New Releases 2/18/2014

Thrive (Feb) [Paperback]

By Mark Hall

In Thrive, the newest book by Mark Hall, the lead singer for the popular group Casting Crowns reminds us what it really looks like to walk with Jesus. With powerful and relatable stories, grounded teaching, and great application, Hall helps everyone who wants to take the next step of faith.

Taking the Next Step in Your Faith Life to GROW DEEP AND STRONG The only way to be the hands and feet of Jesus is to love him and serve others out of our love for him. But to do that we must first be deeply rooted in our life with God. In Thrive, Mark Hall, lead singer for the popular band Casting Crowns, shows us what it really looks like to walk with Jesus. In part 1, Digging Deep, Hall demonstrates how to truly engage with the Word and a community of faith, worshiping and pursuing God wholeheartedly as our hearts and minds are transformed. In part 2, Reaching Out, we see the fruits of our engagement with the Word and the community, the grateful giving back of service and love. Using relatable stories, grounded teaching, and great application, Hall helps everyone who wants to take the next step of faith and see their life grow deep and strong.

Heaven Is For Real: Movie Edition [Paperback]

By Todd Burpo & Lynn Vincent (Contributor)

This #1 "New York Times" bestseller gets a limited-edition version with movie art and a new introduction and updated epilogue from the authors.

"Heaven Is for Real" is the true story of the four-year-old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who, during emergency surgery, slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe, but soon the evidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather, who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready because a last battle is coming. This special movie edition that will be available in time for the 4/16/14 premiere of the movie will include bonus material written by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent such as a new introduction on how the movie came about and insights into the movie making experience. In addition, the eight pages of photos will expand to sixteen pages and include recent photos from the life of the family and the filming.

Son Of God [Paperback]

By Burnett/Downey

The book "Son of God" is a tie-in with the major motion picture of the same title, slated for wide theatrical release (through 20th-Century Fox) on February 28, 2014. Like the movie, the book possesses an epic scope, providing a panoramic picture of first-century Judea as it recounts the events and reveals the meaning of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection. 

Though based on New Testament accounts, including the four Gospels as well as the book of Acts, "Son of God" reads like a contemporary novel, delving deeply into the character of Jesus and the personalities and motives all of those who surround him, both his followers and his enemies. Even minor Gospel characters (Mary Magdelene, the servant Malchus, the Jewish elder Nicodemus) come vividly to life in the book, and its portrayal of the political machinations behind Jesus's trial and death-the contest for power between the Roman governor Pontius Pilate and the high priest Caiaphas-is especially engaging. 

Beyond depicting the historical milieu in which Jesus lived, "Son of God" deftly explains the customs and culture of the Jewish people and the Roman officials and soldiers who oppress them, enhancing readers' understanding of the biblical record. In its final part, the book extends the Christian story past Jesus's resurrection to show how Jesus's followers, impassioned by their faith, began spreading his message of salvation throughout the wider world. Grittily realistic, "Son of God" pulls no punches in conveying the harsh realities of Jesus's era. But it is also inspirational, showing how Jesus transformed the lives of the humble and the powerful alike-and conveying Jesus's message of comfort and hope to present-day readers.

Seeking Allah Finding Jesus (Feb) [Paperback]

By Qureshi Nabeel

In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, former devout Muslim Nabeel Qureshi describes his dramatic journey from Islam to Christianity, complete with the friendships, investigations, and dreams and visions he encountered along the way. Many Westerners are confused about Islam, somewhat fearful of Muslims, or simply uninformed about the relationship between the Islamic and Christian faiths. 

In turn, many Muslims are hindered by cultural, intellectual, and theological barriers from understanding, or even rightly hearing, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout his story Qureshi provides a compassionate yet powerful apologetic for Christianity over Islam, with an emphasis on relationships and love. Appendices by popular scholars and experts provide further information for Muslims to consider and for Christians to reference in spiritual discussions with Muslim friends. Engaging as a story and useful as an apologetic resource, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus introduces readers to a powerful story of the clash between Islam and Christianity in one man's heart and of the peace he eventually found in Jesus.

Grace Unplugged

By Lions Gate

Grace Unplugged is an inspirational movie starring Amanda "AJ" Michalka as 18-year-old Christian singer/songwriter, Grace Rose Trey. Beautiful, highly talented and restless, Grace is undiscovered outside church, where she performs each Sunday with her gifted father, Johnny. A former rock star, Johnny Trey charted a Billboard number one single 20 years ago. When the hits stopped coming, he crash-landed hard before finding Christ and starting a new life for his family, far from the Hollywood Hills.

One day without warning, Grace leaves for Los Angeles. She has landed a record deal with the help of Johnny's ruthless former manager and producer, "Mossy" Mostin. Mossy sees in Grace a potential pop superstar. Cutting off contact with her parents, Grace seems prepared to walk away from her Christian faith and music to achieve her long suppressed fantasy of Hollywood super stardom. Will the experience cause her to reject her faith, or rediscover it?

Come Into My Heart Lord Jesus [Hardcover]

By Stormie Omartian & Shari Warren (Illustrator)

Beloved writer Stormie Omartian gently explains to her young readers that God loves them at all times and that each one of their prayers is meaningful and precious. Through Shari Warren's cheerful artwork and Stormie's wise words, children learn that God is always listening and ready to help.

Stormie shares what it means to pray the best prayer of all--asking Jesus to come into your heart. As children learn about the great gift of salvation and the wonder of living forever with God, they are assured that, as one of God's special kids, Jesus is always beside them--and they'll be inspired to reach out to others and tell them how awesome it is to be a child of God.

Select text is adapted from The Prayer That Makes God Smile by Stormie Omartian.