New Releases: July 23, 2009

Jesus: Why the World is Still Fascinated by Him
Tim LaHaye
David C. Cook, July 2009
Jesus. Love Him or hate Him, He’s everywhere. On our T-shirts, bumper stickers, and even the covers of leading news magazines, year after year. We see Him on the silver screen, in the headline crawl on the TV news, and on the homemade signs held up at ball games. Hotly debated, He remains the most conspicuous figure of all time, even twenty centuries after His inglorious death. Best-selling author Tim LaHaye and coauthor David Minasian look back through history and peer into the prophetic future to show us why the world’s “Jesus fascination” should come as no surprise; every generation since Christ has grappled with the question: Who was He? What does He mean to us here, today? After reading about Jesus’ life, legacy, and pervasive influence, you may find yourself connecting the dots of your own spiritual journey and answering the timeless question that came from the lips of Jesus Himself: Who do you say that I am?


Your Own Jesus: A God Insistent on Making it Personal
Mark Hall
Zondervan, June 2009
Too many people inherit somebody else’s Jesus, mimicking what they see in their family, friends, and pastors rather than facing the need to find their own Jesus. If we exist on someone else’s faith, we will miss the spiritual vitality and joy that comes from our own journey and in times of trouble we will find an empty well to draw from. Casting Crowns’ lead singer Mark Hall asks, “Do you have your own Jesus?” Why do you feel close to God one minute and so far away the next? Why does your faith seem empty? Why is it so easy to compromise with the world? Perhaps it’s because we have merely inherited someone else’s Jesus, relying on what we’ve seen and heard from family, friends, or pastors. A true storyteller and a teacher with a heart for ministry, Mark Hall traces the downward spiral caused by spiritual compromise with the world, and then charts the upward road to wholeness and health that comes when we claim our very own Jesus. You need to discover your own Jesus. The real Jesus. The one who wants you to be honest, committed, and uncompromising. The one who is waiting to have a relationship with you. Move past imitating a religion to experiencing a relationship that is vibrant, personal, and fulfilling.



Game Plan for Life: Your Personal Playbook for Success
Joe Gibbs
Tyndale, July 2009
Three-time Super Bowl and NASCAR champion Joe Gibbs’s Game Plan for Life is an “average Joe’s” guide to what the Bible has to say about the 11 most-important topics for men aged 20-50. Topics such as: finances, relationships, living a life of purpose, finding the right vocation, physical, emotional, and spiritual health, and overcoming sin and addictions. Edited by Jerry Jenkins, and featuring contributions from Randy Alcorn, Ravi Zacharias, John Lennox, Tony Evans, Chuck Colson, Josh McDowell, Don Meredith, Walt Larimore, Ron Blue, Ken Boa, and Os Guinness, Game Plan for Life shows readers how to live a balanced, God-centered, purpose-filled life, using examples of Coach Gibbs’s own storied championship careers as a backdrop. A perfect blend of sports and basic theology, Game Plan for Life is designed to bring God’s word home to sports fans of all generations.



Friday Night Light: Inspiration for the Game of Life
Kurt Warner
Zondervan, July 2009
Devotional featuring quotations, Bible verses, and motivational stories pertaining to those involved in high school football. A Game Plan for Winning…On and Off the Field. There’s nothing like the thrill of Friday night football. For the athletes, their family members, coaches, and fans, nothing compares to the rush of adrenaline before the big game or the satisfaction that comes from contributing to the team. This heart-stirring, give-your-all brand of inspiration that motivates players on the field is now available beyond the bleachers. Selected and edited by NFL legend Kurt Warner, this unique sports devotional combines the enduring tradition of Friday night football with the limitless potential of God’s Word, focusing on timeless virtues such as humility, teamwork, and respect. Following a football season from tryouts to the playoffs, each chapter begins with a short introduction about the life lessons that good sportsmanship teaches us. Each inspirational reading that follows includes a related prayer, a relevant quotation about the sport, and an appropriate Bible verse. Friday Night Light is a perfect gift for players, parents, and coaches striving to bring themselves and those they love closer to winning … on and off the field.

Question of the Day:

What are you reading this summer? Is it a new release? Older book? What do you like about it? Blog us back!

New Releases: July 14, 2009

The Jesus You Can't Ignore
John MacArthur
Thomas Nelson, July 2009
Meek and mild. Politically correct. A great teacher. These are the popular depictions of Jesus. But they aren't the complete picture. Maybe because it's uncomfortable, or maybe because it's inconvenient, Christians and non-Christians alike are overlooking the fierceness of the Savior, His passionate mission to make the Gospel clear and bring people into the Kingdom of God. A mission that required he sometimes raise his voice and sometimes raise a whip. In the much-needed message in The Jesus You Can't Ignore, renowned Bible teacher and best-selling author John MacArthur reintroduces the compelling and often unsettling passion of Jesus' ministry. MacArthur points to the picture of the real Jesus the world is so eager to gloss over. And he calls readers to emulate Jesus' commitment to further the kingdom by confronting lies and protecting the truth of God.

