New Bibles for 2011, part two!

Be sure to read the first post celebrating Bibles releasing in 2011!

Reading God's Story: A Chronological Daily Bible by George Guthrie. November 2011. B&H Publishing Group.

From the publisher:


Stories are basic to life. Everybody loves a good story. We have been reading, listening to, or watching stories all of our lives, so we intuitively know a lot about how they work. Yet, more and more, Christians are unfamiliar with the stories of the Bible and how the grand narrative of God's Word fits together. Indeed, God gave us the stories of the Bible to reveal great truth about Himself and about our lives, and He wants to draw us into the ongoing story of what He is doing in the world. By focusing on the narrative framework of Scripture we can better understand what the Bible teaches and live out its instruction more effectively.
Reading God's Story takes that clear narrative approach to the Bible, arranging the complete text into a fresh chronological reading plan developed for the Read the Bible for Life biblical literacy initiative. In this plan the books, chapters, and verses of the Bible are thoughtfully arranged so readers can track the story of Scripture, day by day, from beginning to end, understanding the flow of events and how all the different parts fit together to make sense.
Reading God's Story features two-color interior page layout and is organized into 52 weeks of readings (six readings per week). It presents Scripture in three main acts (God's Plan for All People; God's Covenant People; God's New Covenant People) and seventeen total scenes, providing an introduction for each act and scene to orient the reader to its importance in the grand story. Unlike other chronological Bibles, this arrangement is not date specific (e.g. "January 1"), so a person can begin using this edition at any point in the calendar year.

Take Action Teen Bible, NKJV (September 2011)

From the publisher:

Put the Word of God into action! TheTake Action Teen Bible features real-life stories and full-color photos of teens who are putting their faith into action. Read their inspiring stories and follow their examples with 52 ideas for you to put God's Word into action.

Features include:

• 48 full-color pages
• 15 real-life stories show teens how to take action with God's Word
• 52 Take Action ideas
• Personal Take Action note pages
• New King James Version^® (NKJV) Compact UltraSlim Bible text
• Translation and text notes
• Words of Jesus in red
• Concordance
• Bible reading plan

Take Action Bible, NKJV: Together We Can Change The World (April 2011)

From the publisher:

Put the Word of God into action. The Take Action^TM Bible features real-life stories and full-color photos of people who are putting their faith into action. Actions range from raising money with a lemonade stand to relocating on the mission field. Read their inspiring stories, and follow their examples with 52 ideas for you to put God's Word into action.

Features include:

• 48 full-color pages
• 15 real-life stories show how to take action with God's Word
• 52 Take Action^TM ideas
• Personal Take Action^TM note pages
• New King James Version^R (NKJV) UltraSlim Bible text
• Translation and text notes
• Words of Jesus in red
• Concordance
• Bible reading plan

Max Lucado's Children's Daily Devotional Bible. (International Children's Bible) September 2011.

From the publisher:


Now, especially for children, a devotional Bible that brings together words of encouragement and the gentle wisdom of Max Lucado with the Word of God.
The International Children's Bible^® was written on a level that kids can read and understand. It is the perfect translation to start kids on a lifetime of meaningful Bible reading.
Features include: 366 Daily Discovery Devos; Power Prayers (great prayers of the Bible); "Set the Stage" (66 book intros); Promise Pointers (promises of the Bible); Dictionary; 50 suggested memory verses and prayer; and 24 topical articles on forgiveness, heaven, faith, family, grace, abundant life, etc., especially from Max Lucado

The Essential Study Bible (CEV). American Bible Society. September 2011.

From the publisher:

Now in a beautifully designed- and specially priced-paperback edition, The Essential Study Bible is the resource for everyone who wants a better understanding of the Bible.
Featuring the full text of the Contemporary English Version of the Bible-the most reliable, readable, and relevant translation on the market today-The Essential Study Bible includes:
- sixteen color maps
- color charts and time lines
- special overviews, outlines, and introductions
- two easy-to-understand categories of notes that explain the key geographical, historical, and cultural references and the most important theological concepts in the Bible
- pull-out quotes for memorization
Provided and edited by the American Bible Society-the marquee name in Bible scholarship in America-the supplementary information is organized in a clear, user-friendly fashion.
Accessible, informative, but not overwhelming, The Essential Study Bible will allow you, for the first time, to fully experience the Bible.

Life Essentials Study Bible (HCSB) Gene A Getz, editor. October 2011. 

From the publisher:


"So what?" That's the response many people have to the Bible. Read a passage, interpret it, and still they ask, "So, what difference does that make in my life?"
In the Life Essentials Study Bible, renowned Bible teacher Gene Getz complements the full text of the popular HCSB translation by elaborating on 1,500 principles in Scripture that are as relevant today as when the sixty- six books of the Bible were written. Distilling these truths into principles, Getz helps the reader more easily remember and effectively apply the Bible's wisdom to everyday life. He explains how each of these principles represents a supracultural truth - one that can and should be applied at any moment in history and in every cultural situation.
In addition, the Life Essentials Study Bible was created with an integrated digital study system—more than 250 hours of free online coaching content led by Getz—that fosters a greater understanding of the Bible's grand story.
Along the way, Getz adds pertinent questions in print to inspire personal reflection or group discussion of each principle. There's also an introduction to each book of the Bible and its list of corresponding principles, plus a topical index and cross references for all 1,500 principles. Other features of this dynamic study Bible - available in six different editions - include a two-piece gift box (leather editions only) as well as a presentation page.

The English Bible, King James Version volumes 1 and 2. Norton Critical. October 2011. 

From the publisher:

"The Norton Critical Edition of The English Bible, King James Version, appearing on the four hundredth anniversary of the great translation, is a real gift to the English-reading world, making this classical version freshly accessible. The introductions to the different biblical books are apt and often illuminating; the generous annotation clarifies archaic terms, corrects translation errors, and provides insight into the texts; and the appended critical and historical materials give readers a wealth of relevant contexts for both Old and New Testament."—Robert Alter

NLT Parallel Study Bible. September 2011. 

From the publisher:

Discovery and Application on the Same Page for the First Time! Now you don’t have to choose between context and application. Expository study notes help you understand the Bible like a 1st-century believer. Number one–selling Life Application notes help you apply its truths in a 21st-century world. This Bible recognizes that Bible application is best done with a thorough knowledge of historical and literary context. The NLT Study Bible is excellent at establishing this base. The Life Application Study Bible content can then guide the reader in concrete steps toward application.
The New Living Translation is an authoritative Bible translation, rendered faithfully into today’s English from the ancient texts by 90 leading Bible scholars. The NLT’s scholarship and clarity breathe life into even the most difficult-to-understand Bible passages. That’s why we call it “The Truth Made Clear.”

