Kevin Johnson – författare

"A yuletide Midsommar drenched in eggnog and blood." -CLAY MCLEOD CHAPMAN, author of Wake Up and Open Your EyesA young reporter follows a string of disappearances into the middle of a terrifying Christmas cult inspired by our favorite holiday classics.You better watch out. You better not cry.It’s Christmas in the village of Yule, Maine.In fact, it’s always Christmas in Yule. Here, Santa Claus isn’t a storybook figure. He’s an icon. A god. The villagers don’t just believe in him—they worship him. And the world is better for it.Halley Belanger hates Christmas, and she doesn’t have much love for Santa either. But when a string of child disappearances across Maine seems to spare only the village of Yule, Halley—a sharp, skeptical reporter—decides to investigate.What she finds is a town that guards its secrets with gingerbread smiles and a snow globe sheen. Outsiders aren’t welcome. She isn’t welcome. And something sinister is keeping the Christmas spirit alive.As Halley digs deeper, she begins to uncover the horrifying truth behind Yule’s eternal cheer. Christmas comes at a grisly cost. And Santa Claus is no saint."The gleefully unhinged tale of holiday horror you've been waiting for." -ERIC LAROCCA, author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke

You work hard planning mission trips. Now make mission trips work for you and your group. Headed to inner-city America? Appalachia? A border shantytown? Overseas? Wherever your destination, the MISSION TRIP PREP KIT contains all you need to prepare your students for an unforgettable cross-cultural experience—and tools to debrief them after they’ve returned to their worlds. Use this kit— To get on-site impact as well as long-term spiritual change in your kids. Whether you’re a mission-trip novice or a savvy traveler outside your comfort zones. Whether your group’s trip is geared toward reaching others with the gospel or to disciple your young missionaries. In several sessions spread over a month or two—or in an intensive, two-day training session or retreat. IN THIS LEADER’S GUIDE: You’ll receive not only the rationale, the how, and the logistics of planning and pulling off a missions trip, but—and this is the genius of the leader’s guide—4 PRE-TRIP TEACHING SESSIONS that will help your students— ·Assess their EXPECTATIONS, their fears, their motivations. ·Adjust their PERCEPTIONS of the culture they’ll be working in. ·Improve their emotional and spiritual STAMINA for living for a week or a month in a very different world from their own. ·Practice the skills and ATTITUDES (teamwork, servanthood, Christ-centeredness) they’ll need for a missions trip. And to make sure your trip’s goals are accomplished and the benefits stick around for the long haul, you’ll also receive 2 POST-TRIP SESSIONS that will help you DEBRIEF your students, ease them back into their own worlds, CELEBRATE with them, and make missions and ministry part of their EVERYDAY LIVES WITH JESUS. What’s more, in these pre- and post-trip teaching sessions are a variety of ACTIVITIES…processing points…creative PRAYER IDEAS…take-home applications…BIBLE STUDIES relevant to mission tripping…TALK OUTLINES that both instruct and inspire…and lots of sessions options you can tailor to your own HIGH SCHOOLERS OR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS.

Designed for middle schoolers, Deeper Bible studies provide you with a unique and effective tool for your students. Use in large or small groups to help communicate God’s truth in a way that connects with young teens and shows them what faith can look like in their everyday lives.• Choose will help students learn about temptation, the Holy Spirit’s power to help, and what God desires from them.• Pray helps students understand and participate in meaningful prayer with the creator of the universe. They’ll find that not only does God listen; he cares.• Stick shows students what God says about friendships and helps them find and be great friends.• Trust will help you teach your students who Jesus is and what it looks like to trust him on a deeper level. With questions that meet the developmental and spiritual needs of early adolescents, you’ll find that your students engage in the Deeper studies and really grasp the lessons.