Jesus: Why the World is Still Fascinated by Him
Tim LaHaye
Oasis Audio, July 2009
Jesus. Love Him or hate Him, He’s everywhere. On our T-shirts, bumper stickers, and even the covers of leading news magazines, year after year. We see Him on the silver screen, in the headline crawl on the TV news, and on the homemade signs held up at ball games. Hotly debated, He remains the most conspicuous figure of all time, even twenty centuries after His inglorious death. Best-selling author Tim LaHaye and coauthor David Minasian look back through history and peer into the prophetic future to show us why the world’s “Jesus fascination” should come as no surprise; every generation since Christ has grappled with the question: Who was He? What does He mean to us here, today? After reading about Jesus’ life, legacy, and pervasive influence, you may find yourself connecting the dots of your own spiritual journey and answering the timeless question that came from the lips of Jesus Himself: Who do you say that I am?


Drops Like Stars
Rob Bell
Zondervan, July 2009
We plot. We plan. We assume things are going to go a certain way. And when they don’t, we find ourselves in a new place—a place we haven’t been before, a place we never would have imagined on our own. It is the difficult and the unexpected, and maybe even the tragic, that opens us up and frees us to see things in new ways. Many of the most significant moments in our lives come not because it all went right but because it all fell apart. Suffering does that. It hurts, but it also creates. This book is an exploration of the complex relationship between suffering and creativity, driven by the belief that there is art in the agony.



Battlefield
Jordin Sparks
Jive Records, July 2009
2009 sophomore album from the American Idol winner. Battlefield takes her to another level and introduces us to a more mature voice surrounded by pure pop perfection. She has collaborated with an impressive list of producers on this album including Dr. Luke & T-Pain on 'Watch You Go' and Harvey Mason Jr. of the Underdogs on 'Don't Let It Go To Your Head'. Jordin also co-wrote several of the tracks on the album, including 'Was I The Only One' and 'Faith'.



Leave This Town
Daughtry
RCA, July 2009
Daughtry achieved global success with its self-titled debut, the biggest selling artist release of the past two years. The band's Grammy-nominated, quadruple-platinum debut garnered multiple American Music Awards, World Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards. Daughtry spent most of the last two years on the road, performing to sold-out arenas, but is now back with the follow-up to the its massive debut. Leave This Town will be available on July 14, 2009, and was produced by Howard Benson.


Fireproof Soundtrack
Various Artists
Reunion Records, July 2009
Experience the stirring soundtrack to the hit film Fireproof! This blend of score and song features tracks from John Waller, Third Day, and Casting Crowns as well as orchestral compositions from the film by Mark Willard. This sixteen track companion also includes the Fireproof remix of Waller's hit single "While I'm Waiting," with poignant movie clips interspersed throughout the song.



Best Night of Our Lives
Everyday Sunday
EMI, June 2009
Everyday Sunday's anticipated fourth studio release is jam-packed with big rock anthems and bold lyrical proclamations. Best Night of Our Lives includes the hit single title track plus "Breathing For Me," "Where I Ended," and more.





The Real Thing
Pure NRG
Curb Records, July 2009
Introducing brand new music from pureNRG! The high-flying trio is back at it again, after completing their 2nd year on the 36 city Winter Jam Tour, performing for over 300,000 people across the country. Chock-full of the fun, upbeat songs kids and parents know and love, The Real Thing will have kids groovin' all the way back to school with songs like "Radio", "The Real Thing" and "Can You Handle It". Plus, The Real Thing includes 3 bonus sing-a-long tracks so kids can take center stage at home or in the car singing three pureNRG fan favorites- "Footloose", "Here We Go Again" and "Radio"!

New Releases: July 9, 2009

LT & Me
Loreane Tomlinson
Tyndale House Publishers
When San Diego Chargers running back and NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson (“LT”) was a senior in high school, he wrote his mom a letter making three promises: He was going to go to college, he was going to play professional football, and he was going to make her the proudest mother in the world. In LT & Me, Loreane Tomlinson tells the behind-the-scenes story of how all of these once seemingly impossible dreams came true. Her fascinating and poignant tales of raising LT through her days as a struggling single mom, and watching him doggedly overcome obstacles in his quest for greatness, will inspire you to bring out the champion in your kids—and in yourself. Contains a foreword by LaDainian Tomlinson and a color photo insert.


