In this marriage devotional , you will find deeper spiritual and personal application for the principles in the book A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas. Draw closer even closer together as you reflect on this devotional content.

Build the Right Foundation
Marriage is designed by God, a mark of His kindness because He allows us to know the joys of intimacy and family life. Yet even the best of marriages is a miserable substitute for the ultimate reality of living for God. Unless…

Unless we have a magnificent obsession, an overriding purpose that ties our days together, gives comfort in the valleys, calls us forward in the suffering, highlights our joy, and even seasons our ecstasies. That’s what God provides in a marriage based on Him. “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”—John 15:5 What do you think it looks like to have God as your magnificent obsession?

Prepare yourself to celebrate the real reason for the season—Jesus!

Beginning with the first day of Advent, this four-week devotional will take you through the entire Christmas season with twenty-one readings organized around the weekly themes of Advent.

Through short, engaging reflections on hope, peace, joy, and love, combined with the beauty and relevance of The Passion Translation—a fresh, faithful translation of the Bible—you will find the inspiration you need to celebrate the true reason for the season.

Each reading follows the inspiring journey of the main characters of the Christmas story and offers an Advent prayer, making them perfect for personal, family, or small-group use. Scriptures from The Passion Translation will give you greater insights this season for your journey toward Bethlehem.

May this devotional and translation of God’s Word inspire your faith in the One who came to rescue us and will come again to create us anew!

All that God creates flourishes and multiplies. Growth is God's idea and He is your source of grace for all your heart encounters each day. Experience God's unfailing love as you grow in sixty-four life-giving themes. God is able to make all grace abound to you so that you can thrive in every good work.

The modern world is a very hectic place. Multiply that exponentially and you have a woman s world. How wonderful it is to know that God's Word is a source of strength and His promises are steady and true.

Bible Promise for Women blends beautiful style with a topically organized collection of God s promises that offer hope, guidance, and assurance. Be encouraged by hundreds of Scripture passages on topics such as acceptance, courage, eternity, fear, forgiveness, grief, hope, joy, patience, relationships, stress, trust, wisdom, and much more. Alphabetically arranged themes make it easy to access God s wonderful promises and truths.

Rock and a Heart Place traces the rise, fall, and redemption of famous entertainers who were brought to their knees a great place to meet God. Join award-winning producer and music executive Ken Mansfield and biographer Marshall Terrill on a spiritual journey down the secluded halls of the music industry. Rock and a Heart Place is your backstage pass to never before-heard secrets, stories, and testimonies from some of rock music's greatest legends including members of Buffalo Springfield, The Byrds, Collective Soul, England Dan & John Ford Coley, Grand Funk Railroad, Kansas, Korn, Ozzy Osbourne, Pointer Sisters, Prince, The Ronettes, and The Turtles.

ARTISTS FEATURED (hardcover edition) 

MARK VOLMAN was cofounder of The Turtles, a 1960s pop-rock band that has sold more than forty million records. He was also a core member of Frank Zappa’s The Mothers of Invention and the dynamic duo Flo & Eddie. 

RUTH POINTER is one of the legendary Pointer Sisters who scored dozens of hits in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, and sold close to forty million records, making them one of the most successful female groups of all time. 

BRIAN "HEAD" WELCH is the lead guitarist for the nu metal band Korn. In addition to chart-topping, million-selling records and two GRAMMY awards, their shows fill up arenas and stadiums worldwide. 

CHRIS HILLMAN helped define the country rock genre by his groundbreaking work with The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, and the Desert Rose Band. 

JOHN ELEFANTE was the lead singer of the multiplatinum-selling Kansas from 1981 to 1985 and wrote two of their highest charting singles. After leaving Kansas, he became one of the most successful Christian producers of all time. 

RUDY SARZO has been a professional recording artist for more than thirty years and a member of Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Whitesnake, Blue Oyster Cult, Yngwie Malmsteen, and DIO. 

England Dan & JOHN FORD COLEY waved the soft-rock banner loudly in the 1970s, releasing several platinum and gold records in their decade-long partnership and Top 10 hits that are staples of classic rock radio today. 

