Easter

Resurrection DVD
Max Lucado
Bridgestone Group, February 2011
In the tumultuous events following Christ's crucifixion, Roman guard Claudius finds himself in the middle of a cover-up that has religious leaders, the government, and his closest friends attempting to hide something from the world. Will he uncover the truth at the risk of losing his life? Based on Max Lucado's short story. Dove approved. Approx. 50 minutes. Closed-captioned.

Resurrection Eggs, updated edition
FamilyLife, February 2011
Crack open the glorious story of Jesus' resurrection! Stored in a plastic carton, a dozen rainbow-hued eggs are filled with surprises. Pop them open and find miniature symbols of Easter inside! An updated companion booklet in English and Spanish features Bible stories explaining the significance of each object. Includes 12 stickers corresponding to the eggs. Ages 5 and up.

Read n Share: The Story of Easter
Gwen Ellis
Thomas Nelson, March 2011
Read this simple retelling of the Easter story and share the joy of Christ's gift with your little ones! Drawing from Gwen Ellis' popular Read and Share Bible, this retelling of the Easter story is explained in a way that helps young children understand the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. The bright illustrations and easy-to-understand text trace Jesus' journey from his triumphant entry into Jerusalem to his glorious ascension. Children will discover what an amazing gift Jesus gave us on Easter! Recommended for ages 3 to 7.

VeggieTales 'Twas the Night Before Easter DVD
Big Idea Productions, February 2011
It's the night before Easter and all through the town, not a creature is stirring---except a gigantic 20-foot robotic rabbit! He's ready to star in the biggest show ever to open in Crisper County: the musical egg-stravaganza "Up with Bunnies!" But with all the excitement surrounding this "hare"-raising production, will folks forget the true meaning of Easter? Closed-captioned. Approx. 45 minutes.

New Release

King's Cross
Timothy Keller
Penguin Group, February 2011
New York Times bestselling author and nationally renowned minister Timothy Keller unlocks new insights into the life of Jesus Christ. King's Cross is Timothy Keller's revelatory look at the life of Christ as told in the Gospel of Mark. There have been many biographies of Jesus, but few will be as anticipated as this one by Keller, the man Newsweek calls "a C.S. Lewis for the twenty-first century." We might also add, that like Lewis, Keller has effectively--more than anyone else--translated the core message of the Gospel in the language and idioms of the historical context in which he lives. In this book, Keller shows how the story of Jesus is at once cosmic, historical, and personal, calling each of us to look anew at our relationship with God. Like Keller's other books it has tremendous crossover appeal, but it is also ideal for the faithful, those who are looking for a closer connection to Jesus and Christianity.

New Releases

The James Dobson Parenting Collection
James Dobson
Tyndale, March 2011
Parenting expert Dr. James Dobson has written numerous books on child raising. Now you can obtain three of his bestsellers in just one volume. Inside Parenting Collection you'll find The New Dare to Discipline, The New Strong-Willed Child, and Parenting Isn't for Cowards, all offering biblically based parenting wisdom. Paperback.

Leaving (Bailey Flanigan series vol. 1)
Karen Kingsbury
Zondervan, March 2011
The Bailey Flanigan series begins with Bailey leaving Bloomington for the adventure of a lifetime. She has won an audition for the ensemble of a Broadway musical in New York City. She's determined to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but is she really ready to leave family and friends for the loneliness of the city? And what of Cody? His disappearance has her worried about their future and praying that their love can survive. In order to be closer to his mother in jail, Cody takes a coaching job in a small community outside Indianapolis. New friends, distance, and circumstances expose cracks in his relationship with Bailey Flanigan.

How to be God's Little Princess
Sheila Walsh
Thomas Nelson, March 2011
What does it take to be a princess? Featuring the delightful character Gigi, Walsh's guidebook offers important answers for every girl, including how to make the best pink cookies, wear a tiara, earn money at home, bathe a royal dog, be respectful, use good manners, help Mom, follow Jesus, and much more. Ages 6 to 10.

