Biography

A linen-bound hardback, with a ribbon marker and dust jacket, this book is a wonderful introduction to the lives of some of the best known saints and holy people of the Christian faith. The text is engaging and accessible to all; each entry comprises of a biography, a story, a prayer, the date of the saint's day and its customs. the start of every section is decorated with woodcut style illustrations.

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New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and Wall Street Journal bestseller!

An incredibly thoughtful, disarmingly funny, and intensely vulnerable glimpse into the life and ministry of a woman familiar to many but known by few.“It’s a peculiar thing, this having lived long enough to take a good look back. We go from knowing each other better than we know ourselves to barely sure if we know each other at all, to precisely sure that we don’t. All my knotted-up life I’ve longed for the sanity and simplicity of knowing who’s good and who’s bad. I’ve wanted to know this about myself as much as anyone. This was not theological. It was strictly relational. God could do what he wanted with eternity. I was just trying to make it here in the meantime. As benevolent as he has been in a myriad of ways, God has remained aloof on this uncomplicated request.” – Beth Moore, New York Times best-selling author, speaker, visionary, and founder of Living Proof Ministries Beth Moore has devoted her whole life to helping women across the globe come to know the transforming power of Jesus. An established writer of many acclaimed books and Bible studies for women on spiritual growth and personal development, Beth now unveils her own story in a much-anticipated debut memoir.

All My Knotted-Up Life includes:8 pages of photos, an exploration of Beth’s childhood, love, marriage, and motherhood, insights on what it was like when she was “waist-deep in a season of loss and a discussion of her 2018 break with the Southern Baptist movement. Details the origins of Living Proof Ministries. All My Knotted-Up Life is told with surprising candor about some of the personal heartbreaks and behind-the-scenes challenges that have marked Beth’s life. But beyond that, it’s a beautifully crafted portrait of resilience and survival, a poignant reminder of God’s enduring faithfulness, and proof positive that if we ever truly took the time to hear people’s full stories . . . we’d all walk around slack-jawed.

Review

Living Proof Ministries founder Moore opens up about a range of topics, including her split with the Southern Baptist Church, in this memoir.Born in Wisconsin and raised in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, in 1957, the author regularly attended the Southern Baptist Church from a young age. She describes in detail her immersion baptism at 9 years of age, remarking, "I'd been buried with Christ in baptism and raised . . . to walk in newness of life." Moore's upbringing is described with a veneer of normality, recalling family camping vacations in a Volkswagen bus. However, a darkness is evident when the author states, "No kind of good dad does what my dad did to me." Her memoir approaches not only the horror of abuse, but also the early trauma of her mother's deteriorating mental health. At 18, Moore experienced a distinct moment when she sensed "God's presence" and felt a call to vocational Christian service. Milestones in Moore's life include marrying and becoming a mother and founding Living Proof Ministries in 1994, dedicated to "encouraging women to know and love Jesus through the study of Scripture." She attained celebrity status with her church and never shied away from expressing her opinions. The author candidly addresses the time she called out Donald Trump following the publication of the notorious Access Hollywood tape in 2016: "You think this kind of talk is okay? . . . Do you happen to know women who have had hands forced on them?" Moore also discusses how she handled backlashes and Twitter blow-ups, along with her motivations for ending her affiliation with the Southern Baptist Church.Moore's memoir is punctuated with thoughtful statements that elucidate her understanding of life, as when she discusses the mentors that inspired her the most: "Each made a deep indentation, a bold point with a permanent marker. Draw lines connecting them, and they form a triangle that shaped my entire ministry life." Such solemnity is offset with a generous dose of humor, such as when Moore recalls her baptism: "Even though this is what I'd come for, I was still a good bit surprised by the swiftness of the dunking." In such moments, those familiar with Moore will recognize her oratorical energy in her writing. When examining her deteriorating relationship with the Baptist church, Moore remains candid and does not overlook self-scrutiny: "Something was happening to us. Something bad. Maybe it had been happening all along and I was too blind to see it. Too busy in my own world. Too privileged. Too partial. Too immersed." Moore writes of abuse she faced as a child and does so with graceful prose: "Different slices of the same secrets are on our plates." The author lays down her beliefs with bold clarity throughout: "I am pro-life as well. Not just antiabortion, but pro-life, across the board from conception to coffin or cremation." Readers may not share Moore's beliefs, but the one million Twitter followers she's amassed will be eager to learn more about the life story that forged this well-known evangelist.The frank views expressed in this remembrance will divide opinion, but the quality of Moore's writing is indisputable.--Kirkus Reviews