Designed for middle schoolers, Deeper Bible studies provide you with a unique and effective tool for your students. Use in large or small groups to help communicate God’s truth in a way that connects with young teens and shows them what faith can look like in their everyday lives.• Choose will help students learn about temptation, the Holy Spirit’s power to help, and what God desires from them.• Pray helps students understand and participate in meaningful prayer with the creator of the universe. They’ll find that not only does God listen; he cares.• Stick shows students what God says about friendships and helps them find and be great friends.• Trust will help you teach your students who Jesus is and what it looks like to trust him on a deeper level. With questions that meet the developmental and spiritual needs of early adolescents, you’ll find that your students engage in the Deeper studies and really grasp the lessons.

Designed for middle schoolers, Deeper Bible studies provide you with a unique and effective tool for your students. Use in large or small groups to help communicate God’s truth in a way that connects with young teens and shows them what faith can look like in their everyday lives.• Choose will help students learn about temptation, the Holy Spirit’s power to help, and what God desires from them.• Pray helps students understand and participate in meaningful prayer with the creator of the universe. They’ll find that not only does God listen; he cares.• Stick shows students what God says about friendships and helps them find and be great friends.• Trust will help you teach your students who Jesus is and what it looks like to trust him on a deeper level. With questions that meet the developmental and spiritual needs of early adolescents, you’ll find that your students engage in the Deeper studies and really grasp the lessons.

Designed for middle schoolers, Deeper Bible studies provide you with a unique and effective tool for your students. Use in large or small groups to help communicate God’s truth in a way that connects with young teens and shows them what faith can look like in their everyday lives.• Choose will help students learn about temptation, the Holy Spirit’s power to help, and what God desires from them.• Pray helps students understand and participate in meaningful prayer with the creator of the universe. They’ll find that not only does God listen; he cares.• Stick shows students what God says about friendships and helps them find and be great friends.• Trust will help you teach your students who Jesus is and what it looks like to trust him on a deeper level. With questions that meet the developmental and spiritual needs of early adolescents, you’ll find that your students engage in the Deeper studies and really grasp the lessons.

"It’s easy to follow someone you can see. When your mom leads you through the aisles of a store, you can clearly see her. Maybe you can even anticipate her next turn. But when you decide to follow Jesus, it’s a different story. Or is it? For the people in the Bible who followed Jesus, it was a physical act. He was right there in front of them. But today, as you try to follow Jesus, how do you stay in step with him? Especially if you don’t know who he is or where he’s leading you? In Follow, you’ll find 20 eye-opening studies that will draw you into the Bible and reveal to you the real Jesus. You’ll discover how a guy who lived 2,000 years ago can impact your life today and for all eternity. Designed to address many of the questions that high school students have about Jesus, Follow will help you understand what it means to truly follow Jesus—and why it’s worth it."

"Sadly, studies show that there are few differences in the attitudes and actions between people who claim to be Christians and those who don’t choose that label. But everything we read in the Bible says we should be transformed; we should be different than the rest of the world. What would it look like if you lived the life God desires for you? How would your life be different if you abandoned your typical routine and refused to settle for anything less than the best God has in store for you? In Thrive, you’ll find 20 life-impacting studies that will draw you into the Bible and help you understand who you are and who God wants to help you become. You’ll discover what the Bible says about how God made you, what kind of life he has planned for you, and how you can survive the tough times of your life. Even if you struggle to keep your faith alive at times, God wants to help you thrive. The reality is, God loves us just the way we are—but he also loves us too much to leave us that way."

"One of the most challenging parts of following Jesus is being able to explain the what’s and why’s of your faith. Whether a friend’s questions stump you or you’re having doubts of your own, it helps to know what you believe and why. There’s no need to be afraid to ask the tough questions. When it comes to your faith, there’s no such thing as a dumb question and no topic should be off-limits. God wants you to understand your faith so you can help others understand it, too. In Think, you’ll find 20 straightforward studies that explore what the Bible says about controversial and difficult topics. You’ll discover why the Bible is worth believing, you’ll find out how you can be sure Jesus was more than a nice guy and good teacher, and you’ll see that the Bible really does have relevant things to say about life today. God wants to give you solid reasons to believe, along with the know-how to explain your faith without sounding intolerant or arrogant. So dig in and be sure about what you believe."

