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For American Christians, what is the right relationship between spiritual identity and national identity? In One Nation over God, Wes Crawford explores the complicated relationship between Christian faith and American patriotism. Drawing from personal stories, history, and cultural observations, Crawford reveals how national devotion has grown into something resembling a civil religion—complete with its own rituals, sacred texts, and symbols. From standing for the national anthem at ballgames to treating the Constitution like holy writ, Americans often blur the line between love of God and devotion to country. Crawford isn’t arguing against patriotism. In fact, he acknowledges the unifying and inspiring role that national devotion can play. But he also warns of its dangers. When Christians assume America is always God’s chosen instrument, or when the flag overshadows the cross, their devotion can drift into idolatry. This blending of faith and patriotism risks distorting the gospel and weakening the church’s prophetic voice. The solution, says Crawford, is to maintain a clear distinction between love of God and love of country. He points to faithful examples—people like Julia Ward Howe, John Lewis, and Dorothy Day—who cared deeply for America yet critiqued its moral shortcomings. Their lives remind us that true Christian faithfulness requires first allegiance to Christ, which may at times call us to challenge our nation rather than applaud it. Clear, engaging, and refreshingly balanced, One Nation over God invites Christians to reflect deeply on where their first allegiance lies. It offers pastors and church leaders practical wisdom for navigating culture wars while maintaining theological integrity. Most importantly, it provides hope: faithful discipleship and thoughtful citizenship need not be enemies. Wes Crawford is vice provost and associate professor of church history at Abilene Christian University. Previously, he served as a senior pastor for twenty years. He is the author of Shattering the Illusion, Courage in the Sheer Silence, and One Nation over God.

What does it mean to love our country? Some Christians see loyalty to America as central to our faith and identity. Other Christians are skeptical that our nation warrants such devotion or attachment. But Richard Mouw encourages Christians to have a healthy sense of national peoplehood that promotes civic kinship and responsible citizenship. He navigates between Christian nationalism on one hand and cynicism about country on the other to avoid the perils of both idolatry and disengagement. Mouw grapples with sticky questions such as how to honor national holidays in church and the place of protests in forging a more perfect union. Placing love of country in the context of Christian love of neighbor, he sees patriotism as an expression of our heavenly citizenship and a call to help our country be a place where all people can thrive in peace. Mouw’s winsome and wise reflections direct our patriotic affections toward the civic good of others within our churches and in our communities. This guide helps us travel together on a shared national journey toward liberty and justice for all. Richard J. Mouw (PhD, University of Chicago) is a senior research fellow at the Henry Institute for the Study of Religion and Politics at Calvin University. He previously served as the president of Fuller Theological Seminary (1993–2013) and directed their Institute of Faith and Public Life (2013–2020). In 2007, Princeton Theological Seminary awarded him the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life. He is the author of over twenty books, including UncommonDecency, Adventures in Evangelical Civility, Restless Faith, and All That God Cares About.

Rabbi Jack Zimmerman came to faith in Yeshua in 1988. He is both a Pastor and Messianic Rabbi, as well as the Staff Evangelist for Jewish Voice Ministries International. Prior to ministry, Rabbi Jack was a radio Newscaster and morning show co-host, and worked with ABC TV, the Rolonda Show, and as a stand-up comedian and live audience warm-up host. As the founding Rabbi of Tree of Life Messianic Congregation in Phoenix, Arizona, Jack shepherds Jewish people and non-Jewish people alike. His heart is to teach that believing Jews and Gentiles are one in Messiah; the wall of partition has come down. With his background in comedy, he is a well-educated teacher who combines humor as well as great theological depth, in imparting the scriptures. As a Pastor and Rabbi knowledgeable in Hebrew, he understands the Bible from a Roman Greco viewpoint, as well as from its Hebraic origins, and helps everyone understand and see the transition from one to other. He has taught Bible classes throughout the United States, as well as at theological universities in Russia and The Ukraine. Jack also is a frequent guest speaker at conferences and events, and has traveled and taught in more than 40 countries worldwide . Jack lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Sandie, and their children Jordan, Ryan and Casey.

