Best Selling Books by Matthew Paul Turner

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The late, beloved Rachel Held Evans answers many children''s first question about God in this gorgeous picture book, fully realized by her friend Matthew Paul Turner, the bestselling author of When God Made You. Children who are introduced to God, through attending church or having loved ones who speak about God, often have a lot of questions, including this ever-popular one: What is God like? The late Rachel Held Evans loved the Bible and loved showing God’s love through the words and pictures found in that ancient text. Through these pictures from the Bible, children see that God is like a shepherd, God is like a star, God is like a gardener, God is like the wind, and more. God is a comforter and support. And whenever a child is unsure, What Is God Like? encourages young hearts to “think about what makes you feel safe, what makes you feel loved, and what makes you feel brave. That''s what God is like.”

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. The assurance that they are deeply loved and a unique creation in our big universe is certain to help them spread their wings and fly. Through playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made You inspires young readers to learn about their own special gifts and how they fit into God’s divine plan as they grow, explore, and begin to create for themselves. ‘Cause when God made YOU, somehow God knew That the world needed someone exactly like you!

In this vibrant picture book adventure, the authors of the #1 New York Times bestseller What Is God Like? invite children to learn about the Bible—what it tells us about God and what God says about us! Children have been wondering about the Bible for centuries. What do all these long-ago stories have to do with each other—and with me? This whimsical and lyrical book, inspired by the work and ideas of the late Rachel Held Evans and completed by her good friend Matthew Paul Turner, explains that the Bible is a big library of amazing stories about God, the world, and Jesus. When you read those stories, you will understand the world differently—and you can make the world different too. What Is the Bible? is a spectacular journey, guiding children to see how God''s story and our own lives are delightfully intertwined. Kids and parents alike will see that God''s story is big enough to be found all over the world and close enough to find in our own hearts.

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.

USA TODAY, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER From the author of the best-selling When God Made You comes a new illuminating message about God''s design affirming young readers. With lyricism, whimsy, and heartfelt emotion, Matthew Paul Turner reveals the tender emotions connected with watching a beloved child grow up and experience the world. Paired with Kimberley Barnes''s vivid and playful illustrations, When I Pray for You is a beautifully affirming book, in which children and parents will see their own stories come to life. When I Pray for You celebrates the dreams, hopes, and longings parents pray over their children, and shares with the little ones how much care and concern a loved one feels for them. This is a book you will read to your child again and again. Perfect for any occasion, as well as for milestones including baby showers, birthdays, and graduations. 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.

Straight-forward 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.

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.

A joyous reminder that every child was created by God with infinite beauty and purpose, told in fun-to-read rhymes with a powerful message and vibrant illustrations—from the New York Times bestselling author of When God Made You All that God saw when God designed you was beauty and purpose and everything true. In a loud and confusing world, every child needs to know they belong, they always have belonged, and they always will belong. This gorgeously illustrated picture book encourages children to recognize their belonging so deeply that they are free to be their most authentic selves, certain that God created everyone exactly as they are supposed to be. In You Will Always Belong, children will discover: • The truth that we matter to God and were designed with purpose • Encouragement towards acceptance and contentment • The gentle reminder that the people who truly love us love ALL parts of us

For Matthew Paul Turner, a spiritual drought was stretching into a desert. From his upbringing in a traditional church, to his stint as the editor of CCM Magazine, to his successful career as an author, Turner had long figured God out. Yet despite his faith-based bona fides, Turner was now facing a sobering reality: He couldn''t seem to connect with the Jesus who had always seemed so available. In his desperation, Turner revisited Christ''s most provocative message, the Beatitudes. What he discovered led him to relearn his faith, his life, and his God. Join popular author and humorist Matthew Paul Turner on a quest to discover just who Jesus is. Here Turner applies his x-ray insights and biting wit to cut through don''t-ask-questions dogma, revealing authentic, transformative truths. More than one man''s spiritual manifesto, Relearning Jesus is a dialogue, a shared journey, and a reintroduction to our Savior.

