Christian Devotional, Inspirational Personal Testimonies
Date Published: 11-15-2025
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Everyday moments become sacred altars where God meets you.
Do you sometimes wish you could hear from God? Do you feel like you are
too insignificant for Him to care about your daily battles with loneliness,
grief, change, and doubts?
God talks to each of us – from the young husband and father who
accidentally torched his home, to the claustrophobic pastor making her way
through a historic tunnel in Israel, to the mystery author having a close call
with a stink bug.
God can speak to us through that soft voice inside your head; or the
perfect words for your circumstance uttered on Sunday morning; or He can come
to you in a powerful revelation.
Turn your doubts into divine encounters. Discover how God is speaking to
you today through these 101 inspirational faith stories. These stories will
transform your doubts into powerful encounters with God’s grace, guiding
you to find Him in unexpected places.
UNEXPECTED ALTARS is a collection of stories of faith from real people,
just like you, who have experienced God’s grace and presence in their
lives. Their authors pray that this Christian devotional will inspire your
daily spiritual life. Each story is a powerful reminder that God meets us
right where we are—building altars of worship in the ordinary and the
extraordinary. Perfect for daily devotion, small group discussion, or personal
encouragement.
Start your journey to find God in the unexpected! Order UNEXPECTED
ALTARS today!
My Review - 4 1/2 of 5 stars -
4 1/2 stars. This was an interesting collection of inspirational thoughts, teachings, and experiences. There were stories of prayers that were answered, explanations of passages, and unexpected lessons in geography, topography, and archaeology. It touched on a couple of issues that I, myself, am dealing with and gave me some hope.
UNEXPECTED ALTARS: MEETING GOD IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS is an anthology
written by multiple authors, edited by JoAnne Alexander, and published by
Lauren Carr for Oakland Community Church, a non-denominational church located
in Charles Town, West Virginia.
All royalties from this devotional book will be donated to the building fund
for Oakland Community Church's new building. Oakland's goal is to design a
biophilic building that takes advantage of the beauty of our Jefferson County
location.
Everyday moments become sacred altars where God meets you.
Do you sometimes wish you could hear from God? Do you feel like you are too insignificant for Him to care about your daily battles with loneliness, grief, change, and doubts?
God talks to each of us – from the young husband and father who accidentally torched his home, to the claustrophobic pastor making her way through a historic tunnel in Israel, to the mystery author having a close call with a stink bug.
God can speak to us through that soft voice inside your head; or the perfect words for your circumstance uttered on Sunday morning; or He can come to you in a powerful revelation.
Turn your doubts into divine encounters. Discover how God is speaking to you today through these 101 inspirational faith stories. These stories will transform your doubts into powerful encounters with God’s grace, guiding you to find Him in unexpected places.
UNEXPECTED ALTARS is a collection of stories of faith from real people, just like you, who have experienced God’s grace and presence in their lives. This heartfelt Christian devotional brings together authentic testimonies from everyday people who have encountered God’s presence in unexpected places.
Meet the authors sharing their journeys of faith, hope, and transformation: - JoAnne Alexander - Joshua Alexander - Rachael Alexander - Sheerah Allison - Tom Arnold - Lauren Carr - Jeff Cunningham - Kelly Curtis - Bob Finnie - Bill Fisher - RoseAnna (Rosie) Fisher - Bruce Funk - Brian Greenfield - Dan Kovac - Dennis Magaha - Frances Magaha - Kristen Marshall - Debby McCoy - Troy Miller - Laura Morris - Kris Rata - Cathy Stewart - Dale Stewart - Kent Tice - Jason Weller - Jack Zaleski
Each story is a powerful reminder that God meets us right where we are—building altars of worship in the ordinary and the extraordinary. Perfect for daily devotion, small group discussion, or personal encouragement.
Start your journey to find God in the unexpected! Order UNEXPECTED ALTARS today!