Recover the Wonder and Weight of the Sunday Service  “Do I have to go to church?”  Whether we’ve fielded this question from others or have at times wondered ourselves, pastor Adriel Sanchez invites us to consider afresh why Sunday corporate worship matters.  Why We Worship reenchants our spiritual imagination, helping us rediscover the beauty of worship in Scripture and draw upon the richness of Christian liturgy through the ages. Sanchez delves into the biblical underpinnings and historical development of the core parts of a worship service, casting a vision for corporate worship’s vital role in healthy Christian spirituality and discipleship.  In Why We Worship, Sanchez draws on Scripture and history to uncover not only the what but also the why of elements of the Sunday service including  music,  the sermon,  Communion,  baptism,  confession,  prayer, and  the benediction.  Church isn’t meant to be a dull routine or an entertainment-driven spectacle. It’s a weekly heavenly ascent that transforms us to live the Christian life here on earth. Enter anew into the wonder of Sunday worship as a transcendent, joy-filled journey into God’s presence. Adriel Sanchez is senior minister at North Park Presbyterian Church in San Diego and the host of the Core Christianity podcast with Sola Media. He is the author of Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord’s Prayer andhas written for Christianity Today, Modern Reformation Magazine, Credo Magazine, and Tabletalk Magazine. Adriel lives with his wife and six children in Southern California.

Long before the words of the Bible were written, God’s communication through the spoken word rang out loud and clear. Jesus in particular commissioned representatives to speak on his behalf even during the time of his earthly ministry. And yet today we are a reading culture. It is easy for modern Christians to take for granted that the Bible was handed down in written form, but the way we receive God’s message is far different from how the original hearers would have heard it. These differences not only shape the way that we hear God’s message to his people, but they put us at risk of misunderstanding his revelation. In Hear Ye the Word of the Lord, biblical scholar D. Brent Sandy explores how oral communication shaped the ways that biblical writers received God’s message—and even more importantly, how the ancient and modern faithful receive it through hearing. Filled with helpful biblical insights related to oral communication and constructive ways for modern readers to become better hearers and performers of Scripture, Hear Ye the Word of the Lord provides a constructive way forward for readers interested in exploring howwe can better hear God’s Word. D. Brent Sandy (PhD, Duke University) taught New Testament and Greek at Wheaton College and chaired the Department of Religious Studies at Grace College. He is coauthor (with John Walton) of The Lost World of Scripture: Ancient Literary Culture and Biblical Authority and author of Plowshares and Pruning Hooks: Rethinking the Language of Biblical Prophecy and Apocalyptic.

The Knowing the Bible series is a resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God’s Word. These 12-week studies lead participants through parts of the Bible and are made up of four basic components: (1) reflection questions help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) “Gospel Glimpses” highlight the gospel of grace throughout the Bible; (3) “Whole-Bible Connections” show how any given passage connects to the Bible’s overarching story of redemption, culminating in Christ; and (4) “Theological Soundings” identify how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. In Jesus’ Speech on the Mount of Olives, Murray J. Smith guides readers through Matthew 24–25, Mark 13, and Luke 21 to study Jesus’ pivotal speech from the Mount of Olives. Examining themes of gospel witness, judgment, and salvation, this study teaches believers how they are to live as they await Christ’s return. Helpful Bible Study Resource: Features date and historical background, theological context for the Bible passage, “Whole-Bible Connections,” compelling reflection questions, and more. In-Depth: Ties the biblical text in with the whole story of Scripture, shows how each passage unveils the gospel, and illuminates the doctrines taught in each passage. Part of the Knowing the Bible Series: With contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies help Christians see and cherish the message of God’s grace on every page of the Bible Murray J. Smith (PhD, Macquarie University) is lecturer in biblical theology and exegesis at Christ College, Sydney. He is the author of several books and articles. Murray serves as general editor for New Testament of the Reformed Exegetical and Theological Commentary on Scripture, as coeditor of the series We Believe: Studies in Reformed Biblical Doctrine, and as cohost of the Down Under Theology podcast.

