New Releases

A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens & Stephen Skelton
Standard Publishing, October 2009
Celebrate the season with Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Jacob Marley, and the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future—and discover how the greatest Christmas classic was based on the greastest story ever told. This special edition includes the complete text of A Christmas Carol along with notes and discussion questions written from a Christian perspective.


Something to Say Christmas Edition
Matthew West
EMI, October 2009
On his 2008 Sparrow Records album, SOMETHING TO SAY, Christian pop artist Matthew West offers up a collection of stirring, faith-minded tunes. Bolstered by crystal-clear production and catchy melodies, the amiable Chicago-based performer comes across as a Michael W. Smith for the 21st century, as best evinced on the bouncy title track and the emotive ballad "You Are Everything."


When Moms Pray Together
Fern Nichols
Focus on the Family, October 2009
Moms in Touch International is an organization that brings moms together to pray for their children and their children’s schools. As MITI prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, Fern Nichols, the founder and president, has collected some of the most inspiring and encouraging stories of God’s work in answer to those prayers. When Moms Pray Together will inspire and equip mothers to pray more consistently and hopefully for their children while encouraging them through the stories from moms everywhere.


Have a New Husband by Friday
Kevin Leman
Revell, October 2009
Have a new husband by Friday? Is that even possible? Dr. Kevin Leman says it is. The New York Times bestselling author and self-help guru shows even the most frustrated wife how she can have a new husband by Friday. Leman reminds any wife that if what she's doing to get better behavior out of her husband isn't working now, it never will. So it's time for a change. That means it's time to change her own patterns of behavior. Here's how Leman suggests she handle it day to day: Monday: Secrets Revealed: Cracking the Male Code
Yes, you're different species, but you can work together in harmony. Tuesday: Creatures from Another Planet . . . or Creatures of Habit? To understand men, you have to track 'em to their den. Wednesday: Think about What You Want to Say, Then Divide It by Ten How to talk so your guy will really listen . . . and listen so your guy will really talk. Thursday: Think of Him as a Seal Waiting for a Three-Pound Fish Why making love to your man is a key to who he is and how satisfied he'll be, and what's in it for you. Friday: It Takes a Real Woman to Make a Man Feel like a Real Man How to open your man's heart, revolutionize your love life, and turn him into the knight you've always dreamed of.


Timeless Christmas
Denver & the Mile High Orchestra
Springhill, October 2009
Denver and the Mile High Orchestra is a horn driven pop band from Nashville, TN. With influences ranging from horn bands such as Chicago, Earth Wind and Fire, and Blood Sweat and Tears along with timeless songwriters like Billy Joel and Huey Lewis, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra seek to take the best of classic pop music and combine it with a more modern edge to provide listeners with a familiar, yet fresh sound. With a 7 piece horn section, 4 piece rhythm section and led by vocalist Denver Bierman, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra have been traveling all over the United States and the world since 1999, playing energy packed concerts to a fan base of all ages, ranging from 5 to 75. To date, they have released 7 records as well as a live DVD, with a new recording planned for 2008. Furthermore, you may have seen them on TV recently, as they were a top 3 finalist on Fox's "The Next Great American Band." Formed by a group of friends at Nashville's Belmont University in 1999, this exceptional group of musicians is comprised of three trumpet players, three saxophone players, two trombone players and a rhythm section. In the five years since their inception, the group has traveled around the globe, performing at churches, conferences, festivals--even at the Olympics--taking their electrifying horn driven sound to the masses. The big band sound of the 30's and 40's had long intrigued Denver, who had played the trumpet for 16 years , so he assembled a group of musicians--friends to reinvent the style for the modern age. "I grew up listening to hip-hop, rock and pop, to all those genres," says Denver, who is also the group's lead vocalist and music arranger. "So I wanted to take the best of today and the best of yesterday and mix `em up."

New Releases

Give This Christmas Away
Matthew West
Tyndale House Publishers, October 2009
“What if December looked different this year?” Featured on the new Veggie Tales Christmas DVD (Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving), the forthcoming single “Give This Christmas Away” is a duet between Matthew West and Amy Grant destined to become a holiday classic. Now, in this tie-in book, Matthew West shares 101 inspiring ways for you, your family, and your church to give this Christmas away. Mirroring Jesus’ message of love for the unloveable and compassion for the broken, this book will share practical ideas and inspiring stories of giving that will help you give the message of the ultimate Christmas gift this year—Jesus. Includes 101 Scriptures from the New Living Translation.


