THE REASON FOR GOD: Belief in an Age of Skepticism: Just as C.S. Lewis answered the skeptics of his day, Tim Keller has written what feels very much like an updated version of "Mere Christianity". It has all the hallmarks of a classic. Like Lewis, he goes through the major objections modern people have to Christianity and shows how, by nearly logic alone, these objections are easily answered. They simply don't stand up to scrutiny and reason.

For Christians who get anxious when someone challenges their faith with conversation stoppers like, "I can't believe in a religion that believes all other religions are wrong - after all it's that kind of bigotry that has led to more wars than anything else" or, "how could a good God allow suffering" or "I can't believe in a religion that rejects science?", this book is for you. These objections are easily deflated and defeated with a little knowledge and a little logic. And Keller is a master at showing believers how they can answer these objections in a loving, patient and even charming way! When you really understand these issues, there is no reason to ever be anxious or defensive when a friend confronts you with these difficult questions.

And for non-believers, you will find Keller's logic insightful and illuminating. As he does with his Sunday sermons, which are directed to a very secular New York audience, he will challenge you to think. You may not walk away with your mind changed, but your beliefs will be challenged and your thoughts will be clarified. When we allow our beliefs to be challenged they are either changed or strengthened. So, don't be afraid to take the challenge! --Jonathan

FORGOTTEN GOD: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit:"Another book on the Holy Spirit? You have got to be kidding me!" Those were the initial thoughts that crept into my mind when I first saw the subtitle of Francis Chan's new book Forgotten God. It is subtitled "Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit." But then again, after reading Francis' other book, Crazy Love, blogging about it and then offering a small group study of it, I was not about to write this new book off as just a dusty old rehash of "Holy Spirit talk." Man, am I glad I didn't! I will have to confess something right up front: I was stoked because of the author...so much so that I had trouble putting this book down. I took it everywhere with me just in case I had little snippets of time to read and highlight it. Oftentimes authors writing about the Holy Spirit take one of two approaches: they sensationalize everything and make it overly emotional, almost confrontational. You know...if you don't have this or do this then there must be something wrong with your spirituality. The other approach is one that brings yawns to people like me who just want something practical, something that translates into preaching and teaching and the everyday life of people I pastor. Unequivocally, Francis did not disappoint! He laid down the gauntlet on the very first page of his introduction: "the benchmark of success in church services has become more about attendance than the movement of the Holy Spirit. The `entertainment' model of church was largely adopted in the 1980s and '90s, and while it alleviated some of our boredom for a couple of hours a week, it filled our churches with self-focused consumers rather than self-sacrificing servants attuned to the Holy Spirit." (p.15-16) From there on it is sometimes hard-hitting, sometimes convicting, sometimes wooing, but always Francis-biblical and easy to understand. He takes one chapter he calls Theology of the Holy Spirit 101 to give a brief description of the Holy Spirit but it is informative not dry. In my opinion he reached his zenith in the last chapter: The Supernatural Church. WOW! I believe if you only read this chapter it alone would "fire you up." (It would also encourage you to read the rest of it as well). :) One more thing: after each chapter he included a two or three page biography of someone he knew living out what he had just taught. That was good to read. --Bill Grandi

KNOWING GOD: A lifelong pursuit of knowing God should embody the Christian's existence. According to eminent theologian J.I. Packer, however, Christians have become enchanted by modern skepticism and have joined the "gigantic conspiracy of misdirection" by failing to put first things first. Knowing God aims to redirect our attention to the simple, deep truth that to know God is to love His Word. What began as a number of consecutive articles angled for "honest, no-nonsense readers who were fed up with facile Christian verbiage" in 1973, Knowing God has become a contemporary classic by creating "small studies out of great subjects." Each chapter is so specific in focus (covering topics such as the trinity, election, God's wrath, and God's sovereignty), that each succeeding chapter's theology seems to rival the next, until one's mind is so expanded that one's entire view of God has changed. Author Elizabeth Eliot wrote that amid the lofty content Packer "puts the hay where the sheep can reach it--plainly shows us ordinary folks what it means to know God." Having rescued us from the individual hunches of our ultra-tolerant theological age, Packer points the reader to the true character of God with his theological competence and compassionate heart. The lazy and faint-hearted should be warned about this timeless work--God is magnified, the sinner is humbled, and the saint encouraged. --Jill Heatherly

THE CASE FOR CHRIST: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus: The Case for Christ records Lee Strobel's attempt to "determine if there's credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God." The book consists primarily of interviews between Strobel (a former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune) and biblical scholars such as Bruce Metzger. Each interview is based on a simple question, concerning historical evidence (for example, "Can the Biographies of Jesus Be Trusted?"), scientific evidence, ("Does Archaeology Confirm or Contradict Jesus' Biographies?"), and "psychiatric evidence" ("Was Jesus Crazy When He Claimed to Be the Son of God?"). Together, these interviews compose a case brief defending Jesus' divinity, and urging readers to reach a verdict of their own.