New Releases

The Prayer Dare
Ron Kincaid
Regal Books, January 2011
Has your prayer time become rote or irregular? Kincaid "dares" you to transform your devotional life in just 30 days! In this no-nonsense handbook, he challenges you to pray daily, engage in simple exercises, apply key scriptural principles, and record your progress in the journaling space provided. A stimulating resource for individuals and small groups!

Heaven Revealed
Paul Enns
Moody Publishers, March 2011
What is the afterlife like? What will we do there? Diving deep into Scripture, theologian Dr. Enns answers these questions and others while reflecting on the very personal nature of what is to come. Filled with thought-provoking insights, his easy-to-read book will help you look forward to heaven---not be confused about it. 192 pages, softcover from Moody.

Running with Joy
Ryan Hall
Harvest House Publishers, January 2011
From the fastest American-born marathoner of all time, here is an intimate, day-by-day account of what it takes—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually—to be one of the best in the world. This journal chronicles Ryan Hall’s 14-week preparation for the 2010 Boston Marathon, providing practical insights into the daily regimen of someone training at the absolute peak of human performance. It also reveals the spiritual journey of an elite athlete who is a follower of Jesus Christ. Readers will discover how Ryan deals with nagging injuries and illness, bad weather, disappointing workouts, and a slavish focus on results that can take the fun out of running. Ryan runs 140 miles a week, often at altitude and a blistering pace. Yet millions of everyday runners will identify with and appreciate his intentional return to running with joy and his lifelong goal of glorifying Christ on and off the racecourse.

Rock-A My Soul
David Nantais
Liturgical Press, February 2011
Few styles of music engage the human body as much as rock and roll. From toe tapping to air guitar, listening to rock music requires attention to the present moment and can help the listener reclaim a sense of identity as a creature of God. Rock music and organized religion have suffered a tense relationship for over sixty years but what if rock music can actually aid one's religious faith and spiritual life? Perhaps it's time to bury the hatchet and start rocking your religion!

Book Review

Lazarus Awakening : Finding your place in the heart of God
Joanna Weaver

WaterBrook Press
February 2011

Reviewed by Diane Busch

I call this a pleasant surprise book.  I am not sure I would have chosen to read it, except that I was given an advance reading copy from WaterBrook.  So I started to skim the book and found that I actually wanted to read it word for word.  Readers with varying years of walking with Jesus will glean good nuggets from these pages.  One main theme of the book is that Jesus wants us to be his friend (not just a worshipper; not just a worker; not just an admirer).  Friendship is reciprocal. 

Joanna also talks about our doubts that eat away at the bedrock of our faith, leaving us floundering, gasping for air as we try to keep our spiritual heads above water.  We need to realize that some of life's greatest gifts come wrapped in disappointments.  Faith is often learned in the crucible of pain.  It must be difficult for our loving Father to hold back from constantly running to our rescue, yet in his merciful wisdom he does.  God has always been more interested in shaping the character of his children than simply providing them comfort.

We need to learn to listen.  We need to learn to discern his voice.  Our heavenly father knows the best kind of communication flows out of a relationship.  Anything less is just information.  Since intimacy with us has always been God's goal, it makes sense that hearing His voice would be linked to that very thing.  He wants us to lean in and listen carefully.

"If we want to hear from God, we must learn to respond to what He says.  Obedience opens the ears of our hearts.  The best way to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength is to love the people who happen to be standing next to us."

"If we want to live resurrected and experience the exchanged life so many heroes of the faith describe, we must first get around to dying.  Dying to ourselves until we're dead to the world.  This may mean giving up our desire to direct our own lives; giving up our right to be treated fairly; giving up our need to be well thought of; or giving up our appetites for escape (food, television, books, movies, etc.)"

"It is the dark night's of our souls--in those deathlike, midnight places where nothing seems to be happening--that God often does His best work.  Preparing our lives--so barren at the moment--for an even greater outpouring of life.  For winter always precedes spring."

The final takeaway from the book is that God created us for eternity.  We were not created for this earth alone but for an infinite future with God.