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.

Book Review

Beautiful Outlaw: Experiencing the Playful, Disruptive, Extravagant Personality of Jesus

John Eldredge

Faith Words / 2011

Reviewed by Diane Busch

It's all about Jesus - he is the beautiful outlaw. He is considered an outlaw because many of the things he said & did were either not "lawful" (like picking grain to eat on the sabbath) or not expected or not acceptable (like talking to a Samaritan woman). Eldredge shows us a different side of Jesus that is sometimes neglected or incorrectly portrayed. He makes us think about the reality of things we may often gloss over as we read or not take time to think about. The humanness of Jesus, his humbleness to come to earth and live in a human body, and to be limited by that body. Having to walk 60 miles to Jerusalem rather than just showing up there.  Getting tired, hungry, thirsty, etc.

Jesus surprised many people by the things he said; by his personality; by his non-conformity.  It seems there is always more we can learn about Jesus.  This has been a great read leading up to Easter.

Book Review

Fatherless (fiction)

Dr. James Dobson and Kurt Bruner

 Faithwords / 2012

Reviewed by Diane Busch

This is Dr. Dobson's first venture into fiction.  This well-written novel captures your attention and keeps it.  There are many levels to the plot going on at the same time.

Fatherless takes place about 40 years in the future, when it is no longer considered normal to be married with children. Those who do have children are called " breeders". All pregnancies are tested for defects and any problems are weeded out before birth.

People who are handicapped or old are considered to be burdens to families or society and are called “debits”. The Youth Initiative gives them the ability to go to transition clinics where they transition their estates to the next of kin and are euthanized.  Christians are in the minority and are looked down upon by those in the world who are more “advanced in their thinking”. 

Fatherless is thought provoking fiction.  Great for book club discussions.  I suggest by the way the book ends that there may be a sequel coming.

Book Review

TORN: Rescuing the Gospel from the gays -vs.- Christian debate

by Justin Lee

Jericho Books / 2012

Reviewed by Diane Busch

To be honest, the reason I read this book is because my pastor encouraged our church staff to read it.  And I’m glad I did.  I was educated.  I came away sympathetic and compassionate toward Justin and other Christians who find themselves in this situation of being Christ followers who have same-sex attraction.  Formerly, I didn’t know that could occur.  Not knowing anyone personally who is gay, I have only thought of homosexuality as a choice and as a sin.  

I was also educated about the definition of the word “gay” - that someone who says they are gay only means they have same-sex attraction, and not that they necessarily act on that attraction.  

From reading this book I have changed my attitude toward gays and lesbians--to not be condemning in thought if I am introduced or find out.  To love everyone in Jesus’ name and not be judgmental.  There are no levels or degrees of sin--a liar is no less of a sinner than a thief, etc.  And if a gay man is just being tempted by his attraction and no sin is committed, than is that any different than a thief who is tempted to steal but does not?  Temptation is not a sin.  Even Jesus was tempted.

We still don’t know all the answers.  These issues will continue to be discussed in our churches.  We will continue to be Christ followers who read scripture and pray for wisdom from God.  We will love God and love people.  All people.  Jesus did.