Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession, and Grace by Anne Jackson (Thomas Nelson)

Author Anne Jackson opened a floodgate when she asked a simple question on her blog (FlowerDust.net): “What is the one thing you feel you can’t say in church?” She received hundreds of responses, from Christians and non-Christians alike. And her experiment in digital confession got picked up on an atheist website and went viral—globally viral.

Permission to Speak Freely presents scores of answers to Jackson’s question. It’s shaped by the narrative of her own struggle to speak freely to fellow Christians about her less-than-perfect life. She’s candid about her own addictions and struggles and invites readers to join her in the chorus of the broken-yet-redeemed.

The question Jackson asked “came from places in my own heart and life where I was afraid to say something inside a church or to other Christians,” she acknowledges. “Fear had kept me silent, had overruled confession, and I needed to know I wasn’t alone.”

So, Jackson wrote a courageous book about faith and confession and soul-healing.

Marv Knox, editor

Baptist Standard

Dallas

A Door Set Open: Grounding Change in Mission and Hope by Peter L. Steinke (Alban Institute)

Peter Steinke knows church systems. He masterfully leads congregations, church consultants and intentional interims in finding and addressing the real issues within churches. Now, he presents possibly his best work by helping us examine a crucial issue for today’s church: knowing and doing its mission.

Steinke uses real-to-life case studies, solid biblical theology and inspirational thoughts in this three-part book. First, he proves there is a crisis. “If 1950 were to return, my congregation would be ready,” is a testimony that is painfully relevant in many churches.

And while we easily can see where a church is losing touch, Steinke exposes the normal, but unhelpful, reactions that typify church responses. For instance, many churches look for a “magical” formula. They then try the steps offered in a popular book or from a trusted consultant, thinking erroneously that they will “fix” their church.

Steinke demonstrates how anxiety feeds emotional reactions that trigger dysfunctional choices. He gives the reader hope, however, that the challenges can be overcome.

Next, Steinke takes a look at changing the mission within a church. His approach is gentle and not overwhelming, realistic and not idealistic, unifying and not divisive, biblical and not gimmicky. He hopes to lead the reader to understand that “either the church is missional, or it is not the church,” which means the church must be about loving, serving, preaching, teaching, healing and freeing. Steinke does not address this subject in a vacuum of piety, however. Instead, he looks at changing a church’s understanding of mission while addressing the real challenges of personalities, resistance and anxiety.

The final section nicely summarizes the rest, while offering very practical ideas for personal and collective steps in reducing anxiety, finding the mission and staying on course. A Door Set Open will help any church trying to find what God is calling them to next.

Karl Fickling, director

BGCT Pastorless Church Team

Dallas

Evidence for God by William A. Dembski and Michael R. Licona (Baker Books)

Evidence for God collects 50 articles that argue for our Christian faith in today’s diverse world. The editors assembled these articles to challenge students and others who would like to investigate biblical and spiritual truth. Philosophy, Jesus, the Bible and science are the subject matter for each of the authors. Readers are challenged by intellectuals to explore basic Bible truths from various perspectives. Each short essay is well documented in philosophy, science and the Bible and will challenge any reader to a deeper truth.

This book is a good resource in Christian apologetics for the serious Bible student or for anyone who would like to ease into apologetics. Articles from science reveal how life is the product of a divine designer. Articles from philosophy reveal the designer to be eternal and good—the One who came to earth in the person of Jesus.

This book will stimulate your desire to know the truth. Expect to use it time and again to stimulate your mind and strengthen your beliefs.

Leo Smith, executive director

Texas Baptist Men, Dallas

Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet by Jonathan Merritt (Faith Words)

Sustainability and “green” have become buzz words. Unfortunately, many political conservatives, including some Christians, view the environmental movement as a liberal cause and engage only minimally in creation care. In Green Like God, Jonathan Merritt traces his complete change of heart.

The Liberty University and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary graduate starts his story with the revelation in a seminary class that destroying creation is “similar to tearing a page out of the Bible.” Merritt shares his findings after reading Scripture from the perspective of God’s creation. Further research into the condition of God’s world led Merritt to become a leading Christian voice for saving creation in spite of heavy criticism.

The under-35 writer fills the pages of Green Like God with Scriptures, stories, statistics and solutions. Merritt makes a powerful case that caring for the earth is part of God’s plan and the responsibility of every person, especially Christians. He uses a heart-wrenching example of millions who die annually simply because of unsafe drinking water. He concludes with appendices containing tips, resources and extensive source notes.

