Matthew Paul Turner – författare

He spent his childhood trapped within the confines of countless bizarre, strict rules. And lived to tell about it.In this first-hand account, author Matthew Paul Turner shares amusing–sometimes cringe-worthy–and poignant stories about growing up in a fundamentalist household, where even well-intentioned contemporary Christian music was proclaimed to be “of the devil.” churched is a collection of stories that detail an American boy’s experiences growing up in a culture where men weren’t allowed let their hair grow to touch their ears (“an abomination!”), women wouldn’t have been caught dead in a pair of pants (unless swimming), and the pastor couldn’t preach a sermon without a healthy dose of hellfire and brimstone. Matthew grapples with the absurdity of a Sunday School Barbie burning, the passionate annual boxing match between the pastor and Satan, and the holiness of being baptized a fifth time–while growing into a young man who, amidst the chaotic mess of religion, falls in love with Jesus.From the Hardcover edition.

Every Life Has a Soundtrack.  If you’ve ever had the opening bars of a song transport you back in time or remind you of a pivotal spiritual moment, Matthew Paul Turner’s honest—and frequently hilarious—musings will strike a chord. Straightforward and amusing, Hear No Evil is Turner’s “life soundtrack,” a compilation of engaging personal stories about how music—and music’s ability to transform—has played a key role in his spiritual life.  Groove along on his journey as young evangelical Turner attends forbidden contemporary Christian concerts, moves to “Music City” Nashville, and dreams of becoming the Michael Jackson of Christian music.  Cosmic and compelling, keen and funny, every page is a new encounter with the people, places, and experiences that have taught the music-editor-turned-author some new things about God, forced him out of his comfort zone, and introduced him to a fresh view of grace along the way.From the Trade Paperback edition.

From the best-selling author of When God Made You and When God Made Light comes a beautifully affirming, deeply meaningful prayer from a parent to a loving God, asking for God''s presence and comfort over the life of a child.Something about seeing a beloved child come into the world, grow, and experience the wonder and pain of life drives adults to pray for the kids they love. Even people with no religious affiliation will pray for the well-being of a child. When I Pray for You celebrates the dreams, hopes, and longings we pray over our children, and shares with the little ones how much care, concern, and love a parent, family member, or friend feels for them.From the moment I saw you, I started to pray.Big prayers and small ones I have sent God''s way.I prayed you felt safe,full of joy and content.When I whispered "I love you,"you knew what I meant.

From the author of the bestselling children''s book When God Made You comes a rhythmic, whimsical journey through creation--for little readers who love science and wonder and the beginnings of all things.For spiritual parents who are looking for a different kind of creation book, Matthew Paul Turner''s When God Made the World focuses on the complex way that God created our vast and scientifically operating universe, including the biodiversity of life on our planet and the intricacies of a vast solar system. Scottish illustrator Gillian Gamble brings the natural world to vibrant life with rich colors and poignant detail certain to stretch young minds and engage imaginations.Planet Earth, God made a blue and green sphere,And designed it to orbit the sun once a year.God made daytime and nighttime, climates and seasons,And all kinds of weather that vary by region.God made continents and oceans, islands and seas,A north and south pole that God put in deep freeze.God carved rivers and brooks, mountains and caves,Made beaches with sand and huge crashing waves.God made tropics and plateaus, glaciers and meadows,marshes and tundras and erupting volcanos.

The best-selling author of When I Pray for You and When God Made You captures the wonder of Christmas in a lyrical exploration of what makes the season so colorful, magical, and personal to our hearts. In his trademark style, Matthew Paul Turner celebrates the Christmas season, particularly the colors that come with the holiday and all the memorable sensations connected to those bright hues. Christmas is RED.It''s a bright shiny sled.It''s candy canes, and toy store lanes.It''s sprinkles on sweet bread. It''s packages with bows, And Rudolph''s bright red noseIt''s pictures drawnAnd dressed-up lawnsAnd warm mittens when it snows.Matthew surrounds his readers into a whirling ribbon of the familiar reds and greens, and also other festive hues, including white, gold, blue, and brown. All the colors come together when readers are reminded that Christmas is YOU, that the holidays are nothing without being with the people we love, celebrating traditions, and making new memories--in vivid color.

YOU, you… God thinks about you. God was thinking of you long before your debut.From early on, children are looking to discover their place in the world and longing to understand how their personalities, traits, and talents fit in. Knowing that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly.      Written in playful, charming rhyme and brought to life with vivid, fantastical illustrations, young readers will be encouraged and excited to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin create for themselves.   ‘Cause when God made YOU, somehow God knew That the world needed someone exactly like you!

From the author and illustrator of the best-selling When God Made You comes a new illuminating message about God''s design affirming young readers.''Let there be light!'' that''s what God said. And light began shining and then started to spread." Wild and creative illustrations from top children''s illustrator David Catrow pair with Matthew Paul Turner''s lyrical verse in this message of a God-made light that cuts through darkness to bring vision and hope to all young readers. This light radiates, chasing away the shadows, providing the wonder and fun of stargazing or firefly chasing. Most important, this light appears in each child--an inner God-given spark that grows and will be used to change the world.