Doug Bender - I Found Love: True Stories of Discovering Love, Belonging, and Friendship (An I Am Second Book)

I Am Seconds storytelling ability shines throughout I Found Love, bringing truth, hope, and strength during times of uncertainty. These stories of redemption, especially the dramatic and miraculous testimony of my friend Ryan Ries, are exactly what we need to hear today.

Brian Head Welch, legendary Korn guitarist

I Found Love is a gripping read and retell of the greatest love story of all time. The variety and scope of the stories included prove there is hope out there for anyone and everyone. We all long to belong and feel loved... and the reality is, that is possible with God. I encourage anyone who is hurting or lonely to dive into the honest and true stories included in this book.

Autumn Miles, author and host of the podcast The Autumn Miles Show

I Found Love includes the story of my dear friend and combat veteran Chad Robichaux, who is as tough as they come. But even a battle-hardened American Spartan can be brought to his knees by an invisible enemy. Chads life is one that realized Jesus Christ had to be the champion, the Warrior of his heart, in order for him to find true strength.

Lieutenant Colonel Allen B. West (US Army, retired), member 112th US Congress

I am a curious soul. I want to know a characters history. I Found Love takes the stories from I Am Seconds website, which we all love, and takes them to a whole other level by adding details and backstory not found in the films. I love that I can consume the book at my own pace. All at once or in bite-sized pieces.

Tiffini Kilgore, founder, House of Belonging; author, Misfit Table

In I Found Love the common thread of all the I Am Second stories is I Found Jesus. When we fall in love with Jesus everything else will fall into place. Only when we stop wanting to be first can God start being first. He must increase I must decrease (John 3:30).

Dave Robbins, musician with Blackhawk and the Outlaws

With diversity of stories and added background information, I Found Love appeals to just about anyone. Whether you had love, are in love, or are searching for love, this book provides clarity of just where the purest of love is found.

Carol Bevil, Fuel Body Feel Soul blogger

2021 e3 Partners Ministry

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked NIRV are from the New International Readers Version. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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ISBN 978-1-4041-1568-2 (custom)

ISBN 978-1-4002-2136-3 (eBook)

ISBN 978-1-4002-1038-1 (HC)

Epub Edition November 2020 9781400210398

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Bender, Doug, author.

Title: I found love : true stories of discovering love, belonging, and friendship / Doug Bender.

Description: Nashville : Nelson Books, 2020. | Includes bibliographical references. | Summary: I Found Love is the highly anticipated new book from I Am Second, gathering together stories of people who searched everywhere for fulfillment and wholeness and found it only when they surrendered to God-- Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2020021816 | ISBN 9781400210381 (hc) | ISBN 9781400210398 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Christian biography.

Classification: LCC BR1700.3 .B465 2020 | DDC 277.3/0830922 [B]--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020021816

Printed in the United States of America

2122232425LSC10987654321

Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

Please note that the endnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication

To Norm Miller who read John 12:32 and knew
God wanted him to lift up Jesus in his city.

To Nathan Sheets and Adam Leydig who
took Norms ideas and infused their creative
vision that still inspires us today.

To our many donors whose partnership
enables us to spread the love of Jesus.

To Tom Gabe. We miss you dearly.

A special thanks to the entire I Am Second team. Every book is a group project, but this one has a particularly large, creative, and passionate team of people behind it. Thank you for bringing all your many talents to the table.

A big thanks to I Am Seconds many fans, donors, and supporters who continue to spread the stories of those who found the love of Jesus.

Also a huge thanks and much love to Catherine. Your endless support means more than I can ever put to words. And thanks to Bethany, Samuel, Isabella, and Jesse, who gave up time with Dad so he could write a book. I love you all.

And once again, thanks to Nancy Nelson whose knack for fixing my typos, grammar, and spelling is ever so appreciated.

All interior photographs I Am Second. Credits as follows:

Stanley Tongai:

Sean Lowe

Esther Fleece

Chad Robichoux

Ryan Reiss

Rudy Kalis

Jason Castro

Justyna Fijalska:

David and Tamela Mann

Jessica Long

Danny Gokey

Mike Fisher/Carrie Underwood

Michael Ketterer

Remi Adeleke

Parker Young:

Beth/TJ

Michael/Tiffany

Trey Hill:

Stephen Baldwin

1. 1. Legacy: breaking off the past
   David and Tamela Mann, actors and artists
2. 2. Dreams: daring to trust
   Jason Castro, singer and songwriter