In the introduction, Merritt writes: “I’ve fallen in love with our green God. My prayer is that you will do the same while reading this book.” If you’re like me, it’s a safe bet you will.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas, Waco

Reinventing Youth Ministry (Again): From Bells and Whistles to Flesh and Blood by Wayne Rice (IVP Books)

This book is part Wayne Rice autobiography, part Youth Specialties/National Youth Workers Convention history and part philosophy of youth ministry—all wrapped into one.

Rice, veteran youth pastor and cofounder—with the late Mike Yaconelli—of the youth ministry resource company Youth Specialties, shares the ups, downs and memorable highlights of his innovative involvement in the relatively young history of youth ministry.

If the reader can overlook the many typos and grammatical errors throughout the book—surprising for an IVP publication—he or she will laugh along with Rice, cringe with him, and applaud him and his cohorts as he shares his influential story.

Youth workers, parents and pastors will be moved and challenged by the words of wisdom Rice intersperses throughout the narrative and by his calling to continue the reformation of ministry to today’s teenagers and their parents.

Greg Bowman, minister to students

First Baptist Church, Duncanville

Everything Christmas by David Bordon and Tim Winters (WaterBrook)

Bordon and Winters obviously mean the word “everything” in the title of their gift to the holiday genre, Everything Christ-mas.  Their book contains a bit of everything, from apple pie and applesauce cinnamon ornaments to wassail and Christina Rossetti’s “What Can I Give Him?”

The authors divide their volume into 24 Advent entries, labeled December 1-24. For Christmas Day, they share the first two chapters of Luke from the Message translation of the Bible. The final page invokes a “Post-Christmas Prayer” for the “peace, justice and hope of this holy season” to last all year.

Recipes, poems, stories, sayings, Scripture, carols, gift-giving suggestions and decorations all find their way into the book. Some are familiar. Many are not. Some offer humor. Others explain Christmas dinner celebrations in various countries and detail holiday traditions. Lest the reader get lost, a healthy index serves as a great guide.

Everything Christmas contains some-thing for everyone and would be a wel-comed gift, particularly if accompanied by the prom-ise to enjoy a craft, recipe or story with the recipient.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas, Waco

Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas by Ace Collins (Zondervan)

Stories Behind the Greatest Hits of Christmas marks the publication of another of Ace Collins’ “Stories Behind the …” series. Once again, Collins has research-ed and penned a winner. He arranges the songs in “almost chronological order,” beginning with “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” concluding with “Christmas Shoes,”  and adding as a climactic note “Silent Night.”

The author describes in detail the composer, lyricist and creation of each of the 34 hits.  He mentions vari-ous artists who brought the songs to life and details their rise to holiday “hit” status. The researcher also dispels myths related to a few and tells remarkable stories of how others were written during dark, difficult days, such as “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” in World War II and “Let There Be Peace on Earth” in the Korean War.

Some of the six-page entries will elicit smiles, like “Silver Bells.” Others will touch deep inside, such as “Do You Hear What I Hear.” But most will evoke Christmas memories and serve as springboards for sharing personal stories of holidays past. 

Add Collins’ latest to your stash of holiday books for reading and sharing. Pull it out when you hear one of the songs to learn the story “behind the greatest hits of Christmas.”

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas, Waco

Encountering Heaven and the Afterlife by James L. Garlow & Keith Wall (Bethany House Publishers)

Garlow and Wall have done a masterful job in handling delicate material about the afterlife. They approach their subject around three premises. First, they see the division between the physical and spiritual worlds to be paper thin. Second, they seek to dispel fear with knowledge. Third, the journey between these worlds shows the magnificence of God.

The stories center on themes of angels, demons, heaven, hell, deathbed visions and more.

The appearance of Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration of Christ, the resurrection appearance of Jesus and the reference in Hebrews to the great cloud of witnesses are biblical references.

The authors close out their work by sharing five observations based on the stories they tell. First, the living person was surprised by the appearance. Second, there was no fear. Third, the appearance reduced the fear of death. Fourth, the appearance brought healing. And finally, the appearance was a one-time event.

Enjoy the fascinating accounts. You will be blessed and stretched.

Leo Smith, executive director

Texas Baptist Men, Dallas

A Simple Christmas by Mike Huckabee (Penguin)

This book is not solely about the story of that first Christmas, even though the title may lead to that conclusion. In reality, beginning with the birth of Jesus Christ with his humble but sincere beginning of the gift that God gave the world, the chapters in this book relate stories from the life of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. These experiences, from his childhood to the present day, are written in a quite unique way centering around these key words—patience, loneliness, family, traditions, crisis, hope, stability, limitations, transitions, faith and rewards.