A beautiful celebration of the unique, strong, and wonderful traits in every child—and how God delights in each and every one—from the bestselling author of When God Made You. I Am God’s Dream is a deeply encouraging exploration of the unique strengths, curiosities, and desires in every kid. In this deeply affirming picture book, children will see how God celebrates and adores each of us—and why we should be proud to be who we are. Kids of all faith traditions will receive in these pages the gift of empowerment, purpose, and ownership over their own faith perspective early on through Matthew Paul Turner’s lyrical phrasing: I''m playful and brave I''m a one-kid parade I''m gonna be who I am ‘cause I''m wonderfully made In I Am God''s Dream, kids will discover: • The truth that God loves us deeply, and delights in who we are • The unique strengths and traits that make up our lives • The beautiful richness in diversity Parents and children alike will be encouraged in these vivid and empowering pages.

Powerful inspiration for living out a faith that is joyful, responsive, humble, passionate, free--and provocative.

The bestselling author of When God Made You and When I Pray for You captures the wonder of Christmas and the joy of Jesus'' birth in a lyrical exploration of what makes the season so colorful, magical, and personal. In his trademark style, Matthew Paul Turner celebrates the Christmas season, particularly the colors that infuse the holiday and all the memorable sensations and experiences—including a festive market, sledding, and nativity scene—connected to those bright hues. Matthew draws his readers into a whirling ribbon of the familiar reds and greens of Christmas, as well as other festive hues, including white, gold, blue, and brown. Christmas is RED. It''s a bright shiny sled. It''s candy canes, and toy store lanes. It''s sprinkles on sweet bread. Christmas is BROWN It’s pinecones scattered round… It’s a cradle soft with hay And a donkey’s gentle bray. It’s God within a baby’s skin on that very first Christmas Day. All the colors come together when readers are reminded that Christmas is YOU—you’re a part of the story, the joy and the glory! Matthew shows us again and again that the holidays are nothing without being with the people we love, celebrating treasured traditions, and making new memories—all in vivid color.

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.

Packing his hipster humor and irreverent sensibilities, popular author Turner takes to the road to collect uncommon wisdom from people who are living out their calling from pastors to professors to the guy next door. (Christian)

In Beatitude, Matthew Paul Turner invites readers to rediscover the wonder and magic of Jesus'' message by "relearning" the Jesus we thought we knew.

This survival guide to college explores topics like dating smart, finding friendships, adapting to different personalities, and making the most of your money.

Everything Twentys offers a surprisingly honest look at the societal pressures, religious taboos, and personal struggles that twentysomethings face every day. Written by authors who are grappling with the issues firsthand, this book surveys every area of the twentysomething lifestyle, including relationships, money, image, faith, work, and culture, and will provide real-world strategies for making every day of this turbulent decade count.

This autobiographical book details the author''s personal battle with debilitating conditions, the impact they had on his business, personal, and spiritual relationships, and his ultimate decision to seek medical treatment for his problem.

The Christian Culture Survival Guide is about the author''s humorous experiences growing up in the Christian subculture and what he''s learned along the way. From overcoming the temptation to wear W.W.J.D. bracelets to the disparaging experience of witnessing to a gay man at a bar, Matthew Paul Turner offers a fun read that''s packed with profound insight and truth.

Written for anyone who''s ever struggled to share their faith with others, The Coffeehouse Gospel shows Christians how to evangelize effectively by sharing their personal stories of how God has impacted their lives. It includes questions and journal sections to help readers articulate their own spiritual experiences and show them how to be ready to defend and express their faith.

This account of the Gospel of Mark includes running commentary to apply the truth of the gospel along with the uniqueness of the translation technique to the Emerging Church. Like the original Greek version of Mark, "The Voice of Mark" is raw and to the point.

A faith-based look at our government for today''s young adults.

Americans love God. We stamp God on our money, our bumper stickers, and our bodies. Yet culture critic Matthew Paul Turner says that God didn''t just change America-America changed God. As a result, do we even recognize the "real" God? Whip-smart and provocative, Turner explores the United States'' vast influence on God, told through an amazing true history of faith, politics, and evangelical pyrotechnics. From Puritans to Pentecostals, from progressives to mega-pastors, Turner examines how American history and ideals transformed our perception of God-for better and worse. Fearless and funny, this is the definitive guide to the American experience of the Almighty-a story so bizarre and incredible that it could only be made in the U.S.A. Regardless of political affiliation, it will make readers reconsider the way they think about America as a "Christian nation," and help them reimagine a better future for God and country.

A unique, one-stop guide to the Christian faith that provides foundational truths with a knowing wit and refreshingly honest perspective. For young adults.

A refreshingly honest and humorous perspective on the myths and misunderstandings of sex, and a guide to lead readers to pursue intimacy from a godly perspective.

A guide to the world of money for today''s young adults.