KJV/NLT Bound for Glory Bible February 2011.

From the publisher:

When the King James Version was first published in 1611, it united literary quality with poetic beauty to make God’s word accessible to the reader in the common English of its day.
In the years that followed, thousands of Africans would be brought as slaves to a new country—a country founded, ironically, on the principles of liberty and justice.
Most would never enjoy those freedoms. Yet, through faith, they found a freedom that no man could take away.
The Bound for Glory Parallel Bible features sixteen of the best-known African-American spirituals, honoring the enduring faith of generations of people who found freedom in the midst of slavery. These spirituals are presented in the emotive style of renowned calligrapher Timothy R. Botts.
This Bible brings together the #1 time-honored classic translation, the King James Version, and the New Living Translation, with its living language and precise scholarship. The NLT has set a new standard for Bible translation in the English language.
Reading the two translation side-by-side delivers a rich contrast in literary style while yielding new insights into the meaning of even the most familiar verses.
Combining these two highly respected translations into one volume makes this one of today’s most popular English parallel Bibles.
FEATURES:
Lyrics of Features Spirituals lists the songs in the order they are presented.
Tyndale Bible Verse Finder helps you find verses according to more than 175 life-related topics.
365-Day Reading Plan provides an outline for reading the entire Bible in one year.
Introduction to the King James Version gives the history of its heritage and legacy, honoring the 400th anniversary of its first printing.
The work of Timothy R. Botts reaches back to letterforms as old as the first century and combines with them contemporary graphic design principles in order to express the meaning of great words. With a BFA in graphic design from Carnegie-Mellon University, he has designed more than 600 books. In addition, Tim has published 9 volumes of his own work, including titles such as Doorposts, Messiah, and a Bible illustrated in his calligraphy. Hi is a part-time instructor with College of DuPage and has taught workshops internationally. He is artistic director for Masterpiece Ministries, an annual arts camp for high school students. His work is part of the permanent collection of the Newberry Library. The Bound for Glory works are dedicated to his three African-American grandchildren—Naomi, Miriam, and Moses—who are helping him to become color-blind.

The New Life Bible for Girls. October 2011. 

From the publisher:

Here’s a potentially life-changing gift for any young girl: the entire Bible in the easy-to-read New Life Version, packaged for fun and excitement! Featuring 24 pages of brightly colored illustrations and bonus material, The New Life Bible for Girls highlights the heroines of scripture—Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Ruth, Esther, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Jesus, and more—in dramatic pictures and interesting facts and trivia. With its carefully-limited vocabulary, the New Life Version is perfect for younger readers, using explanatory words and phrases to illuminate some of the harder terms and ideas of scripture. Perfect as a “first Bible,” The New Life Bible for Girls can take young readers well through their grade school years.

The New Life Bible for Boys. October 2011.

From the publisher:

Here’s a potentially life-changing gift for any young boy: the entire Bible in the easy-to-read New Life Version, packaged for fun and excitement! Featuring 24 pages of brightly colored illustrations and bonus material, The New Life Bible for Boys highlights the heroes of scripture—Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Elijah, David, Daniel, Peter, Paul, Jesus, and more—in dramatic pictures and interesting facts and trivia. With its carefully-limited vocabulary, the New Life Version is perfect for younger readers, using explanatory words and phrases to illuminate some of the harder terms and ideas of scripture. Perfect as a “first Bible,” The New Life Bible for Boys can take young readers well through their grade school years.

Other Bibles:

NIV Life Journey Bible (Henry Cloud and John Townsend)
NIV Liberty Bible
Devotional Daily Bible, KJV
Devotional Daily Bible, NKJV
The Daily Contemplative Bible (NRSV)
The One Year Study Bible (NLT)
Berenstain Bears Holy Bible (NIrV)
The Young American Patriot's Bible (NKJV)
God Watches Over Me Bible, NIrV
Prayer Journey Bible (KJV)
The Evidence Bible, NKJV
Essentials of the Christian Faith New Testament (NIV)
The New Testament, Revised English Bible, BBC4, audio bible
Video Bible, KJV, NASB, NKJV, NLT


© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

New Bibles for 2011!

I have been meaning to search and see what *new* Bibles are being released in 2011, this afternoon I got started on that project! And I'm happy to share what I've found so far. I am going to start with the ESV translation.

ESV Grow Bible -- OCTOBER 31, 2011 -- Ages 8 to 12

From the publisher:

The ESV Grow! Bible is designed specifically to reach children ages 8–12 for the time between when they use a children’s Bible and a more advanced Bible. Coupling the full ESV text with many helpful features, this is a Bible that young students can call their own. 

The ESV Grow! Bible comes with all-new features to help children learn and understand God’s Word. Nearly every other page features a “W Question”, boxes answering the who, what, where, when, or why of a text—basic questions a child might have while reading. Introductions to each Bible book, charts, and maps help young readers understand the themes, characters, and context of Scripture. 45 “Cross Connections” explain how certain Bible passages point to Christ and 90 “4U” sections explain and apply texts to the child’s life. In addition, articles about Jesus and the teachings of the Christian faith help children understand important theological concepts. 

Children will find the ESV Grow! Bible full of interesting features and parents will appreciate that their kids can explore the full Bible text themselves. A perfect Bible to transition from the Seek and Find Bible to the Student Study Bible, the ESV Grow! Bible connects young readers with the beauty and majesty of God’s Word. 

ESV Student Study Bible. JULY 31, 2011. Ages 13+ (high school, college, etc.)

From the publisher:


The ESV Student Study Bible is ideally suited for students who are serious about God’s Word—who want to learn more about what the Bible teaches and how the Bible applies to all of life. 

With 12,000 clear, concise study notes, the ESV Student Study Bible provides numerous new features—including nearly 900 “Did You Know?” facts, 120 new Bible character profiles, and 15 new topical articles. It also features a new glossary of key terms, more than 80 full-color maps and illustrations, an extensive concordance, and 80,000 cross-references. These and many other features make it the most comprehensive, colorful, and content-rich student Bible available today. Suited to high school and college students, the ESV Student Study Bible is also a versatile resource for anyone engaged in serious study of God’s Word.