There is no doubt readers will readily relate to the emphasis and stories included because they are so down to earth and similar to many people’s Christmas experiences. While being a short book, it is an easy but very enjoyable read. It would make a great gift, especially for a Christian family.

Ed Spann, retired dean

College of Fine Arts

Dallas Baptist University

Three Wise Cats: A Christmas Story by Harold M. Konstantelos and Terri Jenkins-Brady (Berkley Books)

Cat lovers Harold Konstantelos and Terri Jenkins-Brady, who between them own 10 of the furry pets, have spun a tale from the feline point of view. In Three Wise Cats: A Christmas Story, wise Ptolemy sees a bright star in the night. The astronomer’s cat remembers prophecies he heard as a kitten and summons Abishag, Kezia and Ira. 

The elderly Siamese explains that the tabby and two black cats must travel far and follow the star to meet the King of Kings. He teaches them to navigate using the heavens and sends them to fulfill the prophecy of “the three finding the one.”

The evil rat Asmodeus sneaks out to follow the bold Ira and the females—steady Abishag and kind but vain Kezia. On their journey to see the Messiah, the small band encounters danger, disaster, excitement and the unexpected. Magi Kaspar, Melchior and Balthazar become their traveling companions.

The three cats at last find the Christ Child and give the only gift they have. The King of Kings touches them and forever changes their lives and their futures. To tell more would ruin the surprise and the joy of a book that cleverly weaves the Christmas story with life lessons.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas, Waco

One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity by Debbie Macomber (Simon & Schuster)

Many readers recognize Debbie Macomber as a master storyteller and best-selling author. Others remember her from the 2009 Hallmark Channel Christmas movie Mrs. Miracle starring Doris Roberts and James Van Der Beek. But in One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity, she ventures into new territory—nonfiction.

Macomber moves beyond fictional stories of ordinary women in small towns to true stories of the power of generous living. She freely shares lessons learned and ideas for doing small things that matter. Each of the 17 chapters begins with Scripture, offers stories built around a central concept such as “The Art of Listening” or “The Practice of Hospitality,” continues with a discovery, and concludes with a list of simple acts related to the theme. The book ends with questions for the reader and descriptions of the author’s favorite charities.

Macomber manages to include a myriad of concrete and creative ideas appropriate for various ages and stages in life. For example, one elderly widow played hymns by phone to the “sick and despondent.” Any reader would benefit from One Simple Act, but Christians who seek to live a missional lifestyle can turn Macomber’s suggestions into opportunities to share their faith.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas, Waco

Loving Beyond Your Theology: The Life and Ministry of Jimmy Raymond Allen by Larry McSwain (Mercer University Press)

The book is an excellent model for needed biographies of a previous generation who charted new territory in social ethics. Jimmy Allen earned his doctorate in Christian ethics from famed T.B. Maston at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Throughout his distinguished career, he headed the Texas Baptist Chris-tian Life Commission, led First Baptist Church in San Antonio, served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention and directed the SBC Radio-Television Commission. He remains an elder statesman of the Baptist movement.

Larry McSwain pulls together details of Allen’s life, drawing upon personal interviews with Allen, interviews of those close to him across the span of his ministry, news stories and personal papers.

One suggestion—read the first chapter, “The Story of a Prophetic Priest,” and chapter 11, “New Geography, New Ministries, New Leadership,” as you begin to explore this book. The two chapters form the parentheses between which the rest of the story evolves.

Allen’s friends will enjoy this book as they remember themselves in and around some of the contexts McSwain covers.

Those who never have heard of Allen will find themselves discovering some good things that went on among Baptists in the last several decades because of Jimmy Allen.

Bill Tillman

T.B. Maston Chair of Ethics

Logsdon Seminary

Abilene

Apparent Danger: The Pastor of America’s First Megachurch and the Texas Murder Trial of the Decade in the 1920s by David Stokes (Bascom Hill Books)

J. Frank Norris appears in Texas and Baptist history as a colorful and controversial character—political activist, architect of the original megachurch and the first preacher to own both a newspaper and radio station.

Intelligent, charismatic and a gifted orator, Norris entered Baylor to study for ministry. As a student, he bore major responsibility for the resignation of President Oscar Henry Cooper and seemingly developed an appetite for taking on the powerful. After graduating from Southern Baptist Seminary as valedictorian, Norris made a brief stop in Dallas before moving to the pulpit at First Baptist Church in Fort Worth.