THE CASE FOR FAITH: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity: Award-winning reporter and author Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ) once again uses his investigative skills to address the primary objections to Christianity. As a former atheist, Strobel understands the rational resistance to faith. He even names the eight most convincing arguments against Christian faith:

1. If there's a loving God, why does this pain-wracked world groan under so much suffering and evil?
2. If the miracles of God contradict science, then how can any rational person believe that they're true?
3. If God is morally pure, how can he sanction the slaughter of innocent children as the Old Testament says he did?
4. If God cares about the people he created, how could he
   consign so many of them to an eternity of torture in hell just because they didn't believe the right things about him?
5. If Jesus is the only way to heaven, then what about the millions of people who have never heard of him?
6. If God really created the universe, why does the evidence of science compel so many to conclude that the unguided process of evolution accounts for life?
7. If God is the ultimate overseer of the church, why has it been rife with hypocrisy and brutality throughout the ages?
8. If I'm still plagued by doubts, then is it still possible to be a Christian?

These are mighty tough questions, and Strobel fields them well. Rather than write a weighty dissertation about the merits of faith, he brings us along on his quest as we meet leaders in the Christian community, such as Peter Kreeft and William Lane Craig. We also encounter his everyday friends and acquaintances that serendipitously fill in the holes in each of the eight arguments against faith. The use of dialogue from personal interviews and a scene-by-scene active narrative makes this an easy and engaging read. However, easy does not mean breezy. This is a book of substance and merit, one that will help Christians defend their faith, especially during the hardest of times, when they have to defend their faith to themselves in moments of doubt. --Gail Hudson

THE CASE FOR A CREATOR: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God: Are Christianity and science incompatible? If there is a God, is he only an impersonal starter force? An introductory high school biology class first propelled Lee Strobel toward a life of atheism. God and science, he reasoned, were mutually exclusive. When the former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune converted to Christianity, he decided to investigate the science he had once accepted as truth. Did science point toward or away from God? As Strobel interviews a variety of scientists on everything from debunking evolutionary icons to the implications of the Big Bang to the existence of the human soul, he builds his case: scientific evidence points toward Intelligent Design.

Although the discussion often veers into the academic, Strobel works hard to make it accessible to those without scientific training. Throughout the book, he salts interview transcript information with interesting personal stories of his own spiritual and scientific quest for knowledge, as well as sometimes over-detailed descriptions of the actual interviews (right down to the type of beverages consumed). Each chapter contains suggestions for further reading on particular issues of science and faith.

Strobel concludes that, when correctly interpreted, science and biblical teaching support each other. He quotes physicist Paul Davies, "…science offers a surer path to God than religion." Open-minded readers will find that this book, and its questions for reflection and group study, invites conversation and investigation.--Cindy Crosby

INSPIRATIONAL

BOUNDARIES: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life: Having clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. In other words, boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Boundaries impact all areas of our lives: Physical boundaries help us determine who may touch us, mental boundaries give us the freedom to have our own thoughts, emotional boundaries help us to deal with our own emotions and spiritual boundaries help us to distinguish God's will from our own.

As a Christian, I continually struggled with feeling depressed from being a doormat, and being nice because it was "part of the abundant Christian life." Everyone spoke about Christianity as being a joyful, full life that I would love and never want to return to the secular world. Then why did I feel so miserable? Why did the secular world seem so appealing, where I could be as nasty and selfish as I wanted to?

The answer was in "Boundaries". As I read the book, I could identify with something in every chapter. I'm the type of person who will let everyone else step all over me to keep themselves happy. As long as I didn't raise a ruckus, and the peace was kept, everything was okay, right? WRONG! Inside I was always seething with anger, and I was livid with the fact that I had to continually step out of the way for everyone else while they ran right over me.

Through reading this book, I realized that it's OK to set boundaries in all interactions; in fact, I now believe that it would be wrong NOT to set boundaries in things. Slowly but surely, with the help from this book's message, I've been setting boundaries for a happier life that's filled with more peace, joy, and abundance than ever.

JESUS CALLING: Enjoying Peace in His Presence: After many years of writing in her prayer journal, missionary Sarah Young decided to "listen" to God with pen in hand, writing down whatever she believed He was saying to her. It was awkward at first, but gradually her journaling changed from monologue to dialogue. She knew her writings were not inspired as Scripture is, but they were helping her grow closer to God. Others were blessed as she shared her writings, until people all over the world were using her messages. They are written from Jesus’ point of view, thus the title Jesus Calling. It is Sarah’s fervent prayer that our Savior may bless you with His presence and His peace in ever deeper measure.

"I absolutely love this devotion book. Sarah Young speaks from the heart and puts into words what I can not form but what I do feel. It is like "listening in a mirror." Listening, not reading. I can read the book, but listen to God's voice in my soul - where the Holy Spirit reflects (hence, mirror) that from those in whom He lives.I highly recomend this as a must have devotion." --Sherian Oakley

COUNTERFEIT GODS: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters: The New York Times bestselling author of The Reason for God and The Prodigal God and a nationally renowned minister, Timothy Keller exposes the error of making good things "ultimate" in his latest book, and shows readers a new path toward a hope that lasts.