Created by an outstanding team of more than 100 evangelical Christian scholars, teachers, and pastors, the ESV Student Study Bible is adapted from the highly acclaimed and best-selling ESV Study Bible. With numerous new features, the ESV Student Study Bible is an invaluable resource.  For high school and college students, but equally for all students of the Bible—for everyone who loves to read and learn more about God’s Word.

You may be curious to see how this compares with the ESV Study Bible. Here's a little chart they provided for comparison.

The Story, NIV: The Bible As One Continuing Story. Zondervan. April 2011.

From the publisher:

'THE GREATEST STORY EVER TOLD' IS MORE THAN JUST A CLICHE. God goes to great lengths to rescue lost and hurting people. That is what The Story is all about---the story of the Bible, God's great love affair with humanity. Condensed into 31 accessible chapters, The Story sweeps you into the unfolding progression of Bible characters and events from Genesis to Revelation. Using the clear, accessible text of the NIV Bible, it allows the stories, poems, and teachings of the Bible to read like a novel. And like any good story, The Story is filled with intrigue, drama, conflict, romance, and redemption---and this story's true! 

From the foreword by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee: 'This book tells the grandest, most compelling story of all time: the story of a true God who loves his children, who established for them a way of salvation and provided a route to eternity. Each story in these 31 chapters reveals the God of grace---the God who speaks; the God who acts; the God who listens; the God whose love for his people culminated in his sacrifice of Jesus, his only Son, to atone for the sins of humanity.'  

Features:

• The story of the Bible---in its own words. Selections from the NIV Bible with short transitions to connect the reader to the continuing story.
• Events, characters, and teachings of the Bible arranged chronologically
• Timelines of Bible events
• New International Version (NIV) Bible text

Church families around the globe can now embrace The Story for a full ministry year through worship services, small group studies, and family activities. Learn more about this whole-church experience at TheStory.com.

The Names of God Bible. (God's Word Translation?) September 2011. Revell.

From the publisher:

One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know the names and titles both he and his people give to him. Now the bestselling author of Praying the Names of God reveals the richness of God's character and love found in his names. The Names of God Bible restores more than 10,000 occurrences of specific names of God--like Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay--to help readers

• Discover the Hebrew names of God within the biblical text
• Understand the meaning and significance of each name
• Encounter God in a new way through prayers, promises, and devotional readings
• Perfect for personal study, prayer, and reflection, The Names of God Bible includes these special features
• more than 10,000 names and titles of God restored to their Hebrew equivalent and printed in brown ink to stand out within the biblical text
• Names of God Reading Paths lead readers to the next reference of the name so they can pray the names of God throughout Scripture
• Name Pages feature 

- background information associated with 68 names and titles of God

- key Scripture passages in which the meaning is revealed

- devotional readings on each of the featured names

- specific Bible promises connected to each of the featured names

• introductions to each book of the Bible highlight the main themes and list the names and titles that appear in that book
• 300 callouts highlight key Scripture for memorization and reflection
• Calling God by Name sidebars shed light on the relationship between biblical people and the specific names they called God
• topical prayer guide, pronunciation guide, name index, and Bible reading plans to assist in study

Anyone who desires a deeper understanding of God and new insights into the Bible will cherish The Names of God Bible as it opens a door into the Hebrew roots of the faith and the Scriptures.      

Zondervan is publishing a Greek and English Interlinear New Testament (NASB/NIV) in October.

The Story: Teen Edition: The Bible As One Continuing Story of God and His People in April 2011. The Story Audio Book. Exploring The Story: A Reference Companion. The Story Adult Curriculum Participant's Guide. The Story Adult Curriculum DVDR.

If you're looking for the 2011 edition of the NIV, you might be interested in one of these compact Bibles.

The Common English Bible is available for the first time. Many more editions will come in 2012, but they've got compact editions this September  in black and pink. And some lovely thinline editions as well. And in November, they're releasing the Common English Daily Companion Bible.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

I Want To Read...

Wonderland Creek by Lynn Austin. OCTOBER 2011. Bethany House. 400 pages.
Publisher's description:

Alice Grace Ripley lives in a dream world, her nose stuck in a book. But the happily-ever-after life she's planned on suddenly falls apart when her boyfriend, Gordon, breaks up with her, accusing her of living in a world of fiction instead of the real world. Then to top it off, Alice loses her beloved job at the library because of cutbacks due to the Great Depression.

Fleeing small-town gossip, Alice heads to the mountains of eastern Kentucky to deliver five boxes of donated books to a library in the tiny coal-mining village of Acorn. Dropped off by her relatives, Alice volunteers to stay for two weeks to help the librarian, Leslie McDougal.

But the librarian turns out to be far different than she anticipated--not to mention the four lady librarians who travel to the remote homes to deliver the much-desired books. When Alice is trapped in Acorn against her will, she soon finds that real-life adventure and mystery--and especially romance--are far better than her humble dreams could have imagined.

Why I want to read this one... I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Lynn Austin. I do. I've enjoyed so many of her novels. She's never disappointed me. And so many of her books are practically-perfect-in-every-way. But to see that this one is about a girl who loves to read and works in a library?! It has to be good, right?!

Love On the Line. Deeanne Gist. OCTOBER 2011. Bethany House. 368 pages.
Publisher's description:

Rural switchboard operator Georgie Gail is proud of her independence in a man's world . . . which makes it twice as vexing when the telephone company sends a man to look over her shoulder.
Dashing Luke Palmer is more than he appears though. He's a Texas Ranger working undercover to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers. Repairing telephones and tangling with this tempestuous woman is the last thing he wants to do. But when his stakeout puts Georgie in peril, he realizes more than his job is on the line.

Why I want to read this one... I've enjoyed several of Deeanne Gist's previous books. And it sounds like this historical romance has a fun premise.

Most Unsuitable Match. Stephanie Grace Whitson. AUGUST 2011. Bethany House. 352 pages.
Publisher's description:

Miss Fannie Rousseau is a young woman of privilege traveling west to uncover the truth behind a family secret.

Mr. Samuel Beck is on a mission to atone for past failures that still haunt him.

Their meeting aboard a steamboat to Montana sparks an unlikely attraction. They are opposites in every way... except in how neither one can stop thinking about the other.
Will the end of the journey bring the end of their relationship, or is it just the beginning?

Why I want to read this one... I just LOVED Sixteen Brides. And the cover of this one just says read me, read me.

