New Releases

Raising the Bar
Gabrielle Douglas
Zondervan, April 2013
Get a behind the scenes look at U.S. champion gymnast Gabrielle Douglas with this illustrated biography! Learn about her amazing story, from her early years up to her amazing gold medal win in the 2012 Olympics. Discover what Gabrielle values most---time with family and friends, her training, her favorite ways to relax, and her relationship with God---with full-color photographs, quotes, fun facts, and more!

Happy, Happy, Happy
Phil Robertson
Howard Books, May 2013
Here's your "behind the beard" look at the founder of the Duck Dynasty! An NFL-bound quarterback, Phil completed his college career with a master's degree in English, but was soon on a path to self-destruction---drinking, fighting, and wasting his talents. After giving his life to God, he began his incredible journey to the "good life" he always imagined. 240 pages, hardcover from Howard.

Life is Beautiful CD
The Afters
Provident/Integrity, April 2013
The Dove Award-winning Dallas-based quartet charts new sonic territory in this latest release featuring an upbeat blend of pop-tinged songs and lyrically rich anthems. Includes "Every Good Thing"; "Broken Hallelujahs"; "What We're Here For"; "With You Always"; "In My Eyes"; "Love Is in the Air"; "Breathe In, Breathe Out"; the title track; and more.

New Releases

Experiencing God at Home
Tom & Richard Blackaby
B&H Publishing, April 2013
Healthy home-lives lead to strong Christian communities! Illuminating that the clear foundation for God's work in nations and churches around the world begins with his relationship with individual families, the Blackabys offer real-life stories---supported by lessons from the Bible---that illustrate God's presence in marriage, choosing life goals, rescuing broken friendships, forgiveness, and more.

Sex & Money
Paul David Tripp
Crossway, April 2013
What really makes the world go round? In a society obsessed with sex and money---finding it, enjoying it, and maintaining it---best-selling author Tripp pulls back the curtain and exposes the lies of our flesh and the ways we distort God's good gifts. Learn how not to fall prey to the hollow promises of our culture! 224 pages, hardcover from Crossway.

The Two-Minute Drill to Manhood
John Croyle
B&H Publishing, May 2013

• M--Master
• A--Ask and Listen
• N--Never Compromise
• H--Handle Responsibility
• O--One Purpose
• O--One Body
• D--Don't Ever, Ever, Ever Give Up

If you are the parent of a teenager, you are coming down to what former All-American and one of today's most respected child advocates John Croyle calls the two-minute drill. In football the last two minutes are crucial; the whole game builds to those moments that can determine the final outcome. The Two-Minute Drill to Manhood is John's game plan that will help moms and dads make sure their sons are ready for authentic manhood. Based on Croyle's life and experience parenting more than 1,800 troubled, abused, and neglected children on the Big Oak Ranch for Boys and Girls, as well as parenting his two biological children, he drills down into seven actionable life principles drawn from the word "manhood" itself.

The Grad's Guide to Money
The Navigators, Matt Bell
Think/NavPress, April 2013
Discover the truth of what God's Word says about money, and how to build a financial foundation based on Scripture with this helpful guide. Geared towards teens and young adults, The Grad's Guide to Money offers pragmatic and biblically centered approaches and tips for giving, saving, and spending money. Each chapter features a memory verse, reflection questions, and action points to reinforce the material.

All the People Said Amen CD
Matt Maher
Provident/Intergrity, April 2013
Sure to elicit plenty of "Amens" (and maybe some "Hallelujahs", too!), here's the latest offering from one of today's leading praise & worship songwriters. All The People Said Amen blends expertly captured live recordings and new studio offerings, including "Alive Again," "Burning in My Soul," "Great Things," "Hold Us Together," "Lord, I Need You," "Your Grace Is Enough," "Adoration," "Christ Is Risen," "On My Way," "Mighty Fortress," "Turn Around," "It Is Good," and the title track.

Shadow Chaser (Son of Angels v. 3)
Jerel Law
Thomas Nelson, May 2013
Many months have passed since Jonah, Eliza, and Jeremiah Stone began their angelic training. Now, Jonah is faced with trials that affect his health, strength, relationships, and most prized-possessions, as his life begins to resemble a modern-day Job. As he and the other quarterlings prepare for their mid-term exams, their powers are tested once again in the most fierce battle yet against Abaddon's army.

