Books with author christopher stokes

National headlines regularly herald the decline of Christianity in the United States, citing historically low levels of confidence in organized religion, drops in church attendance, church closures, and the dramatic rise of the "Nones." Scarcely heard are stories from the thousands of new churches and new forms of church that are springing up each year across the country. In this book, Christopher James attends carefully to stories of ecclesial innovation taking place in Seattle, Washington-a city on the leading edge of trends shaping the nation as a whole. James's study of the new churches founded in this "post-Christian" city offers both theological reflection and pragmatic advice. After an in-depth survey- and -interview-based analysis of the different models of church-planting he encountered, James identifies five threads of practical wisdom: 1) embracing local identity and mission, 2) cultivating embodied, experiential, everyday spirituality, 3) engaging community life as means of witness and formation, 4) prioritizing hospitality as a cornerstone practice, and 5) discovering ecclesial vitality in a diverse ecclesial ecology. Stimulating, encouraging, and stereotype-shattering, this book invites readers to reconsider the narrative that portrays these first decades of the twenty-first century as a period of ecclesial death and decline, and to view our time instead as a hope-filled season of ecclesial renewal and rebirth.

Meet Lyuba—the most perfectly preserved baby mammoth ever discovered! Found lying along a riverside 31,000 years after her birth, Lyuba provides a never-before-seen view of prehistoric life in Siberia. Together with award-winning author Christopher Sloan, kids learn the story of her discovery by the indigenous Nenet people and peak inside Lyuba’s mysterious prehistoric world. Readers will join scientists as they recreate Lyuba’s life and death using cutting edge science—including paleontology, radiology, and forensic science—and reveal new information about mammoths and their ice age home. Lyuba’s incredible story, which debuted as a National Geographic Channel exclusive and as articles in National Geographic magazine and National Geographic Kids magazine, is certain to be a fascinating read for kids and a great complement to science curriculum.

“A literary thriller and coming-of-age story set at an elite Virginia boarding school. A promising, well-crafted debut” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution).Southern Living Best Books of the YearPublishers Weekly Best Summer BooksHow long must we pay for the crimes of our youth? That is just one question Christopher Swann explores in this compulsively readable debut, a literary thriller set in the elite—and sometimes dark—environs of Blackburne, a prep school in Virginia. When Matthias Glass’s best friend, Fritz, vanishes without a trace in the middle of an argument during their senior year, Matthias tries to move on with his life, only to realize that until he discovers what happened to his missing friend, he will be stuck in the past—guilty, responsible, alone.Almost ten years after Fritz’s disappearance, Matthias gets his chance. Offered a job teaching English at Blackburne, he gets swiftly drawn into the mystery. In the shadowy woods of his alma mater, he stumbles into a web of surveillance, dangerous lies, and buried secrets—and discovers the troubled underbelly of a school where the future had once always seemed bright.“Fast-paced and full of unexpected turns, Christopher Swann’s Shadow of the Lions pulls readers into the dark underworld looming beneath a prestigious boys’ boarding school.” —Mira Jacob, author of The Sleepwalker’s Guide to Dancing“Comes alive with action and intrigue.” —The Wall Street Journal“Swann’s tightly knit debut novel is a moving coming-of-age story with a noir twist that will appeal to readers of John Knowles’s A Separate Peace, N.H. Kleinbaum’s Dead Poets Society, and Donna Tartt’s The Secret History.” —Library Journal (starred review)

This extraordinary book, 666 The Mark of America, Seat of the Beast exposes the stunning truth about America and its connection with 666, which the reader will learn, represents nothing more than MONEY. Not only does the book give a simple explanation of every chapter and verse of Revelation, but it also discloses the truth about America, human nature, and the reality of the world in which we live. But most important, it gives the solution to bringing peace and happiness to our world. It validates what each of us knows intrinsically: that ALL of us are created equal, and that ALL of us should be loved, valued, and respected equally. Will the earth's powers reassess the path of insatiable appetite that creates slavery, or will we move towards peace through compassion and global equity for all? "When we begin to see each other as ourselves and treat the world's children as our own - this world will be a far different, happier and more peaceful place to live. This was John's intent and purpose in writing the book of Revelation." -- Christopher