Success, true love, and the life you've always wanted. Many of us placed our faith in these things, believing they held the key to happiness, but with a sneaking suspicion they might not deliver. The recent economic meltdown has cast a harsh new light on these pursuits. In a matter of months, fortunes, marriages, careers, and a secure retirement have disappeared for millions of people. No wonder so many of us feel lost, alone, disenchanted, and resentful. But the truth is that we made lesser gods of these good things -gods that can't give us what we really need. There is only one God who can wholly satisfy our cravings- and now is the perfect time to meet him again, or for the first time.

The Bible tells us that the human heart is an "idol- factory," taking good things and making them into idols that drive us. In Counterfeit Gods, Keller applies his trademark approach to show us how a proper understanding of the Bible reveals the unvarnished truth about societal ideals and our own hearts. This powerful message will cement Keller's reputation as a critical thinker and pastor, and comes at a crucial time-for both the faithful and the skeptical.

THE PURPOSE DRIVEN® LIFE: What on Earth Am I Here For?: The spiritual premise in The Purpose-Driven Life is that there are no accidents---God planned everything and everyone. Therefore, every human has a divine purpose, according to God's master plan. Like a twist on John F. Kennedy's famous inaugural address, this book could be summed up like this: "So my fellow Christians, ask not what God can do for your life plan, ask what your life can do for God's plan." Those who are looking for advice on finding one's calling through career choice, creative expression, or any form of self-discovery should go elsewhere. This is not about self-exploration; it is about purposeful devotion to a Christian God. The book is set up to be a 40-day immersion plan, recognizing that the Bible favors the number 40 as a "spiritually significant time," according to author Rick Warren, the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, touted as one of the nation largest congregations. Warren's hope is that readers will "interact" with the 40 chapters, reading them one day at a time, with extensive underlining and writing in the margins. As an inspirational manifesto for creating a more worshipful, church-driven life, this book delivers. Every page is laden with references to scripture or dogma. But it does not do much to address the challenges of modern Christian living, with its competing material, professional, and financial distractions. Nonetheless, this is probably an excellent resource for devout Christians who crave a jumpstart back to worshipfulness. --Gail Hudson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON: A Story of Homecoming: The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming is a spiritual adventure story. A chance encounter with a poster depicting a detail of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son set in motion a chain of events that enabled Nouwen to redefine and claim his vocation late in his life. In this book, which interweaves elements of art history, memoir, Midrash, and self-help, Nouwen brings the parable to life with empathic analyses of each character. Nouwen's absorption in the story (and the painting) is so complete that the father's challenge to love the son, and the son's challenge to receive that love, become Nouwen's own. And Nouwen's writing is so clear and his tone is so appealingly frank and humble that readers--no matter how far from home--will find hope for themselves in the prodigal peace Nouwen ultimately achieves. --Michael Joseph Gross

THIS LITTLE PRAYER OF MINE: Everyday we must live in a close trusting relationship with God, always looking to Him for comfort and direction through prayer. This Little Prayer of Mine is the springboard for helping children to establish that type of life-long relationship with our Heavenly Father. Both parents and children alike will praise Anthony DeStefano for this amazing little book. Bernice A. King
Daughter of Martin Luther King, Jr. & Coretta Scott King

Other than breathing, there is nothing more important for any child to learn – and learn deeply and well -- than to pray. Talking with God should be as easy and natural as breathing and as necessary. What a blessing Anthony DeStefano’s little book is!
Pat and Shirley Boone

THE HOLE IN OUR GOSPEL: "What does God expect of Us? The Answer that Changed my Life and Might Just Change the World: Every generation has its sins--of commission and omission. The lens of history will be brutally honest in its judgment. How can the American church, with all its resources and influence, fail to respond proportionately to the greatest crises facing the world? In The Hole in our Gospel, Rich Stearns calls on Christians to no longer tolerate the moral scandal of poverty and injustice in our world. This book is a great read for Christians and non-Christians alike. It reminds us that we MUST care for all people whether they be our neighbors next door or thousands of miles away. Stearns offers compelling stories, staggering statistics, and practical ideas of how we can eradicate poverty in our lifetime." --Toi Boyd

A PRAYER LIFE: I know there are a million, zillion books about prayer out there -- but this is really one you should sit with for a while, a long while. I learned an awful lot from it -- but more importantly, it actually motivated me to stop reading and start praying --Lauren F. Winner, author of Girl Meets God and Real Sex.

What a refreshing book! If you're tired of religious prayer games and rote prayers that stop at the ceiling or if you have suspected that God was on vacation somewhere, this book will change your life. And if you're thinking about giving up on prayer, don't! At least not until you've read this book. When you have, you'll thank me for recommending it to you. --Steve Brown, Professor, Reformed Theological Seminary; teacher on the syndicated radio program Key Life.

