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Jesus came preaching about the kingdom and his last words to us focused on unity. Within a few years of his departure, the kingdom was facing its first major crisis-the impending split between Jews and Christians. Two millennia later, we continue to divide among ourselves with no end in sight. And yet, we think we have a message to the world about how to get along. Jesus said the world would know him through the love and unity we have with each other. How can that be achieved? Paul gives us answers through his letter to the Romans, if we are able to read with open minds and open hearts.

The place is Schiermonnikoog, an idyllic, tiny island off the North Sea coast of the Netherlands; the time is WW II and its various upheavals, interwoven with a battle for the soul of the child Linnet. She has been predestined for daughtership through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will. Knit together in a womb, she was destined to be breathed upon by the Holy Spirit. However, she is not aware of this>At the right moment in her life, the heavenly Father, in His infinite grace, mercy and providence, picks Linnet up by the seat of her little pants, sets her straight, and opens the eyes of her heart. However, the means God uses to unlock ears and open eyes, are mysterious. The fact is that He sometimes does things in ways we do not understand. Confusing hours and difficult days must be lived through before this covenant child catches sight of Canaan. This is a delightful story of a curious little girl caught up in the tempest of World War II and carried by God's secret providence to discover his Son Jesus Christ.- Dr. Joel R. Beeke, President Puritan Reformed Seminary An excellent piece of writing! I enjoyed it very much! We all know that God is working out His great plan in His providence. Often, however, we fail to meditate on what seem to be the small events through which God is working. The book portrays the Great War going on in Europe and God's work in a small girl. What a God we have! What a story!" - Rev. Jerome JulienMinister of the Word, Emeritus This dramatic and unusual war story about little Linnet and her family is also a biblical meditation on the passing of the old and the coming of the new. Farenhorst's compassion for her characters drew me into a world that I have been reliving and pondering as I see truth peeking out from unexpected places.- Annie Kate Aarnoutse, Tea Time with Annie Kate This book is classic Christine. It is so easy to read - one gets quickly lost in the story - yet with rich, profound layering and depth. Truly a story for the whole family to laugh, cry, discuss, be challenged, and grow in grace. We simply loved this book.- Mr. Maynard and Dr. Richelle Lanting This is World War II through the eyes of a five-year-old Dutch girl who, we discover, knows absolutely nothing about God. For our own children, who may take always knowing God for granted, it will be eye-opening to follow what it's like, and how wonderful it is, for someone to be introduced to God for the first time. Linnet has the same wonderings any kid might have, but her wartime experiences also have her asking deeper questions, including a child's version of "God are you really there?" This is that rarity that will appeal to all ages: the World War II setting and charming protagonist will grab your children; moms and dads will appreciate Linnet's questions and the opportunities they present to talk about God with our kids, and grandparents will get more than a little misty-eyed at just how beautifully this tale is told. I could not recommend it more highly!- Jon DykstraEditorReformed Perspective

Where did the names of Jesus come from and what do they mean? How is Jesus both Son of God and Son of Man? How could he be sinless but also a human like me? Can Jesus be the one God as well as part of a Trinity? What does it mean he was and is Lord? Did he come to start a new religion? Why did Jesus suffer? Did he really have to die? This book will help you understand why there is a Lord Jesus Christ and how awesome he is.

How Shall They Hear?The uniqueness of the universe of images that surround us is the sheer number of them: Ministers of the Word have their hands full in an image-centered culture. Says Jacques Ellul, "this proliferation has become the spiritual question of our day." Which begs the question: if homiletic optics are out of sync with our communications environment, do not preachers risk that very little if any of their intended message will get through? The Preached Word first digs deeply into the eternal principle that faith comes by hearing-sine qua non for the pulpit. It then scopes out in theo-logical, historical and scientific fields how the use or absence of illustrations and examples, electronic media or other portrayals may enhance or diminish the hearing event. For, according to Calvin, "God does not wish to be heard but by the voice of His ministers."

Desperate Journeys Fleeing the orphanage in the slums of 19th century London, Eden Davies finds hope in the British Home Child program. Grappling with demons of the past, Eden carries a secret with her that threatens to destroy her future, while questions of self-worth plague the young girl craving a normal life. When the reality of harsh life in rural Canada shatters the dreams she clings to, Eden struggles to find acceptance within the community and discovers that changing life circumstances cannot change who she is. Eventually, Eden crosses paths with a grief-stricken mother, Anna Burke, who finds herself sinking into a deep depression, failing to find purpose as she adapts to life without her son. Discovering a common bond of despair, the lives of these two women are intertwined. Elizabeth Enter is a wife and mother of five, after having worked in physiotherapy. When not help-ing the children with homework, she is part time in the office of her husband's landscape company, enjoys being outdoors, and finds immense satisfaction in a well-written story. "I have been writing for many years but only recently have chosen to expose my soul to the world. This is my debut novel."

