New Releases

Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey into Meditative Prayer
Richard Foster
Intervarsity Press, August 2011
Embark on a soul-transforming journey of meditative prayer with Foster---best-selling author of Celebration of Discipline. Featuring biblical background for this faith tradition, methods, insights from classical Christian writers, and reflections from Foster's own experience, his introduction will guide you in practicing extended prayer alone and in community.


Living Crazy Love
Francis Chan
David C Cook, August 2011
Move beyond the status quo and pursue the relentless, all-powerful love of God! In this insightful 7-week workbook for individual or group study, Chan offers thought-provoking teachings that will help you live like never before---selfless and Christ-like. Use as a stand-alone study or companion to the DVD curriculum. Includes leader's guide.

The Berenstain Bears and the Little Lost Cub
Jan & Mike Berenstain
Zondervan, August 2011
Helping a lost cub find his mother is a perfect good deed for the Scouts. After all, if they are living by God's example, they cannot let even the smallest go astray! Will they find the cub's mother and bring them back together?

Book Review

In The Company of Others 

(a Father Tim novel)

Viking, Oct., 2010

by Jan Karon

Reviewed by Diane Busch - 8/29/11

If you have read the Mitford series by Jan Karon, then you already know and love Father Tim.  If you are new to these delightful books you can jump right in on this book and not feel like you have missed anything.  (Although, I guarantee that when you are finished, you will want to go back and read every other book in the Mitford and Father Tim series.)   

This delightful book takes place in Ireland.  Father Tim Kavanagh the beloved retired Episcopal priest and his wife, Cynthia are on vacation at a Bed & Breakfast in County Sligo.  Before long there is a mystery that needs solving. The food, the people, the history, and the character of Ireland are woven through every page. I found myself smiling every day as I immersed myself in the story.

Book Review

(Since Nobody’s Perfect)  
How Good is Good Enough

By Andy Stanley

Multnomah, 2003

Reviewed by Diane Busch

This book discusses the universal question people ask: “Do good people go to heaven?”  If good people go to heaven, who decides who is good enough?  What if we just miss the mark by a little bit?  If God decides who or what is good enough, why didn’t He tell us how good we have to be in terms we understand?  Most “religions” answer the question, but Christianity is different.  Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; No man comes to the Father but by me.”  Jesus made the sacrifice.  We just have to believe and accept his free gift of salvation.

Stanley concludes that Christianity is true and Christianity is fair.  This is a great little book for the Christian, non-Christian, skeptic, questioner, or seeker.  If you can’t read the whole book, I highly suggest you read the last chapter.

New Releases

Torn: Trusting God When Life Leaves You in Pieces
Jud Wilhite
Multnomah, August 2011
When Every Why Goes Unanswered. When our world comes crashing down, it does more than steal our peace. Something inside us tears. We feel broken, stranded—torn. We naturally ask the question “Why?” when we’re hurting. But as pastor Jud Wilhite turned to the Bible in his own pain, he was surprised to discover that another question matters more: “Who?” Who is worthy of our trust when our trust when our lives are in pieces? You may be experiencing a time of such darkness that you wonder if you will ever find “normal” again or look toward the future with hope. In Torn, Jud explores your questions as well as God’s answers—and God’s mysteries. With a pastor’s heart, he looks with you at practical ways to fight for joy, deal with anger and depression, and make the million tiny decisions that add up to a life committed to God, even when your heart is broken. It’s not about having better arguments for the purpose behind our suffering. It’s about our relationship with God—a relationship that can flourish even when our whys go unanswered.

The Heart of the Story
Randy Frazee
Zondervan, August 2011
The Heart of the Story will help you see God's Word in a new and inspiring light. In the Bible's seemingly disconnected stories you'll discover one grand, unfolding epic---God's story from Genesis onward, and your own story contained within it. To understand the Bible, says author and pastor Randy Frazee, you need bifocal lenses, because two perspectives are involved. The Lower Story, our story, is actually many stories of men and women interacting with God in the daily course of life. The Upper Story is God's story, the tale of his great, overarching purpose that fits all the individual stories together like panels in one unified mural. In 31 chapters, The Heart of the Story will open your eyes to God's master-plan unfolding in the lives of the Bible's characters---and in your own life. Discover the heart of God's Upper Story, and the joy that comes as you align your story with God's.