If you are looking for the one book that successfully integrates the pain and joy and mystery of life with prayer, look no further! Praying for Dear Life not only takes us on a journey into Steagald's heart, but also compels us to start a similar pilgrimage into the deep places within ourselves. I welcome this fresh, new voice in Christian spirituality, and I hope to hear from him again. Honest, realistic, mature, wise, deep. Warmly recommended.

SO YOU DON'T WANT TO GO TO CHURCH ANYMORE: What would you do if you met someone you thought just might be one of Jesus original disciples still living in the 21st Century? That's Jake's dilemma as he meets a man who talks of Jesus as if he had known him, and whose way of living challenges everything Jake had previously known. So You Don t Want to Go To Church Anymore is Jake s compelling journal that chronicles thirteen conversations with his newfound friend over a four-year period and how those exchanges turn Jake's world upside-down. With his help, Jake faces his darkest fears, struggles through brutal circumstances and comes out on the other side in the joy and freedom he always dreamed was possible. If you're tired of just going through the motions of Christianity and want to mine the depths of what it really means to live deeply in Christ, you ll find Jake s story will give you hope for your own. This book probes the difficult questions and offers some far-reaching answers. It just might turn your world upside-down as well!

STEPPING HEAVENWARD (Inspirational Library Series): "This book sat on my shelf for 2 years before reading it--wow how I wish I would have pulled it down sooner! It has been very readable--better than most novels! It puts in very approachable and applicable ways some of the most profound spiritual concepts of growth, obedience to God, and the strangeness of God's purpose for each of us. Do your self a favor and get this one--you will never be the same. Worth every late-night moment of lost sleep to read it!" --E. Heredia

ESTHER: It's Tough Being a Woman: Member: "This is the third Beth Moore group Bible study I have done. I have gotten SO MUCH out of each one. This one is particularly great because Esther is such a small book and so she is really able to go for depth and focus on a few small verses a day. While I've read the book before, I never would have imagined so much was contained in its few short pages. I highly recommend this study for anyone wanting to dig deeper into the Word and get inspired. This is a great study for beginners as well as for those who've already been through the Bible a time or two. Meaty and profound, but at the same time accessible and relevant. The study sessions for this are also available for purchase and download online, so my group found it a lot cheaper to buy our own member books and download the videos rather than purchasing the DVD kit. Awesome!" --Rebekah Prince

THE STRONG WILLED CHILD: I almost didn't buy this book because of many negative reviews it got. However, I am so incredibly glad that I went with some personal recommendations about the author and tried it out. Many of the people who wrote reviews obviously either didn't read the whole book or pick and chose sections to listen to. Taken out of context, things can often sound very different than what they mean. In all situations in life, I think you need to be very careful when taking things out of context. Yes, Dr. Dobson does advocate spanking (as do many, many other professionals out there.) If you are absolutely against spanking, and feel so strongly about it that you are unwilling to be open minded to any opinions otherwise than this is probably not the book for you. However, this book does NOT revolve around spanking. It is not the main point of the book, just simply one item that is discussed.

This book does give many examples of strong willed children, which for me were extremely encouraging to read about and know that I was not alone. It helped me to realize that there was hope for reigning in my son but NOT breaking his spirit--which Dr. Dobson gives strong advice about being careful not to do. If you have a difficult child this book can definitely give you hope and some perspective. Like any self-help type book, you should read with an open but analytical mind. There are many different ideas out there advocated by different professionals, and at least for me, I have done best by looking at lots of different information but then finally having to figure out for myself what works for me and my family. May God help you to do the same! --Shannon

WHAT'S SO AMAZING ABOUT GRACE?: On the heels of Philip Yancey's bestselling The Jesus I Never Knew comes his equally insightful exploration of grace, the most powerful force in the universe and our only hope for love and forgiveness. Now available in softcover. Winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award, the Christian Book of the Year Award, and the Retailers Choice Award.

THE SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE:Seeing Your True Worth Through God's Eyes: Robert McGee's best-selling book has helped millions of readers learn how to be free to enjoy Christ's love while no longer basing their self-worth on their accomplishments or the opinions of others. In fact, Billy Graham said that it was a book that should be read by every Christian.

In this re-launch of this timeless classic you will:

• Gain new skills for getting off the performance treadmill
• Discover how four false beliefs have negatively impacted your life
• Learn how to overcome obstacles that prevent you from experiencing the truth that your self-worth is found only in the love, acceptance, and forgiveness of Christ

BEFORE YOU SAY "I DO": A Marriage Preparation Manual for Couples: Drawn from years of marriage preparation and enrichment seminars, this handbook delivers solid information on how you and your partner can make your marriage all that it is meant to be, particularly through incorporating Christ into your relationship.

THE RELATIONSHIP PRINCIPLES OF JESUS: Nothing matters more than relationships---and no one understands them better than Jesus. Based on an exhaustive study of what Jesus did and said about relationships, this book guides readers on a forty-day journey that will bring new health and richness to their marriages, families, friendships, and all the relationships in their lives.