The Colonel's Lady. Laura Frantz. AUGUST 2011. Revell. 416 pages.
Publisher's description:

Roxanna Rowan may be a genteel Virginia woman, but she is determined to brave the wilds of the untamed frontier to reach a remote Kentucky fort. Eager to reunite with her father, who serves under Colonel Cassius McLinn, Roxanna is devastated to find that her father has been killed on a campaign.
Penniless and out of options, Roxanna is forced to remain at the fort. As she spends more and more time with the fiery Colonel McLinn, the fort is abuzz with intrigue and innuendo. Can Roxanna truly know who the colonel is--and what he's done?
Immerse yourself in this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness set in the tumultuous world of the frontier in 1779.

Why I want to read this... I am a big fan of Laura Frantz. I just LOVED The Frontiersman's Daughter and Courting Morrow Little. I think she's a great writer. And I just love historical fiction!

Wings of Promise. Bonnie Leon. AUGUST 2011. Revell. 336 pages.
Publisher's description:

Kate Evans may be a woman in a man's profession, but as Alaskan bush pilots go she's one of the best. If only her personal life wasn't so complicated. Torn between her affection for fellow pilot Mike Conlin and doctor Paul Anderson, Kate longs for clarity in her heart. But when a terrible tragedy occurs, her mind may be made up for her.
Full of high-flying adventure and tender personal moments, Wings of Promise will sweep you away to the Alaskan skies.

Why I want to read this... It's the sequel to Touching the Clouds, a novel I enjoyed very much!

A Heart Revealed. Julie Lessman. SEPTEMBER 2011. 512 pages.
Publisher's description:

Ten years ago, Emma Malloy fled Dublin for Boston as a battered woman, escaping the husband who scarred her beautiful face. The physical and emotional wounds have faded with time, and her life is finally full of purpose and free from the pain of her past. But when she falls for her friend Charity's handsome and charming brother, Sean O'Connor, fear and shame threaten to destroy her. Could Sean and Emma ever have a future together? Or is Emma doomed to live out the rest of her life denying the only true love she's ever known?
Filled with intense passion and longing, deception and revelation, A Heart Revealed will hold readers in its grip until the very last page.

Why I want to read this...If you've ever read a Julie Lessman novel, you'll know why!

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

January 2011 Releases, Part Three

Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ. John MacArthur. Thomas Nelson.

From the publisher:

Throughout the Bible, followers of Jesus are commanded to submit to Him as their King. They are told to obey and follow, faithfully and without hesitation. Every time Christians utter the word Lord, they make a subtle yet profound declaration-that God is their Master and that they belong to Him. In fact, the Bible describes believers as His slaves. They have been bought with a price and now live for Christ as a people for His own possession.

But go into most churches today, even flip through most Bible translations, and you won't see or hear the word slave anywhere. That's because it has been lost in translation. In this gripping book, Dr. John MacArthur uses deep Bible teaching and historical evaluation to expertly uncover the one forgotten word that restores the Bible's definition of true Christian freedom. 

Defiant Joy: The Remarkable Life & Impact of G.K. Chesterton. Kevin Belmonte. Thomas Nelson.

From the publisher:

Amid currents of modernity that sought to displace the Christian faith, Chesterton challenged thought leaders of his day with civility, erudition, and wit, contending that faith is the central piece of our humanity. C. S. Lewis credits The Everlasting Man for his Christian vision, while Heretics and Orthodoxy are still considered pillars of Christian thought.

But Chesterton wasn't just an apologist. He wrote literary criticisms of Dickens and Chaucer still revered as seminal works. He wrote long-form epic poetry, widely-published articles, and lectured on art, politics, and history. Defiant Joy reveals a larger-than-life thinker and cultural giant-showing his utmost relevance for us today, and how a vibrant Christian witness can display the merits, joy, and sanity of a faith many wish to discredit.

Invasion (A C.H.A.O.S. Novel) Jon S. Lewis. Thomas Nelson

From the publisher:

Colt McAlister is drawn into a war against things he thought only existed in comic books.

After a car wreck takes the lives of his parents, Colt moves to Arizona to stay with his grandfather. There, an informant tells him that his parents were actually murdered because his mom, a journalist, was getting ready to write a story exposing Trident Industries.

Along with Oz and Danielle, his new comrades at Chandler High, Colt vows to uncover the truth. But the more they learn, the more bizarre reality becomes. Mind control, jet packs, and flying motorcycles only scratch the surface of what they discover.

Colt is recruited by a secret organization called the Central Headquarters Against the Occult and Supernatural. But the battle isn't just against an out-of-control giant corporation. A gateway to another world is opening, and the invasion has already begun.

Surrender Bay (A Nantucket Love Story) Denise Hunter. Thomas Nelson

From the publisher:

Once childhood friends, Samantha and Landon are now separated by distance and secrets. Will Samantha's return to Nantucket bring her the peace she longs for?

Samantha Owen's estranged stepfather has died, leaving her his cottage in Nantucket--a place she left years ago, never planning to return. As a single mom, Samantha can't afford to pass up on a financial windfall like ocean-front property. So she travels home to fix up the house and sell it . . . never suspecting that Landon Reed still lives two doors down.

As their long-dormant romance begins to bud again, Samantha must face a past that left her with a fear of abandonment and the fact that Landon still doesn't know why she left the island.

Will Sam finally find the God who never abandoned her? The secrets she's hidden all these years could tear her and Landon apart . . . unless his love is really as unconditional as he claims.

A heart-tugging tale of shattered trust and enduring love . . . all in a romantic, seaside setting.

Softly and Tenderly (A Songbird Novel). Sara Evans and Rachel Hauck. Thomas Nelson

From the publisher:

Maybe out there in the country she could catch her breath, learn to breathe again…

Happily married, and owner of two successful boutiques, Jade longs to begin a family with her husband, Max. But when she discovers that Max has an illegitimate son - who he wants her to help raise - Jade's life is turned upside down.

She flees to her childhood home, a rambling Iowa farmhouse, with enough room to breathe. There - while her mother's health grows fragile, and the tug of her first love grows stronger - Jade begins to question everything she thought she knew about family, love, and motherhood.

In the wide-open landscape, Jade begins to see a future that doesn't rest on the power of her past, but in the goodness of God's tender mercies.

An Amish Love: Healing Hearts/What The Heart Sees/A Marriage of the Heart. Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Long. Thomas Nelson.

From the publisher:

Romance is in the air, old-fashioned courtship is alive and well, and love is an eternal promise.

