New Releases

I Am A Follower
Leonard Sweet
Thomas Nelson, December 2011
Worried that you don't have what it takes to be a great leader? Sweet believes you can leave that anxiety behind . . . because the Christian life has never been about leading! Tracing the importance of following in Scripture, he challenges "architects" to become "gardeners"--- advocating a churchwide shift toward a culture of "followership." 240 pages, softcover from Nelson.

I Am Second: Real Stories. Changing Lives.
Doug Bender and Dave Sterrett
Thomas Nelson, December 2011
An inside look at the lives of people who were completely transformed after life-changing encounters with Christ! Dealing with the darkest moments of life, these personal stories reveal how God's redemptive power can free us from addictions, depression, pride, infidelity, and other difficulties so we can become radically obedient to Jesus. Includes study questions. 240 pages, hardcover from Nelson.

How to Be a Best Friend Forever
John Townsend
Worthy Publishing, December 2011
There's nothing like the sustaining strength of a true-blue forever friend. . . . But how do you find one? And once you have, how do you maintain the connection? Boundaries author Townsend offers eight principles for building long-term, rewarding friendships---empowering you to experience one of life's greatest joys. Includes study guide. 192 pages, hardcover from Worthy.

Love Food & Live Well
Chantel Hobbs
WaterBrook Press, December 2011
Struggling with weight issues? Do you love food? Chantel says you can have your cake and eat it, too! Encouraging you to enlist food as an ally, she helps you implement the 80/20 rule---eat healthy for 80% of the time and indulge yourself the other 20%. Her revolutionary diet-and-fitness plan works---Chantel lost 200 pounds! Paperback.

Girls Uncovered
Joe McIlhaney Jr. and Freda Bush
Northfield, December 2011
An eye-opening look at the influence of our increasingly promiscuous society on American girls. Surveying the psychological, social, physical, and spiritual effects of sexual behaviors and attitudes, the authors frankly discuss sensitive topics ---including pregnancy, emotional attachment, and sexually transmitted infections---to help parents, youth workers, and counselors guide young women through the challenges they face. 176 pages, softcover from Northfield.

Give Us Rest CD
David Crowder Band
Sixstep Records, December 2011
Say goodbye to the old you and be transformed as the the blessed light of Christ leads you to new life! A powerful allegory in music and song, this requiem mass in C (the happiest of all keys) features "Lux Aeternam Shine," "God Have Mercy (Kyrie Eleison),"The Sound of Light," "The Great Amen," "Our Communion," "Because He Lives," and more. Two CDs.

New Book Review

The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge

by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. c2011

Reviewed by Diane Busch

If you are a fan of the great coach and leader Tony Dungy, then you will enjoy his daily insights, reminders, and challenges in The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge.  This motivational devotional is great for men, but women can also be inspired by his wisdom and encouragement, as most of the content is not gender specific.

In the introduction Dungy suggests that if you and your friends or co-workers read this same devotional each day, then you can share insights or have discussions via email, phone, or social networking.

This book is set up in 7 themes (one for each day of the week) which are: Core, Family, Friends, Potential, Mission, Influence, and Faith.  Each day's reading includes a scripture passage, the text of his message for the day, and an Uncommon Key, which gets to the core of the day's theme, often by adding a challenge, reminder, or hard question to ponder.

In the back of the book there is an alphabetical Scripture index so you can find a devotional to go along with a certain scripture.

This book is a practical, motivating, and challenging tool to keep you focused on following Jesus and growing in your faith for 2012.  I highly recommend it.

http://coachdungy.com/index.php/the-one-year-uncommon-life-daily-challenge/ 

This book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of review.  www.tyndale.com

FREE BOOKS

We have 5 free books to give away!!!

Give them as gifts or keep for yourself.

Only 1 per person.

You must stop by our bookstore to request your free book.

The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge by Tony Dungy and Nathan Whitaker

Fierce Beauty : Choosing to stand for what matters most by Kim Meeder (advance reading copy)

Relentless : The power you need to never give up by John Bevere (advance reading copy)

The Crossing (a novel) by Sereta Jakes (advance reading copy)

The Corruptible (a Ray Quinn mystery) by Mark Mynheir (advance reading copy)

New Releases

Small Things with Great Love
Margot Starbuck
IVP Books, December 2011
Margot Starbuck is back with as much passion and energy as ever. In thirty brief chapters, she invites you to choose the adventure that fits who you are in authentically loving those around you. Yes, she knows: just the thought of adding something more to your life sounds exhausting. But here's the fantastic truth she's discovered in her own journey: "We don't have to add lots more overwhelming activity to what we've already got going. The regular stuff of our lives--the commute to work and the potlucks and home improvement projects and errands and play dates--are the exact places in which we express and experience God's love for a world in need." With a list of resources, a study guide and a six-week "Adventure Challenge," as well as plenty of stories and hilarity from Margot's own life, Small Things with Great Love will open your eyes to the people around you and the huge impact you can have on them through small acts of love. "Small things happen when I learn the name of my daughter's school bus driver," Margot writes. "Small things happen when I listen to the dreams of a woman who lives in a group home on my block. Small things happen when I risk crossing a language barrier even though I look really stupid doing it." And small things add up to big adventures and surprises, for you and others. The biggest surprise of all might be how powerfully God can use you, right in the midst of your walking-the-dog, paying-the-bills, doing-laundry life, when you're living out his love. Do the first small thing by opening these pages--and let the adventure begin!