FASTING:Opening the door to a deeper, more intimate, more powerful relationship with God: In one of the best available books on the topic, Franklin explains the spiritual power of fasting and offers a deeper understanding of God's plan for fasting and the benefits available to those who participate. Those who seek God through fasting can expect tremendous rewards both for their personal lives and the church. They will see breakthroughs in many areas, such as healing, finances, bondages broken, and children set free.

Jesus Himself fasted because He knew some supernatural realities could not be released in any other way. For that reason alone, Christians should make fasting a common practice.

AFTERLIFE

90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN: A True Story of Death & Life: On the way home from a conference, Don Piper's car was crushed by a semi-truck that crossed into his lane. Medical personnel said he died instantly. While his body lay lifeless inside the ruins of his car, Piper experienced the glories of heaven, awed by its beauty and music.

90 minutes after the wreck, while a minister prayed for him, Piper miraculously returned to life on earth with only the memory of inexpressible heavenly bliss. His faith in God was severely tested as he faced an uncertain and grueling recovery. Now he'd like to share his life-changing story with you.

90 Minutes in Heaven offers a glimpse into a very real dimension of God's reality. This New York Times bestseller encourages those recovering from serious injuries and those dealing with the loss of a loved one. The experience dramatically changed Piper's life, and it will change yours too.

"A friend handed me this book at about midnight, and come two or three in the morning, I was still reading, my heart pumping, bumps on my arms, the hairs on the back of my neck on end. It's a wonderful and inspiring story that brightens your perspective, giving you a sense of security, clarity and warmth."--Donald Miller, author, Blue Like Jazz.

"The book describes the brief but sweet heavenly reunion Piper enjoyed with deceased relatives (as well as his grueling recovery, which has included 34 surgeries)."--Publishers Weekly.

"Captivating and well written, this books holds your attention and often holds your heart. Don tells his story, his experience that all Christians long to hear. I appreciate especially his honesty and candid feelings of dealing with his recovery and pain. Don's experience will lift your spirit and soften any pain."--Ron Hill, pastor, The Fellowship of San Antonio.

"Don Piper's ninety minutes in heaven changed his life and his perspective. Reading his book will give you the assurance that God is faithful to bring you through even the most horrific of circumstances. May his eyewitness account of the hope that lies before you change your perspective of this life as well!" --Michael Carter, CBN chief financial officer.

23 MINUTES IN HELL: What is hell like, and how does one avoid an eternity of torment? Bill Wiese shares his unforgettable experience during which God allowed him to see and feel the agony people endure in hell.

Wiese's visit to the devil's lair lasted just twenty-three minutes, but he returned from this with vivid details etched in his memory. He records an accurate account of his experience in this book, presenting more than three hundred scriptures that verify the horrors he endured and observed.

"I consider myself a fair reader of literature, but I have yet to read a book that has had the effect on me as this one has. I was half way through it before being aware of the time. I've read several testimonies of (and about) men and women that have departed this life and found themselves in that Great Abyss called HELL and returned to tell about it. The author's experience is different in that he places the reader along side himself experiencing it as well. Needless to say, I didn't sleep very well that night. Not for myself as I'm a Christian but for all the people I come in contact with everyday who I know... haven't made Jesus as their Lord.

"This book will wake up the Dead. I know because I've left it to where anybody could read it and for those that did, their reading experience was similar. A great witnessing tool." --Mark Whittle

LIFE AFTER DEATH: The Evidence: Like an extended conversation with a generous and likable friend, this is a book to treasure, and read more than once. I applaud D'Sousa's strategy of not using the often irrational, emotional and highly personal accounts of people who testify to NDEs. Nor does he engage in the circular arguments of the devout who use scripture to prove their points. There are many fine books that do both of these.

Life After Death stands apart from them by marching smartly into the teeth of the strongest arguments atheists can muster for a materialistic worldview. The author kindly takes them on, point by point, to show their arguments as superficial and inadequate to answer the larger questions posed by astrophysics, philosophy, sociology and psychology. He does not play the triumphalist who loudly proclaims victory over his foes, rather with humor and kindness gently leads the reader into the deeper waters of his arguments and makes his points one-by-one, piling up strong, if not overwhelming, evidence to support his thesis.

This is an ideal read for a layperson who is smart and curious but not expert in the various disciplines D'Souza explores. I recommend it highly. --S. Wolgemuth

THE SCIENCE OF LIFE AFTER DEATH: New Research Shows Human Consciousness Lives On: What does science have to say about life after death? Until recently, very little. But now there are answers, and this book lays them out. Everyone alive today will be better off knowing about the transition called death and what to expect in the afterlife.

A lengthy and exhaustive study by the University of Virginia Medical School clearly indicates consciousness continues after death in at least some cases, if not all. This particular study, begun in 1961 and continuing today, was initiated by Ian Stevenson, M.D., a psychiatrist who graduated first in his class at McGill Medical School. Stevenson went to great lengths and much effort to follow scientific protocol in his investigations. Over the years, more than 2600 of the cases he and others investigated have checked out in terms of the details reported by young children of the lives of deceased persons they claimed to have been in previous lives. Birthmarks and birth defects found on these children, such as missing fingers, hands or limbs, also frequently have been found to correspond to fatal wounds received in the previous life as recorded in autopsy reports.

