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InterVarsity Press

Like Your Neighbor Author - Stephen Sorenson

• Favorite Features -

  • challenges believers to stop with the "do's and don't" that separate them from people in need

  • reflection and discussion questions

  • real ways to connect throughout

  • looks at how Jesus showed love and challenges us to do the same

  • real stories of real people throughout

  • how to build friendships with non-Christians

   

      I'm sure this book ends great, but most of the last chapters were not printed in the book I read. However, this book will challenge and encourage you to connect in real ways with unsaved people. Tremendously well done, Stephen and IVP!

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Growing Your Faith by Giving it Away Author - R. York Moore

• Favorite Features -

  • real life stories throughout

  • written as a conversation

  • "uncommon sense" points throughout

  • recommended reading throughout

  • each chapter ends with application thoughts

   

      Shares how to witness and challenges us to do so with everyone we know. Readable, well told plan makes it seem doable. Tremendously well done, York and IVP!

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Zondervan

 

Radical Gratitude Author - Ellen Vaughn

• Favorite Features -

  • best said by the author - this book is comprised of the stories she's "been given, woven with Scripture of how God can refresh real people through the gracious gift of radical gratitude"

  • shares how her mother's death began her journey of learning to be grateful

  • real stories, told well so people will connect with truths being communicated

  • "love challenge" - to be the one who thanks Jesus

   

      Truly challenging and encouraging - this is an excellent book to give and receive! Tremendously well done, Ellen and Zondervan!

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Putting the Pieces Back Together Author - Mel Lawrenz

• Favorite Features -

  • looks at how faith and life connect in real life

  • each chapter ends with a prayer and reflection questions

   

      At one time or another in all of our lives we need to know how to put the pieces back together. This book is an excellent tool to help us understand better how those pieces "fit". Tremendously well done, Mel and Zondervan!

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God's Outrageous Claims Author - Lee Strobel

• Favorite Features -

  • walks through 13 claims/truths from God -

    • freedom in forgiving your enemies

    • God's rules on sex can liberate us

    • random acts of kindness aren't enough

    • Jesus is the only path to God

    • more

  • each chapter/claim includes -

    • real life stories/illustrations

    • Scripture

   

      Challenging, encouraging and thought provoking. Great book to read and give as a gift. Extremely well done, Lee and Zondervan! The real life accounts are truly powerful!

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The Case for Faith - Visual Edition Author - Lee Strobel

• Favorite Features -

  • Scripture, quotes and text from the book

  • photos to challenge add to the powerful message

   

      Incredible combination of words and pictures clearly communicates a much needed message. Tremendously well done, Lee and Zondervan. This book will get you to think and talk!

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Mealtime Habits of the Messiah Author - Conrad Gempf

• Favorite Features -

  • 40 daily meditations

  • challenges you to walk through the Gospels and experience Jesus interacting with real people

  • each meditation includes -

    • Scripture

    • encouragement

    • suggestions for further thought

    • Scripture and Subject Indexes

   

      Great for personal use, use in a group or for a study. Extremely well done, Conrad and Zondervan!

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Velvet Elvis Author - Rob Bell

• Favorite Features -

  • looks at faith, Jesus, God the Bible and challenges what we believe/think

  • filled with questions

  • straight to the point challenge to be real and what it means to be a Christ-follower

  • describes what church/community should be like

   

      This book will challenge you to really think about what you believe and see God and His world as real, alive and more than you ever thought. Tremendously well done, Rob and Zondervan!

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Christian Beliefs Authors - Wayne Grudem and Elliot Grudem

• Favorite Features -

  • clear, easy to understand guide to 20 basic Christian beliefs

  • written so new believers and those who have been Christians for years, will understand

  • each chapter ends with questions for review and application

  • appendixes for historic confessions of faith and books for further study

   

      Book on theology truly written for everyone! Extremely well done, Wayne, Elliot and Zondervan!

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Howard Publishing

 

Coached by Jesus Author - Alan Nelson

• Favorite Features -

  • designed to be read in a month - 31 questions in 31 days

  • each question begins with Scripture and includes an explanation, connection to the point and application steps to take and live

   

      Extremely well done, Alan and Howard. This book is easy to read and very understandable!

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Baker - Brazos Press

 

A Spiritual Field Guide Authors - Bernard Brady & Mark Newzil

• Favorite Features -

  • five reading plans

  • five topics on Creation with short meditations

   

      This book gives the reader a fresh look at creation with thoughts from writers through the ages and from around the world. Extremely well done, Bernard, Mark and Brazos Press!

