THE RETURN TO EDEN by Kilundo Mutei

A biography of Pope Francis that describes how this revolutionary thinker will use the power of his position to challenge and redirect one of the world's most formidable religionsAn expansive and deeply contextual work, at its heart The Great Reformer is about the intersection of faith and politics--the tension between the pope's innovative vision for the Church and the obstacles he faces in an institution still strongly defined by its conservative past. Based on extensive interviews in Argentina and years of study of the Catholic Church, Ivereigh tells the story not only of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the remarkable man whose background and total commitment to the discernment of God's will transformed him into Pope Francis--but the story of why the Catholic Church chose him as their leader.With the Francis Revolution just beginning, this biography will provide never-before-explained context on how one man's ambitious program began--and how it will likely end--through an investigation of Francis's youth growing up in Buenos Aires and the dramatic events during the Perón era that shaped his beliefs; his ongoing conflicts and disillusionment with the ensuing doctrines of an authoritarian and militaristic government in the 1970s; how his Jesuit training in Argentina and Chile gave him a unique understanding and advocacy for a "Church of the Poor"; and his rise from Cardinal to the papacy. ISBN:2147483647 Author:Austen Ivereigh

Joyce Meyer's best-selling devotional, now available in beautiful, purple imitation leather binding, helps readers begin each day ready to receive God's blessings. God wants you to enjoy your life. And you can experience happiness each day when you learn to start your mornings right—by spending time with God, reading His Word, listening, and praying for His direction. When you do, you will be filled with the expectation of better days that are promised to you, and those better days add up to a better life. If you seek God, He will calm your fears, give you greater confidence, and direct your path. Once you experience the empowerment of starting your day with Him, you will never want to begin your day without Him. ISBN:2147483647 Author:Joyce Meyer

Events in our lives, both good and bad, form rings in us like the rings in a tree. Each ring records memories that affect our feelings, our relationships, and our thoughts about God. In this classic work, David Seamands encourages us to live compassionately with ourselves as we allow the Holy Spirit to heal our past. As he helps us name hurdles in our lives—such as guilt, poor self-worth, and perfectionism—he shows us how we can find freedom from our pain and enjoy the abundant life God wants for us. ISBN:2147483647 Author:David A. Seamands

This uneven effort by the indomitable Jakes (The Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord) inadvertently contains two discrete books--one on family, and one on personal finance. The sections on family are the best; Jakes compares the ideal Christian family (two parents, one of whom is a stay-at-home mom, and both of whom were virgins when they wed) with the more diverse reality of contemporary America. He quite effectively addresses nontraditional configurations such as blended, one-parent, and grandmother-headed families in a supportive and nonjudgmental tone. Jakes speaks specifically to African-American families like his own, who were left ""emancipated but incapacitated"" after generations of slavery. The finance portion of the book reflects Jakes's desire to avoid preaching the health-and-wealth gospel while simultaneously telling readers that God wants them to be financially comfortable. Jesus, says Jakes, desires Christians to have the kind of worldly influence that only wealth can bring. Much of Jakes's financial advice is typical of other Christian money gurus such as Larry Burkett and Mary Hunt, though without their detailed plans for debt-free living and profitable investing. Jakes stands out with his memorable biblical examples of prudent money management and his clear stance that Christian tithing should be from gross, not net, income.