So You Thought You Knew: Letting Go of Religion
What if almost everything you were taught about Christianity is wrong?
Would you give up on faith altogether? Or is it possible to rediscover—with fresh eyes—a richer and more satisfying understanding of God and spirituality?
So You Thought You Knew is a refreshing journey written straight from the heart. It’s about thinking outside the “institutional walls” of Christianity and asking the hard questions. It boldly says in public what many people are thinking in private. And its hilarious stories and life-changing insights will inspire those who are dissatisfied with fear-driven religion but believe—deep down—there’s a better message out there for the world to hear.
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Consumers demand that their food be pesticide—free, their cosmetics and shampoo be paraben-free, and that everything possible—from clothes to toilet paper—be made without additives or chemicals. But there’s nothing that has more additives to the original product than Christianity. How do we get back to the 100% organic version of Jesus?
In his personal search for the organic Jesus, Scott Douglas goes on a funny, thought—provoking romp through the foundations of belief. Christianity, he says, has become a simulacrum—a bloated, overprocessed image that lacks the true substance of the real thing. His search for the original took him far and wide through historical Christ figures, urban legends, odd facts about the faith, freakishly flawed Christians, and the Internet. Using relatable, contemporary anecdotes, and unlikely wisdom concealed within humor, Douglas reveals a way back to the authentic essence of following Christ.
By including “wiki” breaks, social media callouts, quizzes, charts, and more, #OrganicJesus is ideal for readers raised on social media who can’t step out of their house without tweeting about it or eat lunch without posting on Instagram. Douglas is careful to be as non—biased as possible, writing not for any particular agenda—political or otherwise—but instead encouraging readers to seek their own path for spiritual renewal. The result is a candid look at modern Christianity that will challenge savvy young Christians to put as much effort into discovering sustainable religion as they do in their pursuit of an organic marketplace.
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Joanna’s Struggle (Amish Girls)
(c) Excerpt Reprinted by Permission. All Rights Reserved.
Chapter 1 – Mud Sale
“Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.”
Psalm 22:11
Eleven-year-old Joanna Fisher bounded into the barn calling,”Jonathan. Jonathan. Mamm said to…OW!” she cried, as a clod of dirt pelted her arm. From the haymow she heard muffled giggles and impatiently yelled, “Jonathan Fisher, you dummkopp. I’m gonna get you for that. Mamm will not be happy when she sees that you’ve gotten my dress dirty again. Especially since,” she added,attempting to wipe the debris from her burgundy cape dress, “we’re going to the auction. Mamm said you need to get ready now.”
From behind a haystack she heard a gasp and then a sandy colored head popped up. “The mud sale?” seven-year-old Jonathan exclaimed,climbing down the ladder and darting out of the barn like a bolt of lightning.
Her anger subsided, Joanna giggled softly to herself. “For sure and for certain Jonathan is excited about attending the mud sale.”
She sighed deeply and adjusted her prayer kapp, a few of her honey brown tresses escaping the tight bun behind her head. Lord,I’m trying to love my little brother, but sometimes he makes it difficult,Joanna complained silently to God. She’d been taught in her Amish heritage not just to love her family and friends, but to love her enemies as well. That certainly was not the easiest thing to do.
On this beautiful Saturday morning, the sun shone brightly through the sparse poplar trees that lined the Fishers’ property. They’d just had a church service, or Sunday Go-To-Meeting, as they called it, last week. There would be no meeting this week because they were only held every other Sunday. Joanna loved to attend the services, although sometimes she had trouble staying awake. She didn’t feel bad though, because sometimes she would see several of the older folks nod off too,and occasionally they even snored until they were nudged by the person sitting next to them.
Three hours was a long time for anyone to sit through preaching, let alone a girl Joanna’s age. Her brother Jonathan had an awfully difficult time staying in his seat. One time, unbeknownst to their folks, he made his way up to the front where Bishop Hostettler was preaching. As the bishop delivered his message, Jonathan followed behind him, mimicking his every move. No one reprimanded him for his actions as he performed his silly antics.Joanna attributed their folks’ passiveness to the fact that they were probably too dismayed to do anything at the time. And, of course, nobody wanted to interrupt the bishop’s message. When the bishop noticed the amused faces of his flock and that the eyes of his congregation were focusing on something other than him, he turned around to see what was stealing their attention. He then offered to let Jonathan speak, commenting that perhaps the boy had a future in preaching. Sheepishly, Jonathan declined and Joanna never saw him ascend the platform again.