4 1/2 stars. This was an interesting collection of inspirational thoughts, teachings, and experiences. There were stories of prayers that were answered, explanations of passages, and unexpected lessons in geography, topography, and archaeology. It touched on a couple of issues that I, myself, am dealing with and gave me some hope.
I received a copy through RABT, and this is my unsolicited review.
An interplanetary tale of wonder, belief, and big questions.
Follow Zog, an inquisitive young alien from the planet Luminos—where everything is tested, measured, and understood—as he investigates mysterious reports from a distant blue world called Terra.
With the help of his new friends, Sam and Max, Zog explores a park, a church, a library, and a university — meeting people with many different ideas about life's biggest questions.
Zog's Big Question is a thoughtful, gently humorous adventure for readers 8 and up — a celebration of curiosity, imagination, and the many ways people search for truth.
I enjoyed this story. An alien came to Terra (Earth) to investigate the concept of faith. Sam and Max along with a couple adults tried to explain a belief in faith. I liked that several different religions were mentioned without going into deep detail. The lesson seemed to be a tolerance for other religions as everyone follows the one they are most comfortable with. The illustration were well done. I enjoyed the blues.
I received a copy through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
Christian Devotional, Inspirational Personal Testimonies
Date Published: 11-15-2025
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Everyday moments become sacred altars where God meets you.
Do you sometimes wish you could hear from God? Do you feel like you are
too insignificant for Him to care about your daily battles with loneliness,
grief, change, and doubts?
God talks to each of us – from the young husband and father who
accidentally torched his home, to the claustrophobic pastor making her way
through a historic tunnel in Israel, to the mystery author having a close call
with a stink bug.
God can speak to us through that soft voice inside your head; or the
perfect words for your circumstance uttered on Sunday morning; or He can come
to you in a powerful revelation.
Turn your doubts into divine encounters. Discover how God is speaking to
you today through these 101 inspirational faith stories. These stories will
transform your doubts into powerful encounters with God’s grace, guiding
you to find Him in unexpected places.
UNEXPECTED ALTARS is a collection of stories of faith from real people,
just like you, who have experienced God’s grace and presence in their
lives. Their authors pray that this Christian devotional will inspire your
daily spiritual life. Each story is a powerful reminder that God meets us
right where we are—building altars of worship in the ordinary and the
extraordinary. Perfect for daily devotion, small group discussion, or personal
encouragement.
Start your journey to find God in the unexpected! Order UNEXPECTED
ALTARS today!
Excerpt
Achieving Success
“The Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken.”
Psalms 16:8
I will probably never forget that evening over fourteen years ago. I sat on the edge of the bed in our bedroom having been released from my job of over twenty years. I was hurt and dejected for sure. But my wife entered the room and sat next to me. I figured she would be filled with anxiety and question how we were going to move forward as far as finances and family. She simply sat next to me, looked at me, and said the most unlikely thing. She said, “I’m glad this happened. I’m so happy and relieved.” I was shocked. I now was the one wanting to ask questions. First, “Are you crazy? Did you hear what I said? I’m no longer employed.” But she did hear me clearly and was genuine in her words to me.
I was both blindsided and blind. My family had been longing for me to make them a greater priority in my life. I thought that the dedication to my career and long hours away from them was my proof to them that they were just such a priority. But I was very wrong.
My wife said something to me that evening that I truly had to pause and reflect upon in order to believe. She said, “I’m glad this happened. Now we can make career decisions that allow you to spend more time with us as a family”. I explained to her that while that was a very kind and gracious thing to say, it did not provide the financial security or means to provide for our family.
She disagreed. She stated that I had spoken often about beginning a small business at some point. To her, it was no question; that time was now. We talked hours that evening about our family, our goals, and…..our faith in God. My wife reminded me that God is with us every step of our journey.
As I write this today, our small business turns thirteen years old, as our daughters turn eighteen and sixteen respectively. In addition, God added more blessings. My brother in law and best friend are both owners of this business as well. A crossroads decision based on faith, hope, love, and trust in God was made that night, thirteen years ago.
