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    Every church should have a well stocked Library with new books regularly being added.  Consider holding a book fair and arranging with your local Christian Book Store to bring in books for every age, covering a number of topics and then people in your church may select books to donate to the library or even to purchase for their own use at home.  Many bookstores will give your church a discounted price on the books in your book fair - use this as a savings to pass on to the people in your church or take the difference and use it to purchase additional books for the library.  I would encourage you to plan two book fairs a year - one in the Spring to offer selections for families to read over the summer and the other around Christmas - books make excellent gifts!  If you model the value of reading and provide excellent books for people of all ages in your church to read, they will be more likely to take the time to read solid Christian books.

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Publisher - Revell/Baker Books

The Calling - A Challenge to Walk the Narrow Road Authors - Brother Andrew & Verne Becker	The Narrow Road - Stories of Those Who Walk This Road Together Authors - Brother Andrew, John & Elizabeth Sherrill with Jars of Clay

• Favorite Features -
• challenges readers to pay attention to the call of God in their life
• each chapter continues the story of "God's Smuggler" and ends with one of ten steps to help you focus on your own responsibility to the worldwide body of Christ and prayer
• letters throughout from people who involved themselves in praying for the church and answered the call
• "Around the World" throughout to share information about the church around the world
• Appendix with prayers and vision statement of Open Door International
• Traveler's Stories throughout of real people who stood for Christ around the world
• Imagine this - questions for you to think through as to what you would do if persecuted for your faith

    These books will challenge all who read them to take their faith seriously and to regularly pray for believers around the world.  Some may even be called to spread the Gospel themselves around the world.  Extremely well done Andrew, Verne, John, Elizabeth, Jars of Clay and Revell/Baker Books!

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A Love Worth Giving Author - Max Lucado Publisher - W Publishing Group

• Favorite Features -
• looks at what it means to live life as a dearly loved child of God so you can then share this love with others
• study/discussion guides for each chapter with questions to help you think through and live with - Love Remembered, Love Deepened and Love Given
• Works through I Corinthians 13 to see what love really is, how to receive it and how to give it

    As with all books by Max Lucado, this one is definitely worth reading and passing on to others.  Max has the true gift of being able to explain truth from the Bible so we can all understand, remember and live it.  Tremendously well done Max and W Publishing Group!

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Treasuring God in our Traditions Author - Noel Piper Publisher - Crossway Books

• Favorite Features -
• looks at why we have traditions
• shows how Scripture models traditions and encourages passing them on to our children
• looks at specific traditions - birthdays, Christmas, Easter and more
• gives much to think about in keeping children in church with parents or sending them to children's church

    This book is filled with practical ideas on developing, treasuring and passing on traditions to our children.  I like, how in the title, this book shows the reason for traditions is to help our families more fully treasure God!  Extremely well done Noel and Crossway Books!

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Author - Lori Wick
Publisher - Harvest House

The Kensington Chronicles
	the Hawk & the Jewel  Wings of the Morning

• Favorite Features -
• interesting characters with an engaging storyline
• story presents clear explanation of God, His love and salvation
• characters learn to turn to God in prayer and fully trust Him with their lives

        These books are written well and have characters the reader will care about.  Extremely well done Lori and Harvest House!

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The Incredible Power of Kingdom Authority Author - Adrian Rogers Publisher - Broadman & Holman

• Favorite Features -
• clearly outlines the battle we are in
• explains who our enemy is
• encourages with the truth about Jesus/God
• explains what Kingdom Authority is as well as what it is not
• stresses the absolute truth, perfection, infallibility of the Word of God and our authority is laid out in the Word

    We as believers in Jesus, have authority from God to live in His power - our heart beating as Jesus'.  This book clearly outlines what that means - challenges us not to misuse it as a "magic" saying, but to use it, living in His Spirit according to His Word.  Extremely well done Adrian and Broadman & Holman!

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The Exiles Authors - Gilbert & Lynn Morris Publisher - Thomas Nelson

• Favorite Features -
• historical fiction set in the early 1800's in New Orleans
• book one of four in the Creoles Series
• Excellent characters, believably written

    I like how this book goes to show you can enjoy romance fiction that models standards and presents Christ.  Extremely well done Gilbert, Lynn and Thomas Nelson!

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True Discipleship Author - John Koessler Publisher - Moody Press

• Favorite Features -
• book and workbook/companion guide make an effective resource to aid in growing in your walk
• walks through what discipleship is, and the journey, cost and obstacles to discipleship
• workbook has 60 lessons to work through for an understanding of discipleship
• each lesson includes -
• key passage
• wise words
• thought starter
• Scripture study
• my response
• conclusion
• prayer
• space to journal your answers/thoughts

    Excellent tool to walk believers through how their life can/should be discipled.  Nicely done John and Moody Press!

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Before you Live Together Author - David Gudgel Publisher - Regal

• Favorite Features -
• case studies throughout
• walks through why people decide to live together and the problems that often brings
• encourages couples to wait and explains the benefits for doing so

    This is a must read for singles and those considering marriage.  David does a quality job of explaining why it makes the most sense to wait for marriage to live together.  Extremely well done David and Regal Books!