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Returning to her hometown, Chicago, Allie Littenberg learns her actions had worse repercussions than she realized – especially for Jack Callahan, the handsome Chicago cop she loved, but left. She finds Jack is now a bitter shell of a man, his tenderness erased by years of anguish.
Can God use Allie to not only mend the hurts in her own family, but also bring peace to Jack, his son, and estranged wife? Allie is compelled to find out.
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Jesus Outside the Lines: A Way Forward for Those Who Are Tired of Taking Sides
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Sending a child off to school is a whole lot more than stocking up on school supplies and packing a (somewhat) healthy lunch. This helpful guidebook walks Christian moms through:
discovering a long-vision for the person that Christ has purposed for your child to become
instilling a sense of “who I am and where I came from” in your child
choosing a school for your kids
helping your kids to develop key attributes—courage, kindness, perseverance—that lead to success in school
dealing with teachers, sports, and lessons
navigating those difficult conversations that will come sooner rather than later
a special feature includes sidebars “From the Principal’s Office” with insights from a 35-year elementary school principal and educator
Moms will learn how to cover their children in prayer so that their launch into the world, and away from her control, is done with grace and wisdom—helping them grow into the men and women God intended them to be.
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A successful businessman, Mr. Nash wants Ricky to marry the daughter of his business partner—a girl of equal social standing and means. Ricky, however, loves another. He and Susan Newton, a maid in his father’s household, pledge their love to each other and marry in secret to avoid the disapproving wrath of Mr. Nash.
And when tragedy strikes in his own life, Ricky must come to terms with the consequences of his decisions and the impact they have on multiple generations of his family.
Murder is in the mix and Ricky is stuck in the middle between unwanted family connections and the safety of a young girl related to him by mistake.
A story of love, loss, hope, and redemption, The Unforgotten Past will delight fans of sweeping sagas set against the backdrop of one of the most dynamic times in American history.
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Bittersweet (Charles H. Spurgeon Library Book #2)
But the arrival of Ishmael and Ivy Grubb, squatters on the O’Sullivans’ land, diverts Galen’s attention. Though the Grubbs are crass and uneducated, Galen shows mercy and allows them to stay in exchange for help around the farm. But it becomes a decision he lives to regret….
Sometimes the Journey to Love Is Truly Bittersweet
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Hank knows all about losing family. And he slowly sets about restoring Amelia’s shaky faith. But doing what’s right might mean breaking her heart…and his own.
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I am a woman without a name, without a home….
For the first time, Eyes-of-the-Sky prayed to the white man’s God. One look in the mirror told her she was not a Comanche…yet she remembered no other life. She watched the whites who had taken her in after her “rescue,” the mother, Hattie, and her handsome son, Joe, and wondered what her life had been like before her childhood abduction. She looked at Joe, who had suffered much and forgave little, and knew longing in her heart. But questions remained: What am I? Who am I?
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Doctor in Petticoats (Sophie’s Daughters Book 1)
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A Marriage Worth Waiting For (The Alabama Brides Book 2)
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Simple Faith (Peacemakers Book 2)
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Shining Grace (The Whitecliffe Bay Series Book 1)
Sarah Harvey’s life was turned upside down when her husband was tragically killed in an accident. Learning to adjust to life as a widow was something she never anticipated, and it is only with God’s strength that she survives the permeating fog of grief that threatens to smother her.
Twelve months on from her husband’s death and life looks promising for Sarah. With a promotion at work, and adjusting to her ‘new normal’, she begins to rediscover the meaning of joy, including meeting the handsome Dr Caleb Willis, until another accident strikes her family. During this time, Sarah receives a letter from her husband’s killer and must choose between forgiveness or anger and bitterness. Her friendship with her husband’s best friend, Matthew, is put to the test as he refuses to accept Sarah’s decision.
Throughout the gamut of emotions she endures and the trials she faces, Sarah learns to give everything to God and to shine His grace to those around her.
This book tells the story of God’s grace – the undeserved, unmerited, unearned favour He bestows upon us, and how we can extend that same grace to others.
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Smarter Than Squirrels (Down Girl and Sit series Book 1)
Down Girl and Sit are two dogs who are “smarter than squirrels.” They know how to protect their masters from all the things that can go wrong in the neighborhood: they bark at paperboys and guard the garbage cans, and keep mischievous squirrels at bay. But when Here Kitty Kitty moves in next door, their daily routines are turned topsy-turvy. Filled with humor and adventure, this illustrated chapter book takes a look at life in the backyard from the well-intentioned but misguided viewpoint of man’s best friend.
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