With DEZ DICKERSON at his side from 1978 to 1983, Prince became a household name, selling more than one hundred million albums, earning seven Grammys, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award. 

SHANE EVANS of Collective Soul dominated 1990s rock and alternative radio, charting an astounding seven number-one hits, nineteen Top 40 singles, and ten million in worldwide sales. 

NEDRA ROSS and The Ronettes were the first bad girls of rock and roll, racially indefinable, and one of the most exciting acts of their era, ruling the airwaves in the early ’60s with a string of girl-group classics and mini rock operas. 

RICHIE FURAY of Buffalo Springfield was a major catalyst for the 1960s country folk rock sound. Richie's repeat performance as cofounder of Poco carried on this tradition of great music. 

MARK FARNER of Grand Funk Railroad earned eleven consecutive RIAA Gold/Platinum Record Awards from 1969 to 1975. They surpassed The Beatles in record sales in 1970.

Rock and a Heart Place is a compelling, fascinating read. Ken Mansfield’s relationships throughout his impressive career include many famous artists, who, along with Ken, came to the conclusion that personal fulfillment cannot be satisfied with money, sex, and drugs, the trifecta of a rock and roller and that life ultimately holds little purpose without a relationship with their Creator.

- Michael Omartian, Multiple Grammy® Award-winning producer, arranger, and musician, The Recording Academy (NARAS) Keyboard Musician of the Year

Where do rock stars go when they’ve tried everything the world has to offer and yet have continued to come up empty? In Rock and a Heart Place, Ken Mansfield provides engaging and perhaps surprising answers. This fascinating and fun-to-read book is loaded with inside stories of some of our favorite music makers. It is a classic reminder that regardless what messes our family or friends might encounter, the Creator is greater; nobody is beyond hope, and there is no need to give up on anyone!

- Ken Abraham, New York Times best-selling author

Reading any Ken Mansfield book is an eye-opening experience. As an innovative producer and record company executive during the heat and heart of the sixties through the nineties music scene, his recollections of the way things were bring back not only the sights and sounds of the era but reveal the bigger picture of the Creator’s purpose for all our lives. Joined by respected biographer/author Marshall Terrill, Ken takes us on a mesmerizing journey traveling alongside some of the greatest musical icons of our time. Within these pages are real life stories of famous men and women who have tasted struggle, fame, fortune, and loss, yet speak today of restoration and renewal.

- Phil Keaggy, Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, Seven-time Dove Award recipient and two-time Grammy® Award nominee

Do not let the title Kelly Tough fool you. This is not a “be all you can be, no pain–no gain” story. Toughness is overrated. And being Kelly Tough, well, you are about to find out what that really means and why it just might matter to you.

Kelly Tough is a story of love and hope: a love between a father and a daughter—Buffalo Bill’s former quarterback, Jim Kelly, and his oldest daughter Erin. Erin shares a deeply personal account of the love a family can have for each other during the darkest times, and a greater love that a heavenly Father has for you.

Whatever circumstance or heartbreak you find yourself overwhelmed by right now, it is not the end of the story. In fact, it just might be one of the greatest chapters as you, like the Kelly's, find strength in weakness, hope in the midst of heartache, and joy in spite of suffering.

When you play in the NFL, you're part of a bigger family. That's what Jim Kelly and his children are: family! I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to see first hand the relationship that Jim and Erin have. This book is about that and so much more. Reading this will encourage you and hopefully as a result will strengthen the relationships you have with the people you love most.

—DAN MARINO, NFL Hall of Fame, Special Advisor to CEO and President of Miami Dolphins

I have known the Kelly Family for many years and have witnessed what it looks like to be "Kelly Tough" on and off the football field. However, what I have learned through watching Jim and his daughter Erin during Jim's cancer fight far eclipses the best of the best. This book is an account of what it takes to live with courage in the midst of some of life's most difficult circumstances. Well done Erin! Your NFL family is proud of you.