In addition, research by the Windbridge Institute strongly indicates it may be possible for living loved ones to get in touch with deceased loved ones. This book tells how, and the gives names and contact information of psychics who have demonstrated this ability in blinded, scientifically-constructed studies designed by Julie Beischel, who received her Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Arizona.

Research reported on also shows that not knowing what to expect when death arrives, or being in denial about one s demise, can lead to situations none of us would choose, or wish upon a loved one. This is reason enough to read this book and to make those close to you aware of what you learn.

Those with an interest in science will be fascinated by the new discoveries and theories postulated that indicate the brain and body may have evolved to allow consciousness to interface with physical reality, and that our true home may exist outside three-dimensional reality. For example, a theory by Cambridge-educated biochemist Rupert Sheldrake is covered that may explain how it is possible for consciousness and memory to exist outside of the brain and without its support.

THE AFTERLIFE EXPERIMENTS: Breakthrough Scientific Evidence of Life After Death: Schwartz (The Living Energy Universe), director of the Human Energy Systems Laboratory at the University of Arizona, proposes "working with a group of top mediums who have consistently received messages, supposedly from the dead," to investigate whether or not there is indeed life after death. Armed with consummate authority (e.g., logic, scientific research and the focus of a recent HBO documentary), the book progresses through the lab's findings. Of particular fun are the session transcripts, which include running commentary provided by lead investigators. (One sitter describes a medium's performance as "dead on.") That their data will convince readers, the authors believe, is a foregone conclusion: "[E]ven skeptics will begin to evolve as a result of these findings." Yet the story comes off like high-grade magic or a splendid infomercial. Despite the reliance on experts (such as magicians, scientists and videographers), the narrative has the suspect tone of a sideshow barker. All the same, Schwartz embraces an admirable passion for curious knowledge and adamantly resolves to uphold his survival-of-consciousness hypothesis until research proves otherwise.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

EVOLUTION QUESTIONED

DARWIN ON TRIAL: In his own era, Darwin's most formidable opponents were fossil experts, not clergymen. Even today, according to the author, the fossil record, far from conclusive, does not support the presumed existence of intermediate links between species. A law teacher at UC-Berkeley, Johnson deems unpersuasive the alleged proofs for Darwin's assertion that natural selection can produce new species. He also argues that recent molecular studies of DNA fail to confirm the existence of common ancestors for different species. Doubting the smooth line of transitional steps between apes and humans sketched by neo-Darwinists, he cites evidence for "rapid branching," i.e., mysterious leaps which presumably produced the human mind and spirit from animal materials. This evidence, to Johnson, suggests that "the putative hominid species" may not have contained our ancestors after all. This cogent, succinct inquiry cuts like a knife through neo-Darwinist assumptions. Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

EVOLUTION: A Theory In Crisis: Denton pursues his avowed purpose, to critique the Darwinian model of evolution, in a manner alternately fascinating and tiresome. He details legitimate questions, some as old as Darwin's theory, some as new as molecular biology, but he also distorts or misrepresents other "problems." For example, he falls into the classic typological trap: organisms with the same name are all the same. He has Euparkeria as the closest possible ancestor of Archaeopteryx, thus displaying either ignorance or disregard for discoveries over the past two decades. He misunderstands or willfully misrepresents the nature of a cladogram as opposed to a phylogeny. Much of the book reads like creationist prattle, but there are also some interesting points. For informed readers. Walter P. Coombs, Jr., Biology Dept., Western New England Coll., Springfield, Mass. Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description:
Dr. Denton's book sets out to explain the gathering scientific evidence against evolution in its traditional form. It is a clear account of a growing crisis in biology and enables us to understand why an increasing number of research scientists are questioning strict Darwinism.

C. S. LEWIS

MERE CHRISTIANITY: In 1943 Great Britain, when hope and the moral fabric of society were threatened by the relentless inhumanity of global war, an Oxford don was invited to give a series of radio lectures addressing the central issues of Christianity. Over half a century after the original lectures, the topic retains it urgency. Expanded into book form, Mere Christianity never flinches as it sets out a rational basis for Christianity and builds an edifice of compassionate morality atop this foundation. As Mr. Lewis clearly demonstrates, Christianity is not a religion of flitting angels and blind faith, but of free will, an innate sense of justice and the grace of God. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"C. S. Lewis rejects the boundaries that divide Christianity's many denominations. While religious belief is not a concern for some, to many more it is an extremely serious decision, requiring deep thought and the entire energy of the mind.

"In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis leads all the Christian religions to common ground. This book is in fact a defense of the beliefs common to all Christians at all times. Originally, these ideas were contained in three separate books. Prior to 1943 they were only heard as informal radio broadcasts. This is why you will see colloquialisms used and the conversational style of the writing.