O Worship the King! Anything Goes or Everything God? That Christ is our glorious King should compel us to scour the Scriptures to see how he desires to be approached and worshipped. Not because we worry about what he might do to us. But because we love and adore him, and we desire to please and honor him in all that we do, particularly in how we engage in corporate worship. This book is about the meaning and spiritual reality of biblical worship. It's about how we should respond when we find ourselves in the presence of our King. Endorsements Why do we go to church? This simple answer: we've been invited. It's not our initiative but God's. He is the King and we are his people who have free access through the mediation of his Son. Exploring this amazing reality with solid biblical insight, this book offers a bracing, winsome and convincing adjustment in our approach. If all of our churches followed the wisdom here, the fruit would be enormous!-Michael Horton, Ph.D.Professor of Systematic TheologyWestminster Seminary California Guided by the Reformation principle of Sola Scriptura, Maldonado relentlessly pursues the truth that God is the author of His own worship. Although cognizant of the New Testament's primacy in shaping the public worship of the Church in keeping with the Gospel, Maldonado, to his credit, is not dismissive of the Old Testament-as if to regulate it almost to a 'non-essential status.' If one is looking for a primer on the corporate worship of the Christian Church, this book would be an excellent starting point."-Joe W. Kelley, Th.M., D.Min. Pastor and Seminary Professor, EmeritusProvidence Theological Seminary Hexon Maldonado's wonderful new book unfolds the spiritual reality of corporate worship from the clear teachings of God's word. It is at the same time both theologically rich and accessibly practical. I highly recommend it to my fellow pastors and fellow believers alike. If taken to heart, the wisdom found within these pages is a gift which will deepen our weekly services by preparing and equipping the local church to gather together in reverence and awe into the very throne room of His Majesty the King for the purpose of glorifying and enjoying Him.-Greg Van Court, Pastor Dayspring Fellowship, Austin, TX Pastor Maldonado sets out the elements of corporate worship as found in Scripture and then goes on to examine our responsibility as Christians to worship in light of the Lordship of Christ. As an Anglican Priest, I greatly appreciated his emphasis on the sacramental aspects of worship, something that is too often neglected, if not completely left behind. A great help and obvious labor of love."-Fr. Rogers MeredithSt Francis Anglican ChurchEpiscopal Diocese of Fort Worth Hexon J. Maldonado is the founding pastor and Pastor for Preaching at Tapestry Community Church, Belton, TX. He holds an M.Div. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY and a B.A. in Religion from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX. He, his wife, and their four children, reside in central Texas.

Why I Need You! Now in eighteen crisp lessons, the Heidelberger, edited and revitalized, comes alive for another generation. Here is offered not only the answers but also the questions for life's most important issues. The vitality of the church thrives on the spiritual health of its members. The Heidelberger Q&A, or Compendium of the Christian religion, was designed to prepare covenant youth and new believers for lively participation in the church and society. This Shorter Heidelberger, tried and tested since 1618-1619, has proven to be a treasure beyond measure. In fact, its spiritual mother, the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563, is the third best-selling book of all time, after the Bible and Pilgrim's Progress. Faith Formation for adult church participation

Kingdom, Power, and Glory Wisz writes not as a pastor or theologian, but as an informed layman, Christian journalist and writer. For him, the Lord's Prayer teaches us something about the all-encompassing nature of the Kingdom. As we align ourselves with the prayer's petitions, as believers we learn that God's Kingdom is an altogether sweeping dominion, leaving no "big idea" or the smallest nook or cranny untouched or unaffected in the world - including every square inch of our own hearts and lives. I have been privileged over the years to read a fair number of commentaries on the Lord's Prayer.... But rarely have I read anything like this that has prompted me to implore with the disciples, "Lord, teach us to pray." -Dr. George GrantParish Presbyterian Church Take the journey with Gerry to a more complete understanding of God's outline of special communication to enhance our communion with our Father - the King of kings and Lord of lords.-Editor John Van DykChristian Renewal Magazine Gerry Wisz, B.A., M.A., has spent his career not only in journalism and communications, but also public relations and marketing in the New York City area. An avid student of Scripture and a popular college professor, he has been married to his wife, Betty, for over 40 years. They gratefully enjoy their seven living children and seven grandchildren.