—BILL POLIAN, 2015 NFL Hall of Fame Enshrinee and ESPN NFL Analyst

The expression Kelly Tough has become like a brand unto itself.  And no one epitomizes that more than 19 year old Erin Kelly, the first born child of Jim and Jill Kelly. Beautiful like her mother and feisty like her father, Erin writes eloquently and intimately about faith, family and football, a cliché expression for so many but one that she embraces with all the gusto of a Jim Kelly fist pump.  I’ve always believed that if you want to truly learn about people look at how their kids turn out.  Erin Kelly is a Hall of Fame daughter and sister and her stories and insights will touch and inspire you.

—ANDREA KREMER, multi award winning journalist 

We have watched Erin Kelly grow from a beautiful, caring young girl to a soldier. This young woman became a soldier while wearing her "Kelly Tough" armor. She fought bravely when her father was weak and in great pain while battling cancer. Wouldn't we all be so blessed to have a daughter who would abandon the frivolity and innocence of youth to crawl through the trenches, to go all-in and battle for us. Erin did this while simultaneously keeping the faith—not only keeping it, but growing in it. How beautiful is that? Kelly Tough is a read for everyone, everywhere, and at anytime. You will turn over the last page of this book feeling deeply inspired and armed to battle for the people you love most.

—NFL Hall of Famer THURMAN THOMAS & PATTI THOMAS

Kelly Tough is a beautiful, true, imperfect love story. It's a study in toughness made of more than sheer grit, but the inner kind that turns regular people into warriors. With raw honesty, the Kellys have taken their trademark family strength and turned it into a paperback jewel of hard-earned wisdom for the reader. I've cheered and cried and learned with every page. This book will move people. It has moved me.

—LISA WHITTLE, speaker, author of {w}hole and I Want God    

Fathers, notice your sons. Listen to them. Guide them. Encourage them. You have an opportunity to reflect the heart of your heavenly Father on their path to significance.

Sons, honor your father. Love him. Learn from him. Walk with him. You have an opportunity to really know him and grow into everything God desires you to be.

The father and son bond makes a difference that can direct the course of your lives. You need each other to be your best.

Called to Greatness is a powerful tool to ignite the faith of fathers and sons by intentionally bringing them together every day for thirty-one days. In one month, God can do miraculous things to develop, repair, and mature your relationship.

YOU WILL DIVE INTO TOPICS LIKE...  
• Loving unconditionally
• Walking in integrity
• Making a difference
• Living a life of significance
• Pursuing purity
• Being great in the eyes of God

Called to Greatness invites and empowers fathers and sons to become great men who humbly and faithfully serve a great God.

“If there is a resource that is needed today, it is this devotional that Dan and Jimmy have developed.  These bite-sized servings are clear, concise and easy to digest and will help build the faith that fathers and sons need as they seek to grow in their relationship with Christ and beyond.” —CAREY CASEY, CEO of National Center for Fathering

Encounter God's Heart for You!

The Holy Spirit wants to wash our lives in the refreshing grace that streams every day from the presence of God. We know that God thunders from the heavens with powerful truths that capture our hearts and overcome our doubts. But he also whispers to us life-giving words that will heal and penetrate into the deepest place of our inner being. I Hear His Whisper is a compilation of messages that have come into the heart during early morning hours of devotion with Jesus. Listen to God’s voice and be drawn into greater intimacy with Jesus. Be moved by his whisper, stirred by his Spirit, and thrilled by these messages of love. Open your soul to the whispers of God so that you hear him whisper his message of love to you!

“For your whispers in the night give me wisdom, Showing me what to do next.” Psalm 16:7 TPT

Jesus. He is admired and ridiculed, embraced and rejected. If you want to provoke controversy and emotional discussion, just mention His name.

Jesus was inclusive when He welcomed all the weary and burdened to come to Him and experience the love of His Father. But He was not open-minded when it came to the truth. He stated that He was the truth. And this flies in the face of current politically correct thought.

In Politically Incorrect Jesus, Joe Battaglia exposes the intellectual dishonesty of political correctness and presents Jesus as the model for embracing a counter-cultural faith, which empowers us to be salt and light. Be bold and stand firm in your faith when the culture demands you stand down. 