   

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  Baker - Revell

Mean Girls All Grown Up - Workbook and Journal Author - Hayley DiMarco

• Favorite Features -

  • book walks readers through how to identify a mean girl, how to respond and how to be mean-free

  • includes Hayley's own story

  • Scripture throughout

  • quizzes throughout

  • shows how to use God's Word to fight the mean

  • journal walks through how to determine if you have a mean girl in your life as well as how to heal by finding inner peace and being able to live with how you've been treated

   

      Excellent book for moms and daughters to work through together. Extremely well done, Hayley and Revell!

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Soon to be a Major Motion Picture Author - Donna Partow

• Favorite Features -

  • walks through 11 ways women get caught up with the drama of life and how to get the right perspective

   

      Interesting, thought challenging, unique book. Read it to reduce the drama in your own life! Extremely well done, Donna and Revell!

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Baker Books

Mentoring Leaders Author - Carson Pue

• Favorite Features -

  • walks through five phases of mentoring

  • warns reader to be aware of seven dangers

  • explains how to communicate vision

   

      This book give much to think about - read with a friend to talk and work through the content together. Extremely well done, Carson and Baker!

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Baker - Chosen

Get the Junk Out of Your Trunk Author - Duane VanderKlok

• Favorite Features -

  • walks you through how to deal with your "junk" so you don't become angry, bitter or unforgiving

  • Scripture throughout

  • each chapter ends with understanding your trunk - questions to think through

  • challenge to choose to forgive and pray for those who hurt you

   

      Powerful, challenging book on forgiveness. Tremendously well done, Duane and Chosen!

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Harvest House

 

Conquering Insecurity Author - Deborah Smith Pegues

• Favorite Features -

  • walks through seven syndromes of insecurity

  • explains seven roadblocks to supreme confidence

  • seven strategies for conquering insecurity

  • seven habits of emotionally secure people

  • insecurity banishing Scriptures

  • insecurity quiz

  • each chapter ends with confidence challenge

   

      Nearly everyone has some insecurity they deal with - this is an excellent book for us all to read and pass on. Extremely well done, Deborah and Harvest House!

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Sandpaper People Author - Mary Southerland

• Favorite Features -

  • 12 ways to deal with sandpaper people

  • study and application guide

  • personal journal

  • each chapter includes -

    • Scripture

    • real life experiences

    • examples from the lives of Bible people

  • sandpaper facts throughout

   

      Excellent book to help reader recognize their own "sandpaperness" as well as how to respond and love the sandpaper people in their own lives. Tremendously well done, Mary and Harvest House!

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The Power of a Praying Teen Author - Stormie Omartian

• Favorite Features -

  • Explains what prayer is and how to pray

  • 20 topics/types of specific prayer

  • each chapter includes -

    • personal story

    • Scripture

    • prayer

    • journal space

     

        Written to help teens understand how to have their prayer be real. Extremely well done, Stormie and Harvest House!

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Discover the Bible for Yourself Author - Kay Arthur

• Favorite Features -

  • explains how to do inductive Bible study in ten steps

  • read through the Bible plans

  • read, interpret and apply - explains how to do this

  • shows how to mark your Bible

  • timelines for the Bible

  • each book of the Bible has helps for understanding, reading and applying as well as space to write themes

   

      Excellent tool for the person serious about reading, understanding and living God's Word!  Tremendously well done, Kay and Harvest House!

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When Your Past is Hurting Your Present Author - Sue Augustine

• Favorite Features -

  • emphasis on the power of choice - choose to believe things can be better, make positive choices, don't let the past rule your present

  This is a must read for any girl/woman who is struggling to find purpose and joy. Extremely well done, Sue and Harvest House!

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W Publishing

 

Next Door Savior Author - Max Lucado

• Favorite Features -

  • Scripture throughout

  • real life accounts of people Jesus touched and the places He found them

  • discussion guide

   

      One of the most powerful, challenging and encouraging books I've ever read! An absolute must-read! We all need to understand and believe Jesus loves us all and loves to be with us - this book can help us see this vital truth! Tremendously well done, Max and W Publishing Group!

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Moody

 

Madman Author - Tracy Groot

• Favorite Features -

  • Historical fiction about the Gerasene demoniac set in the time of Jesus

   

      This book is difficult to "get into", but it does make an interesting read for those who stay with it. Nicely done, Tracy and Moody!

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NavPress

Chateau of Echoes Author - Siri Mitchell

• Favorite Features -

  • interesting characters and setting

  • strong Gospel message

  • includes recipes, reader's guide, french cooking terms

   

      This is a unique novel with familiar features - people, relationships, trust, struggles - as well as unique features - recipes! The Author does a great job of painting word pictures. Extremely well done, Siri and NavPress!

