New Releases

Night with a Perfect Stranger
David Gregory
Worthy Publishing, March 2012
Six years ago, businessman Nick Cominsky encountered Jesus the old-fashioned way-in a face-to-face meeting. And the Christian life seemed a breeze . . . for a while. But now, having done everything he knows to grow spiritually, he wonders where his closeness with Jesus has gone. Burned out and hopeless, Nicks wails his complaints to God during a late-night interstate trip. Then suddenly he runs out of gas-and finds Jesus along the roadside with a gas can. Jesus hops in the truck and offers answers Nick never heard in church . . . and a nighttime of adventures ensues beyond anything Nick could have imagined.

The Mighty Macs DVD
Affirm Films
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, February 2012
From the inspiring true story comes the tale of one woman who just wanted to make a difference and wound up making history! When Coach Cathy Rush (Carla Gugino, Mr. Popper's Penguins) arrives at tiny Immaculata College, the women’s basketball team has no budget, no uniforms and no gym. Refusing to give up, Cathy finds help from a young nun named Sister Sunday (Marley Shelton, Never Been Kissed). Together, their relentless drive reignites the team's spirit and the Mighty Macs start conquering bigger and better-funded schools. As financial troubles rock Immaculata, the Macs charge into the championships against all odds. Can the Mighty Macs save their school with one last long shot at victory? You'll stand up and cheer for the heartwarming, incredible season that made the real Cathy Rush a Basketball Hall of Fame legend!

I Still Believe: The Number Ones Collection CD
Jeremy Camp
Bec Records, March 2012
From the powerful debut Stay to the recent bestselling worship project, Jeremy Camp has connected with music fans around the world with his gravelly voice, contemporary rock style, and plainspoken, honest faith. This 2012 collection from BEC Recordings showcases fifteen number one hits from the songwriter and worship leader, including "Walk By Faith," "This Man," "Give Me Jesus," and others, plus the brand new, previously unreleased song "Wait."

Passion: White Flag CD
Passion
Sixstep Records, March 2012
 Recorded live at the Passion 2012 conference in Atlanta, Georgia---with artists Kristian Stanfill, Chris Tomlin, Christy Nockels, the David Crowder Band, Charlie Hall, and Matt Redman! Features "Not Ashamed," "Lay Me Down," "You Revive Me," "All This Glory," "Mystery," "10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)," "One Thing Remains," "Yahweh," "No Turning Back," "Let Me Feel You Shine," the title track, and more.

The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story
Jan and Mike Berenstain
Zondervan, February 2012
It's almost Easter time and Brother, Sister, and Honey Cub can't stop thinking about all the Easter candy that they want to eat. They know that Easter is about more than just candy, it's also about "Bible stuff". It's up to their Sunday School teacher Miss Ursula and some of the older cubs to teach them why we celebrate Easter. Includes a sheet of stickers.

Book Review

God Behaving Badly : is the God of the Old Testament angry,
sexist and racist?
by David T. Lamb
IVP Books (InterVarsity Press)
2011

reviewed by Diane Busch

God Behaving Badly is a great book for answering the hard questions that sometimes arise about God in Old Testament times.  Lamb examines and debunks the bad reputation and critical perceptions that some give to Yahweh--God in the Old Testament.

Yahweh is not angry--He is loving and slow to anger.  But he does get legitimately "angry over evil, injustice and oppression.  He is willing to severely punish individuals or nations to protect the weak and to promote peace."

Yahweh is not sexist--"He is actually highly affirming of women, making them in his image and even selecting a woman to be the spiritual and political ruler of Israel (Deborah)."

Yahweh is not racist--"He is welcoming toward all nations.  He even commands his people be hospitable toward foreigners."

Yahweh is not legalistic--"He does not burden us with laws.  His commands reveal his goodness and his desire to bless."

Lamb reminds us that the God of the Old Testament was not a legalistic kill-joy.  He told us to have a lot of sex with our spouse, eat good delicious food, throw parties to celebrate what God has done, and to take a vacation day once a week.  That is loving, generous, gracious and good.

God is good.  All the time.
Because God is good, good things happen to bad people like us.
Because God is good, his commands result in blessing for us.
Because God is good, he gave us the Bible in which we learn what he is like--that he is fascinating and relational.

Lamb goes into a lot of detail studying scripture and examining the following topics from many angles: God's love, anger, sexism, racism, violence, legalism, rigidity or flexibility, and his presence with us.

The book ends with discussion questions for each chapter, making it a good choice for small home groups, book clubs, or Bible study groups.