"When you stop to think about your future, you might be excited. Or confused. Or just totally scared. But when you know where you’re going (or at least who’s leading you towards your future), you can take that giant leap with confidence. With all the influences in your life pushing you one way or another, it’s good to know that you can count on God to guide you once you catch on to his plans. Nobody expects you to have it all figured out by the time you finish this book. But you’ll be on your way to understanding who you are and how you can make the most out of your life. In Soar, you’ll find 20 hands-on studies that provide vital insights into how God made you and how he plans to lead you, step-by-step, through life. You’ll be better able to prioritize the important things in your life, you’ll know what it means to be a willing follower of God and choose to go his way because you want to, and you’ll discover how to live without fear of the future because you’re never alone on the journey. Even when you have no idea where your life is headed, you can take comfort in the fact that God does."

God might not be asking you to build an ark, but he is asking you to help him change the world. So don’t worry…you won’t have to grow out a beard or spend 40 days in a rainstorm. Believe it or not, changing the world can be as simple as everyday acts of kindness. Whether you do something good for someone in your family, or that new kid at your lunch table, or the neighbor around the corner, you can make a difference and help change the world—or at least, their world, for now. Inspired by the Universal Pictures movie, Evan Almighty, starring Steve Carell, Do Good will show you how you can help change the world by doing good every chance you get, right where you are, right now. You’ll discover:• how you can live every moment with God• what to do when life (or God) interrupts your plans• where to look for opportunities to do good• what to do when people around you think you’re crazy• how you can make a difference in the world within your reachMost of all, you’ll begin to see why you’re the perfect person to help God change the world—starting right now!

So God’s asking you to change the world…but how? It’s not as hard as you think, really; just some everyday acts of kindness can really make a difference in the world around you. Inside the pages of this devotional, you’ll be challenged to think about how you can do good in your world, and you’ll get great ideas that you can do right now! Read this along with Do Good, or work through this book separately. Either way, you’ll discover that you really do have the power to change the world by doing good every chance you get.The journal includes:• Quotes, thoughts, and questions to jolt you to think and move you to act• Random acts that you can do almost anywhere and anytime• Truth and Dare challenges that get you thinking and help you do something radically different• Random Act Notes for you to construct your own amazing story as you do good in the world around youGod made you to do good, and you have the power to change the world one kind deed at a time. So, what are you waiting for?

You work hard planning mission trips. Now make mission trips work for you and your group.Headed to inner-city America? Appalachia? A border shantytown? Overseas? Wherever your destination, the MISSION TRIP PREP KIT contains all you need to prepare your students for an unforgettable cross-cultural experience—and tools to debrief them after they’ve returned to their worlds.Use this kit—To get on-site impact as well as long-term spiritual change in your kids.Whether you’re a mission-trip novice or a savvy traveler outside your comfort zones.Whether your group’s trip is geared toward reaching others with the gospel or to disciple your young missionaries.In several sessions spread over a month or two—or in an intensive, two-day training session or retreat.IN THIS LEADER’S GUIDE: You’ll receive not only the rationale, the how, and the logistics of planning and pulling off a missions trip, but—and this is the genius of the leader’s guide—4 PRE-TRIP TEACHING SESSIONS that will help your students—·Assess their EXPECTATIONS, their fears, their motivations.·Adjust their PERCEPTIONS of the culture they’ll be working in.·Improve their emotional and spiritual STAMINA for living for a week or a month in a very different world from their own.·Practice the skills and ATTITUDES (teamwork, servanthood, Christ-centeredness) they’ll need for a missions trip.And to make sure your trip’s goals are accomplished and the benefits stick around for the long haul, you’ll also receive 2 POST-TRIP SESSIONS that will help you DEBRIEF your students, ease them back into their own worlds, CELEBRATE with them, and make missions and ministry part of their EVERYDAY LIVES WITH JESUS.What’s more, in these pre- and post-trip teaching sessions are a variety of ACTIVITIES…processing points…creative PRAYER IDEAS…take-home applications…BIBLE STUDIES relevant to mission tripping…TALK OUTLINES that both instruct and inspire…and lots of sessions options you can tailor to your own HIGH SCHOOLERS OR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS.

