Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys published a heart warming and inspiring book about his parents World War 11 experiences in: G.I. Joe & Lillie – Remembering a Life of Love and Loyalty.

The 1944 D-Day landings preserved freedom all over the world and affected countless individual lives including G.I. Joe and his wife, Lillie. In that difficult era, it was sacrifice that preserved cherished freedoms, and loyalty kept families united and strong. Lillie’s steadfast faith and heartfelt devotion is a lesson for our generation.

The story of G.I. Joe and Lillie helps us all remember that true love never, ever dies. This very real account of patriotism, bravery abroad and at home, and most of all, deep commitment, sets in a gold frame the very essence of America.

Recently G.I. Joe and Lillie’s story made its way into Cracker Barrel Stores and the unexpected happened. One copy purchased and read the same night was given to a business client the next day. The recipient of the book, Vivian Avalon, ended up being a personal friend of Lillie Bonsall and served alongside her as a member of WAC (Women Army Corps.) during World War II. She had pictures of herself and Lillie during the time they served together and had made copies to share with Joe along with many special stories, including a personal visit to Lillie’s home in Roanoke Rapids, NC.  Get the full story on the new connection of old friends here.

I can’t think of a better book for our Free Book Friday celebration. Enter to win your own digital copy of G.I. Joe and Lillie today. We are giving away 5 copies to randomly chosen comments to this amazing book and new story.  Leave a comment below letting us know you shared something about the G.I. Joe and Lillie story that inspires you to want to read it with your online friends.

And if you are still looking for a great gift for that special Mom in your life, pick up a hardcover copy at Cracker Barrell before Sunday. (Of course it’s available at your favorite online retailer as well.)

If you are inspired by the courage of great missionaries, then this is a book you want to read.

Great for God: Missionaries Who Changed the Word is packed with inspiring true stories of the courageous faith of 23 missionaries who boldly lived for God and not themselves.

Each chapter highlights the amazing truths of God’s power at work through the lives of those willing to live for the applause of heaven. Learn from the legacy of:

H.B. Garlock – - “God was there protecting His servants.  Had had performed a miracle before our very eyes.”

Jim Elliot – - “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

Warren Shibley – - “Missions involvement isn’t sentimental philanthropy. It’s just an honest man paying his debt.”

Eric Liddell – - “The secret in the 400 m is that I run the first 200 m as fast as I can. Then, for the last 200 m, with God’s help I run faster.”

Amy Carmichael – - “Nothing could ever matter again but the things that were eternal.”

William Cameron Townsend – - “The greatest missionary is the Bible in the mother tongue. It never needs a furlough, is never considered a foreigner.”

Agree to read and review the book on your blog, Amazon.com,  Goodreads.com, and Christianbook.com by May 31, and New Leaf Press will send you a digital copy today.  Just complete this form to request your copy now.

Not interested in a review, but want to be inspired by the stories of these missionaries on a daily basis? Like Great for God on Facebook

Bring the kids for an online chat with 14 year old Noah Justice of the Awesome Science DVD series.

Get to know the 14 year old host of this very new and very popular educational series. Did you know his homeschooling family actually produces the videos themselves? Discover how the Justice family does homeschool and travels to film this educational series with a BIG message that the Bible can be trusted.

Signed copies of the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Meteor Crater DVDs will be given away as prizes during the inspiring and educational event. Coupons for the next three DVDs in the series will also be awarded. All you have to do to be entered to win is participate in the Creation Conversations chat with your comments about the series, about Biblical education, learning science as it relates to the Bible, or anything related to the purpose of the Awesome Science DVDs.

Friday, May 11
2-2:30 pm Central
Join us Here

RSVP that you are attending and please invite your friends to join us. You must be a member of CreationConversations.com to attend. Don’t worry it’s free and it’s a great place to find expert answers and resources on Biblical Creation.

Never heard of Noah until now? Here he is in the Awesome Science Episode 1 – The Grand Canyon

Welcome to Free Book Friday.

Today we are offering you a copy of When You Ask Why by Daniel Johnson. We don’t have to look too far to find a situation that makes us wonder…. Why God? Why did you let this pain, this suffering happen? Even as a Christian we struggle to reconcile the concept of a loving God and the reality of suffering.

Daniel E. Johnson opens a door on the suffering in his own life and how he has drawn meaning and hope from these painful journeys, providing a path for others lost in the darkness and hopelessness of doubt to discover comfort and peace in God’s unfailing love.

A friend of New Leaf Publishing Group recently read When You Ask Why. She had been given many books on grief after the sudden loss of her husband but When You Ask Why was the most helpful to her of all.

To win one of 3 copies of this helpful book for yourself, your church library, or someone who is hurting is easy. Just like our New Leaf Press facebook page and comment here on the blog that you did. Three winners will be randomly chosen at 4:30 pm today and announced here and on facebook.

Please share the opportunity with you friends!

“When You Ask Why is succinct, well-written, direct, helpful, and encouraging. It touches your heart in its simplicity.” Zig Ziglar

The Moms of Master Books are inspired by true stories of the courageous faith.

That’s why they chose to help us introduce Great for God – Missionaries Who Changed the World by David Shibley.  The book highlights 23 missionaries who boldly lived for God and not themselves.

Join us for the next #TeachtheTruth Twitter Party. Our focus will be on missions and we will talk about family missions and leading children to serve God in this way.  The Moms of Master Books will share their own experiences and hope to learn from your experiences too. You could be parenting one of the next generation’s great hope for eternal life in Christ.