Fiercely anti-Catholic and unashamedly anti-liquor, Norris wielded power. Some believed he skirted the law. He was indicted but acquitted of arson and refused to pay taxes on nonreligious church income. Involvement in city politics ultimately led him to shoot and kill the unarmed Dexter Elliot Chipps in his church office on July 17, 1926. Reporters from around the country flocked to the trial in what most thought would yield an easy conviction.

In Apparent Danger, David Stokes meticulously draws a portrait of Norris. He focuses on the events that led up to that fateful moment and the trial that ultimately diminished Norris’ influence. Stokes chooses the title from the legal doctrine “apparent danger” that was frequently used in early Texas as an effective murder defense.

Apparent Danger doesn’t read like history. Instead, Stokes has made history read like a dramatic and intriguing mystery.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas

Waco

Five Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them by Charles Stone (Bethany House Publishers)

Charles Stone pulls back the curtain on the real-life struggles of God’s servants that seem oblivious to most church members in his book, Five Ministry Killers and How to Defeat Them. Stone uses studies from Barna Research, LifeWay Research and Christianity Today to set forth what he sees to be the ministry killers pastors need to beware of.

Stone becomes transparent as he describes his own struggles with these ministry killers and how he has learned to cope. He has filled each chapter with illustrations, dialogue with pastors, humor and probing questions for the reader to ponder.

The value of this book is that the author has been there. He not only shares the ministry killers, but also very clearly sets forth a way to defeat each one.

One highlight is his dialogue with his wife, Sherryl. Her insights and counsel are well worth your careful attention.

Ministry Killers will en-courage, en-lighten and strengthen each person who reads it. I highly recommend this as a book for every minister, minister’s wife and family to read and keep as a reference for your journey in serving our Lord.

It will bless you and equip you to recognize and defeat the ministry killers that you will face.

Leo Smith, executive director

Texas Baptist Men

Dallas

The Bare Bones Bible Facts: A Quick Reference to People, Places & Things by Jim George (Harvest House)

As a librarian, I’m drawn to reference books. But as a librarian, I have strong opinions about what makes a reference book good.

Tables of contents, indexes, maps and other illustrative material rank high on the list. The Bare Bones Bible Facts by Jim George has an outstanding table of contents, along with appropriate maps, such as Paul’s missionary journeys, and helpful charts like kings of Israel and Judah. Entries range from Aaron to Zion and include more than people, places and things—music and languages for example. Scripture and “See” references to other topics add richness to the items.

However, I prefer reference books to be objective. Jim George’s volume doesn’t meet that criterion. He adds life lessons related to many of the 150 or so entries. Instead of an index, the book closes with “A One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan.”

If you’re looking for explanations of Bible subjects that include personal applications and devotional thoughts, buy George’s The Bare Bones Bible Facts. If you want a more traditional Bible dictionary or encyclopedia, try something else.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas

Waco

It’s Taken Years to Get This Old by Karen O’Connor (Harvest House)

Karen O’Connor has taken experiences from men and women and fashioned humorous stories about “senior moments.” She wraps stories around subjects seniors can relate to, like “Lookin’ Purdy,” “Creative Communicatin’,” “Missing Parts,” “Gettin’ Forgetful,” “Good Ol’ Days” and others.

You will laugh at tales such as “telling the tooth” when Uncle Henry had to use the bathroom. There was a flushing sound, a giant sneeze and a muffled yell. He sneezed when he flushed the toilet and his false teeth went down the drain. Uncle Henry responded: “I can’t see well enough to watch television or read a book. I can’t hear. … I need a walker. … And now my teeth are gone. I think I am checking out.” Each story has a reflection from Scripture and a prayer.

Any reader, young or old, will enjoy the tales. Those of us who are more advanced in years will relate well and identify with the author. It will cause the elder readers to remember our journey in getting this old!

Enjoy a lighthearted book.

Leo Smith, executive director

Texas Baptist Men

Dallas

Homosexuality and the Christian: A Guide for Parents, Pastors, and Friends by Mark A. Yarhouse (Bethany House)

The church community needs greater understanding of homosexuality and how to minister relationally to people who are struggling with it.

Psychologist Yarhouse writes that rather than accepting the “gay script” that is usually offered in our society, it would be more helpful to understand homosexuality through “a three-tier distinction:” (1) same-sex attraction, (2) homosexual orientation and (3) gay identity. Many, especially youth, who are identifying themselves as “gay” are searching for words and thoughts to describe attractions they are feeling but may not live a lifestyle of “gay identity.”