Any Minute: A Novel
Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bradford
Faithwords, July 2009
Sarah Harper is driven to achieve success no matter what the cost. She wants to do good and not hurt the people she loves--especially children and her husband, Joe--but her desire to succeed in her career too often leaves little time for family. One cold, autumn afternoon, all of that changes when Sarah's car plunges off a bridge and into a river. She is presumed dead by those on the "outside," but Sarah's spirit is still very much alive. What she discovers on the other side transforms everything about Sarah's view of life--past, present, and future. When Sarah is revived, she is a changed woman. And the unsuspecting world around her will never be the same again.


Purpose-Filled Presentations
Tony Jeary
Standard Publishing, May 2009
Provides Tony's time-tested "Seven Steps to Effective Presentation"—skills that are vital for everyone who leads or volunteers in the church. • Includes easy-to-follow tips to help readers gain confidence, improve self-esteem, enhance credibility, and maximize response. • Covers the following ministries of the church: small group, Sunday school, first impressions, outreach, volunteer training, and many more! • Includes a wealth of resources, templates, checklists, and sample exercises.



Conquer Your Fear, Share Your Faith
Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort
Regal Books, July 2009

The co-hosts of The Way of the Master TV series and radio program, Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort; offer this simple and flexible curriculum for churches and small groups who want to obey the Bible’s command to tell others about Jesus. Kirk and Ray guide participants step by step through their straightforward method of evangelism, made popular through their award winning show. Those who complete the course will have every tool they need to overcome their fear and talk about their faith with friends, neighbors, coworkers and even strangers! Four complete lessons can be presented in a one-day crash course or offered in four weekly sessions.

Wrestling Prayer
Eric and Leslie Ludy
Harvest House Publishers, June 2009
Eric and Leslie Ludy have a strong platform among 20–to–40–year–olds—because their lives show that “Christian ideals,” when practically lived out, become realities that make the lives of Christians the most satisfying and challenging on earth. In Wrestling Prayer, readers who hunger for this pattern of living will see that a great prayer life is more than a nice–sounding concept—it’s down–to–earth and attainable. Eric and Leslie urge transformation—

• from doubting God’s power to expecting His supernatural intervention
• from distance from God to connection with Him
• from the sense of falling short to the strength of victory
• from “bless this food” prayers to world–changing intercession
• from feeling defeated to setting people free

Readers whose concept of prayer has fallen into disrepair will newly desire to pray and bring God’s purposes to bear on earth. Wrestling Prayer will light a soul–fire that can burn bright and hot for years to come.

Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship
Various Artists
Reunion Records, July 2009
The follow-up to David Nasser and Mac Powell's well-received Glory Revealed, Glory Revealed II: The Word of God in Worship is another set of spiritually rewarding compositions from some of today's greatest songwriters and musicians. With thematic roots planted solely in scripture, this standout twelve-song release features music from Mac Powell, Casting Crowns' Mark Hall, Brandon Heath, Natalie Grant, Aaron Shust, Kari Jobe, Amy Grant, Jason Crabb, and more.

New Releases: July 2, 2009

The Justice Game
Randy Singer
Tyndale House Publishers, June 2009
After the target of an investigative report storms a Virginia Beach television station, he kills one of the anchors before the SWAT team takes him down. Following the victim's funeral, her family files a lawsuit against the gun company who manufactured the killer's weapon of choice. The lawyers for the plaintiff and defendant-Kelly Starling and Jason Noble-are young, charismatic, and successful. They're also easy blackmail targets, both harboring a personal secret so devastating it could destroy their careers. Millions of dollars-and more than a few lives-are at stake. But as Kelly and Jason battle each other, they discover that the real fight is with unseen forces intent on controlling them both.


First Things First
Kurt & Brenda Warner
Tyndale House Publishers, June 2009
Kurt Warner is the two-time NFL MVP–winning quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals. Brenda Warner is an ex-Marine turned stay-at-home mom who collects coats for low-income kids and rocks babies to sleep at a hospital for chronically-ill infants. Together they’re the parents of seven, going into their 12th year of marriage, and founders of a foundation that helps disadvantaged children and families. Their formula for success? They put First Things First—family, faith, and giving to others—it’s their family motto, and it drives everything they do. First Things First is an honest, insightful, and entertaining look at life inside the Warner household. Kurt and Brenda speak candidly about their marriage, the values they are working to instill in their kids, things they’ve done right, mistakes they’ve made, the importance of giving back, and the legacy they hope to leave behind. Includes a 16-page full-color photo insert.