In this illuminating memoir, Living Proof Ministries founder Moore (Chasing Vines) plumbs the spiritual and personal depths of her life. Born the fourth of five children, Moore grew up in the "bowels of Arkansas," idolizing her older siblings and doing odd jobs at the movie theater her father managed. After the family moved to Houston when Moore was in her teens, she yearned for community and found it in church, inspiring a godly commitment that became the foundation of her life. Tracing her spiritual evolution, Moore recalls moments large and small: a moment in a bathroom during her college years when she spontaneously "sensed the Lord's presence" intensely enough to make her "grip both sides of the sink"; and, at 18, dedicating herself to vocational church service in front of her congregation. Moore takes readers through her career, including teaching at Houston's First Baptist Church and writing Bible studies; she also discusses her 2018 break with the Southern Baptist movement because of an uproar about women preaching in its churches. Moore proves to be a consummate storyteller as she candidly charts her life's ups and downs and shares insight into her career as a high-profile evangelical Bible teacher. Moore's fans will devour this.--Publishers Weekly

The journey through grief is the loneliest of all and an understanding companion is a lifeline when all else is in turmoil. Joan Wilson has suffered three devastating bereavements. Her daughter Marie died in the notorious IRA Remembrance Day bombing in Enniskillen in 1987. The tragedy brought the family unwanted fame, yet their courage and forbearance modelled how good can overcome evil. Not long afterwards, their only son Peter was killed in a car crash, and this was to prove a final straw for Joan's husband who, already unwell, died suddenly at home. Joan relates the story of each of these losses and weaves into her moving narrative excerpts from the thousands of letters she received, poems, prayers and Bible readings that helped her go on. Arranged in short sections, each dealing with a different phase of grief, this sympathetic book offers friendship and support to all walking this lonely road.

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Amazing Grace is the surprising true story of John Newton, author of the song that has touched millions. A biography that reads like a novel, it reveals Newton’s dramatic story of sin and salvation as a slave trader before his ultimate transformation to speaking out against the horror of slavery. His story speaks to the brokenness within us all and our need for God’s amazing grace—and reveals the truth behind his song.Amazing Grace is based on years of research on the life and writings of John Newton. It tells of a prodigal who returns home, and a young love that defies the odds; of a young man whose life is torn by grief and wounded by the cruelty of others, following his descent into deeper suffering and finally into the brutal world of the slave trade. Newton rejects God repeatedly but is rescued by a divine mercy that reaches deeper than he could ever have imagined as he ultimately faces his past and repents.Newton’s story is shocking, and Amazing Grace does not try to airbrush or excuse his faults. There are glaring contradictions in the life of a ship’s Captain who retreats to his cabin to study his Bible and write tender love letters to his wife while hundreds of slaves lie in chains in the hold below.

The profound lessons from his life are applicable to us today, helping us to:
Discover that the need for grace is universal and offers the deepest hope for overcoming hatred
Be honest about our lives even when we are ashamed and face seemingly unresolvable problems
Look for grace when life is far from perfect and doesn't match up to our expectations Trust that our mistakes and regrets, no matter how deep, can be redeemed in the end Since the first public singing of “Amazing Grace” almost 250 years ago, every generation has been profoundly moved by the song, and now readers can connect with John Newton’s story like never before. In these days of extreme polarization when beliefs about race, church, and politics have all become deeply divisive in society, we need grace more than ever. We need stories like this one that talk honestly about the human condition but even more about the relentless love of God and his forgiveness of sins.

