
A New Kind of Normal
Hope-Filled Choices When Life Turns Upside Down
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $19.79
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Jill Blackwood
-
By:
-
Carol Kent
About this listen
Carol Kent has lived every parent's nightmare. After her only son was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, Carol's life took a permanent detour. She and her husband, Gene, have been adjusting ever since, moving to Florida to be near the prison, starting a new ministry for prison inmates and their families, and sharing the faithfulness of God with anyone who will listen.
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. In fact, Carol knows what it means to live with an unthinkable circumstance that will never change—and to still make hope-filled choices. Through the eight chapters in this book, Carol will use their own story, the story of Mary mother of Jesus, and stories of women who have experienced their own "new normal" to share how God has led them to choose life, gratitude, vulnerability, involvement, forgiveness, trust, and action.
Journaling questions are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
©2013 Carol Kent (P)2023 Thomas NelsonListeners also enjoyed...
-
When I Lay My Isaac Down
- Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances
- By: Carol Kent
- Narrated by: Carol Kent
- Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions.
-
-
AWEFUL
- By Sonny on 10-31-05
By: Carol Kent
-
Between a Rock and a Grace Place
- Divine Surprises in the Tight Spots of Life
- By: Carol Kent
- Narrated by: Pam Ward
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Carol Kent and her husband, Gene, are now living what some would call a heartbreaking life - their son, Jason, a young man who initially had so much promise, is now living out a life sentence for murder in a maximum security prison. Between a Rock and a Grace Place reveals that when seemingly insurmountable challenges crash into our lives, we can find "divine surprises" as we discover God at work in ways we never imagined.
-
-
Great perspective and narrative
- By BigPapi on 04-11-16
By: Carol Kent
-
Unoffendable
- How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better
- By: Brant Hansen
- Narrated by: Brant Hansen
- Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It turns out giving up your "right" to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things you can do. It's a radical, provocative idea: We're not entitled to get offended or stay angry. The idea of our own "righteous anger" is a myth. It is the number one problem in our societies today and, as Dallas Willard says, Christians have not been taught out of it. But what if Christians were the most unoffendable people on the planet?
-
-
Timely encouragement
- By Anonymous User on 01-11-23
By: Brant Hansen
-
Find Your People
- Building Deep Community in a Lonely World
- By: Jennie Allen
- Narrated by: Jennie Allen
- Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a world that's both more connected and more isolating than ever before, we’re often tempted to do life alone, whether because we’re so busy or because relationships feel risky and hard. But science confirms that consistent, meaningful connection with others has a powerful impact on our well-being. We are meant to live known and loved. But so many are hiding behind emotional walls that we’re experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. In Find Your People, you’ll discover exactly how to dive into the deep end and experience the full wonder of community.
-
-
Christian
- By E. Wood on 04-08-22
By: Jennie Allen
-
Good Boundaries and Goodbyes
- Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are
- By: Lysa TerKeurst
- Narrated by: Lysa TerKeurst, Jim Cress
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stop the dysfunction of unhealthy relationships and learn biblical ways to set boundaries--and, when necessary, say goodbye. Is it unloving or selfish to set a boundary with family members or friends? Are Christians ever called to walk away from a relationship that’s no longer safe or sustainable? #1 New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands these hard questions in the midst of relational struggles.
-
-
A must read/listen!
- By prestonpreuss on 11-12-22
By: Lysa TerKeurst
-
Forgiving What You Can't Forget
- Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That's Beautiful Again
- By: Lysa TerKeurst
- Narrated by: Lysa TerKeurst
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of unresolved pain, playing offenses over and over in your mind? You know you can't go on like this, but you don't know what to do next. Lysa TerKeurst has wrestled through this journey. But in surprising ways, she’s discovered how to let go of bound-up resentment and overcome the resistance to forgiving people who aren’t willing to make things right. With deep empathy, therapeutic insight, and rich Bible teaching coming out of more than 1,000 hours of theological study, Lysa will help you stop suffering because of what other people have done to you.
