Read a Good Book Lately?

We're looking for your best book reviews! Simply write a two to three paragraph book review on a Christian book of your choice and email it to rivertreerc@gmail.com. If we post your review, we'll give you a coupon good for 20% any one item at the RiverTree bookstore.

New Releases: June 25, 2008

The Healing Choice
Brenda Stoeker & Susan Allen
WaterBrook Press, June 2008

Amid the devastation that follows a spouse’s sexual disloyalty, you need to know that you are not alone. The Healing Choice reveals the hope-filled stories of two women, authors Brenda Stoeker (wife of Fred Stoeker, author of Every Man's Battle) and Susan Allen, who draw on their own experiences and those of many others to offer step-by-step advice for rediscovering intimacy with God and finding the support you need to move toward genuine spiritual and emotional restoration.

No Small Snakes
Gordon Dalbey
Thomas Nelson, June 2008

As a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Nigeria, a much-younger Gordon Dalbey scoffed at an illiterate laborer's account of dark spirits that had that had invaded his house. There Are No Small Snakes relates Dalbey's upending journey from scoffer to spiritual warrior, from arrogance to bold humility. Both spiritual memoir and soldier's manual, this book will challenge you to face the spiritual battle at hand today and prepare you to win it--in your heart and in the world.

Wide Awake
Erwin Raphael McManus
Thomas Nelson, June 2008
also available: Wide Awake DVD

In Wide Awake, Erwin McManus opens readers' eyes to see the eight crucial attributes of those who achieve the life of their dreams. It is every person's responsibility to discover and develop the gifts given to them by God. McManus writes, "The future is not waiting for us, it is waiting within us." The world is desperate for the best each person can offer-if they would only relentlessly pursue and achieve it.

The List
based on the novel by Robert Whitlow
20th Century Fox, June 2008

Renny Jacobson is shaken by the news of his father's mysterious death and mystified by the reference in his will to an obscure entity called "The Covenant List of South Carolina Ltd." He sets out on a quest to learn the truth about "The List" and finds that he must fulfill a prophecy spoken in 1863 or risk losing the true treasure that has changed his life. Rated PG.

Smuggler's Ransom
from the producers of Left Behind
Cloud Ten, June 2008

It is 1985 and a Cold War is raging between East and West. While attempting to smuggle Bibles into Romania a young woman is captured by communist forces. The Soviets now want to exchange her life for her Nuclear Physicist father. The US government cannot let this happen and sends in a lone agent to rescue her but the agent soon discovers that much more than their own lives are at stake.

Rock What You Got
Superchick
InPop, June 2008

Three years in the making, Rock What You Got comes on the heels of Superchick's most successful album. Beauty From Pain. Superchick noisily challenges the status quo while journaling the band members' battles with depression and cancer in quieter moments. Rock What You Got features the hits "Hold," "Hey Hey," and Crawl (Carry Me Through).

Phil Stacey
Phil Stacey
Lyric Street, June 2008

Phil Stacey was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol, where he performed for an average of 30 million viewers for the eleven weeks he competed on the series. Phil's debut single, "If You Didn't Love Me" is climbing the country charts. The track is produced by Wayne Kirkpatrick and co-written by Rascal Flatts' Gary Levox.

Book Review: Take the Risk

Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk
by Ben Carson, MD with Gregg Lewis
Zondervan, 2007

Submitted by Diane Busch

Great book! Ben Carson, a noted neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins Medical Institution, combines his autobiography with insights for analyzing and dealing with risk in your life. He grew up as an at-risk child on the streets of Detroit, with many strikes against him, but with a mother who prayed and worked hard. He had a life-changing encounter with God at age 14. He uses personal examples from his life to talk about evaluating risk, using his risk analysis formula. It is inspiring to learn when to avoid risk, how to evaluate risk, and when to take a risk. He also points out many interesting statistics on risk and discusses perceptions and misconceptions about risks all around us.

In the last chapters of the book, he lends his wisdom and opinions on issues such as tithing, the separation of church and state, healthcare, and taxes.

New Releases: June 18

Indescribable DVD [plus bonus CD]
Louis Giglio
Sixsteps Record/Sparrow, April 2008

Speaker Louis Giglio will be making an appearance at this week's Alive Festival. Even if you can't make the festival, you can take home one of his inspiring talks. In Indescrable, Louis takes viewers on an image-rich journey through the cosmos, allowing us to peer into God's universe to discover the amazing magnitude of His greatness and grace. (RiverTree showed a clip of this video a few months ago). The bonus CD includes five songs from Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, and the David Crowder Band.

The Final Inquiry
20th Century Fox, February 2009

Rome's greatest warrior, Taurro, on a special assignment from his emperor, travels in secret to Jerusalem to disprove the rumored resurrection of a Jewish rabbi. Facing treachery and deceit from all sides, Tauro discovers faith, love and a revelatory truth that could ultimately shatter the empire. Stars F. Murray Abraham, Max Von Sydow, Dolph Lundgren and Monica Cruz (sister of Penelope Cruz).