"When you stop to think about your future, you might be excited. Or confused. Or just totally scared. But when you know where you’re going (or at least who’s leading you towards your future), you can take that giant leap with confidence.With all the influences in your life pushing you one way or another, it’s good to know that you can count on God to guide you once you catch on to his plans. Nobody expects you to have it all figured out by the time you finish this book. But you’ll be on your way to understanding who you are and how you can make the most out of your life. In Soar, you’ll find 20 hands-on studies that provide vital insights into how God made you and how he plans to lead you, step-by-step, through life. You’ll be better able to prioritize the important things in your life, you’ll know what it means to be a willing follower of God and choose to go his way because you want to, and you’ll discover how to live without fear of the future because you’re never alone on the journey. Even when you have no idea where your life is headed, you can take comfort in the fact that God does."

"Sadly, studies show that there are few differences in the attitudes and actions between people who claim to be Christians and those who don’t choose that label. But everything we read in the Bible says we should be transformed; we should be different than the rest of the world.What would it look like if you lived the life God desires for you? How would your life be different if you abandoned your typical routine and refused to settle for anything less than the best God has in store for you?In Thrive, you’ll find 20 life-impacting studies that will draw you into the Bible and help you understand who you are and who God wants to help you become. You’ll discover what the Bible says about how God made you, what kind of life he has planned for you, and how you can survive the tough times of your life. Even if you struggle to keep your faith alive at times, God wants to help you thrive. The reality is, God loves us just the way we are—but he also loves us too much to leave us that way."

"One of the most challenging parts of following Jesus is being able to explain the what’s and why’s of your faith. Whether a friend’s questions stump you or you’re having doubts of your own, it helps to know what you believe and why. There’s no need to be afraid to ask the tough questions. When it comes to your faith, there’s no such thing as a dumb question and no topic should be off-limits. God wants you to understand your faith so you can help others understand it, too.In Think, you’ll find 20 straightforward studies that explore what the Bible says about controversial and difficult topics. You’ll discover why the Bible is worth believing, you’ll find out how you can be sure Jesus was more than a nice guy and good teacher, and you’ll see that the Bible really does have relevant things to say about life today. God wants to give you solid reasons to believe, along with the know-how to explain your faith without sounding intolerant or arrogant. So dig in and be sure about what you believe."

Designed for middle schoolers, Deeper Bible studies provide you with a unique and effective tool for your students. Use in large or small groups to help communicate God’s truth in a way that connects with young teens and shows them what faith can look like in their everyday lives.• Choose will help students learn about temptation, the Holy Spirit’s power to help, and what God desires from them.• Pray helps students understand and participate in meaningful prayer with the creator of the universe. They’ll find that not only does God listen; he cares.• Stick shows students what God says about friendships and helps them find and be great friends.• Trust will help you teach your students who Jesus is and what it looks like to trust him on a deeper level. With questions that meet the developmental and spiritual needs of early adolescents, you’ll find that your students engage in the Deeper studies and really grasp the lessons.

Designed for middle schoolers, Deeper Bible studies provide you with a unique and effective tool for your students. Use in large or small groups to help communicate God’s truth in a way that connects with young teens and shows them what faith can look like in their everyday lives.• Choose will help students learn about temptation, the Holy Spirit’s power to help, and what God desires from them.• Pray helps students understand and participate in meaningful prayer with the creator of the universe. They’ll find that not only does God listen; he cares.• Stick shows students what God says about friendships and helps them find and be great friends.• Trust will help you teach your students who Jesus is and what it looks like to trust him on a deeper level. With questions that meet the developmental and spiritual needs of early adolescents, you’ll find that your students engage in the Deeper studies and really grasp the lessons.