The world measures “success” in dollar signs and material wealth. I believe that God’s measure for us is far from that. We are called to serve, not be served. We are called to fellowship, worship, and spend time with those we love. God promises to provide what we “need” in our lives, not what we “want”. The irony in all of this is that when He opens our eyes to His guidance, we find that what we needed is truly what we wanted all along… Him…. Immanuel, God with us.
Father, your provision for us is amazing. It doesn’t always come in the form we expect, but it is enough. We thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Brian Greenfield
UNEXPECTED ALTARS: MEETING GOD IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS is an anthology
written by multiple authors, edited by JoAnne Alexander, and published by
Lauren Carr for Oakland Community Church, a non-denominational church located
in Charles Town, West Virginia.
All royalties from this devotional book will be donated to the building fund
for Oakland Community Church's new building. Oakland's goal is to design a
biophilic building that takes advantage of the beauty of our Jefferson County
location.
Christian Devotional, Inspirational Personal Testimonies
Date Published: 11-15-2025
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Everyday moments become sacred altars where God meets you.
Do you sometimes wish you could hear from God? Do you feel like you are
too insignificant for Him to care about your daily battles with loneliness,
grief, change, and doubts?
God talks to each of us – from the young husband and father who
accidentally torched his home, to the claustrophobic pastor making her way
through a historic tunnel in Israel, to the mystery author having a close call
with a stink bug.
God can speak to us through that soft voice inside your head; or the
perfect words for your circumstance uttered on Sunday morning; or He can come
to you in a powerful revelation.
Turn your doubts into divine encounters. Discover how God is speaking to
you today through these 101 inspirational faith stories. These stories will
transform your doubts into powerful encounters with God’s grace, guiding
you to find Him in unexpected places.
UNEXPECTED ALTARS is a collection of stories of faith from real people,
just like you, who have experienced God’s grace and presence in their
lives. Their authors pray that this Christian devotional will inspire your
daily spiritual life. Each story is a powerful reminder that God meets us
right where we are—building altars of worship in the ordinary and the
extraordinary. Perfect for daily devotion, small group discussion, or personal
encouragement.
Start your journey to find God in the unexpected! Order UNEXPECTED
ALTARS today!
UNEXPECTED ALTARS: MEETING GOD IN EVERYDAY MOMENTS is an anthology
written by multiple authors, edited by JoAnne Alexander, and published by
Lauren Carr for Oakland Community Church, a non-denominational church located
in Charles Town, West Virginia.
All royalties from this devotional book will be donated to the building fund
for Oakland Community Church's new building. Oakland's goal is to design a
biophilic building that takes advantage of the beauty of our Jefferson County
location.
Iss, an eight-year-old boy, has some lessons for us all. Things he has
learned in a very short time through experiences.
These lessons include finding your purpose, the Golden Rule, being honest,
smiling, having hope and faith, forgiveness leads to happiness, telling
people you love them, keeping a positive outlook, people you love are always
in your heart, and salvation.
Let’s find out what Iss has learned, and maybe we can learn too and
become better people. The world needs better people, don’t you
agree?
About the Author
Rose Marie Ezell is a lover of Jesus, people, and laughter - to name a few.
She seeks to live life to the fullest. Whether riding the waves on a day at
the beach or a karaoke night with family, there is guaranteed to be no
shortage of fun. Drawing from her own well of joys, trials, heartaches,
victories and life experiences, Rose’s desire to help others live the
best life possible is evident in all she does. Born and raised in
Mississippi, you can catch her outside on a sunny day, creating and enjoying
the beauty of God’s creation.
Join our hero as they discover the wonder hiding in everyday moments. From
planting seeds to chasing butterflies, each page bursts with colorful
surprises that will make you giggle, gasp, and go "Wow, that's
beautiful!"
But wait, there's more! This book doesn't just show beauty – it helps
you find the beauty in YOU. Because guess what? You're not just beautiful,
you're beautifully YOU!
So, are you ready to uncover the real meaning of beauty? Grab this book and
let the adventure begin! Who knows what amazing things you'll discover about
yourself along the way?
