New Releases: May 19, 2009

A Praying Life
Paul Miller
NavPress, May 2009
Miller offers a practical real-life approach to prayer for busy families! His honest down-to-earth advice shows you how to practice praying in the midst of daily routine. You'll learn to pray like a child, live your Father's story, understand unanswered petitions, and more. Includes tips on using tools such as prayer cards and journaling. 272 pages, softcover from NavPress.



Dare to Dream
Paula White
Faithwords, May 2009
Let God change your painful past into a brighter future! Through real-life illustrations, personal stories, and stirring insights, White reveals the keys to healing, hope, and identity. She shows you how to move beyond loss, establish boundaries, take control, embrace transformation---and find victory, one step at a time. Previously published as You're All That! 272 pages, softcover from Faithwords.



The Wholehearted Marriage
Dr. Greg Smalley and Dr. Shawn Stoever
Howard Books, May 2009
Has a busy lifestyle, personal baggage, or loss of a loved one come between you and your spouse? Restore your passionate connection with this encouraging handbook! Offering practical advice born of experience counseling couples, Smalley and Stoever help you overcome the struggles of a loveless marriage to build a happy and fulfilling partnership. 336 pages, softcover from Howard.



A Dream to Call My Own
Tracie Peterson
Bethany House, May 2009
Lacy Gallatin, the youngest of the Gallatin sisters, is a woman with a mission: to find her father's killer. Haunted by the belief that she's failed him, Lacy is also battling a desire to have something more than just revenge, something she can't quite figure out. Enter Dave Shepard, deputy sheriff for the area. Dave has been fervently trying to find the man who killed George Gallatin, but he always feels inadequate when it comes to the beautiful Lacy. When they are together, the tension crackles between them--both when they argue and when they kiss. Lacy finds him frustratingly irresistible but is it truly love?


Lunatic (The Lost Books, v.5)
Ted Dekker
Thomas Nelson, May 2009
New York Times best-selling author Ted Dekker revisits the universe of his half-million selling Circle Series with the continuation of this popular YA series--and brings along a member of "The Circle" as his coauthor. Johnis, Silvie, and Darsal found the Books of History, and now it's time to return home--but five years have passed at home, and nothing is as it was. The Horde has taken over Middle, Thomas and the rest of the Forest Guard are in hiding, and a strange new force is challenging everything they thought they knew. Should the Chosen One continue to follow his heart . . . or is his heart finally leading them astray?


Elyon (The Lost Books, v.6)
Ted Dekker
Thomas Nelson, May 2009
Darsal is trying to love the Horde as Elyon asked her to, but she's torn between this new mission and her original one . . . especially now that Johnis and Silvie no longer seem to be on her side. The Chosen Ones are facing their greatest threat--extinction--and only by Elyon's grace will they survive to tell the tale.


Daniel's Diary: How God Saved Me from the Lions
Allia Zobel Nolan
Harvest House Publishers, June 2009
Beloved author Allia Zobel Nolan follows her Noah’s Notebook with this creative retelling of Daniel’s story from the Bible in diary form for kids. Clever art, contemporary language, and kid–friendly humor express Daniel’s adventure of trusting God’s will, praying faithfully, and praising God in all circumstances. “Dear Diary, Guards are waiting outside, so I have to be quick. The plan is to march me over to the lions’ den and throw me in. Ezra and Aaron insisted the king put his seal on the heavy rock—in case I try to get out. As if. Boy, do they have it in for me! I know God will do what He thinks is right. But I AM a teeny bit nervous.—Daniel” Young readers will be captivated by the book of Daniel. Great for individual or Sunday school reading and ideal as a family time selection.


Do You Want a Friend?
Noel Piper
Crossway, May 2009
A sweet story that helps children ages 3–7 recognize that potential friends are all around them, while reinforcing that Jesus is the best friend of all. For any adult who ever wanted to introduce kids to the friendship of Jesus, Noël Piper’s sequel to Most of All, Jesus Loves You! is a wonderful choice. The story begins with a little boy whose family has just moved to a new place. As he sits on his front steps calling out for friends, he is surrounded by a diversity of would-be friends—up and down the street, in windows, around corners; he just can’t see them yet. Before long, though, he finds them and they find him. Then the story broadens: “Do you want a friend too?”—“a friend who… loves you? comforts you when you are sad or sick? helps you know God? makes you happy? forgives you when you do something wrong? will save you from danger?” Pointing to Jesus as the only one who cares for us in all these ways, all the time, this colorfully illustrated book helps three- to seven-year-olds recognize Jesus as the best friend of all.


Let's Explore God's World
Debby Anderson
Crossway, May 2009
This cheerful romp across God’s wide world introduces kids to environmental responsibility in a captivating way and celebrates the five senses he’s given them to explore it. Not only has God given us backyards, beaches, cities, mountains, and rainforests to explore, but he’s given us five senses to enjoy them with! What’s more, he’s assigned each of us an important part in protecting his creation—and this playful picture book helps kids connect it all. Its energetic romp across God’s wide, wonderful planet prompts kids to join in the experience of nature while cheerfully guiding them in the adventure of caring for his world. Author-illustrator Debby Anderson—who doubles as a kindergarten teacher and mom—further draws in kids by suggesting fun, age-appropriate environmental tips and interactive ideas throughout the book. With so much to investigate and celebrate, children ages 3–7 will eagerly return to Let’s Explore God’s World again and again, finding something new each time. Combining an instructional focus on the five senses with a spiritual focus on God’s gift of life, the book encourages kids and caring adults to have a blast exploring—and learning to protect—our earthly home.