-
-
Heartfelt and practical
- By Michelle on 12-26-20
By: Lysa TerKeurst
-
When I Lay My Isaac Down
- Unshakable Faith in Unthinkable Circumstances
- By: Carol Kent
- Narrated by: Carol Kent
- Length: 5 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Sometimes we make sacrifices to help us get ahead, to allow us more time with family, or because we believe in the cause. And then there are sacrifices in which we have no say, "Isaac experiences" as in Genesis 22, thrust upon us without warning or survival instructions.
-
-
AWEFUL
- By Sonny on 10-31-05
By: Carol Kent
-
Between a Rock and a Grace Place
- Divine Surprises in the Tight Spots of Life
- By: Carol Kent
- Narrated by: Pam Ward
- Length: 7 hrs and 10 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Carol Kent and her husband, Gene, are now living what some would call a heartbreaking life - their son, Jason, a young man who initially had so much promise, is now living out a life sentence for murder in a maximum security prison. Between a Rock and a Grace Place reveals that when seemingly insurmountable challenges crash into our lives, we can find "divine surprises" as we discover God at work in ways we never imagined.
-
-
Great perspective and narrative
- By BigPapi on 04-11-16
By: Carol Kent
-
Unoffendable
- How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better
- By: Brant Hansen
- Narrated by: Brant Hansen
- Length: 4 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It turns out giving up your "right" to be offended can be one of the most freeing, healthy, simplifying, relaxing, refreshing, stress-relieving, encouraging things you can do. It's a radical, provocative idea: We're not entitled to get offended or stay angry. The idea of our own "righteous anger" is a myth. It is the number one problem in our societies today and, as Dallas Willard says, Christians have not been taught out of it. But what if Christians were the most unoffendable people on the planet?
-
-
Timely encouragement
- By Anonymous User on 01-11-23
By: Brant Hansen
-
Find Your People
- Building Deep Community in a Lonely World
- By: Jennie Allen
- Narrated by: Jennie Allen
- Length: 5 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In a world that's both more connected and more isolating than ever before, we’re often tempted to do life alone, whether because we’re so busy or because relationships feel risky and hard. But science confirms that consistent, meaningful connection with others has a powerful impact on our well-being. We are meant to live known and loved. But so many are hiding behind emotional walls that we’re experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. In Find Your People, you’ll discover exactly how to dive into the deep end and experience the full wonder of community.
-
-
Christian
- By E. Wood on 04-08-22
By: Jennie Allen
-
Good Boundaries and Goodbyes
- Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are
- By: Lysa TerKeurst
- Narrated by: Lysa TerKeurst, Jim Cress
- Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Stop the dysfunction of unhealthy relationships and learn biblical ways to set boundaries--and, when necessary, say goodbye. Is it unloving or selfish to set a boundary with family members or friends? Are Christians ever called to walk away from a relationship that’s no longer safe or sustainable? #1 New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst deeply understands these hard questions in the midst of relational struggles.
-
-
A must read/listen!
- By prestonpreuss on 11-12-22
By: Lysa TerKeurst
-
Forgiving What You Can't Forget
- Discover How to Move On, Make Peace with Painful Memories, and Create a Life That's Beautiful Again
- By: Lysa TerKeurst
- Narrated by: Lysa TerKeurst
- Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Have you ever felt stuck in a cycle of unresolved pain, playing offenses over and over in your mind? You know you can't go on like this, but you don't know what to do next. Lysa TerKeurst has wrestled through this journey. But in surprising ways, she’s discovered how to let go of bound-up resentment and overcome the resistance to forgiving people who aren’t willing to make things right. With deep empathy, therapeutic insight, and rich Bible teaching coming out of more than 1,000 hours of theological study, Lysa will help you stop suffering because of what other people have done to you.