The Justice and Goodness of God Understanding God’s Righteousness through His Final Judgment of Sin. The reality of God’s ultimate punishment is central to the gospel. Only by facing sin’s devastation can believers fully grasp the beauty of their salvation and help unbelievers confront their need for forgiveness. Unfortunately, many Christians and Bible scholars neglect God’s final judgment. In his book The Justice and Goodness of God, theologian Thomas Schreiner offers a comprehensive, biblical analysis of eternal destruction. Explaining that “final judgment doesn’t contradict God’s goodness but verifies and displays it,” he examines themes of sin, death, and redemption in the New Testament and other passages of Scripture. With helpful personal and theological application, this brief guide helps readers see how God’s judgment is anchored in his holiness, justice, and righteousness. Readers will see that God’s judgment isn’t bad news but good news. Life doesn’t make sense without it, and salvation shines brighter against the backdrop of God’s judgment.  Thomas R. Schreiner (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) is the James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and associate dean of the School of Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Christian School Management officially began on August 1st, 2017, but we have actually been fighting the good fight for our entire lives. We love children and we love the Christian schools where those children are nurtured and fed. Simon Jeynes is the founder, under God, of CSM. His testimony is this: “I have four children of my own and I want a great education for them. Almost as much, I want a great education to be there for every Christian family like mine. I get quite depressed when I see Christian schools, full of terrific people and supporters struggle and even go out of business. There have been far too many. I was working at ISM for 14 years and saw this happen first-hand. I saw it happen in the experience of my own children. God finally made me stop what I was doing and take this on as my life mission in founding CSM in 2017. I thought I was at the end part of my career but God has convicted me that this is just the beginning of a new era where I am called to lead and follow in service to children in our Christian schools.” Simon is co-founder and Strategy Director of Christian School Management. Simon is passionate about ensuring that every seat in every Christian school is full and that every student in those seats is having a joyful, transformative experience.  He consults onsite and online with Christian schools across North America. Simon has worked with Christian schools in strategic health checks, strategic planning, strategic financial management, strategic academic planning, scheduling, management structure analysis, mission review, school by-law review, enrollment recovery, inbound and word-of-mouth marketing, Board retreats, Executive Coaching, Growth Conversation and Compensation (teacher), and website content review and development.  Simon started teaching in 1977 and served in Christian residential and day schools for 26 years including acting as Head of School at 3 schools. He keynotes and speaks at conferences across North America. Since 2003, Simon has consulted in 5 countries, 38 states and four provinces. At CSM, he has worked in Christian schools of many types including evangelical, Lutheran, Catholic, Episcopal, Reformed, Orthodox, and non-denominational.  Simon earned his MA from the University of Oxford (School of Modern History), his BEd (Hons.) from the University of Lethbridge, and his MEd (Educational Leadership) from Concordia University.

Mission Design by Aaron Abramson is a timely guide for ministry leaders navigating the challenges of a volatile and rapidly changing world. With technological growth, societal shifts, and economic instability reshaping the landscape, traditional five-year plans feel out of touch. Yet, even amidst uncertainty, opportunities for meaningful kingdom impact abound.  Drawing on principles from design thinking, user experience design, and service design, Aaron Abramson provides a step-by-step approach to help pastors, church planters, nonprofit leaders and mission entrepreneurs adapt and innovate ministries to reach the shifting world around us. This book provides the tools and insights you need to adapt, pivot, navigate, and kickstart change for your ministry. Whether you’re clarifying your vision, understanding your community’s needs, or testing new strategies, Mission Design equips you to lead your organization into a flourishing future. With relatable examples and case studies, Abramson doesn’t just show you how to launch impactful ideas―he also teaches you how to pivot, evaluate, and grow through the learning process. No matter where your ministry is in its organizational life cycle, God can do new things in and through you for the good of those to whom you are called. Mission Design features: Step-by-Step Approach: Learn how to lead your organization through change with strategies drawn from experience and the principles of design thinking. Practical Tools: Clarify your vision and design tangible solutions to adapt to a shifting world. Real-World Case Studies: Explore examples from real-life ministries that show how to implement changes effectively and learn from the results. Focus on Community Impact: Develop a deeper understanding of the people you serve to ensure your ministry reflects their needs and God’s calling. Expert Guidance: Gain insights from Aaron Abramson, CEO of Jews for Jesus, who has led impactful innovations in ministry and mission strategy. Why Read Mission Design? If you’re a ministry leader looking to adapt to evolving dynamics, navigate cultural shifts, and lead with impact, this book is your trusted guide. Abramson’s thoughtful approach combines experienced wisdom with practical tools that can give you confidence as you step into uncharted territory in your own ministry. Get your copy today and get equipped to lead more effectively through changing ministry dynamics. Aaron Abramson Aaron Abramson (MPA, New York University) is the CEO of Jews for Jesus. He was raised in a Jewish home, studied in a religious Jewish seminary, and served in the Israel Defense Forces. Since having a life-changing encounter with Jesus, Aaron has been instrumental in helping Jews for Jesus revitalize recruitment, redesign mission processes, and develop the ministry’s performance measurement system. He and his wife, Victoria, have three children and reside in London.

