A popular retelling of the Bible in comic book form just hit a major milestone, selling more than three million copies in the United States.

“The Action Bible,” first released in 2010, continues to dominate Amazon bookselling charts, remaining in the top 100 among all books.

Brock Eastman, senior director of The Action Bible brand at David C. Cook, said he believes the project’s success is rooted in its unique approach to bringing the Gospel to young and emerging generations.

“What strikes people that read ‘The Action Bible’ is just the beautiful, full action-packed [presentation] and our illustrations that really bring the story to life,” he said. “And we like to think about … bringing the Bible to life in a different way.”

Eastman continued, “For this generation, specifically, who is involved with graphic novels, this Bible appeals to them because they like that kind of, ‘Oh, I can see the images of the story moving,’ and there’s a narrative, like a paraphrase narrative of the Bible story that’s easy to understand and sounds like a conversation.”

This all creates what Eastman called an “inviting” experience that allows young people to fully immerse themselves in this Bible version, including 230 stories from Scripture and extends to 830 pages.

The roots for “The Action Bible” were set in the 1970s with a preceding project known as “The Picture Bible.” With young people diving into the comic book world — and with new ways of evangelizing emerging — “The Action Bible” was seen as an innovative tool to build upon successes with “The Picture Bible” and deliver timeless truth to a new generation.

As a dad of four kids himself, Eastman said, “The Action Bible” does two important things: it seizes upon the interest of youths in graphic novels while also delivering hope to youths who desperately need it.

Many of the popular graphic novels and comics of the day simply don’t offer “hope,” he said.

“Those stories don’t provide the hope and the beautiful story that God does and the redemptive story … of the plan of bringing Jesus and our salvation,” Eastman said. “And, so, the Bible does that.”

This is especially important right now, as young people in Generation Alpha — those born between 2010 and 2024 — recently dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic and other struggles. Hopelessness, for some, has been a result of the chaos, with Eastman believing “The Action Bible” holds power and sway to help ease some of this pain.

“Something like ‘The Action Bible’ that has these graphics that the kids … are drawn to, telling this narrative of this beautiful story of redemption, of hope, of stories and the characters in the Bible that are just like them — people who struggled with things, who had fear but overcame it with courage because they were empowered by God,” he said. “These fantastic stories that kids are connecting to. They’re like, ‘I see myself in that story and I can be that.’”

“The Action Bible” has carefully worked to ensure it keeps “true to what God’s word is.”

“There’s a lot of careful effort put into not only the language and the words, but also the imagery that took those pages and basically … brought them to life,” Eastman said.

The impact of “The Action Bible” has been undeniable, with the project being translated into 108 languages around the globe. While the book has sold 3 million copies in the U.S., the worldwide number is “much larger.”

“In the last four years alone, we’ve sold 1.1 million action Bibles around the world,” Eastman said, explaining this is in addition to the 3 million sold in America.

Ultimately, Eastman said the mission of “The Action Bible” — to bring Jesus’ story to the masses — is being recognized, with stories of the project’s impact continuing to reach his team.
Sources:faithwire

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Actors Carlos and Alexa PenaVega believe God has been faithful in their lives, expressing how they have found peace and contentedness even amid the unthinkable.

“God has just been covering us,” Carlos recently told CBN News.

The couple, who maintain a busy Hollywood career and just released their new movie, “Get Him Back for Christmas,” made headlines last year after the stillbirth of their fourth child, Indy.

Despite such a difficult challenge, they relied on the Lord to find strength and overcome.

Carlos recently recalled the tragic Saturday Indy passed away. As he and Alexa pondered whether to attend church in the aftermath — just one day later — they felt God calling them to do so.

“Me, and Alexa, and our three kids went to church that next day and we didn’t know anybody,” he said. “It was our second time ever going, and we were worshiping … and I’ll never forget that we’re standing in the middle … and Alexa and I are holding each other and we’re just bawling.”

In those moments, Carlos described finding a “supernatural peace,” as parishioners — people they barely knew after having recently moved to Tennessee — surrounded them and prayed over them.

“It was like God’s saying … ‘You’re not alone. I got you, and I have you here for a reason, and I’m gonna take you [through] this and make it into something amazing,’” he said.

Since the loss, the PenaVegas have seen God work in amazing ways.

“It’s been amazing to see, especially with Alexa, how much God has been working in her through this loss, because how do you live after that?” he said. “That we have over it … I just keep saying it’s … supernatural — like, God is just covering us.”

Carlos continued, “He has a reason for everything, and He takes whatever the enemy meant for evil and turned it to good.”

As CBN News previously reported, the couple went on to work on passion projects throughout the year. The film “Get Him Back for Christmas” offers a heartfelt romantic story — typical holiday fare.

But it also delivers much deeper themes about doing good, caring for others, and being inspired by genuine and unadulterated kindness. And it’s the first project to come from their new production company, Good for You Entertainment.

“We really believe in creating content that is good for you,” PenaVega said, noting the couple plan to continue creating powerful films and projects. “We feel very strongly that we need more content that is family-friendly. It doesn’t need to be PG-13 or R to be a good movie.”
Sources:faithwire

http://theendtimeradio.com

Nikki Glaser, the comedian who played host to this year’s Golden Globes Awards in Beverly Hills, joked Sunday that none of the evening’s winners thanked God for their successes.

At the halfway point of the star-studded show, Glaser said the acceptance speeches had been “on fire” before looking at a tally of who winning celebrities had thanked upon receiving their prizes, with cast and crew members filling the No. 1 spot, followed by moms and “Access Hollywood” host Mario Lopez.

“God, creator of the universe, with zero mentions,” said Glaser. “[N]o surprise in this godless town.”

The 40-year-old celebrity is receiving praise for her hosting and mockery of Hollywood.

“I am not here to roast you tonight,” she told the crowd of famous A-listers. “I want you to know that. How could I, really? You are all so famous, so talented, so powerful.”

She continued, “I mean you could really do anything. I mean except tell the country who to vote for. But it’s OK, you will get them next time. If there is one. I’m scared.”

At another point during her performance Sunday night, Glaser poked fun at Catholicism.

“There were so many great movies this year, from ‘Wicked’ to ‘Conclave,’” said the comedian, who was raised Catholic. “Wait, that just gave me an idea.”

At that point, the lights went out and, when they came back on, Glaser was wearing a bishop’s hat and was holding a pink and gold glittery staff reminiscent of “Wicked.” She then began singing a parody of the song, “Popular,” from the musical.

“You will be pope-ular. You’re gonna be pope-ular. I’ll teach you some Catholic prayers,” she sang before abruptly stopping, pretending then to speak to someone through an earpiece: “Wait this sucks? This whole thing sucks? I’m embarrassing myself in front of Elton John?”
Sources:faithwire

http://theendtimeradio.com