New Releases by Rebecca Bender

same-sex marriage is the practice of marriage between two men or between two women. Although same-sex marriage has been regulated through law, religion, and custom in most countries of the world, the legal and social responses have ranged from celebration on the one hand to criminalization on the other. Perhaps because systems of religion and systems of civil authority often reflect and support each other, the countries that had reached consensus on the issue by the early 2000s tended to have a single dominant religious affiliation across the population; many such places had a single, state-sponsored religion. This was the case in both Iran, where a strong Muslim theocracy had criminalized same-sex intimacy, and Denmark, where the findings of a conference of Evangelical Lutheran bishops (representing the state religion) had helped smooth the way for the first national recognition of same-sex relationships through registered partnerships. In other cases, the cultural homogeneity supported by the dominant religion did not result in the application of doctrine to the civic realm but may nonetheless have fostered a smoother series of discussions among the citizenry. In this book you have a lot of things to learn and unlearn concerning same sex marriage. For example, the various laws that was made in the processes of accepting same sex marriage by the U.S government and other countries. Its examine the fate of same sex marriage in America. The past and present political affiliation to same sex marriage. Also, look in to the various countries of the world that have accepted the practice of same sex marriage around the world. This book explains about thirty countries of the world and date of accepting same sex marriage.

Lessons from the book of Exodus: learn how to stop walking in circles and rely on God''s grace to show you the way to his good promise. Do you wonder if you''ll ever get back on track after suffering a major setback or traumatic experience? Do you wonder—even secretly—if God actually does keep his promises? Or if his love is far-reaching enough, his plan detailed enough to include even your daily struggles, habits, and hang-ups? In this Bible study, Rebecca Bender takes study groups and individuals straight into the book of Exodus where the Israelites are wandering after their own tracks immediately after escaping from bondage and oppression at the hands of Pharaoh. God is trying to get them to the land of his promise, but they, like many of us, are frustrated by doubts, fears, and self-destructive habits... This study guide will equip you to: See Exodus in a new and relatable way that will help you better understand God and yourself. Understand the historical and cultural nuances of Egypt to give you fresh insight into this powerful story. Learn applicable tips from the children of Israel by understanding what they did right and what they did wrong in order to reach their goals. Move beyond your own past and into your promises. Get back on track after experiencing a major setback in life or enduring a traumatic event. God has called you out of bondage—to sin, to doubt, to defeat—and into his Promised Land that flows with his grace and truth. This study guide includes biblical and historical background insights, practical application, group discussion questions, and a memory verse for each chapter. Inscribed is a collection of studies that lead women to not just survive but thrive by encouraging them to immerse themselves in the Word of God.

The award-winning creator of the Giraffe and Bird books introduces Dotty the dancing dachshund to celebrate the gifts of those who struggle to "sit" and "stay" Dotty the dachshund knows she was born to dance ballet. When told to sit, she does a plié. Asked to stay, she does an assemblé. Fed up with Dotty''s lack of discipline, Mrs. Austere sends her to the Canine School of Obedience, but Dotty just can''t seem to learn. Heartbroken, the little dog flees to the park--where an unexpected new friend is waiting. Could he know the secret to helping Dotty dance out her dreams with her own kind of discipline? In Ballewiena, author-illustrator Rebecca Bender, creator of the award-winning Giraffe and Bird books, introduces a new volume of animal hi-jinks. Tucked into the witty language and amusing antics is a perceptive note of encouragement for anyone who was made for activity in a world that expects stillness.

Through her own gripping story of escape from human trafficking, Rebecca Bender reveals the inner workings of the underground world of modern-day slavery and helps us learn how we can be a catalyst for change where we live. Born and raised in a small Oregon town, all-American girl Rebecca Bender was a varsity athlete and honor roll student with a promising future. Then a predator pretending to be her boyfriend lured her into a web of lies that sent her down a path she never imagined possible. For nearly six years, Rebecca was sold across the underground world of sex trafficking in Las Vegas. She was branded, beaten, told when to sleep and what to wear, and traded between traffickers. Forced into a dark sisterhood, Rebecca formed bonds with her trafficker and three other women, creating a false sense of family. During that time, God began revealing himself to her. And in the midst of her exploitation, she found the hope she needed to survive. After a federal raid, Rebecca escaped. Her life was forever changed as she felt the embrace of her heavenly Father guiding her to healing and wholeness. Rebecca soon began to use her own experiences to change the lives of others as she went back into the darkest places she had known--assisting FBI, VICE, and law enforcement across the country in some of their most difficult cases. Through Rebecca''s incredible story of redemption, we remember that our past does not have to determine our destiny.

"When the egg in Giraffe''s tree first hatches, he is excited and eager. But the baby bird grows quickly, and he soon learns how to make Giraffe angry and annoyed. It doesn''t take long for Giraffe and Bird to start fighting over their tree. When danger forces them to work together, the two not-quite-friends realize they might not be able to share their home at all"--Amazon.com.

Bird lives for adventure. He wants to swoop, soar, and explore. Giraffe is perfectly happy right where he is, thank you very much. He never worries when Bird flits off for a while. But one afternoon his friend fails to return. Giraffe has a bad feeling that something has happened to Bird. Giraffe dreads the wide world full of tangly forests, craggy mountains, and mysterious plains. But he doesn''t hesitate. If Bird is in trouble, then Giraffe will find and rescue him. Award-winning author-illustrator Rebecca Bender pushes Giraffe and Bird to new heights of courage, ingenuity, and humour in Giraffe and Bird Together Again. The two unlikely companions are firmer in their friendship, but their antics are just as uproarious as ever. Readers of all ages will laugh and cheer as Giraffe and Bird discover just how far each will go for the other.