Remember, true beauty isn't just skin deep – it's YOU deep!
Other Books in the Series
I’m a Genius Because I Am
Because I Am… series written and illustrated by Azizi Tuere
An adventure that shows possibilities are endless when you believe in
yourself.
Being a genius is more than just knowing the right answers. It’s
having imagination, seeing opportunities, trying new things, and being
curious. Being a genius isn't about being the smartest or getting everything
right, it's about treating each day as an adventure to explore, dream,
create, and make a difference in the world.
A story to ignite the innate creativity and limitless potential within
every child.
I’m Grateful Because I Am
Because I Am… series written and illustrated by Azizi Tuere
An adventure that shows appreciation for life’s daily offerings.
Every day is a brand new opportunity to be happy and feel good about the
world. Being thankful isn’t only for big things like vacations and
parties, it’s being thankful for the birds in the sky, a meal prepared
with love, a warm bath, and laughing with friends. Having gratitude is
appreciating how beautiful life is and being thankful for being YOU!
An inspiring story that celebrates the quiet beauty in everyday moments and
the joy in expressing gratitude.
I’m Patient Because I Am
Because I Am… series written and illustrated by Azizi Tuere
An adventure that grows kindness, strength, and understanding.
Being patient isn’t just about waiting around—it gives us new
challenges to grow kindness, strength, and understanding. Patience helps you
to be kind to yourself when you don’t get something right the first
time around, or when you need to listen to a friend’s long story that
they are excited to share with you. Patience allows you to discover more
about yourself and the world around you, one calm moment at a time.
An inspiring story that shows the magical moments that patience brings to
each day.
I’m a Winner Because I Am
Because I Am… series written and illustrated by Azizi Tuere
An adventure to remind every child of their inherent worth.
Being a winner is not just about winning trophies or never making mistakes.
You’re a winner when you face challenges, when you get up after
falling down, when you have courage to try something new, or work to
overcome your fears. Winning is when you get better at being the best
version of yourself every day!
An inspiring story about the victories in everyday moments.
My Review - 5 of 5 stars -
This was a wonderful way to teach about valuing ourselves. I loved how physical and non-physical beauty points were brought up. The Caregiver Notes at the end were a great to teach children to continue with the positivity in their lives. Wonderful book.
About the Author
Azizi Tuere is a vibrant storyteller on a mission to empower families
through heartwarming tales. As a homeschooling mom of two, she transforms
everyday experiences into adventures that nurture emotional intelligence and
self-worth. Her "Because I Am" series sprung from a desire to help
children embrace their unique beauty and potential. When not weaving words,
Azizi hosts "Tiny Green Chef," an online cooking program that
brings families together through plant-based cuisine. Her work is a
testament to her belief that every child is a masterpiece waiting to be
discovered. Connect with Azizi's world of wonder at AziziTuere.com.
"I'm Beautiful Because I Am" - A Journey of Self-Discovery and Empathy
"It reminds one of the works of popular authors like Dr. Seuss and Nancy Tillman..." - editorial review by Sally Majors, The Chrysalis Brew Project
An empowering self confidence book for kids that nurtures kindness, curiosity, and self-worth. This social emotional learning picture book helps children discover their inner beauty and appreciate the uniqueness in others!
This illustrated children’s story teaches children that beauty goes beyond the mirror. It fosters self-reflection and shows young minds how to recognize their intrinsic value.
As one of the standout children's diversity books, it includes prompts for open-mindedness and affirmations to build self-esteem: "I am beautiful because I am kind. I am curious. I am me."
Join our young hero on a delightful adventure of self-discovery. From playground fun to classroom learning, they explore the beauty in their helpful hands, adventurous legs, and imaginative mind.
Watch as they uncover the magic in their imagination, the warmth in their caring heart, and the wonder in their unique perspective. Will they discover the true meaning of beauty? How will this journey shape their view of themselves and others?