Family Force 5's Christmas Pageant
Family Force 5
Tooth & Nail, October 2009
The Family Force 5 Christmas Pageant will stand alone as one of the hottest Christmas Releases of the year. Pulling from a list of Christmas classics along with a new Family Force 5 original, this release will bring the Christmas cheer and will celebrate the season in a "family" way.




How Many Kings: Songs for Christmas
Downhere
Word Entertainment, October 2009
Following the great success of the first Christmas single "How Many Kings," Canadian modern worship outfit Downhere captures the spirit of the season with an elegant set of traditional favorites and spiritual Christmas carols. This thirteen song collection features the original and re-imagined versions of the hit title track plus "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," "Silent Night," "Five Golden Rings," and more.


Jesus Lives
Sarah Young
Thomas Nelson, October 2009
Do you recognize God's voice? Whether you're struggling through a valley or reaping a bounty of blessings, Jesus is alive and present in all your circumstances! Young's devotional provides 180 meditations that will exemplify the Lord's presence in your life, give you insight and wisdom, and bring to light the truth of Romans 8:11. 368 pages, padded hardcover from Nelson.



Apprenticeship with Jesus
Gary W. Moon
Baker Books, September 2009
Ask a crowd of Christians whether they believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, and all hands will go up. Ask the same crowd whether they live like Jesus, and most of those same hands will come down. Why is this? Why is it so hard to bridge the gap between belief and real life? Respected author, professor, and psychologist Gary W. Moon thinks it has to do with our hyper-intellectual but non-experiential method of living the Christian life. In this winsome book Moon provides a thirty-day apprenticeship with Jesus, whereby readers will actively practice being with Jesus day in and day out. Each day's reading uses compelling stories and scripture to illustrate a point and closes with a suggested apprenticeship activity.


mY Generation
Josh James Riebock
Baker Books, October 2009
Y is the generation of tattoos, cell phones, social networking, and iPods. It is the generation of authenticity, social justice, racial diversity, and community. But it is also the generation of broken homes, school shootings, immense performance pressure, loneliness, self-indulgence, and insecurity. Christians have largely failed to bring restoration to this 70 million member group of young people. What are we missing? And what are the consequences if it doesn't change? Foregoing formulas, models, and snappy acronyms (which don't work), Josh James Riebock offers readers a journey deep into the soul of a generation that is slowly being transformed from within. Whether pastors, volunteers, church leaders, friends, or members of generation Y themselves, readers will value this honest and hopeful look at restoring a broken generation with the life-changing power of the Gospel.


NIV Waterproof Bible: New Testament, Psalms & Proverbs Sportsman's Edition
Bardin & Marsee Publishing, September 2009
Guaranteed 100% Waterproof Inside & Out! The NIV Waterproof Bible, New Testament Psalms & Proverbs, will give you the freedom and inspiration to take God's Word with you wherever life takes you. Combined with today's most read and trusted translation, the NIV, this Bible offers unsurpassed versatility and confidence to go anywhere. Perfect For: Hunters, Outdoorsmen, Anglers, Trappers.



Limelight
Melody Carlson
Multnomah Books, October 2009
A film star in Hollywood's golden age, Claudette Fiore is used to living with glitz, glitter, and glamour. But now the tables have turned. The victim of embezzlement, the 80-year-old has lost everything and moves back to her shabby childhood home in northern California. Can she face the ghosts of her past and find new purpose? 384 pages, softcover from Multnomah.




Shades of Blue
Karen Kingsbury
Zondervan, October 2009
Brad Cutler, twenty-eight, is a rising star at his New York ad agency, about to marry the girl of his dreams. Anyone would agree he has it all ? a great career, a beautiful and loving fiancee, and a fairy tale life ahead of him?when memories of a high school girlfriend begin to torment him. Lost innocence and one very difficult choice flood his conscience, and he is no longer sure what the future will bring except for this: He must find his old love and make amends. Haunted by the past and confused about the future, he turns to God seeking forgiveness and redemption.