Thursday, May 17th at 8pm central

Prizes include: Copies of Great for God: Missionaries Who Changed the World
*** you can win these by responding to the discussion which will be 30 minutes + (retweets do not qualify)

Grand Prize: Great for God & a $25 Off Coupon from Master Books (masterbooks.net)

Want to know MORE about the book? here’s a great start:

With bold faith, obedience to God, and love for others, missionaries attempt great things for God. Great for God: Missionaries Who Changed the World shares the biographies of twenty three missionaries. Each chapter highlights the amazing truths of God’s power at work through the lives of those willing to live for the applause of heaven. Learn from the legacy of:

• David Livingstone
• Lottie Moon
• Jim Elliot
• Eric Liddell
• Bill Bright and 18 others

Their great accomplishments for God challenge believers to continue to “attempt great things for God. Expect great things from God,” as William Carey once stated. Author and Global Advance founder David Shibley offers Great for God to inspire every Christian, small group, and family devotion time. Teachers will find it a powerful supplement to world history and religious studies.

Hear from David Shibley on why he wrote Great for God:

How to Use Great for God

Happy Friday friends! Today we are celebrating Astronomy Day 2012. Tomorrow is the official holiday, but today we’re offering many special ways for you and your family to celebrate God’s incredible Creation of the heavens.

Here is your Astronomy Day webinar by Dr. Jason Lisle and courtesy of the Homeschool Channel.

Astrophysicist Dr. Jason Lisle shares why he is passionate about creation astronomy, and a few ways families can celebrate astronomy day 2012 from their own backyards. Most recently he published a brand new book titled The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky. In it he explains ways to view the night sky through a telescope, binoculars, and even the naked eye!

Beginning today through May 1st, we are offering Chapter 4 from The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky for FREE. This chapter specifically addresses astronomy with the unaided eye…no equipment necessary to view many unbelievable sights such as planets, stars, constellations, and more!

All you have to do to download this free chapter is join CreationConversations.com. If you’re already a member you can download now!

Today we are offering 5 FREE digital copies of Meet the Skeptic by Bill Foster to 5 lucky winners!

To win:
-you must click here to view the trailer for this book
-you must “like” the trailer
-you must “share” the trailer
-you must leave a comment in the comments section of the trailer stating why you think this resource would be helpful and how you shared it today through your own personal social media outlets!

Here is a new approach to apologetics. One that offers four different categories of skepticism, how to identify each, and how to successfully communicate with them once identified. The ability to communicate effectively and understand why they don’t believe is key in helping skeptics overcome their doubt.

This new title is perfect for small group studies. There is also a  workbook and leader’s guide available for purchase now!

Hello friends! Welcome to another FREE Book Friday brought to you by New Leaf Publishing Group. Today we are happy to share with you a special new anniversary edition of Titanic Warning by Casey Sabella. This title is very timely with the 100 year anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking upon us.

Could there be eternal value in celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic? The secular media is making much of the celebrity status of the event. The movie adds the new 3D technology to renew our interest in how so many perished that fateful night. But with the eyes of a Christ follower, pastor and author Casey Sabella brings the theme of Church leadership to the forefront.

New Leaf Press released the imperative message in Titanic Warning in 1994. Today, a special anniversary edition is available digitally and enhanced with new photos and video footage. This interactive experience captures the essence of the Titanic story, its prophetic message and clarion call to church leaders. With the same approach as a biblical parable, Sabella has written a timeless parallel to help every minister of the gospel stay focused on leading others to live with eternity in mind.

Today, we’ll offer 3 FREE digital copies to 3 winners (selected randomly). To win, comment below about a group of stranded souls your heart is burdened for and how you wish to encourage them. Winners will be announced today and listed in the comments section of this post at 4:30pm CT.

For more information about this new resource and the author, please visit caseysabella.com

Today we’re giving away 10 FREE digital copies of Defending the Faith by Henry Morris.

Author Henry Morris offers up a brand-new look at these age-old attacks on the faith, tackling a breathtaking range of issues, from science and the Bible to liberal criticisms of the Bible. A powerful weapon in the battle for truth, Defending the Faith doesn’t shrink from the fight, but rather speaks the truth in love.

To win, visit this link and join the conversation. Leave a comment or respond to an existing question here in the Creation Conversations forum on this topic. Winners will be selected randomly and announced today at 4:30pm CT. Winners will be announced here in the comments section of this blog and at Creation Conversations as well.

Winners can choose from a Kindle, Nook, iPad, or PDF format for their winnings. Good luck!!

Today we’re giving away 3 copies of Dr. Jason Lisle’s brand new book, The Stargazer’s Guide to the Night Sky. To win, click here and leave a comment in response to the forum question, we love hearing your feedback! 3 winners will be selected randomly and announced here and at Creation Conversations today at 4:30pm CT.

Dr. Jason Lisle has been fascinated by the precision and beauty of the universe since he was a child. Today he is a research scientist and speaker for the Institute for Creation Research. He will be your guide to the night sky in this brand new title from Master Books.

Inside you will find information on how to view the night sky with a telescope, binoculars, and even the naked eye…anyone can enjoy it and be amazed at how much they can see. This book is written for the person who has little or no experience in astronomy, but wants to learn how to best enjoy the night sky. With a basic understanding of how things move, you can easily identify planets, stars, galaxies, and more!

Enjoy 150 beautiful photos, full-color star charts, and easy-to-use illustrations.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” – Psalm 19:1

The Stargazers Guide to the Night Sky will make that verse come alive for you, your family, and perhaps your science class!