"When you read C. S. Lewis' work, you can hear his voice. Sometimes I forget I am reading. Like a friend with a cup of coffee in hand, he sits across from us. He then leads us up a ladder of logical thinking. He starts on the lowest step and gives us confidence to climb the next step. He guides us through an incredible thought process to a conclusion, which is perhaps so logical it becomes irrevocable truth.

"If you were to fall off a real ladder, your body would simply be obeying the laws of Gravity. He brilliantly explains how there is an eternal Law of Human Nature. This is the law of how mankind "ought" to behave in order to maintain a safe and happy society where everyone plays fair. Unfortunately, we all know how our society has failed to practice this law in all aspects of life.

"If you want a definition for this law it can only be "morals." A word from which many reel, as if a light was shining brightly in their eyes. To others: it is a light by which they see the path they walk through life. C. S. Lewis divides morality into three main sections: the actions, reasons behind the actions and why man was created. When you realize that different beliefs about the universe can make us behave differently; you can then make some compelling arguments in favor of Christianity.

"C. S. Lewis was an atheist (as was my father once and his writing reminds me of a conversation with my father for some reason, perhaps they came to some of the same conclusions) who later became a Christian. He is perhaps one of the most qualified individuals to discuss a universe at war, for the idea of atheism and Christianity could not be more diametrically opposed.

'Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance.' --C. S. Lewis

"Like a voice from the grave (he passed away in 1963), C. S. Lewis speaks as if this message was for the year 2000. I read this work 53 years after it was written and the truths are still eternal. Good and Evil are perhaps the oldest concept we know of. I found it interesting when he pointed out that without good, evil would not exist. That good allows evil to occur. For example: selfishness is undesirable, while unselfishness is desirable. The basis for this is founded in some deep religious beliefs. He explains how this all relates to the moral laws of nature.

"Through this book, you will gain a greater understanding of what holds us all together, what makes us responsible to one another. You may even conclude that those who find morals threatening, may in fact be the largest threat to a civilized society. If we all had morals we would simply have a safer environment to thrive and be happy in. It is simply the way you look at it.

"Mere Christianity is one of the most thought provoking books I have ever read to date! If you are at all interested in the logical basis for Christianity, this book goes to the depths of thought and reveals the essence of the beliefs behind the beliefs. This book becomes perfume, which completely seduces your soul." --Rebekah Johnson

A GRIEF OBSERVED: C.S. Lewis joined the human race when his wife, Joy Gresham, died of cancer. Lewis, the Oxford don whose Christian apologetics make it seem like he's got an answer for everything, experienced crushing doubt for the first time after his wife's tragic death. A Grief Observed contains his epigrammatic reflections on that period: "Your bid--for God or no God, for a good God or the Cosmic Sadist, for eternal life or nonentity--will not be serious if nothing much is staked on it. And you will never discover how serious it was until the stakes are raised horribly high," Lewis writes. "Nothing will shake a man--or at any rate a man like me--out of his merely verbal thinking and his merely notional beliefs. He has to be knocked silly before he comes to his senses. Only torture will bring out the truth. Only under torture does he discover it himself." This is the book that inspired the film Shadowlands, but it is more wrenching, more revelatory, and more real than the movie. It is a beautiful and unflinchingly honest record of how even a stalwart believer can lose all sense of meaning in the universe, and how he can gradually regain his bearings. --Michael Joseph Gross --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS: Who among us has never wondered if there might not really be a tempter sitting on our shoulders or dogging our steps? C.S. Lewis dispels all doubts. In The Screwtape Letters, one of his bestselling works, we are made privy to the instructional correspondence between a senior demon, Screwtape, and his wannabe diabolical nephew Wormwood. As mentor, Screwtape coaches Wormwood in the finer points, tempting his "patient" away from God.

Each letter is a masterpiece of reverse theology, giving the reader an inside look at the thinking and means of temptation. Tempters, according to Lewis, have two motives: the first is fear of punishment, the second a hunger to consume or dominate other beings. On the other hand, the goal of the Creator is to woo us unto himself or to transform us through his love from "tools into servants and servants into sons." It is the dichotomy between being consumed and subsumed completely into another's identity or being liberated to be utterly ourselves that Lewis explores with his razor-sharp insight and wit.

The most brilliant feature of The Screwtape Letters may be likening hell to a bureaucracy in which "everyone is perpetually concerned about his own dignity and advancement, where everyone has a grievance, and where everyone lives the deadly serious passions of envy, self-importance, and resentment." We all understand bureaucracies, be it the Department of Motor Vehicles, the IRS, or one of our own making. So we each understand the temptations that slowly lure us into hell. If you've never read Lewis, The Screwtape Letters is a great place to start. And if you know Lewis, but haven't read this, you've missed one of his core writings. --Patricia Klein --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

HELEN STEINER RICE

THE POEMS AND PRAYERS OF HELEN STEINER RICE: This beautifully crafted edition offers the first, largest, and most complete collection ever of Helen Steiner Rice poems. From her remarkable body of work, this volume includes nearly four hundred original poems--sixteen of them rare and previously uncollected--and one never-before-published prayer discovered in the Helen Steiner Rice Foundation archives. Included are favorites like "The Praying Hands," "Heart Gifts," and "Tribute to John F. Kennedy." Organized topically into sixteen parts, this collection features the subjects Helen returned to again and again in her life--from musings on heaven and the beauty in nature to odes of love for friends and family. It's a definitive volume packed with heart and hope for generations to come.