Are you ready to take your life to the next level? Do you work with survivors of exploitation and want to be better equipped to help them reach their destinies? ELEVATE is just that, a faith-based mentoring toolkit that encourages survivors of sex trafficking and advocates, to go after all they were created to be! Through exercises, activities, homework and thought-provoking story, you will be inspired, refreshed and prepared to improve your skills, strengthen relationships, and create strategy for your life! Elevate has helped hundreds of survivors unearth their purpose and worth. Get started today!

Rebecca Bender''s hilarious Giraffe and Bird was an instant classic when it was first published in 2011, selling 10,000 copies in Canada alone. Since then children and their parents have giggled their way through a sequel, Don''t Laugh at Giraffe (2012), and a prequel for younger readers, Giraffe Meets Bird (2015). Now, after several years out of print, the original story is rejoining its partners on the shelf in a sturdy, new trade edition with a padded cover. Giraffe and Bird are not friends. Not even a little bit. The bird pesters the giraffe with his face-making, feather-pruning, and disgusting eating habits. The giraffe annoys the bird with his bad breath, ear-swatting, and lack of respect for personal space. Of course they are always fighting. Of course they would be better off without each other. Except, it turns out, maybe they wouldn''t be. With bold acrylic illustrations and laugh-out-loud storytelling, Rebecca Bender''s bestselling debut will continue to delight children, adults, and friends of all kinds.

Ha nacido un pequeño pájaro en el árbol cerca de donde vive una joven jirafa. Al principio ambos se sienten sorprendido uno del otro, sin embargo, poco a poco empiezan a conocerse. Es verdad que a veces es fascinante estar juntos, pero en otras ocasiones puede llegar a ser bastante enfadoso, pero aprenden que con cortesía y amabilidad la convivencia puede ser agradable y divertida. Una entrañable y divertida amistad entre Jirafa y Pájaro en la que aprenderán que en ciertos momentos tienen que ser flexibles con sus espacio y sus diferencias. Este libro ayudará a que los niños aprendan cómo convivir y respetar a los demás. Es una perfecta lectura para compartir con los pequeños y pasar momentos agradables entre la lectura y la diversión.

The toad feels bumpy, like a gnarly tree. The snake feels smooth, like a stone polished by the sea. One by one the hedgehog discovers the textures of his animal friends. But how does the hedgehog feel himself? Award-winning author/illustrator Rebecca Bender’s How Do You Feel? will charm readers with its lyrical text, endearing animals, and surprise ending. The small trim size and padded hardcover format make it perfect for little ones, who may even be inspired to find new ways of expressing how they feel—in every sense of the phrase.

Giraffe and Bird are not friends. Not even a little bit. The bird pesters the giraffe with his face-making, feather-pruning, and disgusting eating habits. The giraffe annoys the bird with his bad breath, ear-swatting, and lack of respect for personal space. Of course they are always fighting. Of course they would be better off without each other. Except, it turns out, maybe they wouldn’t be. With bold acrylic illustrations, expressive word play, and laugh-out-loud storytelling, award-winning author-illustrator Rebecca Bender delivers an odd-couple tale that is anything but your average friendship story. Satisfyingly un-sweet and uproariously irreverent, Not Friends invites thoughtful discussion about children’s relationships with each other—though first you’ll have to wait for the giggling to stop.

Since 2011 Rebecca Bender’s award-winning Giraffe and Bird books have been tickling the funny bones of children and their families as the cantankerous cronies learn that friendship, while not always easy, is always worthwhile. But how did this unlikely pair become friends in the first place? In Giraffe Meets Bird, Bender’s bright acrylics and lively storytelling reveal the friends’ early days while pairs of scrumptious synonyms make her trademark rich vocabulary accessible to a new, younger audience. When the egg in Giraffe’s tree first hatches, he is excited and eager. But the baby bird grows quickly, and he soon learns how to make Giraffe angry and annoyed. It doesn’t take long for Giraffe and Bird to start fighting over their tree. When danger forces them to work together, the two not-quite-friends realize they might not be able to share their home at all. Luckily, they come up with a solution that is surprising, startling, and absolutely stunning.

Roadmap to Redemption is the first of it''s kind... a workbook for survivors of sexual trafficking written by a survivor. Rebecca Bender was lured into the life of human trafficking at the vulnerable age of 18. Now, rescued and restored, she uses the valuable lessons she learned to help bring other survivors to redemption. This nine week workbook is cupped with her personal testimony and injected with scripture. If you like Beth Moore''s biblestudies, you''ll love Rebecca Bender. She uncovers the seductive tactics traffickers use in America today and equips anyone who wants to work with exploited victims. This workbook can be used one on one, privately or in a group setting. Don''t let this faith based, holy spirit led workbook pass you by. Endorsed by some of the biggest names in the Human Trafficking arena, Roadmap to Redemption should be in the hands of every victim of trauma! www.roadmaptoredemption.com

Dignified Giraffe is crushed when the other animals laugh at his awkward efforts to get a drink at the water hole, but Bird steps in to save the day and prove to his long-legged companion that it''s okay to look goofy once in a while.