to mankind.

The Thriving Church: The True Measure of Growth studies Paul’s message to the body of Christ in Ephesians 4:1–16. After Dean Taylor explores what church growth is, what causes it, and what affects it, he also addresses what we, as members of the body of Christ, should be doing to help our churches grow. Taylor’s message is designed not just for pastors, for church leaders, or Sunday school teachers.

Anita Williams’ The Treasure Keeper is a whimsical book for kids but with real take-away value. In this delightful fiction, spunky Marcos tries to find out how to prove he is big enough to work with his father and his uncle in the street market. Along the way he and his goats have a grand adventure in which Marcos finds many treasures and in the end makes the best discovery of all—about himself.

The Triumph of Truth by Merle d’Aubigné is a Christian biography about Martin Luther (1483–1546), leader of the Reformation. God’s grace transformed him from a fearful monk in anguish about his salvation into a giant of the faith who shook Europe by declaring boldly again the words of Paul: "The just shall live by faith".

Beneth Peters Jones writes directly to her readers’ hearts with this guidebook to the struggles of The Wilderness Within. Drawing intriguing parallels from the Israelites’ forty years of wilderness wandering, Jones puts the struggles and temptations of today’s Christian women into biblical perspective.

The Window in the Wall follows young Talia as she faces the fear and dangers of a strange army approaching her city, Jericho. The true story of Rahab and the fall of Jericho weaves together with this tale of Talia, Rahab’s niece, and her family. Will they accept Aunt Rahab’s strange new God before the army comes to destroy the city? This story gives 9–12 year olds a new perspective on a familiar event in the Bible.

The Wonderful Chair offers a collection of fairy tales within a fairy tale. Snowflower lives in an enchanted world full of fairies, amazing stories, kings and queens, and princes and princesses.

“There are many ways to use your head,” begins author and illustrator Jo Ann Stover in her rhyming picture book They Didn’t Use Their Heads. “Anything is possible, No matter what you choose, As long as you remember that your head is there to use!” The book centers on the misadventures of certain whimsical characters and at the same time makes an unforgettable case for good behavior. Originally published in 1960, this classic story has been restored for a new generation of readers.

Considered too young and too scrawny to be of much use, David Warren sails aboard the Susan Constant for the new colony of Virginia. But the New World isn’t quite the adventure the colonists hoped for. Swamp fever, brutal winters, gnawing starvation, and unexpected enemies plague the colony of Jamestown.

In Through Jewish Eyes by Craig Hartman, you’ll find a myriad of parallels between Jewish customs and New Testament truth. Drawing from his own Jewish heritage, Hartman demonstrates how to use these parallels as points of contact for gospel witness and for a better understanding of the New Testament’s Jewish background. He speaks about the need for Christians to understand Judaism and to reach their Jewish neighbors and coworkers with news of the Messiah.

In Gloria Repp’s Christian fiction novel, Trouble at Silver Pines Inn, treasure is what's on Nick’s mind. When he gets to Silver Pines Inn, his grandfather’s property, all he finds is trouble. He makes a bad beginning with his bedridden and bitter grandfather, he earns a scolding from an important guest, and he spoils his brother’s fishing—and all on just the first day.

Turn Away Wrath by Christian counselor Rand Hummel offers help for anyone easily frustrated or who struggles with outburst of anger. With high-stress lifestyles and self-centered thinking, uncontrolled anger has grown to become a worldwide crisis.

In Two Sides to Everything, a Christian fiction by Deb Brammer, going to New Zealand while his mother recovers from an accident seems like a simple enough choice to Josh. After all, New Zealanders speak the same language he does. But after he arrives, Josh begins to have doubts even about that, and he is concerned about the exclusion, bullying, resentment, and fear he sees in his classmates.

In Understood Betsy, classic fiction by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Elizabeth Ann gets an unexpected, total-life change. When she goes to visit her Vermont relatives, the Putneys, they call her Betsy instead of Elizabeth Ann. But they don’t just change her name.

Brian Hand provides wise counsel for entertainment choices in Upright Downtime. From sports to movies to hobbies, Americans must evaluate multiple entertainment options. Libertines insist that all entertainment is neutral or good; ascetics insist that most, if not all, is evil.

In Very Like A Star, Dawn L. Watkins wrote a read-aloud picture book about dependability with engaging illustrations by Dana Thompson. It seems to Rigel that being small is the worst thing in the world.

Web of Iniquity: The Entangling of Sins explores seven basic sins (envy, pride, lust, greed, gluttony, wrath, and sloth) and how each one interconnects with the others. Brian Hand shares fascinating insights about why certain habitual sins seem so hard to break free from and which seemingly small sins are anything but trivial. This biblical analysis builds a foundation for overcoming sins through repentance and faith.

In What About Cimmaron, a Christian youth fiction by Lauraine Snelling, Sarah loves living in the pristine Toutle Valley with her parents, her sister Kathy, and her horse, Cimmaron. They are all used to occasional tremors from nearby Mount St. Helens.

Stopping in every situation to ask What Do I Know About My God? and being able to answer from Scripture revolutionized Mardi Collier’s Christian life, and it will do the same for yours. From His roles as your Creator, Shepherd, and Counselor to His desire for your praise and complete trust, God longs for you to know Him.

What’s Stopping You?, written by Nathan Thomas, is a Christian living book for teens. Sin, fear, and discouragement often prevent Christian youth from moving forward for God. They stumble over the same obstacles again and again; and though they ask for forgiveness every time, they become discouraged, afraid to move forward lest they fall.

Witness to Christ is Stewart Custer’s commentary on Acts for personal Bible study or sermon preparation. Longtime chairman of the Division of Bible at Bob Jones University, Custer blends expertise and gentleness. Original translation and practical applications accompany his exposition.

Working with God Through Prayer by D. Edmond Hiebert presents the nature and privilege of working with God through intercessory prayer. Modern Christians have long been encouraged by reminders and testimonies that prayer works.

A young brother and sister navigate the dangers of WWII.

Zoli’s Legacy by Dawn L. Watkins is historical fiction for Christian teens based on the true story of Zoltán Gaal who escaped from Hungary in the years between the two world wars. In this Christian fiction novel Zoli’s story begins with his childhood veiled in despair.

The Starting Line provides twelve enjoyable storybooks for supplemental summer reading between kindergarten and first grade. Stories are short with a small number of words per page, and can be used for read-alouds or for independent reading practice.

Gloria Repp’s A Question of Yams is a Christian fiction missionary story based on true events. The people of Kuri’s village have always prayed to the spirits when they plant their yams. Now Kuri’s father prays to the God of the Bible, and the crops begin to grow.

Pelts and Promises by Nancy Lohr is historical fiction for young readers set in 1903. When a schoolroom prank goes all wrong, Willie B. and Jamie land into big trouble.

Mona Dunckel’s Escape is Christian fiction presented in simple chapter format for young readers. One day Charlie finds an unusual bead in the marketplace and adds it to his treasure box. His parents said the rebels are coming to Ethiopia.