Yarhouse says a homosexual who wants to change can indeed change, but those ministering need to understand “change” may mean many things, including chaste living. In only a small percentage of cases have people completely changed to heterosexuality.

Perhaps the most important theme of the book: People struggling with homosexuality must find their primary identity in Christ before any sin or need. Isn’t this true for us all?

Greg Bowman, minister to students

First Baptist Church

Duncanville

Gods and Guitars: Seeking the Sacred in Post-1960s Popular Music by Michael J. Gilmour (Baylor University Press)

Reflecting on popular mainstream music since the 1960s, it’s interesting—and even surprising—how spiritual and biblical language, imagery and allusions are contained in so many lyrics of “non-church” music. And all of this occurring in a Western society that is clearly moving away from traditional forms of Christianity and religion.

Musical artists understand the transcendent qualities of music and often wed the music to lyrics that also reach for higher places. Some artists use this spiritual imagery to speak of deeply personal theological discoveries and experiences, while others use the language as symbols for lighter and less meaningful reasons. Others (especially harder rock acts) use scriptural words and pictures to reject religion and turn it on its head out of rebellion or dissatisfaction with “organized” religion and politics.

These and other themes on spirituality in popular music are explored by music-lover and academic Michael Gilmour as he studies examples from the eclectic likes of George Harrison, Bob Dylan, U2, Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna and Cat Stevens, to name a few.

Greg Bowman, minister to students

First Baptist Church

Duncanville

Think Like an Octopus: The Key to Becoming a Good Thinker by Wallace Roark (Wasteland Press)

Wallace Roark is professor of philosophy, emeritus, at Howard Payne University. Don’t allow that to put this book beyond reach and beyond reading. It is a timely book for our age of emotional rhetoric, when few listen and few dialogues are more than monologues.

Think Like an Octopus is a simple, concise, understandable encouragement to think. Additionally, to aid our thinking, Roark offers us a set of tools—the Dialectic. Simply, the Dialectic is all about perspective and possibilities—two things often lacking in the local church and in the culture. When perspective and possibilities are lacking, conversation slowly shuts down, only to be replaced by visceral speech designed to silence, bully and coerce.

Think Like an Octopus is for all ages and for all who want to better utilize the mind God has given. It’s for folks who want to reason, to think through or understand a situation, an opportunity, a dilemma, a challenge or a puzzle. For parents who need to stay one step ahead of their strong-willed child, for couples who want to move through conflict to resolution, for citizens who want to cut through the political screaming and tidal waves of fear and innuendo polluting civic discourse, the Dialectic offers understandable and adaptable principles of thinking wisely.

Small book, small price, big rewards.

Michael R. Chancellor

Livingston

Classic Christianity by Bob George (Harvest House Publishers)

Like many, I have been blessed in the past by Bob George and his insights into the Christian life called Classic Christianity. The truths recorded in the Bible and illuminated by the author are timeless and necessary if we are to be all God desires us to be. In our busy schedules, we tend to forget who we are and who God is. We slip back into a spiritual drought of our own making. The author’s long experience as a Christian counselor and Bible teacher enables him to clearly show the way back to the “real thing” God intends for each of us to experience in Christ. These reasons and many others have led to a reprint of Classic Christianity.

I found that the letters written to the author through 20-plus years were a source of personal encouragement to me, as well. The simplicity of the gospel is foundational to the spirit and truth expressed by Classic Christianity.

Read again about being “Busy and Barren,” “Putting the Pieces Together,” being “Free From the Yoke of Slavery” as well as “Freedom in Dependency.” All of these are the simple tools of our faith Bob George brings back into spiritual focus.

It is worth your time. You will be refreshed.

Leo Smith, executive director

Texas Baptist Men

Dallas

Don’t Miss the Blessing by Jo Ann Paris Leavell with Rhonda Harrington Kelley (Pelican)

When she was first lady of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, God gave Jo Ann Leavell a unique ministry to student wives. Remembering the challenges when she married Pastor Landrum Leavell, she began sharing with the women each Tuesday evening. She turned her original sessions into a book in 1990.

Rhonda Kelley, who attended the classes as a newlywed herself, became the seminary’s first lady in 1996 when her husband, Chuck, assumed the presidency. She added her special touch to the course and joined her mentor in updating the book.

