Randy Petersen – författare

The true story of a friendship between two very different men: Founding Father Ben Franklin and famed preacher of the Great Awakening George Whitefield.They were the most famous men in America. They came from separate countries, followed different philosophies, and led dissimilar lives. But they were fast friends. No two people did more to shape America in the mid-1700s.Benjamin Franklin was the American prototype: hard-working, inventive, practical, funny, with humble manners and lofty dreams. George Whitefield was the most popular preacher in an era of great piety, whose outdoor preaching across the colonies was heard by thousands, all of whom were told, "You must be born again." People became excited about God. They began reading the Bible and supporting charities. When Whitefield died in 1770, on a preaching tour in New Hampshire, he had built a spiritual foundation for a new nation—just as his surviving friend, Ben Franklin, had built its social foundation. Together these two men helped establish a new nation founded on liberty. This is the story of their amazing friendship.

From Nero's burning of Rome to Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses to Billy Graham's crusades, the history of Christianity is a story filled with difficulty, daring, and devotion. This compelling book highlights 100 of the most important events in 2,000 years of that history in a single concise volume. Packed with well-researched information and written in a readable, journalistic style, it brings to vivid life some of the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the church. Perfect for pastors, teachers, history buffs, and anyone who is interested in learning more about the origins and development of the Christian church.

This devotional contains all 150 Psalms and 20 other songs in Scripture, divided into daily readings. The readings include helpful background information on the psalm, a related hymn stanza, and an application thought. Biweekly “Interludes” further aid understanding by explaining things such as acrostic psalms or Hebrew poetic style. Indexes included.

Be Still, My Soul is a collection of 175 of the most popular hymns and the stories behind them. Many of these hymns were written out of incredible life experiences—from the heart cry of a repentant slave trader to the renewed hope of a survivor of attempted suicide. In this devotional you’ll discover the stories behind the songs we sing. You’ll experience the passion and joy contained in these hymns’ lyrics and melodies. In addition to the hymn stories, Be Still, My Soul includes the musical score, lyrics, and in-depth biographies of 12 of the most-prolific hymn writers, singers, and composers.Whether you are new to hymns or have cherished them for a long time, you’ll enjoy this illuminating book on the stories behind some of the most popular hymns you sing in worship.

Starting with Mary, who initially discovered the empty tomb, women have played a significant role in the history of the Christian church. Their prayers, their songs of faith, and their steadfast perseverance in the face of adversity can still encourage us today. Spend the year with some of the greatest women in Christian history: from Claire of Assisi to Joan of Arc, from Fanny Crosby to Susannah Wesley, from Catherine Booth to Anne Bradstreet, and many more. This One Year book leaves no historical stone unturned in order to help you discover the amazing spiritual heritage you have in the lives of faith-filled women of the past.

Brush up on the people, places, and events every Christian should know about with this fascinating, accessible guide. Ideal for pastors and speakers.

Take a 40 day journey of understanding with 40 words connected to Lent and Easter.   Ever wonder why people put ashes on their forehead on Ash Wednesday? Or maybe you’ve heard of Maundy Thursday but don’t really know what it means. Whether you’ve grown up in church or not, many terms surrounding Lent and Easter can be perplexing.   This book explains 40 key words from the Bible and the Christian faith that focus on the Easter season. In a creative and meaningful way, brothers Ken and Randy Petersen show the relevance of each term by tying in stories from across the Bible as well as offering insight into what the words mean in their original language. Every easy-to-read entry includes a Bible verse, devotional reading, and a reflective question, prayer prompt, or exercise so you can truly understand the significance of the word. Explore fasting, lament, penance, sacrifice, hosanna, and more so you can have a fuller picture of what the somber time of Lent and joyful Resurrection Day are all about.   You’ll gain a deeper understanding of the terms you’re already familiar with, while learning the significance of other words you’ve wondered about. Along the way, you’ll grow to appreciate even more the sacrifice of Jesus and how you can respond.