Why Church Matters
Joshua Harris
Multnomah, August 2011
"Christians belong in churches--the only places where we can thrive and grow spiritually. In Why Church Matters, Joshua Harris makes this case with wisdom, clarity, and graciousness."
--Charles W. Colson
Church isn't where we go. It's who we are. We were never meant to live our faith in isolation. The church is the place God uses to grow us, encourage us, and use our gifts for His glory. In this honest, personal, and practical book, Joshua Harris shows you why it's time to say yes to church and how to find the right one for you--the place where you can fall in love with the family of God.
Includes:
What you miss when you miss church
Ten questions to ask before you join
How to get more out of the best day of the week

It's Your Kid, Not a Gerbil
Kevin Leman
Tyndale, July 2011
Do you sometimes feel like a gerbil running on a wheel inside a cage as you scurry from place to place, chauffeuring your children from one endless activity to another? What if, for one moment, you could just step off of the wheel . . . and relax? How would you feel then? And what if that single moment could stretch into an hour, or even a whole day? It’s Your Kid, Not a Gerbil will provide practical solutions and helpful insight to get off the activity wheel so that you can put your time and energies where they really count: in establishing strong character and a love for home and family that will serve your kids well for a lifetime.

Game On: Find Your Purpose - Pursue Your Dream
Emmitt Smith
Tyndale, August 2011
Emmitt Smith, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher of the Dallas Cowboys, Dancing with the Stars champion, and successful real-estate investor, outlines the principles that helped him become a winner on and off the football field. In this book he encourages you to live your God-given dream, now. Emmitt reveals that it’s not only vision and talent that propel us toward our dreams, but also a combination of determination, persistence, humility, courage, and faith. In this book, Emmitt gives readers the tools to pursue their dream with all their mind, heart, and soul.

The Sacred Acre: The Ed Thomas Story
Mark Tabb
Zondervan, July 2011
On a Sunday in May 2008, an F-5 tornado struck the town of Parkersburg, Iowa, killing eight people and destroying 250 homes and businesses within 34 seconds. The next day, Parkersburg's beloved football coach, Ed Thomas, made a stunning prediction: 'God willing, we will play our first home game here on this field this season.' One hundred days later, the home team scored a victory on the field they dubbed 'The Sacred Acre,' serving as a galvanizing point for the town to band together and rebuild. But just as Parkersburg was recovering, another devastating tragedy struck. While working with a group of football and volleyball players early one morning, one of Ed's former students walked in and gunned him down point blank. Ed Thomas was 58. The murder of this hometown hero spread across national news headlines. Ed's community and family reeled from shock. Yet the story doesn't end here. What happened next proves that even a double tragedy is no match for faith, love ... and the power of forgiveness.

Not a Fan. A Follower's Story DVD
Kyle Idleman
Elevate Entertainment, August 2011
The Not a Fan Movie, "A Follower's Story" is an adaptation of the original 6-episode DVD series to a full-length feature film. The movie includes scenes from the original study, as well as teaching by Kyle Idleman. Follow the journey of Eric Nelson, a man leading a compartmentalized triple life as a pleasure-seeking rebel, a cutthroat corporate executive, and a nominal Christian. But when confronted with a near death experience, Eric embarks on a spiritual journey that transforms his commitment to Jesus Christ and tests the faith of his friends and family.

Momentum: What God Starts Never Ends 
Eric and Bill Johnson
Destiny Image, July 2011
It is the heart of God for Revivals and Movements to continue from generation to generation. ­­­­Momentum confronts some of the issues that have hindered personal and corporate Revivals from continuing. The authors share their own perspectives and experiences that they have seen in their own lives on this topic. Every believer has access to live in a momentum that was initiated from the beginning of time. So let’s embrace our inheritance and step into the momentum of the Kingdom!