For Christians worldwide, the month of December is filled with joy and wonder as we anticipate the celebration of Christ’s birth. There is no other time of the year that can compare to the Christmas season for both the young and young at heart. From December to New Year’s Eve, reawaken the wonder, joy, and magic that is Christmas with daily scripture and inspirational readings of stories behind popular Christmas traditions, carols and movies. Enjoy a wealth of fun activities to help make the most of the season, including heartwarming holiday recipes and homemade gift ideas. With this soon-to-be-cherished holiday devotional, best-selling author Ace Collins will capture your imagination and help to make each day of December more memorable and meaningful to you, and those you love, by shining a light on the real spirit of the season. About the author Citing his Arkansas heritage, Christy Award winning author Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. In that capacity, Ace has authored more than seventy books for 25 different publishers that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a network television special and does college basketball play-by-play. In 2015, Ace released a new novel, Hollywood Lost, a mystery from Abingdon Fiction set against the backdrop of the motion picture business in 1936. Coming in October is The Fruitcake Murders, a comedy/whodunit set in Chicago in the days just after World War II. Elk Lake continues to release new episodes of In The President’s Service, a groundbreaking series that first hit the market in 2014. One of Ace’s most talked about books was released in late 2015. The Color of Justice earned the Christy Award winner for Best Suspense Book. This novel is a courtroom drama examining racial prejudice in 1964. Also in 2014, Abingdon released Ace’s Man’s Best Hero at the Book Explo of America. This nonfiction book earned the IndieFab Book of the Year Winner and Christian Retailing’s Gift Book of the Year, as well as generating interest well beyond the dog community. Ace’s first devotional book, Music For Your Heart, was released in late 2013 and earned numerous five star reviews. A fall novel from the same year, The Cutting Edge, mixed suspense, romance and intrigue in a tale of survival and victory. In the summer of 2013, Ace’s novel, Darkness Before Dawn, was chosen by several different book clubs and publications as one of the top reads of 2013. This novel also made the most inspiring book list on iTunes in July and Hope For Women’s “Top Five Summer Reads.” Ace’s publishing history includes the novels Farraday Road, Swope’s Ridge and Jefferson Burke and the Secret of the Lost Scroll for Zondervan, The Yellow Packard from Barbour, Reich of Passage for Bay Forest, and The Christmas Star for Abingdon. His fiction writing has covered everything from value-driven plots, to adventures, mysteries, historical stories, sentimental tales and comedy. In nonfiction, Ace has scored bestsellers with The Cathedrals, Lassie A Dog’s Life, Turn Your Radio On, The Stories Behind The Best-Loved Songs of Christmas, Father Does Know Best, and The Stories Behind The Great Traditions of Christmas. His books have been made into two network television specials and a CBS movie. The Stories Behind The Best-Loved Songs of Christmas hit #3 on the Amazon bestselling list for all books and #1 in several other categories and still continues to sell well more than a decade after its release. Ace’s books have been translated into Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, German and Indonesia (Mayla). Beyond books, Ace has penned more than 2000 magazine features, appeared on every network morning television show, as well as CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and Fox. He also does scores of radio interviews each year. His speaking engagements have taken him from churches and corporations to the America’s Dog Museum in St. Louis and the National Archives in Washington DC. Beyond normal writing circles, Ace has penned several production shows. He also speaks regularly to college classes on the art of writing. Ace’s hobbies include sports, restoring classic cars and Wurlitzer jukeboxes, and running. He is the play-by-play voice for Ouachita Tiger basketball. Ace is married to the Chair of the Department of Education at Ouachita Baptist University, Dr. Kathy Collins. The couple lives in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and has two sons.

Ahead of the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving, a new look at the Plymouth colony's founding events, told for the first time with Wampanoag people at the heart of the story.In March 1621, when Plymouth's survival was hanging in the balance, the Wampanoag sachem (or chief), Ousamequin (Massasoit), and Plymouth's governor, John Carver, declared their people's friendship for each other and a commitment to mutual defense. Later that autumn, the English gathered their first successful harvest and lifted the specter of starvation. Ousamequin and 90 of his men then visited Plymouth for the “First Thanksgiving.” The treaty remained operative until King Philip's War in 1675, when 50 years of uneasy peace between the two parties would come to an end.400 years after that famous meal, historian David J. Silverman sheds profound new light on the events that led to the creation, and bloody dissolution, of this alliance. Focusing on the Wampanoag Indians, Silverman deepens the narrative to consider tensions that developed well before 1620 and lasted long after the devastating war-tracing the Wampanoags' ongoing struggle for self-determination up to this very day. This unsettling history reveals why some modern Native people hold a Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving, a holiday which celebrates a myth of colonialism and white proprietorship of the United States. This Land is Their Land shows that it is time to rethink how we, as a pluralistic nation, tell the history of Thanksgiving.

