An Invitation to Join the Journey Every family writes its own unique story. In this transparent and moving account, you’ll be inspired as Mike and Debbie McCrum tell the story of their family’s challenging journey of faith, from tragedy to triumph...and purpose. Finding Joy in the Midst of Sorrow is written to help families: Discover the purposeful role God has planned for their lives. Learn how to navigate life’s unexpected circumstances. Witness a family bravely persevering when every instinct screams QUIT! Pass on to future generations a legacy of God’s hope and faithfulness. Find the courage to face their fears and embrace the possibilities that were created just for them...as they live in the joy of trusting God! “People today yearn for an example of how to navigate through life’s tragedies. Mike and Debbie’s powerful story will grip your heart and inspire you to valiantly trust God no matter what challenges you face. This book transcends time and will be a valued treasure for generations to come.” Crawford W. Loritts, Jr. is Senior Pastor at Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, Georgia.

Daily Walk to Joy in the Midst is a one-year devotional for women with a unique approach. Take an imaginary back packing trip over the Mountain of Gloom to the Lake of Still Waters with the author as she shares her true story of finding joy through God’s word despite tribulations raising her family. Sit by the campfire as Anne teaches God’s lessons empowering women to be strong and courageous. Make it your own through daily scriptures and journaling. A Daily Walk to Joy in the Midst is a call for God’s women to come out of discouragement and embrace life.

An intimate mystery encompasses you and tugs upon your heart—what does it mean to follow that tug across the arc of a spiritual life? Reflecting out of more than fifty years of practice in Zen Buddhism, Unitarian Universalism, and other contemplative traditions, James Ishmael Ford invites us into a journey through life's mysteries and the stages of spiritual development. Lightly structured by the archetypal Buddhist oxherding images, Ford’s exploration is rooted in the Zen way while being deeply enriched by various strains of world mysticism. The book, sprinkled with insights and quotes from Buddhist, Daoist, and Christian traditions, serves as a map and a companion to spiritual seekers or pilgrims—whether within one religious tradition or cobbling together a way of one’s own. “Here is the most natural of all natural experiences,” writes Ford. “In the midst of our suffering, our longing, our desperation, we capture a glimpse. Something touches us. And with that, if we are lucky and really notice some movement of some spirit within us, we turn our attention to the intimate way.”

Have you been lost or hopeless and wanted to give up in life? Lost Faith to Living Faith is the true story of how Ren R. Royal overcame her struggles through loss, prejudice, rape, abuse, and depression by placing her faith in the God who is able to heal and restore. This is the inspiring story of Ren's transformation from hopelessness into a life full of love and joy as she went from Lost Faith to Living Faith. This inspirational and uplifting testimony is for anyone who feels hopeless or has lost faith. See how God's grace and love can take the most tragic of stories and turn them into something more precious than gold. It is so difficult for any of us to realize what it is like to be a person without a family and a home. The author has been there, and she tells both the good and the bad in such a way that makes it difficult to put the book down. Every person, young and old, will discover tremendous insights that will benefit them throughout all of life. Lost Faith to Living Faith is a must read for all. Pastor Donald C. Ofsdahl Author Ren R. Royal was a starving orphan from Seoul, Korea, was adopted into a Lutheran preacher's family, and came to America, where she became a naturalized citizen. Ren pursues her passion for writing and poetry with the support of her church and family. Ren and her husband, Charlie, reside in Garland, Texas.

Welcome to a journey of heartache and hope, of deep loss and deeper healing. This book is written for anyone who has encountered loss and is navigating the tumultuous path of grief. Whether you are dealing with the death of a loved one, the end of a significant relationship, or any other profound loss, the purpose of this book is to offer you solace and guidance during your most challenging times. Loss is a universal experience—a stark reminder of our vulnerability and our humanity. Yet, within each loss lies the potential for profound spiritual growth and renewed strength. In these pages, we explore the comforting embrace of God’s love and the steadfast promises that sustain us when the ground seems to give way beneath our feet. Through biblical wisdom, we will seek to understand the nature of our suffering and the purpose that can emerge in its aftermath. Each chapter of this book is designed to address different aspects of the grieving process. We delve into practical advice on how to navigate daily life while bearing the weight of grief, from managing overwhelming emotions to adjusting to new realities without our loved ones. Personal reflections are offered to connect with your experiences, providing empathy and insight. These narratives are companions in your journey, acknowledging your pain and offering a shared understanding. Furthermore, we explore how to safeguard your faith when it is most vulnerable and how to channel your pain into pathways that lead to healing and hope. This exploration is grounded in the truth that you are not alone—neither in your suffering nor in your recovery. The community of faith, the wisdom of Scripture, and the presence of God are your allies, ready to support you every step of the way. As you turn these pages, may you find words that resonate with your heartache and point you toward the light. May you discover comfort in knowing that even in the darkest hours, God’s promises are unwavering. His love is a refuge, His word a foundation, and His presence a constant in the ever-changing landscape of life. This book is both an invitation and a guide. It invites you to walk through your grief with eyes open to the healing and transformative power of God’s love. It guides you through the stages of grief, offering tools and insights to help you move forward with grace and resilience. May your journey through these pages help illuminate your path from mourning to morning, bearing witness to the dawn that follows even the darkest night.

We all walk through seasons when joy plays an unwelcome game of hide and seek. Disappointment, worry, and adversity blur our lens on life, sabotaging our ability to develop the meaningful relationships we long for and realize our worth in Christ. This in-depth, verse by verse study, will help you choose contentment regardless of circumstance, transform faulty thought patterns through the truth of God’s Word, and persevere when life is unravelling. Filled with personal testimony and encouragement, this would be a perfect companion for groups or personal study.

The loss of a love one is often devastating. And while each of us experience grief in a unique way, finding your way back to a place of wholeness may seem impossible. The emptiness, loneliness and darkness seem to never fade. This book will help you find comfort and grow closer to God, who often seems far off or even absent in your journey through grief. Drawing from both personal testimonies and religious texts, this book also contains practical advice on how to overcome some of the emotional followed by practical aspect of grief, and a prayer on each topic. This book will also help you make decisions about what to pass on and what to keep in order to treasure your memories of your loved one. Grief is a very unique and personal experience. Through this book, you will be given the confidence to grieve in your own way. Ultimately, they will see grief as a journey that can lead you into a richer spiritual life.

Passionate Joy connects the psychological and spiritual understanding of our least discussed human emotion. This book reflects the dawn of a revolutionary approach to living. Norman Vincent Peale anointed Jim McReynolds as minister of joy to the world. The most important characteristic of a minister of joy is humility. This book teaches people the purpose of our lives is to create an atmosphere for joy and miracles to happen. Life is difficult. Building a wealth of joy enables us to know happiness. Readers will enter the joy of the Lord as they reflect upon their own joy. This book can be used as a text for study groups. Questions for reflections are included at the end of each chapter. This book was envisioned during studies at Vanderbilt University and the University of Oxford in England. The material has been shared during a lifetime of weekend retreats, conferences, and seminars for churches, schools, workplaces, and community groups.