-
-
Heartfelt and practical
- By Michelle on 12-26-20
By: Lysa TerKeurst
-
Becoming Free Indeed
- My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear
- By: Jinger Duggar Vuolo, Corey Williams
- Narrated by: Jinger Duggar Vuolo
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jinger, along with three of her sisters, wrote a New York Times bestseller about their religious convictions. She believed this level of commitment would guarantee God's blessing, even though in private she felt constant fear that she wasn't measuring up to the high standards demanded of her.
-
-
So close and missed the mark
- By Jim on 02-01-23
By: Jinger Duggar Vuolo, and others
-
When You Don't Like Your Story
- What If Your Worst Chapters Could Become Your Greatest Victories?
- By: Sharon Jaynes
- Narrated by: Jill Blackwood
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many people don't like the story God is writing in their lives. The mistakes, failures, tragedies, and circumstances outside of our control linger in our minds and hold us back. How do we come to grips with the pieces of our stories that we wish weren't there? How do we silence the pain of what has been done to us and the shame of what we've allowed to be done through us? In When You Don't Like Your Story, Bible teacher Sharon Jaynes shows us how God untangles our most painful emotions with the fingers of grace, putting his redemption on display.
-
-
Such a Good Book
- By Rebecca S. on 06-05-21
By: Sharon Jaynes
-
I Give Up
- The Secret Joy of a Surrendered Life
- By: Laura Story, Leigh McLeroy - contributor
- Narrated by: Jill Blackwood
- Length: 5 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Newlywed Laura Story thought she had control over the great life ahead of her. After all, she followed Jesus and had a promising new job as a worship leader. Why would God not want to fulfill her dreams? But when Laura and her husband, Martin, faced a brain tumor, infertility, and a son’s birth defect, she realized she’d been looking for a happiness that comes from circumstances, rather than a deeper joy that comes from God. Again and again, Laura had to surrender her vision for her life so she could embrace God’s vision.
-
-
1st book was better
- By Scott D. Christiansen on 06-18-20
By: Laura Story, and others
-
The Master Plan
- My Journey From Life in Prison to a Life of Purpose
- By: Chris Wilson, Bret Witter, Wes Moore - foreword
- Narrated by: Chris Wilson, Wes Moore
- Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Growing up in a tough Washington, D.C., neighborhood, Chris Wilson was so afraid for his life he wouldn't leave the house without a gun. One night, defending himself, he killed a man. At 18, he was sentenced to life in prison with no hope of parole. But what should have been the end of his story became the beginning. Deciding to make something of his life, Chris embarked on a journey of self-improvement - reading, working out, learning languages, even starting a business. He wrote his Master Plan: a list of all he expected to accomplish or acquire.
-
-
"Read books that feed your soul."
- By Lighteyes214 on 03-17-20
By: Chris Wilson, and others
-
The Songs of Jesus
- A Year of Daily Devotions in the Psalms
- By: Timothy Keller, Kathy Keller
- Narrated by: Sean Pratt
- Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Songs of Jesus by Timothy Keller offers inspiration every day for an entire year based on the book of Psalms. Few authors have the loyal audience that Timothy Keller has. Penguin has sold more than two million copies of his books. His many fans have been waiting for him to write a daily devotional in the tradition of Sarah Young's Jesus Calling. Each day, listeners will encounter a fresh, inspiring lesson from one of the most beloved books in the Bible.
-
-
Not good as an audiobook
- By Amazon Customer on 07-18-17
By: Timothy Keller, and others
-
WayMaker
- Finding the Way to the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of
- By: Ann Voskamp
- Narrated by: Ann Voskamp
- Length: 11 hrs and 46 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It’s true: heartache, grief, suffering, and obstacles—they all come in waves. There is no controlling life’s storms; there is only learning the way to walk through the waves. In WayMaker, bestselling author Ann Voskamp hands us a map that makes meaning of life and shows the way through to the places we’ve only dreamed of reaching. In the face of suffering through seemingly unbearable situations, we can rest in the fact that we are not alone. In her signature captivating poetic style, Ann reveals how God is present in the totality of our lives.
