The Book of Acts recounts the stories of numerous men and a few women God chose to use to plant His church in the first century. This is the story of one of those–a merchant called Lydia. Explore her story and the story of the times in which she lived—the portion you may already know … and the rest of the story that could have been.

Yes, it’s true—Rahab was a prostitute—until the day God redeemed her. But gratefully, once we have been redeemed, God doesn’t see any of us through the lens of our sin; rather, He sees us through the lens of His Son. It was by faith, this woman of courage and strength did not die with all the others in her city. And it was by faith, she became a part of the ancestral line that led to the advent of Jesus. This is the story of the heroine who protected the Israelite spies … and so much more.

Shimon was a shepherd boy when he first saw the newborn King in a Bethlehem stable. Join him in his journey as he re-encounters the Lamb of God at the Jordan, and follows the Miracle Worker through the wilderness, the Messiah to the cross, and the Risen Savior from the upper room. Though Shimon is a fictional character, we’ll hear the audio of the Gospels unfold through his eyes, and experience a story of redemption - the redemption of a shepherd - and the redemption of each one who chooses to follow the Good Shepherd.

Jesus changed millions of lives; his was one of the first. After conflict and betrayal result in the arrest of Jesus, James is forced to turn his back on his brother. Sentenced to death by crucifixion, Jerusalem is painted with his brother’s blood. James’ mourning is met with fear when whispers of Jesus’ resurrection fill the streets. Obligated to take charge of a divided family, James must protect his siblings from blood-thirsty Rome and a pious council until they can flee the riotous city.

David, new shepherd and youngest of eight, doesn’t want to fight. He wants to disappear, to be alone with his sheep. His brothers mock him, his father ignores him, and even the sheep he protects flee him. Yet, he was born for more. Yahweh has called him beyond the fields of little Bethlehem. He has called him to greatness. Saul is king of Israel. Chosen by Yahweh and anointed by Samuel the prophet, he leads the fledgling nation as he defends its borders with shaky hands. Chosen and anointed he may be, but he is also a failure.

Terry Thompson brings the book of Daniel to life with extensive research into the lives and customs of the Hebrew people, and he even opens up the discussion for the prophecies that have yet to be fulfilled. This book is a complement to an intensive study on Daniel and the God Who is still faithful to protect his people. 

Martha of Bethany is no stranger to adversity. After her mother’s untimely death, Martha shoulders the responsibility of raising her siblings—quiet and studious Lazarus, and wild and rambunctious Mary. She finds solace in friendship and the beginnings of first love, but just as Martha begins to imagine a new future, hardship strikes again and her dreams crumble into dust.

Hannah is no longer a young woman. In the twilight of her life, she holds her memories close to her heart. Above all, she treasures the miracle of conceiving Samuel after years of barrenness and the promise she made to the Lord to release her child to the high priest Eli’s care to train and serve in the temple. But Samuel’s story does not end at the gates of the temple and neither does his family’s enduring legacy of faith, patience, and deliverance. 

The beloved daughter of Jewish captives in Babylon, Keren is sold into Daniel’s household to help her family survive. She becomes Daniel’s most trusted scribe, while taking lessons and swordsmanship training alongside Daniel’s sons and their best friend, Jared. But after a tragic accident changes the course of her life, Keren finds herself in a foreign country, charged with a mysterious task: teaching a shepherd boy how to become a lord. When she overhears whispers that hint at his true identity, she realizes she must protect him from the schemes of a bloodthirsty king.

A collection of 25 short stories for the advent season from some familiar and some not-so-familiar people. Experience a new the truth of the glorious arrival of the baby in the manger through the lens of these fictional first-person accounts of the prophecies and events heralding the birth of Jesus. Some of the characters may be fictional, but the truth they tell is very real!