In an era when the Church seems to either be so politically correct that its message is ineffective, or so abrasive that it offends without enlightening anyone, my friend Joe Battaglia calls us to see that Jesus came to redeem the culture and not to condemn it. Jesus’ Church is designed to bring real hope and joy to a superficial culture by living out the truth in a way that meets people at their point of deepest need. Joe shows us that being counter-cultural does not mean being against people, but for peace and love. If you’re tired of the culture wars, this book is a must-read for you.

Larry W. Poland, Ph.D. - Chairman, Mastermedia International

In The Politically Incorrect Jesus, my friend Joe Battaglia presents an intelligent and common sense approach to how a person of faith can stand up to the current issues in culture that would divide us without pointing fingers or engaging in the culture war. He has interesting perspectives that we would all do well to consider on how to be followers of Jesus to a world that wants to see the real thing.

Michael W. Smith - Singer and Songwriter

Joe Battaglia says what needs to be said about the dangers and impact of our politically correct world. It’s a needed wake up call to our culture! This is a MUST READ for anyone wanting to understand our times.

Alex Kendrick - Filmmaker, Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous

During a time of deep distress or disappointment, have you cried out to God, “Why is this happening? What did I do to deserve this? How will I recover from this? Does God care about what I am going through? Why did He allow this?” Not Too Far from Here is for anyone who has been hurt. Hurt so badly it’s hard to eat or sleep. You attempt to present yourself as being okay for the sake of your kids, spouse, or friends, but you are really not okay. With biblical insight and compassion, Kim Boyce Koreiba shares her story, providing essential and doable steps to bring you comfort, encouragement, direction, and hope. Place your hand firmly into the hand of Jesus Christ, the Savior. Call upon His Spirit to learn how not to fall prey  to a victim mentality after being wounded. You can trust Him. Stand up, brush yourself off, and believe that God has a plan. Jesus—your hope—is not too far from here.

Through Kim’s personal experiences and wisdom straight from heaven, she gently takes the hand of the bruised and battered into a new day—where fresh winds of hope blow into the sails of the weary heart. Breathe in deeply as you read and come alive again.

—KATHY TRACCOLI, singer, speaker

Life is about loving...to know love, and then just as freely as you have received it, to give it away to a world that is in desperate need of real and authentic affection and encouragement. 

What if you could see yourself in a whole new way? What freedom could you walk in if you could see yourself as God sees you? 

The Love Project will inspire you to see and enjoy God’s great affection for you, and in so doing, allow you to be a catalyst to help others transform their own perspective of who they are and how they see themselves. 

It is not just the journey of a lifetime; it is the journey for a lifetime. Watch your life, and those around you, turn from ordinary to extraordinary as day after day you live out The Love Project. 

Too often we stop at I love you. Far too often we do not have the right words to convey the unique qualities we see and love in someone. This heartfelt book by Chris DuPré gives you examples of how to express your love in genuine, life-giving ways that are practical, simple, and honest. The Love Project will not only inspire you, it will change you as well as those around you. I absolutely love this book! 

- Melody Green, Melody Green Ministries and Cofounder of Last Days Ministries

This world is desperately awaiting the one convincing proof that is needed—the simple power of love unleashed. The Love Project is a trumpet call awakening us to that very thing.

- Brad Cummings, Coauthor, Publisher, and Film Producer of The Shack 

Being able to communicate the complexities of love is a gift, and few are as gifted at this as Chris DuPré. His ability to unfold and unpack the many layers and meanings of love is amazing. In The Love Project, Chris offers insight and understanding that is new, profound, and will impact the way you look at and communicate love. 

- Michael W. Smith, Singer and Songwriter

The Love Project. What a title! And what an amazing theme! Chris hits the central issue in all of life. His writing is poetic, articulate, and philosophical, yet reaches deeply into the heart of human need and desire. You must read this book! It will help you understand life, yourself, and your purpose for being here. Chris rightly points out that “The Love Project” started in heaven.

- John Arnott, Catch the Fire and Partners in Harvest, Toronto