-
-
powerful Truth
- By Shelley W on 03-19-22
By: Ann Voskamp
-
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy
- Discovering the Grace of Lament
- By: Mark Vroegop, Joni Tada - Foreword
- Narrated by: Bob Souer
- Length: 5 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lament is how we bring our sorrow to God - but it is a neglected dimension of the Christian life for many Christians today. We need to recover the practice of honest spiritual struggle that gives us permission to vocalize our pain and wrestle with our sorrow. Lament avoids trite answers and quick solutions, progressively moving us toward deeper worship and trust.
-
-
Praise our glorious Savior for this wisdom!!
- By None on 07-16-22
By: Mark Vroegop, and others
-
You Gotta Get Up
- Grab Hold of Your Life After Being Knocked Down, Held Back, and Left Out
- By: Kimberly Jones
- Narrated by: Real Talk Kim, Lisa Larsen
- Length: 7 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Pain and regret can hold us captive. Our past mistakes and trauma tell us to blame others, feel ashamed, or turn to a temporary fix that often becomes a permanent escape. By the time Satan whispers we need to dress it up and call it home, pain is our new normal. Pastor and motivational speaker Real Talk Kim has a message for us: the pain might not be our fault, but the healing is our responsibility. In You Gotta Get Up, Pastor Kim reminds us as only she can that staying stuck requires as much energy as moving forward.
-
-
Best book I’ve ever read!
- By Holly Small on 04-10-25
By: Kimberly Jones
-
The Red Sea Rules
- 10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times
- By: Robert J. Morgan
- Narrated by: Robert Morgan
- Length: 2 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Life is hard, especially for Christians. It is certain that we will face difficulties and that God will allow them. But just as certain is the fact that the same God who led us in will lead us out. As The Red Sea Rules makes comfortingly clear, he is in control. Using the Israelites' story in Exodus 14 as an example, Robert Morgan offers 10 sound strategies for moving from fear to faith. Just as Moses and the Israelites became trapped between Pharaoh's rushing armies and the uncrossable Red Sea, so are we sometimes overwhelmed by life's problems.
-
-
Be still and be led by the word
- By Lisa M. Belcher on 01-31-25
By: Robert J. Morgan
-
Divine Disruption
- Holding on to Faith When Life Breaks Your Heart
- By: Dr. Tony Evans, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, and others
- Narrated by: Dr. Tony Evans, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, and others
- Length: 5 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Divine Disruption, Dr. Tony Evans and his children pull back the curtain on their faith-shaking experiences, in order to provide biblical wisdom and practical encouragement for how to deal with the hard, unexpected things we all inevitably face.
-
-
Beautiful, Heartfelt, and Transparent
- By DW on 11-10-21
By: Dr. Tony Evans, and others
-
Start Where You Are
- How God Meets You in Your Mess, Loves You Through It, and Leads You out of It
- By: Rashawn Copeland
- Narrated by: David Sadzin
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How would you describe your walk with God? Fresh and passionate? Vibrant and full of life? Stagnant? Nonexistent? No matter where you are on your walk, that's exactly where God promises to meet you - even if it's messy.
-
-
Wow! What a powerful read.
- By Mashawn Copeland on 09-01-20
By: Rashawn Copeland
-
Hope in the Dark
- Believing God Is Good When Life Is Not
- By: Craig Groeschel
- Narrated by: Van Tracy
- Length: 3 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
“I want to believe, I want to have hope, but....” Pastor and author Craig Groeschel hears these words often and has asked them himself. We want to know God, feel his presence, and trust that he hears our prayers, but in the midst of great pain, we may wonder if he really cares about us. Even when we have both hope and hurt, sometimes it’s the hurt that shouts the loudest. Can God be good when life is not? You long to know that even in overwhelming reality, you can still believe that God is good.
-
-
An Incredible Must Read! A Very Insightful Picture Regarding Pain and the Presence of God
- By Charlotte on 09-08-18
By: Craig Groeschel