Description and Endorsements"Christine Farenhorst at her best!"A pillar of Calvinism is that all of life is religion. For the believer, there are no parts that are neutral, let alone secular. But crossword puzzles? You've got to be kidding, right? Truth is, in these interesting, challenging and delightful puzzles by a celebrated author and Christian Renewal contributor, you will certainly discover a distinctive worldview for the renewal of the mind, and even a delight for the heart."Why do I like crossword puzzles from Christine Farenhorst? It is the variety of the clues. There are historical and contemporaneous references, there are clues from different languages (including from what I hear, the language of heaven - Dutch), biblical references, and my favorites, puns. Who knew a wet panda was a "drizzly bear?" And that Humpty Dumpty had a great fall just to make up for a "lousy" summer? So, enjoy the puzzles! And if you love someone - I mean really, really love them - you know what to do."- Rev. Mitchell Persaud"If you, like us, have enjoyed solving Christine Farenhorst's crosswords with each new CR arrival over the years, you will savor this selection of sixty. Here you will find droll humor, pithy sayings, wry jokes, occasional political commentary and more . . . vintage Christine Farenhorst at her best!"-Cliff and Hen"My wife and I greatly look forward to doing the crossword with every Christian Renewal. The satirical clues always make us groan and laugh at the same time. So, we would encourage anyone to do these crosswords!"-Ben and Karina"Christine's crosswords are the cause that I sometimes get to bed late and leave for work late!"-Ernst Vander Meer

Only When It's Dark Four Long Years: That's the time from 12-year-old Julian's diagnosis of leukemia until the van Popta family reaches the other side. All the while, dad kept a log chronicling in detail the arduous ordeal. Is there hope in the pitch-dark Valley of Baca? With his journal, you can travel with these pilgrims on their journey. Since John is sharing his entries with extended family, friends and church members, you hear him reporting and reflecting as a pastor. He had encountered similar situations before, but such experience counts for little compared to facing cancer of a loved one firsthand. So you also sense how a father's heart aches as his son suffers. And how he wrestles with wounded faith. "When I held my son in my arms tonight, I wept." A minister's son, John van Popta (B.A., M.Div.) pastored three congregations in the Canadian Reformed Churches before taking an early retirement due to Parkinson's disease. Keeping an eye on the stars, he and his wife, Bonita, have six children and 25 grandchildren. EndorsementsThe book gives hope, comfort, and understanding to all who read it. Heartily recommended.- Albert H Oosterhoff, LLMProfessor EmeritusWestern University (Law) At crucial moments, God does not seem to respond to calls for help. Yet in all the weeping, hope - even beyond death - becomes real in relationships.- Koert van Bekkum, PhD.Professor of Old TestamentEvangelische Theologische FaculteitTheologische Universiteit Kampen│Utrecht Few valleys are deeper, and few are darker than the ones in which we see our children suffer. This is a book that will be a blessing to all of those who are being called into times of suffering, sorrow, and uncertainty.- Tim ChalliesAuthor, Seasons of Sorrow Heartbreaking and hopeful, these raw, unedited emails record the van Popta family's journey through the valley of the shadow of death and the Good Shepherd's often mysterious presence and care. II am delighted to see them available to a wider audience. - John Barach, M.Div.Minister of the WordCovenant Presbyterian Church Sulphur, Louisiana This is the story of a family's heart-breaking journey through the valley of the shadow of death. It will almost certainly make you weep. But it will also lead you to worship the God whose grace is sufficient, and whose goodness and mercy in Christ follow us all the days of our lives.- William den Hollander, Ph.D.Professor of New TestamentCanadian Reformed Theological Seminary "Julian has been diagnosed with leukemia." The news came like a thunderbolt, shaking the basement where I was standing. Julian's remarkable story, so lovingly detailed in this journal, is an encouragement to all. This book is a must-read and is already a best seller in my heart.- Peter Buist, Ph.D.Professor of Chemistry EmeritusCharleton University This collection of journal entries is vivid in its attention to medical detail and gripping in its stream-of-consciousness style, but what makes it especially worthwhile is its compelling testimony to God's sovereignty and love.- Jannes Smith, Ph.D.Professor of Old TestamentCanadian Reformed Theological Seminary This book deals with such deep experience that it becomes archetypal. Much can be written about it, but at minimum John van Popta's account of his pilgrimage through the valley of Baca gives us a fleeting glimpse of the infinite love of the Father who gave up his Son for us. - Daniel Shin, M.Div.Minister of the WordSpring Creek CaRCVineland, Ontario