The Pilgrims' celebration of the first Thanksgiving is a keystone of America's national and spiritual identity. But is what we've been taught about them or their harvest feast what actually happened? And if not, what difference does it make? Through the captivating story of the birth of this quintessentially American holiday, veteran historian Tracy McKenzie helps us to better understand the tale of America's origins―and for Christians, to grasp the significance of this story and those like it. McKenzie avoids both idolizing and demonizing the Pilgrims, and calls us to love and learn from our flawed yet fascinating forebears. The First Thanksgiving is narrative history at its best, and promises to be an indispensable guide to the interplay of historical thinking and Christian reflection on the meaning of the past for the present. Robert Tracy McKenzie (PhD, Vanderbilt University) is Arthur F. Holmes Chair of Faith and Learning and professor of history at Wheaton College. His most recent research interests center on the ways evangelicals remember their national heritage.

A Biblical Framework for Intentional, Spirit-Filled Worship. Music can be a source of tension in many churches. Whether driven by preferences for specific styles, popular trends, or traditional practices, corporate worship can feel more divisive than unifying. How can we cultivate worship that honors God and strengthens his church in the midst of these challenges? Spirit-Filled Singing offers a biblical framework to help believers engage in musical worship with greater intentionality and gospel-centered purpose. Drawing insight from Galatians 5 and Ephesians 5, author Ryanne J. Molinari explores how singing and the fruit of the Spirit share a common purpose―to glorify God and edify his church. Through concise, thoughtful chapters that explore each fruit of the Spirit, this book invites readers to examine their worship practices, assess the condition of their hearts, and grow in Christlikeness through song. Biblical: Draws insight from Ephesians 5, Galatians 5, and Colossians 3 to help readers glorify God and edify his church through corporate worship   Concise: Nine short chapters make it ideal for seminar classes or small-group studies  Ideal for Current or Future Church Leaders: Helpful for high school and undergraduate music students, church study or staff groups, and worship teams Thought Provoking: Includes questions at the end of each chapter for personal reflection or group discussion Ryanne J. Molinari (MLitt, University of St Andrews) is a collaborative pianist/organist and worship director based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She is a member of Prairie Bible Church, where her husband is lead pastor. To read more of her writing or inquire about speaking engagements, visit RyanneMolinari.com.

King of the Groove by Grammy winner, John JR Robinson brings us the behind-closed-doors stories as he reveals how a five-year-old, small-town boy just knew he would be playing (all over the world) along-side the living legends of the music industry for his entire career. His groove played a part in over 50 Grammy winning songs, over 200 US Billboard Hot 100 songs as well as more than ½ billion units sold, earning him a permanent spot in Rolling Stone Magazine’s, “The Top 100 Drummers of All Time” list. JR gracefully uses his quick wit with his entertaining personality to share lessons of struggle, triumph and the power of believing in yourself to make your dreams come alive. His musicianship has helped define the pop, R&B and Jazz era for the last half century, making him the most recorded drummer in history. No one will forget JR’s landmark “drum fill” which opens the iconic song, “Rock With You,” (from Michael Jackson’s Off the Wall) which is and will always be an essential piece of pop music lore. From stories of the making of one of the highest grossing songs of all time, “We Are the World”, to the first time he met Quincy Jones, (who provides the foreword), to touring with Peter Frampton, working with Usher, Daft Punk, a heart-breaking story with Barbra Streisand, plus 60 more A-list musicians and producers’ stories. King of the Groove is a highly enlightening book that will delight and inform musicians, music fans and entrepreneurs alike. A tour de force experience from beginning to end. To buy the book visit Amazon or https://www.johnjrrobinson.com

Christians often view Jesus’s miracles simply as proofs of his divinity. However, as prolific author Vern Poythress shows in this new book, they also serve as “signs of redemption,” foreshadowing the salvation that Christ accomplished through his cross and resurrection. This means that the stories of Jesus’s miracles—like the calming of the storm or the feeding of the 5,000—are relevant for both Christians and non-Christians alike, clearly pointing to the gospel. After setting forth a framework for viewing all of Jesus’s miracles through this lens, Poythress then reflects on the meaning and significance of 26 distinct miracles recorded in the Gospel of Matthew—helping modern readers understand and apply them to their own lives today. Vern S. Poythress (PhD, Harvard University; ThD, University of Stellenbosch) is Distinguished Professor of New Testament, Biblical Interpretation, and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he has taught for four decades. In addition to earning six academic degrees, he is the author of numerous books and articles on biblical interpretation, language, and science.