The two women fill the pages of Don’t Miss the Blessing with sound theology, thoughtful philosophy, practical examples and concrete ideas for the wives of ministers. Topics covered include everything from keys to fulfilling the purposes of marriage to friendship within the congregation to hospitality, budgeting and time management.

Pithy quotes and memorable statements punctuate the text. A personal check-up and prayer conclude each chapter, and an appendix offers a wealth of information on etiquette, table settings and additional resources.

Leavell and Kelley write primarily to challenge ministers’ wives not to “miss the blessing.” However, their book should be on the list of “must reads” for ministers and laity who seek to understand the roles, responsibilities, rough spots and, yes, blessings of the minister’s spouse.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas

Waco

Christians Are Hate-Filled Hypocrites … and Other Lies You’ve Been Told by Bradley R.E. Wright (Bethany House)

The national media and various Christian leaders often cite statistics that depict negative perceptions of Christians. Are these statistics true? Are things really as bad for Christianity as their sources proclaim?

Bradley Wright, University of Connecticut sociologist, breaks down statistics from the last few decades and submits a very different and more positive portrait of American evangelicals than most will find in the newspapers and even in the pulpit.

Why the discrepancy? Wright contends it is not because reporters in the media are necessarily anti-Christian, but the sensational or unusual story sells. Pastors and Christian lecturers tend to preach from negative statistics about Christians because they are also trying to “sell” an idea or challenge the church to see how bad things are in order to live counter to the statistics.

Wright is seeking honesty—some of the data does portray glaring areas where Christ’s people need much improvement.

Read this alongside Wilkens’ & Thorsen’s Everything You Know About Evangelicals is Wrong (Well, Almost Everything) to gain a clearer picture of perceptions of Christians within and without the church family.

Greg Bowman, minister to students

First Baptist Church

Duncanville

365 Reasons Why Getting’ Old Ain’t So Bad by Karen O’Connor (Harvest House Publishers)

This delightful little volume can be read in a single setting or stretched out over 365 readings. The author finishes the statement, “Getting old ain’t so bad, because …,” with statements that will make you laugh, cry and sometimes think. The author interlaces Scripture, humor and simple logic like “playing jacks or jump rope with your grandkids brings out the child in you.”

No matter what your age, you will enjoy O’Connor’s writing. It’s a book you will be able to go back and refer to often. It will make a good volume to sit by your cup of coffee and read a page or two. Some of the quips are worth writing out and posting on your refrigerator door, such as: “Gettin’ old ain’t so bad, because the best is yet to come—So keep going till you get it.”

Leo Smith, executive director

Texas Baptist Men

Dallas

You Matter to God: Discovering Your True Value and Identity in God’s Eyes by Derek Prince (Chosen/Baker)

The late Derek Prince preached a signature sermon before he died titled “Do You Realize How Valuable You Are?” This message became the basis of You Matter to God. God made us in his triune image. When God breathed his spirit into people, it was to be an unbroken communion and worship with God throughout this life and eternity.

When people sinned, God provided the remedy for this fallen condition through the gift of his only Son. God paid the price of redemption so he could once again hold what he made us to be eternally. All God has done for people is because we matter to him. At the resurrection, we will be changed for eternity. We will move from humiliation to glory. God started with dust, but one day, we will be filled with his glory.

You will be greatly blessed as you read the author’s view of these and other great biblical truths. You will rejoice when you discover anew that “you matter to God.”

Leo Smith, executive director

Texas Baptist Men

Dallas

Everything You Know About Evangelicals is Wrong (Well, Almost Everything): An Insider’s Look at Myths & Realities by Steve Wilkens and Don Thorsen (Baker Books)

Are evangelicals mean, dogmatic, homophobic anti-evolutionists? These are a few of the ways evangelical Christians often are characterized by many in Western society. But Wilkens and Thorsen are interested in wading through these and other caricatures and stereotypes to take a good look at reality.

What they uncover are often false or incomplete views of evangelicals formed out of emotion. Unfortunately, some of the reality they find is uncomfortable to read. Evangelicals sometimes have been less than Christ-like in engaging society. And after all, there is some brutal foundation of truth behind caricatures. Wilkens and Thorsen challenge evangelicals to pay more attention to their theology, history, practice and their relations with others—growing in their identity.

The authors are not afraid to share the bad news, but they encourage evangelicals to be much more focused on the kingdom of God and the Great Commission. If we truly represented the person of Jesus, maybe the world would end up writing a very different book about us.

