A New Kind of Normal

A New Kind of Normal

Carol Kent has lived every parent's nightmare. A New Kind of Normal begins with the story of that horrible night when Carol and Gene learned their son had been arrested, but it doesn't end there...

Between a Rock and a Grace Place

Between a Rock and a Grace Place

From Carol Kent comes a riveting journey of facing the impassable obstacles of life and discovering the last thing ever expected -- the sweet spot of grace. Order now

YouTube

YouTube

Carol has a YouTube channel!

When I Lay My Isaac Down

When I Lay My Isaac Down

What would you do if God called you to completely entrust your son or daughter to Him? God used Isaac to test Abraham's faith in Genesis 22. How will you respond if He pushes your faith to the brink of falling apart?

Blogs

30 Jan

Speak Up Conference--June 21-23, 2012

Dear Friends,

What a privilege it is to invite you to the 2012 Expanded Speak Up Conference. For more than two decades many of you have attended the of the Original and/or Advanced Speak Up with Confidence Seminars, and you have asked, “What’s next?”

This year we are combining the best of the Original and the Advanced Speak Up Seminars into a single speaking track. We are also adding a writing track, and a leadership track. When you register, you will select one of the three tracks. There will be a few general sessions that all participants will attend, and six break-out sessions where there will be two topics offered for each of the three tracks (your choice). Yes, you can select a workshop outside of your designated track.

This equipping seminar will be held on the campus of Calvin College at The Prince Center, a state-of-the-art conference center in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There are guest rooms available at The Prince Center, along with free airport shuttle service. The rooms at The Prince Center will go quickly, so register early.

One of my favorite evaluations from a past participant is: “I thought I was registering for a Christian equipping conference, but beyond the extraordinary training, my heart was revived and encouraged. The conference more than met my expectations and it has revolutionized the way I do ministry.” Read more »

04 Nov

New Book Release: Miracle on Hope Hill

Do you believe that God still works miracles? 

Miracle on Hope Hill is a book of true stories I wrote in partnership with my sister, Jennie Afman Dimkoff about amazing ways that God has worked in the lives of ordinary people.  Life is full of "God Moments," yet amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life we often overlook such moments, perhaps calling them a stroke of good fortune, or taking credit for the unexpected blessing as simply "our due."   Miracle on Hope Hill reveals that when we take the time to learn from these events, we discover how ever-present God is in each of our lives.

Over the past few years I've collected stories about large and small miracles that have happened in the lives of people I’ve met as I travel and speak.  I marvel at the way God reaches down and gives us “His kiss” in the middle of challenging circumstances.  I’ve also realized that some of us don’t get what we would call “the miracle we are praying for" in this lifetime—but because Jesus lives, there will be a day when all tears are wiped away.
  Read more »

25 Aug

Jason Kent Featured in New “Grace Place” DVD Series

Some of the questions I hear most often are: “Has Jason Kent written a book?”  When is your son going to share his heart in written form? Are there videos where he speaks up about what happened?  How can I learn more about what went on in his mind before he was arrested?

I am happy to tell you that through his letters, Jason has participated in the writing of every chapter in Between a Rock and a Grace Place.  The publisher sent a production team to Florida to videotape our son behind the razor wire, and cameo appearances from him are featured in each of the six sessions of the small group study.  You will find him honest, transparent, humble, and encouraging.

Our family is living what some would call a challenging life—but most of us encounter hard places at some point in life—relationship struggles, children born with disabilities, financial crises, or life altering health problems.  But despite our seemingly impossible situations, we can live lives full of grace.

With hope, joy, and a sense of humor, I’ll help you find God’s “grace places” in the middle of your most difficult moments.

The series includes these sessions: Read more »

21 Feb

“Isaac” Study Guide Just Released

Yesterday I opened my e-mail and read cries for help from twelve different people who never expected to have a family crisis that involved the incarceration of a loved one, a child addicted to drugs, a spouse who betrayed them, or the diagnosis of a debilitating disease.  All of the notes had one common denominator.  How can I survive what’s happened and cling to unshakable faith in the middle of unthinkable circumstances?

In 2004 NavPress released my book on our journey with our son titled, When I Lay My Isaac Down.  Now over 126,000 readers have purchased that book for themselves or for someone they know who is living in a new kind of normal.  NavPress later released a DVD curriculum study, but many people requested a study guide, so they could more easily use the material in small group studies.  That study guide has just been released and can be ordered on my web site, along with the DVD series.

The book outlines eight life-changing principles that help people to embrace unshakable faith when their lives have turned out differently from their dream.  Those principles include: Read more »

19 Nov

Between a Rock and a Grace Place

The new book is finally here and I pray it will be an encouragement to you.  I was asked to respond to several questions about the new release for a blog tour and I thought you might enjoy reading answers to several questions about this project:

Tell us about the Christmas gift you received. How did it help you to find grace in the middle of a seemingly hopeless situation?

Two weeks before Christmas our doorbell rang at 9:15 p.m. It was dark outside and by the time my husband, Gene, joined me at the front door, we were surprised to find no one there. It was already dark, but my eyes fell on a large, exquisitely wrapped gift. The card on top said, “Mom.” Initially, it felt like a bad joke. Nine years earlier our son, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy had been arrested for murdering his wife’s first husband and he was in prison serving a life-without-the-possibility-of-parole sentence.

However, I am a “Mom” and the package was left on my doorstep, so I opened it. The note appeared to be in my son’s unique handwriting. The note expressed his deep love for me and his gratefulness for what I had done to help him since his arrest. He said a “friend” had helped him deliver the surprise. Opening the box, I discovered a gorgeous russet-colored silk jacket—and it fit me perfectly. Read more »