Faith & Spirituality

Beautiful isn’t likely the first word that comes to mind when we think about sex.

Our reactions are as varied as our experiences and backgrounds. Perhaps the word brings up past baggage. Perhaps it holds yearning for a dream that has never come true. Maybe we would rather not talk about it. Maybe it’s all we want to talk about. Around us, our culture is divided by this topic. On one side, “progressive” voices seek to dismantle historic Christian teachings to fit current norms. On the other side, “conservative” voices can reinforce messages of shame, judgement, and repression.

Beautiful Union offers a third way, one that is both true and beautiful. It gives us a provocative, positive look into the deepest Christian understanding of sex . . . and what sex reveals about God, our world, and even ourselves. Through biblical teaching and livable, joyful answers to our tough questions about sexuality, author and pastor Joshua Ryan Butler shows how sex illuminates the structure of creation, the nature of salvation, the abundance of God’s kingdom, and God’s heartbeat for the world.

Discover afresh the beautiful invitation of our sexuality . . . as God intended it to be.

Noah looked crazy when he started building the ark . . . until it started raining. It was crazy for Moses to lead a nation of people into the desert away from Egypt . . . until the Red Sea parted. It was crazy to believe that a fourteen-year-old virgin would give birth to the Son of God . . . until Mary held Jesus in her arms.

There are many things that seem normal or average today that at one point in time seemed absolutely crazy. Smartphones, Wi-Fi, and even the electric light bulb were all groundbreaking, history-making inventions that started out as crazy ideas. Our see-it-to-believe-it generation tends to have a hard time exercising true faith—one that steps out, takes action, and sees mountain-moving results. Many of us would rather play it safe and stand on the sidelines, but it’s crazy faith that helps us see God move and reveals His promises.

In Crazy Faith, Pastor Michael Todd shows us how to step out in faith and dive into the purposeful life of trusting God for the impossible. Even if you have to start with baby faith or maybe faith, you can become empowered to let go of your lazy faith, trust God through your hazy faith, and learn to live a lifestyle of crazy faith. With powerful stories of modern-day faith warriors who take their cues from biblical heroes, Michael Todd equips you to

• believe for the impossible
• choose hope over fear
• be alert to the voice of God
• cope with loss and doubt
• develop a deeper level of trust in God
• speak faith-filled declarations
• inspire crazy faith in others

God’s not looking for somebody to give Him all the reasons why His plans can’t happen. He’s looking for somebody to believe they will happen. In fact, He has so much He wants to do through you. The question is, Are you crazy enough to believe it?

Pope Francis illuminates a new, vibrant way of experiencing the Gospel through moving, intimate, and deeply meditative reflections that encourage us to live fully with meaning, purpose, and strength.

We live in an unprecedented time that has threatened to upend our daily rhythms, our work, our homes, even our faith. More than ever, we need books like Reflections on the Sunday Gospel to stir us to hope, to comfort, to peace. We need to remember what we live for and how good God is.

These reflections—published in English for the first time, drawn both from homilies given by Pope Francis and readings from the Fathers of the Church, including Saint Augustine, Saint Jerome, and Saint Ambrose—do more than offer a way to enter into the liturgical year with weekly readings to enrich your devotional time. They offer Christ, and the power of His resurrection. They offer His words of assurance: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (Jn 16:33, ESV).

Ultimately, as Pope Francis guides us through these timeless words, we will glean how even the giants of the faith needed God as much as we do, and how we can draw near to a good and faithful God no matter where we are or what season we’re in.

Even the healthiest of relationships can be thrown off-balance when there are difficulties in communication and trust. Pray More, Fight Less by Karin Earle, LMFT, brings together scripture and therapeutic practices to help couples find spiritual and practical support while recentering their marriages on God. With weekly devotionals and faith-based therapy exercises, you and your partner will learn techniques for effective communication while strengthening your commitment to your marriage.

Pray More, Fight Less features:
• REAL GUIDANCE FOR REAL PROBLEMS:
Fighting in a relationship is unavoidable. Relatable examples and real-life anecdotes help reframe conflict in your relationship and help you and your spouse reroute unhealthy patterns of thinking, fight less, and recenter your marriage on God during difficult seasons.

• 52 WEEKS OF PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS: 
Setting aside time weekly will help you grow in faith together as a couple. Through powerful scripture, you’ll receive guidance on maintaining a God-centered marriage, especially when communication and trust break down. Each devotion offers a prayer for God’s strength, wisdom, and healing.

• PRACTICAL COMMUNICATION EXERCISES:
Communicate your needs while affirming your partner and understanding that we are all made precious by God, using helpful scripts and skill-building activities and exercises for listening effectively and building true intimacy.

• LICENSED FAMILY THERAPIST:
Author and therapist Karin Earle, LMFT’s, experience and passion provide couples with empathetic advice for spiritual growth and healing.