In a land filled with dragons and castles, two pancake-loving brothers dream of being knights. Because of Tommy's special needs, the king refuses to grant him knighthood. However, his older brother, Chris, will train Tommy as long as it takes to prove to the king that Tommy is capable. Through fire and ice, the brothers will face dragons, giants, and a mean fire queen, and together, they will discover what it truly means to be a knight.

After Zack loses his parents he moves in with his Uncle Jay who lives in the Kodiak outback. As Zack tries to adjust to his new surroundings, he feels like a fish out of water. Although, things quickly change when he gets Chinook, his new husky puppy. But, things get really exciting when she sprouts wings and flies.Chinook's Christmas is a timeless, magical, holiday tale that shows that family can come in all shapes and sizes.

Albert the Confused Manatee Presents: Albert's Underwater ABCs! Follow Albert the Manatee as he learns his ABCs...from "Alligator" to "Zooplankton", 26 illustrations will teach your child the alphabet with delightful sea creatures. Created by Christopher Straub, author and illustrator of Albert the Confused Manatee and Rocky the Confused Platypus. Ideal for ages 3-6. This 8" x 8" softcover children's book contains 28 pages of original, full-color, drawings. Printed in the USA.

From author Christopher Mark Stokes; the one behind the bestselling bonfire safety book, Bernie Sparks and Rocky the Rocket, comes this new spooky monster book for the younger audience. A book that is sure to give every child a fun and illustrated rhyming experience. "They're in the wind, They're in the rain... and They're under your bed!" Have you ever wondered what the rain is made of? Or have you ever thought, why does the wind blow? Well the answers to these questions and more come in the form of monsters. These monsters however, are not ones you have seen before; these monsters are strange, these monsters are oddballs… and they are everywhere!

When two scientists develop the ability to go back in time, there is only one place for them to go to demonstrate their new technology.After they make a wager about whether or not the resurrection of Jesus really happened, the two set out to prove their theories. They soon learn that there are others who are interested in their technology, but not for a scientific purpose.But do they really understand the implications of their discovery - and what awaits them 2000 years in the past?Praise:★★★★★ - "I'm not a religious man. In fact I had no idea this was going to lead where it did, and I loved it. The best read of the year for me."★★★★★ - "What an exciting premise this laid out. It was a fascinating look into history and the effects of time travel. Incredible."

STEPHEN KING on Christopher Smith: "Put me down as an enthusiastic Christopher Smith fan. Smith is a cultural genius."In her past, Cheryl Dunning died once. A violent act killed her, but heroics brought her back. Now, if she can't save herself from two serial killers hunting her in the Maine woods, she's about to die again, this time from two men armed with a Bible, guns, a deep belief in God, and their twisted interpretation of his word.Fueled by their righteous fury, they are determined to find Cheryl and murder her for what they perceive as her "life's worth of sins." What they don't know is what Cheryl knows. She's a Maine girl, born and raised--and she knows how to use these woods in ways that might, if she's lucky, turn them against each man.From the #1 international best-selling author of many thrillers, "You Only Die Twice" is a blistering page-turner first, and a comment on Biblical interpretation second. It's Christopher Smith's most controversial and gripping novel to date.

It’s Christmas Eve. Lights are flickering and snow is falling, whilst fireplaces glow and carollers sing. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but for Santa, it’s not as wonderful as he’d hoped.The presents need delivering to children all over the world, but there is a problem. Santa has lost his assistant, his three foot little Elf, Twinkle.This Christmassy Tale sees Santa frantically searching the North Pole trying to find his missing Elf. The question is:Will Santa find Twinkle in time to deliver the presents?