Healing Hearts by Beth Wiseman

He left to find himself. She found her way without him. Now Levina and Naaman Lapp are together again, feeling miles apart. Although coming home was the right thing to do, Naaman must regain the trust and respect of his wife who, in his absence, has learned to trust God like never before. Could it be that their prior years together have simply been a preface to a greater love than they have ever known?

A Marriage of the Heart by Kelly Long

Abigail Kauffman is looking for a way out; Joseph Lambert is seeking a way in. Since her mother's death, Abby has lived alone with her father and longs to escape the emptiness of the farmhouse that has never felt like home. Joseph Lambert is a newcomer in their close-knit community. Only after they find themselves suddenly married to each other do they begin to understand the tender truths of life-long love.

What the Heart Sees by Kathleen Fuller

When Ellie Chupp loses her sight in an accident--and then her boyfriend shortly after that--she believes love will never be in her future. But Christopher Miller has returned home, five years after fleeing from the tragedy that broke his heart. When Ellie and Chris meet again, sparks fly. Could true love be a matter of seeing with new eyes?

Love On Assignment (Ladies of Summerhill) Cara Lynn James. Thomas Nelson.

From the publisher:

While Charlotte is focusing on uncovering sordid information on columnist Daniel Wilmot, her heart leads her into uncharted territory.

During the summer of 1900 Charlotte Hale, a native Newporter and secretary for the Rhode Island Reporter, accepts an undercover assignment as temporary governess to Daniel Wilmont's children in order to secretly gather evidence against him. As he helps her rediscover God, Charlotte learns that Daniel is an honorable man. They unexpectedly fall in love despite their different backgrounds and social positions. Charlotte soon realizes she must defend Daniel against the forces set against him—a willful student with a romantic crush and the newspaper editor determined to destroy his reputation. 

Book of Days. James L. Rubart. B&H.

From the publisher:

"… in Your book all my days were recorded, even those which were purposed before they had come into being." —Psalm 139:16 Young Cameron Vaux’s mind is slipping. Memories of his wife, killed two years earlier in a car accident, are vanishing just as his dad predicted they would. Memories he knows he has to remember. His father tells Cameron that to save his mind he must find "the book with all days in it" —the past and future record of every soul on earth. When an obscure clue leads Cameron to a small central Oregon town, he meets enigmatic Taylor Stone, a possible guide to finding the book who seems to carry secrets far deeper than anyone imagines. Local hotshot TV personality Ann Bannister thinks the legend of the book is a farce, but she has her reasons to join Cameron’s search anyway. Finally, there is fanatical New Age guru Jason Judah, who will stop at nothing to find the book of days before Cameron does.

Read the Bible for Life. George Guthrie. B&H.

From the publisher:

The Bible may be the most-purchased book in the world, but it is often the least read and least applied due to a basic lack of understanding and motivation on the part of readers. Read the Bible for Life aims to improve biblical literacy in the culture and the church by simultaneously moving readers toward greater skill in reading the Bible well and toward a deeper commitment to applying Scripture to everyday life. Through a series of down-to-earth conversations with some of today’s brightest scholars, author George Guthrie discusses the basic tools and attitudes needed to read the Bible more effectively. Chapters focus on the various types of literature in Scripture and how to read them well. For instance, how should we read a psalm differently than we read a parable? How should we read a story of the Old Testament differently than we read a letter from Paul? How can we engage these various parts of Scripture in a way that is truly life-changing? The book also discusses issues such as reading the Bible in context, choosing and reading a Bible translation, reading in times of sorrow or suffering, and reading the Bible with your family. As we better understand how to read the Bible skillfully, we begin to see how every person of the Bible, every psalm, and every teaching fits into the Bible’s powerful, overarching story, and we begin to realize our place in the story God is still writing in the world.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

January 2011 Releases, Part Two

Don't Call It A Comeback: The Old Faith for a New Day. Foreword by D. A. Carson
Edited by Kevin DeYoung, Foreword by D. A. Carson, Contributions by Ted Kluck, Russell D. Moore, Tullian Tchividjian, Tim Challies, Justin Taylor, Collin Hansen, Jonathan Leeman, Greg Gilbert, Owen Strachan, Thabiti M. Anyabwile, Denny Burk, Jay Harvey, David Mathis, Andrew David Naselli, Darrin Patrick, Ben Peays, Eric C. Redmond. CROSSWAY.

From the publisher:

Recent cultural interest in evangelicalism has led to considerable confusion about what the term actually means. Many young Christians are tempted to discard the label altogether. But evangelicalism is not merely a political movement in decline or a sociological phenomenon on the rise, as it has sometimes been portrayed. It is, in fact, a helpful theological profile that manifests itself in beliefs, ethics, and church life.

DeYoung and other key twenty- and thirty-something evangelical Christian leaders present Don’t Call It a Comeback: The Same Evangelical Faith for a New Day to assert the stability, relevance, and necessity of Christian orthodoxy today. This book introduces young, new, and under-discipled Christians to the most essential and basic issues of faith in general and of evangelicalism in particular.

Kevin DeYoung and contributors like Russell Moore, Tullian Tchividjian, Darrin Patrick, Justin Taylor, Thabiti Anyabwile, and Tim Challies examine what evangelical Christianity is and does within the broad categories of history, theology, and practice. They demonstrate that evangelicalism is still biblically and historically rooted and remains the same framework for faith that we need today.                                                       

Redemption: Freed by Jesus from the Idols We Worship and the Wounds We Carry. Mike Wilkerson. Foreword by Mark Driscoll. CROSSWAY.

From the publisher: 

Exodus is a real story about God redeeming his people from the bondage of slavery and how their difficult journey home exposed their loyalties—though wounded by Egypt, they had come to worship its gods. Most Christians don’t make golden idols like the Israelites in the wilderness, but we do set up idols on our own desert road—idols like substance abuse, pornography, gluttony, and rage. And even those who don’t know the pain of actual slavery can feel enslaved to the fear and shame that follow sexual abuse or betrayal by a spouse, for we suffer at the hands of our idols as well as those created by others. We need more than self-improvement or comfort—we need redemption.

Redemption is not a step-oriented recovery book; it’s story-oriented and Bible-anchored. It unfolds the back-story of redemption in Exodus to help Christians better understand how Christ redeems us from the slavery of abuse, addiction and assorted trouble and restores us to our created purpose, the worship of God. Readers will discover that the reward of freedom is more than victory over a habitual sin or release from shame; it is satisfaction and rest in God himself. Part of the Re:Lit series.