Greg Bowman, minister to students

First Baptist Church. Duncanville

Jungle Sunrise by Jonathan Williams (Noble Novels, Nordskog Publishing)

Jonathan Williams keeps readers on the edge of their seats in his first novel set in the Peruvian jungle. He draws from his personal experience working in Peru as a member of the Xtreme Team—a group of Baptist missionaries who face danger and deprivation to reach people in the most remote corners of the world.

The story’s protagonist is Jonah Frost—an author who hits rock bottom. His linguist brother, Noah, receives an assignment to learn the language of a newly discovered Peruvian tribe and decides Jonah needs an adventure to learn to live again. The Frosts meet Memphis and Abigail Jones, a missionary couple. The four share a boat with a bitter anthropologist and a beautiful Spanish photographer for a long journey upriver. As Jonah meets danger, death, romance and renewal, he finally finds his redemption in the jungle.

The book could have benefited from heavier editing, but the plot is so exciting and intense, it’s easy for the reader to overlook issues of style. The author certainly has interesting stories to tell.

Lauren Hollon

Communications Intern, Waco

Stuff Christians Like, by Jonathan Acuff (Zondervan)

While you were sleeping in worship service, Jonathan Acuff stayed awake, taking notes. And while you were piling your plate at the pot-luck supper, making prayer requests in your small group and “just” praying in public, Acuff was watching you. Remem-bering. For all his efforts, he came up with a funny and insightful book about the church in the United States and the Christians who fill its pews—or folding chairs, as the case may be.

Acuff is the Jonathan Swift of contemporary evangelical Christianity. His writing sparkles with irony and bristles with (mostly) good-natured sarcasm. And he’s right on target, hilariously pointing out the church’s passions and pettiness, foibles and faith, swagger and sweet spirit.

You’ve got to appreciate a guy who suggests “trampoline moat of lions” would be a better metaphor for God’s support than “hedge of protection.” He’s also the guy who offers a checklist for determining if your worship leader is a metrosexual, as well as the one who questions the effectiveness—as well as the ethics—of “bait and switch” witnessing techniques.

Acuff is so funny he keeps you reading. And so true he makes you want to be a better, more authentic Christian.

Marv Knox, editor

Baptist Standard

Dallas

The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God. Having the Guts to Respond by Bill Hybels (Zondervan)

Bill Hybels is the founding senior pastor of well-known Willow Creek Community Church and the author of more than 20 books. In The Power of a Whisper, he authenticates the practice of listening for God’s voice.

Hybels opens with events of his youth when God spoke to his heart—before he even knew how to listen. Next, he states the case for hearing from God. From Moses to Paul, he briefly recounts God’s relational quality, clearly supporting his conclusion: “In short, our God is a communicating God. Always has been, and always will be.”

Willow Creek members supplied material for one chapter. Hybels e-mailed the congregation, asking for testimonies of a time when they’d heard from God and how they’d responded. In just a few days, he received more than 50 stories as “evidence of God’s interactions with us.” Hybels shares some of these “whispers” of assurance or admonition, warnings or promptings that caused people to take action—to go, to stop, to do things they had no previous intention of doing.

The Power of a Whisper includes guidance for discerning when we’re hearing from God—and when we’re not. Hybels also expounds upon written whispers that come to us through the Bible. “Although God may not be whispering his specific wisdom to your particular situation, he has already provided you with default wisdom. … The most predictable way to hear from heaven is to read and apply God’s word.”

Patti Richter

Heath

Introducing the Missional Church: What It Is, Why It Matters, How to Become One by Alan J. Roxburgh & M. Scott Boren (Baker Books)

Imagine being safe and comfortable in your home for many years. Then, suddenly, you open a door that reveals a pathway inviting you to enter a world in which most of what you knew was challenged, and a radical-yet-refreshing new change in living and interacting with the world took over.

This isn’t a new version of C. S. Lewis’ Narnia. However, missional church leaders Roxburgh and Boren ask, “What’s behind the wardrobe?” and offer an introductory guide to the “missional church movement,” a way of being the local church and engaging people within their own contexts with the gospel.

If you’ve ever wanted “missional” and its theology explained and presented as a possible model to becoming a missional church, this book might be for you. Separating this volume from many published in this movement’s conversation, the thrust of this book is not in church planting but in changing the culture and social systems of an established “traditional” church to be-come something truly different in a post-something culture—and relying upon the Spirit-led “non-professional” church members to lead in the innovations.