This children's illustrated book builds self-worth and empathy, encouraging kids to value themselves and others. It teaches children:
Beauty comes from within
To appreciate their unique qualities
To develop friendship and social skills
To practice mindfulness and gratitude
To value diversity and practice understanding
"... the book is like a superhero story with our children cast in the starring role!" - editorial review by Nicky Flowers, Indies Today
From the "Because I Am" series, this book is essential for family life, classrooms, and libraries. It's perfect for discussing moral values, respect, and the beauty of diversity.
If you enjoy books about growing up and the facts of life, you'll love "I'm Beautiful Because I Am."
Order now and watch your child's inner light shine brighter!
Ideal for ages 3-5, 4-6, 5-7 promoting politeness, patience, and compassion in young hearts.
Winner of several children's book awards such as NYC Big Book Award, The Book Fest Award, and the Brew Children's Book Excellence Award.
This was a wonderful way to teach about valuing ourselves. I loved how physical and non-physical beauty points were brought up. The Caregiver Notes at the end were a great to teach children to continue with the positivity in their lives. Wonderful book.
I received a copy through RABT Book Tours, and this is my unsolicited review.
Discover an unforgettable journey of faith, adventure, and life lessons
with The Dream of Glory, a heartwarming Christian story that the whole
family will cherish. George, a devoted father, along with his wife, guides
their two lively children, Emily and Emmanuel, through the excitement and
challenges of life, teaching them about safety and instilling a strong
foundation of faith in Jesus.
Set against the backdrop of thrilling adventures and moments of suspense,
this story introduces readers to the family's courageous encounters with
danger-including fierce wolves-and the power of unity and faith that sees
them through. As George shares essential lessons about being aware of their
surroundings, young readers will not only be entertained but also educated
on important safety principles.
Written by J.J. Luna, a nurse and loving father from Yucaipa, California,
The Dream of Glory is his first published book, inspired by personal
challenges and his passion for guiding children through both excitement and
learning. Perfect for children aged 3 to 12, this book is crafted to
captivate young minds, enrich their faith in Jesus, and teach them
invaluable lessons about awareness and resilience.
Give your child an inspiring tale filled with family values, the teachings
of Jesus, and adventures that will keep them turning the pages. The Dream of
Glory is a perfect addition to any Christian family's library.
About the Author
J.J. Luna is an author, devoted father, and seasoned healthcare
professional living in the picturesque town of Yucaipa, California. With
over 12 years of experience as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), J.J. has
dedicated his life to caring for others and spreading joy through laughter
and compassion. Beyond his career, he is actively involved in his community,
coaching his son’s coed U10 soccer team and fostering a spirit of
teamwork and fun.
Driven by his passion for family, faith, and storytelling, J.J. Luna
embarked on his first literary journey with The Dream of Glory, a Christian
children’s book that intertwines adventure, life lessons, and
spiritual teachings. Inspired by personal challenges and a deep desire to
guide young readers, J.J. created this tale to encourage safety awareness
and strengthen children’s faith in Jesus.
When he’s not writing or working, J.J. enjoys spending time with his
family, exploring the outdoors, and making meaningful connections with those
around him.
I was inspired by Jesus to write this book. In combining nature and the sacred word of the Bible, my intention is to take the reader into a place of contemplation of the wonderful things God has created for the care, nourishment, and enjoyment of His creation, especially humanity. This book's central theme is the character of love of our heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Furthermore, this book is an introduction to young children to the knowledge of the God of the Bible, who is unknown to most of the Christian circle and the world at large. God is the source of Agape and He is inviting all to receive Agape from Him through His Son Jesus.
EXCERPT:
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Catalina is trained in the child developmental field. She has worked with young children for over twenty years with emphasis in language development. In addition to have the required training to be a qualified preschool teacher and a preschool director, she is also a primary Montessori teacher.
I found this to be a spiritual read. I loved the diversity in the illustrations. The quotes brought to mind how this world could be a better place if more people believed in what has been written. I would have wished for a little more story as I think this would be a bit above most little children's ability to grasp the concept.