“Sweet-hearted, funny, and honest, Churched had me reminiscing about the little boy searching for God that I once was…” —Dan Merchant, writer/director of Lord, Save Us From Your Followers Churched details an American boy’s experiences growing up in a culture where men weren’t allowed to 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. In 1978, when Matthew Paul Turner was five, his family became sold-out members of an independent Baptist church, joining without any firsthand knowledge of Christian fundamentalism, only his parents’ sincere desire to follow God. In Churched, with wit and careful observation, he reveals the tenderness and grace that managed to seep through the cracks and a young man who, amidst the chaotic mess of religion, falls in love with Jesus. “Churched is funny, poignant, and surprisingly moving.” —Sara Miles, author of Take This Bread “A memoirist who doesn’t take himself or the world too seriously, but still writes profoundly and beautifully, Turner gave me a belly-laugh on almost every page.” —Lisa Samson, award-winning author of Quaker Summer, Embrace Me and Justice in the Burbs

Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess

Biographies & Memoirs

Turner, Matthew Paul

Leaders & Notable People

Convergent

When I Pray for You

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.

Children's Books

Literature & Fiction

Convergent Books

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.

When God Made the World

The best-selling author of When God Made You and When I Pray for You captures the wonder of Christmas in a lyrical exploration of what makes the season so colorful, magical, and personal to our hearts. The bestselling author ofWhen God Made YouandWhen I Pray for Youcaptures the wonder of Christmasandthe joy of Jesus' birthin 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 theholidayand all the memorable sensations and experiences-including afestivemarket, sledding, and nativity scene-connected to those bright hues.Matthewdrawshis 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.

All the Colors of Christmas

Holidays & Celebrations

MARK STANDS OUT AMONG THE OTHER GOSPELS, and it is sometimes compared to an action-packed movie. There are many Hollywood-esque themes—some that keep us on the edge of our seats, some that make us cry, and some that leave us in wonderment.
The Gospel of Mark jumps right into the action of Jesus’ story. Mark offers little by way of introduction, mentioning nothing about Jesus’ family tree. Unlike Matthew and Luke, he doesn’t include the story of Jesus’ birth. His account begins with a Scripture quote and moves right into the preaching of John, the wandering prophet. Jesus doesn’t just arrive; He is announced.
Like the original Greek version of this Gospel, The Voice of Mark is raw and to the point. Who is the Son of Man, and what should that mean in believers’ lives?
All who have ears to hear, let them listen.
 (4:9, 23; 7:16)
About the Writers:
(photo) Greg Garrett is the author of the critically-acclaimed novels Free Bird and Cycling, the memoir Crossing Myself, and non-fiction books including The Gospel Reloaded (with Chris Seay), and The Gospel According to Hollywood. He is professor of English at Baylor University and writer in residence at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest.
(photo) The former editor of CCM magazine, Matthew Paul Turner is the author of The Christian Culture Survival Guide, Provocative Faith, and the memoir Churched. With a focus on sharing spiritual relevancy in today's culture, Matthew is a frequent speaker at college and twenty-something events across the country. 
Thomas Nelson Bibles is giving back through the God’s Word in Action program. Donating a portion of profits to World Vision, we are helping to eradicate poverty and preventable deaths among children. Learn more and discover what you can do at www.seegodswordinaction.com.

The Voice, The Voice of Mark, Paperback: Let Them Listen

Religion & Spirituality

Garrett, Greg

Christian Books & Bibles

Thomas Nelson

When God Made You

The best-selling favorite, now available as a board book! Whimsical rhyme and imaginative illustrations affirm that every child is God's unique creation and beloved by Him.\nYOU, you... God thinks about you. 
God was thinking of you long before your debut.\nFrom 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.\nThrough playful, charming rhyme and vivid, fantastical illustrations, When God Made Youinspires 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.\n'Cause when God made YOU, somehow God knew 
That the world needed someone exactly like you!

#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."

What Is God Like?

Held Evans, Rachel

What Is the Bible?

Religions

USA TODAY, PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, AND WALL STREET JOURNAL BESTSELLER • From the author of the bestselling When God Made You comes an illuminating message about God's design affirming young readers.\nWith 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.\nWhen 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.\nThis 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.\nFrom the moment I saw you, 
I started to pray. 
Big prayers and small ones 
I have sent God's way.\nI prayed you felt safe, 
full of joy and content. 
When I whispered "I love you," 
you knew what I meant.

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.\nI 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:\nI'm playful and brave 
I'm a one-kid parade 
I'm gonna be who I am ‘cause I'm wonderfully made\nIn 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\nParents and children alike will be encouraged in these vivid and empowering pages.

I Am God's Dream

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Turner, Matthew Paul. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Turner, Matthew Paul

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Turner, Matthew Paul. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Churched: One Kid's Journey Toward God Despite a Holy Mess

When I Pray for You

When God Made the World

All the Colors of Christmas

The Voice, The Voice of Mark, Paperback: Let Them Listen

When God Made You

What Is God Like?

What Is the Bible?

When I Pray for You

I Am God's Dream