No Other Gospel: 31 Reasons From Galatians Why Justification By Faith Alone is the Only Gospel. Josh Moody. CROSSWAY.

From the publisher:

As fallen human beings we are quick to deviate from the true gospel, for, as Pastor Josh Moody writes, “we tend toward human gospels.” Believers must constantly battle to maintain the purity and simplicity of the gospel. Paul was acutely aware of this as he wrote his letter to the Galatians. He was writing to an established church—experienced believers who had started to slip in their gospel witness.

Moody finds in Galatians particular relevance and parallels to many churches today. Stemming from a series of sermons delivered to his church, he examines thirty-one reasons Paul gives for this gospel. Moody writes this book with a pastor’s heart, addressing important topics such as “The Gospel Not Moralism” and “The Use of Gospel Freedom.” Paul’s message is foundational to the Christian faith, and thoughtful readers will benefit from Moody’s exposition.

The Legacy of the King James Bible: Celebrating 400 Years of the Most Influential English Translation. Leland Ryken. CROSSWAY.

From the publisher:

Originally published in 1611, the King James Bible (KJB) remains the most recognizable piece of literature in the English-speaking world today. For over three centuries, it served as the standard English Bible and has, as such, exerted unparalleled influence on English and American culture in nearly every sphere—including education, law, literature, government, art, science, and religion.

The Legacy of the King James Bible honors the 400^th anniversary of the KJB’s publication by telling its story—a drama that starts with the pioneering work of William Tyndale and progresses through half a dozen other popular translations. Leland Ryken, an expert on the Bible as literature, explores the excellence of the King James Bible by examining its status as the climax of a century of English Bible translations, its impression on the subsequent history of Bible translation, its inherent literary excellence, and its overall impact on English and American literature and culture. The Legacy of the King James Bible will shed new light on the depth of the translation’s merit and influence and offer insight as to what its role may be in the next 400 years.

Amazing Grace: God's Pursuit, Our Response. (Second Edition). Timothy George. CROSSWAY.

From the publisher:

The doctrine of God’s grace has sparked some heated controversies in the history of the Christian church. What are dispensations of grace? Is grace really irresistible? In Amazing Grace noted theologian Timothy George looks at some of these debated questions. Grounded in Scripture, his insights continually draw the reader back to the fundamental truth of God’s free and sovereign favor to ill-deserving sinners.

Originally written to address the “Calvinism controversy” brewing within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), this study was used in thousands of churches and study groups throughout the SBC and beyond. Now this popular primer on the basic themes of Reformed theology has been updated and expanded. Though written from George's Southern Baptist perspective, the book’s irenic tone appeals to a wide audience and shows how sound Reformed theology has taken root within several Reformation traditions.

Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault by Justin S. Holcomb, Lindsey A. Holcomb. CROSSWAY.

From the publisher:

The statistics are jarring. One in four women and one in six men have been sexually assaulted. But as sobering as these statistics are, they can’t begin to speak to the darkness and grief experienced by the victims. The church needs compassionate and wise resources to care for those living in the wake of this evil. Other books attempt to address the journey from shame to healing for victims of sexual abuse, but few are from a Christian perspective and written for both child and adult victims. In Rid of My Disgrace, a couple experienced in counseling and care for victims of sexual assault present the gospel in its power to heal the broken and restore the disgraced.

Justin and Lindsey Holcomb present a clear definition of sexual assault and outline a biblical approach for moving from destruction to redemption. Rid of My Disgrace applies a theology of redemption to the grief, shame, and sense of defilement victims experience. This book is primarily written for them, but can also equip pastors, ministry staff, and others to respond compassionately to those who have been assaulted. Part of the Re:Lit series.

Soulprint: Discovering Your Divine Destiny. Mark Batterson. WATERBROOK MULTNOMAH.

From the publisher:

There never has been and never will be anyone like you. But that isn’t a testament to you. It’s a testament to the God who created you. The problem? Few people discover the God-given identity that makes them unlike anyone else. Mark Batterson calls this divine distinction our soulprint.

God would like to introduce you to yourself.

 In Soulprint, Mark pours the contagious energy he’s known for into helping you experience the joy of discovering who you are and the freedom of discovering who you’re not. The wonderful fact is that your uniqueness is God’s gift to you—and it’s also your gift to God.

 A “self-help” book that puts God at the center rather than self, Soulprint encourages you to recognize and explore the moments of your life that determine your future. Along the way, you’ll find that you’re not just turning the pages of a book. You’re turning the pages of your remarkable, God-shaped, world-changing life.

Secure Daughters, Confident Sons: How Parents Guide Their Children Into Authentic Masculinity and Femininity. WATERBROOK MULTNOMAH.

From the publisher:

From the moment someone first asked “Boy or girl?” every child’s identity is tied to his or her gender. But how that identity fully takes shape depends greatly on the influence of their parents and what they teach their children about the innate value of being male or female.

In this eye-opening book, family researcher Glenn T. Stanton offers a clear vision for why gender matters in how we raise our children. His thought-provoking insights expose the problems with stifling stereotypes and damaging cultural assumptions, then highlight a practical pathway for guiding children into healthy manhood and womanhood.

 You’ll discover…

   ·  what gender-appropriate behavior looks like at various ages—and why you shouldn’t panic if your toddler boy plays with his sister’s dolls. 

   ·  how to help your daughter become secure in her sense of significance—whether she prefers chasing butterflies or shooting hoops.

   ·  how to inspire your son to compete and take healthy risks—in ways that fit his unique personality.

   ·  how moms and dads complement one another as they discipline differently, comfort differently, and influence differently.

   ·  what you can do on a daily basis to nurture your children’s God-given design and help them resist the pressure to conform to arbitrary cultural rules. 

With practical tools, well-researched insights, and real-life scenarios, this book equips parents to launch daughters who are secure in the power of their femininity and sons who are confident in their strength to make a difference in the world.

God Gave Us The World. Lisa T. Bergren. WATERBROOK MULTNOMAH.

From the publisher:

Little Cub’s trip to a special museum exhibit, “Bears Around the World,” sparks a flurry of questions from the young polar bear who is just beginning to learn about life beyond her North Pole home.  

 As Mama Bear shares with her about the different types of places that God has put the various types of bears, with their different kinds of fur and eating habits, Little Cub begins to wonder: Why didn’t God make us all the same?