Prayers and Promises for My Little Boy
Stormie Omartian
Harvest House, June 2008
also available: Promises and Prayers for My Little Girl

The bestselling author of The Power of a Praying Parent captures the heart of every parent, grandparent, and special caregiver in this collection of prayers and promises for little boys. Each page is beautifully illustrated with the work of oil painter Tom Browning, well known for his nostalgic paintings of gentle family moments. Page after page, a little boy's adventure-filled life is depicted, special prayers are presented, and a loving opportunity for sharing is experienced.

The Last Men's Book You'll Ever Need
David Moore
Broadman & Holman, April 2008

Guys might hate asking for directions, but they certainly won’t resist the guidance found in The Last Men’s Book You’ll Ever Need. Author David Moore combines his Bible scholar background with a humorous Dave Barry-esque style of writing that makes sensitive subjects like sexual temptation, love of money, busy-ness, and “the shrinking American soul” much easier to ponder.


Is God Calling Me?
Jeff Iorg
Broadman & Holman, May 2008

It’s the foundational question that must be answered by anyone considering entry into ministry leadership and then revisited regularly over a lifetime. Writing to a student and young adult audience—although applicable to leaders of all ages—Iorg declares the purpose of his brief, yet powerful book: “God is calling out a new generation of kingdom leaders who will accelerate the fulfillment of the Great Commission in this generation. My goal is to cut to the heart of the matter and give you tools to work through the call process.”

New Releases: June 11, 2008

The Christian Travel Planner
by Kevin Wright
Thomas Nelson, February 2008

Now that summer is upon us, thoughts turn to travel. The Christian Travel Planner introduces readers to the world of faith-based travel and identifies the plethora of opportunities available to Christians planning a vacation. Discussing a multitude of trips, from Holy Land and European pilgrimage tours to mission trips and conference cruises, this book is accessible and user-friendly. Other vacations include fellowship vacations, camps, conventions, adventure vacations, and monastic guest-stays. Complete with stories, must-see descriptions, and website and travel reference information, this planner can also be used as a companion guide while traveling or simply from the comfort of your home, as you explore Christianity's famous sites via the computer.

A Friendly Dialogue Between an Atheist and A Christian
by Luis Palau & Zhao Qizheng
Zondervan, February 2008

Understand China through the eyes of a renowned Chinese diplomat's conversations with Luis Palau, American Evangelist. Through the engaging dialogue between Luis Palau and Zhao Qizheng, many of the stereotypes and misinformation concerning the Chinese culture are exposed, revealing a nation in which the Bible is published and new churches are being built. Through discussion on topics such as history, the Bible, creation, Confucianism, politics, ethics, Chinese and Western cultures, and the relevance of Jesus Christ to society, readers are provided insight into the current struggles atheists have regarding the truth claims of the Christian faith. A Friendly Dialogue between an Atheist and a Christian is a must read for anyone interested in gaining a greater appreciation of the oriental world of China and how the Christian faith is being received within that context.

Still Growing
by Kirk Cameron
Regal Books, March 2008

Kirk Cameron is best known for his role as loveable teenage troublemaker Mike Seaver on the award-winning TV series Growing Pains, but his rise to fame and fortune is only part of his incredible story. In this intimate autobiography, Kirk opens up about his early years, his rocket to stardom, his life-changing encounter with Jesus and the hard choices he's made along the way to live in the Way of the Master. Fans will get an up-close and personal look at what drives the former teen-magazine heartthrob and find out how God and family became the secrets behind his celebrated smile. In his own words, Kirk shares how he's still growing even through the triumphs and temptations of his Hollywood career.

Raising Dad: What Fathers and Sons Learn from Each Other
by Thom S. Rainer & Art Rainer
Broadman & Holman, May 2008

All parents will tell you they learn as much from their children as their children learn from them. This truth is poignantly captured in Raising Dad: What Fathers & Sons Learn from Each Other by father-son authors Thom and Art Rainer. It was Art's idea to write from a grown child's perspective this tribute to his father's successes as a parent. Inviting his father Thom to write postscripts to these reflections, another tender truth emerged. Dad's memories about his own performance aren't nearly as rose colored, giving those who read the book great inspiration to never stop growing and learning as a parent. All told, Raising Dad shares unforgettable lessons about faith, friendship, commitment, honesty, priorities--all the things that matter most in life between parents and children.

Meet Sue Thomas

How long have you been volunteering in the library/bookstore?
Since April 2000, when we opened.

What's your favorite thing about volunteering here?
I enjoy working with the other volunteers and helping the customers find what they need.

What are some of your all-time favorite books?
The Simple Life by Amy Dacyczyn
Become a Better You and Your Best Life Now, both by Joel Osteen
Financial Peace Revisited by Dave Ramsey

What is currently on your nightstand?
Positive Living Day by Day by Norman Vincent Peale