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Boiling Point Authors - George Barna & Mark Hatch Publisher - Regal Books

• Favorite Features -
• looks at where we are headed and what we can do
• at the end of each chapter there is a variety of useful, challenging thought provoking information
• looks at the change in -
• demographics
• generations
• values
• technology
• medical technology
• business
• faith
• the church
• the world
• politics
• more

    True to form, George Barna has laid out a view of what the future may hold based on current trends.  This book is a must read for all in ministry and for all who want to know how to prepare to effectively reach their family, friends, church and community for Jesus in the coming decade.  Tremendously well done George, Mark and Regal Books!

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the Resurrection File Author - Craig Parshall Publisher - Harvest House

• Favorite Features -
• gripping novel with mystery, conspiracy, terrorism and the need to find truth
• characters are believable and are dealing with issues out of our newspapers today
• clearly presents the salvation message

    Any who read this book will find it a book they will truly enjoy as well as an excellent resource to pass on to a friend or family member who doesn't know Christ, but who likes to read these type of novels.  Extremely well done Craig and Harvest House!

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Coach Wooden, One-on-One Authors - John Wooden & Jay Carty Publisher - Regal

• Favorite Features -
• 60 daily devotions on purpose, passion and success
• each devotion includes -
• Scripture
• thoughts from John Wooden and Jay Carty
• Scripture to study
• prayer

    This book is an excellent devotional for those who love sports, especially basketball, as well as for any who want to be challenged to grow in their own purpose, passion and success by people who know what they are talking about.  You may consider passing this book on to unsaved friends and family who are fans of Coach Wooden.  Extremely well done John, Jay and Regal!

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Publisher - Honor Books

Leadership Smarts Author Ken Blanchard Minute Motivators for Men Author - Stan Toler

• Favorite Features -
• each book has more than 75 quotes, sayings to challenge and encourage
• thoughts/insights to challenge and explain the quotes and what it all means to you

    These books make a great gift for anyone in leadership or who wants to grow in their own leadership abilities.  Filled with much wisdom to make you really think!  Extremely well done Ken, Stan and Honor Books!

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Off My Rocker - Grandparenting Ain't What It Used to Be Author - Gracie Malone Publisher - NavPress

• Favorite Features -
• moments shared by Gracie give insight, encouragement, hope and joy
• each chapter ends with -
• on Grandma's lap - great ideas to help Grandma and child connect
• Grandma's tips - things to do together
• timeless truth - Scripture, devotional and application questions to think through
• practical and wise advice

    This book is one grandmothers will enjoy, relate to and find a wealth of ideas to build strong connections with their grandchildren.  Makes a great Grandparent's Day gift for grandmas or to buy for yourself!  Extremely well done Gracie and NavPress!

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The 7 Sins of Highly defective People Author - Rick Ezell Publisher - Kregel

• Favorite Features -
• walks through the seven deadly sins and how to gain victory over them
• each chapter ends with study questions
• first chapter identifies problem/sin and second walks through God's solution for each of the seven sins

    This is a truly powerful book.  Many of us when thinking about the seven sins would say we don't do those things, however, this author so clearly walks the reader through what the seven sins really are, readers may surprise themselves by identifying themselves in these descriptions.  I really like how clearly Rick explains these sins, but also that he doesn't leave us there recognizing ourselves in his descriptions, but that he goes on to provide encouragement on how to really make them no longer part of our lives.  Excellent book for all to read - would make a great read for small groups to work through together.  Tremendously well done Rick and Kregel!

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Jesus: An Interview Across Time Author - Andrew Hodges, M.D. Publisher - Kregel

• Favorite Features -
• walks through Jesus' life in an interview format
• unique, provocative, challenging, convicting
• Scripture throughout

    I would highly recommend this book for every believer to read as it will help bring Jesus "to life" and give new insight into the Gospels.  Tremendously well done Andrew and Kregel!

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I Thirst Author - Stephen Cottrell Publisher - Zondervan

• Favorite Features -
• includes thoughts on how to use in a group study
• Scripture throughout
• walks through how Jesus shares our joys and sorrows and is with us to help us makes sense of life
• each chapter ends with -
• implications for today
• final thoughts
• discussion questions
• reflection thoughts
• prayer
• focus on helping us focus on Jesus - particularly during Lent
• encourages reader to listen to the Word, how to meditate and use imaginative contemplation

    This is an excellent book to help the reader focus on Jesus, what He did for them and how they can live a life that makes sense because Jesus knows us and what we are going through.  Extremely well done Stephen and Zondervan!

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Secrets of the Koran Author - Don Richardson Publisher - Regal

• Favorite Features -
• walks through the history of Islam
• shows how the Koran does not encourage peace or respect for others
• encourages Christians to understand Islam and reach out to Muslims with the Gospel

    I found this book to be frightening and eye opening.  Muslim people need Jesus and while from a human perspective this seems almost impossible, we know nothing is impossible for God.  I encourage people to read this book and then do as it says and look for opportunities to share Christ with Muslim people.  Extremely well done Don and Regal.

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