 With Mama’s loving guidance, Little Cub is taught to see the vastness of God’s wonderful creation, his abilities as an amazing, inventive Creator, his desire for us to care for our world, and especially the important lesson that…

 “Every bear has a special place in God’s great, big world.”

 This adorable story offers young children who are discovering their place in God’s big world an opportunity to learn about the wonder of diversity, the gift of creativity, the importance of caring for His gifts, and how each child, each creation, is special to God. 

The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari. Donita K. Paul and Evangeline Denmark. WATERBROOK MULTNOMAH.

From the publisher:

Padraig the dragon and his best friend, Roger the turtle are determined to spend the whole night outside. As brave explorers at the base of Mount Sillymanborrow, the boys use their imaginations to have fun while munching on crunchy baked bugs and toasting s’mores over their campfire. But when the sky gets dark and the sounds of strange animals fill the forest outside their tent, their safari gets scary. This adventure is just what the boys need to discover that the dark might be frightening, but their friendship is stronger than fear.

Passport Through Darkness. Kimberly Smith. DAVID C. COOK.

Soul Shaping. Stephen W. Smith. DAVID C. COOK

From the publisher:

Soul Shaping is a guide to the amazing journey of spiritual transformation. It is anchored in Scripture and filled with practical exercises designed for individual, small group or class use. These pages contain the challenge to look backward and forward, inward and outward, remember the past and dream for the future. Soul Shaping is an invitation to see yourself as you really are and imagine who you can become, an opportunity to explore the very hands of God that have and are shaping your one wild and precious life.

Jesus in the Present Tense. Warren W. Wiersbe. DAVID C. COOK.

From the publisher:

In Jesus in the Present Tense, Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe explores the "I AM" statements of God-from His burning bush conversation with Moses, to His powerful reassurances to the Israelites, to Jesus's startling claim to be the Light of the World.

Many Christians find themselves mired in past regrets or future fears, but the name of God itself reminds readers that God wants them to live in the present. The more readers understand and apply God's I AM statements from the Old and New Testaments, the more they will realize God's peace and joy. Then they will be free to live, serve, and know God more richly in the present tense-which is just where He wants them to be.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible

January 2011 Releases, Part One

The Purpose of Passion by Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware. TYNDALE.

From the publisher: Have you ever wondered if you’re following God’s plan for your love life? Whether single or married, you ache for a deep, satisfying, romantic connection—but aren’t always sure how to handle the heartache and pain that come along the way. If love is truly a gift from God, why does it sometimes lead to the heights of heaven and other times to the depths of despair?
One of the world’s greatest love stories holds the answer. In The Purpose of Passion, best-selling authors Kurt Bruner and Jim Ware journey through The Divine Comedy to discover what Dante, one of the most influential Christian writers of all time, reveals about love in his literary masterpiece. Discover the secrets that it contains about passion, romance, and spirituality—and how they are all connected. Whether you’ve found true love or ache from its absence, your love life is always driving you closer to or away from God. No matter where you find yourself on love’s path, The Purpose of Passion will lead you on a spiritual adventure through the underworld of Inferno, on a purifying trek up mount Purgatory, and into the ultimate bliss of Paradise—revealing God’s ultimate desire for your heart.

Unstuff by Hayley and Michael DiMarco. TYNDALE.

From the publisher: God . . . and stuff. Everything in the universe falls into one of these two categories. Which is more important to you? (It’s not a trick question.) In Unstuff: Making Room in Your Life for What Really Matters, popular authors Hayley and Michael DiMarco take a close look at what’s in your wallet, your heart, your house, and your mind to reveal the pleasures and perils of stuff—and the joy, peace, and freedom that comes from learning to live with less. 
In this real-life look at “how it’s done,” the DiMarcos take an uncomfortably close look at the cost of their love affair with stuff. They start by Unstuffing their house—getting rid of anything they don’t need by giving away, selling, or throwing out items that only add to their love for more. Then, kicking it up a notch, this family of three travels across the country with nothing more than they can fit in a motor home . . . and discovers that the really important stuff goes with them.

Unplanned by Abby Johnson. TYNDALE.

From the publisher: Abby Johnson quit her job in October 2009. That simple act became a national news story because Abby was the director of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Texas who, after participating in her first actual abortion procedure, walked across the road to join the Coalition for Life. 
Unplanned is a heartstopping personal drama of life-and-death encounters, a courtroom battle, and spiritual transformation that speaks hope and compassion into the political controversy that surrounds this issue. Telling Abby’s story from both sides of the abortion clinic property line, this book is a must-read for anyone who cares about the life versus rights debate and helping women who face crisis pregnancies.

Three New Testaments (with Psalms and Proverbs) from TYNDALE. Faith, Hope, and Love. 

From the publisher: The appeal of the vintage style is beautifully captured in the Faith, Hope, and Love purse-sized Devotional New Testaments. Each book features unique devotional content in the front—30 days on the topic of faith, hope, or love. Each New Testament has unique interior colors with endsheets and ribbons to match. This faith-themed New Testament includes the Psalms and Proverbs, and verses on faith are highlighted throughout. It will make a great gift for a friend or family member, especially on Mother's Day and Valentine’s Day.

Possession by Rene Gutteridge. TYNDALE. 

From the publisher: In the aftermath of investigating the D.C. sniper case, police detective Vance Graegan is burned out on life and love. Hoping to save his marriage, he quits the force and moves his wife and son to the other side of the country. But when the movers decide to hold his belongings for ransom, Vance is determined to ensure that his family’s new beginning is not ruined. Soon, though, losing his possessions becomes the least of his problems as everything they are fighting for begins to unravel in the hands of Vance’s past. In an unforgettable climax, a little boy’s innocent faith brings a group of desperate people to their knees. What is at stake counts for everything, but nothing can prepare Vance for who is behind it.

Christian Writers' Market Guide 2011. TYNDALE.

From the publisher: For more than 25 years, the Christian Writers’ Market Guide has been the most comprehensive and highly recommended resource for Christian writers, agents, editors, publishers, publicists, and writing teachers on the market. 
In addition to providing a wealth of ideas and tips for publishing in the Christian industry, the CWMG also includes up-to-date information on more than 400 book publishers, more than 600 periodicals, and hundreds of agents, contests, conferences, editorial services, niche markets, self-publishing services, and more.
This is the ultimate reference tool for Christian writers.

Courting Miss Amsel by Kim Vogel Sawyer. BETHANY HOUSE.

