Overview

I woke up cold, angry, and sick. It was about four in the morning and I was laying on a hard cement floor on a mat about an inch thick. Due to rampant drug addiction, the county jail was overpopulated and there were no bunks left to sleep on. Being a heroin addict, I couldn't go more than 6 hours without dosing or I would be horribly sick. It had been almost 24. Every inch of my body was in pain and my skin was crawling. I couldn't think straight or even form coherent sentences, but the one thing that continually ran through my head was ""How did I end up here? How did I end up like this?"" Geoff's situation seemed hopeless. He had made a mess of his life. His parents struggled to understand the choices the son they loved so much made. And they prayed. Through the hurting, the questions, the frustrations. And through it all, God walked with them. Hope Lies Ahead shares the story of Geoff's prodigal journey and James's perspective as his father. Each write from their own personal experience as they candidly address spiritual and practical challenges families with prodigals face. As someone who loves a prodigal, you'll know you are not alone and that there is hope! Because no prodigal is beyond the reach of God. HopeLiesAhead.org

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9781640700055

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Reviews

What a story! A courageously transparent father and son boast of their weaknesses so that God is clearly the hero in this life-and-death struggle of addiction and religion versus relationship--on so many levels! Every parent should get this as a handbook because it clearly illustrates the long, hard journey of parenting any child. It helped me trade my shame and guilt for a thirst for fervent prayer and unconditional-love relationships with my kids and grandkids for the long, long haul. The title sums it up well, hope does lie ahead! -- (01/08/2020) Triumph out of tragedy. It is not just a pie-in-the-sky slogan but a testament to the redeeming grace of God. Never is this truth more beautiful than in our families. In recent years, I've been blessed to pray with my friend James Banks as we have watched triumphant grace bring miracles in his son's life. Now, through the pages of Hope Lies Ahead, we can all trace God's redemption in this raw but real account of Geoff's journey of transformation and subsequent call to fruitful ministry. If you have a prodigal or know anyone who does, make this your next book because God has tailor-made doses of hope and healing for all. --Daniel Henderson, president and founder of Strategic Renewal International; author of Transforming Prayer: How Everything Changes When You Seek God's Face From the Publisher There is one particular line in the children's fable The Velveteen Rabbit that always moves me to tears: 'You are a terribly real thing in a terribly false world, and that, I believe, is why you are in so much pain.' Reading James and Geoff's story instantly re-minded me of that line. Hope Lies Ahead is a must-read for any family pulled at the seams by addiction, rebellion, or pain. It is a painfully beautiful tapestry of the heart of a father, the desperation of a prodigal, and the hope found in Jesus. More than anything, James and Geoff's willingness to wrestle with vulnerability is a living corroboration that love really does never fail. --Stuart Hall, director of Student Leadership and Leadership Networking for Orange (ReThink Group); leader of INFLUNSR; speaker, author, and coach From the Publisher

Few things reveal our limitations in life and ministry like parenting children. And, as Pastor James shows us, parenting a rebellious child can be a heart-wrenching, soul-crushing experience, but God uses it for good--both to teach us as parents to wait on God and also to make us understand more about His love for us. James's books have infused me with more gospel hope on this issue than anything else I've encountered. I am constantly recommending his writings on this to others, who inevitably thank me and pass it on to others. God is right now writing the testimony of our children. Pastor James (and his son Geoff) will show you, with inspiring transparency, how you can be a faithful partner in His gracious work in your kids. What a blessed thought: ultimate hope for our children is found not in our parenting abilities but our Father's goodness. --J.D. Greear, author and pastor of The Summit Church From the Publisher (3/9/2020 12:00:00 AM) What a story! A courageously transparent father and son boast of their weaknesses so that God is clearly the hero in this life-and-death struggle of addiction and religion versus relationship--on so many levels! Every parent should get this as a handbook because it clearly illustrates the long, hard journey of parenting any child. It helped me trade my shame and guilt for a thirst for fervent prayer and unconditional-love relationships with my kids and grandkids for the long, long haul. The title sums it up well, hope does lie ahead! --Robby Dilmore, nationally syndicated radio show host From the Publisher (1/8/2020 12:00:00 AM) Triumph out of tragedy. It is not just a pie-in-the-sky slogan but a testament to the redeeming grace of God. Never is this truth more beautiful than in our families. In recent years, I've been blessed to pray with my friend James Banks as we have watched triumphant grace bring miracles in his son's life. Now, through the pages of Hope Lies Ahead, we can all trace God's redemption in this raw but real account of Geoff's journey of transformation and subsequent call to fruitful ministry. If you have a prodigal or know anyone who does, make this your next book because God has tailor-made doses of hope and healing for all. --Daniel Henderson, president and founder of Strategic Renewal International; author of Transforming Prayer: How Everything Changes When You Seek God's Face From the Publisher (3/9/2020 12:00:00 AM) There is one particular line in the children's fable The Velveteen Rabbit that always moves me to tears: 'You are a terribly real thing in a terribly false world, and that, I believe, is why you are in so much pain.' Reading James and Geoff's story instantly re-minded me of that line. Hope Lies Ahead is a must-read for any family pulled at the seams by addiction, rebellion, or pain. It is a painfully beautiful tapestry of the heart of a father, the desperation of a prodigal, and the hope found in Jesus. More than anything, James and Geoff's willingness to wrestle with vulnerability is a living corroboration that love really does never fail. --Stuart Hall, director of Student Leadership and Leadership Networking for Orange (ReThink Group); leader of INFLUNSR; speaker, author, and coach From the Publisher (3/9/2020 12:00:00 AM)

Author Information

James Banks (D.Min, Gordon-Conwell) makes his home in Durham, North Carolina, with his wife, Cari, where James is the founding pastor of Peace Church. James's adventure with writing started in 4thgrade when his teacher discovered it was a great way to keep him out of trouble! He loves to encourage others to draw close to God through heartfelt prayer and fresh insight from Scripture. James's books have been translated into many languages and have touched the lives of over half a million people. They includePrayers for Prodigals, Praying the Prayers of the Bible, Prayers for Your Children, Peace Through Prayer,Hope Lies Ahead(which he co-wrote with his son Geoffrey), and others. You can find teaching from James through Our Daily Bread University'spopularPrayer Basicsseries and thePraying with Jesus DVD. James is featured weekly on theEncouraging Prayerradio broadcast and podcast and is a much-loved speaker for churches and retreats. You can find out more about what James is up to lately by visiting JamesBanks.org. Geoffrey Banks is a speaker, author, and leader currently serving as the High School Pastor at Port City Community Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. He has a decade of experience working with the next generation and is passionate aboutempowering them to lead. He is a regular voice with various nationwide ministry organizationsthat help churches reach the students and adults alike. When he isn't writing or speaking, you can find Geoffrey enjoying the North Carolina coast with his wife, Sarah Banks.

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