New Releases

The Betrayal (Precinct 11 v. 2)
Jerry Jenkins
Tyndale, August 2011
Detective Boone Drake has just masterminded the most massive sting in Chicago history, bringing down the heads of not only the biggest street gangs in the city but also the old crime syndicate. The story is the biggest in decades, and the Chicago Police Department must protect the key witness at all costs. Despite top secret plans to transfer the witness ahead of his testimony before the grand jury, an attempt is made on his life. And the person suspected of leaking this information may be one of the CPD’s own.

VeggieTales Songs for a Princess CD
Big Idea Productions, August 2011
Sing along with Princess Poppyseed and Vanna Banana from the new VeggieTales show Princess & the PopStar with all new songs including "Radio Sweetheart," "That's Not Everything," "Right Where I Belong," and more! PLUS classic VeggieTales favorites newly recorded by Princess and Vanna including "Stand," "I Can Be Your Friend," "One In a Million" and more!!

VeggieTales Princess and the Popstar DVD
Big Idea Productions, August 2011
While milking the cows on her family's farm, Princess Poppyseed dreams of fame and fortune. But her favorite singer Vanna Banana longs to leave the hectic pace of pop stardom behind. When the two girls accidentally meet, they decide to change places for fun---and discover that sometimes you should be careful what you wish for! Approx. 45 minutes.

New Releases

The Jesus Book
Michael Koulianos
Bridge Logos, July 2011
Do you desire to have a more intimate relationship with Jesus? Whether you have known Jesus for years or have never met Him, this book will help you fall in love with Him in a life-changing way. You will discover the depth of His love for you, and you will respond to Him with love. The author writes, Loving Jesus is life's greatest achievement. It is a never-ending experience that will change you forever. Jesus does not help us find our destination; He is the destination.

Re:Creation
Steven Curtis Chapman
Sparrow Records, July 2011
Steven Curtis Chapman makes all things new---musically, that is---with this dynamic collection! Join him as he presents freshly written songs such as "Do Everything" and "Meant to Be"---and breathes new life into "re-creations" of "Dive," "Speechless," "For the Sake of the Call," "Heaven in the Real World," and four more of his biggest hits.

New Releases

Soul Surfer DVD
Bethany Hamilton
Sony Pictures Entertainment, July 2011
The astonishing true story of a courageous 13-year-old surfer who lost her arm to a shark attack---but never lost her faith! You'll be inspired by how Bethany Hamilton overcame physical and emotional trauma to return to competitive surfing with the help of her family---and God. Stars AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood, and Dennis Quaid. Rated PG. Approx. 106 minutes.

Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It)
Brian Jones
David C Cook, July 2011
Does hell matter? Jones believes that the reason most Christians don't tell their friends and family about Jesus has nothing to do with not knowing how---it's because they don't think they need to. Drawing on Scripture, he leads you on a collision course with "apocalyptic urgency" that will strengthen your faith and free you to share the gospel. 272 pages, softcover from Cook.

Courageous: Honor Begins at Home
Alex & Stephen Kendrick
Tyndale, July 2011
Police officers Adam Mitchell, Nathan Hayes, and their partners are prepared to deal with hardened criminals. But when they remove their badges, they face a more daunting challenge---fatherhood. As their children drift away, can these brave men find a way to serve and protect those nearest and dearest to them---and draw closer to God? 400 pages, softcover from Tyndale.


9/11: What a Difference a Day Makes, Ten Years Later
James Moore
Abingdon Press, July 2011
Black smoke billowing from the Twin Towers, a gaping hole in the Pentagon, airliner debris strewn across a Pennsylvania field---nobody will ever forget September 11, 2001. But what have we learned from that tragic day? Reminding us that life is a fragile gift, Moore encourages us to thank God for our freedom, faith, and family. 96 pages, softcover from Abingdon.

Christmas Is Not Your Birthday
Mike Slaughter
Abingdon Press, July 2011
We all do it---overeat, overspend, and shop till we drop---all in the name of celebrating Jesus' birth. But Slaughter shows us a better way! Cutting through the seasonal hype, he shares practical, Bible-based ideas to help you experience the peace of "God with us," the joy of giving sacrificially, and more. Includes reflection questions. 96 pages, softcover from Abingdon.