The Power of Legacy and Planned Gifts provides practical knowledge and tools nonprofits need to connect with loyal donors, resulting in a stream of future income that will sustain and advance their mission. Filled with illustrative real-world examples and cases, as well as worksheets to guide the reader, the book details a simple, multi-stage process for nonprofits to build a pipeline of future bequest income and offers donors perspective on making their gifts in a way that will best accomplish their goals.

Praise for The Power of Legacy and Planned Gifts

"Kevin Johnson has done a great job making clear the process and the implications of a bequest to a charity. A nonprofit''s workers and its donors will be well served in reading this book." —Bill Gates, Sr., author, Showing Up for Life

"Regardless of the size, vintage, or mission of your organization, you can use this book. If this is the part of fundraising you have been avoiding, Kevin''s sensible advice can get your team started and get results sooner than you think." —Joan Flanagan, fundraiser, Center for New Community, and author, Successful Fundraising

"Bequests are the key for small and medium-sized charities to survive and thrive. Kevin clearly shows how board and staff can easily develop the comfort and confidence to build effective relations with donors, and help them tell their stories and express their deepest values through bequests. Oh, that we all had this book years ago!" —Roger Ellison, vice president for planned giving, West Texas Rehabilitation Center Foundation

"Kevin''s insights into donor motivation and the richness of our story have resulted in a substantial increase in planned gifts to our organization." —Karlene McCabe, executive director, Greenbelt Land Trust

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

The Power of Legacy and Planned Gifts provides practical knowledge and tools nonprofits need to connect with loyal donors, resulting in a stream of future income that will sustain and advance their mission. Filled with illustrative real-world examples and cases, as well as worksheets to guide the reader, the book details a simple, multi-stage process for nonprofits to build a pipeline of future bequest income and offers donors perspective on making their gifts in a way that will best accomplish their goals.

Praise for The Power of Legacy and Planned Gifts

"Kevin Johnson has done a great job making clear the process and the implications of a bequest to a charity. A nonprofit''s workers and its donors will be well served in reading this book." —Bill Gates, Sr., author, Showing Up for Life

"Regardless of the size, vintage, or mission of your organization, you can use this book. If this is the part of fundraising you have been avoiding, Kevin''s sensible advice can get your team started and get results sooner than you think." —Joan Flanagan, fundraiser, Center for New Community, and author, Successful Fundraising

"Bequests are the key for small and medium-sized charities to survive and thrive. Kevin clearly shows how board and staff can easily develop the comfort and confidence to build effective relations with donors, and help them tell their stories and express their deepest values through bequests. Oh, that we all had this book years ago!" —Roger Ellison, vice president for planned giving, West Texas Rehabilitation Center Foundation

"Kevin''s insights into donor motivation and the richness of our story have resulted in a substantial increase in planned gifts to our organization." —Karlene McCabe, executive director, Greenbelt Land Trust

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Discover the dynamic story of iconic cornet and trumpet player Louis Armstrong on his journey to becoming a king of jazz and one of America's most influential musicians.Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Who Was? series!Follow Louis Armstrong as he joins Fate Marable’s riverboat band on the Dixie Belle and navigates the racial tensions of segregation while bringing innovative hot jazz to audiences beyond New Orleans. A story of new horizons, determination, and musical growth, this graphic novel highlights how Louis honed his improvisational flair and improved his ability to read music on his way to becoming one of jazz music’s most celebrated pioneers. Music notes fly off the page as lively, full-color illustrations work in perfect harmony with this electric narrative.

Discover the dynamic story of iconic cornet and trumpet player Louis Armstrong on his journey to becoming a king of jazz and one of America's most influential musicians.Presenting Who HQ Graphic Novels: an exciting addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling Who Was? series!Follow Louis Armstrong as he joins Fate Marable’s riverboat band on the Dixie Belle and navigates the racial tensions of segregation while bringing innovative hot jazz to audiences beyond New Orleans. A story of new horizons, determination, and musical growth, this graphic novel highlights how Louis honed his improvisational flair and improved his ability to read music on his way to becoming one of jazz music’s most celebrated pioneers. Music notes fly off the page as lively, full-color illustrations work in perfect harmony with this electric narrative.