Available Now in the Bookstore

New Release!
The Vow
Kim & Krickitt Carpenter
B&H Publishing, February 2012
Life as Kim and Krickitt Carpenter knew it was shattered beyond recognition on November 24, 1993. Two months after their marriage, a devastating car wreck left Krickitt with a massive head injury and in a coma for weeks. When she finally awoke, she had no idea who Kim was. With no recollection of their relationship and while Krickitt experienced personality changes common to those who suffer head injuries, Kim realized the woman he had married essentially died in the accident. And yet, against all odds, but through the common faith in Christ that sustained them, Kim and Krickitt fell in love all over again. Even though Kim stood by Krickitt through the darkest times a husband can ever imagine, he insists, "I’m no hero. I made a vow." Now available in trade paper with a new chapter and photo insert, The Vow is the true story that inspired the major motion picture of the same name starring Rachel McAdams (The Notebook), Channing Tatum (Dear John), Sam Neill (Jurassic Park), and Academy Award winner Jessica Lange.

Still: Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis
Lauren Winner
HarperOne, January 2012
Having been raised an Orthodox Jew, Winner converted to Christianity but sought valiantly to retain important aspects of her Jewish heritage. Here she reveals that Job-like quality of wrestling with and questioning God until he brings further insight into her anguished midlife crisis of faith and marriage. 256 pages, hardcover. HarperOne.

101 Bible Adventures: The Ultimate Quest for Truth!
Carolyn Larsen
Tyndale, January 2012
Encourage your kids to enjoy reading with this high-energy, adventure-filled approach! With 101 Action Adventures from the Bible, kids will find themselves interacting with and learning from the life lessons provided by Scripture from the New Living Translation. With each Bible story there's a brief overview so kids can get a bird's-eye-view of the story, a key verse that sums up its meaning, and a Read and Learn application section that challenges kids to make their faith active. 101 Action Adventures from the Biblegives kids a great way to explore the Scriptures while highlighting concepts such as building good character, the importance of having good role models, and themes such as forgiveness, love, and God's wonderful plan for our lives.

VeggieTales If I Sang a Silly Song....DVD
Big Idea Productions, January 2012
'A veritable buffet of fresh fan-picked Veggies! Larry the Cucumber hosts "The Silly Song Telethon" featuring your all-time favorites from 20 years of laughable lyrics and ridiculous rhymes. Includes "The Hairbrush Song," "His Cheeseburger," "Pants"---plus a never-before-seen-or-sung song, "Bubble Wrap." So without further ado . . . do you think he'll sing "Cebu"? Approx. 75 minutes.

Best Sellers

The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that Holds the Secret of America's Future
Jonathan Cahn
Front Line, December 2011
NYT bestseller, The Harbinger, by Messianic rabbi Jonathan Cahn is taking the nation by storm with prophesies and signs from 9/11 and beyond that parallel Isaiah 9. Omens from Isaiah 9 show God's anger with the people of Israel; and now, we as a nation, defy God again. How does this correlate with our future? Don't miss this extraordinary book!!

Through My Eyes Young Readers Edition
Tim Tebow
Zondervan, December 2011
NFL quarterback Tebow gives your 8- to 12-year-olds a behind-the-scenes look at his life on and off the field. From growing up as a missionary kid to his record-setting college career with the Florida Gators, he shares how faith, family values, and determination have molded him into the person and athlete he is today. Includes photos. 208 pages, softcover from Zondervan.

New Releases

 

 Girl Talk: 180 Q & A for Life's Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens

Nicole O'Dell

Barbour Publishing, January 2012

Have questions about life stuff—relationships, character, body image, fashion, gossip. . . ? Look no further! This fabulous resource offers trusted, biblically-based advice from popular author of teen fiction, Nicole O’Dell. 180 days of questions and answers plus related scripture selections will encourage and challenge your faith walk.

 

 

Wow Gospel 2012 CD

Various Artists

Verity Records, January 2012

Discover the "WOW" factor that landed these gospel favorites at the top of the charts! WOW Gospel 2012 includes two CDs full of the year's best gospel hits, including "In the Middle" (Isaac Caree), "Be Still" (Yolanda Adams), "I Choose to Worship" (Wess Morgan), and others.

 

Outta Space Love, Bigger Love Edition CD

Group 1 Crew

Fervent Records, January 2012

Grandma's Attic Treasury Boxed set

Arleta Richardson

David C Cook, January 2012

Nobody can tell a story like Grandma! Your tweens will be captivated by her hilarious tales of growing up on a 19th-century Michigan farm---escapades that teach about forgiveness, trust, and God's faithfulness. Includes In Grandma's Attic, More Stories from Grandma's Attic, Still More Stories from Grandma's Attic, and Treasures from Grandma's Attic. 144 pages each, four slipcased softcovers from Cook.

 

Far Flutterby

Karen Kingsbury

Zondervan, January 2012

Cody the Caterpillar isn't happy on the ground in Better-Than-Brown. He wants to go to Far Flutterby where everybody soars through the air. But that won't happen---or will it? Charming rhymes and delightful illustrations assure your 4- to 7-year-olds that God can use our struggles to get us where he wants us to be! 32 pages, hardcover from Zonderkidz.