Smitten
Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt & Denise Hunter
Thomas Nelson, December 2011
When a failed logging company threatens their town's survival, four friends devise a plan to turn Smitten, Vermont, into the country's premier honeymoon destination. But little do they know that love is already on the way---for each of them! Enjoy four page-turning romances, each written by a best-selling romance author. Includes reading group guide. 400 pages, softcover from Nelson.

New and Recent Releases for the Holiday Season

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.


Christmas Stories
Max Lucado
Thomas Nelson, August 2011
Celebrate Christmas with heartwarming tales and reflections by one of today's greatest storytellers.
Be inspired by the true meaning of the season with this spectacular collection of Max Lucado's favorite Christmas stories and reflections.
You'll be whisked away to the heavenly battle between angels and demons preceding Christ's birth. Then walk in the shoes of Joseph as he ponders the miracle before him. Travel to a small Texas town where a missing baby Jesus from a manger scene sets a modern day miracle in motion. And witness the story of Madeline, a prodigal girl who thinks she's lost everything until her dad gives everything to win her back one Christmas.

The Snow Angel
Glenn Beck
Threshold Editions, October 2011
Rachel Price has just one happy memory from her childhood: the moment her father took her hands while playing outside on a cold, snowy day and called her his angel. It was a rare and sacred moment in her young life, one in which she finally felt safe, loved and protected.....But it didn't last long.



Christmas in Sugarcreek (Seasons of Sugarcreek series #4)
Shelley Shepard Gray
Avon Inspire, November 2011
For years, Judith Graber has labored in her family's store. Now she feels overworked and underappreciated. Fresh from his rumspringa, "bad boy" Ben Knox is working by her side and stealing her heart---which is the last thing she wants! Will this Christmas bring new love to the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek? 256 pages, hardcover from Avon Inspire.

The Christmas Shoppe
Melody Carlson
Revell, November 2011
The small town of Parrish Springs is not ready for Matilda Honeycutt. A strange older woman with scraggly gray hair and jewelry that jangles as she walks, Matilda is certainly not the most likely person to buy the old Barton Building on the town's quaint main street. When it becomes apparent that her new shop doesn't fit the expectations of Parrish Springs residents, a brouhaha erupts. After all, Christmas is approaching, and the last thing the town needs is a junky shop run by someone who looks and acts like a gypsy. But as townsfolk venture into the strange store, they discover that old memories can bring new life and healing.

Wow Christmas 2011
Various Artists
The must-have soundtrack for all your holiday festivities! Includes "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" (Big Daddy Weave); "Little Drummer Boy" (Point of Grace); "Joy to the World" (Casting Crowns); "Emmanuel" (Chris Tomlin); "O Little Town of Bethlehem" (Steven Curtis Chapman); and new arrangements of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (Mark Maher) and "Deck the Halls" (Tenth Avenue North). Two CDs.
Word Entertainment, September 2011

Christmas in Diverse City
Toby Mac
Forefront Music, September 2011
Spend Christmas with tobyMac and the boys! Showcasing their trademark mix of rock, pop, hip-hop, and urban rhythms, they deliver their distinctive renditions of "Little Drummer Boy," "Mary's Boy Child," "The First Noel," "Carol of the King," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "Birth of Love," "What Child Is This?" "It Snowed," and more

.

Christmas Symphony
Mannheim Steamroller
Universal Music, October 2011
Here's a holiday event not to be missed---the eagerly awaited Yuletide album from this best-selling group! Known for their innovative arrangements and "18th-century rock 'n' roll sound," Mannheim Steamroller brings their trademark talents to "Deck the Halls"; "Little Drummer Boy"; "Cantique de No<\#235>l"; "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"; "In Dulci Jubilo"; "Carol of the Birds"; "Greensleeves"; and more.

Christmas from the Vineyard
Vineyard UK
Kingsway, September 2011
Melding modern worship and English folk sounds to timeless classics, this album encourages you to honor Christ the King this season! Includes "The First Noel"; "O Come, All Ye Faithful"; "In the Bleak Midwinter"; "Humble King"; "It Came upon a Midnight Clear"; "Silent Night"; "See amid the Winter Snow"; "O Little Town of Bethlehem"; "Gaudete"; and "In Dulce."