The Tallest of the Smalls
Max Lucado
Thomas Nelson, October 2009
A delightful rhyming story about the Too-Smalls who live in the Stiltsville. Every evening at six, the Too-Smalls meet in the square where they hope they'll be picked to receive stilts to strut about above the stilt-less masses below. They come to see if they matter, it they're awesome, if they're pretty, if they're clever, or funny. Ollie, the smallest of too-smalls, pleas to be picked. He wants to be like the high-ups of Stiltsville who are proud of their stilts, the ultimate status. But once he gets stilts, oh how it hurts when he stumbles and tumbles and loses his stilts. That is... until he meets Jesus who chose low over hightelling him"Keep your feet on the ground. You matter already." This book for kids coordinates with Lucado's trade book, Fearless.

Review

Walking with God
by John Eldredge
2008 - Thomas Nelson

What a great reminder to us all, to talk with God a lot more than we do! Not just a quick prayer in the morning or grace before a meal and then plowing ahead with our own plans. But to really spend time talking with God, getting to know him, and listening to him--all day long! I really enjoyed John's practical examples from his own life. They help me see how I can walk and talk with God much more than I do. It also helps to know that sometimes we have to talk to God multiple times about the same thing before we see or hear the answer.
John gives good practical tips for talking with God and learning to hear God speak to us, even as we experience the joys and sorrows of this life. He also includes some good information on spiritual warfare.
Whether you are a new or seasoned Christ follower, you will find great value in reading this book.

Reviewed by Diane Busch

New Releases

Wow Hits 2010
Various Artists
EMI Records, October 2009
WOW is Back! The most in-demand Christian music release of the year, WOW 2010 will continue the formula that makes it such a hit among Christian music fans: 30 songs on 2 CDs containing the most popular hits heard on Christian radio this year for a great value. Over the last 14 years, the Christian music industry has partnered together to bring fans the best artists and songs available anywhere! WOW has and will continue to be the perfect gift for current fans and for those new to Christian music.


Hope Rising
Fee
Ino Records, October 2009
Fans of Chris Tomlin and David Crowder will love the modern rock worship sound of this spirit-gifted band! Includes "Rise and Sing," "Greatly to Be Praised," "God Is Alive," "Everything Falls," "We Crown You," "Hands of the Healer," "Promised Land," "Your Love Is Better Than Life," "Send Me Out," and the hit radio single "Glory to God Forever."



Forget and Not Slow Down
Relient K
Word Entertainment Inc., October 2009
The latest from Relient K finds lead singer and lyricist Matt Thiessen returning from a place of peace and contemplation with a powerful set of introspective but energetic pop rock originals. Forget and Not Slow Down includes "I Don't Need a Soul," "Part of It," "If You Believe Me," and more.



Christ is Come
Big Daddy Weave
Word Entertainment Inc, September 2009
Ring in the Christmas season with contemporary Christian favorite Big Daddy Weave! Their holiday release features classics and original songs, including "Ring the Bells"; "Joy to the World"; "Silent Night"; "I'll Be Brave"; "Peace on Earth"; "Come, All Ye Faithful"; "Glory to God in the Highest"; "Hark, the Heralds Angels Sing"; "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"; and three more.



It Is Well
Kutless
Bec Records, October 2009
A powerful follow-up to their gold-selling worship sensation Strong Tower! The edgy modern rock band Kutless returns to give glory to God in "You Are Everything," "Amazed," "Hungry," "Taken by Love," "What Faith Can Do," "Remember Me," "God of Wonders," "Give Us Clean Hands," "You Save Me," "Redeemer," "I'm Still Yours," and the title track.




When You Lose Someone You Love: Comfort for Those Who Grieve
Richard Exley
David C Cook, September 2009
In this tender and compassionate compendium on grief, a pastor offers comfort and understanding to a man suffering from profound grief, showing grief as a healthy process that God can use to mend broken hearts. This updated twentieth-anniversary edition features prayers and scripture meditaion, as well as a new introduction and epilogue. Paperback.



Hermie & Friends: A Bug Collection (3 DVD set)
Max Lucado
Thomas Nelson, October 2009
He may be just an ordinary caterpillar---but Max Lucado's Hermie can teach your 4- to 7-year-olds some extraordinary lessons about truth, courage, and God's love! This supersaver set includes Hermie: A Common Caterpillar; Flo, the Lyin' Fly; and Webster, the Scaredy Spider; and features the voices of Tim Conway and Don Knotts. Three slipcased DVDs, approx. 60 minutes each.