The fascinating life story, told critically but sympathetically, of a paragon of twentieth-century white Christian womanhood--and the wife of evangelist Billy Graham. Ruth Bell Graham's legacy is closely associated with that of her husband, whose career placed her in the public eye throughout her life. But, while it's true that her identity was significantly shaped by her role in supporting Billy Graham's ministry, Ruth carried a strong sense of her own agency and was widely influential in her own right, especially in the image she projected of conservative evangelical womanhood--defined by a faith that was deep, private, and nonpolitical. Beginning prior to Ruth and Billy's meeting at Wheaton College, Anne Blue Wills chronicles the many formative experiences of Ruth's life--especially the first decade of her childhood living in a community of American medical missionaries in China. Throughout the biography, Wills focuses not on Ruth's role in Billy's life, but on her own interests, ambitions, and fears--as a devoted mother of five, as the fastidious manager of a household, as a devout and well-read Christian, and as a beloved writer and poet. Dealing honestly with a life of contradictory responsibilities that Ruth Bell Graham herself called "an odd kind of cross to bear," Wills draws from nearly a decade of original research and presents a nuanced portrait of Graham apart from the reverential awe of her admirers and the oversimplified caricatures put forth by her detractors. In telling Graham's story, Wills indirectly tells the story of millions of women who emulated Graham as a role model--women who spurned second-wave feminism and willingly submitted to patriarchy while maintaining an undeniable sense of independence and strength of conviction.

During the period from 1933-1945 Jewish people throughout Europe were persecuted by the Nazi regime in Germany, and some six million were murdered. About half of those murdered were from Poland. What is not so well known is that there were tens of thousands of Jewish people in Europe who were associated with the Church in one form or another. These Jewish or Hebrew Christians (officially classified as ‘non-Aryan Christians’) suffered like all other Jewish people due to the Nazi race laws. The Jocz family from Poland fell into that category. This narrative follows the lives of Bazyli and Anna Jocz from their births in 1880. Bazyli was murdered in 1944. Anna survived but was severely injured and suffered for the remainder of her life. It also follows the lives of their sons, and in particular Jakob and Pawel. Considerable background information is provided in order to better understand the historical and geographical context in which the family lived, as well as the various phases of the Holocaust. What happened to the Jocz family was typical of what happened to many of the Jewish or Hebrew Christians of Poland and Europe. Many were murdered by the Nazis and their allies, while some survived. This book also endeavours to provide an insight into the collective story of this over-looked group of Jewish victims of the Holocaust.

Nothing in life is as exciting and satisfying as introducing Jesus to people who have never met him. New York Times bestselling author and world-renowned motivational speaker Nick Vujicic is known worldwide as the man without arms and legs who personifies a "can do" spirit. Now in greater detail, he explains how the example of Jesus Christ motivates him to travel and speak broadly because the"good news" of the Gospel is just too good to keep quiet! Although the world has so many problems, no challenge is too great for the God who promises to move mountains. Using compelling stories from his own experience, Nick shares the heart of his message, the motivation behind all he does, and something that he believes the world needs now more than ever before: A faith in Jesus Christ that moves people to act and make the world a better place. Review 'Anecdotes about encounters with believers and doubters during speaking engagements are peppered throughout and showcase [Vujicic's] persuasive and compassionate demeanor. ... [his] excitement about Christianity is infectious and will appeal to young people.' -- Publishers Weekly

For decades, Steven Curtis Chapman's music and message have brought hope and inspiration to millions around the world. Now, for the first time, Steven openly shares the experiences that have shaped him, his faith, and his music in a life that has included incredible highs and faith-shaking lows. Readers will be captivated by this exclusive look into Steven's childhood and challenging family dynamic growing up, how that led to music and early days on the road, his wild ride to the top of the charts, his relationship with wife Mary Beth, and the growth of their family through births and adoptions. In addition to inside stories from his days of youth to his notable career, including the background to some of his best-loved songs, readers will walk with Steven down the devastating road of loss after the tragic death of five-year-old daughter Maria. And they'll experience his return to the stage after doubting he could ever sing again. Poignant, gut-wrenchingly honest, yet always hopeful, Steven offers no sugary solutions to life's toughest questions. Yet out of the brokenness, he continues to trust God to one day fix what is unfixable in this life. This backstage look at the down-to-earth superstar they've come to love will touch fans' lives and fill their hearts with hope. Includes black-and-white photos throughout.

Most people live or work among Muslim colleagues and neighbours, or mingle with Islamic people on trips overseas. But many Christians struggle to see beyond the stereotypes to connect in depth with the people they meet. In this winsome book Martin Goldsmith recounts colourful stories from a lifetime of conversations and friendships with Muslims in various countries around the world, including the UK. Part-travelogue, part-biography, readers are whisked from an English college garden to an Afghan market, from a London secondary school to a North African tourist destination, from Dubai airport to a home in Scotland, all the while becoming better equipped to make their own connections with Muslims - to the glory of God.