We
should all make the time to read at least one book a month - this
would be an excellent way to expand our thinking and return reading to
the role of one of the primary means of entertainment for individuals
and families! Consider
some of the following excellent books to give as gifts and add to your
"Must read list"
for 2009!
Books for adults
www.sterlingpublishing.com
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Camera Author - Todd Gustavson |
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- Favorite Features -
- covers almost 200 years of the history of photography with photos and text
- photos throughout of some of the earliest cameras and of the photos they took
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When the Game Is Over It All Goes Back In the Box Author - John Ortberg Publisher - Zondervan
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Favorite Features -
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real life stories throughout
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enjoyable, easy read
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challenging content leaves you with a lot to think about
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This book is sure to challenge our thinking, beliefs and more importantly, how we live . . . how we "play the game of life"! I like the connection this book/author makes between playing games to win and living life to "win" and what such a thing would actually look like. What really matters? Do I need a newer, bigger house, car, closet of clothes before I will think I've "won" at the game of life? Any of those things can be, and often are, gone in a moment. What really lasts? What really matters? John Ortberg helps us think through how we are playing the "game" and if we are "playing" by God's rules for a "game/life" that really matters. Read this book with a trusted friend for real, honest discussions and loving feed-back. Extremely well done, John and Zondervan!
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The Bible Experience Published
by - Zondervan
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Favorite Features -
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available as the entire Bible on cd or just the New Testament
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presents the Bible as a drama to experience with emotion, music, sound - it is unbelievable
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discs come in an attractive zippered case
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TNIV for ease of understanding and clarity
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Amazing! I've listened to the Bible on cd before, but there has
never been one like this! One of my reviewers said it was a Bible on cd
they would actually enjoy listening to while another reviewer said it
made even the Old Testament Books like Numbers and Leviticus
interesting and enjoyable to hear! Absolutely beyond tremendously well
done, this is a Bible on cd like no other! The performances from each
of the participants are genuine, heart-felt and full of emotion! Get
this to listen to and give as a gift!
Baker Publishing Group
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
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Loving God When You Don't Love the Church Author - Chris Jackson Publisher - Chosen/Baker
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Favorite Features -
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written by a pastor, but not just a "pastor" - this author is a person who has experienced pain from the "church"
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truth delivered with real life stories and from-the-heart grace
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I found this book "painful" to read in respects to the pain I feel about church, but very helpful as well - for example, I was able to identify some of the "whys" for my pain, such as not being "heard". I had the opportunity to talk with this author - Chris Jackson - through email, which he was gracious enough to respond to. I told him I thought the book basically encourages us to be real, be there for others, hang in there, work for the opportunity to be heard and use the pain to grow. He responded -
"Yes, I think you assessed the bottom line well: “be real, be there for others, hang in there, work for the opportunity to be correctly heard, use the pain to grow, etc.” However, I’m well aware that that is a very simplistic—almost naïve—summary. And yet, I think Jesus sounded naïve in some of what He presented. He seemed to think that we should drop all trappings of religion, humble ourselves, love to our own hurt, reconcile with anyone that we’ve ever hurt or been hurt by. Yes, it’s simple, yes, it’s much easier said than done and, no, it doesn’t always happen.
Since every relationship is a two-way street with free-willed individuals sometimes reconciliation and resolution aren’t possible. I included a small insert in the book on how to leave a church because sometimes we have to get out of a painful situation. Sometimes the Lord requires us to stay in a tough spot because He is either refining us or He wants to use us to help change a bad situation—but even in these instances He won’t leave us there forever.
I also want to mention that even when He is trying to refine an area of our own lives—the purpose of gold is not to be refined. The purpose of gold is to adorn. Our purpose is not to go through trials—our purpose is to adorn the world with the likeness of Jesus. Unfortunately, this refining process often happens in the church—the last place that it should."
I appreciated Chris' insight and also appreciate how his book doesn't "tear the church apart", but rather tries to lay out a realistic approach to find healing and unity in and with the church. I highly recommend this book for all pastors, church leaders and people! Tremendously well done, Chris and Baker/Chosen Books!
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Michal Author - Jill Eileen Smith Publisher - Baker/Revell |
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Favorite Features -
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historical fiction - Wives of King David series
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well written, well researched for a gripping story
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This novel game me a new way to think of Michal and a new way to consider what it may have been like to have King Saul for a father and David for a husband. While obviously this is a fictional story, perhaps Michal was more like the character in this story than the image I had of her. Interesting and enjoyable to read this book had me from the first chapter - I'd have liked to been able to read even more and look forward to the next story in this series! Tremendously well done!
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No Place for a Lady Author - Maggie Brendan Publisher - Baker/Revell |
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Favorite Features -
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historical romance set in the Colorado old west - 1892
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interesting characters with the overall message of not giving up
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While I found the storyline to be mostly predictable, fans of romance novels will enjoy this story with it's tragedy, trouble and triumph.
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The Edge of Light Author - Ann Shorey Publisher - Baker/Revell |
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Favorite Features -
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set in 1838 before the Civil War
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does a great job illustrating the difficulties and challenges of life on the frontier in the 1800's
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While there was a bit of predictability as to the characters that would overcome obstacles to marry in the end, I surprisingly found this story to be gripping and a true enjoyment to read! I like how the book illustrated the pre-Civil war struggles with slavery, the underground railroad and the struggles of a mother, widowed, who tried to find a way to keep her family together and provide for them. I enjoyed this book! Extremely well done!
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Journey to the Well Author - Diana Wallis Taylor Publisher - Baker/Revell |
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Favorite Features -
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historical fiction set in the times of Jesus - the woman at the well
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well researched into times and culture of the day
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If you only read/give one novel this year, make it this book! I could not put it down! I always viewed the woman at the well as a "loose" woman, but this book presents her in an entirely different way. The research put into this book allows it to show us another possibility as to who this woman may have been, what it might have been like to live her life in that time and provides a gripping and completely enjoyable story! Tremendously well done! I hope to read more from this author!
Thomas Nelson
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Grace for the Moment - Morning and Evening Edition Author - Max Lucado |
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Favorite Features -
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daily readings in the morning and evening for one year
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beautiful stitched leather bound
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each reading is dated and includes a verse, devotional thoughts, question to ponder and space to journal
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This is a truly thoughtful and lovely gift - Max Lucado's devotionals make a great way to begin and end your day! Tremendously well done!
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When God Author - Max Lucado |
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Favorite Features -
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28 short chapters to encourage and challenge
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discussion guide with points to ponder and wisdom from the Word
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A Gentle Thunder - Author - Max Lucado |
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Favorite Features -
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30 chapters
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study guide with echoes of thunder questions to think and talk about and flashes of lightening to dig deeper in the Word
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You can't go wrong giving a gift of a Max Lucado book to the people on your list! These books give the reader much to think about! Extremely well done!
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