Kids are curious about Jesus and God and yet, by the time they are teens, the majority stop asking questions about faith and starting questioning faith altogether. Respected Christian apologist Josh McDowell encourages children to stand on the foundation of truth with this contemporary gathering of concise, welcoming answers for kids ages 8 to 12.A fun format includes key Bible verses and pre-teen friendly explorations of topics that matter most to kids:God’s love and forgivenessRight and wrong and making choicesJesus, the Holy Spirit, and God’s WordDifferent beliefs and religions Church, prayer, and sharing faithThe next time a child asks “Who is God?” parents, grandparents, and church leaders will want this practical and engaging volume handy. Helpful tips and conversation ideas for adults will help them connect with kids hungering for straight talk about faith in Jesus.

For TeensGod made you unique and valuable, and he invites you into an incredible future. But it can be hard to think through what that means and what it should look like. How can you figure it all out in the middle of your responsibilities, expectations, and pressures?Find Your Fit is an incredible resource to help you discover who you are. It assesses your interests, abilities, spiritual gifts, values, and personality so you can understand what makes you tick and how you can become all God designed you to be. But it's not just a powerful tool--it's also fun to understand yourself better than you ever have before.The Find Your Fit Discovery Workbook is also available, and it includes self-assessments, questions for digging deeper, and group exercises. Set yourself free to dream big dreams about what your life can be. God loves you so much and wants you to join him to change the world!

Turn tumultuous relationships into tranquil onesWe all encounter conflict--whether it be with a coworker, family member, friend, or complete stranger. And yet we all desire harmony in our relationships. Resolving Everyday Conflict is a practical, biblical, and concise guide to peacemaking in everyday life.With the proven advice in this book, authors Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson show you how to achieve not only a cease-fire but also unity and harmony. You'll discover how to● understand where conflict originates● take a biblical view of conflict● own your role in a conflict● offer forgiveness and arrive at reasonable solutions● and moreThis biblical guidance will take you far beyond simply ending conflicts. Instead, true, life-changing reconciliation can take place in your relationships.

Tragic confrontations at schools throughout the past two decades are striking evidence that teens need help and training in peaceful conflict resolution. God knows each conflict a teen goes through--with their families, friends, and teachers--and he is in control. In this student edition of The Peacemaker, Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson show teens, youth leaders, parents, and pastors, how they can apply biblical principles to conflict situations, allowing for forgiveness and reconciliation instead of hatred or violence. With an approachable style that treats teens with respect, this much-needed resource can be used individually or as part of a small group or youth group study.

When a child loses the person in his life that he loves more than anything, he uses his cape as protection from his grief. On the day of the funeral, he uses it to block out the pictures and stories people share, refusing to acknowledge the memories that keep bubbling up. He won't think about them. He doesn't want to.He avoids the memories, until he no longer can.He remembers then. Their laugh, their smile, the moment they gave him the cape. The cape transforms, becoming a source of comfort and strength as the child navigates the sadness and joy that these memories bring up.

Find Hope Through Praying the ScripturesWhat do you do when prayer feels futile, an endless rehashing of your problems? If one of the most practical reasons we pray is to obtain strength from God, then we need to understand how that happens. Prayer is about more than making requests. In addition to our agony and questioning, Scripture teaches us to also offer up our surrender. We can voice not only loneliness, resentment, and frustration but also peace, hope, and worship. When we let Scripture teach us a breadth of prayers, we begin to be filled with God''s fresh life.Interweaving his own story of inner anguish and physical illness, Kevin Johnson takes you through nine key Scripture passages that will help you find peace. Each passage is broken down into smaller portions, paired with short phrases to prompt you to pray Scripture back to God. Learn how to talk to God in your pain.