Greg Bowman, minister to students

First Baptist Church, Duncanville

Anna Finch and the Hired Gun: A Novel by Kathleen Y’Barbo (WaterBrook)

In Anna Finch and the Hired Gun, Texas author Kathleen Y’Barbo spins the story of a young woman who prefers riding and shooting her Smith & Wesson to being courted by the prospective husbands her father chooses. Mr. Finch laments allowing his headstrong daughter a Wellesley education. But he doesn’t know that along with her degree, she earned a nice sum writing dime novels under a pseudonym and aspires to become a reporter.

Anna accidentally meets Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp and begins to pursue their story, landing the interviews of a lifetime. What she doesn’t know is that Pinkerton agent Jeb Sanders is watching her every move.

Anna’s father secretly hires Sanders to keep her under control until he can turn her over to a husband. But her father doesn’t know she already has met the detective under less-than-ideal circumstances. And Sanders doesn’t know that the lovely reporter is his client.

Y’Barbo starts each chapter with an appropriate quote by or about Doc Holliday and fills the book’s pages with history, intrigue, humor, faith and, yes, romance. Read Anna Finch and the Hired Gun for good, clean fun.

Kathy Robinson Hillman, former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas, Waco

The Devil in Pew Number Seven: A True Story by Rebecca Alonzo (Tyndale House Publishers)

A small-town pastor and his beautiful wife settled into a neat little parsonage with their firstborn child, a sweet baby girl. All was right with the world, until one man with an inexplicable grudge decided to slowly, methodically tear their lives apart.

Two years after the Nichols family moved to Sellerstown, N.C., to minister to the Free Welcome Holiness Church, 65-year-old Horry James Watts began doing his best to drive the family away, “crawling or walking … dead or alive.”

Over the course of five years, Watts terrorized them, using menacing phone calls, threatening letters, breaking and entering, drive-by shooting and 10 attacks with homemade bombs.

In a decision that would destroy his health, break him and test his faith, Robert Nichols refused to leave his church without a shepherd, standing firm and trusting God’s protection and sovereignty through it all.

Rebecca Nichols Alonzo documents the true story of the suffering her family experienced during those painful years. Lives are shattered, almost irreparably. But in spite of everything, there is forgiveness and a measure of redemption.

This is a well-written, suspenseful book, and Alonzo’s story is a powerful testimony to the grace, forgiveness and healing God offers.

Lauren Hollon

Communications Intern

Waco

Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference by Max Lucado (Thomas Nelson)

Before beginning Max Lucado’s Outlive Your Life: You Were Made to Make a Difference, gather tissues and your calendar and checkbook. You’ll need all three as the Texas pastor applies concepts in the first 12 chapters of Acts to everyday life and ministry.

Lucado be-gins with a haunting, convicting parable. Aside from introductory and concluding sections, the central chapters explore specific verses, place the passages in contemporary context, offer related Scripture in various translations, and close with personal prayer. The former missionary fills the pages with touching stories, memorable quotes, and I-wish-I’d-thought-of-that moments. Detailed discussion and action guides complete the volume.

Early in the book, Lucado expresses his clear intent: “Here’s a salute to a long life: goodness that outlives the grave, love that outlasts the final breath. May you live in such a way that your death is just the beginning of your life.” The author clearly practices what he preaches. All profits from the book will be used in ministry.

I would suggest you contact your local bookstore and reserve a copy right away.

Kathy Robinson Hillman,

former president

Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas, Waco

One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer (B&H Publishing Group)

Priscilla Shirer shares her own journey from a “one-size-fits-all” Christian lifestyle to an exciting abundant life in Christ in One in a Million, using the biblical account of the Exodus, where God led 2 million people out of Egyptian slavery through a wilderness toward a land of milk and honey. Sadly, only two of the original 2 million actually entered the land of promise.

The author carries readers through deliverance from Egypt, through development in the wilderness into the destiny of a new and living way in Canaan. Each part of the journey is made personal and is fleshed out with grounded biblical teaching, as well as applications from real life today. Shirer has carefully documented biblical truth and beautifully illustrated this truth with living testimonies.

Each step of the journey is applied to how God was shaping Israel. Readers quickly will realize they also are on a God-chosen road where the Lord will help them really know him in a deep, personal way and not just know about him. Shirer writes that we often try to fix our wildernesses rather than yielding to where God is shaping us for his promised land.

One in a Million will challenge you. Shirer has done a masterful job. Readers will be blessed by her own vulnerability and keen insights to the working of God in her journey.

Be one in a million who moves from “the oasis of complacency” to all that God has promised. Enjoy the journey.

Leo Smith, executive director

Texas Baptist Men, Dallas

Dallas