FROM THE HEART One-Minute Devotions): I reccommend this book for everyone. I have given it to several family members and friends who have some stress in their lives and they all love it as I do. I recieved it from a friend at a time when I really needed it. I have read it every day for the last three years and will continue to do so in 2009. It is such an uplifting book. --D. Kimmel

ANGELS IN OUR MIDST: This book is an amazing compilation of stories of people's experiences with God and angels. What most Christians don't realize (although they acknowledge it) is that angels still roam this earth. They're walking down the street, just like everyone else, blending in, but on a mission from God. This book shows that angels truly do exist, and that they're amongst us when we least expect it. Besides it's amazing illustrations these individual stories entrap the reader into realizing that their guardian angel is with them NOW, helping them through life, making sure they don't fall.. and appreciating them for their lifelong devotion. I thank Guideposts for their remarkable books and their amazing website that helps me through my Christian walk every day. In conclusion, be weary of how you treat others, because you might be entertaining angels. --Margaret Wagginer

QUIET MOMENTS WITH GOD (Helen Steiner Rice Products): This beautiful collection of verse from beloved American poet, Helen Steiner Rice, offers perpetual inspiration for moments of meditation. In addition to dozens of poems, this powerful book contains devotional thoughts and scripture. Packaged in a portable, go-anywhere format, Quiet Moments with God includes a delightful full-color interior and makes a great gift!

EXPRESSIONS OF HOPE (Helen Steiner Rice Collection): This new deluxe gift book offers uplifting words for any day of the year-all penned by America's best-loved poet, Helen Steiner Rice. With the timeless theme of Hope you will find just the refreshment you need to get through the day. In addition to the 125 poems, Expressions by Helen Steiner Rice is packaged in a portable, go-anywhere format and includes an appealing full-color interior.

ON WINGS OF A PRAYER (Helen Steiner Rice Products): This book contains classic poems from Helen Steiner Rice accompanied by the beautiful watercolor artwork of Cathi Freund. It is wonderfully packaged with its padded front cover, gold-foiled title and a ribbon marker.

LIVING CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY Helen Steiner Rice Collection): Live Christmas Every Day with Helen Steiner Rice! Why experience the Christmas spirit only during the holiday season when you can live Christmas every day? This refreshing gift book encourages readers to embrace important elements of Christmas--the joy, the giving, the celebration, the prayer, the Greatest Gift--and apply them to their lives each day of the year. Forty devotional readings are paired up with the inspirational poetry of Helen Steiner Rice for a unique package that is sure to delight and uplift through the holidays and beyond, making a lasting impact for life.

Living Christmas Every Day will make a great Christmas gift for a teacher, friend, or pastor. Helen Steiner Rice lives on through the inspiration of her poetry. This tiny book is one that readers will cherish. The padded cover, shiny red trim, and snow scene speaks of the Christmas season. The paper is a high quality. Along with the poetry, the reader will find scripture and devotions. This book includes a red ribbon bookmark. The message of Living Christmas Every Day is the basic elements of Christmas that so many of us have forgotten: the joy of giving to others, celebrating the birth of our Savior, prayer, and contemplation. Living Christmas Every Day offers the encouragement and hope of the true meaning of Christmas.

PERSONAL STORIES

THE CHRISTMAS SWEATER: I received my pre-ordered book last Friday, and finished it in less than 12 hours. At first I was disappointed that the message wasn't stronger, that the end didn't just hit me like Glenn predicted.

But as I went on afterwards and thought about it, the more it hit me. The power of this message is in redemption, it's in knowing how to handle the storms in your life and knowing who you can always count on. I now look at people in a different light, from my family to our friends to my kid's friends, trying to figure out what part of their personal storm they're in. I also look at myself, trying to decide to be a Russell or Glenn's grandpa, and actively help people along to get through their storm. It's a personal challenge to me to do even more than what I have in the past to be the person that God has wanted me to be. It's definitely worth the time to read. --Richard Langel

THE DUGGARS: 20 and Counting!: Raising One of America's Largest Families--How they Do It: This practical, positive book reveals the many parenting strategies that Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar use as they preside over America's best-known mega-family. Each time a new baby arrives, the press from around the world clamors for interviews and information. Visitors are amazed to find seventeen (baby number eighteen is due January 1, 2009) well-groomed, well-behaved, well-schooled children in a home that focuses on family, financial responsibility, fun—and must importantly, faith.

Readers will learn about the Duggars' marriage—how they communicate effectively, make family decisions, and find quality time alone. They'll discover how the Duggars manage to educate all their children at home, while providing experiences that go beyond the family walls, through vacations and educational trips. And they'll see how the Duggar family manages their finances and lives debt-free—even when they built their own 7,000-square-foot house.