Heaven is for Real for Little Ones
Colton Burpo
Thomas Nelson, May 2013
Introduce young children ages 1-4 to the concept of heaven with Heaven Is for Real for Little Ones. Beautifully illustrated under the direction of Colton Burpo, kids will witness the heaven that Colton experienced and will learn that Jesus loves children. Simply written and paired with child-friendly art, this board book is a great way to offer your young children the same comfort and reassurance that older kids have received from Heaven Is for Real for Kids the picture book.

New Releases

The Bible (The Epic Miniseries) DVD
Twentieth Century Fox, April 2013
From Executive Producers Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel) and Mark Burnett (The Voice, Survivor) comes The Bible — an epic 10-part miniseries retelling stories from the Scriptures for a whole new generation. Breathtaking in scope and scale, The Bible showcases powerful performances and visual effects that span Genesis to Revelation. The Bible feature score by Oscar and Grammy winning film composer Hans Zimmer and it's narrated by Emmy winning Keith David. Rated PG. Widescreen. Closed captions. 4 DVDs, approx. 7.5 hours.

The Good Fight
Les and Leslie Parrott
Worthy Publishing, February 2013
Did you know that a "good fight" can actually enrich and strengthen your relationship? Drawing on extensive research and their years as marriage counselors, the Parrotts show you how to manage conflict constructively; avoid common pitfalls; and diffuse anger and hurt feelings. Includes "his" and "hers" study guides. Foreword by Gary Chapman. 288 pages, hardcover from Worthy.

Upside-Down Prayers for Parents
Lisa Bergren
WaterBrook Press, March 2013
Discover how to entrust your children's past, present, and future to God, who loves them best! Wrestling with 31 issues that drive moms to their knees, a month's worth of meditations, Scripture verses, prayers, and discussion starters will help you equip your kids to live a deep, rich, and holy life.

Take a Chance on Me (Christiansen Family Novel)
Susan May Warren
Tyndale, April 2013
Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor-oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he's also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near. New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn't know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity's death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she's always longed for. And once she gets past Darek's tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife's case.

More or Less
Jeff Shinabarger
David C Cook, March 2013
What is "enough"? What would happen if we gave away our excess food, money, and clutter? Encouraging you to think about your consumer choices differently, Shinabarger helps you see generosity as a chance to experience freedom from greed in a selfish world; and guides you in making small changes now that will have a huge impact later. 224 pages, hardcover from Cook.

Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits
Joyce Meyer
FaithWords, April 2013
From cell phone addiction to overspending, bad habits seem to outnumber the good. Examining the nature of behaviors, Meyer helps you make a commitment to commune with God daily and set the stage for identifying and overcoming negative patterns. Each of the 14 chapters offers a specific "road map" for establishing new routines in your life. Hardcover.

Who Is This Jesus
Max Lucado
Worthy Publishing, March 2013
 This exquisitely illustrated story from Max Lucado gives readers a new perspective on the depth of grace extended to all of us. this is a firsthand account of the earth-shaking events of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection astold by a Roman soldier who was assigned to work at Golgotha the night ofJesus' crucifixion. He was the soldier who actually nailed Jesus to the cross. It's astory brilliantly told as only Max Lucado can. A perfect gift, it will inspire readersall year 'round.

Book Review

7: an experimental mutiny against excess - Jen Hatmaker

B & H Publishing / 2012

Reviewed by Diane Busch

Love, love, love this book.  Love Jen.  Love her heart.  Love her writing.  Love the challenges she places before us.  Now, let me tell you why.  Many of us in America have too much.  We own too much, we buy too much, we spend too much, we consume too much, we throw away too much.  We often don’t even think about how we spend our money or how much we accumulate or how much we waste.  She challenges us to rethink how we live.

Jen is married to Brandon Hatmaker.  They have 3 biological children and 2 adopted children from Ethiopia.  They are founders and leaders of Austin New Church, whose mantra is: Love your neighbor; serve your city.  Taking a cue from Francis Chan, they take the scripture "love your neighbor as yourself" seriously - they give away half of all they receive. They won't spend more on themselves than on their poor neighbors.

Jen took 7 months to focus on 7 areas of her life (1 per month):  Food, Clothes, Possessions, Media, Waste, Spending, Stress.  The first month she reduced her food intake to only 7 items. The second month she only wore 7 items of clothing.  The third month she gave away 7 belongings each day.  You get the idea.  It was her way of fasting from excess.  She journaled her seven-month-long journey in this inspirational book, revealing her honest thoughts, experiences, and lessons learned.  

You will be greatly inspired to rethink how you live.  I highly recommend this book to all Christ followers in America.