From the publisher: Edythe Amsel is delighted with her first teaching assignment: a one-room schoolhouse in Walnut Hill, Nebraska. Independent, headstrong, and a firm believer in a well-rounded education, Edythe is ready to open the world to the students in this tiny community. But is Walnut Hill ready for her?

Having raised his nephews since their parents' untimely deaths, Joel Townsend is thrilled to learn the town council has hired a female teacher. His sons could use a woman's influence. But he sure didn't bargain on a woman like Miss Amsel. Within the first week, she has the entire town up in arms over her outlandish teaching methods. Of course, Joel can't help but notice that she's also mighty pretty—and just might make a good mother for his boys.

When Edythe decides to take her pupils to hear Miss Susan Anthony speak on the women's suffrage amendment, the town's outcry reaches new heights. Even Joel isn't sure he can support her newfangled ideas any longer. And if he can't trust her to teach the boys, how can he trust her with his heart? 

The Damascus Way. Janette Oke and Davis Bunn. BETHANY HOUSE.

From the publisher:  Young Julia has everything money can buy—except for acceptance by either Gentiles or Judeans in Tiberias. When she discovers the secret her beloved Greek father has kept all these years, she is devastated. Julia and her Hebrew mother are indeed less than second-class citizens. Her future is dark with clouds of uncertainty.

Jacob, Abigail's brother, is now a young man attempting to find his own place among the community of believers. Does it mean trading away the exhilaration and adventure of his current profession as a caravan guard? Hired by Julia's father to protect a wealthy merchant's caravans on the secretive "Frankincense Trail," Jacob also reluctantly takes on the perilous responsibility of passing letters and messages between communities of believers now dispersed across the land. He is alarmed to discover that Julia, hardly more than a girl, is also a courier. Can their initial mistrust be put aside to accomplish their mission?

Girl in the Gatehouse. Julie Klassen. BETHANY HOUSE.

From the publisher: Banished from the only home she's ever known, Mariah Aubrey hides herself away in an abandoned gatehouse on a distant relative's estate. There she supports herself and her loyal servant the only way she knows how—by writing novels in secret.

When Captain Matthew Bryant leases the estate, he is intrigued by the beautiful girl in the gatehouse. But there are many things he doesn't know about this beguiling outcast. Will he risk his plans—and his heart—for a woman shadowed by scandal?

Intriguing, mysterious, and romantic, The Girl in the Gatehouse takes readers inside the life of a secret authoress at a time when novel-writing was considered improper for ladies and the smallest hint of impropriety could change a woman's life forever.

The Daughters of Caleb Bender: Paradise Valley. Dale Cramer. BETHANY HOUSE. 

From the publisher: "I would do a great many things for you." Even at sixteen, Jake's handsome features hold the calm certainty and patient confidence of a man, and Rachel Bender knows—Jake Weaver is the one.

Rachel will grow into a strong young woman with powerful gifts—but in a faraway country, without her Jake. In 1921, Ohio;s new law forces Caleb Bender's family to seek sanctuary in the wilds of Mexico where the government will not interfere with their Amish way of life, or take their children from them. Nor will it protect them from the bandits terrorizing the countryside.

In an unfamiliar land where no one speaks their language or knows their ways, the Benders establish a homestead in exile. Sisters Emma, Rachel, and Miriam find strengths unimagined, gifts unexpected, and yearning beyond their deepest dreams. Even steadfast Caleb is compelled to wrestle with the demands of faith, only to discover that love has its own demands.

Serendipity by Cathy Marie Hake. BETHANY HOUSE.

From the publisher: The only remaining woman in Carver's Hollow, Maggie Rose has cared for a ragtag of old men for years, bartering for a living and making soaps, lotions, and perfumes from a special rose recipe passed down for generations. She hasn't wanted to marry at least that's what she thought. But when a strapping young man arrives on Maggie's doorstep, searching for a doctor for his ailing mother, life suddenly changes for the dark-haired beauty.
  
Todd Valmer is in a desperate situation. His mother needs a caretaker, and he's barely hanging on to his Texas farm. Maggie seems to be the obvious solution. She can cook, care for Ma, tend his house while he works the fields and she's comely, as well.

But instant attraction does not a marriage make. As a clash of cultures and a battle of wills ensues, is there any hope that true love will blossom between a free-spirited woman and her uncompromising husband?

Never Been Kissed. Melody Carlson. REVELL.

From the publisher: Summer is ending, and for once that doesn't seem like such a bad thing to Elise. She's hoping that starting fresh at a new high school will turn her first-kiss prospects around. New guys, new friends, and a new lease on life.
What she wasn't counting on was all the new pressure--to hang with the right crowd, wear the right clothes, and date the right guy. Just when it seems she's on top of the world, everything comes crashing down. Could one bad choice derail her future?

Raising Kids with Character That Lasts. John Yates and Susan Alexander Yates. REVELL.

From the publisher: Strong character that stands the test of time and circumstances does not develop automatically in children. It happens each day, a little bit at a time. Raising Kids with Character That Lasts shows you how to set and achieve the goals necessary for developing eight essential character traits in your children: 

• integrity
• faith
• a teachable spirit
• a servant
• self-discipline
• joy
• compassion
• courage

With refreshing honesty, true stories, and practical examples, John and Susan Yates share how to use your everyday circumstances as opportunities for character development when raising kids. 

The Search. Suzanne Woods Fisher. REVELL.

Stars Collide by Janice Thompson. REVELL

From the publisher: Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood's golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?
From the soundstage to a Beverly Hills mansion to the gleaming Pacific Ocean, Stars Collide takes you on a roller-coaster tour of Hollywood, packing both comedic punch and tender emotion.

Is God a Moral Monster: Making Sense of the Old Testament God. Paul Copan. BAKER HOUSE.

From the publisher: Is the God of the Old Testament nothing but a bully, a murderer, and an oppressor?

Many today--even within the church--seem to think so. How are Christians to respond to such accusations? And how are we to reconcile the seemingly disconnected natures of God portrayed in the two testaments?
In this timely and readable book, apologist Paul Copan takes on some of the most vexing accusations of our time, including:

• God is arrogant and jealous
• God punishes people too harshly
• God is guilty of ethnic cleansing
• God oppresses women
• God endorses slavery
• Christianity causes violence

Copan not only answers the critics, he also shows how to read both the Old and New Testaments faithfully, seeing an unchanging, righteous, and loving God in both.

© Becky Laney of Operation Actually Read Bible