New Releases

The Language of Love & Respect
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs
Thomas Nelson, October 2009
Learn how to talk to your spouse! Citing biblical and psychological research, Eggerichs shows couples what they're really saying to one another. Discover how to speak each other's language---"love" for her, and "respect" for him---and build mutual understanding as you enjoy a successful marriage. Previously titled Cracking the Communication Code. 368 pages, softcover from Nelson.



What Difference Do It Make?
Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynne Vincent
Thomas Nelson, September 2009
New thoughts and reflections from the authors of the inspirational New York Times bestseller Same Kind of Different as Me. The more than four hundred thousand readers stirred by the story of Ron Hall and Denver Moore will resonate with the all new, stand-alone true stories of hope and healing offered in this intimate, authentic follow-up to the New York Times bestseller Same Kind of Different as Me. With new "Denverisms" and reflections from Denver on his personal dealings with homelessness and disrespect from others, additional insights from Ron on what we can learn from people not like us and from those dealing with a terminal illness, and the stories of readers who have been impacted by the book's central themes, this inspirational reader will generate a host of new fans. Topics include: Faith and friendship, Racial reconciliation, Community outreach, Compassion, Healing. Book also includes for the first time samples of Denver's paintings.


The Magnificent Obsession
Anne Graham Lotz
Zondervan, August 2009
God longs to call you friend.
Are you missing the essentials to living a joyful, purpose-filled life? Are you devoted to your church or your religion but still struggling to find meaning and passion in your faith? Do you love your family, work hard, contribute to your community, but still feel your life is somehow incomplete and hollow at the core? Are you restless in your spirit, with a nagging sense that there must be something more? Gifted Bible teacher Anne Graham Lotz, daughter of evangelist Billy Graham, has known this struggle herself. As she studied Scripture looking for a way out of the emptiness, she found her answer in the amazing story of Abraham, a very ordinary man who became extraordinary for one pivotal reason: he pursued God in a life of obedient faith, not knowing where that decision would take him. Despite struggling, as we do, with compromise, fear, family, quarrels, failure, doubt, and disappointment, Abraham became a man God called His friend. Anne followed Abraham’s lead and began a lifelong pursuit of knowing God, as he truly is, in an intensely personal relationship. Through personal anecdotes, unforgettable stories, and God-inspired insights, she invites you to draw closer to God, who is as committed to you as he was to Abraham and longs to call you friend.


God Gave Us Love
Lisa Tawn Bergen
Waterbrook Press, September 2009
As Little Cub and Grampa Bear's fishing adventure is interrupted by mischievous otters, the young polar bear begins to question why we must love others... even the seemingly unlovable. In answering her questions, Grampa Bear gives tender explanations that teach Little Cub about the different kinds of love that is shared between families, friends, and mamas and papas. Grampa explains that all these kinds of love come from God and that it is important to love others because... "Any time we show love, Little Cub, we're sharing a bit of his love." This sweet tale will warm the hearts of young children as they learn about all the different sorts of love, while the gentle explanations of each provide a valuable opportunity to encourage children to share with others a "God-sized love."


What is the Bible? (Little Blessings)
Kathleen Long Bostrom
Tyndale Kids, August 2009
Little Blessings question books help young children understand basic truths about the Christian life. Perfect for ages 3-6, What Is the Bible asks and answers questions about the Bible, such as: Who wrote the Bible, who is the Bible about, how do you read the Bible? Parents can use this book as a fun tool to answer questions their little ones may have about God’s Word.



VeggieTales: Saint Nicholas
Big Idea Productions, October 2009
When Junior Asparagus and his Veggie friends learn that Laura Carrot’s dad has lost his job on Christmas Eve, Bob the Tomato decides to tell the kids a very special story about giving. Using a big storybook and a little imagination, they all travel back to ancient Greece to meet Saint Nicholas — the world’s greatest giver.





Countdown to Christmas (My First Read and Learn)
Dr. Mary Manz Simon
Little Shepherd Books, September 2009

The weeks that lead up to Christmas are an exciting magical time for young children. But the wait for December 25th can seem almost endless. MY FIRST READ AND LEARN COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS channels a young child's anticipation into simple activities to celebrate the birth of Jesus.