   

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Who Was Adam? Authors - Fazale Rana and Hugh Ross

• Favorite Features -

  • uses testable methodology to show the validity of the creation model

  • walks through the scientific discoveries and shows how they fit the creation model prediction

  • easy to understand

   

      A truly excellent book on the origin of man that not only makes sense, but uses testable methodology to take a stand for creation! Tremendously well done, Frazale, Hugh and NavPress!

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I Surrender All Authors - Clay & Renee Crosse

• Favorite Features -

  • identifies throughout who is writing each part - very helpful to the reader

   

      Powerful. Honest. Needed. The Crosses walk readers through the pain porn brings to individual lives and the damage it does to a marriage as well as a look at the healing process and how a marriage can survive the devastation of porn. Tremendously well done, Clay, Renee and NavPress!

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5 Paths to the Love of Your Life Editor - Alex Chediak

• Favorite Features -

  • walks through the five models on dating and gives an overview at the end with definition, distinctives, Scripture, benefits and potential problems

   

      For anyone confused about the best way to date, this book provides an excellent overview and honest appraisal of benefits and problems with five models for dating. Tremendously well done, Alex and NavPress/Think!

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Zondervan

Real Questions, Real Answers About Sex Authors - Dr. Louis & Melissa McBurney

• Favorite Features -

  • complete, straightforward answers to sex, what we need to know about sex, how to prepare for the first time, physical facts, when to get help and more

  This is a great item for engaged, newlywed and struggling couples. Extremely well done, Louis, Melissa and Zondervan!

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Eden Hall Author - Veronica Heley

• Favorite Features -

  • novel with characters and a setting readers will enjoy

  • emphasizes character, making right choices and salvation

  This is an enjoyable read - take it on vacation! Extremely well done, Veronica and Zondervan!

   

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W Publishing Group

So You Want to Be Like Christ? Author - Charles Swindoll

• Favorite Features -

  • real stories throughout of real people, including Charles Swindoll

  Great book for encouraging readers to develop the Spiritual disciplines so they can become like Jesus! Extremely well done, Charles and W Publishing Group!

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Extreme Devotion

 

• Favorite Features -

  • 365 daily readings - each include, Scripture, information about a martyr/sufferer's account from around the world and across time

  • devotional thoughts and challenge to live giving your all for Jesus

   

      This is a truly powerful and challenging devotional! Every believer should read this book. Tremendously well done, W Publishing Group!

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Rutledge Hill Press/Thomas Nelson

 

I Hope You Dance Journal Authors - Mark Sanders/Tia Sillers

• Favorite Features -

  • encouragement throughout to journal your life/dance

  • includes photo corners to put your own photo in the journal

   

      Great first journal or journal to continue the discipline of journaling your life, walk and prayers! Extremely well done, Mark, Tia and Rutledge Hill Press/Thomas Nelson!

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Life Journey/Cook

 

Making the Blue Plate Special Authors - Florence Littauer, Marita Littauer, Lauren Littauer Briggs

• Favorite Features -

  • real-life, personal family history/legacy stories throughout

  • encouragement to learn, preserve and pass on a family legacy

   

      Great gift for moms who like to learn about their family tradition! Very nicely done, Florence, Marita, Lauren and Life Journey/Cook!

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Sizzle Author - Denise Vezey

• Favorite Features -

  • includes reader's guide/discussion questions

  • seven secrets for sizzle in a marriage

  • real-life accounts throughout

  • 90 questions for couples to get them talking

   

      Much to think about and excellent information to help build strong, happy marriages that truly sizzle. Extremely well done, Denise and Life Journey/Cook!

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Regal

Faith Begins At Home Author - Mark Holmen

• Favorite Features -

  • walks through how to make over the home, parents, child, extended family and church

  • each chapter includes makeover keys, activities, small group discussion starters

  • stresses the necessity of parents as primary teachers of their kids and the necessity of the Sr. Pastor seeing children's ministry as a priority in the church

   

      Tremendously well done, Mark and Regal! This is readable with real information. Great for small groups!

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InterVarsity Press

 

Never Mind the Joneses Author - Tim Stafford

• Favorite Features -

  • discussion guide included

  • walks through 14 core values for a family and real ways to live them

   

      All couples need to read this book as soon as they decide to get married. I wish I would have known these things 24 years ago. Tremendously well done, Tim and InterVarsity Press!

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Multnomah

Set Apart Author - Bruce Wilkinson

• Favorite Features -

  • clearly explains what it means and looks like to live a holy life

  • clearly explains what victory over temptation and walking in holiness involves

  • real life accounts throughout

  • 10 steps to a deep cleansing - excellent!

  • habits of holiness

   

      Explains Holiness so the reader will really want to live a holy life and believe they can do so. Truly a must-read book! Tremendously well done, Bruce and Multnomah!

   

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