Christine Farenhorst once again impresses with her historical research, beautiful stories, and interesting characters. The tales quickly engage, taking you into the European and British world at the time of the 1500 and 1600s. The reader will not quickly forget the intriguing people and the issues of life that are presented. Christians are compelled to think about what living for Jesus in this world is all about. The stories also force us the reader to deal with the tough questions of why a good God allows some terrible things to happen in this world and yet come to see that He is a great and compassionate God. I would highly recommend this volume. Rev. Al Bezuyen

SHELTER FROM THE STORM Unprecedented violence is erupting not only in far-away places like the Middle East, but also nearby in the parking lots of big-box stores and the pews of worshipping believers. Society at war is nearing a tipping point. Parallels, from the unspeakable chaos of Europe enflamed in WW II to our own perplexing times, are striking as we see every-day Calvinists, in solidarity with the least of these, burning in the furnace, discovering a fourth man in the fire, and emerging without a hint of smoke on their long white robes. Dedicated to Charles Spurgeon and Martyn Lloyd-Jones-this book will touch your heart and point your family to a hiding place from the harrowing days pounding on our own front doors. "These stories are gripping. In part due to the dramatic period of history in which they are set but especially due to the engaging way Christine Farenhorst tells them." - R. Andrew Compton Asst. Prof. of Old Testament Mid-America Reformed Seminary "The hero of this WW II story isn't a resistance fighter or soldier, and the bravery involved isn't big or bold. But quiet heroics are heroics still, and what Christine has crafted her is a story to inspire all of us called to everyday, on-going faithfulness." - Jon Dykstra, Editor Reformed Perspective "The book you are holding in your hand is, in my opinion, the high-water mark of Christine's accomplishments . . .. The actual beauty of this book is that she has captured a very real component . . .. That component is the way in which the Sovereignty of God often comes into play into the lives of people in the most unexpected ways bringing about unanticipated results under very trying circumstances." - Heinz G. Dschankilic, Former Publisher for Joshua Press In addition to publishing numerous outstanding books, Christine Farenhorst is also a columnist for Reformed Perspective and a contributing writer for Christian Renewal. She and her husband, Anco, have five children, nineteen grandchildren, a dog, and twelve chickens.

This final offering in the six-volume set, preserving the original 17th Century text, consists of the books of Romans - Revelation. Epistolary Literature of the New Testament can be compared to the Prophetical Books in the Old Testament. As the latter provide the writings of the primary messengers of the covenant throughout the history recorded in the previous books, so the apostles are the primary messengers and interpreters of covenant history recorded in the Gospels and Acts. Instruction for God's people runs from personal holiness to Christian worldview, pastoral guidance to combating heresy, ecclesiastical problem-solving to expansive vision-casting, comfort for the afflicted to affliction for the comfortable, living in the now to living in what is to come, reaching the lost to retaining the antithesis, Christian freedom to considerate abstinence-and countless more vital themes are covered with clarity and illumination. In this the sixth volume, particularly rich are Rembrandt's portrayals of our apostolic fathers who laid the firm foundation of the church. Also inspiring are the final two biographies of the Dort Scholars who contributed to the over 58,000 comments in the commentary of Dort. The seven appointed translators of the Great Synod of Dort 1618-1619, as well as their numerous revisers and consultants, provided perhaps the most complete and competent Bible version and commentary in the history of the Church.

Volume IV: The Prophetic Books For 400 years, the Dort Bible [Statenvertaling] has blessed the universal church not only with a tried and true translation but also a revered running commentary from the best and most godly pastor-theologians of the 17th Century Golden Age. This special gift for God's people, covering all of Scripture, was approved by both the Synod of Dordrecht 1618-1619 and the Westminster Assembly 1645. The prophets were covenant messengers for Israel's Sovereign God. Royal messengers are not self-appointed as such but are called and equipped by the king to deliver his messages. The prophetic writings, frequently prosecuting covenant lawsuits, let us hear in greater detail what was forth-told and foretold in addition to excerpts in the historical books. The prophets raise issues such as the antithesis, the treatment of the marginalized in society, the essence of faithful worship practices and the problem of evil. Proclaimed most pointedly is the coming Day of the Lord in judgment due to the unbelief of Israel and the nations, as well as in promise of immense blessing upon the faithful. Clear testimony is given as to how the latter would be accomplished only by the arrival of the Messiah, whose coming was foretold from the beginning. With much of the most vivid and dramatic revelation in Salvation History, the four Major Prophets differ from the twelve Minor Prophets only for length, not in importance. The highly learned analyses and observations of the Dort Scholars present inspiring material for a believer's life-time of learning for the apprehension and all-of-life application of the Gospel.